#proud dandy girl

[fangirleaconmigo]

Hello dear! i asked this once but it was as a chat response so asking here just in case it got lost, no hurries! Bookverse! Dandi and geralt, Geralt gets turned away at the brothel (again) and Dandi decides if no one is gonna treat his witcher like he deserves, he'll have to.

(plz ignore if this is not relevant to your interests!)

Pan, my dear. I know you sent this almost a year and a half ago. I ADORE getting prompts, but inspiration strikes when it strikes, the fickle ho.

Geralt x Dandelion. Rated Explicit. Bottom!Geralt (first time bottoming).

Geralt is turned away from a brothel, and Dandelion takes care of him. This is porn with feelings. Love and smut ahoy. 7k words(ish)

-----

The woman at the door whispered something in Dandelion’s ear. 

In other circumstances, Geralt might have heard what she said. He was standing only a few feet behind the poet, and his witcher hearing was certainly capable of it. But he didn’t hear, because he wasn’t paying the least bit of attention. His mind was occupied. 

He and Dandelion had been drinking in a nearby tavern. When Dandelion suggested a brothel to relax him, Geralt happily trailed after him like a trusting pup. On the way, the witcher let his mind wander in and out of a series of increasingly vivid, sexually charged visions. He was already aroused and bristling with excess energy when they arrived at the door. 

Dandelion tilted his head towards the girl. “Milady,” he responded, “why are you telling me this? Are you proud or something? Are you also proud when you get a canker on your ass? It’s a personal situation if you ask me.” He glanced back at Geralt for support, laughing haughtily. “It is lucky that my erection is more insistent than my convictions, and that I have already promised my friend an unforgettable night in your establishment which I am loathe to renege upon.”

Geralt was at a loss, trying to put together what was happening with context clues. He didn’t need to wait long. The woman looked desperately at Geralt and leaned closer towards the poet. “I said. Humans only.”

Geralt heard it that time. His stomach sank. He felt a familiar mix of humiliation and anger, which he promptly suffocated until he felt nothing. He tugged on Dandelion’s sleeve. “Come on, Dandelion.”

Dandelion ignored him. He threw his arms out. “And? We are men,” he said to the girl. He looked around melodramatically and declared a bit too loud, “I didn’t bring my horse to partake!”

The girl at the door nervously avoided Geralt’s gaze. “Master Dandelion,” she whispered strenuously, “the witcher cannot come in.”

Sometimes the ‘humans only’ rule applied to Geralt. Sometimes it didn’t. Clearly, at this place, it did. He tugged again on his friend’s sleeve, to no avail. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”

To his frustration, Dandelion ignored him yet again. The poet drew himself up to full height and stuck his nose in the air. “I pity your lack of education, dear girl, but witchers are human beings. That is just a fact. But luckily for you, I am feeling generous. If you let us in right now, I will not alert your madam to this offensive gaffe.” 

“Shut. Up. Dandelion,” gritted out Geralt. This time he grabbed the poet’s arm. 

Dandelion yanked his arm free. He briefly glanced at Geralt. “Let me handle it. I understand these types.”

Geralt groaned and looked around desperately. A few men were wandering up the footpath towards them, customers, no doubt, who would be witnesses to the whole ordeal. 

The madam appeared next to the girl at the door. She was an older woman in a lovely burgundy gown. Dandelion brightened and leaned forward conspiratorially. “Oh, I am so happy to see you, my dear lady. I hope you can clear up this misunderstanding. My friend is 100% human, I assure you,” he glanced back at Geralt. “He was born to a woman, magic though she was, and a man. Well,” he corrected himself, “we don’t rightly know who his father is.”

Geralt cringed.

“But,” the poet lifted a finger, “if you required confirmed paternity for everyone in this establishment your building would be empty as a pair of testicles after they’ve had a run at the place. You’d be in the poor house by Thursday.” The poet was picking up steam. “Half the nobility in this town claim to be descendents of great emperors, but they were secretly sired by a particular beefy blacksmith who lives two doors down, or a certain wiry goatherd who is quite randy, and one count I know of personally,” he leaned in even closer, “was sired by an actual goat, I can tell you that story…”

“Master Dandelion,” the madam hissed through her teeth, “I would if I could, but it’s a party for the warden and half the security forces will be in tonight. I’ll be shut down! You can see he’s…different!” 

“What?” yelped Dandelion. Turning and looking at Geralt, pretending to be gobsmacked, then returning to the madam. “Because of his mutations? Why, that’s sheer ignorance.  Mutations are endemic to life itself. We’ve all got them!” He batted his unusually blue eyes. “Some find mine quite charming.”

The madam was not nervous like the door girl. She looked straight at Geralt, though she had the goodness to be apologetic. “I’m sorry.”

Geralt dragged Dandelion away successfully this time, but the troubadour did not go quietly. One of the men coming down the path caught his attention. “Duke Heyward has a third nipple!” He shouted over his shoulder. “That’s a mutation! Can’t have that! Better turn him away! Errant nipples might ruin the mood!”

The man steadfastly ignored him and bowed to the madam. He was granted entrance, nipples and all.

“They’re all such tiresome, small minded, unimpressive donkeys,” Dandelion seethed as they walked back to the tavern. “Count Vamonet can’t tell a sonnet from a scrotum. Prince Galino farts when he comes, and he has to pay the girls extra for it. And the Algloval family are a bunch of inbred--”

Geralt’s attention turned inward as Dandelion ranted about the wretched local nobility and their many failings. The witcher returned to his thoughts as they made their way through the streets. 

These kinds of rants usually made him feel better, and it did, somewhat. But there was still that tension, that pent up frustration. He was still rock hard in his trousers.

“Pathetic, the lot of them. Pox on them all,” finished Dandelion, waving at dismissively at the air. He stole a look at Geralt. “You’re awfully quiet. You haven’t told me to shut up yet. Do you feel quite alright?”

Geralt sighed. “Fine. It’s fine.”

“Well, your face still looks sour.” Dandelion brightened. “Do you want me to see if Helen is interested? I can make myself scarce.”

That was the second time that night that he’d offered the same. “No!” Geralt almost shouted it. Dandelion stopped in the street. Geralt took a few steps before he realized it and he turned to face his friend.

Helen was the server girl at the tavern, who had set the night in motion. Dandelion first performed a set, then sat down, damp curls stuck to his forehead, open tunic flaunting the dusting of blonde hair on his chest. Helen, who he’d been winking at during his performance (along with every other person in the audience), informed him that she was off work, and plopped right down his lap. The poet happily spread his thighs to give her a better seat, and wrapped his arm around her waist. 

Geralt had been enjoying the evening, but at the sight of the two of them together, was seized by a growing frustration. Helen’s breasts spilled nearly out of her top and hovered near Dandelion’s face. His friend leered at them, lips so close to their gentle swell. She ever so delicately opened her legs under the table. 

She wasn’t wearing anything under her skirt, and Geralt watched Dandelion’s hand creep up her thigh. Her cunt was probably hot and wet, just waiting for him to--

“Geralt?” Dandelion had abruptly asked, stopping what he was doing. “What is the matter?”

