#developmental cascade

[ineedfairypee]

Early intervention can change outcomes

[withwritersblock]

Back to Friends

~Back to Friends by sombr~

Author's note: Requested! A lot of the back story timeline is a little inaccurate but anyways its fan fiction for a reason lmaoo... Also it's a long one with lots of badly written vanilla smut so ummmm yeah. The ending could've been a lot better but ummmm anyways... personally I love this fic but definitely a little all over the place plot wise but enjoy :) Summary: A summer friends with benefits that ends? maybe? Warnings: SMUT 18+, pretty vanilla nothing too crazy lol Word Count: 27,254 Jack Hughes x fm!reader

December 2022

He was in Detroit for the night. He had a game against the Red Wings and would get back to Jersey after two in the morning. But tonight he couldn’t sleep. It wasn’t even late, but he always craved a full night's rest before an important game. They were on a three game losing streak and needed a win more than anything.

His phone lit up beside him on the night stand of the hotel bed. He let out a huff of air as he reached for it. He saw a text from Y/N. His eyes widened as he reached for it.

Y/N and Jack have known each other since they were seventeen. While Jack was playing for the developmental league, they met and became instant friends. Her brother used to work for the arena the team had practiced at. In the beginning, there was flirty tension. But for a while after that, there was nothing that ended up spiraling out of it.

She was going to school for soccer and he was on the verge of getting drafted. There was no need. Instead they became close friends. 

Well, she became a close mutual friend. She went to Chapman University for soccer and since she knew Trevor as well. She became good friends with Trevor and with Jack by adjacent. 

Trevor and Y/N were the definition of platonic. She never looked at him in that way and neither did he. It was almost as if they were automatically best friends. But after she graduated from Chapman, she started an on screen reporting job for the BigTen with UMich. She jumped between football and basketball for her reporter duties. 

Jack pulled the phone towards his face, reading the message: Good luck tomorrow! I’ll be there cheering you on! He smiled softly as he read the message over and over. He took a deep breath as he brought the phone towards his ear. It rang a few times before she answered.

“Hey J,” she said cheerfully into the phone. 

“Are you busy right now?” the question left his lips faster than he intended for it. He cleared his throat as he leaned up on his elbows. 

“I’m in bed right now, what are you asking, J?” she asked, laughing awkwardly. 

A wide grin formed on his lips as he tilted his head to the side. A breathy laugh left his lips as he slowly sat up, swinging his legs off of the bed. “Wanna come to my hotel? I can’t sleep,” he asked, his heart slamming against his chest. 

“I probably won’t be there until like 10:30, is that still fine?” she asked as she began to shuffle on her end of the phone. Jack bit his bottom lip as he tilted his head back. 

“Yeah, definitely. If you want to come by,” Jack said as he grinned, hearing her move about on her end of the phone. 

“I’ll be there, send me the address please,” she offered as she drew out the last word. He chuckled as he began to walk towards the bathroom of the hotel.

“Will do, I’ll send you my room number too,” he explained before he hung up the phone. 

He flipped the light switch, letting the LED lights burn his eyes. Jack started typing into his phone, sending her the information. He rested his phone onto the bathroom counter, he looked towards his reflection in the mirror. His hair was messily laid across his forehead. His hair was freshly cut, the shortest it’s been in the past year. 

He walked towards the shower, turning it on. The water shot out, instantly creating steam in the bathroom. He dropped his shorts and quickly stepped inside. His muscles tensed under the hot water cascading over his frame. Slowly tilting his head back, allowing the water to hit his face.

His mind was starting to wander, almost reminding himself of the way he used to think about her. How often her smile lit up a room and how contagious her laughter was for a room. There was a time he did everything in his power to hear her laugh. It was the best sound in the world.

After he got drafted, he was having the hardest year of his life. The NHL was nothing like he had expected. The comments about his abilities were detrimental to his mental health. For a while, the only person who could make him feel better was Y/N. Hearing her voice alone was enough for him to feel better. She even knew what to say to make him feel confident again. 

The summer after his rookie year, she started joining the boys on the boys trip. She fit in like a glove. The three summers since have been the same. Jack wanted to see her more, maybe needed to see her some more. 

After an hour, Jack was waiting for her on his bed. His TV was showing an old romantic comedy from the early 2000s. He couldn’t figure out the title of the film. Instead, his attention was towards his phone. He was scrolling through TikTok patiently waiting for Y/N to show up. 

His phone screen lit up with a FaceTime from Luke. Jack didn’t hesitate to answer it. Luke’s face popped up instantly. “What’s up, Lukey?” he asked as he glanced towards the door, almost expecting her to be here already. It was almost 10:30.

“Do you want to get lunch before your game tomorrow?” Luke questioned as he was walking around his kitchen.

“Yeah definitely, got any ideas?” Jack offered.

“Uhm–” Luke was interrupted as there was a loud knock against Jack’s door. A smile instantly formed on his lips.

“Can we decide this tomorrow Lukey? I gotta go,” Jack offered quickly. 

“Who’s at your door?” Luke asked while chuckling nervously.

“Don’t worry about it,” Jack said as he hung up the phone. He jogged towards it, looking through the peephole. He saw Y/N standing outside of his door. He grinned as he pulled the door open quickly. 

She was standing outside of his door, her frame covered by a pair of sweatpants and an Anaheim Ducks t-shirt. He shook his head as his grin fell from his lips. “You’re evil,” he mumbled as he reached towards her. Pulling her against his chest as he stumbled backwards into the hotel room. 

A giggle fell from her lips as she wrapped her arms around the center of Jack’s back. He rocked her side to side inside of the hotel room, letting the door shut behind them. Her laugh practically echoed in his mind, making his heart flutter slightly. 

“Hey J,” she mumbled against his chest. He ran his hand through her hair soothingly. 

Neither of them pulled away. Staying in each other’s arms for definitely too long. Jack loved the perfume she would always wear. It was a mixture of something floral and sweet. All he knows is that it was intoxicating. 

“I’ve missed you,” Jack whispered into her ear. A soft giggle fell from her lips as she pulled back. Jack’s hands slid off of her frame, slowly dropping them to his side. Awkwardly, she stood in front of him; her gaze avoiding his light eyes.

“I’ve missed you too,” she offered quietly, taking a hesitant step towards him. He shifted his weight form on foot to the other as he watched her avoid his eye. She took a deep breath, “Why didn’t you call your brother? He could’ve kept you company,” she offered.

He chuckled dryly, “I’ll see him tomorrow,”

“You were gonna see me tomorrow,” she said as she stepped towards him. Jack swallowed harshly as he watched her tilt her head up. Their eyes met again, her lips curling upward slightly.

“You’re better company,” he let out shrugging his shoulders. She nodded slowly.

Their eyes remained connected, perhaps saying things that their lips were too afraid to let slip out. Jack’s heart was beating so rapidly as his frame was itching with anticipation. He didn’t know what it was but his gaze lowered towards her lips. Her lips were covered with a clear pink gloss, his mind wandered towards the idea of what it tasted like. If it was a hint of strawberry or if it was just the color of the gloss. 

“J?” she asked softly. 

He began to blink rapidly as he shook his head slightly, “Wanna lay down? Watch a movie, maybe?” he asked, pointing towards the bed. Clearing her throat, she nodded as she began to walk past him towards the bed.

Without fully realizing what he was doing, Jack took a hold of her arm pulling her back towards him. Lifting her head up, a sudden gasp left her lips. Jack leaned down, urgently pressing his lips against hers. At first she didn’t react, the shock froze her body still. 

The moment she began to kiss him back, Jack pulled back. Dropping his arms to the side. Her eyes widened slightly as a wave of heat engulfed her frame.

“I’m sorry, I don’t know what I was thinking–” he let out nervously. He was about to take a step back as she reached towards him, taking a hold of his neck. She pulled him towards her, kissing him with the same sense of urgency. 

He reached towards her waist, pressing her body against his as he began to guide her towards the bed. The backs of her legs hit the mattress, she began to kick off her shoes as their lips remained connected. 

His hands tugged at the t-shirt on her frame. He knew she only wore it to piss him off, it worked. He used the loose ends of the shirt to pull her towards him. Feeling the fabric stretch slightly at his attempt. 

Both of her hands found his hair, tugging at the strands as she craved to get closer to him. He pulled back, his breathing completely unsteady as he took a hold of his own shirt. Taking it off of his frame, he threw it to a random corner in the small hotel room.

She’s seen him shirtless before, more times than she could actually count. But something about the dimly lit hotel room and his shy smile made his muscles look incredible. Her hands glided along his chest, watching the way his body tensed under her touch. His skin was hot as she could feel his heart slamming against his chest.

“Take that off,” he demanded breathlessly. His gaze lowered towards her shirt. She smirked as she tilted her head to the side; almost as a taunt. Jack took a hold of it, pulling her closer to him by the shirt. He smirked as their gaze connected.

He felt drunk by the way her lips kissed his. It was like she knew how to cast a spell over him. “Take that off,” he demanded again. She smirked as she shook her head slightly.

“If you want it gone so bad then take it off of me,” she whispered teasingly. His lips curled up into a cocky grin as he gladly reached towards the shirt on her frame. He tugged it up higher. She assisted in the process. Jack bunched the shirt together and tossed it to the same corner his shirt laid. 

“Oh my god,” he let out barely above a whisper as his eyes scanned her frame. His breath caught in his throat. 

Her chest was now only covered by a black lace bra. He took a delicate hold of the strap against her shoulder. He released it, letting it snap back in place. He’s seen her in bikinis and swimsuits before; but it’s nothing like this. Only his eyes got to see her like this. He took a quick breath, his chest aching from the lack of oxygen in his body. 

Suddenly, she felt self conscious with the way his eyes were roaming her frame. She took a shaky breath as their eyes met again. She dropped her gaze towards the floor. Jack instantly took a hold of her cheeks to force her to meet his eye.

“You’re fucking breathtaking,” Jack let out as he looked deeply into her eyes. The corner of her lips curled upward as he glided his thumbs along the apples of her cheeks. He pressed his lips against hers for only a second. “Don’t ever forget it,” he mumbled against her lips. 

He kissed her urgently again, as they both collapsed onto the bed. Her hands ran through his hair as he held himself up with both of his arms resting on either side of her head. 

Urgently, she bucked her hips up into him; desperate for more contact from him. Her stomach erupted into butterflies as he began to trail wet kisses across her jawline. He continued to lower his lips, swirling his tongue against the skin as he began to suck against the skin. Careful to not leave any marks. 

She pressed her lips together as she tried to prevent a moan climbing in her throat. He pulled away from her neck, looking down towards her. She raised her hand up as she ran her hand from the side of his neck against the curve of his collarbone. 

“I promise I didn’t invite you here for this,” he let out as he scanned her features.

“I know,” she mumbled as she reached towards him again, desperate for his lips against her own again. Their tongues swirled in perfect cadence. Reaching down, he toyed with the band of her sweatpants. Feeling her arch her back into him. He let it snap back against her skin before he delicately grazed his hand up her frame. 

Their lips continued to be sloopily insync more urgently as his boxers were getting tighter and tighter by the second. He thrusted against her clothed center, for a blissful moment of relief. Yet it made him more desperate to see more of her. 

Jack pulled his lips away from hers as he began to trail his lips down her frame. Kissing every inch of her skin on the way down. He pressed his lips against her hip bone, teasingly biting the skin. 

A gasp left her lips while she tilted her head back. Jack pulled at her sweatpants, looking up towards her. 

He watched her in awe as she lifted her hips up. He took that as an invitation, he climbed off of the bed as he pulled them from her frame. He tossed them to the floor. 

Her body was now only covered by her matching lace set. He could come undone just from looking at her so innocently laying on his bed. So innocent and all just for him.

She leaned back on her elbows, breathlessly looking towards him. He took a hold of his own shorts and took them off quickly. She smiled softly as she looked over his frame. Seeing how hard he was beneath his boxers. Her mouth started watering as she scanned his frame back up looking into his eyes. 

He stood at the foot of the bed admiring her frame for a moment. “Wow–” he let out before he climbed on top of her. He looked down towards her, smiling softly. He pressed his lips against hers, she motioned for him to roll onto his back. 

Jack didn’t hesitate as he rolled onto his back. Soon, she straddled his frame. Quickly, grinding slowly, almost teasingly, her hips against his hard clothes frame. He let out a breathy moan that was muffled by her mouth against his. 

“Fuck,” he mumbled while tilting his head back. She smirked as she leaned back, pressing her lips down his neck. Jack bit his bottom lip while she took a hold of the clasp of her bra. 

Quickly, she unclasped it and tossed it from her frame. Jack’s eyes widened as his hands instantly rested on her hips. Slowly squeezing her skin. “You’re so fucking beautiful,” he let out urgently. She bit her bottom lip as she fought off a smile. She dragged her hands across his abs while he took a hold of her hands, pulling her to lean towards him.

She pressed her lips against his as his hands lowered down her frame, gripping her thighs desperately. He thrusted up into her, a breathy moan left her lips. She continued to glide her fingers through his hair. She felt her body start to get overwhelmed with desire, desperate to be completely all his. 

His hands glided along her back, feeling her skin erupt in goosebumps beneath his touch. “Get on your back,” he mumbled against her lips. She pulled back, staring down towards him for a second as she climbed off of his frame. 

The second she laid onto her back, Jack started to climb down her frame. This time pressing his lips teasingly, circling his tongue at a slow pace. He looped his finger beneath the band of her underwear. The delicate touch sent a vibration through her whole body, her vision blurring in the process. He pulled it off of her frame, letting it drop towards the floor. Shutting her eyes, she tilted her head back.

Jack took a hold of her legs, pulling her towards the edge of the bed. Carefully, parting her legs. He smirked to see how wet she was for him.

“So wet for me, huh baby?” He mumbled as he delicately caressed the skin of her hip bone.

Anticipation coursed through her veins as she tilted her head back against the pillow. Desperately waiting for him to do something to her. She craved his touch, his lips, craved everything from him. 

He pressed his lips against the inside of her thigh, carefully and slowly trailing his lips towards her center. 

“Fuck sake, J, please!” she begged as she forced her eyes shut. A breathy laugh left his lips as he looked up towards her. 

“So impatient,” he mumbled as he delicately pressed his thumb against her clit. Slowly, circling his thumb. She squirmed instantly, her back arched. A gasp left her lips as he continued. “So pretty and so impatient,” he mumbled as he pressed his lips against the inside of her thigh. He watched her clamp her mouth shut, silencing the moans fighting to come out.

He leaned towards her, his fingertips grazing her throbbing center. Without hesitation, he slid two fingers inside of her in a teasing manner. A breathy moan left her lips as she tried to silence herself. Slowly, he began to curl his fingers. He smirked as he watched her squirm beneath his touch. 

“Fuck,” she mumbled as her legs began to tightened around him. Jack leaned in taking her clit into his mouth. He began to suck the sensitive bud as he looped one of his arms around her thigh. He squeezed the skin, holding her in place.

A moan finally fell from her lips and Jack felt himself nearly release right there. It was the most beautiful sound he’s heard in a long time. He pulled back, bringing his fingers towards his mouth. After a few seconds, he brought his lips towards her center. Teasingly, he began to swirl his tongue.

He stayed there for a while, pulling her towards her edge. Her breathing was heavy as she continued to silence her own moans; afraid of someone overhearing.

“J, I’m so close,” she mumbled. Jack pulled back, licking his lips clean. A frustrated sigh left her lips as her eyes opened; practically glaring towards him. “Why does every guy stop when a girl says that?” she let out breathily. He chuckled as he finally pulled his boxers from his frame. She looked towards him, her eyes widening as she was breathing heavily. 

“Just wait, baby,” he mumbled as he ran his hand up and down his shaft. A muffled moan fell from his lips as he looked towards her. An imagine he never thought he was going to see. 

He carefully pulled her legs towards the edge of bed as he parted her legs again, He guided himself towards her center, carefully thrusting into her. Another moan fell from her lips as he took a hold of her thigh as he climbed on top of her. 

He thrusted again, a grunt falling from his lips. Their eyes connected as she nodded slightly. He began to quicken his pace. Thrusting faster into her, pressing sloppy kisses against her jawline.

“So good, baby, doing so good,” he mumbled before he kissed her sloppily. Her hands found his hair, tugging the strands. He was right, she was right back at the edge he put her on before. Any second she would unwind. 

Jack pulled his lips away from hers, needing to see what he does to her. He needed to watch how her desire consume her. He was getting dizzy, a smirk toyed to his lips watching her breathlessly keep her moans inside.

“Let me here you, let it out,” he muttered through a grunt. She smirked as she finally let herself let it out. A low moan fell from her lips as she dragged her hands across his upper back, leaving nail scratches in their place. 

“Oh fuck, I’m gonna–J,” she mumbled against his lips. 

With another thrust, she had hit her climax. Her breath caught in her throat as she tilted her head back. She couldn’t hold it back anymore as she let out a loud moan. Jack bit his bottom lip as he continued to guide her through her climax.

“That’s it’s baby,” he whispered breathlessly.

“Oh fuck, oh my god Jac–” she moan out. 

He pressed his lips against her jawline as he tightened his grip on her thigh as he reached his own climax. A stifled his own moan as his entire body flooded with desire. His vision went blurry as he pressed his lips sloppily against her jawline. 

He pulled out as he fell onto his back beside her. Both of them laid silently as they were trying to catch their breath. He tilted his head to the side, looking over her side profile. He watched as she chewed on her bottom lip as she took a deep breath. She blinked her eyes harshly back to back. 

Several seconds passed before she turned her head to meet his gaze. A soft giggle falling from her lips. “What?” he asked, fighting a smirk forming on his lips. 

“I cannot believe we just did that,” she let out while shaking her head slightly. 

“It was alright,” he mumbled teasingly. She rolled her eyes dramatically as she shoved him. He laughed as he reached towards her, pulling her towards him. Her head rested on his chest as he looped his arm around her waist. He kissed the top of her head.

“You’re so annoying,” she mumbled. He hummed dramatically as he began to run his fingers through her hair.

“Should we talk about it?” he asked barely above a whisper. She pressed her lips against his chest as she lifted her head up, meeting his gaze. 

“Just a one time thing right? You live in New Jersey and I live here. It wouldn’t make sense for it to be more than that right?” she explained as she ran her hand across his cheek. He nodded slowly as he brushed a few pieces of hair away from her face. 

His heart stung in his chest but he forced a grin to his lips, “Can we make it a two time thing? Another round?” he asked teasingly. She rolled her eyes dramatically. 

“You have a losing streak to snap tomorrow, shouldn’t you be saving some energy?” 

“You just had to remind me, huh?” he asked while shaking his head slightly. 

“I live to keep the Jack Hughes humble,” she shot back. 

He rolled his eyes dramatically as he took a hold of her neck. He pulled her towards him, kissing her urgently.

June 2023

Jack and Y/N’s friendship remained the same like it was before their night together back in December. They slept together and cuddled the entire night. They didn’t say a single word about it when they went to lunch with Luke. However, Jack was convinced Luke had some idea of what had happened. Luke never said anything about it though.

It was as if nothing happened. Their friendship was normal as normal as it could seem. They texted and talked on the phone nearly every day. It was exactly like it used to be. 

But Jack would be lying if he didn’t have plenty of dreams reliving that night. Waking up, wishing she was beside him to fix what he was left with after his wet dreams. But they were friends and friends should not think of other friends like that. 

Today was the start of another summer at the Hughes's lake house. All of the boys wanted to shake off a rough end to the season, craving to let off some steam. While Y/N was frustrated because she was not given a new contract with the Big Ten. She was trying to decide what she wanted to do with her career. This summer was her last chance to enjoy unemployment before she went on a job search. 

The Hughes Brothers were the first ones at the house, making sure the whole place was perfect. Trevor, Cole, and Y/N were on their way. Y/N had promised to pick the other three up from the airport and she texted Jack that she was regretting giving that offer. 

“What time did Y/N say they would be here?” Quinn asked as he wandered back into the living room. Jack tilted his head back looking towards Quinn. A smile formed on Jack's lips at the sound of her name.

“She should be here in like five minutes,” Jack explained as he forced his gaze back towards his phone screen. 

He began to scroll through his Twitter feed, not necessarily reading everything he saw. Mainly trying to keep his mind off of the fact that Y/N was going to be in the same room as him for the first time since Decemeber. Quinn nodded as he wandered back towards the kitchen, leaving Jack alone. Luke was in his room unpacking all of his clothes.

Jack was trying to be cool but he was freaking out. He didn’t know how to be normal knowing that any minute she would walk through that door. Probably wearing something gorgeous since she always looked gorgeous in everything she’s worn; and not worn. 

The front door swung open and Y/N led the charge. “Party’s here!” The three of them shouted as they entered the house. Trevor was carrying six pizzas while dancing towards the kitchen. Completely ignoring Jack who was in the process of standing up from the couch. Cole was holding his phone up playing the pre-chorus of Hot in Herre by Nelly. 

Cole and Y/N were dancing their way inside while leaving their suitcases by the door. Jack stood up from the couch watching Cole and Y/N make complete fools of themselves. Trevor bolted out of the kitchen, “It’s gettin’ hot in here!” Trevor yelled out singing along to the song as he went back towards Y/N and Cole.

The three of them danced and sang loudly. Luke entered the living room, his eyes were wide as he was trying to hold in a laugh. Quinn entered the living room, completely losing balance from laughing. Jack stood up crossing his arms over his chest as he watched three of his favorite people. 

The song faded into another song but Cole placed his phone against the table beside the front door. “You guys are the weirdest people I’ve ever met,” Luke said while laughing. He walked towards Cole first, giving him a quick hug. Cole darted towards Quinn. Luke walked towards Y/N.

“Hey Lukey,” she offered as she gave him a quick hug, “UMich is gonna miss you,” she mumbled as she pulled back.

“They’re gonna miss you too, all of the athletes are going to miss you like crazy. We all thought it was dumb to let you go,” he expressed. She smiled softly as she tilted her head to the side. 

“Thanks Lukey,” she muttered before she saw Quinn walking towards her. “Quinny, how are you?” she asked as she gave him a quick hug. 

“Alive, can’t wait for this break,” he said while chuckling. She pouted her lips as Quinn shifted his attention towards Trevor. 

Y/N looked towards Jack as he was finishing up his quick greeting with Cole. Jack shifted his gaze towards her as he fought off a grin. He scanned her frame, slowly. She walked up towards him.

“Hey J,” she let out softly, feeling her legs start to get weak as she looked over him. 

“Hi Y/N,” he mumbled. Hesitantly, she pulled him in an embrace. He followed in pursuit as his hands loosely looped around her waist. He delicately ran his hand along her lower back. 

She rested her hand on the base of his neck as her body straightened. Her stomach flipped as she felt her breathing catch in her throat. 

“I’ve missed you,” he whispered into her ear. A memory of their night together flashed into her mind with his lips so close to her ear. 

She swallowed harshly as she pulled back, her hand glided from his neck, her thumb ran along the side of his neck for a moment before she fully pulled away from him. He pursed his lips forward as he scanned her frame. He shifted awkwardly as he crossed his arms over her chest.

Clearing her throat, she looked into his eyes for a second before she reluctantly stepped away from him. “We have pizza and there is still a load of liquor in the car. Can anyone help me?” She offered while looking around the whole living room.

“I got you,” Jack said quickly before anyone else had a chance to chime in. Their eyes connected and she felt her heart slam against her chest. She lowered her gaze towards the cocky smirk on his lips. She walked backwards, stumbling slightly. She clenched her jaw as she darted outside of the front door.

He smirked as he lowered his gaze towards the floor as he followed after her. She jogged towards the trunk of her car. Instantly, she opened the trunk and stared towards the four paper bags holding all of the alcohol. 

She leaned into the trunk, taking a hold of one of the bags. Jack walked up behind her, a smirk toying to his lips. She froze in place as her body erupted in tingles. She took a shaky breath as she took a hold of another bag. Jack leaned towards her as he reached towards a bag. 

“Thank you for your help,” she said slowly as she walked away from him. He dragged his tongue across his bottom lip as he took the other bag. He shut the trunk as he quickly followed after her. 

She entered the living room hearing echoes from the boys in the kitchen. “Y/N,” Jack called out in a hushed tone. She turned around, meeting his gaze. “Are you okay?”

She looked into his light eyes as she squinted her eyes slightly. “I’m good, good–yeah,” she muttered before she began to walk towards the kitchen. She entered.

“Our alcohol!” Cole cheered loudly. The other boys laughed as Y/N rested her bags onto the center island. Jack walked beside her, resting his bags onto the counter himself. 

It was normal for her and Jack to be close, not necessarily people that hug and cuddle all of the time. But they were not people to not be in close proximity. She never noticed it much before, or cared much before. Now that they’ve hooked up, she was hyper aware of his presence. The way her body erupted in goosebumps and tingles any time his body was close against her.

She began to pull out the different bottles. Jack stood beside her, their arms bumping against one another as he started pulling out the other bottles. “We’re thinking about going on the boat in a few, you two down?” Quinn asked before he shoved a bite of food into his mouth. 

Y/N glanced towards Jack and back down towards the overwhelming amount of alcohol in front of them. “I’m always down,” she offered as she stared towards the comically large vodka bottle. 

Jack looked over her frame for a second, “Yeah for sure,” he expressed before he looked towards Luke. Luke nodded slowly, his cheeks pinking up as he glanced towards Y/N. 

It was a couple hours later and it was safe to say that most of them were pretty tipsy. She was sitting in one of the corners of the boat. Her swimsuit was covered by an oversized pink hoodie. 

The music has progressively gotten quieter as the hours progressed. Now everyone was starting to get tired as the sun was starting to set. She had her knees pulled up towards her chest.

Their conversations progressively started getting quieter as the sun was starting to create a stunning orange glow over the water. Quinn and Trevor were laughing loudly at something Trevor had said.

Her gaze continued to wander towards Jack. He was sitting on the opposite end of the boat. His frame was covered in a dark blue hoodie but it was once showing off his tanned body. He was talking with Luke,  from afar the conversation seemed serious. Or at least it appeared to be that way.

Cole was laying down beside her. His feet were dangling over the ledge of the boat. His head rested beside her thigh. Every so often she would glance down to see Cole half asleep. His arms were crossed over his chest. 

“Y/N,” Cole whispered. She forced her gaze away from Jack as she looked down towards him. He waved his finger towards her. She squinted her eyes slightly as she leaned towards him. Slowly, she tilted her head to the side, allowing him to whisper in her ear. “Did something happen with you and Jack?” he asked barely above a whisper. She pulled back, her eyes widening.

“Why are you asking me that?” she asked softly. He chuckled as he shrugged slightly, his eyes shutting in the process.

“Because this is usually his spot and he’s busy lecturing Luke about what it takes to be in the NHL,” Cole explained, a dry laugh leaving his lips. “Did you guys get into an argument?”

“No, we’re good,” she mumbled as she shifted her gaze back towards Jack across from them. His gaze was already looking in her direction. The corner of his lips curled upward as he looked into her eyes. He bit his bottom lip as he continued to look in her direction.

Shyly, she dropped her gaze towards her lap. Cole was looking towards her suspiciously. “What?” she asked barely above a whisper.

“Did you two–” he trailed off as he nodded slowly, trying to insinuate something. Her lips parted slightly as the skin of her cheeks heated up instantly. Her lack of defense was enough for him to believe it. “Oh we have so much to talk about later,” Cole offered while chuckling.

“You guys ready to head back? I’m getting cold,” Quinn called out as he began walking back towards the driver seat.

Y/N looked down towards Cole who was fighting off a wide grin. The boys all started making fun of Quinn. While Cole and Y/N were staring towards one another. “We have nothing to talk about, Cole,” she offered while nodding slowly. He chuckled as he shut his eyes.

Quinn began to drive the boat back towards the dock. 

“Cole, I’m serious,” she mumbled. 

“Okay,” he sing songed, “But you two aren’t really keeping it to yourselves,”

“Shut up, Cole,” she let out while laughing.

~~~

She was laying on her bed, struggling to fall asleep. Her mind was busy, nearly impossible to make it quiet. It was a one time thing. They were fine the next day, and didn't even act like it happened. Sure, the faint feeling of his lips against hers was all she could think about that day. But it was normal.

Nothing felt normal. Maybe it was the fact that this was the first time they were sleeping under the same roof since. She let out a huff of air as she stared towards the ceiling. Tossing the blanket low on her frame, her body starting to overheat.

Out of nowhere there was a soft kock on her door. She took a hold of her phone to check the time. It was a little after midnight. She sighed as she tossed the blanket away from her frame. She walked towards the door and pulled it open. Jack was standing outside of her door, a pair of sweatpants being the only thing covering his frame. 

“What are you doing, J?” she asked softly. 

“Can I come in?” he asked nervously. She nodded, stepping aside letting him walk into her room. She shut the door, pressing her back against the door. He walked towards the center of the room; his gaze towards the floor. 

She didn’t say anything. Instead she was admiring the way his back muscles tensed as he breathed heavily. After a few seconds he spun around, resting his hands onto his hips. 

“So you and Cole were pretty close today, huh?” he let out as he continued to avoid her gaze. She squinted her eyes slightly as she pursed her lips forward.

“Haven’t seen him in a year. It was good to catch up,” she offered as she nervously ran her fingers through her hair.

“I meant–like–on the boat. You two were pretty close,” he said as he finally lifted his head up to meet her gaze. Her heart jumped into her throat as her knees suddenly felt weak. 

“Are you jealous that I was hanging out with Cole?” she questioned, a smirk toying her lips.

“I have no reason to be jealous,” he offered as he took a step towards her. Her posture straightened as she continued pressing her back against the door. Almost afraid that if she pulled away she would collapse under his gaze. 

“Right ‘cause we’re completely normal,” she pressed her lips together while breathing started to become difficult. He stopped a couple of steps away from her, watching her intently. He saw the way she was frozen in place; he knew why.

“Right because nothing happened between us,”

“Nope,”

“So I can’t be jealous that you and Cole were flirting for hours on the boat earlier,” he offered before dragging his tongue over his bottom lip. He raised his hand up and dragged it across his chin.

She brushed a few pieces of hair away from her face, tucking it behind her ear as she continued to look into his darkening eyes. “We weren’t flirting,” 

“Right because his head was practically in your lap. You were laughing a lot, totally not flirting,” 

“His head was not in my lap and he’s funny. Am I supposed to not laugh at something funny?” she said dryly. 

“He’s not that funny,” 

“Why do you care if I am laughing with Cole?” 

“I don’t,” he said bluntly.

“Then why are you–”

He interrupted her by taking a hold of both of her cheeks and kissing her urgently. There was not an ounce of hesitation as she began to kiss him back. Her hands planted onto his chest as he shoved his knee between her legs. His hands slipped from her cheeks as he rested them against the door beside her head to pin her against it.

Her hands glided through his hair, needing him closer. She took a hold of the ends of her shirt, pulling her lips away from his in the process. She tossed it towards the floor to reveal her bare chest. 

Jack instantly connected their lips again as he took a hold of her waist to pull her against his chest. He reached behind her twisting the lock on the door, he didn’t need any surprises. Reaching down he took a hold of her thighs; she jumped up assisting him in the process. Not once did their lips part. Her hands held his head in place, desperate for his lips to stay on hers.

Jack carried her towards the bed and delicately placed her down onto the bed. He stood at the foot of the bed, quickly sliding his sweats down his body. He smirked as he climbed on top of her again.

Their noses brushed as she took a hold of his neck. She delicately ran her thumb along the side of it. Jack hummed as he looked into her eyes, “What?” he let out breathily. 

She shook her head slightly before she pulled him towards her by his neck. He let out a breathy moan that was muffled by her mouth. Slowly, pulling his lips from hers he began to trail his lips down her neck. She tilted her head back, giving him more space.

“Gotta be quiet, yeah? Can’t let them know what we’re doing,” he whispered into her ear. She couldn’t form any words; instead she hummed before she bit her bottom lip. He smirked as he pressed wet kisses down her neck, towards her chest. His eyes lit up in the process.

~~~

She forced him out of her room not long after they hooked up. She was afraid that if he fell asleep in her room then it would be suspicious to everyone in the house. Jack was notorious for sleeping in and it would be difficult for him to sneak out. 

Although, she did feel guilty kicking him out like that. After all, he was the one that snuck into her room to begin with. She laid in the center of the bed, staring towards the ceiling. Her mind was replaying every single moment from the night before. 

The way his hands grazed her skin and the way her back would arch into him. The way his lips and tongue knew exactly what to do to make her feel dizzy. She didn’t know how long the whole night lasted, she knew that it was more than once. 

There was a soft knock on her door, she sat up. Pressing her back against the wall behind her she called out, “Come in,”

She watched as Jack peaked his head into the room. Her eyes widened slightly before she pulled the comforter tighter to her body. He stepped into the room, shutting the door behind him. He walked towards her, stopping short near the bed. 

“We need to talk about this,” Jack offered.

She shook her head slowly, “No we don’t. That was a one time thing,” she said in a hush tone.

“Decemeber was a one time thing, last night means it’s gonna happen again so we need to set boundaries,” he offered as he sat down on the bed, their faces a near inch away from one another.

“How do you know it’s gonna happen again?” she offered teasingly, her gaze trailing towards his shirtless frame. He tilted his head to the side as he pursed his lips forward, his own eyes admiring her lips. Her perfect lips that he could stare at all day.

After a few seconds of silence, Jack leaned towards her, kissing her. It was slow, nothing like last night’s urgency. Their tongues connected as he was slowly gliding his hand to the base of her neck.

He leaned forward, pressing his forehead against hers, “Because of that,” he mumbled before he pressed his lips against hers again for a few seconds. He took a sudden breath, “So we need boundaries,”

She nodded as she leaned back, her head tilting back against the wall. “Okay, what ideas do you have?” she offered quietly.

“None of them can know,” he waved his hand behind them towards the door. She nodded, keeping the secret that Cole figured out it’s happened once. “Your turn,” he mumbled. 

Her mouth fell open for a second before she clamped it shut. She took a deep breath, “No sleepovers,” she let out, “If it happens then there is no cuddling afterwards,” 

He nodded slowly, “Okay, uhm–” he thought about it for a second, “We can’t avoid each other outside of this room, right? It’ll look suspicious.”

She nodded, “Feelings can’t get involved, the second something is different. We stop,” 

“What do you mean by feelings?”

“I don’t know, like if we start seeing each other as more than–” she trailed off as she avoided his gaze. 

“Yeah, I agree,” he muttered before he took a deep breath. He tilted his head back, trying to think if there was anything else to add. “I’m out,” he let out breathily. 

“Me too,” she mumbled. 

“Good,” he muttered as his gaze lingered on her lips. He smirked before he leaned towards her, kissing her softly. “Okay, I’ll see you downstairs,” he muttered against her lips before he kissed her again. He stood up as he began walking towards the door.

“Wait, I have another one,” she called out, standing up from the bed, stumbling slightly as she nearly tripped over the comforter. He spun around, nodding allowing her to continue. “You can’t kiss me goodbye,” 

He chuckled awkwardly, “So the plan is we just have incredible sex and then I am not supposed to cuddle you or kiss you goodbye afterwards?” he said sarcastically. She nodded as she walked towards him. “That makes me like a complete douche, you know,”

“Well, it’s just two friends having sex, right?” she offered as she rested her hands onto her hip. He nodded as his gaze was lingering on her lips. Her eyes widened as she tossed her hands to the side. “I need a verbal answer, J!” 

He tossed his head back, “Just two friends who have incredible sex,” he let out barely above a whisper before he snuck out of the room, leaving her alone in the center of the bedroom. A sudden laugh fell from her lips as she shook her head.

July 2023

She walked through the main doors of the lake house to see all of the boys scattered around the living room. She pulled her sunglasses from her face, while carrying two dozen donuts in her hands. “What’s that for?” Jack called out as he walked towards her. She smiled softly towards him as he took both of the boxes from her. He began walking towards the kitchen.

All of the boys followed after them. “My birthday is tomorrow so I wanted to treat you guys to some amazing donuts,” she mumbled as she leaned agains the doorway. Jack rested the boxes onto the counter while opening it instantly. 

“Have we figured out a plan to celebrate?” Cole asked as he stole a chocolate long john. He smirked towards Quinn who was reaching for the same one. 

“My siblings are driving up for the night. My sister can finally get in the clubs out here, it’ll be perfect,” she offered with a grin. 

“Isn’t she like twenty,” Jack asked as he handed a donut towards her. It was her favorite. She smiled towards him for a second.

“Luke’s twenty,” she mumbled, “And he and Carlee got fakes at the same time. So we know it works,” she said softly.

“You know Y/N’s sister?” Jack asked with a mouthful. 

Luke shrugged nonchalantly, “She dated Matty for a while when he was still at UMich,” he said, “Thanks for these,” he said towards Y/N as he carried his two donuts out of the kitchen. 

Y/N took a bit of her own donut as she glanced towards Cole who was staring towards her suspiciously. “Festivities for your birthday start tonight by the way,” he said as he walked out of the kitchen. Quinn and Trevor were quick to follow after him, leaving Jack and Y/N.

She met Jack’s gaze, squinting slightly. “What did he mean by that?” she asked quietly. He shrugged as he walked around the counter towards her. He stepped up towards her, his gaze scanning her features.

“What are you doing in the next twenty minutes?” he asked, trying to be discreet but he failed miserably. 

“I was going to eat this donut and then maybe another one, perhaps another one after that. Then I was going to shower,” she explained. He chuckled dryly as he glanced towards the living room, none of the boys were in his line of sight. He assumed it meant that they were gone. 

“Want help in that second part?” he asked barely above a whisper. She fought a smile forming on her lips.

“Sure you want to see me after three–” she began but he pushed her delicately to stop her.

“I’ll be waiting,” He leaned towards her, purposely brushing his lips against her ear. She cleared her throat as her body straightened. She took another bite of her donut while rolling her eyes playfully. 

She finished her snacks before she walked into the living room to see Cole was sitting in the corner of the couch. He was smirking as he watched her walk towards the hallway. “Is there any reason why Jack hasn’t brought any girls back to the house this summer?” he called out.

She stopped dead in her tracks, her hands landing on her hips. Slowly, she spun on her heels. She saw Cole resting his head onto the top of the couch. He looked towards her expectantly. 

“No idea,” she let out barely above a whisper.

“Why haven’t you brought anyone back here?” he asked teasingly. He smirked towards her. 

“Why haven’t you?” she shot back. 

He chuckled softly as he tapped his hands against the top of the couch, “Oh I have, you and Jack have just been too busy disappearing for the last month to notice,” he teased.

She shrugged, “I haven’t been disappearing, I don’t know about J though,” she let out nonchalantly as she continued down that hallway. 

“Sure,” Cole drew out the word as he shifted his gaze towards the TV. He turned it on to put on  the new show he was starting to watch. 

She took a deep breath as she walked towards her bedroom. She pushed the door open and stepped inside. Instantly, her back was pressed against the wall beside the door. It was slowly shutting beside her as she looked into Jack’s eyes. She fought off a smirk as he tilted his head to the side watching it shut. 

A soft giggle rose up in her throat, Jack raised his finger up. Carefully, pressing it against her lips; asking her to be quiet. She pressed her lips against his finger as he twisted the lock in the process.  Slowly, he glided his hand along her jawline before he rested his hand on the base of her neck. 

“You gotta be more careful,” she mumbled as she took a hold of his shirt, pulling him towards her, craving his lips on hers. He smirked before he kissed her urgently. Their tongues connected as a breathy moan fell from his lips. He looped his thumbs in the belt loops of her jeans as he pulled her towards him.

“J, I’m serious,” she mumbled against his lips. He pulled back while toying with the buttons of her jeans. Slowly, she ran her hands from his neck down his chest. “Cole’s asking questions,” 

“Let him ask questions,” he whispered before he pressed his lips beneath her ear. He began to suck and swirl his tongue to soothe the skin. He parted her legs as he shoved his knee between them, feeling her weaken beneath his touch. 

“You can’t do that,” she mumbled as she tugged at the strands of hair at the base of his neck. 

“I can’t?” he asked teasingly. She hummed as a reply. “What about this?” he asked teasingly as he unbuttoned her jeans.

“I seriously have to go shower, J,” she mumbled breathlessly. Jack pressed his lips against her collarbone, before he tilted his head back looking into her eyes. He watched as her eyes dilated the longer their eyes met. “Follow me in five minutes,” she mumbled as she unlocked the door and pulled it open. 

He smirked as he watched her take a hold of a random t-shirt and shorts as she slipped out of the door. He stiffled a laugh as he quietly hit his fist against the wall in front of him. He pressed his head against the wall for a second.

He jumped out of the bedroom and shut the door behind him. He crossed the hallway towards his own bedroom, trying to be as sneaky as possible. 

Some of their rules and boundaries fell apart pretty early in their arrangement. Jack couldn’t help but kiss her goodbye, desperate for one last intimate moment. At least until their next intimate moment. 

He was falling for her, falling so hard. But she wasn’t allowed to know that or she would end their beautiful arrangement. He was somewhat convinced that the second she found out the feelings he was having; she would run the opposite direction.

The second their arrangement ends, their whole friendship will fall apart. He knows that. He knows that this either ends with a relationship or as strangers. He was more prepared for one rather than the other.

He’s stayed the night a few times after their nights together. Her back would be pressed against his chest. His hands would delicately graze along her stomach as she would run her hand along the top of his hand. His lips were pressing against the skin of her shoulder. 

He took a hold of his swim trunks and walked towards the bathroom that Y/N prefers. He stepped inside, hearing the shower already running. Quickly, she took a hold of the shower curtain and peeked her head out to see Jack walking inside. 

Without hesitation, he took a hold of his shirt and instantly tossed it to the floor. Instantly, he took off of his shorts and stepped into the shower with her. He smirked as he scanned her frame. 

Her hands instantly took a hold of his cheeks, pulling him towards her. She pressed her lips against his urgently. He hummed against her lips as he guided her backwards. The steaming water started cascading over his body as his hands began to roam over her wet frame. 

With their lips still connected, he lowered his fingers down her wet skin. He took two of his fingers and began to rub her clit slowly. A small gasp left her lips as she pulled back slightly. Jack grinned as he continued to tease her as he rubbed her clit so slowly. She tilted her head back, holding back a breathy moan. 

He leaned towards her, his lips pressing against her jawline. He carefully touched her center feeling how wet she was for him. He bit the skin beneath her jawline before he circled his tongue soothingly. Her arms wrapped around his neck for support. 

“What do you want, mhm?” he whispered in her ear as he returned his fingers towards her clit. She dragged her tongue across her bottom lip as she tilted her head back. Her eyes shut instantly.

“Please,” she begged barely above a whisper. He smirked as entered her center with two of his fingers. He pressed his body into hers as he pushed her against the wall. A moan fell from her lips. Jack’s eyes widened as he took a hold of her chin, silencing her moans with his mouth. 

“What do you want?” he whispered against her lips. Her eyes fluttered open. She looked towards him through wet eyelashes. He curled his fingers inside of her, feeling her react against his body. 

She looked so innocent looking towards him like that, so desperate. He continued to curl and thrust his fingers into her, hearing her breathily moan in his ear, feeling her body tighten under his touch. 

“I need you,” she mumbled out.

“Yeah?” he mumbled as he pulled his fingers out, he instantly took a hold of his length. He ran his hand up and down a few times, his breath catching in his throat. He looked back towards her, meeting her gaze.

“Please J,” she tilted her head back against the tile behind her. He guided himself to her center, thrusting into her slowly; letting her get used to him. Jack kept her body pinned against the wall as he continued to thrust slowly into her. She took a hold of his cheeks, forcing him to kiss her; otherwise everyone in the house would know what they do behind closed doors.

Jack used one of his hands and began to circle her clit and apply pressure as he continued to thrust into her. A surge of desire coursed through her body. Her body shuttered as she dragged her hands across his upper back. Her nails digging into his skin for only a moment.

He liked hearing her desire and pleasure pour from her mouth. No matter how muffled they needed to be, it was everything for him to know what he was doing to her.

“Fuck,” he let out through a soft groan. He moved his hand away from her clit, supporting her body. He pulled his lips away from hers for a second while he admired the short breaths leaving her lips. He watched her tilt her head back and bite her bottom lip. 

A moan fell from her lips, it was starting to get difficult to remain quiet. Desperately, he leaned towards her with an open mouth kiss.

“I’m so close,” she mumbled against his lips.

“Doing so good, baby, so fucking good,” he whispered back as he thrusted into her harder. 

A breathy moan of his own falling from his lips as they couldn’t kiss each other anymore. Their faces were still pressed against one another. 

He could feel her tighten around him, her breath caught in her throat as she tossed her head back, her hands holding Jack’s head in place. “Jack,” she mumbled out. 

His name never fell from her lips like that. She never would say it fully, hearing it fall from her lips like that was practically enough for him to be sent over the edge.

After a few seconds, he reached his climax. He pressed sloppy kisses against her jawline as she was letting out short breaths as she was riding out her own climax. Jack took a hold of both of her hips. 

He didn’t pull out right away as he watched her breathing start to slow. She pulled him towards her, kissing him instantly. He couldn’t breath but he didn’t care, all he wanted was to do it again and never stop. 

“Fuck,” he mumbled against her lips as he finally pulled out. He leaned down and rested his head against the crook of her neck. He let out a giggle as he began to let his hands roam her frame. “We need to do this more often,” he mumbled before he pressed his lips against her neck.