Helen looked up. When she saw Geralt’s expression, she visibly shrunk away.

“Oh pet,” Dandelion protested, turning his attention back to her, “he isn’t angry, please, that’s just his face. He’s a big pussy cat, really.”

Geralt, realizing he was scaring her, forced a smile. It only made matters worse. She scurried away.

Dandelion seemed to be conveniently forgetting that fact at this very moment. They faced one another on the dark street. 

Helen is terrified of me, Geralt thought of saying. That was what Geralt meant to say. But something else came out of his mouth. “I don’t want you to make yourself scarce. I don’t want you to go anywhere.”

Dandelion looked surprised, and then intensely interested. He shoved his hands on his hips and looked down at where Geralt’s trousers strained to contain his cock. His tongue darted out and wet his lips before making eye contact with some effort. “Well. What do you want, Geralt?” He asked it casually, lightly. “There are other girls that don’t work in brothels. The night is young, yet. Tell me. What were you imagining for tonight? Talk to me.”

What were you imagining?

Geralt tried to remember the thoughts that excited him on the way to the brothel. Why had he been so very distracted that he’d missed the door girl’s whisper? 

They were visions of pretty girls servicing Dandelion, right? Perhaps those visions should have been of the girls servicing him. But...Geralt stood, taking a moment to recall his fantasies. Well, pox on it. Fuck. The girls weren’t even in them. 

It was all Dandelion sprawled out in bliss, with his trousers shoved down to his ankles. It was Dandelion with his head lolling back, eyes half lidded, lips open. It was Dandelion thrusting languid and whining up into welcoming lips.

Surely, he, Geralt of Rivia, didn’t want his friend that way. He didn’t think he was that kind of man. True, there had been youthful experimentation at Kaer Morhen, but it was all boys there, what else were they going to do? When he’d fallen for Yen, he thought....well he thought that was that. But now. Fuck. He was beginning to doubt.

Geralt looked into the quizzical eyes of his dearest friend. Then he turned on his heel and fled. He could hear Dandelion chuckling and calling out to him. “Geralt, come back! Blast it!”

But the witcher made a beeline to their shared room at the tavern. He was dressed for bed and under the covers with the candles out by the time Dandelion returned. Dandelion came in humming, carrying a lantern, and two glasses of wine.

“Good evening, Geralt.” Dandelion said loudly, shutting their door with a graceful tap of his heel. “I see you are already in bed for the evening.”

Geralt didn’t know what to say. “Helen wouldn’t have you?” He muttered bitterly. “She looked so eager.” But he dragged himself up to lean against the headboard. The covers fell around his waist, so he grabbed them and clutched them to his chest.

Dandelion set the lantern and glasses on the side table, and shrugged off his coat. He was still humming to himself. His lightness of spirit was slightly insulting, when Geralt was so obviously set on brooding.

The poet came to sit on the edge of the bed. Geralt’s heart raced as the mattress dipped and the warmth of Dandelion’s body filled his space.

It all felt different now, the shared room, the shared bed. All of it. The air crackled. The witcher was terrified. That was why his pulse was racing, right?

His friend sat in uncharacteristic silence for a few moments, contemplating the bedspread and then Geralt. After a moment, he spoke softly. “Geralt, those idiots were pricks to you tonight.”

His compassion caused a warmth to blossom in Geralt’s chest, but that was the kind of thing that makes a man lose control. So he shoved it down and avoided his friend’s eyes. “It’s fine.” “No, it’s not,” said Dandelion. “But well,” he smiled, still looking softer than usual, “you’ve always got me, and about a thousand other friends, to whom you are as ordinary and human as a person can be. Boring even. And the whores at that place are rubbish anyway.”

Geralt half smiled despite himself and looked up. “You said their advanced techniques would change my life.”

“I lied to make you feel better.”

Geralt gasped in sarcastic shock.

“You know,” said Dandelion. Now he was the one looking down. “I haven’t told you this yet Geralt. But I was once a harlot myself.” 

Dandelion raised his eyes and for a brief moment, they looked into one another, trying to read what the other was feeling. The air between them was fragile, as though a wrong word could shatter whatever was changing between them.

Geralt wanted to be sensitive, but he was overcome with images of Dandelion naked and in compromising situations. It was the same images that had plagued him earlier in the day. “Did you... like it?”

It was the right thing to say, at least for now, because Dandelion relaxed. “I did.” He shrugged. “Most of the time anyway. Like any other job in that regard. I don’t want to brag,” he said, in his characteristic way that indicated he very much did want to brag, “but I was too popular. I got too successful. And I preferred to be famous for my music. So gradually, I-” he picked at the bedspread, “-stopped.”

“Too successful,” Geralt asked, unable to keep the curiosity from his voice. “Were there enough women to keep you busy?” he asked. “Seems like they wouldn’t have to pay for services.”

“You’d be surprised,” the poet answered. “They don’t pay you to fuck, Geralt. They pay you to leave without a fuss.”

Geralt nodded. He supposed that made sense. 

Dandelion picked up his wine glass from the side table. He took a sip and swallowed primly with pursed lips. Geralt watched his throat bob with fascination. He realized that he was staring, so he picked up his glass to give himself something to do other than gape.  

“But truth be told,” Dandelion’s voice lingered on the words casually, “my specialty was other men.”

Geralt should not have picked up his glass. It was a mistake. He was taking a sip the moment Dandelion said ‘men.' He coughed, and pounded his chest.

Dandelion chuckled richly. “Are you alright?”

His friend was laughing at him. Geralt was a mess of righteous indignation, hope, and desperate desire.

“‘M Fine,” he said, putting down the glass. He wanted to avoid his friend’s gaze, but that would be admitting defeat. He met Dandelion’s mirthful, predatory eyes. He immediately lost composure.

He was looking at the poet’s lips. His collarbone. The way his shirt was slightly transparent, and how every time the poet took a deep breath, his chest rose and Geralt could see his nipples. 

“You’re blushing.”

“No, I am not,” mumbled Geralt defensively. “Witchers can’t blush.”

“Sure, my darling, if that is the story you prefer.”

It was the first time Dandelion had ever called him darling. He called him my dear all the time. Geralt loved it every time, but darling was just a little more...romantic.

Geralt had no idea what to do with his face, his hands, or his rebellious cock, which was every bit as hard as before.

“What are you thinking about Geralt?”

Why did Dandelion sound so blasted smug? The prick. Geralt’s fingers trembled, his pulse raced. He decided to just let his body speak for him, without thought. “If I came to your brothel. In those days.” He tried not to stammer, but he sounded halting. He decided to just push the words out. “Would you have serviced me? A mutant.” 

He was staring at his own hands now. He almost jumped when Dandelion’s hand covered his own, warm and tender. 

Geralt looked up, relaxing into the touch.

Dandelion looked amused, but fond. “That depends.”

He was toying with him, the fucking bastard.

“On what,” Geralt asked flatly.

“I’d ask to take a look at your cock.” His eyes sparkled. “To see if it is mutated of course.” He moved his hand to the side of the sheet and pinched, as if ready to pull it aside.