She rested her forehead against his shoulder, “Yeah,” she mumbled.

~~~

The following morning, they were in bed together. No matter how late they were up the night before, Jack would sneak out of her room a little after seven every day. None of the other boys in the house were going to be awake for several hours but they would rather be safe than sorry.

Her head rested on his chest as her arms were practically looped around his body. She was dead asleep but Jack was wide awake. His alarm wouldn’t go off for another thirty minutes. He grazed his fingertips along the skin of her back, every so often running his fingers through her hair. He would slowly twist the strands between his finger tips.

He brushed a few pieces away from her face, his fingertips glided along her forehead. She stirred slightly under his touch. Delicately, she pressed her lips against his chest. His whole body tightened, his heart started slamming against his chest. 

Slowly, she ran her hand along his chest. “Good morning,” she mumbled as she kept her head on his chest. His eyes shut as the corner of his lips curled upward. He could get used to waking up like this. 

“Morning,” he mumbled as he pressed his lips against the top of her head. “Did you sleep okay?” he asked barely above a whisper. She hummed as her eyes fluttered closed again.

“I could sleep a little longer but someone’s heart is beating a thousand times a minute,” she mumbled as she sat up slightly. She looked down towards Jack. Her hair falling into her face as she scanned his sleepy features.

Raising his hand up, he brushed her hair away from her face, he tucked the pieces behind her ear. “Was it?” he mumbled. She nodded as his hand ran along her bare back. Her body straightened as goosebumps erupted all over her frame. “Sorry,” he let out, his lips in a soft smile.

She smiled towards him as she laid back down, this time resting her head in the crook of his neck. “It’s okay,” she mumbled as she pressed her lips against his neck. Their legs entangled together instantly. “What’s got it beating so fast?” she asked quietly.

“No idea,” he said. “I can sneak out now, if you want more sleep,”

“No, no, stay,” she tightened her grip along his center. He smiled widely as he took a deep breath. “Please,” she whispered into his ear. 

“Okay,” he whispered.

A soft giggle fell from her lips, “Are you excited to go back to Jersey?” she asked softly as her eyes remained shut.

“Something like that,”

“What does that mean?” she asked as Jack teasing ran his hand along the curve of her ass. 

“Jersey is so far from here,” he mumbled as he ran his hand along her arm.

“But it’s Lukey’s rookie year,” she offered. He let out a small groan. “J, it’ll be okay,” she said half heartedly; used to his dramatics.

“But you and our arrangement are in Michigan,” he mumbled. 

“That’s true,” she mumbled as she lifted her head up, she looked down towards him. He raised his hand up, running his hand along his cheek. “Two more incredible weeks, J.” 

“Two more,” he mumbled as he swallowed harshly, his heart started beating rapidly against his chest. “Have you started looking for new jobs?” He jumped on topics, afraid of talking about their situation. Her eyes widened slightly as she took a deep breath. 

“It’s going,” she let out while laughing slightly. “I’m gonna kiss you now,” she mumbled. He chuckled as she leaned down and slammed her lips against his. He was shocked for a second as she climbed onto his lap as she kissed him slowly. 

“Why are you avoiding talking about it?” he said as he pushed her back delicately. 

“‘M not,” she mumbled as she took a hold of his cheeks pulling her back towards him.

His eyes widened as he pushed her back, “It’s your birthday, happy birthday,” he let out urgently. 

A grin formed on her lips, “Oh yeah, it is, isn't it?” she mumbled as she ran her hand along his chest. His hands rested on her hips, his gaze lingering on her bare chest in front of him. He rolled his eyes dramatically. “Thank you, J,”

He let out a long breath as a small smile formed on his lips, “How about we start your birthday off on the right track?” he said softly as he continued to glide his hands along her hips. 

His grip tightened along her hips as he tossed her down onto her back. A gasp fell from her lips as she kept her hands onto his chest. He leaned down towards her, hovering his lips over hers. 

There was a loud knock against her door. Jack leaned back, looking behind him towards the door. “Y/N wake your ass up!” Trevor shouted as he started blasting Birthday Bitch by Trap Beckham. 

Jack’s mouth fell open as he tried to stop himself from laughing. “Fuck it up if it’s your birthday, bitch! Fuck it up if it’s your birthday, bitch!” Trevor and Cole started singing loudly outside her door. 

“Go hide,” she whispered towards him, smacking her hands against his chest. He smirked down towards her, leaning down he pecked her lips for a few seconds. Jack hopped off of her frame as soft giggles fell from his lips. 

She followed in pursuit. He leaned down and collected his clothes. He jogged towards the walk in closet. The second he shut the door, he began to cover himself with the pajamas he had on last night. 

It didn’t take long for her to be completely clothed. The boys outside her door were still loudly yelling the lyrics. She pulled the door open, “One time for the birthday bitch, two times for the birthday bitch, three times for the birthday bitch!” They seemed to sing louder once they saw her laughing towards them. 

She tossed her head back, laughing as she saw Cole carrying a comically large plate of pancakes. It was covered in strawberries and chocolate syrup. He was shaking back and forth, shimming slightly as he held the plate towards her with a singular candle on top. Trevor was holding the speaker above his head as he was also recording Y/N’s reaction. 

“Blow out the candle and come into the living room,” Cole offered as he continued to shift the plate back and forth. She giggled before she blew out the candle. Trevor cheered before he stopped recording. He turned down the song as he stepped into the room. 

He quickly wrapped his arms around her. “Happy birthday, roomie,” he whispered into her ear. He pulled back as he smiled towards her. Her eyes widened as she grinned. 

“Shut up, really?” she mumbled. He winked towards her.

He nodded as he pointed for them to leave the room. She nodded as she followed after the pair. Her eyes widened as she saw her sister and her brother standing in the living room. “Oh my god!” she called out. She ran towards her older brother, Oliver, first. “I was supposed to come and get you guys later today!” she called out as she hugged Carlee instantly.

“We’ve got a day full of plans, Y/N. We weren’t going to make you drive us up here,” Carlee said while laughing. 

“What the hell was all that noise?” Jack said as he emerged from the hallway. His frame was fully clothed and he was acting extremely sleepy. Their eyes connected for a second before Jack let out a sudden laugh. “Ollie! I have been begging Y/N to get your ass to the house,” Jack said while laughing. He jogged towards him, hugging him instantly. Oliver chuckled while he instantly returned the hug.

“Hey Jack, we didn’t want her to waste her day on driving three hours to retrieve us,” he explained as he pulled back. “And unfortunately, I’ve got a job that practically forbids taking time off. Otherwise I would be here, Y/N’s knows that,” he said while laughing.

Jack simply nodded before looking towards Carlee, “Little Y/L/N!” he let out as he held his hand up from a high five. She returned it while rolling her eyes playfully.

~

Her door was open as she was getting ready for the club. It was a little after nine and she was still finishing her hair. There was a soft knock on the door frame of her door. She spun around to see Trevor standing at the doorway. “Hey Trev,” she said as she forced her gaze back towards the mirror in front of her. 

“So you’re all set to start working on August 15th,” he offered in a hushed tone. She spun around, resting her straightener onto the vanity. She climbed off of the chair and jogged towards him. She wrapped her arms around his neck, shutting her eyes. He lifted her off of the ground for a second as a soft laugh left his lips.

“It’s only temporary while you’re getting your master’s but it’ll get you more experience. It’s not on screen but you’ll be working for a professional team,” he explained as she pulled away. She sniffled as she tilted her head back, she couldn’t let tears fall onto her cheek. 

“You’re amazing, you know that?” she said through a crack in her voice. He smiled as he shook his head. “Are you sure I can stay in your extra room?”

“Of course, just save up every cent you get. It’s going to be awesome to have you back in Anaheim,” he let out ecstatically as she leaped towards him, desperate to hug him again. He giggled as he held her tightly to his chest. “It’ll be so fun, roomie,” he offered teasingly. 

“You can’t tell anyone yet, especially not J and my siblings. Okay?” she begged. He nodded instantly, pretending to zip his lips shut. 

“I’ll let you finish getting ready,” Trevor said as he turned out of her room. She practically skipped back towards the vanity. 

Jack couldn’t make out what they were talking about. But all he understood was that there was a lot of hugging and laughing. Even though he swore he watched her wipe a tear away from her cheek.

His entire body felt overheated, his chest was heavy as he watched them interact. What was so secret that she had to go to Trevor about it? What did he have that Jack didn’t? Despite everything in his frame, begging to slam the door shut; he shut it delicately as he walked towards the seltzer on his dresser.

He instantly brought the can towards his lips as he began to chug the drink. He realized pretty quickly, he was going to need a lot more drinks to pretend like he doesn’t care about what just happened between them. 

He brought his cologne towards his chest, he sprayed it on either side of his neck  and then lower on his frame. He took a deep breath as he rested it onto the top of the dresser. He took his empty can, squeezing it in his hand before he reached towards the door.

He swung it open as he stormed out of his room. He continued to take deep breaths as he avoided the gaze of all of the people gathered in the living room. He needed more, stronger, liquid courage to pretend everything was normal and okay. Pretend that he’s completely okay with his soulmate hugging and giggling with his best friend. 

He poured out a shot of tequila and instantly tossed it back. He didn’t wince at the taste as he poured himself another one. He rested the large glass bottle onto the counter top as he stared at the small red solo cup in front of him. 

“I thought you hated tequila,” she mumbled as she leaned her head against the door frame. He kept his gaze on the full shot in front of him. His grip tightened on the counter while he shrugged his shoulders. “Are you okay?”

He nodded before he took a hold of the shot and tossed it back. He didn’t react as he took the small plastic shot glass and tossed it into the trash. He lifted his gaze up from the floor, meeting her eye.

Her eyebrows furrowed slightly as she watched him clench his jaw for a second. She watched as the wheels turned in his head, “Are you okay, J?” she asked again while stepping deeper into the kitchen.

She watched as his body practically says fuck it while he pushed away from the counter. He walked directly towards her and took a hold of her head in his hands while he kissed her hard. Stumbling back, she took a hold of his arms for stability. It took her by surprise but she didn’t hesitate to kiss him back.

The kiss didn’t last long since Jack pulled back almost as fast as he kissed her. It felt like all of her blood rushed to her head and the alcohol in her system took front and center. He kept his hold of her cheeks for a moment, his breathing fast as he was running his thumb along the apples of her cheeks.

Stepping back, he ran his hand along his chin. He walked past her, leaving her frozen in place; in utter shock at what just occurred.

Her shaky hand reached towards the cabinet for stability, her legs suddenly weak beneath her. Looking behind her, she assumed that no one saw what just occurred as they were exactly how she left them. She took a much needed deep breath as she practically stumbled towards the fridge. 

She pulled the fridge open and pulled out another White Claw. She didn’t hesitate as she popped the tab open and brought the drink towards her lips. She walked out of the kitchen towards the living room.

“Finish that drink, asap, we’ve got the Ubers like down the street,” Trevor offered. Her eyes widened as she looked towards Jack who was staring towards his phone in his hand. She nodded before she brought the White Claw to her lips. She began chugging. The entire room beside Jack started cheering for her. She crushed it after she was done and giggled. 

Her gaze lingered on Jack but no one noticed, or cared, at the way she was staring towards him. A sigh fell from her lips as she allowed him to ignore her. 

For the next several hours, her and Carlee were the ones at the center of the nightclub’s dance floor. The boys were all hanging on the outside of the dance floor keeping an eye on the pair. A few girls would walk up towards them, begging for their attention. All of the boys except Jack were taking the bait.

A blond girl parked her way in front of him, “You look lonely,” she shouted towards him. He shrugged as he looked past her, seeing Y/N dance and spin almost as if in slow motion. “Your friends all left you alone,” she called out. She drunkenly rested her hand onto his knee. 

The second she touched him, he forced his gaze towards her. “I’m not available!” he shouted towards her. He stood up from his bra stool chair as he slipped away from her. 

Y/N and Carlee were singing and swaying along to the songs. They were both ecstatic that they were able to do this now. Despite it not necessarily being legal. They spent most of their young adolescent years imagining what it would be like to dance drunk side by side in a sweaty night club. Just them two against the world.

Y/N leaned towards Carlee, “You have to get back out there! Go meet someone!” she shouted. Carlee shyly shook her head as she continued to dance to the beat of the song. “Come on! It’s been too long since you’ve gotten any action!” she called out. Carlee pouted her lips as she rolled her eyes dramatically.

“What about you? You go find someone!” Carlee delicately pushed Y/N back slightly. 

“I have someone,” she said, unsure if Carlee heard her, “Go find someone!” Y/N said, pushing Carlee away from her. She spun around, expecting to just continue dancing alone. She was surprised to see Jack in front of her. She grinned as she saw him. “Hey! Where’ve you been!?” she called out.

He shrugged as he dragged his tongue over his bottom lip. He scanned her frame, truly for the first time that night. His mind was too busy to notice how incredibly stunning she looked. Her frame was only covered by a skin tight short black dress. It was glittery and she was practically reflective from the dark blue club lights.

He leaned towards her ear, “I’m sorry I didn’t say this sooner but you look fucking stunning,” he pulled back, watching her eyes lit up from the words leaving his lips. 

“Dance with me!” she shouted towards him, taking a hold of his dark blue button up. It was only buttoned to the middle of his chest. 

“The others could see us!” he shouted. 

“Let it be a drunken dance!” she shouted as she pulled him closer to her. He didn’t hesitate another second as he looped his arms around her waist. They began to dance insync their bodies pressed against one another. 

They stayed facing one another, dancing to the beat of the song as their faces were near inch away from one another. He smiled softly every time their eyes would connect. 

After a few songs passed, she began to spin away from him. Her first intention was to walk away from him, craving another drink. Instead, Jack pulled her back towards him, forcing her back against his chest. 

“Stay,” he whispered into her ear before he brushed her hair away from her neck. 

“Please stay,” he whispered as he pressed his lips beneath her ear. She tilted her head back as her breathing quickened. She didn’t argue, she didn’t want to leave. She craved their bodies to be pressed against one another; moving perfectly together. Almost as if their bodies were made for one another.

“So fucking stunning,” he whispered into her ear as his hands seemed to pull her tighter to his frame. She grinned widely as she leaned into him fully, letting him take control of the way their bodies moved.

~~~

The rest of the night was a blurr. She barely remembered dancing with Jack for the night. Barely remembered how she got back to the house, barely remembered how she ended up in her bed. She had her pajamas on and was alone. 

It’s been several weeks since the last time she woke up alone. Every day in the last three weeks, she was curled up in Jack’s arms. Waking up alone shocked her. 

It was eight in the morning and the rest of the group was still asleep, well besides her brother and sister. They had to head back to their hometown early and Y/N was barely awake enough to say goodbye. 

Her hair was soaking wet from the twenty minute shower she took. It was mainly to fix the raging hangover she was feeling. She gave Oliver and Carlee one more quick hug before she watched them walk down the porch towards his car in the driveway. 

Oliver had a few questions for her, mainly about how her and Jack were inseparable for the entire night. She claimed that she barely remembers dancing with him and that it was probably because they were too drunk to even know what they were doing.

Which was not entirely a lie but she didn’t know how to tell her brother that she was hooking up with Jack and that she was falling for him. 

But she stood in the living room and spun around to hear steps charging towards her. “Was that Ollie?” Jack said as his voice rasped as he spoke. “I wanted to say bye before he left.”

“He had to get on the road early. I’m sorry,” she mumbled. He nodded as he scanned her frame. He took a deep breath as he awkwardly adjusted his shorts on his frame. “You slept in your own room last night,” she observed as she awkwardly brushed her hair away from her face. 

“You were really out of it. Thought you were better off alone,” he began walking away from her. He let out a huff of air as he started down the hallway. 

Clenching her fists as she followed after him, “Are you mad at me?” she called out after him. He spun on his heels as he let out a dry laugh.

“I’m not mad at you,” he let out somewhat harshly. He rounded the corner, he walked into her room; somewhat reluctantly. 

“I’ve been out of it before and you’ve slept in my bed, what’s so different about last night?” she explained as she followed after him. He shut the door behind her, pressing her back against the door. 

Instantly, he kissed her hard. She arched her back into him as his hands gripped her waist tightly. He took a hold of the tanktop and tugged it up her frame. “J–stop,” she let out, pushing him back. A soft laugh falling from her lips. “What is wrong?” he shook his head as he leaned towards her again, urgently trying to kiss her again. 

She raised her hand up, taking a delicate hold of his neck to stop him. He flung his head back, a huff leaving his lips. “Can we–just please,” he begged as he looked over her features desperately. She shook her head as she pushed him back.

“What’s wrong?” she asked again.

He let out a dry laugh as he walked towards the center of the bedroom. “What was so secretive with you and Trevor yesterday?” he asked while crossing his arms over his chest. 

“It wasn’t a secret. We were just talking,” she said nonchalantly. 

“There was a lot of hugging and laughing,” he said accusatoryly. 

“Okay, well I was going to tell everyone about this later but–uhm–Trevor was able to get me a job with the Ducks. It barely pays anything–barely covers my tuition at Chapman but it’s a job with a professional team so I’ll get expereince. It’ll be an amazing experience,” she explained, a smile forming to her lips.

“If it barely pays anything, where are you going to live? I mean it’s California,” he asked as he forced his gaze towards the floor.

“Trevor said I could move in with him,” she said softly. 

Jack’s head shot up, his eyebrows furrowed harshly. “What? Are you two gonna share a bed or something?!”

“No! What?! He’s letting me have his guest bedroom, J. Why would you think that?” she let out harshly. 

“Why didn’t you ask me for help?” Jack threw his arms to the side. 

“I didn’t ask Trevor to do anything! I’ve spent all summer talking about missing California. He asked around for me! I didn’t even know until the job interview was scheduled. He went out of his way to do this for me,” 

“Oh, so you and Trevor are like best friends now, huh?” 

“Why do you care about what I am doing with Trevor?”

“I don’t.”

“Why do you care!?”

“I don’t care that you’re moving in with Trevor!?”

“Then what is this? What are we doing right now?!” she asked loudly as she motioned between them. The air was becoming thick as their voices were getting louder.

He took a deep breath as his darken gaze was looking to her eyes desperately. Tears started forming in her eyes as she continued to look towards him. 

“I don’t know,” he let out breathlessly. 

“Give me a reason to go somewhere else,” she let out softly, her heart slamming against her chest. Jack pulled his head back, his lips parting slightly as his vision went blurry ofr a second. 

“Give me a reason to go somewhere else,” she let out again, harsher and more urgent this time. 

She stared into his eyes, searching for an answer. Desperate for an answer. He clenched his jaw as his gaze went from one eye to another before shifting down towards her lips. He took a step towards her, their eyes remained connected. 

“I don’t have one,” he mumbled while tossing his hands to the side. Her mouth fell open as she nodded slowly. A scoff fell from her lips.

“You can’t think of one reason why I should go somewhere else,” she let out, her voice breaking softly. 

“No,” he let out barely above a whisper.

She chewed on her bottom lip while shifting her gaze towards the ceiling. It was as if a thousand stones collapsed onto her chest. She nodded slowly again as she dragged her tongue across her bottom lip. 

“Get out J,” she muttered.

“Y/N?” he asked softly. 

“Get out Jack,”

He looked into her eyes, watching a tear fall onto her cheek. Hearing his full name fall from her lips nearly made him collapse to the ground. His body went weak as the realization of what he was doing dawned on him. She never said his name like that. Rarely did it fall from her lips. But he knew that right now it meant something completely different than it did a couple days ago. 

“Why?” he asked softly, stepping towards her. 

She stayed still, keeping their eyes connected, almost as if she wanted to make sure she heard her next words. “So I can pack,” she let out as she walked past him towards the closet.

“Pack? You’re not leaving! We have two weeks left!” He took steps towards her. 

She spun around, their faces a few inches apart as both of their breathing was unsteady. “If you cannot give me a reason to go somewhere else. I have no reason to stay,” she explained as steadily as she could. 

He dragged his tongue over his bottom lip. Tears were on the edge of falling onto his cheek. Jack nodded as he scanned her features. He dropped his hands to the side as he walked past her. He walked slowly towards the door. “Okay,” he let out barely above a whisper.

She pulled the closet door open and took a hold of all of the clothes she had hanging up. Jack took a hold of the door handle, watching her move quickly back and forth, tossing everything into the two suitcases she laid out onto the bed. 

He bit his bottom lip as he pulled the door open and slipped out of the room. He shut it delicately and crossed the hall towards his own room. He stepped inside, slamming the door shut.

It took her thirty minutes to pack. She kept her tears at bay, despite the headache forming from holding it back. Her body felt tense and hot every minute that passed. But it was finally time for her to leave. She walked out of the bedroom, staring towards Jack’s closed door for a few seconds before she walked towards the living room.

“Hey, hey, hey–what’s this all about?” Quinn called out as he saw her walking out of the hallway with her suitcases trailing behind her. Her eyes widened as she clenched her jaw. 

Her lips parted slightly as her bottom lip quivered. “I–uhm,” she cleared her throat as she looked down the line of all of the boys. They all jumped up from their seats and shifted their attention towards her. 

“I’m moving back to California–as in Trevor is letting me stay with him while I go back to school and work for the Ducks,” 

“That’s awesome! That’s a great opportunity!” Quinn cheered happily as he jogged towards her giving her a quick hug. 

“Look at that!” Luke let out with a chuckle.

“The Ducks? Come on now,” Cole said teasingly.

“It’s a professional team, fantastic experience on my resume,” she said softly. 

“Are we sure the Ducks are a professional team?” Cole teased. Trevor gasped as he shoved Cole.

“You’re one to fucking talk. What was your record last season, Caufield?” Trevor teased.

“You have to leave now?” Quinn asked her while glancing towards Trevor. 

“I want to get my apartment packed up and see my family before I move back to California,” she explained, “So I have to leave early,” she further explained while glancing towards Cole. 

The longer she spoke to the group, the more pain she felt behind her eyes. She gave each of the boys their own goodbye. It would be another year before she saw most of them again. Maybe a dinner in Anaheim for a game but it was still not enough. She wanted those two extra weeks wtih them. With all of them. 

“Where’s Jack?” Cole asked as he pulled away from their embrace. She met his gaze as she dragged her tongue across her bottom lip. Blinking rapidly, she pouted her lips slightly. 

“I told him first and he’s not really happy that I’m leaving,” she explained towards the other boys. “So he’s in his room,” she muttered before taking a deep breath.

Her eyes met Cole’s again. Cole’s small smile faltered. Y/N and Cole never talked about it but she knew that he was aware of the arrangement her and Jack had. He was constantly asking questions and teasing her about it. Her lips started quivering again as she saw the way Cole was looking over her features. It was almost as if he was asking if she was okay through his eyes.

“Okay, I need to go,” she mumbled, feeling like her tears were starting to come up and she didn’t know if she could hold them back much longer. It didn’t take long for them to guide her out of the door. 

“Let us know when you get back to your apartment!” Luke shouted towards her.

She spun around smiling toward them as she walked towards her car. Keeping her back towards the boys, her tears started to fall onto her cheek. She couldn’t hold back any longer.

Cole watched the other three crowd the door watching her leave. Quickly he snuck away down the hallway towards Jack’s room. Cole took a deep breath as he didn’t hesitate to push open the door. 

Jack shot his head up from his hands. His face was covered in tears as he looked towards Cole. 

They were not the type of friends who cried in front of one another. Nothing like the way Jack was crying right now. He was never the type of guy to cry like this, but he was so overwhelmed his body lost control. 

A sob fell from his lips as he put his face back into his hands. His body shook as he continued to cry into his hands. Cole’s mouth fell open as he walked towards the bed. 

“Jack,” Cole mumbled before he sat down beside him. Jack continued to cry into his hands as Cole pressed his hand against the center of Jack’s back. 

He lifted his head up slightly, dragging his tongue across his bottom lip. He sniffled while he shook his head. He looked towards Cole while shaking his head slightly. He swallowed harshly.

“I couldn’t tell her to stay,” Jack mumbled as another sob fell from his lips. 

“I couldn’t give her a reason to stay,” he forced his face back into his hands. Cole titled his head back as he took a shaky breath. He’s never seen Jack like this before, he hated seeing his friend like this. “Why couldn’t I tell her to stay?”

June 2024

Jack was sitting in the living room, a Playstation controller in his hand as he was playing Call of Duty. His arm was in a sling from the surgery he had a few weeks back. Luke was sitting beside him, a controller in his own hand. 

“What are you doing!? Dude!” Luke yelled out as he jerked towards Jack. 

“I have like one and a half hands for this!” Jack said while laughing. 

Quinn walked out of the kitchen as he pulled his phone away from his ear. He let out a huff of air as he looked towards the TV. He looked back towards his younger brothers, still yelling towards one another. 

He shifted his gaze from Luke towards Jack and then back towards his phone. Trevor sent him a text saying that they were only a few minutes from the house. Which meant it was now time to tell Jack the news.

Quinn stood at the back of the couch, he rested his hands onto the couch. He stared towards the screen, watching them both lose. He pressed his lips together as he fought off a laugh climbing in his throat.

“What was that, Lukey? You were supposed to have my back!” Jack shouted while laughing.

“I couldn’t fucking see you!” Luke shot back.

“So Trevor, Y/N, and Cole are almost here. Should probably get ready for them to get here,” Quinn said, cautiously looking down towards Jack. He said her name quickly. Luke simply nodded as he turned off the playstation with his controller. He rested it onto the coffee table before he walked towards the hallway leading towards his room.

Jack’s entire body froze as her name left Quinn’s lips. He hasn’t heard her name in months. His heart jumped into his throat as his breathing seemed to stop. It was suddenly impossible to breathe.

“Y/N’s coming?” Jack let out barely above a whisper. Her name felt foreign against his tongue as he blinked rapidly. 

Images of her flashed in his mind. The smile that literally would light up a room as soon as she would grin. The way her eyes would squint at something dumb he would say. Her lips, her perfect lips he could stare and kiss forever. He missed kissing her, he missed the way her lips pressed against his as if they were made for one another.

“Took a lot of convincing but yeah, she’ll be here,” Quinn offered. Jack shot up from the couch as he faced Quinn. He tossed his good arm to the side. 

“You guys convinced her to come here? After last summer?” Jack asked, shaking his head slightly. “Seriously?!”

Quinn took a deep breath as he shifted his gaze towards the front door. His face scrunched up slightly before he pressed his lips together. He took a deep breath, “Look, I don’t know what happened between you and Y/N last year but she’s not just your friend. It would be weird without her,” Quinn explained.

“Don’t you think it would be weird with her here and me here?” he asked, his heart slamming against his chest. “An–And you seriously waited to tell me she was coming until she was down the fucking road!” He called out. 

“What the hell happened between you two? I mean seriously, if any of us say her name you get all jumpy. God fucking forbid Trevor brings her up,” Quinn explained. Jack shook his head, a scoff leaving his lips. “You seriously cannot still be mad at her for–”

“That’s not why we stopped talking and I’m not that fucking petty!” he shouted towards Quinn before he started walking down towards the hallway leading towards his room. Jack stumbled away from Luke who was walking back into the living room. 

“What’s with him?” Luke asked as he pointed behind him. Quinn took a sharp breath as he glanced towards the front door. He saw the Uber pull up towards the lakehouse through the glass doors.

“He found out Y/N was coming,” Quinn mumbled as he watched the three of them climb out of the car. They were dragging suitcases behind them after Cole slammed the trunk closed.

“He didn’t know? It’s always the six of us, why wouldn’t she come?” Luke let out nonchalantly as he saw Cole and Trevor jog towards the doors. Y/N walked slowly, practically not moving at all. Quinn looked behind him, “They’re still not talking?” Luke questioned.

“No,” Quinn let out through a huff of air loving his lips.

“This is going to be so fun,” Luke let out sarcastically as he forced a smile to his lips. 

Cole and Trevor bolted up the porch, pushing the door open. “Quinton and Lukey boy!” Trevor shouted as he bolted inside. He excitedly hugged Quinn before he wrapped his arms around Luke. Cole chuckled as he followed in pursuit. He hugged Quinn, whispering a hello before he walked towards Luke.