Geralt tried not to smile. A smile would be an admission that the charms of his friend had vanquished him yet again. 

“Well, go on,” teased Dandelion. “Answer me. Will you let me inspect your prick to see if it is too mutated to fit in my mouth?”

“You’ve seen my cock,” Geralt grumbled, wriggling, trying to hide how the aforementioned anatomy twitched at the forthright, confident manner of his friend. 

“Yes, but I don’t remember what it looked like,” said Dandelion with faux innocence that did not suit him. “I’ve only seen flashes. In and out of baths, that kind of thing. And of course, I have always been too gentlemanly to sneak a peek.”

“Liar.” Geralt bit his cheeks. He nodded at where Dandelion’s hand held the corner of the blanket. “Well, go ahead.”

Dandelion’s face broke into a shit eating grin. He took the edge of the sheets and pulled them aside. Geralt inhaled fast and held his breath. He had on a flimsy undergarment with an opening at the front. His excitement was extremely apparent.

Geralt wriggled a little again, repositioning himself. He felt utterly exposed. Why was it making him more aroused than he had ever remembered being in his life? 

It was Dandelion’s reaction to his body. Geralt could smell lust, and the wave of it that came off his friend was so powerful, the witcher was instantly intoxicated by it. Furthermore, the poet was looking at him with such a ravenous expression that Geralt blinked. It called to mind a wolf staring at a cut of raw meat.

Geralt was used to being the hunter. He had never been the prey. A thrill ran through him the likes of which he had never experienced.

“Geralt.” The poet was suddenly earnest, tight, and controlled. The switch made Geralt dizzy. His friend pulled his hands back, and squeezed his own thighs. 

“Yes?” Geralt rasped.

“I cannot restrain myself any longer.” His voice trembled. “If you want me to stop now, you’re going to have to throw me out on my neck”

Geralt tried to respond, but only an airy squeak of nothing came from his mouth. He tried again. “Good. Don’t. Don’t restrain yourself that is.”

“Fucking hell. Sweet Melitele’s milky tits.” 

Dandelion scrambled to straddle Geralt’s lap. Eyes shining, he cradled the witcher’s face in his hands. Geralt’s arms, of their own accord, wrapped around the poet.

Dandelion kissed him with such ferocious tenderness, Geralt felt his eyes prickle. That ferocity...Dandelion had wanted to do this for a very long time. Maybe years. And the tenderness. Dandelion kissed him like he was the most fragile, precious creature in all of creation. 

The thought that Dandelion might have been harboring a hidden love for him was a shocking revelation. But Geralt could not fully grasp it. Not when his body’s reaction to Dandelion’s tongue and his weight on Geralt’s lap was leading him to yet another shocking revelation.

“Dandelion,” he cleared his throat and tilted back just enough to leave a sliver of space between their lips as they panted.

“Yes, Geralt.” 

“Am I...this kind of man?”

Dandelion threw his head back and laughed. It was a bit rude actually. He ground his hips ever so slightly on Geralt’s hard cock. Geralt made an aborted noise of pleasure.

“Oh, I quite think you are darling,” Dandelion said smugly. “Wait. Does that vex you?”

Once again, Geralt didn’t want to think. He just wanted to respond. “I don’t think so,” he said. Then he realized the truth. “No. Not a bit.”

“Ah, well then. Shall I proceed?”

“Please do.”

Dandelion slipped off of his lap. Geralt found it difficult to abide the loss of his body. “Wait.”

Dandelion’s response was muffled by his shirt slipping from his head. “Apologies, my dear, but I must make haste, in case you change your mind.” 

His dearest friend was pulling off his clothing at a blinding rate, vibrating with an air of disbelief and excitement. 

“I won’t change my mind.” After it came from Geralt’s mouth, he realized that it was true.

Dandelion flashed him another smile. “Still. I won’t take any chances.” 

Dandelion was quickly naked and scrambled back onto the bed without much grace. “Hips up.” 

Geralt lifted his hips. Dandelion stripped away Geralt’s underclothes. Then, they were naked together. 

What shocked Geralt the most was that it felt like the most natural thing in the world. He felt nothing but pleasure at the sight of Dandelion’s full erection, nestled in a puff of blonde curls. He felt nothing but excitement when the poet straddled him yet again, his solid but soft torso in Geralt’s grasp. The witcher groaned at an embarrassing volume when Dandelion wrapped his nimble fingers around his cock.

“May I, love?” Dandelion licked his lips.

Geralt’s heart almost stopped. “Say that again,” he whispered.

“May I....love?”

“Please. Yes. Anything.”

Dandelion scooted back and dragged his warm tongue up the entire length of Geralt’s erection, lingering on the tip, kissing it messily. 

Geralt writhed. “Please.”

“Please, what?” Dandelion batted his lashes then sucked Geralt’s entire cock into his mouth. Geralt almost shouted, but managed to clap a hand over his mouth and turn it into another moan.

He wanted a release. He wanted to explode.

His mind may not have realized his feelings for his friend, but his body was certainly aware that this was something he’d been holding in for a very long time.

But Geralt didn’t just want to cum. He wanted to do it on his friend, in his friend, it didn’t matter how.

“Let me. I wanna.” He gasped. “Fuck.”

Dandelion looked at him with soft but hungry eyes as he bobbed on his cock. At the sight of the poet’s expression, the way he looked stuffed with Geralt’s cock, the witcher thought he would lose it. But his friend expertly stopped just before Geralt’s peak. 

He toyed with the witcher like that for some time, bringing him to peak, then pulling away. As he did, he ran his hands all over Geralt’s body. He murmured sweet nothings to him.

“You’re so gorgeous like this love. Look at you. Oh, fuck you’re stunning. I can’t believe I get to look at you like this.”

Geralt melted. He melted into his mouth, he melted against the bed. He became a blubbering, begging mess of a man. 

“Please, oh, please. Just let me. Just. Oh, fuck.”

Just when he thought he had reached the height of pleasure, Dandelion began to use his fingers. 

“Spread your thighs, darling.”

Geralt thought to protest. He felt self conscious. But he had said that Dandelion could do anything, and he’d meant it. Allowing himself to act without overthinking it had gotten him here, so the strategy was clearly working.

He spread his legs obediently.

Geralt fell apart when Dandelion cupped him, caressed him, and massaged him firmly in places he’d never even seen. 

Vaguely, he thought that the room next to them could probably hear him whining. If he were allowing himself to think about it, he might have been embarrassed. But he wasn’t.

When Dandelion returned his lips to his cock, he also grasped his shaft, moving both his hands and his mouth expertly, Geralt came. His body locked up and his moans were silent and airy. He covered Dandelion’s head with his hands and thrust into the eager lips of his dearest friend. He shoved and shoved until he released in a haze of animalistic desire.

Then he fell back, slackened and panting. 

Dandelion kissed his softening cock. He licked up all of Geralt’s spend and made a show of swallowing it for him.

Geralt stroked Dandelion’s damp locks lazily. “Fuck.”

“Fuck, indeed.” 

Dandelion crawled into his arms, placing a sweaty kiss on Geralt’s temple. They were both damp, from sweat and tears. Geralt squeezed him tight, waiting for the thudding of his heart to subside.

“Fuck.”

When Dandelion’s erection brushed his thigh, Geralt wanted to kick himself. He had been so wrapped up in his own pleasure, he’d been selfish. He needed to make sure Dandelion got satisfaction as well.

“What can I--” the witcher stopped, realizing he had little idea what the fuck he was doing. What could he even offer? Back in Kaer Morhen in his teen years, there had mostly been furtive yanking and sucking in closets and dark dormitories. And here he was with a proper expert, a former professional. What skills did he really have? How did you fuck a man without hurting him? Shit, he couldn’t fuck anyone right now anyway. He leaned forward and kissed Dandelion. “What do you want, poet?” He figured that was a better question, instead of promising something he couldn’t deliver, at least not in a competent way. 

Dandelion had a half smile, like he was up to something. “Well, since my wildest dreams are coming true today, I’m just going to ask for it.”

Geralt barked a laugh, and felt slightly, deliciously self conscious. “Alright. Spit it out.”

Dandelion leaned closer, kissed Geralt’s cheek, and whispered provocatively in his ear. As he did, he traced languid circles on Geralt’s chest and stomach. This, Geralt thought, was what made Dandelion so popular. That and the expert cock sucking.

“Witcher mine, I have been following behind you for years,” he murmured sensually. “And do you know what has always confounded me?”

“What?”

“Having to stare at your round, juicy looking, perfect peach and never being invited to fuck it.”

Well. Geralt hadn’t expected that. He’d never really thought of himself that way. As an object of such fervent desire. 

“My. Ass?”

“Oh yes, love. You’d better believe it.” Dandelion’s eyes fluttered closed and he hummed in bliss, like one did after taking a big bite of a pastry fresh out of the oven. “The shapeliest ladies have nothing on your delicious plump looking posterior. Has no one told you?”

Dandelion had called him love again. Geralt was beginning to understand that every time Dandelion called him love, the witcher felt willing and able to scoop out his own organs and gift them to the poet if he so desired them.

"No."

“That is a tragic story indeed.” Dandelion ground his rock hard cock into Geralt’s thigh. “How someone with such a perfect ass has never been told about its charms.”

Geralt allowed himself a slightly smug smile and he squeezed Dandelion tighter. He kissed the side of the poet’s head and hummed into his hair. “Really? That good, huh?”

The poet growled and rolled his hips again. “Please, Geralt. Don’t make me beg.”

Well. Shit. Geralt’s heart beat faster. “I want to, but. I don’t. I’ve never.” Then he just blurted it out. “Does it hurt?”

Dandelion stopped what he was doing and rolled over, propping himself on arm. He looked absolutely gleeful. “You mean I would be the first? Me?”

Geralt looked away and flushed a bit. He hummed his assent.

Dandelion practically whooped. “I will be taking Geralt of Rivia’s virgin ass? Have I died? Is this heaven?” The poet caught himself. “I mean, of course, only if you want to.” He tried to sound sexy and soft again, but his leering smile looked ridiculous.

It was a pathetic effort, but it still pleased Geralt for some reason. He was doomed, wasn’t he?

“I’m not a virgin. Obviously.”

“Still. May I?” 

“Just. Be careful. You will, right?”

Dandelion took one of Geralt's hands and nuzzled it. Managing to find gentle sincerity within himself, he said, “Of course I will, love. I will be gentle. I will be tender. I will make it so very lovely for you.”

Geralt nodded. “Alright. What do I do?” He felt a bit moronic asking, but he would feel worse if he did something wrong.

“Well, I was rewarded by the sight of your handsome face in ecstasy. Now, since for all I know, this could be my only chance, I would be honored to enjoy the sight of your perfect, round ass jiggling as I fuck it.” 

Geralt swallowed. “So, I turn over?”

“If you please.” Dandelion scooted back on the bed, kneeling, watching rapturously as Geralt agreeably turned over. The witcher was rewarded with a low whistle. “Oh, yes. Sweet mother of mine, what a specimen of a posterior.” Geralt could feel Dandelion’s soft, strong hands gliding over his body and squeezing his ass. The effect, along with Dandelion’s evident enthusiasm made him prickle with pleasure.

“Shut up.”

“I will not. I am already writing the ballad as we speak.”

There was no use telling him to shut up again. Geralt closed his eyes and reveled in the sensation of being caressed. His scars were particularly sensitive, and Dandelion was sliding his hands over every last bit of him.

“Hands and knees, my dear witcher.”

Geralt obediently rose onto hands and knees. Dandelion moaned, gravelly and wanton. Geralt could hear him stroking his own cock as he squeezed one cheek then the other. Experimentally, Geralt arch his back, and enjoyed the strangled groan-laugh behind him.

If he had felt exposed before, that was nothing compared to what he felt now. Now he felt completely, utterly vulnerable. And yet? His body buzzed with pleasure low in his abdomen. 

Geralt could hear Dandelion shift. Then he felt a kiss, followed by a playful nibble the back of his thighs. Dandelion leaned away to reach for something.

“Relax, love.”

Geralt heard Dandelion remove his rings, and then he heard a tin of something open and close. Then Dandelion’s fingers were at his entrance, slippery and wet. Geralt shivered. He flinched.

“Shhhhh,” Dandelion quieted him and patted his haunch as though he were a skittish mare. Geralt relaxed. 

“It’s alright,” cooed Dandelion. “The famous poet Dandelion will be your first. Think of the stories you will be able to tell your grandchildren.”

“You’re an idiot.” Geralt chuckled but his laugh turned into a drawn out ‘oooo’ as Dandelion entered him with a finger. “See, that’s nice isn’t it, Geralt?”

It took Geralt a moment to answer. It was a new feeling.

“Y-y-yes?” he said. 

“Is that a question or an answer, my witcher?” Dandelion asked playfully. He slid further and Geralt released a sigh. His body wanted to scoot away, and shove backwards at the same time. But Geralt decided not to do either. He just held still and allowed himself to feel.

“Yes.” He answered breathily, but with more confidence that time. 

Dandelion scooted closer. Geralt could feel the warmth and the softness of the hair on the poet’s legs as they pressed against his. How his friend managed to slip in a second finger at the angle, Geralt wasn’t sure. But the tightness, the fullness, made him whimper. 

“Oh, that sound,” growled Dandelion. “I cannot wait another second, Geralt, my dear, I am going to fuck the sense out of you.”

He could hear slippery noises as Dandelion quickly slicked his own cock. The poet grasped him with one hand. Geralt stole a glance back and saw his friend’s ravenous, predatory face. He saw the blonde poet grasping the base of his cock, lining himself up. The tip of his tongue was stuck out, and he was lost completely in the moment.

Dandelion felt Geralt’s attention and he looked up. They locked eyes right as Dandelion pushed. Geralt whimpered and his body jerked, but Dandelion held his hips stock-still with surprisingly strong hands as he pressed inside with an excruciatingly slow gentleness. “Here you go, love. You can take this, can’t you?” he purred.