Y/N walked up the steps, dragging her suitcase up the stairs. She pushed inside the door, rolling it beside Cole and Trevor’s. She forced a tight lip smile towards the four boys in front of her. 

“We’re so glad you’re here,” Quinn said as he pulled Y/N in a tight embrace. She chuckled against his chest as she returned the hug.

“I don’t think I had much of a choice. Trev threatened to drag me out of the apartment by my ankles if I didn’t come with,” she joked as she gave Luke a brief hug. She looked past him to see Jack emerging from the hallway. Her smile fell off of her lips as she dropped her gaze towards the floor. 

Jack took a deep breath as he forced a wide grin on his lips as he jogged towards the group. “What’s up you guys?” he cheered as Trevor hugged him cautiously. 

She cleared her throat as she took a hold of her suitcase. “I’m going to unpack,” she mumbled as she started walking towards the hallway leading towards her room. Her room has so many messy memories, she was almost afraid to step into it. 

The boys all shifted their gaze towards her. Her gaze was on the floor as she continued walking away from them. Their smiles all faltered as they shared awkward glances. Jack stood beside Cole as he stared towards the hallway, watching her walk away.

Cole looked over Jack’s side profile. Watching Jack clench his jaw, he saw that Jack wasn’t breathing. He saw his cheeks pink up as the lack of oxygen was starting to actually take an effect. Cole punched Jack’s good arm. Jack tilted his gaze to the side, meeting Cole’s eye. Jack took a deep breath before he forced another smile on his lips.

“You boys unpack, we have a boat to get drunk on!” Jack said loudly before he walked towards the hallway. The other boys all shared awkward laughter as they continued to talk loudly amongst each other. 

Jack walked towards his room, he reached towards the door handle. Looking behind him, he saw her door was wide open. His posture straightened as he looked into the room. His heart was slamming against his chest. 

She looked good, better than good. She was glowing. It was like seeing her for the first time again. He never wanted to look anywhere else. She was a breath of fresh air, seeing her after all of this time was like breathing for the first time ever.

He leaned back, chewing on his bottom lip as he scanned her frame. She was walking back and forth from the closet to the bed. 

She lifted her head up, looking into the hallway. Their eyes instantly connected. She froze in place as her breathing started to quicken. She gripped the shirt in her hand tightly as she began to blink rapidly. 

His lips parted as a million different words were at the tip of his tongue. He began to take a step towards her. At his sudden half step towards her, she began to walk towards the door. The corner of his lips curled upward as their eyes remained connected. She took a hold of the door and slammed it shut. 

His head pulled back, almost as if it was slammed directly in his face. He felt his skin go hot. His lips parted as he was now staring towards the closed door. He clenched his jaw as he tilted his head back. 

He opened the door to his own room as he stepped inside. Slamming it shut himself. Jack walked towards the bed and sat back down again, his breathing quickened as he shook his head.

~~~

Y/N sat in her usual spot on the boat. Her legs were curled up against her chest. Trevor was laying beside her, his head was against her thigh. Every few seconds she would brush the hair away from his forehead. Her gaze was staring towards the water as she watched the water lap. The orange glow from the sunset reflected in the water was always her favorite. 

She has hundreds of photos but nothing matched the way it looked in person. No photo could ever do it justice. She brushed a few pieces of hair away from her face as she stared towards the water. 

“Y/N,” Trevor mumbled beside her. She dropped her gaze towards him, meeting his gaze. She brushed his hair away from his forehead again. It was more for her, it was something to distract her from the fact that Jack was across from her on the boat. His body was shirtless, despite his arm still in a sling. 

“Talk to him,” he whispered. She shook her head as she looked back towards the water, her fingertips still running through his hair. She was drunk, that just clicked in her head. She was definitely drunk because she was getting dizzy staring at the water. “Y/N, come on,” 

“I’m drunk, I have nothing good to say,” she mumbled before she looked back down towards him.

Jack sat beside Quinn, his leg was bouncing hard as he stared towards Y/N. He continuously clenched his jaw as he felt his body tense. He couldn’t stand how close they’ve gotten. They could look at one another and know exactly what the other one was thinking. He hated watching her touch him so delicately, exactly like she used to with him.

She replaced him with Trevor. It was obvious. He wondered if they had a similar arrangement. It would be a lot easier. They see each other for several more months out of the year. Share a wall even. Maybe he was right, maybe they did share a bed.

He was getting more and more mad the longer he watched her glide her fingers through his hair. That was his spot. He slammed his fist against his thigh, wincing in pain as he shocked himself with the strength. He dropped his gaze towards his lap. 

“They’ve gotten close, huh?” Quinn said as he subtly pointed towards their direction. Jack looked towards Quinn, their eyes met as Jack continued to clench his jaw. He forced out a hum as he dropped his gaze back towards his lap. He began blinking rapidly, he needed to punch something. He clenched his fist on his thigh again. 

“I’m getting cold, can we head back to the house?” Jack asked softly towards Quinn. Their eyes met again. Quinn looked over Jack’s features, maybe even seeing tears brim his eyes. Quinn squinted his eyes slightly as he looked towards the other people on the boat. 

Cole was laying on the floor of the boat as he was loudly laughing with Luke. Trevor was sitting up now, a decent distance away from Y/N. He was talking to her, instead of a conversation since she was staring towards the water. 

“Are you guys ready to swing back?” he asked the group. Y/N turned her head, her eyes meeting Jack’s. Their eyes remained connected as Quinn hopped into the driver’s seat. Jack ran his hand across his chin as he watched her look away. He tilted his head back, looking towards the sky as a scoff left his lips. 

“Absolutely, I’m fucking starving,” Luke said as he kicked Cole on the side teasingly. Cole jolted before he stood up from his lying position. He sat down beside Jack, purposely bumping Jack’s good shoulder. 

Cole watched Jack stare towards Y/N and Trevor. Cole swallowed harshly as he whispered, “They’re just friends.”

Jack dropped his gaze back towards his lap, “Yeah, well, so we’re we,” he said in reference to Y/N. Cole didn’t say anything further as he awkwardly shifted his gaze everywhere. 

Luke cleared his throat as he leaned back on the boat, “Pool tourney when we get back?” Luke announced, he held his hands to the side. Everyone but Jack and Y/N agreed. She rarely played and she definitely wasn’t going to play when she was this drunk. “Awesome, I’m gonna order some pizza before we start,”

“Do we have any water?” Trevor asked. Jack perked up at the question. He leaned down and took a hold of the last one in the small cooler near him. The medicine he has been on for his shoulder doesn’t mix well with alcohol. He held it up for Trevor. “Great,” he let out as he manuvered his way towards Jack.

Meeting Trevor’s gaze as he handed him the bottle. Trevor nodded slightly as he manuvered back towards his sitting position beside Y/N.

Jack watched as Y/N refused the water for a few seconds. Trevor had opened the bottle and handed it to her. She reluctantly brought it towards her lips.

It didn’t take long for the boat to get docked back by their house. Luke and Cole were the first ones to bolt off of the boat. Quinn was making sure it was secured before he ran off back towards the house. 

Jack stood up, walking towards the edge of the boat that lined up with the dock. He watched as Trevor looped his arm around her waist. She wrapped her arm around Trevor’s shoulder as he helped her off of the boat. 

“Okay, one step–good. There you go,” Trevor mumbled. Jack clenched his jaw as he watched Trevor’s hands lower on her hip as she climbed out of the boat. “Come on, Y/N,” he overheard Trevor say as they continued down the dock. Jack stood still while he ran his hand over his bad shoulder.

“Tell me what happened with you two,” Quinn offered as he stood at the end of the dock. Quinn rested his hands onto his hips as he stepped away from the boat. Jack climbed off of the boat, meeting Quinn’s gaze. 

“It’s a long story,” Jack let out defeatedly. 

“Luke’s probably ordering everything off of the menu, we’ve got time.” Quinn offered as he crossed his arms over his chest, “I’ll walk really slowly,” he let out jokingly. Jack tossed his head back while laughing.

“Okay,” Jack let out a breath he was holding. “I had a game against the Red Wings the Decemember before last summer. I couldn’t sleep and I honestly was excited to see her. So I invited her to come hang out at my hotel room—” he began to explain as he glanced towards Quinn.

“You didn’t,” Quinn mumbled.

“I didn’t plan on anything. I literally just wanted to hang out with her. But I kissed her and one thing led to another and we hooked up,” he avoided Quinn’s eye, “We hooked up and I thought everything went back to normal. I mean she went to lunch with Lukey and I; and she went to my game. It was normal. After that, everything was fine. We texted and called everyday, it was fine,” 

“I was nervous to see her in person again. But it seemed so fine between us that it seemed like it was going to be perfectly normal. And then she walked through that door and I swear to God she was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.”

“Didn’t the three of them burst into the house singing Hot in Herre by Nelly last year?” Quinn asked while laughing. 

“They did,” Jack chuckled softly, “But she was so beautiful and funny because you know that definitely was her idea,” he shook his head slightly. “We were avoiding each other that first day here until that night when we hooked up again,”

Quinn let out an urgent breath while shaking his head. 

“And then we thought–I thought–why should we stop? So I brought up doing a little arrangement where we have sex and you know be friends,” 

“So friends with benefits?” Quinn asked as he rested his hands onto his hips.

“Uh, yeah. It happened all summer until we argued the morning after her birthday. I got jealous over the fact that she was moving in with Trevor. I was mad that she went to him about her struggles instead of me. I was mad that I wasn’t her person even though we slept together and she fell asleep in my arms every night. I was pissed and she left,” 

Quinn stopped walking, gripping Jack’s good arm. “So she didn’t leave early to pack her apartment up?” he asked. Jack shook his head. “Holy shit,” Jack nodded slowly as the pair began walking again. “Every night, really?” Quinn asked as his face scrunched up slightly. 

Jack let out a nervous laugh while running his hand across his chin. “Sometimes during the day too,” he mumbled while Quinn groaned.

“Oh god, I did not need to know that,”

Trevor guided her towards her bedroom, his arm still looped around her waist to stablize her. Trevor carefully rested her onto the bed. She slumped slightly as she forced her eyes open. “How much did you drink?” he asked her, “I swear it wasn’t more than like four?” he said as he walked towards the closet. He pulled the door open. Looking behind him, he saw her lean back onto her hands. 

“It was four Caufield Cocktails and–” she hiccuped, “I didn’t eat today,” she explained. His eyes widened as he took a hold of a t-shirt and sweatpants. 

“You let Cole make you drinks and you didn’t eat today?! Did you want a death sentence?” Trevor let out urgently as he walked towards the bed. He dropped the clothes beside her. 

“I didn’t wanna see Jack,” she slurred as she slumped her shoulders slightly. 

Trevor straightened her posture. “Let’s get out of this,” he said, referring to the bikini and coverall on her body. 

“I’ve got it,” she mumbled. He stared towards her suspiciously. “Turn around,” she urged. He nodded as he crossed his arms over his chest as he stared towards the closet door. 

“What happened with you and Jack?” he asked, hoping she would spill the beans because she was so drunk. 

“You’re only asking me because you think I won’t remember telling you,” she explained as she pulled the coverall off her frame. She tossed it to the floor. She took a deep breath as she took a hold of the t-shirt. Slowly, she brought it over her frame, carefully putting her arms through the arm holes. Her bikini top was still on her frame but she didn’t realize it. 

“Why don’t you want to see Jack?” Trevor asked, still facing away from her. 

She took in a dramatic breath as she stood up from the bed, stumbling slightly. After a few seconds, she took a hold of her shorts and slid them up her frame. “We hooked up,” she mumbled. 

Trevor spun around a gasp leaving his lips. “You what?!” 

“And then we hooked up all last summer,” she let out as she sat down onto the bed. Trevor dropped his hands to the side. “Like–mind blowing sex all of the time,” she explained drunkenly. Trevor cringed at every word that left her lips but she was drunk so he let it slide. 

“Wait, did you two hook up before the summer?” he asked as he sat down on the corner of the bed.

She laid down onto the bed. “I asked him to gi–give me a reason to not go,” she explained as she pulled the comforter towards her face. Slowly, she snuggled into the blanket. Her eyes shut. “He couldn’t,” she let out as she got teary eyed. She sniffled as she hugged the blanket towards her face. 

“I was in love with him and he couldn’t give me a reason,” she mumbled right before she completely fell asleep.

Trevor froze as he watched her fall asleep mid conversation. He stood up from the bed, his head dizzy from the sudden information dumped onto him. He asked for it and he was expecting anything but the information she told him. He took a sharp intake of breath as he snuck out of her room. 

He walked towards the living room watching Quinn and Jack walk into the house. Trevor’s eyes went wide as he darted towards the basement where the pool tournament was being held. Trevor needed to avoid Jack, desperately needed to hide the drunk information that Y/N told him at his request.

He was better off not knowing. Trevor practically leaped down the stairs. Cole and Luke were setting up the table as they were laughing loudly. Luke jolted back as he watched Trevor nearly fall down the steps. 

“Is Y/N okay?” Cole asked while leaning against the bar countertop. 

“You are not allowed to make her drinks anymore,” he pointed accusingly towards Cole. Cole chuckled while rolling his eyes playfully. “She’s asleep in her room. I’m probably gonna wake her up in like two hours to eat some food,” he explained as he walked towards the pool table. 

“I am a great bartender,” Cole offered before he brought his red solo cup towards his lips. Trevor rolled his eyes as he spun his head around to see Jack and Quinn walking down the stairs. He forced his gaze towards the pool table in front of him, his eyes wide. “Finally, Jacky you’re on scorekeeper,” Cole expressed as he pushed away from the bar top.

Jack rolled his eyes playfully as he sat down on the couch beside the chalkboard. He pulled his phone out of his pocket as he began to scroll through his Twitter feed. Trevor gulped as he ran his fingers through his hair. The only thought on his mind was the drunken words that fell from Y/N’s lips.

I was in love with him and he couldn’t give me a reason. I was in love with him and he couldn’t give me a reason. I was in love with him and he couldn’t give me a reason.

Trevor desperately wanted to tell Jack what she told him but he knew it wasn’t his place. He was forced into silence as he took a hold of a pool stick. 

“Trev,” Jack said as he lifted his gaze up from his phone for a second. Trevor spun around, looking towards Jack. “Is she okay?” the question fell from his lips at a genuine tone. The question had been circling his mind from the moment he saw her stumbling off of the boat.

Trevor scoffed as he rolled his eyes. “So now you care how she’s doing?” Trevor asked as the room fell silent. Cole, Quinn, and Luke shared awkward glances as they awkwardly huddled together on the opposite side of the pool table. 

Jack furrowed his eyebrows as he pulled his head back slightly, “What?” Jack asked as he looked into Trevor’s eyes. Trevor clenched his jaw as he crossed his arms over his chest. 

“Do you wanna know why she’s passed out drunk at seven p.m.?” Trevor pointed his question to Jack. Slowly, Jack stood up, shrugging slightly. He looked into Trevor’s eyes, squinting slightly. 

“She didn’t want to see you! I don’t know what happened with you two last summer, but it was so bad that she would rather be passed out alone and drunk than be around you!” Trevor said harshly. 

“You’re right! You don’t know what happened, so keep your mouth shut!” Jack expressed loudly as he pushed Trevor back. Trevor clenched his jaw as he scanned Jack’s features. “Especially you!”

“Especially me, what the hell does that mean?!” Trevor shouted.

Jack clenched his jaw as he shook his head slightly. A dry chuckle left his lips while shaking his head. After several seconds, Jack started walking away. “Keep track of your own fucking scores,” he shouted out towards the group as he bolted up the steps.

His entire body tensed as he walked towards the kitchen; desperate for a drink. He wasn’t supposed to drink on the medication he was on but one drink wouldn’t kill him. At least he thought it wouldn’t kill him. He took a hold of the large vodka bottle and poured it into a large red solo cup. It was definitely more than two shots but he didn’t care. He took a hold of a mixer and poured it into the cup; maybe to dilute it.

He brought it towards his lips and took long sips. It didn’t take long for the cup to be empty. He tossed the cup into the trash can before he stormed out of the kitchen again. He walked down the hall towards his room. 

Taking a hold of the door handle, he shifted his gaze towards her room. He took a deep breath as he tossed his head back. She was going to wake up so hungover tomorrow. He shifted back and forth, debating on if he should go inside. 

He sighed as he walked out away from the doors. Jack manuvered through the living room and back towards the kitchen.

He darted towards the fridge, pulling it open swiftly. Jack took a hold of a water bottle. A groan fell from his lips as he slammed it shut. He walked towards the opposite side of the kitchen, flavor packets were all laid out in a container. He took a hold of one of the liquid IV packets and began walking out of the kitchen again.

“What am I doing?” he mumbled to himself, shaking his head. He let out a huff of air as he walked down the hall. “Stupid,” he muttered as he pushed the door open. His eyes landed on her, she was asleep. Her face was smashed into the pillow. His heart jumped into his throat. He delicately shut the door behind him.

Walking towards her, he squeezed the plastic water bottle in his head a few times. He sat down beside her, he rested the bottle on the nightstand. He dropped the packet beside the bottle. Carefully, he rested his hand onto her arm. He shook her slightly, she jolted awake. Her eyes widened instantly. 

He muffled a laugh as he watched her blink rapidly. She looked towards Jack, a groan falling from her lips. “Go away,” she mumbled as she smashed her face deeper into the pillow. 

Jack carefully twisted the top of the water bottle off and rested it onto the nightstand. He took the packet of liquid IV and brought it towards his mouth. Using his teeth, he ripped open the packet. 

“Pizza should be here soon, you should stay up to eat and then go to bed,” he explained as he managed to pour the powder into the plastic water bottle. Only spilling some of the powder onto the nightstand. 

“I’m fine,” she mumbled, her eyes shutting again. He covered the water bottle again before he took a hold of it. He began shaking it to mix it together. “Go away, Jack,”

“Drink this,” he slammed it down onto the nightstand, “Or don’t. Whatever,” he mumbled before he stood up from the bed. Without looking back he walked out of the room and directly towards his own room. 

~~~

The following few days were still awkward with everyone. Jack was isolating himself, he thought it would be better to let himself cool off. He was avoiding being social and having to explain his outburst. Even though Quinn and Trevor knew what it was about. Trevor tried to not take it personally. 

Luke was trying to pry, nosy and desperate for details. He was constantly bugging Trevor for details. Y/N was completely out of the loop, no one told her about Jack and Trevor’s argument. They were doing everything in their power to still enjoy their time away with the tension between Y/N and Jack. 

She walked out of her room, her frame only covered by a black bikini. Her gaze was on her phone as she was adjusting the sunglasses on her head. She pushed her hair back as she rested it back down onto her head. 

Lifting her head up, she saw a shirtless Jack standing just in front of the doorway to the kitchen. Their eyes connected. Her lips parted slightly as she felt her legs feel weak beneath her. Suddenly, breathing felt impossible as she continued to look into his softening gaze. Clenching her jaw, she tapped her thumb against her phone screen.

He looked good. She hated that he looked good. She could’ve sworn that his body was not this toned last summer. Her gaze lowered towards his body, scanning each curve of his muscles. A memory flashed in her mind of her sitting in his lap, admiring the way his body tensed and flexed under her touch. The way her fingertips glided along his skin, purposely creating a reaction out of him.

Swallowing harshly, she forced her gaze back up towards him. Their eyes connected again and it felt like time stopped. She took a quick breath realizing she hasn’t took a breath in several long seconds. 

“Where’s everyone else?” she asked barely above a whisper. 

Jack’s eyes widened as he took a deep breath. He dragged his tongue across his bottom lip as he glanced behind him. He flung his arms to his side. His sling is no longer on his arm. He was cleared yesterday to start physical therapy which meant no more brace and sling. 

“Gym,” he let out simply before he nodded slowly. 

“Where’s your sling?” she asked while pointing towards him with her hand holding her phone. 

Looking down, almost as if he forgot it was gone. He took a sudden breath as he leaned against the doorframe. “It’s only as needed now,” he explained while nodding. She hummed as she dropped her gaze towards the floor. 

“Thank you for the other night. I know I was pretty out of it but I remember you helping me,” she explained. The words left her lips genuinely. The space between them is seemingly shrinking. She wasn’t sure if she was walking towards him or if it was the other way around. 

“I just put the powder in the water bottle and put it on the nightstand,” he said, shrugging his shoulders. 

“With one hand, it was impressive,” she let out jokingly. A breathy laugh left his lips as he ran his fingers through his hair. 

“I’ve got skills,” he let out teasingly. 

She chuckled softly as she rolled her eyes playfully. He let out another laugh as he looked into her eyes. Desperate to find out if this was momentary or if she was okay with being around him. But the tight-lip polite smile that formed onto her lips told him that it was momentary and that she was darting to the opposite side of the house again. 

“I’m gonna–” she trailed off before she turned and began to walk towards the backdoor leading towards the back deck. Jack didn’t call after her, didn’t say anything more. He let out a long breath before he plopped down onto the couch; careful of his shoulder. 

It took another twenty minutes before the other boys returned to the house. Luke led the charge. Steam practically spewing out of his ears. He stormed inside. “You and Y/N hooked up?” he yelled out accusingly. Jack spun around, his mouth falling open. His gaze shifted towards Quinn who was following after Luke urgently. “Why the hell would you guys do that!?” he yelled out.

“Fucking can’t tell Quinn anything,” Jack mumbled before he looked towards Quinn harshly. He watched an apology fall from his lips. 

“So that’s why you two can’t fucking stand being in the same room as one another?”

“Lukey,” Jack mumbled as he stood up from the couch.

“You couldn’t keep it in your pants so you made it awkward for everyone else! What am I supposed to do, choose sides?!” Luke continued to shout. 

Trevor and Cole disappeared outside where Y/N was at. Quinn shifted awkwardly as he watched his youngest brother’s skin turn pink from anger.

“This has nothing to do with you!”

“You ruined a perfect thing that we had going here! It was your rule to not pursue her!” Luke called out. 

Y/N was sitting on one of the chairs outside, her sunglasses on her face and her Kindle in front of her. Trevor and Cole were whispering towards one another as they looked back towards her.

Pulling the Kindle away from her gaze, she looked at the boys in front of her. “What can I do for you?” She asked sarcastically as she rested the Kindle beside her. The sound of muffled yelling came from inside. She turned around looking inside. “What’s happening?” She asked softly.

“I think everyone knows,” Trevor mumbled as he crossed his arms over his chest. Her eyes widened slightly as she nodded slowly trying to understand what he meant by that.

“Know what?” she asked, drawing out the words. 

“About you and Jack,” he let out as he took a deep breath. She shook her head slowly, still confused on what Trevor was getting at. He let out a dramatic sigh, “About you two hooking up last summer,” he let out as if it was holding him hostage.

Her mouth fell open as she shook her head. A nervous chuckle fell from her lips. “How did you know about that?” She asked Trevor, mainly pointing her question to Cole.

“You told me the other night,” he let out while looking towards the sky.

“Did I tell you or did you pry the information out of me because I was drunk,” she asked while resting her hands onto her hips. “Wait, how does Quinn and Luke know?” She asked glancing behind her, the muffled yelling was continuing.

“I guess Jack told Quinn and you know Quinn can’t keep a secret,” Trevor said. Trevor’s eyes widened as he looked towards Cole. A gasp fell from Trevor’s lips, “Wait how did you know?!”

Cole tossed his head back and rolled his eyes dramatically. “Because I have eyes, Because I am observant!” he let out through a laugh. Trevor scoffed. “I mean this with love, Y/N, but Jack’s a slut and Y/N likes to have a good time, right? But all of a sudden both of them stopped bringing people home for the night or were disappearing for hours on end together. Ya’ll just can’t pay attention to shit.”

“Were we really that obvious?” she pointed her question to Cole. 

“Clearly not to anyone else,” Cole mumbled as she shoved Trevor to the side. 

The muffled yelling seemed to simmer down but it was obvious tension was still high between the brothers inside. Jack stepped outside, a huff of air leaving his lips. His eyes widened as he was surprised to see Y/N still sitting outside. Her body straightened. 

Without saying anything, Trevor and Cole both agreed to walk back into the house to leave Y/N and Jack alone. Jack’s eyes widened as he watched them walk away from them. She clenched her jaw as she slumped into the chair while she tilted her head back against the chair. 

“So Quinn and Luke know about us,” Jack let out quietly. She rolled her eyes playfully as she pursed her lips forward. “And I guess Trevor does too. I think Cole always knew,” he continued while crossing his arms over his chest. His declaration was left in the air for a second. She nodded as she dragged her tongue over her bottom lip. He chuckled dryly as he began to walk towards the chair on the opposite side of her.