Geralt sensed that taunting Dandelion right now might yield some interesting results. “I won’t break. Fuck me already.”

Dandelion’s eyes ignited and he squeezed Geralt so hard, he knew he would be bruised. “You want me to fuck you?”

“Yes. Fucking do it already.”

It was daring talk for an amateur, Geralt knew. But he had stopped thinking. He was just spouting off now.

Dandelion bent over him and wrapped his arm around his hips like a vise and thrust. Geralt could tell his friend was still holding back, but the motion made him feel such shocking fullness, that it chased all rational thought away, emptying his mind.

Dandelion pulled back then. Right when Geralt thought he would slip away, Dandelion thrust again. Geralt marveled at how tight he could feel, the sounds the poet could punch from his throat. The sounds were cut off every time Dandelion’s hips made impact, but grew louder and more frantic with every stroke.

Dandelion’s hair brushed his back. He could feel his friend’s lips by his ear. “You love it, don’t you. Your ass is the perfect vessel for my cock, isn't it?” he whispered, his necklaces slightly grazing Geralt’s shoulder blades. The poet was beginning to sweat and his chest dragged down Geralt’s back.

Geralt nodded. It was difficult to manage while bouncing on another man’s cock.

“Say it,” Dandelion challenged him.

“Yes. I’m yours.”

Dandelion tenderly brushed Geralt’s hair away from his neck, and kissed the back of his neck as he fucked into him.

As the witcher’s body became more lax and able to accept the intrusion, Dandelion thrust with more power. Geralt had to brace himself against the wall to keep from slapping into it.

Dandelion was no longer treating him with kid gloves. Geralt had no idea that his body would allow anything inside that deep. He bounced and shook and cried out. He felt like some kind of rag doll.

“Dandelion,” he whispered into the dark. 

“Say that again,” came the response from behind him.

“Dandelion.”

Dandelion’s pace grew more furious and punishing. Geralt was shocked by what his body could take. Dandelion began to sound like him, grunting, and moaning.

But right when he thought Dandelion would peak, he stopped and pulled out.

“Don’t stop,” Geralt begged. He writhed and reached back, grasping to pull his lover back.

“Be still,” Dandelion chided.

Geralt obeyed. He quieted himself and became still, waiting on hands and knees. His thighs trembled. His hair stuck to his sweaty, sticky body.

Just when he was ready to ask Dandelion what the fuck he was doing, he felt the poet grasp both sides of his ass and part him. The cool air caressed Geralt on his sensitive skin and he shivered.

Dandelion swore a filthy oath in several different languages, only some of which Geralt understood. 

“I’m going to watch myself cum in you, witcher.”

Dandelion leaned forward and pushed down on Geralt’s back. The witcher wasn’t sure what the poet wanted, until his elbows buckled and his face was smashed against the pillow.

Dandelion hummed, ever so pleased with himself. He whistled. “That’s better. What a view.” He grasped the witcher, trapping his hips.

Geralt closed his eyes, determined to feel everything, to remember everything. The fat head of his dearest friend’s cock nudged him. By now, Geralt was fucked, slick, and ready.

Now it was the poet’s turn to whine like an animal when he slid inside Geralt. 

“Look at you, swallowing my cock. You were made for me to fuck.”

The pillow under Geralt’s face grew damp, and he groaned into it as Dandelion took his pleasure.

The poet shoved as deeply as he could when he came, and the sound he made was cathartic. He held Geralt still, draped over his back, as he rode out his pulsing orgasm.

“Oh, Geralt. My darling.” He whispered it so quietly into Geralt’s back, that if Geralt were not a witcher, he might not have heard it.

Dandelion collapsed next to Geralt and pulled him close. They held each other in the dark, by the flickering lamp. They lay intertwined, clinging to each other, allowing the enormity of what they had done to settle over them. 

What if everything changed.

What if nothing changed?

“Geralt?” Dandelion’s voice was surprising small. “Kiss me?”

Geralt ran his fingers through Dandelion’s hair. And he kissed him.

They would start there.

[mollyjames]

It's really difficult to explain that I see value in my art. Because I'm not the most talented artist, I'm not making very much money from it, and I spend much more time making it than people spend looking at it, but...

Just this year I met a girl who liked my art and she wound up moving in, saving me and Dandy from a tough financial spot. Last year our friends helped us move out of an apartment with bad water when we were stressed beyond belief. I know my friends are proud of me. And none of that is directly because of any one thing I've drawn, but collectively it adds up. And I feel like I'm getting better and growing all the time, even now at 31 and doing comics for over a decade.

I don't really have a specific goal in mind. I just want to live the life I want to live. I think art will always be a part of that. And that's really cool.

[juneberrie]

you always have been

thinking thoughts. *ೃ༄ this is very self indulgent im not sorry <3 btw the formatting is terrible 😭 also this is 1.5k words im so proud of myself its literally the longest fic i've ever written

pairing: jj maybank x fem!reader

fandom: outerbanks

warnings: swearing, mentions of being drunk, reader kind of pushes jj away, insecure!reader, stressed out!reader, mentions of jj's trash dad, fear of abandonment, sort of a smau? science hw (yes thats a warning science hw sucks), love confession, hurt/comfort <3

jj's instagram is a mess. it alternates between pictures of random objects, pictures of himself, and pictures of our friends.

lately, all of his pictures have been pictures of him and the pogues at keggers and on the boat. without me.

the most recent one is a blurry shot of him and kie at the boneyard. his hair is dripping wet and kie is holding up a red solo cup, beer sloshing over the side. the caption reads, "my brst girl 😋 ilysn kier.carrera" its so misspelled its obvious hes drunk, even without looking at the picture.

—————

↳ comments

-> jb.wifirouter ong your so drunk. ↳ heywpope its "youre" not "your" 💀 and you're durnk too ↳ sarahcamer0n lmaooo durnk

-> kier.carrera lol ilyt jj 💀 ↳ kier.carrera wsit wring emoji ❤️

—————

i groan and shut my phone off. kie knows i like jj. she's heard me rant about him since eighth grade. its fine, though. i need to focus on school. i get up and silence my phone, putting it into a drawer at my desk before going back to the papers sprawled on my bed.

science isn't my best subject, but i need this extra credit to bring my grade up. and, no pressure at all, this stupid extra credit is due by monday, at its literally sunday night. at least its pretty easy. all i have to do is write an essay about newton's laws and how they function in the "real" world. i sigh and open my textbook to the page on the first law, inertia.

as im scribbling down the beginnings of the paragraph about f=ma, my pencil breaks. well, how fucking dandy. i get up and head to my desk to grab a sharpener, and i pass the mirror next to my door.

i cringe away, then force myself to look back. the girl staring back at me is... not kie. not sarah. she's wearing a big oversized t-shirt she stole from jj and some shorts. her nail polish is chipped and her hair is practically crying for escape from the worn scrunchie.

i tear my gaze away and grab the sharpener. the clock on my desk reads 11:11 pm. i remember something kie said about making wishes at 11:11, so i think, why not give it a try? i squeeze my eyes shut and hope my wish gets to whatever magical star angel being is listening.

after i finish my essay, its 12:23 am. i grab my phone from the drawer and see a flurry of texts and instagram notifications assaulting my lock screen.

i ignore the texts — six from kie and eight from jj — and click open instagram.

my homepage is filled with pictures of the pogues at the kegger they're at. i can't help the pettiness that surges up inside me and i click on jj's most recent story, a video of him, kie, pope, john b, and sarah screaming the lyrics to bohemian rhapsody around a campfire.

—————

you replied to their story

yourinstagram looks like you're having fun :)

—————

i feel slightly terrible, but whatever. every single kegger they've been to this past week, i haven't been invited.

a text notification comes down onto my screen. it's from kie. the preview reads "im soo sorru"

what the hell? i immediately click on the text and i almost start crying.

—————

kie kie ml ♡

bro so dnt be mad but like i accidentally told jj that u liked him

im sorry

answer me please idont want yu to be mad

i dd;t mean to i swaer

y/n?? are you mad??

y/n pleeaas answre

im soo sorru

bro wtf.

ik im sorry but we were playing truuth or dsre and plpe asked if i had acrush on anybody and i sadi no i didn't but ik you did and the n jj asked who and im sorry :)

:(*** SORRY

whatever. go enjoy your kegger.

—————

what the everloving fuck. i specifically told her not to tell anyone, especially jj, and she goes and tells everyone and their mother. i've gotten a flurry of texts from pope, john b, sarah, and other pogues i suppose are at the kegger, all asking me if it's true i like jj. and, speak of the devil, jj himself has been texting me nonstop for the past thirty minutes.

—————

golden retriever lookin' mf 😋

haha kie jus told me the funnist shut

wait is she for real

wait n/n yuo like me

like fr fr?

brp answer me pls

y/nnnnnn

are you asleepo r somethinh 💀

y/n if you dpn't answer rn rn im going ovet to yiur house

—————

shit. jj can't come over right now. i look like a mess, and now im fucking crying. my gaze drifts back over to the mirror; my eyes are red and puffy and tears are streaming down my face and dripping down onto my (jj's) shirt.

—————

golden retriever lookin' mf 😋

jj please dont come over just stay at the kegger and have fun

nooo y/n im already on my wsy so its fine

—————

shit shit shit.

i throw my phone across the room and scream into my bedsheets. the pogues already didn't like me anymore; they had been going out and having fun without for weeks now, and now kie tells jj i like him? my life is fucking falling apart.

a knock at my window wakes me up from whatever sad haze i was trapped in for the last twenty minutes. jj's peering in and he smiles when he meets my gaze. i shake my head and turn away from him.

no bother letting him in, he'll probably just tell me that he doesn't like me back and to never talk to him again.

another knock, persistent, sounds from the window. i sigh and turn back.

i open the window but leave the screen up, so jj can hear me but he can't get in. "go away, j."

"nooo. wait, why are you cryiinggg?" he asks, the booze slurring his words.

"nothing. no reason. go away, please, jj," i say, my voice cracking.

his face softens and he seems to sober up a bit. "n/n, please tell me what's wrong. i hate seeing you sad," he whispers. fuck. i can't, i can't with the fucking blue eyes and the soft looks and the whispers. i open the rest of the window, and jj climbs in.

i crawl under the covers of my bed and face away from jj. i feel the bed dip next to me and he lays a warm hand on my back. its so casual, so domestic, that i want to laugh.

"sunshine, what's wrong? is this about what kie said?" he asks, gently rubbing my back.

the dam breaks. tears start flowing out of my eyes and i started shaking.

"it is about what kie said. i like you, jj, i really like you. no, i- i love you! i love you so much. i've loved you since i first saw you in mrs. williams' science class in eight grade and you laughed when she said that iron was discovered by the hittites. and i know you'll never love me back because— well— look at me! im not like kie, im not like sarah. i'm just... me! and i've been trying to pretend like you guys going to keggers everyday without me isn't a big deal because, hey, i'm swamped with school, even though its fucking intercession. and i knew if i told you, you'd hate me and you'd never talk to me again," i sob into my pillow.

jj is silent for a few seconds, still rubbing my back.

"i love you too, sunshine. i've loved you for the entirety of the time i've known you. and, you're right. you're not kie or sarah, but you're you. that's what i love about you. you are unapologetically yourself. and i'm sorry for not inviting you to the keggers. i just, i knew you were swamped and i know you don't really like parties 'nd drinking and shit. and i just want you to know that im so proud of you, honey, and— jesus, y/n. you're the only one for me. you always have been. you're the person who's been there whenever luke did something shitty to me, you've helped me with my homework, and gosh, dare i say it, you've helped me be a better person."

he chuckles. i feel him press a kiss to the back of my neck and gently bring me towards him so i'm basically in his lap. he wraps his arms around me and lays his head in the crook of my neck. we stay together in a comfortable silence for a few moments.

i sniffle. "i'm sorry, j."

"you're not the one who should be apologizing, sunshine. i love you, so much. i'm sorry if i made you feel like i'd never talk to you again or like you weren't enough; you are enough. you always have been."

[j4y-lvr]

SIGNAL143?! … kang taehyun

SYNOPSIS. Headstrong CEO, kang taehyun leads his business venture into the world of dating with his dandy service, 'signal143', and in need of a skilled and driven secretary comes the bright-eyed secretary, passionate to support those finding new love. while the two clash in various ways, bound to each other in pursuit of new beginnings. what were taehyun to do if this metal tough ceo were to match with his new secretary by his dear, handcrafted application?

PAIRING. ceo!taehyun x secretary!fem!reader ft. txt, yunjin from lesserafim and sunwoo from theboyz

GENRE. crack, fluff, pinch of nonexistent angst

WARNINGS. profanity, !!not proofread!!

WORD COUNT. 5.2k

NOTE. no i didn't spend more than a month on this shhhhhh😦 my txtblr debut has arrived i'm pretty proud of the beginning and the attempts at humour🤥 i'm so sawry,, the end was a bit rushed bc i realised my absence from here was far too long so i scurried😤

"what if you matched with someone in the company using the application," yunjin jokes, hitting your arm in the same spot for the nth time, a scowl crossing your face as you turned to her, running down an earful of curses before she sighed and pouted, getting you to suspend your fit.

"why would you even say that," you drop, averting your focus away from the girl and to your watch striking midnight. You usher yunjin to stay the night under one condition that she clean up after herself as you left early for work at signal143.

Signal143 worked to assist others in search of their passionate lover, one true pair, and lifelong soulmate. A company whose product aligned with your best interests as you grew with a single mother who tirelessly slogged to make ends meet.

You'd made her proud, earning a corporate job as none other than the secretary of the booming service. The application checked off all and more of what you could think of, seeing it as a reliable piece and something trustworthy.

You prep your materials for the following day, slide into bed and shut your eyes with a huff. Dreamland didn't seem all too far when yunjins protruding query probed your mind to run a hundred kilometers per hour with varying scenarios that fueled your active thoughts.

Shaking your head, you set to not think about and take things that came your way with no worry as such. Let's be real, the possibility of you matching with someone from your company was less than 5%.