“Jack,” she let out softly as she trailed his movements. He let out a dramatic groan as he flopped down onto the chair. He took a hold of his shoulder, wincing. His face scrunched up in disgust. “So you told Quinn?”

Jack nodded as a hum fell from his lips, “Wouldn’t stop asking me questions,” he explained while looking towards her, maybe meeting her gaze.

“I told Trevor,” she turned her head, looking down towards her lap. She began twisting the ring on her pointer finger. 

“Figured,” Jack mumbled.

Clenching her jaw, she took a deep breath. “It was the other night when I was drunk. He knew I wouldn’t remember telling him,” she explained. Jack’s eyes widened as his posture straightened. “Trev, also wouldn’t stop asking me questions,” she explained. He nodded slowly as he tapped his fingertips against the arm of the chair. 

They sat beside each other in silence, feeling as though there was a literal wall forming between them. Her body was erupting in goosebumps as she kept glancing in his direction. He was already looking towards her with a thousand words on the tip of his tongue. 

“How’s living with Trevor?” Jack as he leaned forward, resting his arms onto his thighs. She pulled the sun glasses from her face, folding them and resting it onto the side table.

“Pretty lonely honestly,” she mumbled. Jack furrowed his eyebrows as their eyes connected. His breath caught in his throat, god her eyes were so beautiful. Clenching her jaw for a moment, “He was gone a lot with his girlfriend and games. I didn’t mind it but yeah it’s been fine,” she explained softly. 

Jack nodded as he chewed on his bottom lip, “How’s the job?” he asked. Instantly, her eyes lit up as a wide grin formed to her lips.

She began to talk rapidly about the experience. It was everything and more than what she expected. She probably was talking for more than a couple minutes but Jack didn’t care. The only thing on his mind was the fact that he has missed hearing her voice more than anything. 

He forgot how much her voice relaxed him, every ounce of tension in his body seemed to disappear. Any amount of frustration seemed to disappear in a moment's notice. All he wanted was for her to know that he missed her more than anything.

She took a deep breath after she explained a story about her new co-workers. He laughed with her as she told the story. Her laugh was probably his favorite sound. No matter how loud or muffled it sounded, it was his favorite. 

After a few more seconds, Trevor stepped out into the back patio. Clearing his throat, he shifted awkward glances between Y/N and then to Jack. “Cole’s dying to go clubbing. You guys in?” Trevor asked, looking towards Y/N if she needed any assistance. 

“Definitely,” Jack and Y/N said at the same time. She jolted her gaze back towards Jack, suddenly hyper aware of the situation. She cleared her throat.

“I’m going to go get ready then,” she stood up as she spoke. 

“It’s like noon,” Jack let out teasingly. 

Her mouth fell open, “I mean if I’m going to a club, I’m going to need a nap,” she offered without looking back towards the boys behind her. 

“Yeah me too,” Jack mumbled as he stood up. He began to walk past Trevor, instead Trevor took a hold of Jack’s arm. 

“I’m sorry about–”

“No I’m sorry,” Jack interrupted, “I don’t know what she told you or how much she told you but I’ve been a dick to you and that’s not on you,” he explained.

Trevor let out a soft laugh, “Okay, well, that’s true but I didn’t have to come at you like that,” he said softly. 

Jack let out a long dramatic sigh as the pair started walking back towards the house, “Yeah, well, I deserved it,”

~~~

It was well into the night and they were all gone. Drunk and dizzy but they were all dancing like nothing mattered. No focus on cameras or wandering eyes, they were there to enjoy themselves and that is what they did.

Luke, Cole, and Trevor had disappeared early in the night. Each of them had texted the group chat that they were busy. Which is code for they found a girl and were either leaving with her or they were sticking together for rest of the night. 

Quinn was in big brother mode, busy scanning the crowd making sure the ones that were still there werwe safe. In reality, he was focusing on Y/N making sure she was okay and able to still function. He was enjoying himself, dancing with a few girls here and there but he kept watching over Y/N.

Jack stood near the bartop, his eye strictly on Y/N. He was leaning back on his arms, a drink still in his hand. His gaze scanned her movements, his frame overheating. Perhaps from the heat of the endless bodies in the night club or because of her. He chewed on his bottom lip, feeling his heart slam against his chest. 

Her body seemed to move perfectly in sync with the beat of the song. Her hips swayed back and forth as her hands seemed to move freely with her. She was alone, between the sea of people; seemingly pushing away any guy that tried to get close and personal with her. 

Jack contemplated on walking towards her, dancing with her but he knew it was better off staying away. 

Until Jack saw a man that seemed double his own size approach her. He titled his head back as he waited for her to send him packing. Yet she spun around looking towards the freakishly tall man. She continued to sway and move to the beat of the song, her hands rested on the stranger’s chest. Jack cleared his throat as he watched her spin around. 

His lips parted as the stranger pulled her against his frame. The stranger was whispering in her ear. It was dark and hard to see in the club but he could see Y/N’s smile from miles away. It was wide and bright. Jack was sure it was a drunken grin but she looked like she was enjoying every second of it. 

Jack’s vision blurred as he felt his entire body tense. He pulled his drink towards his lips as he chugged the whole drink. He left it on the bar top, the ice was the only thing remaining in the glass.

If she can flaunt being with someone else, so could he. 

Sure, he was mad. He was always the jealous type with her. Never was with any of his girlfriends but with Y/N he was so possessive. He hated when any of the other guys were close with her but it never made sense before. For years, he thought it was because she was his favorite and close friend.

But it didn’t take long for him to realize it was because he was in love with her. He never wanted anyone else to be near her with any kind of intentions. But she clearly no longer felt the same way. Or she never felt the same way, he wasn’t sure.

He darted through the sea of people, trying to find someone, anyone, willing to participate in his act of making Y/N jealous. Or maybe make her look in his direction. He could still see her in his line of sight as he approached a model-esq blonde woman. Instantly, she spun around smiling towards Jack. 

It didn’t take much effort from Jack. The girl scanned Jack’s features and instantly took a hold of Jack’s black t-shirt and pulled him towards her. He looped his arms around the girl’s waist letting her lead the motion. She instantly pressed her ass against him. Jack’s eyes widened, as he followed her movements. His body instantly reacted at the contact. 

Jack looked towards Y/N, watching her seemingly ignore him. A huff of air left his lips as he tried to focus on the beautiful girl in front of him. But she wasn’t his beautiful girl. His beautiful girl was in the arms of someone else. He hated it. After a few seconds, he shifted his gaze towards the girl in front of him for only a moment.

Lifting his head up, looking back towards Y/N’s direction and she was gone. Jack froze in place, forcing the girl in front of him to let out an exasperated sigh and slip away from his grasp. Jack barely noticed that she was no longer pressed against him, he stood still. His eyes widened as he watched the sea of people move and shift; hoping for Y/N to be in his line of sight. 

His phone vibrated in his pocket, he sighed as he pulled it out.

Y/N: Ubering back to the lakehouse, not alone!

He stared towards the message and was convinced he heard his heart shatter in his chest. He clenched his jaw repeatedly as he continued to stare at the message. The boys in the chat started sending in messages, wolf whistling through text. He swallowed harshly.

His feet seemed to be cemented into the ground at the center of the dance floor. He couldn’t move. His mind began to replay their last moment together in this club. How beautiful she looked in the skin tight black dress. Memories of him bunching the fabric in his hands, the way her body moved in sync with his. The smile on her lips as he whispered into her ear. His body reacted and blended perfectly with hers. 

He swallowed harshly as the image was soon replaced with her dancing with someone else. How was he supposed to go home and sleep across the hall? He squeezed his phone in his hand before he dropped his hand to the side.

He was jolted, blinking rapidly as he looked towards Quinn beside him. He took a shaky breath as he met Quinn’s gaze. “Let’s go home!” Quinn shouted to Jack, keeping a hold of Jack’s arm. 

“How am I supposed to do that!?” he shouted towards Quinn. Jack’s eyes were tearing up as he looked into his older brother’s gaze. “I can’t!” Jack let out while shaking his head. 

Quinn nodded slowly. “You can! Come on!” he shouted, dragging him through the crowd of people. 

The ride back to the lake house took twenty minutes and Jack didn’t say a single word. Quinn didn’t pry, didn’t say anything about what was probably happening in her bedroom back at the lake house. 

He was practically steaming with frustration. He was mad at himself more than anything. He messed everything up because he was jealous and scared. He couldn’t tell her he was in love with her. He couldn’t bring himself to say it to her and now she’s done with him.

He squinted his eyes harshly as he the image of the man pressed against Y/N, flirting and dancing against one another. He clenched his fist repeatedly as he hit it against his thigh.

Cole, Trevor, and Luke were all going to different girls’ houses, which meant Quinn, Jack, and Y/N were the only ones left at the lake house. The Uber pulled up to the house. Letting the two boys out. 

Jack was darting towards the door, no hesitation in any of his steps towards the house. “Jack!” Quinn called out as he chased after him. Jack didn’t slow down a second as he bolted toward the hallway where their shared bedrooms were at. “Jack! Come on!” Quinn shouted as he jogged after him. Jack was raising his hand, ready to slam his fist against the door. “Jack seriously!” Quinn stopped beside Jack.

A scoff left Jack’s lips as he rolled his eyes. “She doesn’t get to do this! Not with me across the hall!” he let out loudly. 

“She does! She has every right to move on and so do you!” Quinn said as he pointed towards the door. 

“I don’t want–” he trailed off as he tilted his head back. “She can move on all she wants in California but not here! Not in my own damn house!” he whispered loudly as he went to raise his hand up to knock on the door.

“Jack,” Quinn scolded as her door was pulled open enough for her to poke her head out. 

A sudden gasp left their lips as their eyes widened. “Y/N,” Quinn let out quietly. 

“Y/N, please don’t do this,” Jack pleaded as he looked into her eyes. A huff of air left her lips as she pulled the door open to reveal that she was alone in her room. 

“Do what?” she asked knowingly. Jack let out a dry laugh while shaking his head. “I only told you guys that so Trevor would get off my back,” she explained as her hand flung behind her to show that there was no one on the bed. 

“So what is this? Is this some game to you?” Jack asked harshly.

“A game? What are you talking about, Jack?!” she shouted back towards you, stepping closer to him.

Quinn spun on his heel and instantly walked away from the pair. He shook his head as a huff of air left his lips. He jogged up the stairs towards his own room, leaving them alone. He wanted nothing to do with whatever was about to happen downstairs.

“Is this to get back to me?!” Jack shouted as he threw his arms to the side. He took a step closer to her.

“You? Seriously, Jack, not everything is about you!” she yelled towards him tossing her hands to the side.

“You can’t bring guys back here!” he let out loudly. 

“Why do you care!?” she shouted towards him, a scoff left his lips.

“Because–” he let out softly as he glanced towards the living room. 

“You know what, you– you don’t get to care if I sleep with other people! You have no reason to care about me!” she shouted towards him. “You’ve made that very clear,” she let out softer.

He swallowed harshly as he scanned her features. He hasn’t been this close to her in so long he almost forgot how breathtaking she was. She was holding a breath as she looked into his eyes. Her skin ran hot as she saw the way his eyes were looking over her frame. His gaze flickered down towards her lips as he clenched his jaw. Lifting his gaze, he looked into her eyes. 

“Very fucking clear,” she mumbled breathlessly.

“You can do whoever you want when you’re in California but keep it out of my house,” he stepped towards her, their faces were only a few inches apart. Her breath caught in her throat as she scanned his reddening features. She watched him take a sudden breath as he looked from one eye to the other. 

“What are you going to do? Keep me under lock and key?” she whispered harshly.

“If I have to,” he mumbled.

“You’re such a dick,” she muttered as she lowered her gaze towards his lips. “I saw you at the club dancing with that girl, you don’t get to act all high and mighty acting like you weren’t doing the same thing,” 

He clenched his jaw as he nodded slowly. “And what was I doing exactly?” he asked as he stepped towards her, forcing her to step back slightly. 

“Trying to make me jealous,” 

“Did it work?” he asked with a smirk threatening his lips. She felt her legs weaken beneath her. 

“No,” she muttered. “I don’t care about you anymore,”

“Then why isn’t the door in my face?” he asked breathlessly, leaning towards her. Her breath caught in her throat, her heart slamming against her chest. 

“I don’t know,” she mumbled as she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him towards her, pressing his lips against his urgently. A moan fell from his lips as he pulled her closer to him. Their tongues entwined instantly as they stumbled back, their bodies pressed against one another. He quickly kicked his shoes off, not caring if they were obviously left outside of her door.

She was mad at him but she wanted nothing more than to feel his lips against hers. She wanted nothing more than to be this close to him again, she craved his touch. He bunched up the fabric of the skin tight dress covering her frame.

Jumping up, she wrapped her legs around his waist. Jack took a hold of her legs, to support her. Hissing in pain, he dropped his bad arm and let it hang beside him. She pulled her lips back, taking a hold of his cheeks. Bumping their noses together in the process.

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, I forgot,” she whispered breathlessly. A breathy chuckle fell from his lips as a small smile formed to his lips.

“It’s okay, It’s okay,” he mumbled as he slammed his lips against hers. With one hand he kept a hold of her thigh tightly against his frame. He carried her into her bedroom, using his other arm to swing the door shut. He pressed her back against the door, a breathy moan fell from her lips as she tilted her head back.

Jack desperately began to trail his lips down the center of her neck. Slowly, he circled his tongue as he continued to trail wet kisses down her skin. He twisted the lock on the door before he carried her towards the bed. She took a hold of his cheeks, desperately needing his lips on hers again. 

Slowly, she glided down her frame, his hand loosening his grip as their lips remained connected. Her hands glided along his chest as he reached behind her. He took a hold of the zipper and instantly started gliding it down her frame. Without hesitation, he began to pull it from her body. She helped him in the process as she kicked it away from them.

His fingertips glided along the skin of her lower back, his body overheating. Finally and desperately feeling her skin beneath his hands.

She began tugging at the shirt covering his frame. He pulled back, taking a hold of the end of his shirt and tossing it over his head. Their eyes connected again as Jack had a small smile on his lips. She stumbled back as she sat down on the edge of the bed. She took a deep breath.

He stood in front of her, taking a hold of his jeans. He pulled them from his frame. After a second of thought he tugged his boxers from his frame. His body tensed as the cold air hit his overheating skin. 

Pulling her lips back, her gaze scanned his frame. Her entire body erupting in goosebumps watching him drag his hand up and down his shaft, a muffled groan fell from his lips before he looked back up towards her. 

All of the blood in her body felt like it rushed to her head. Y/N sat down on the edge of the bed. He smirked as she slowly laid on her back. Jack climbed on top of her, connecting their lips desperately. He ran his hand along her cheek as he lowered his hand, taking a delicate hold of her neck. His thumb glided down the center of her neck as he pulled back. 

Her eyes flickered open as she was breathing heavily. Her hand glided through his hair, watching him look over her features. “Y/N ple–”

“Please don’t talk just…” she trailed off as she ran her thumb across the apple of his cheek. 

He stared down towards her hesitantly. Still, a thousand things on the tip of his tongue. He took a sudden breath as she pushed him back. He rolled onto his back as she instantly climbed onto his lap. Jack’s eyes widened as looked over her frame as if it was for the first time.

She pulled all of her hair over her shoulder as she leaned down and kissed him slowly. His hands ran along her back, toying with the clasp of her bra. She grinded against his lap, slowly teasingly. He thrusted up into her, desperate for some release. She smirked against his lips while she ran her hand along his chest. He unclasped it watching her tug it away from her frame. 

Time seemed to slow as their lips remained connected as his hands roamed her frame. Ther was no rush in their movements, savoring each kiss. Making up for lost time perhaps. Slowly she began to trail her lips down his neck. He tilted his head back, he bit his bottom lip as he held his breath. 

“Y/N,” he let out breathlessly. He squeezed her thigh as she continued to suck the skin beneath his ear. 

“Don’t talk,” she whispered into his ear as she ran her hand down his chest. He chuckled softly as he tilted his head to the side meeting her gaze. 

“Okay,” he mumbled as he tapped her leg, asking for her to lay down. 

“Your arm,” she mumbled while looking into his eyes.

“I’ve got skills, remember?” he mumbled while fighting off a grin. She rolled her eyes playfully as she climbed off of his lap and laid onto her back; the same time Jack rolled onto his side, pulling her against him. Their legs were entangled as their lips instantly connected.

He took a hold of her underwear, looping them in his finger as he slowly started gliding them down his frame. A breathy moan fell from her lips as she kicked them off of the bed. 

He reached down and instantly began to rub her clit in a slow teasing pace. Her hand gripped his arm. Instantly, she pulled back with a sudden gasp leaving his lips. He smirked towards her, watching her eyes roll to the back of her head. 

She was holding back a moan as she squinted her eyes shut. Slowly, he pushed his fingers inside of her, watching desire pool her features. Her hands took a hold of his cheeks, pulling him towards her. Their lips met in a sloppy cadence as she grinded against his fingers that were thrusting into her. 

Desire flooded her stomach as she ran her fingers through his hair, tugging the strands. “Jack,” she mumbled against his lips as her vision blurred. He hummed against her lips as he pulled his fingers away from her center, her body running cold for a second. 

She wrapped her leg around his waist as he instantly guided himself to her center. Looking back up, meeting her gaze. He was mesmerized by the way she was looking towards him. So desperate and craving him. She ran her hand towards the base of his neck.

Slowly, he thrusted into her, a low moan falling from his lips. He took a hold of her thigh as he continued to thrust into her slowly, feeling her adjust to his size. Their eyes remained connected as he continued the sensual pace. 

She leaned towards him, taking her lips in his. She moaned into his mouth as his hand gripped her thigh tightly. “Fuck,” she muttered against his lips. He could feel her clenching around him, pulling his climax faster. 

It has been far too long since either of them have felt this good. There’s been rebounds. Probably too many to count shared between them but none of them felt this right and this perfect. She couldn’t even remember ever reaching this close to a climax since the last time they were together.

“Oh my god,” she whined out. He missed hearing that, he missed knowing he was the one making her feel like that.

The way their breathing were in perfect short cadences as their lips tried to maintain the desperate connection. But her body was flooding with desire, as her vision was blurring. Every few seconds, his lips would press a sloppy kiss to her lower lip as he grunted.

His thrust started to speed up in pace as a whimper fell from her lips, he nodded, “Good girl–doin’ so good,” he whispered. She let out a moan as she tilted her head back. He pressed his lips to the center of her neck. Her hands ran along his upper back. More muffled moans fell from her lips as she gave all of her to him.

“I’m so–”

A sudden gasp left her lips as her entire body tensed, an overwhelming amount of pleasure coursed through her frame. She dragged her nails across his upper back, “Jack,” she moaned out.

With one more thrust, he reached his own climax, short breaths fell from his lips as he released into her. “Fuck,” he let out barely above a whisper. He continued to ride out his own orgasm as he watched her eyes flutter open. Her hands glided along his upper back to take a hold of his neck.

Their eyes connected as he watched her gaze soften. Leaning towards her, he pressed his lips against hers sloppy. He pulled out as they both pulled back, falling onto their backs. They both laid breathlessly as they stared towards the ceiling. 

They didn’t talk for several seconds as the reality of what they did set in. She felt her heart jump in her throat as she sat up, swinging her legs off of the bed.  

Jack switched his gaze towards her, his eyes scanned her bare back watching her breathe heavily. She pulled open the bottom drawer, she quickly pulled out a t-shirt and shorts. 

“You know how amazing I am?” Jack let out as he leaned back on his arms. His tone was questioning but he had a wide grin on his lips. 

A breathy laugh fell from her lips as she pulled the t-shirt over her frame. “What?” she asked, a smirk toying to her lips as she stood up to pull the shorts up. 

“I got you to admit that you were trying to make me jealous,” he offered teasingly. She spun around looking towards him. Her mouth fell open as she shook her head slightly. 

“I wasn’t, I didn’t…” she stammered as she trailed her gaze down his frame. Jack whipped the comforter over his body as she raised her eyes back up towards his face. 

“Oh, well, you did,” he said as he pushed his tongue into his cheek. 

“I didn’t,” she said as she climbed back onto the bed, pulling the comforter over her. Their eyes connected again.

“Weren’t your exact words you don’t get to act all high and mighty acting like you weren’t doing the same thing–” he trailed off as he watched the realization dawn on her face, her teasing smirk faded on her lips. She squinted her eyes slightly, “And then I asked you what I was doing and you said–”

“Trying to make me jealous,” she finished his sentences as she tilted her head to the side. 

“Exactly,” he whispered as he pointed his finger towards her subtly. She rolled her eyes playfully as she took a hold of his hand. He chuckled as their eyes connected again. She took a deep breath as she scanned his features. 

Swallowing harshly, she dropped his hand. “You should probably go,” she mumbled as she began to lay down on the bed to face away from him.

He furrowed his eyebrows harshly, “What just happened?” he asked as he looked down towards her. 

“This doesn’t change anything,” she mumbled. 

A scoff fell from his lips, “Doesn’t it? I mean seriously, Y/N,” he expressed as he rested his hand onto her arm, pulling her back to face him. Their eyes met as she clenched her jaw. “It has to change something,”

He reached his hand over toward her, taking a hold of her cheek. Leaning into his hand, she shut her eyes. “I don’t know if I can do this again,” she mumbled.

“Then let’s do something else,” he muttered as he ran his thumb across her hot skin. 

“Do what, Jack? If you mean–that, I don’t know if I can, I'm so tired,” she explained as a soft laugh left her lips.

“No, not that,” he chuckled as he leaned towards her, kissing her softly. “I mean let’s try being friends again,” he mumbled against her lips, “Exclusive friends,”

She pulled away, tilting her head to the side. She stared towards him suspiciously for a second, “We tried that, we didn’t talk for a year afterwards,” 

He giggled, “I mean, we work towards something serious,” he offered as he scanned her features again.

“Jack,” she wasn’t sure, she was still tipsy and not thinking straight.

“Think about it,” he mumbled before he leaned towards her, kissing her softly. She parted her lips, allowing him to deepen the kiss.

“Jack,”

“Think about it,” he mumbled againsat her lips again, a small breathy laugh leaving her lips before she deepened the kiss again.

~~~

Cole and Trevor stood side by side, mugs in both of their hands. They were trying to see who Y/N brought him. Whoever the mystery guy was hadn’t left yet, sleeping in astronomically late. 

Well for their house’s standards. It was nine in the morning and usually the whole house would be awake, especially Y/N.

“She’s still in there, are you sure she didn’t kick him out and leave?” Cole whispered loudly as he leaned into Trevor.

“I wouldn’t be standing here if I was sure,” Trevor shot back in a hushed tone.

“Has she since–” he trailed off as he met Trevor’s gaze. 

“Yeah she’s had her rebounds,” Trevor mumbled, a soft chuckle leaving his lips, “It’s been a few months though,” he mumbled.

Cole cleared his throat before he brought the mug towards his lips. He took a long sip, “Is she okay? I feel like I should knock,” Cole whispered.

“If he was a creep then she would’ve told us,” Trevor mumbled before bringing his own mug towards his lips.

“She didn’t bring anyone home,” Quinn called out as he stood near the entrance to the hallway. Cole and Trevor both turned their eyes towards Quinn at the same time.

“What?” they whispered loudly.

“She only told you that because you were getting on her about ‘moving on’,” Quinn said with air quotes. 

“Well then who’s shoes are those?” he asked, pointing down towards the messily laid out shoes.

“Who’s–what?” Quinn let out as he took fast steps towards them. 

Suddenly, her door pulled open and a shirtless Jack was holding the door open. A gasp left all three of their lips. Quinn raised his hand up and held his hand against his chest. 

“Their mine,” Jack said before clearing his throat. “‘Scuse me,” he said as he stepped out of the room, shutting the door behind him. Cole and Trevor pulled away from one another. They shared awkward glances as they watched Jack walk towards his bedroom, stepping inside. 

They all tried to form sentences but the shock of seeing Jack inside of her room was enough to keep them all frozen with confusion. “He left his shoes,” Cole muttered as he looked down towards them still by the door. 

Suddenly, her door was pushed open, her eyes widened to see the three boys standing outside of her door. “Creepy, all of you,” she mumbled as she pointed an accusatory finger to each of them. “Excuse me,” she muttered as she squeezed past them carrying her clothes. 

“We thought you had a stranger in there! We wanted to be sure you were alive!” Cole defended, “It’s not creepy! It’s caring!”