It's not like your luck would cash with that, would it?

Maybe, you should've recalculated the percentage because the probability dinged at first sight of your boss. "signal match 143!" echoed through the hallways of cool toned glass finished walls, goosebumps arising on your skin.

You visibly panic as your boss, taehyun, watches you with curious eyes. "good to know you use the application," mumbled the tall man, clad in a suit, a musing smile tugging on his pink, soft lips.

Observing your orbs dart from him to your phone, you contemplated checking who within the company you had unanimously paired with, "please, have a look," your boss encouraged while your sweat-ridden palms fished your phone from your pocket.

"i'd say you take them on a date and give it a try, and if possible give your personal feedback on your usage of the app,"i don't think dating in a workplace setting is appropriate though," you comment, swiping up and onto the app, the customary ring filling the rather opinionated hallway.

"why not? are you, perhaps, doubting the service?" kang taehyun raised, expected from his nickname, strongheaded-sajjangnim. The lines on his forehead proved his dedication but you felt wronged with the misinterpretation.

You'd be in trouble if you harbored opposing thoughts and didn't get along with this co-worker in specific, being your boss and the ceo, afterall.

"quite bold of you to assume, sir" you pause, fending hurt and continue reading the username you paired with mentally and then verbally, however, it came out sounding like a question, "user terry kang?"

A fellow worker gasped and panned their head towards kang taehyun, whose expression looked lost and if he were in a pickle, per se. "why?" you ask, perturbed by the shocked faces.

"summon that demon child beomgyu to my office right now. and you, follow me," spoke the tall, doe-eyed man, profusely furrowing those eyebrows deeper and deeper downward. What pissed you off was his rude choice of words, respect should be given to those who expect respect.

Maybe it comes with power? You shove the train of thought and sprint to catch up to the ceo, who was almost stomping his way there. Cute of him, you note.

With whoever beomgyu was, sat present in the well maintained office while the tense atmosphere picked at your nerves, making your exterior decay from the anxiety. You remained unaware of what happened nor what was going down.

Whipping out his phone, taehyun beckons beomgyu over, "what is this?" he retorted, calmly, unlike his brows meeting the depths of hell fire with the amount he scowled. Beomgyu jumped on sight and squealed, applauding the ceo, "isn't that great?!"

"no, you dumbass- i mean, you idiot, what have you programmed it to do," he halts, giving you a look and whispers in a hush manner, causing the man next to him to slowly pan his head towards you like those haunted emotional support dolls from horror movies the possessed hauled around.

"HER?"

A whack to the back of his head sent beomgyu wailing, "THIS IS VIOLENCE—" he exclaimed, getting cut off by what seemed like his close friend that boss, taehyun, "do you want to risk your pay," he stooped octaves lower with the question, a menacing look shining in his eyes, gazing up and into your orbs, almost daringly.

You weren't slow (for once), you put the pieces together and informed yourself in manner, tactfully planning your next move. Mirroring the menacing look, mockingly, one could say. You stride forward, your hardened footwear clacking against the marbled touched floor, "are still up for the date, ceo terry kang?"

Taehyun straightens his back, amused with your words, beomgyu giggling, "you still think its a malfunction, sir" he states, mockingly, gapping for air and continuing, "she seems like your match if you ask me." — The frown that settled on his face as he pondered over the simple incident left you in a fit of your little laughter, evident of your chuckling. "well, let's get to it, shall we?" taehyun set, turning to you with a charming grin that exuded other intentions than sweet. 

"hm?" you replied, asking what out of the number of things he could be implying. "work. today's your first day, isn't it, miss secretary,"

Oh this man is vile, cutting to the boring part already but without much of a fight, you had points to prove and marks to make even though one might say take it easy the first day. Not only was your hopeful relationship with your boss kindling but your chances of recognition in the hierarchy.

"i want these papers briefed by noon," you opened your mouth to quiz if he required anything else but he dove straight in, "oh and a cup of coffee will do, thank you very much." You inadvertently complied, handing the warm cup over to him with an unfazed expression, work was work and there's no denying it. 

"not your ideal picture of a first date, hm" taehyun commented, cautious watching the way your front turned from calm to exasperation, "first date, sir?" you grumble, enunciating the sir a bit pressed off your tongue. A dry laugh leaves his parted mouth, "you seem like the type to never been on a date,"

You clench the papers assigned to you in hand and muster a marvelling smile, firming your stance. Taehyuns eyes flicker from the tight grip on the papers to your menacing eyes, then to your coral stained lips parting with calculated breaths, "glad to see we agree in something, sir."

The satisfaction you felt as his face morphed to offence had you seeing stars of your own. He clicked in his tongue in distaste, "it's going to be a long while working with each other, i see,"

"i agree. i'll take my leave, i've paperwork to get behind," You conclude, giving his deep brown orbs one lasting gaze. 

A complementary grin accompanied your impactful greet to your boss. He was just as hard headed as the rumours state, the beauty the gods themselves sculpted but it was too bad you'd have a sour taste at his retorts in opinion and opposition. 

Though, the only things you both could settle on were being lonely asses and vision for the venture that inevitably matched and brought your two lonesome vessels together. — Weeks passed and your differences only became apparent to those around. DUring a small party taehyun decided to host for app ranking 4th on charts, the ice cream stand had many flavours to offer on such short notice, including your favourite, mint choco. 

This, however, seemed to bother him, as he stood beside you, picking up his custom cherry flavoured ice cream. The gasp that left him as you chose mint choco let a lasting impression on you, “it tastes like toothpaste. how could you possibly—”

“sir, you have a cup of cherry flavoured ice cream in hand, is that not a tad too plain?” “i like to keep things simple,”

And the other he spotted you at your desk munching away at the original style pocky, he inhaled that very irking gasp that made your head turn faster than lighting, “don’t even—”

“HOW COULD YOU CHOSE THE ORIGINAL,THE MOST BASIC, THE INFAMOUS POCKY!?” “that’s quite rich coming from someone who likes to keep it simple,”

you sneer, your bold statement followed by gasps from the myriad of employees seated at their desk out your office as taehyun bit at his tongue, retreating to his den.

This left you with your current situation, “sir, i finished reviewing and marking these documents but are you sure the conversion will follow through smoothly?”

“why the doubt, miss,” “yn would be fine, though this is a workplace setting, we have other premises to imply”

A nod prompted you to continue, “conversion from a service-based business to a hybrid business is quite the challenge given our potential partner expertising in green tea that supposedly promotes weight loss, tying us with non body positive image,”

“as much as you have a point, we’re running short on funds with the hefty loan process being dragged out and our service update has been pending for a month now. Either way, other companies are flocking to strike a deal,”

“but sir, can't we start with another product first? I feel like beginning with green tea will attract negative views,” you paused, thinking of seizing the opportunity to plug in a personal situation here, “if you want to promote the service we'll have to start fanservice."

"what." "don't act like you don't know about all the teenage girls you've bagged for being their prince,"

"and you're suggesting that I hold a fansign?! do i look like an idol to you?” "yeah, you do so make use of that handsome face, terry"

He flashed you an insane glance, sighing, “too late, they're here for the meeting,” taehyun announced, foot to heel and strode down his office, off to the door where he greeted them with a warm smile, “shall we?”