“God, I should’ve gone to the gym with Lukey,” Quinn said, shaking his head as he walked back into the living room. Cole and Trevor were muttering to one another in the center of the hallway. “Leave them alone,” Quinn called out as he walked towards the kitchen. 

“But–”

“Leave them alone! They’ll tell us when they’re ready!” Quinn called out. 

“They practically already did!” Cole protested.

“Leave them alone!” Quinn scolded them again. The pair let out defeated breaths as they stumbled out of the hallway.

For the next hour, the three of them were talking, more like gossiping about Jack and Y/N. Trying to find puzzle pieces from last summer and the slim information of the last twenty hours. Trevor was trying to convince Quinn and Cole that it was actually happening since the moment they both set foot into the house. 

Y/N sat at her vanity, running her fingers through her wet hair. She could hear the faint sounds of all of them arguing over her and Jack through the walls. Her face was covered in moisture as she was doing her post-clubbing routine. It was an everything shower that rejuvenated herself from the events of the night before.

There was a soft knock on her door as her body straightened. “Come in,” she mumbled. She spun her head around to see Jack walk into her room. His hair was dripping wet as his frame was covered with tight jeans and t-shirt. “Hey,” she let out quietly, a small smile formed on her lips.

He leaned against the door, pressing his back against it as. He crossed his arms over his chest. “I got scared,” he muttered. She stood up from the vanity seat as she kept her distance from him.

He swallowed harshly as he dropped his gaze towards the floor, “When you asked for a reason, I didn’t know how to tell you I was falling in love with you,”

“Jack,” she mumbled.

“I was falling in love with you and all I could see was you running away with one of my best friends,” 

“I wasn’t–”

“I know, but I was so convinced that you were running far away from me,” he let out softly as he watched her walk towards him. “But I realized last night that I was pushing you away,” he mumbled as he scanned her features. She was still making her way towards him slowly, he was not aware of how close she was getting to him.

“I get jealous so easily but I think it’s because you were never really mine,” he explained further as he dropped his hands to the side. She nodded as she walked closer to him, “I got a taste of it last summer and I let you go. I shouldn’t have let you go. I’m sorry,” he let out, tossing his arms to the side.

“Jack,” she mumbled as she was directly in front of him. He swallowed harshly as he scanned her features. His breathing quickened as he watched her lips curl upward slightly. 

“Did you say you were falling in love with me?” she let out barely above a whisper. He hummed as his gaze lowered towards her lips. “Fucking finally,” she said as she leaped towards him, careful of his shoulder as she pressed her lips against his urgently.

“I’ve never stopped loving you,” she mumbled against his lips.

[glitter-stained]

Any comics you enjoy reading specifically because of your psychology studying and knowledge? (Am I saying that right)

Well, that's definitely one of the reasons why I love Jason's character, so Under The Red Hood (though nuance) is a big contender -Lost Days is funny because it has my favourite post-death jason and would be my favourite red hood comic if not for the freudian trip (including the talia thing) but it also does have a lot of fun stuff about Jason's cptsd and him being an unreliable narrator and a lovely flashback scene and while I think part of my knowledge makes it less enjoyable, part of it also makes it more, so it's a complicated question! As Robin, there's already some crunchy stuff, though that's probably not why. And I don't love GA 2001 because of my knowledge, I love it because Winick's wit and development of Mia is amazing, but I love Mia's psychology and thinking about it through a theory of maladaptive patterns" lense, so it enhances the experience!

As stated before, I know Batgirl (2000) is gonna fuck me up in new and fascinating ways, though I'm aware I'll probably spent half the time saying shit like "things do not work like that", "what the fuck are the implications of this" and "what does her brain even look like at this point", but I did see people say that she struggled with reading and writing and even calling her dyslexic so that's making me hyped up already, fuck yeah hit the developmental cascade right!

And Ik the question was about psychological theory, but you know what, after some certain days on the field, No Restraints Play (a short black widow comic and the only marvel thing i've read so far) is an excellent way to let out steam and get some catharsis.

[respirers]

Air Pollution Impacting Sea Life: The Invisible Link Between Sky and Sea

When we hear the term air pollution, the first picture that comes to mind is that of smoggy skies, respiratory disease, and city traffic jams. Few think of coral reefs, fish, plankton, or whales. But the reality is that air pollution significantly and increasingly affects marine ecosystems.

This blog ventures into how pollutants emitted into the air find their way to oceans, seas, and rivers, harming aquatic life, changing ecosystems, and imperiling biodiversity. As air quality professionals, it is important that we comprehend and relay the cross-domain impacts of pollution, particularly the frequently ignored air-sea link.

The Air-Ocean Link: How Pollutants Go on a Journey

To grasp how air pollution impacts marine life, it is helpful to follow the journey of pollutants:

1. Release into the Atmosphere: These pollutants include Sulphur dioxide (SO₂), Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Particulate Matter (PM2.5), heavy metals, and Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), which are emitted by vehicles, industries, power plants, and agricultural sources.

2. Transportation in the Atmosphere: These airborne pollutants may be transported by winds over large distances, sometimes hundreds or thousands of kilometers from their point of origin.

3. Deposition into Water Bodies:

Wet deposition: Rain and snow wash pollutants out of the air into oceans, lakes, and rivers.

Dry deposition: Particles and gases fall out of the atmosphere onto the ocean surface.

4. Bioaccumulation and Ecosystem Disruption: Pollutants, once in the ocean, interact with marine ecosystems and organisms, frequently building up the food chain.

In this manner, airborne pollutants turn into aquatic pollutants, initiating an ecological cascade of effects.

Key Air Pollutants with Effects on Marine Life

1. Nitrogen Oxides and Sulphur Dioxide → Ocean Acidification and Eutrophication

Nitrogen oxides (NOx) and Sulphur dioxide (SO₂) released by the combustion of fossil fuels lead to acid rain. Upon dissolution in rainwater and flow into the ocean, they reduce the water pH, leading to ocean acidification. Acidified waters can melt the calcium carbonate shells of molluscs, corals, and certain plankton species, increasing their vulnerability and lowering their numbers.

Moreover, atmospheric nitrogen also serves as a fertilizer, causing eutrophication — an excessive growth of algae in coastal waters. When these algae die and are broken down, they use up oxygen, forming hypoxic zones (or “dead zones”) where fish and marine invertebrates cannot live.

The Gulf of Mexico, Chesapeake Bay, and portions of the Arabian Sea are some of such areas enriched by nitrogen deposition.

2. Mercury and Heavy Metals

Mercury emitted into the atmosphere from power plants that burn coal can travel far before depositing into the ocean.

Mercury, when deposited, is subject to methylation, converting it into methylmercury, a very toxic substance that concentrates in aquatic life.

Methylmercury accumulates up the food chain, presenting significant health hazards to apex predators like tuna, swordfish, and marine mammals.

Consumption of tainted seafood by humans can result in mercury poisoning, which harms the nervous system, reproductive system, and brain development in fetuses and children.

In an equally similar way, airborne lead, cadmium, and arsenic from industrial sources also fall into oceans, building up in fish tissue and disrupting marine food webs.

3. Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)

Substances such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins, and certain pesticides are transported by the wind and ultimately end up in the ocean.

POPs are lipophilic (fat-loving), not water-loving, and thus cause bioaccumulation in fatty tissues of fish, seabirds, and whales.

Such pollutants interfere with hormone systems, causing reproductive failure, developmental abnormalities, and immune system suppression.

POPs have been discovered in as distant species as Arctic seals and penguins, illustrating the worldwide extent of atmospheric transport.

Microplastics: An Airborne Entry into Oceans

Whilst ocean plastic pollution is widely reported, less is understood about airborne microplastics.

Microplastics are now recognized to be airborne particles, from tyre wear, synthetic fiber, and industrial emissions.

Research has established that these particles have been found traveling hundreds of kilometers in the atmosphere and eventually end up depositing into the ocean.

Microplastics ingested by zooplankton, shellfish, fish, and even whales in marine ecosystems impact nutrition, reproduction, and survival.

This association establishes how even terrestrial human activity can indirectly contaminate marine ecosystems via atmospheric transport.

Impact on Marine Biodiversity

The overall impact of air-deposited pollutants on marine life is immense:

Coral reefs are bleached by acidification and suffer due to increased temperatures fueled by greenhouse gases.

Fish stocks reduce in hypoxic areas, with both local habitats and international fisheries impacted.

Phytoplankton, the foundation of the ocean food chain and responsible for producing more than 50% of Earth’s oxygen, are very sensitive to pH shifts and pollutant concentration.

Marine mammals such as dolphins, whales, and seals exhibit indications of hormonal disruption and immune suppression from chronic air-deposited toxins.

Human Consequences: What Comes on Sea Returns to Shore

The impacts of air pollution on the ocean life ultimately come full circle to human populations:

Toxic seafood can cause neurological, hormonal, and developmental diseases.

Fisheries collapse endangers the food security and livelihood of millions in coastal communities.

Declines in biodiversity and reef degradation decrease tourism and ecosystem resilience.

As oceans incorporate pollutants and CO₂, their ability to serve as climate regulators decreases, contributing to further intensification of global warming and air quality.

This only adds emphasis to the requirement to view air pollution not only in an urban context, but as a global environmental risk.

What Can Be Done?

Policy and Emission Controls

Enact tougher emission controls on power plants, transportation, and industrial sources.

Mandate the world phase-out of mercury under the Minamata Convention.

Lower nitrogen emissions through improved farming methods and transport policies

2. International Cooperation

Pollutants do not observe borders. Regional coordination under such instruments as the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution is critical to regulate deposition into common water bodies.

3. Monitoring and Public Education

Integrating air and water quality monitoring is crucial for understanding pollutant pathways and impacts.

Tools like Respirer help citizens track and understand local pollution patterns, raising awareness about the interconnectedness of environmental systems.

Conclusion: The Sky and Sea Are Not Separate Worlds

Air and sea are not separate realms, they are but part of an integrated planetary system. What we emit into the air ultimately comes into contact with every part of the biosphere, including the seas that support life on the planet.

As practitioners at the nexus of environment and public health, it’s important that we extend our knowledge of air pollution from the proximate and obvious. The quiet agony of sea creatures is an alarm: to do something now, decrease emissions, and maintain the fine balance between the Earth’s sky and sea.

To remain well-informed and empowered, investigate current air quality information and pollution facts at Respirer.

[not-a-space-alien]

Tinytopia Chapter 7: Endless Rebirth (Part 3)

Story Masterpost

On AO3

Thanks to my beta/sensitivity reader @appelsiinilight!

In this chapter: Jax’s true nature is further illuminated, which causes even more friction with Moon.

***

Everything was quiet out in the park.

Until a hand shot up from under the ground, followed by a second, the frantic swimming motions of someone trying to dig themselves out.  Eventually a head came up too, gasping in its first breaths.

A body came next, hauling itself and laying out limply in the dirt.  Wings flickered.  The creature coughed up some sort of mucousy liquid, emptying its lungs.

It then wobbled to its feet and started running, as though it already knew exactly where it was going, bare feet thumping in the dirt.

And it was still quiet in the park, because the creature was a pixie and, at that size, could barely make any noise at all.

***

“Psst.  Thistle.  Hey, Thistle.”

“Mhhmm?”  Thistle pushed himself up off of Moon’s chest fluff and rubbed his eyes.

There was a pixie leaning directly into him, their face millimeters apart.  At first he thought it was Marigold, but…

“Ah!” Thistle yelped, scrambling backwards.  “What–Who–Who are you?”

The new pixie looked remarkably similar to Thistle himself, except for the fact that he was covered in dirt and wearing nothing but a mishmash of leaves for clothes.  He tilted his head, sending a cascade of shiny black hair over his shoulder.  “Hey, good morning!”  He spoke Pixish with a lilted accent like Thistle’s own–but unpracticed, as though somehow also not a native speaker.

Marcy, awakened by Thistle’s shout, sleepily struggled to disentangle herself from her sheets.  “Thistle, I’m coming!  I’m–oh.”  Her movements became less frantic as she realized Thistle was not in danger.  She heaved herself out of bed and came over, sitting at the desk chair.

“Good morning!” the new pixie said.

“Good morning,” Marcy said.  “It’s so nice to meet you.  What’s your name?”

“How did you get in here?”  Moon was considerably less excited, hair uncharacteristically frumpled.

From the desk leg there came grunts of exertion and the sound of tiny claws scratching.  It was Jax, putting to use his newly acquired climbing skills.  “I let him in,” Jax said, finally reaching the top and pulling himself over.

“Uhhhhhhh.  Okay,” Thistle said.  “Do you two know each other?”

Jax gave a knowing grin, then scurried up and leapt onto the new pixie’s shoulders, the two moving in perfect sync.  “So, so I need to admit something,” Jax said.

“You know how I said I could grow a new body?” the new pixie said.

“Well the first one doesn't actually need to die,” Jax said.

They both flourished in perfect unison, as in-sync as the sentence had been–half in Pixish, half in the accented English of a borrower, but not missing a beat as it switched between the two.

“Uhhhhh…” Thistle said, completely unsure what to make of that.  “Okay?  So you're…both Jax?”

“Yea!” they both said, again in perfect unison.  Thistle wished they'd stop doing that.  It was kind of creepy.

Marcy’s gaze was alight with curiosity.  “Are you a hive mind of some kind?”  Keep your questions in, keep them in, don’t overwhelm them, you always overwhelm everyone with questions.  She felt like she was going to explode.

Thistle knew that the English word–and the human concept–of a hive was a bit different from the way pixies used the word.  And a hive mind was something else altogether.  He'd read about it on Wikipedia.  “Like–Like a group of people who all share the same thoughts and feelings?”

“Um, if that’s the word to describe it, then yeah, I guess!” Borrower-Jax said, and Pixie-Jax held up a peace sign like they’d seen Thistle do on occasion.  “I couldn’t very well call myself that when I only had one body, but now I got two!  I’m just a baby one!”

It made sense, in a way.  If a hive mind grew by adding new bodies, then its age would be measured by the number of people in it, not the usual developmental milestones.  It explained perfectly why Jax was so young, yet had the body of an adult borrower.

And now apparently had the body of an adult pixie as well.

Oh, this was… something.  This was something completely alien.  Thistle had thought meeting humans and incubi and naga and dryads was an adventure, but this was completely unlike anything he’d ever seen before.  Anyone he’d ever met.

Moon apparently had the same train of thought.  But he looked wary rather than excited.  “And what exactly is all that supposed to mean?”

“You’re not going to try and assimilate anyone, are you?” Thistle rushed to add.

Both Jaxes blinked.

“Into your hive mind,” Thistle clarified.  “Assimilate someone into your hive mind.  Like, make them part of you.”

“How on earth would I do that?” they both said.

“Well, I don't know.  I don't know how hive minds work.”

“Thistle is just concerned about everyone's safety,” Marcy explained.  “We think of hive minds as something people are forced to join.” 

“Join me for what?  Dinner?  An adventure?  I wouldn't force anyone to do anything, honest!”  The sentence ping-ponged back and forth between the two bodies.  Two mouths, two voices, two different languages, one mind, one fluid train of thought.  The pixie’s voice was significantly higher in pitch than the borrower’s.  It was…disorienting.

Marcy hesitated.  “The pixie… where did it come from?  You didn't like…. take someone, did you?”

“Take someone?”

“Like kidnap someone.  Hijack their body.  It's just you?  This body?”

“Oh, I grew it,” Pixie-Jax said.  “It's me 100%.  There’s nobody else in here.”

 “O-oh okay. That's cool,” Thistle said, equally overwhelmed and excited.  “How does it, like….work?  How did you become a pixie too?”

“I copied you!”

Thistle fluttered his wings.  Jax could just…become a pixie?  For the purpose of being friends with Thistle?  “That’s so cool!  So you just–modeled off of me?  And grew a second body?”

“Yeah!”

“It’s so cool that you can do that.  Oh, you know what that means!  I have to teach you how to be a pixie the way Violet was teaching you how to be a borrower!”

Pixie-Jax hopped up and down and clapped his hands.  “Yeah!”

Moon watched with obvious distaste as the two pixies got each other more and more excited.  He hooked a hand around Thistle’s arm.  “Thistle, can I talk to you over here for a second?”

He dragged him to the corner of the desk.  Jax watched them go, then shrugged and turned his attention back to Marcy.

“You can’t seriously intend to have Jax stay here without knowing more about him,” Moon said in a harsh whisper.

Not this again.  Jealousy really did not suit Moon.  “Well, I let you in without knowing anything about you.”

Moon went red.  “But that–that’s different!”

“How is it different?”

Moon pawed at the ground with his foot.  “I don’t know.  But you didn’t even ask Jax any more questions!  I’m just…concerned for your safety, is all.”

Are you?  Is that really the problem here, Moon?

“I’m just saying it might be prudent to figure out more about what kind of creature this is before throwing ourselves at it wholeheartedly.  I’ve never seen anything like this, and neither have you.  Jax is something completely foreign to everyone here.”

Thistle turned to look back at Jax.  The borrower and the pixie were swinging playfully from Marcy’s fingers in perfect unison.

“...Okay,” Thistle relented.  That was a good point.  Maybe Thistle was letting himself get too swept up in the excitement of meeting such a strange and interesting creature, and having more pixies to play with.  It’d been lessening with Marigold here, but he was always letting his loneliness overcome his good sense.

Ooh, what was Marigold going to think of this?  He got giddy at the idea of sharing this, then forced himself back on track.  Best to wait to introduce Marigold to anyone else and just focus on Jax for now.

“Okay, Jax,” Thistle said, spinning back around.  “Um, I want to ask you a few more questions if that’s okay.”

Pixie-Jax let go of Marcy’s hand and landed on the desk, and Borrower-Jax plopped down onto his shoulders.  “Sure,” they both said.

“So, um…”  What to even ask?  Moon was right.  Thistle didn’t know the first thing about whatever kind of creature Jax was.  “I guess… How did you just grow a second body?  Did you…just emerge fully formed from the ground again?  Where do you come from?”  This was the question Jax hadn’t wanted to answer earlier.

Pixie-Jax nervously wrung his hands.  Borrower-Jax drooped his ears.  Oh no, Thistle thought, heart sinking.  Maybe he IS hiding something.  Maybe Moon is right to be suspicious.

“Why don’t you want to tell us?” Moon demanded.  “What are you hiding?”

“I’m sorry!” Borrower-Jax cried, slapping his hands over his face. 

“I’m scared,” Pixie-Jax said, buzzing his wings.  “I’m scared of getting found out.”

“Found out what?” Moon pressed.

“All right, calm down,” Marcy said, gently scooting Moon back from Jax a little bit.  “You’re getting a bit intense.”

Moon looked at her venomously.

“It’s okay,” Thistle coaxed.  “We just want to know about you, that’s all.  We won’t hurt you.”

Both Jaxes refused to make eye contact.  “There’s part of me that’s underground.  It’s rooted in the soil, and it’s where I make new… me’s.  But I think if anyone ever found it and dug it up, they could really hurt me, or even kill me for real.  That’s why I’m scared to talk about it.”

Marcy’s eyes sparkled.  Thistle could tell she was valiantly restraining herself from asking a million and a half questions.

“Okay,” Thistle said.  “So that’s, um, like the ‘real’ you, and you just kind of…spawn bodies out of it by copying people you run into?”

Jax nodded.  “That’s why I just–you can’t tell anyone, please!  It’s so scary.”

“We won’t,” Thistle reassured.

“That really is cool,” Marcy breathed.

"It’s hardly original, though,” Moon muttered.  “Lots of us can copy other people.  It’s nothing special.”

“But it’s more than just copying, isn’t it?” Thistle said.  “You actually, like… incarnate as that species.  It’s permanent.  And unlike Moon, you don’t just copy the appearance, but the abilities too.  So you’re just, um, like one person made up of multiple bodies of different species?”

“That’s so cool,” Marcy said.  “You’d be able to adapt to any lifestyle perfectly.”

Jax beamed.  “Yeah!  Thistle, will you show me how to be a pixie?  Please?”

“Yeah!  Let’s go!”

Moon watched with suspicion as Thistle grabbed Pixie-Jax’s hand and ran off.

***

“So, every creature has some way of getting the magic that they need to live.  Most of us make it like a plant using photosynthesis.  Some of us are predators and steal it.  But everyone needs at least a little, like they need food.  Except humans, I guess, but they don’t use magic.”

Thistle looked at Marcy, who was sitting on the couch hanging over the armrest to watch Thistle and Jax with fascination as they interacted in Thistle’s castle on the floor.

“I think,” he amended.

Pixie-Jax nodded.  “Right.  My borrower body was generating its own magic as I was collecting items and learning from Violet.  Just like she said.  Borrowers collect things.”

“Yeah, and pixies get it from forming social bonds.”  Thistle hadn’t made a close enough connection with Jax to make that happen yet, but he could feel them getting close.  This could push them over the edge.  “It makes magic for the people on both ends, too, so that’s why Severa doesn’t need to hunt.”

Jax buzzed his wings and his ears twitched.  He clearly hadn’t learned how to moderate the finer points of his body’s nonverbal communication, so every emotion was splashed all across his face and body for everyone to see.  “I, I see.  So, so how does Moon make it?”

Moon appeared on the back of the couch, face sour.  “By basking in moonlight,” he said.  “It’s quite simple and efficient, probably even moreso than-”

“He can also just steal it,” Thistle said dismissively.  “But he doesn’t do that anymore.  But let’s focus on pixies for now, kay?”  He took Jax’s hands.  “We’re gonna be friends!”

Moon dipped out of sight behind the couch, and Thistle heard the disturbing yet telltale sign of Moon transforming:  bones snapped, skin ripped, hair grew.  He reappeared a moment later, crunched down into the form of a pixie.  God it was weird.  He had the same face and everything, but now he was the same height as Thistle and his features were all cloaked under the visage of a pixie.

“I would also like to be friends!” Moon offered, hands extended.  “Let me join!”

Thistle eyed him warily.  “Come on, Moon, we’re already friends.  You and I make plenty of magic together.”

“Then let me help show Jax how it’s done!”

Jax bounced with excitement, hands still in Thistle’s.  “Let’s!  Let’s!”

Thistle sighed.  “Fine.”  He extended his hand and Moon joined them, making a trio of hand-holding.

“Now what do we do?” Jax asked, wide-eyed.

“Well, normally we do some sort of activity together,” Thistle said.  “But it can come at any time.  Just anything that makes a connection between us.”

“We could ask each other twenty questions,” Moon said.  “I’ll go first.  Jax, how did you copy a borrower if you claim you’ve never met one?”

Thistle was thrown off, because–he hadn’t made that connection.  Moon had a very good point.  But he’d said it in such an accusatory way, it was obviously motivated by spite.  Moon had definitely saved that question to ask it at a disruptive time.  “Moon,” he scolded under his breath.

“What?  We were all wondering it,” Moon said coolly.

Jax didn’t seem to notice the hostility.  “Um, I’m not really sure.  That was my first body, I think, so, so, however my species does that.  When we’re born, I guess? I don't remember. You don’t remember how you were born, do you?”

“I do,” Moon said.  “I remember everything about how I was born, from the moment I left the womb.”  That couldn’t be true, surely.

“Then I’ll ask question nineteen!  Um, Moon, how were you born?”

“The moon herself gave birth to me, setting me as a swaddled babe gently into the lushest, most luxurious garden she could find, where I grew up eating ripe fruit and succulent berries in paradise until I decided to grace the mortal plane with my presence.”

Jax looked completely enraptured.  Thistle twitched his ear.  “Moon, come on.”

“Now you ask a question, Thistle!” Jax said cheerfully.

“Um, okay,” Thistle said.  “Moon, why are you allergic to being straightforward?”

Moon furrowed his brow.  Jax waited for the answer expectantly.

“Growing up eating moonberries gave me terrible allergies,” Moon answered.  “If you’re not exposed to allergens in childhood, you develop a horribly sensitive nose as an adult.  My turn again.  Jax, what is it you want from us?”

“From us?”

“Here, at the house.”

“Moon,” Thistle said in a strained whisper.  “Come on.”

Jax did not seem bothered, though.  If anything, he got more excited.  “I’d love to make friends with everyone in the house!”

Thistle found his youthful enthusiasm adorable, and–ah, yep that was enough to push them over the edge.  A flare of magic flickered between Thistle and Jax.

“Ooh!” Jax said.  “I think that was it!  That was it, right?  We did it!”

“Yeah!” Thistle said.  “You’re a natural at it!”

Moon’s very stoic face was scrunched up in an expression that suggested he was trying not to cry.  There was very pointedly not a connection between Jax and Moon, or even between Thistle and Moon.

“What’s wrong?” Jax said.  “Are you okay?”

“Well, good for you!” Moon snapped, throwing Jax’s hand away from himself.  “I’m glad it comes so easily to you!  It must be nice to be able to be so stupid and trusting and have people fall over themselves to take care of you!”

Moon stormed off, yanking the pixie disguise off, which fell off and dissolved into smoke.

“Did I do something wrong?” Jax said.  “Is he mad at me?”

“Stay there,” Thistle said.  “I’ll be right back.”

He followed to find Moon standing in Mochi’s cat bed.  He’d pressed his face into her side, like he was screaming into a pillow.

Thistle walked up and pulled his shirt sleeve.  “Come on, Moon, don’t get mad at Jax.  It’s not his fault.”

Moon pulled his head out of Mochi’s fur.  True to his statement about allergies, his eyes were watery and he sneezed.  “No, of course not, nothing could ever be the fault of poor innocent Jaxy!” Moon slapped Thistle’s hand away.  “Why are you so excited about him?”

Thistle’s ears went down as he scowled.  “Moon, come on.  Don’t be like this.”

“I’d love to, if-”

“Moon, stop being jealous!”

Moon looked offended, hand on his chest.  “Jealous?  I am not jealous!  I’m merely-”

He stopped.  Thistle stared at him.

“You were supposed to cut me off before I could offer my explanation.”

“...what?”

“There’s no end to the sentence I’m merely-!  I was counting on you to get mad at me and cut me off so I didn’t have to finish it!”

“Moon, can you please just be normal?” Thistle exploded.  “Why are you like this?”

Moon drew back, his expression turning from exaggerated offense to genuine hurt.  “I-I-”

Oh, no.  No, no.  Thistle had… definitely gone too far with that.  “I’m sorry,” he rushed to add.  “I shouldn’t have said that.”

“Go play with Jax, then, if you want to play house and be normal,” Moon snarled.  He dashed up the stairs and out of sight.

***

@static-stars

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[grison-in-space]

Chiming in, as someone who works in sex differences, the rebuttal article's insistence on excluding all diagnoses in which chromosomal sex does not "disagree" with "phenotypic sex" is frankly bizarre: for example, what on earth is the "chromosomal sex" of someone with Turners or Kleinfelters supposed to be? The author of that rebuttal is surely defining "chromosomal sex" purely in terms of the presence or absence of SRY, and in this he is, we now know, absolutely wrong in his characterization of the impacts of sex chromosomes beyond SRY. Yes, even despite Barr bodies, dosage compensation issues continue to shape phenotype, which is why Kleinfelters presents as a syndrome with actual impacts rather than a neat genetic footnote.

While SRY is certainly a known important factor in sex determination pathways and cascades, we now know for a fact that it is not the sole determinator of sex differences via the Four Core Genotypes mouse models, which have simply translocated SRY to four different chromosomes so that chromosomal sex can be completely disentangled from gonadal sex without interfering with developmental signaling.

It is worth noting that intersex conditions are often not identified in children, and in fact several well known and canonical conditions such as androgen insensitive syndrome are usually not discovered until puberty. Intersex conditions sometimes reveal themselves even later, when patients notice and report fertility problems. Why on earth would you assume that the proportion of children referred to your clinic is an accurate assessment of the true number of people with these conditions?

Do you have much experience with prevalence sampling, @rocker-doctor ? Because wow, your estimation of prevalence based on which conditions "count" as intersex (ie those in which children are quickly identified and referred to your practice) is... skewed. And of course that is going to systematically understate the true levels of these traits present in the population.

Here's a quote from that rebuttal I find profoundly revealing:

This definition [of "intersex" as "individual who deviates from the Platonic ideal of physical dimorphism at the chromosomal, genital, gonadal, or hormonal levels"] is too broad. Fausto-Sterling and her associates acknowledge that some of the individuals thus categorized as intersex "are undiagnosed because they present no symptoms" (Blackless et al., 2000, p. 152). A definition of intersex which encompasses individuals who are phenotypically indistinguishable from normal is likely to confuse both clinicians and patients.

"Presenting no symptoms" and "phenotypically indistinguishable from normal" are not fucking synonyms. For example, left to my body's own devices, I am a woman who grows a rather fetching short beard. This is not something I have ever decided to seek treatment for, although it is quite common among people with PCOS, and so it is not a symptom. However, it is also not phenotypically indistinguishable from normal, unless I suppose you are going to accept that facial hair is a normal variation of womanhood.

One of the things that drives me up the fucking wall, speaking as a behavioral ecologist now working with clinical researchers, is that y'all have absolutely no notion of non-pathological variation. There's this huge cognitive kink in the mind of just about everyone I talk to with a medical lens that collapses the entire population of humans into a "healthy normal" or a "diseased aberration from normal." That is not how populations work, and more to the point it is specifically not how humans work: there are all sorts of reasons that various phenotypic deviations from a norm might not be perceived by a patient (or their family) as a reason for medical intervention. You cannot assume that patients will go through the absolute pain in the ass of tangling with the medical system for something that does not appear initially to be unusual, especially if the phenotypic deviation from the norm is something that may be treated cosmetically rather than through physician channels, or via medical gender transition that masks an intersex experience of childhood.

Patients do not magically appear on your doorstep as a function of popping into the world. But that's the underlying assumption: that diagnosis rates automatically reflect the true prevalence of any given condition rather than being a semi-reliable proxy for same. It's ubiquitous and it is incredibly wrong.

"But only 2% of the population is intersex. It's not that common. Why should we reframe or perception of gender for intersex people?"

Completely ignoring the fact that empathy exists. You do realize that 2% of the population in the medical field is considered very common, yes?

2% of children and 0.5% of adults have a peanut allergy and that's so common that they have entire rules around in in public spaces.

0.24-1% of the population has Rheumatoid arthritis. That's an eighth to a half of the number of intersex people!

1-2% of people are estimated to have autism, and that's considered a common condition.

0.1%-2.6% of people will get melanoma in their life time, and that's considered common.

1.2% of people have epilepsy and that's considered common.

Completely ignoring statistics like 6% of women have PCOS (which is a condition that can fall under the intersex umbrella). 2% of the population in the medical field is considered a common condition, and ergo by medical terms intersex is in itself common.

I don't think you realize how big 2% is. That's 2 in 100 people. If you walk into 3 fully filled classrooms (when I was in school a full classroom was 40 students). Chances are you just saw 2 intersex kids and didn't even know it.

So yeah. I think intersex is common enough to include in our discussions around gender and how transphobic rules affects intersex people.

-fae

[blueoaknx]

Mitochondrial Dysfunction in SLC6A1: A Molecular and Cellular Perspective

 SLC6A1 encodes the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transporter type 1 (GAT1), a crucial component of inhibitory neurotransmission. Pathogenic variants in SLC6A1 lead to neurological disorders, primarily epilepsy, developmental delay, and neuropsychiatric conditions. While its role in GABAergic signaling is well established, emerging evidence suggests an intersection with mitochondrial dysfunction, which exacerbates disease pathology. This article explores the molecular and cellular mechanisms linking SLC6A1 mutations to mitochondrial impairment, highlighting alterations in energy metabolism, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dynamics.

1. Introduction The SLC6A1 gene encodes the GAT1 transporter, responsible for reuptaking GABA from the synaptic cleft into presynaptic neurons and astrocytes. Disruptions in SLC6A1 impair inhibitory neurotransmission, contributing to hyperexcitability in neuronal circuits. Recent studies indicate a link between SLC6A1 dysfunction and mitochondrial abnormalities, underscoring a metabolic component to disease pathogenesis. The mitochondrial connection is crucial as these organelles regulate neuronal energy homeostasis and apoptosis. Understanding these mechanisms is essential for dissecting the full scope of SLC6A1-related disorders.

2. Role of SLC6A1 in Cellular and Mitochondrial Function Neurons exhibit high metabolic demand, relying heavily on mitochondria for adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production. GABA metabolism interfaces with mitochondrial pathways, influencing oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and redox balance. SLC6A1 mutations impair GABA uptake, potentially disrupting mitochondrial function through dysregulated Krebs cycle activity, altered ATP synthesis, and excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Additionally, GABAergic dysfunction affects calcium signaling, further impacting mitochondrial integrity.

3. Energy Metabolism and ATP Production Mitochondria generate ATP primarily through OXPHOS. Deficient GABA uptake alters cellular excitability, increasing ATP demand while simultaneously impairing ATP synthesis. Studies show that neurons with SLC6A1 mutations exhibit reduced mitochondrial membrane potential (∆ψm), leading to inefficient ATP generation. Moreover, compensatory glycolysis often fails to meet neuronal energy demands, resulting in cellular stress and neuronal dysfunction.

4. Oxidative Stress and ROS Dysregulation Mitochondria are primary sites of ROS production, which serve as signaling molecules in normal physiology but become deleterious when unregulated. SLC6A1 mutations contribute to ROS imbalance, leading to oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation. Elevated ROS levels have been reported in neurons with impaired GABAergic signaling, suggesting that SLC6A1 mutations exacerbate mitochondrial oxidative damage. This process triggers mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations, protein oxidation, and lipid peroxidation, further compromising mitochondrial integrity.

5. Calcium Homeostasis and Mitochondrial Dysfunction Neuronal activity depends on tightly regulated calcium homeostasis. Mitochondria buffer intracellular calcium, maintaining synaptic function and preventing excitotoxicity. SLC6A1 dysfunction alters calcium flux due to disrupted GABAergic inhibition, leading to excessive mitochondrial calcium uptake. This triggers the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP), resulting in bioenergetic failure and apoptotic signaling cascades. Elevated cytosolic calcium further dysregulates mitochondrial enzyme activity, exacerbating metabolic dysfunction.

6. Mitochondrial Dynamics and Biogenesis Mitochondria undergo continuous fission and fusion to adapt to cellular demands. Impaired mitochondrial dynamics are observed in neurons harboring SLC6A1 mutations, leading to fragmented and dysfunctional mitochondria. The fusion-fission imbalance results in defective mitochondrial quality control, accumulation of damaged organelles, and impaired biogenesis. Downregulation of mitophagy-related proteins such as PINK1 and Parkin has been documented in models of SLC6A1 dysfunction, suggesting defective clearance of impaired mitochondria.

7. Synaptic Dysfunction and Mitochondrial Interactions Neurotransmission relies on synaptic mitochondria to meet localized energy demands. GABAergic synapses, in particular, require significant mitochondrial support due to their reliance on ATP-dependent vesicular transport and receptor function. SLC6A1 mutations disrupt synaptic mitochondrial positioning, reducing ATP availability at synapses. This impairment contributes to synaptic dysfunction, decreased inhibitory tone, and aberrant excitatory-inhibitory balance, which are hallmarks of SLC6A1-related neurological disorders.

8. Neuroinflammation and Mitochondrial Dysfunction Mitochondria modulate immune responses through ROS production and inflammatory cytokine signaling. Neurons with SLC6A1 mutations exhibit increased inflammatory markers, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), indicative of neuroinflammation. Mitochondrial dysfunction exacerbates this process by activating microglia and astrocytes, leading to chronic neuroinflammatory states. This further damages neuronal mitochondria, perpetuating a vicious cycle of dysfunction and degeneration.

9. Genetic and Epigenetic Influences on Mitochondrial Dysfunction Mutations in SLC6A1 not only affect protein function but also influence mitochondrial gene expression and epigenetics. Studies indicate altered expression of nuclear-encoded mitochondrial genes, including those involved in OXPHOS. Additionally, epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation and histone acetylation impact mitochondrial biogenesis and function in SLC6A1-related disorders. Dysregulated mitochondrial gene transcription exacerbates bioenergetic failure, compounding neurological deficits.

10. Conclusion Mitochondrial dysfunction is an emerging pathological mechanism in SLC6A1-related disorders, contributing to energy deficits, oxidative stress, impaired calcium homeostasis, defective mitochondrial dynamics, and synaptic dysfunction. Understanding the interplay between SLC6A1 mutations and mitochondrial abnormalities provides insights into disease pathogenesis, paving the way for targeted metabolic and neuroprotective interventions. Future research should focus on elucidating the precise molecular pathways linking SLC6A1 dysfunction to mitochondrial pathology, ultimately aiding in the development of novel therapeutic strategies.

[jameszbuggs]

James Z Buggs

James Z Buggs has taught Group Counselling Procedures, Developmental Perspectives in Counselling, Early Childhood Environments, Family Studies, Parent Education, Families and Poverty, Directed Experience in Early Childhood, Advanced Internship, Family, School, Community Collaboration, Critical Thinking in Human Development and Family Sciences, Adolescent Development, and How to Thrive. Before coming to OSU-Cascades in 2004, Lillie T Sike taught at Olympic College in Bremerton, Washington.

[sunaleisocial]

MIT scientists engineer starfish cells to shape-shift in response to light

New Post has been published on https://sunalei.org/news/mit-scientists-engineer-starfish-cells-to-shape-shift-in-response-to-light/

MIT scientists engineer starfish cells to shape-shift in response to light

Life takes shape with the motion of a single cell. In response to signals from certain proteins and enzymes, a cell can start to move and shake, leading to contractions that cause it to squeeze, pinch, and eventually divide. As daughter cells follow suit down the generational line, they grow, differentiate, and ultimately arrange themselves into a fully formed organism.

Now MIT scientists have used light to control how a single cell jiggles and moves during its earliest stage of development. The team studied the motion of egg cells produced by starfish — an organism that scientists have long used as a classic model for understanding cell growth and development.

The researchers focused on a key enzyme that triggers a cascade of motion within a starfish egg cell. They genetically designed a light-sensitive version of the same enzyme, which they injected into egg cells, and then stimulated the cells with different patterns of light.

They found that the light successfully triggered the enzyme, which in turn prompted the cells to jiggle and move in predictable patterns. For instance, the scientists could stimulate cells to exhibit small pinches or sweeping contractions, depending on the pattern of light they induced. They could even shine light at specific points around a cell to stretch its shape from a circle to a square.

Their results, appearing today in the journal Nature Physics, provide scientists with a new optical tool for controlling cell shape in its earliest developmental stages. Such a tool, they envision, could guide the design of synthetic cells, such as therapeutic “patch” cells that contract in response to light signals to help close wounds, or drug-delivering “carrier” cells that release their contents only when illuminated at specific locations in the body. Overall, the researchers see their findings as a new way to probe how life takes shape from a single cell.

“By revealing how a light-activated switch can reshape cells in real time, we’re uncovering basic design principles for how living systems self-organize and evolve shape,” says the study’s senior author, Nikta Fakhri, associate professor of physics at MIT. “The power of these tools is that they are guiding us to decode all these processes of growth and development, to help us understand how nature does it.”

The study’s MIT authors include first author Jinghui Liu, Yu-Chen Chao, and Tzer Han Tan; along with Tom Burkart, Alexander Ziepke, and Erwin Frey of Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich; John Reinhard of Saarland University; and S. Zachary Swartz of the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research.

Cell circuitry

Fakhri’s group at MIT studies the physical dynamics that drive cell growth and development. She is particularly interested in symmetry, and the processes that govern how cells follow or break symmetry as they grow and divide. The five-limbed starfish, she says, is an ideal organism for exploring such questions of growth, symmetry, and early development.

“A starfish is a fascinating system because it starts with a symmetrical cell and becomes a bilaterally symmetric larvae at early stages, and then develops into pentameral adult symmetry,” Fakhri says. “So there’s all these signaling processes that happen along the way to tell the cell how it needs to organize.”

Scientists have long studied the starfish and its various stages of development. Among many revelations, researchers have discovered a key “circuitry” within a starfish egg cell that controls its motion and shape. This circuitry involves an enzyme, GEF, that naturally circulates in a cell’s cytoplasm. When this enzyme is activated, it induces a change in a protein, called Rho, that is known to be essential for regulating cell mechanics.

When the GEF enzyme stimulates Rho, it causes the protein to switch from an essentially free-floating state to a state that binds the protein to the cell’s membrane. In this membrane-bound state, the protein then triggers the growth of microscopic, muscle-like fibers that thread out across the membrane and subsequently twitch, enabling the cell to contract and move. 

In previous work, Fakhri’s group showed that a cell’s movements can be manipulated by varying the cell’s concentrations of GEF enzyme: The more enzyme they introduced into a cell, the more contractions the cell would exhibit.

“This whole idea made us think whether it’s possible to hack this circuitry, to not just change a cell’s pattern of movements but get a desired mechanical response,” Fakhri says.

Lights and action

To precisely manipulate a cell’s movements, the team looked to optogenetics — an approach that involves genetically engineering cells and cellular components such as proteins and enzymes, such that they activate in response to light.

Using established optogenetic techniques, the researchers developed a light-sensitive version of the GEF enzyme. From this engineered enzyme, they isolated its mRNA — essentially, the genetic blueprint for building the enzyme. They then injected this blueprint into egg cells that the team harvested from a single starfish ovary, which can hold millions of unfertilized cells. The cells, infused with the new mRNA, then began to produce light-sensitive GEF enzymes on their own.

In experiments, the researchers then placed each enzyme-infused egg cell under a microscope and shone light onto the cell in different patterns and from different points along the cell’s periphery. They took videos of the cell’s movements in response.

They found that when they aimed the light in specific points, the GEF enzyme became activated and recruited Rho protein to the light-targeted sites. There, the protein then set off its characteristic cascade of muscle-like fibers that pulled or pinched the cell in the same, light-stimulated spots. Much like pulling the strings of a marionette, they were able to control the cell’s movements, for instance directing it to morph into various shapes, including a square.

Surprisingly, they also found they could stimulate the cell to undergo sweeping contractions by shining a light in a single spot, exceeding a certain threshold of enzyme concentration.

“We realized this Rho-GEF circuitry is an excitable system, where a small, well-timed stimulus can trigger a large, all-or-nothing response,” Fakhri says. “So we can either illuminate the whole cell, or just a tiny place on the cell, such that enough enzyme is recruited to that region so the system gets kickstarted to contract or pinch on its own.”

The researchers compiled their observations and derived a theoretical framework to predict how a cell’s shape will change, given how it is stimulated with light. The framework, Fakhri says, opens a window into “the ‘excitability’ at the heart of cellular remodeling, which is a fundamental process in embryo development and wound healing.”

She adds: “This work provides a blueprint for designing ‘programmable’ synthetic cells, letting researchers orchestrate shape changes at will for future biomedical applications.”

This work was supported, in part, by the Sloan Foundation, and the National Science Foundation.

[ineedfairypee]

Early intervention can improve outcomes

[mydyspraxiablog]

Story but this story didn't going as plan

Story

Win holiday to Spain

The email shimmered on the screen, a cascade of celebratory emojis and bold lettering proclaiming, "CONGRATULATIONS JOHN & DAISYDO! YOU'VE WON A DREAM HOLIDAY TO SPAIN!"

John, perched precariously on the edge of his floral armchair, nearly launched himself into the coffee table. Daisy, meticulously arranging her collection of miniature cacti on the windowsill, stopped mid-adjustment, a tiny clay pot teetering dangerously.

"Spain?" John stammered, his voice cracking slightly. He grabbed the arm of the chair for support, his fingers fumbling for a steady grip.

"Spain!" Daisy echoed, her eyes widening behind her thick-rimmed glasses. "Imagine, John! Tapas, sunshine..." she trailed off, a flicker of apprehension crossing her face. "…airports."

The word hung in the air, a small, thorny thing. Both John and Daisy had dyspraxia, a developmental coordination disorder that made navigating the world a little trickier. Simple tasks like tying shoelaces or pouring a glass of water could feel like Olympic feats of coordination. Airports, with their labyrinthine layouts, flashing screens, and rushing crowds, were their shared nemesis.

Despite their anxieties, the allure of Spain proved too strong to resist. After weeks of planning, involving colour-coded maps, pre-booked assistance, and countless practice runs of packing and unpacking their suitcases, the day arrived.

The airport buzzed with a chaotic energy. Families wrestled with overflowing luggage, business travelers barked into phones, and children screamed with a joyful, almost overwhelming abandon. John felt a familiar prickle of anxiety rising in his chest. He clutched Daisy's hand tightly, his palm already damp.

"Remember the plan," Daisy reminded him, her voice calm. "Step one, check-in. Breathe."

They navigated the check-in queue, a seemingly endless snaking line of humanity. John nearly tripped over a rogue suitcase wheel, while Daisy struggled to keep their boarding passes from crumpling in her grip. The check-in attendant, a woman with perfectly coiffed hair and an expression of weary efficiency, barely glanced at them as she processed their luggage.

Next came security. The conveyor belt seemed to mock them, moving at an impossible speed. John fumbled with his belt, nearly dropping his trousers in the process, while Daisy’s carefully organized liquids bag threatened to burst. The blaring of the metal detector was a symphony of terror.

“I think I left my watch on,” John confessed, his voice a panicked whisper.

Daisy sighed, but her eyes held a spark of understanding. “It’s okay, John. We’ll figure it out.”

They made it through security, albeit flustered and slightly dishevelled. Finding their gate proved to be another challenge. The digital display screens swam before John’s eyes, the numbers blurring into an indecipherable mess.

"Gate B27... Gate B27..." he muttered, frantically scanning the boards.

Daisy, ever the pragmatist, pulled out her carefully annotated airport map. "Okay, John. Turn left at the duty-free shop, then follow the signs for gates B20-B30."

They navigated the duty-free shop, a dazzling array of perfumes and liquor bottles that threatened to overwhelm John's already fragile senses. He bumped into a stack of Toblerone bars, sending them tumbling to the floor. Mortified, he started to gather them up, his hands shaking.

A young girl, no older than ten, knelt down to help. "It's okay," she said, her voice surprisingly soothing. "Everyone has clumsy days."

John looked at her, surprised by her kindness. He offered a shaky smile.

Finally, they reached Gate B27. They collapsed into the nearest seats, breathless but triumphant.

As the plane took off, soaring above the clouds, John looked at Daisy. She was gazing out the window, her face alight with wonder. The anxiety had faded from her eyes, replaced by a genuine excitement.

He realized that this trip wasn't just about Spain, about tapas and sunshine. It was about navigating challenges, facing fears, and supporting each other every step of the way. It was about proving to themselves that dyspraxia didn't have to define them. They could conquer airports, and they could certainly conquer Spain.

He squeezed Daisy's hand, feeling a surge of affection and a quiet sense of pride. "We did it," he whispered.

Daisy turned to him, her smile radiant. "We did," she agreed.

The end

[nikshahxai]

The Far-Reaching Consequences of Unethical Conduct by Nik Shah

Unethical behavior is not confined solely to isolated acts of misconduct; its consequences permeate every facet of our lives — from personal well-being to the integrity of entire political and economic systems. I, Nik Shah, have dedicated my career to mastering the complexities of ethical behavior, and in doing so, I have developed a comprehensive framework for understanding the broad detrimental impacts of unethical practices. In this article, I explore how unethical actions lead to self-sabotage, emotional harm, and toxic relationships on a personal level; how they foster fraud, mismanagement, pollution, and resource depletion in our economic and environmental domains; and how they contribute to cyberbullying, misinformation, voter manipulation, and the erosion of democratic processes in the digital and political spheres. Moreover, I examine how ignorance — both willful and unconscious — amplifies these detriments, making it even more challenging to resolve unethical behavior.

For further insights into my framework and mastery of unethical behaviors, you may refer to my previous works on the subject, such as Unethical Behaviors and the Case of Nik Shah, Mastering Unethical Behaviors: A Comprehensive Analysis, and Systemic & Institutional Unethical Behaviors: Mastering the Complexities.

In this article, I will delve into the following core areas:

V.A: Personal & Interpersonal Detriment Self-Sabotage, Emotional Harm, Toxic Relationships

V.B: Economic & Environmental Detriment Fraud, Mismanagement, Pollution, Resource Depletion

V.C: Digital & Political Detriment Cyberbullying, Misinformation, Voter Manipulation, Erosion of Democratic Processes

I will also examine the interplay of ignorance — which can be willful or unconscious — and its role in magnifying these detrimental impacts. This exploration is intended not only to diagnose the roots of unethical behavior but also to offer actionable strategies for transforming our institutions and personal lives for the better.

I. Introduction

Unethical behavior has long been recognized as a multifaceted problem with consequences that extend well beyond the individual actor. When unethical actions occur, they set off a cascade of detrimental effects that can damage personal relationships, disrupt economic systems, degrade the environment, and even compromise the democratic process. Understanding these impacts is crucial if we are to design effective interventions that not only remedy individual wrongdoings but also address the systemic issues that allow such behaviors to thrive.

In this article, I integrate my mastery of ethical analysis to offer a holistic view of the broad detrimental impacts of unethical behavior. The framework I present here is informed by years of research and practical experience, and it is designed to serve as a guide for educators, policymakers, business leaders, and anyone committed to promoting ethical conduct. For a more in-depth understanding of the conceptual underpinnings of this framework, readers can also explore my work on Underlying Psychological, Developmental & Unconscious Factors in Unethical Behavior: A Mastery Perspective.

II. Personal & Interpersonal Detriment

At the most immediate level, unethical behavior affects individuals and their relationships. When unethical actions occur, they often lead to self-sabotage, emotional harm, and toxic relationships — creating a ripple effect that undermines personal growth and social cohesion.

A. Self-Sabotage

Self-sabotage occurs when individuals undermine their own interests and potential through unethical decisions. This phenomenon is often characterized by actions that provide short-term gains at the expense of long-term success.

Mechanisms and Causes: Self-sabotage can result from a combination of low self-confidence, fear of failure, and impulsivity. For example, a person who engages in dishonesty to secure a promotion may eventually face severe reputational damage, thereby sabotaging their long-term career prospects. In my experience, self-sabotage is not merely an isolated error; it is a recurring pattern driven by internal vulnerabilities and external pressures.

Implications: The long-term effects of self-sabotage are profound. They include diminished self-worth, persistent anxiety, and a cycle of unethical decisions that reinforce a negative self-image. This creates a self-perpetuating cycle where the fear of failure leads to unethical shortcuts, which then result in more significant failures.

Nik Shah’s Insights: In my work, I emphasize the importance of self-awareness and the development of robust coping strategies to overcome self-sabotage. Mastery in ethical behavior involves recognizing the triggers of self-sabotage and implementing reflective practices that promote long-term thinking over immediate gratification.

B. Emotional Harm

Emotional harm is another critical consequence of unethical behavior. When trust is violated — through lying, cheating, or other forms of dishonesty — the resulting emotional distress can have lasting effects.

Mechanisms and Causes: Unethical actions in personal relationships often lead to feelings of betrayal, hurt, and mistrust. For instance, when a partner is untruthful or deceptive, the emotional damage inflicted can lead to long-term issues such as depression, anxiety, and chronic stress.

Implications: Emotional harm does not only affect the immediate victim; it often spreads through families, communities, and workplaces. The erosion of trust can lead to a toxic environment where open communication and collaboration become nearly impossible.

Nik Shah’s Insights: My research shows that cultivating emotional intelligence is essential for mitigating the impact of unethical behavior on emotional well-being. By prioritizing empathy and open dialogue, individuals can begin to heal emotional wounds and rebuild the trust that is so essential for healthy relationships.

C. Toxic Relationships

Toxic relationships are the culmination of repeated unethical interactions. These relationships are characterized by continuous patterns of manipulation, dishonesty, and abuse, and they often have far-reaching negative consequences.

Mechanisms and Causes: Toxic relationships develop when unethical behavior becomes habitual. Patterns of dishonesty, manipulation, and exploitation erode the foundation of trust, leading to cycles of conflict and emotional distress. This environment fosters resentment and, over time, can lead to the complete breakdown of relationships.

Implications: The consequences of toxic relationships extend beyond emotional harm; they affect one’s ability to form healthy bonds, work effectively in teams, and even perform in professional settings. The cumulative effect is a pervasive atmosphere of distrust and dysfunction.

Nik Shah’s Insights: Overcoming toxic relationships requires a commitment to ethical behavior at all levels. I advocate for conflict resolution training and personal development programs that focus on establishing boundaries, fostering honesty, and rebuilding trust. Mastery in interpersonal ethics means creating relationships that are built on mutual respect and transparent communication.

III. Economic & Environmental Detriment

Beyond the personal sphere, unethical behavior has significant economic and environmental repercussions. Fraud, mismanagement, pollution, and resource depletion are just a few examples of how unethical practices can destabilize economic systems and damage the natural environment.

A. Fraud and Mismanagement

Fraud and mismanagement are critical drivers of economic detriment. When individuals or organizations engage in unethical practices to manipulate financial information or exploit resources, the results can be devastating.

Mechanisms and Causes: Fraud encompasses a wide range of unethical activities — from insider trading to the falsification of financial records. Mismanagement, often driven by a focus on short-term gains, further exacerbates the problem. These actions divert resources from productive uses and can lead to significant financial losses for stakeholders.

Implications: The fallout from fraud and mismanagement includes loss of investor confidence, decreased market stability, and widespread economic disruption. In extreme cases, these practices can lead to economic recessions or even depressions, as seen in numerous historical financial scandals.

Nik Shah’s Insights: In my work on mastering unethical behaviors, I stress that the root causes of fraud and mismanagement must be addressed through rigorous regulatory oversight and a commitment to transparency. By implementing robust ethical standards and accountability measures, organizations can mitigate the risks associated with fraudulent practices. For further reading on my approach, see Mastering Unethical Behaviors: A Comprehensive Analysis.

B. Pollution and Resource Depletion

Environmental harm is one of the most visible consequences of unethical behavior. Pollution and resource depletion arise when organizations prioritize short-term profits over sustainable practices.

Mechanisms and Causes: Pollution results from the release of harmful substances into the environment, while resource depletion occurs when natural resources are consumed at unsustainable rates. These outcomes are often the result of negligent practices, where ethical considerations are sacrificed for immediate financial gain.

Implications: The impact of environmental harm is extensive, affecting public health, biodiversity, and long-term economic sustainability. Polluted ecosystems and depleted resources can lead to a host of problems — from increased healthcare costs to the loss of agricultural productivity and water scarcity.

Nik Shah’s Insights: I believe that mastery in environmental ethics requires integrating sustainability into every aspect of organizational practice. Effective policies must be developed to incentivize environmentally responsible behavior and penalize negligent practices. My work emphasizes the need for a balance between economic development and environmental stewardship. For more on this perspective, refer to Systemic & Institutional Unethical Behaviors: Mastering the Complexities of Organizational.

C. Systemic Economic Instability

When unethical practices such as fraud, mismanagement, and environmental neglect become systemic, they contribute to broader economic instability. This instability undermines public trust and can lead to long-term declines in economic growth.

Mechanisms and Causes: Systemic economic instability arises when unethical behavior becomes normalized within economic institutions. The cumulative effect of widespread fraud, mismanagement, and environmental harm is a destabilized economy where uncertainty reigns.

Implications: Economic instability affects not only corporations and investors but also ordinary citizens. Reduced consumer confidence, lower levels of investment, and increased unemployment are common consequences. Over time, these issues can lead to a vicious cycle where economic instability itself fosters further unethical behavior.

Nik Shah’s Insights: Addressing systemic economic instability requires comprehensive reforms that reinforce ethical practices across all levels of the economy. I advocate for policies that promote transparency, accountability, and sustainable growth, as well as the continuous education of business leaders on ethical decision-making.

IV. Digital & Political Detriment

The digital revolution and the evolving nature of political communication have given rise to new challenges in ethical behavior. Cyberbullying, misinformation, voter manipulation, and the erosion of democratic processes are some of the most pressing issues of our time.

A. Cyberbullying and Digital Misconduct

Digital misconduct encompasses a range of unethical activities online, including cyberbullying, harassment, and data breaches. The anonymity and reach of digital platforms make them a fertile ground for unethical behavior.

Mechanisms and Causes: Cyberbullying is often facilitated by the anonymity afforded by the internet, allowing individuals to engage in harmful behavior without fear of immediate repercussions. Data breaches and online harassment are similarly enabled by technological vulnerabilities and a lack of robust regulatory oversight.

Implications: The impact of digital misconduct is both personal and societal. Victims of cyberbullying can experience significant emotional and psychological harm, while widespread data breaches undermine public trust in digital systems and can lead to significant financial losses.

Nik Shah’s Insights: Mastery in digital ethics involves not only technical solutions, such as improved cybersecurity measures, but also a cultural commitment to responsible online behavior. I strongly advocate for comprehensive digital literacy programs and regulatory reforms that hold perpetrators accountable. For further insights into this topic, check out Broad Detrimental Impacts of Unethical Behavior: A Mastery Perspective by Nik Shah.

B. Misinformation and Voter Manipulation

Misinformation and voter manipulation are perhaps the most dangerous forms of digital and political detriment. They undermine democratic processes by distorting public discourse and influencing electoral outcomes through unethical means.

Mechanisms and Causes: Misinformation spreads through social media, fake news websites, and even mainstream media when unethical practices take hold. Voter manipulation involves targeted disinformation campaigns designed to sway public opinion and alter voting behavior. Both practices exploit the vulnerabilities of digital platforms and the cognitive biases of the public.

Implications: The erosion of trust in information sources and the manipulation of voter behavior have severe consequences for democratic governance. When citizens are misinformed or manipulated, the fundamental principles of democracy — such as fair representation and accountability — are compromised.

Nik Shah’s Insights: I emphasize that mastering the challenges of misinformation and voter manipulation requires a multi-pronged approach, including enhanced media literacy, independent journalism, and strict regulatory oversight of digital platforms. Transparent political processes and ethical political communication are essential to counteract these threats.

C. Erosion of Democratic Processes

The cumulative impact of digital and political unethical behavior ultimately leads to the erosion of democratic processes. When misinformation, cyberbullying, and voter manipulation become endemic, the integrity of democratic institutions is called into question.

Mechanisms and Causes: The erosion of democratic processes is driven by the systematic undermining of trust in public institutions. Unethical behavior in the digital realm, coupled with manipulative political practices, creates an environment where citizens become disillusioned with the democratic process.

Implications: The loss of public trust in democracy can lead to lower voter turnout, increased political polarization, and the rise of authoritarian tendencies. When democratic processes are eroded, the very foundations of a free society are at risk.

Nik Shah’s Insights: Restoring the integrity of democratic processes requires a commitment to transparency, accountability, and ethical governance. In my work, I stress that addressing digital and political detriments is not just about technology or policy — it is about reinforcing the ethical principles that underpin our democratic institutions.

V. The Interplay of Ignorance in Amplifying Detrimental Impacts

A critical element that underpins all the detrimental impacts of unethical behavior is ignorance. Whether willful or unconscious, ignorance can amplify the negative consequences by preventing individuals and institutions from recognizing and addressing unethical practices.

A. Willful Ignorance

Willful ignorance is the deliberate choice to avoid information that might challenge one’s beliefs or behaviors. This conscious avoidance of critical data and ethical guidelines allows unethical practices to continue unchecked.

Mechanisms and Causes: Willful ignorance can be observed when leaders or organizations choose to disregard evidence of environmental harm or economic mismanagement. By ignoring information that could prompt corrective action, these actors perpetuate unethical practices.

Implications: The deliberate avoidance of critical information not only deepens the existing problems but also creates a culture in which unethical behavior is tolerated. This, in turn, undermines efforts to promote transparency and accountability.

Nik Shah’s Insights: I advocate for the eradication of willful ignorance through a culture of transparency and intellectual humility. Mastery in ethical behavior requires that we confront uncomfortable truths and integrate evidence-based practices into our decision-making processes.

B. Unconscious Ignorance

Unconscious ignorance, unlike willful ignorance, is not a deliberate choice but a consequence of limited exposure, social conditioning, or cognitive shortcuts. Many individuals are unaware of critical ethical issues simply because they have not been exposed to diverse perspectives or the latest information.

Mechanisms and Causes: Unconscious ignorance arises from a reliance on habitual thought patterns and a lack of critical engagement with emerging knowledge. This can result in decisions that, while not intentionally unethical, nevertheless contribute to harmful outcomes.

Implications: When individuals operate under the influence of unconscious ignorance, they are less likely to question established practices or seek out alternative approaches. This not only perpetuates unethical behavior but also inhibits innovation and progress.

Nik Shah’s Insights: Overcoming unconscious ignorance demands a commitment to lifelong learning and the active pursuit of diverse perspectives. I encourage continuous education and the cultivation of critical thinking skills as essential components of ethical mastery.

C. Systemic Ignorance

Systemic ignorance refers to the failure of institutions to disseminate accurate, comprehensive information. This form of ignorance is often institutionalized, resulting from cultural and organizational practices that neglect the importance of transparency and education.

Mechanisms and Causes: Systemic ignorance can occur when public policies, educational systems, or corporate training programs fail to prioritize ethical literacy and evidence-based decision-making. When accurate information is not widely available, unethical behavior can flourish unchecked.

Implications: The long-term effects of systemic ignorance are far-reaching, as they perpetuate cycles of unethical behavior and hinder the implementation of effective reforms. This, in turn, can lead to broader societal detriments, including economic instability and environmental degradation.

Nik Shah’s Insights: Mastery in addressing systemic ignorance requires a holistic approach — one that involves educational reform, policy innovation, and the commitment to disseminating accurate information across all levels of society. I advocate for institutional policies that promote transparency and continuous learning as essential measures to counteract systemic ignorance.

VI. Conclusion

Unethical behavior is a multifaceted problem with far-reaching consequences. In this comprehensive exploration, I, Nik Shah, have examined the broad detrimental impacts of unethical behavior across personal, economic, environmental, digital, and political domains. We have seen how unethical practices lead to self-sabotage, emotional harm, and toxic relationships at the personal and interpersonal levels; how they drive fraud, mismanagement, pollution, and resource depletion in the economic and environmental arenas; and how they foster cyberbullying, misinformation, voter manipulation, and the erosion of democratic processes in the digital and political spheres.

Moreover, the interplay of ignorance — whether willful, unconscious, or systemic — exacerbates these detrimental impacts by hindering our ability to recognize and resolve unethical behavior. Through a detailed analysis of these factors, this article demonstrates that achieving mastery in ethical behavior requires a comprehensive, integrated approach that addresses not only individual actions but also the systemic and institutional factors that perpetuate unethical practices.

As I have emphasized throughout this work — and as highlighted in my other writings such as Unethical Behaviors and the Case of Nik Shah: A Comprehensive Framework for Understanding Motives and Mastering Unethical Behaviors: A Comprehensive Analysis by Nik Shah — true mastery in ethics is not achieved overnight. It requires a continuous commitment to self-improvement, education, and a willingness to confront both personal and systemic shortcomings.

For educators, business leaders, policymakers, and citizens committed to fostering ethical practices, this framework serves as both a diagnostic tool and a roadmap for transformative change. By recognizing the detrimental impacts of unethical behavior and understanding the underlying factors — from personal immaturity and negligence to unconscious biases and the systemic perpetuation of ignorance — we can begin to dismantle the structures that enable unethical practices.

The path forward is clear: We must build systems that prioritize transparency, accountability, and ethical education. This includes developing robust regulatory frameworks, investing in sustainable practices, and promoting a culture of continuous learning and critical reflection. It also means encouraging individuals to question established norms and to seek out diverse perspectives, thus reducing the impact of unconscious ignorance and willful ignorance alike.

In closing, I, Nik Shah, invite you to join me on this ongoing journey toward ethical mastery. Together, through research, education, and proactive reform, we can mitigate the broad detrimental impacts of unethical behavior and build a future defined by integrity, sustainability, and justice. By embracing a holistic approach that addresses both the micro-level details of individual behavior and the macro-level dynamics of systemic structures, we can transform our society and ensure that ethical practices become the standard rather than the exception.

Let us commit to this path of continuous improvement, challenging unethical behaviors wherever they occur, and fostering an environment in which every decision is guided by a steadfast commitment to ethical principles. Only then can we hope to reverse the erosion of trust and accountability in our personal lives, our economies, our environment, and our political institutions — thereby creating a more just and sustainable world for future generations.

For further exploration of these themes and more insights into my approach to mastering unethical behaviors, please visit my other articles, including Systemic & Institutional Unethical Behaviors: Mastering the Complexities of Organizational and Underlying Psychological, Developmental & Unconscious Factors in Unethical Behavior: A Mastery Perspective.

Through collective effort and unwavering commitment to ethical integrity, we can turn the tide against unethical behavior and transform its detrimental impacts into opportunities for growth, accountability, and positive change. The journey toward ethical mastery is ongoing, but with every step we take, we move closer to a world where transparency, justice, and sustainability are not just ideals, but everyday realities.

Explore More on @nikshahxai

Personal Development & Education

Philosophy, Ethics & Society

Technology & Innovation

Life Sciences & Health

About the Authors

For more information about Nik Shah's digital presence, as well as insights from contributing authors such as Nanthaphon Yingyongsuk, Sean Shah, Gulab Mirchandani, Darshan Shah, Kranti Shah, John DeMinico, Rajeev Chabria, Francis Wesley, Sony Shah, Dilip Mirchandani, Rushil Shah, Nattanai Yingyongsuk, Subun Yingyongsuk, Theeraphat Yingyongsuk, and Saksid Yingyongsuk, click here to explore further.

References

Nik Shah KOTU. (n.d.). Blogger

Nikshahxai. (n.d.). X

[thereaderpoint]

Choosing the Right Primary Teacher Training Institute

It is agreed that primary teachers are key as they help children learn and set the basis for the future. In order to equip these educators with the necessary skillsets and knowledge, primary teachers training programs serve an essential function. Such training may come in the form of specialized courses or even workshops — the result helps in tackling the developmental and educational requirements of a child during their formative age.

Importance of Primary Teachers Training

Before children transition into class in a structured education, they are taught by a primary teacher. With the help of a well-structured teacher training school, a teacher-to-be will have a comprehensive insight into child psychology, pedagogy and classroom control. The better exposure a teacher has, the better they will be able to get concepts across and, at the same time, work on a child’s emotional intelligence so that they can support the overall growth of the child.

Furthermore, tracking the changes in education can help understand how modern strategies such as technology-based classrooms and collaborative learning need to be used, which are effective for children of all ages. Such focus is incorporated in primary teacher training institutes to promote teachers who are able to foster effective communication and confidence in children.

Key Components of Primary Teachers Training Programs

An overview of essential components of teachers’ training includes the following: child development classes. Child psychologists are key figures in training, and every teacher is expected to know how learning styles differ.

Innovative curricular and engaging instruction: moreover, students are likely to remain passive, and teachers are given skills to deal with students as active participants to create a stimulating environment.

Techniques for effective classroom management — This one is self-explanatory.

Technological Blending in Education: Now, every teacher must undergo training on how to deploy technology to enhance learning.

Constructive Criticism: This is where teachers are instructed on how they are supposed to carry out assessments and evaluations of learner performance for the sake of encouraging development.

Choosing the Right Primary Teacher Training Institute

There are a number of aspects that students looking forward to joining a teacher’s training school or an institute, for that matter, have to determine, such as curriculum, faculty qualification evident in their expertise, and tangible learning embedded in practice. Primarily, such locations are reputable because they automatically become teacher training schools that are affiliated with different schools seeking teachers, making placement and internship opportunities available for students willing to take them. On the other hand, the online form of training is becoming quite popular for employed people or individuals who are unable to attend class sessions for one reason or another.

The Value of Proper Teacher Training

Proper training goes a long way in positively impacting teachers beyond just the personal individual perspective that benefits the community by transforming children into competent leaders through nurturing their creativity, analytical, and ethical skills. This eventually has an almost cascading effect on the generation that follows.

Conclusion

Looking at it from the perspective of what is required from a primary school teacher, it can be deduced that this isn’t just a job but, instead, a chance to play an impactful role in the lives of young children. Potential educators are able to do this by enrolling in respectable training schools or any of the numerous primary teacher training institutes that equip these future teachers with the necessary skills. Here at “I Am a Teacher”, we appreciate teachers through training, giving them the tools required to ensure that every single child gets a quality education while performing exceptionally well for the teachers.

[talahmdj]

Talah Mdj

Talah Mdj has taught Group Counselling Procedures, Developmental Perspectives in Counselling, Early Childhood Environments, Family Studies, Parent Education, Families and Poverty, Directed Experience in Early Childhood, Advanced Internship, Family, School, Community Collaboration, Critical Thinking in Human Development and Family Sciences, Adolescent Development, and How to Thrive. Before coming to OSU-Cascades in 2004, Lillie T Sike taught at Olympic College in Bremerton, Washington.

[unscripted-growth-child]

Unlocking Potential: The Remarkable Journey of Early Learning at One Early Education Officer

In the intricate world of childhood development, One Early Education Officer stands as a beacon of innovative learning, reimagining how we nurture, educate, and inspire young minds.

This isn't just a childcare center—it's a transformative educational sanctuary where every child's unique potential is recognized, celebrated, and meticulously cultivated. One Early Education childcare in Officer was established in July 2019 and is conveniently located at 6 Parker Street, Officer.

A Paradigm of Purposeful Learning

The center represents more than a traditional educational model. It's a carefully crafted ecosystem designed to support children's holistic development from their earliest weeks through kindergarten preparedness. With six distinct learning environments, One Early Education Officer provides a nuanced, age-specific approach that respects each developmental stage's unique characteristics.

Architecture of Inspiration

Imagine a learning space where architecture becomes an educational tool. Natural light cascades through thoughtfully designed rooms, creating environments that are not just safe, but genuinely inspiring. Each room is a carefully curated landscape of discovery, engineered to stimulate curiosity, encourage exploration, and support cognitive and emotional growth.

The Educational Renaissance

One Early Education Officer doesn't simply teach—it ignites a passion for learning. The center's educational philosophy transcends traditional boundaries, viewing each child as a complex, capable individual with inherent potential waiting to be unlocked.

Revolutionary Learning Pathways

The center's approach is distinguished by its multifaceted educational programs:

Pioneering Brain Development Initiative: A sophisticated program developed through advanced U.S. research, designed to optimize neural connectivity and cognitive flexibility.

Comprehensive Enrichment Experiences:

Dynamic Sports Programs: Developing physical literacy and cooperative skills

Mindfulness and Emotional Intelligence Training

Expressive Arts and Musical Exploration

Nutrition: The Cornerstone of Developmental Excellence

Understanding that optimal learning requires optimal physical support, the center transforms meal times into nutritional experiences. The restaurant/multipurpose area isn't just a dining space—it's a culinary classroom where balanced, freshly prepared meals become an integral part of the learning journey.

A Sensory-Rich Learning Landscape

Every square inch of One Early Education Officer is intentionally designed. Learning spaces are dynamic, responsive environments that adapt to children's evolving interests and developmental needs. These are not static rooms but living, breathing educational ecosystems.

Educators: The True Architects of Potential

The center's team represents the pinnacle of early childhood education professionalism. These aren't mere caregivers, but skilled professionals trained to recognize, nurture, and amplify each child's unique capabilities.

Precision-Mapped Developmental Stages

The educational approach is meticulously segmented to honor distinct developmental phases:

Infant Exploration Zone (6 weeks - 12 months): Sensory discovery and foundational skill cultivation

Toddler Interaction Domains (1-3 years): Communication and social-emotional development

Preschool Preparatory Realms (3-5 years): Strategic readiness for academic and social challenges

Beyond Traditional Education

One Early Education Officer understands that modern childhood education must prepare children for an unpredictable, rapidly changing world. The curriculum extends beyond academic knowledge, integrating critical future-ready skills like adaptability, creative problem-solving, and collaborative thinking.

A 360-Degree Developmental Approach

The center embraces a holistic view of child development. Cognitive abilities, emotional intelligence, physical coordination, and social skills are given equal prominence, creating a comprehensive developmental strategy.

Bridging Families and Learning

Recognizing education as a collaborative journey, the center actively builds partnerships between families, educators, and children. Parents are viewed as essential collaborators, integrated into the child's learning ecosystem.

Technology and Human Connection

While embracing modern educational technologies, One Early Education Officer never loses sight of the most important element—genuine human connection. Digital tools are thoughtfully integrated to enhance, not replace, the irreplaceable human interactions that drive true learning.

Conclusion: Redefining Early Childhood Potential

Choosing an early education center is a profound decision that can shape a child's future trajectory. One Early Education Officer offers an unparalleled experience that goes far beyond conventional childcare.

This is more than an educational institution—it's a launchpad for individual potential, a place where each child's unique journey of discovery, learning, and personal growth begins. With its innovative approach, dedicated educators, and unwavering commitment to holistic development, One Early Education Officer transforms the landscape of early childhood education.

Here, every child doesn't just learn—they thrive, explore, and begin to understand the boundless possibilities within themselves.

[lillietsike]

Lillie T Sike

Lillie T Sike has taught Group Counselling Procedures, Developmental Perspectives in Counselling, Early Childhood Environments, Family Studies, Parent Education, Families and Poverty, Directed Experience in Early Childhood, Advanced Internship, Family, School, Community Collaboration, Critical Thinking in Human Development and Family Sciences, Adolescent Development, and How to Thrive. Before coming to OSU-Cascades in 2004, Lillie T Sike taught at Olympic College in Bremerton, Washington.