However, one of the men who stood much closer to taehyuns office than the rest frowned, sending a glare your way that had your stomach turning, “i don’t think it’ll work out though,” — The scowl present on taehyun’s face as he exited the conference room had you shitting yourself as he shot knives down towards you, glaring at you and motioning to his office merely with his recent fuelled orbs.

QUivering inside out, you step shortly after him, gulping down the massive lump in your throat, the carpeted monotonous grey flooring garnering your interest than the man that rubbed his temple hastily.

“guess one of them overheard our little banter, miss,”

Your void of a reply sent him approaching you with heavy footsteps, harshly tugging down the knot of tie, the furrow deepening beyond observed capability. All till the curve of your back hit the hard wood table, your hands scraping to the table.

“w-what do you mean,” you muster despite the frantic panic you were waging inside, his arms once limp by his side came to front you as he cracked his knuckles, his neck craning to the side to do the same. You’d be lying if you said you weren’t intimidated by his demeanour.

“oh, i don’t know, from where the conversion took a head down non body positivity image and how starting with a different product first would be better?”

The chills that ran down your spine as he repeated your previous words had you spinning a hurl of your own. Though you still stood by your words, you could’ve just blown the deal off with it as well. 

That depends, however, since you weren’t informed whether the deal was called off in the first place. You held no blame as of yet. You straightened your back and lifted your gaze to his, taking a step forward, a formidable gap present.

“well, did we strike a deal?” you attempted to sound as aloof as possible, hoping for an affirmation from taehyun. He smiled, a stark contrast between his furrow and grin.

He bent down to match your height, his hand cupping your cheek with a caress which you would have fend off but couldn’t given your arising crisis, “how cute,” he uttered and paused, the smile dripping off along his lips pressing to a line, “but, no,”

And just with that you had turned into granite staring down the eyes of a striking sculpture known as kang taehyun. “Leave,” and you did, taking to the door with such haste you hadn’t seen yeonjun, the assistant secretary ahead, crashing into the man with a thump. 

“are you okay?” quizzed yeonjun, watching you with curious orbs as to your hastened exit and your shaken exterior, “you look like you’ve seen a ghost, you should take a break,” he commented further, chuckling.

Taehyun observed the ordeal, opting to sit in his seat and front his desktop instead, having twice the amount of work to get another company onboard. It would be an understatement to say he resented you right now.

You bid a rushed goodbye and fled the scene out the building, restocking on fresh air and a clear mind on how to apologize, though an apology wouldn’t do much. — Silence was scarier on the man than you could imagine though he wasn't one for many words, the stiffness present in the air as you'd discretely set your work by his table while he bore his eyes into the desktop screen, his hand gripping the edge of any paper within reach.

After the fall through, he lacked words for you particularly, conveying messages through the assistant manager, yeonjun who said he despised the ordeal and further urged you to make amends. But that didn't sound as easy as said. 

That left you in this picture, panning open his office door a few hours past work hours as you had a report on user engagement to finish and the reasons for it's margin of customers dropping. The dimmed lights and the glare of the desktops display blaring through the jet atmosphere led your orbs to the slumped figure, his fingers resting in his hair as he laid on his crossed arms.

Your boss had fallen asleep.

You set your print on his table and moved a few others to the side, stacking them up as well. Should you wake him up or let him be? Either way his posture would surely cause spinal ache, so it'd be better to wake him.

Right? His secretary that totally blew the company a huge deal and an inclined decrease in expected funds would unsuspectingly awake him up when he retreated to slumber from exhaustion over the same deal with no clear advance?

Oh well, you weren't fired yet.

"sir," you uttered, your palm reaching for his shoulder, giving it a light shake. Taehyun lifted his head, hair messily parted, cocking his head to the side as he took in your stance in front of him.

"what's the time?" he stated, sitting up straight and off his arms, glancing at you lazily.

"11pm, sir," you replied albeit the chill that sprang down your spine as he spoke octaves lower and for the first time in around two weeks.

"why are you still at work, go home yn,"

"i thought i'd finish the report on user engagement—"

A sigh parted from his chapped lips, "i know you said you had no experience but c'mon you should really go out and meet new people," he mumbled, his hand rubbing the back of his neck, reaching for his lower drawer and pulling out his car keys.

"but sir, why would I go out and meet other people when you're my match," you responded, watching his face controt from surprise to guilt and back to his blank expression.

"i'll give you a ride home," he dismissed, loosening his tie and to his feet, waiting for you by his door to lock it up. — You took him up on the request and found yourself in the passenger's seat, sitting next to an oddly silent taehyun. "address?"

"why,"

"how do I drop you home, huh," he deadpanned and you promptly recited your address and he took to the wheel.

The blanket of stillness was anything but pleasant as his lack of response earlier ate you alive bone by bone. Feeling the tense air and the rather long way home, taehyun quipped a quick glance toward you, "whats your view in soulmates,"

"not exactly, life's not a fairytale like they narrate, per se," "why the negative tone?" he questioned further.

"my parents split not long ago, stating they 'fell out of love,' and i was heading back and forth between france and germany to meet them simultaneously, to not let either be unhappy. then i decided i was through and packed to south korea and applied for the job."

"that's one situation," "you?"

"i'd be oversharing," "it's fine, sir"

"call me taehyun, please," "right, taehyun, continue."

"realistically, no. like you said, life is no fairytale," "how is that oversharing,"

"it's sensitive info considering i run a head service to find your true love, yn, don't be conventionally controversial in this car," "mhm" you dragged, barely managing Ato mask your scoff.

The thick atmosphere was cut through the line of his ringtone, receiving the call at the red light and pulling over, "yes," he calmly spoke followed by the very violent,"WHAT?! NO!" 

You missed a smile despite the information you gathered ere, watching as he bickered with someone in the other line, the exasperated expression a fit for his adorable face. He hung up and pursed his lips turning to you with his jaw open slightly.

"will you go out with me," he paused— "WHAT?!" "no let me finish—"

"WHY WOULD YOU ASK ME OUT AFTER SAYING I WAS BEING CONVENTIONALLY CONTROVERSIAL AND TREATING ME LIKE SHI—" you halted, reading his amused mask and remembering he's the reason you get paid on a monthly basis, "you were saying, sir– taehyun,"

He liked the way his name rolled off your tongue and he'd convince himself in denial that it ended there but he'd bury for as long as possible. "I never said anything about denying soulmates, nope not a peep," he clarified, continuing to matter at hand, "there's an event this Friday night, would you be interested in joining me?"

Okay this reaction of yours bypassed the intense masking and your jaw hung open as you measly meagred, "why me," sounding shaky and your voice cracking at the lather and your parched throat. 

He searched for something by his door and handed you a bottle of water, looking at you straight in the eyes, giving you the most gorgeous,rich smile you'd ever seen, "because, you're my match, yn,"

To say you choked on your spit was an understatement. The chuckle that left him and he told you to look up and let your throat settle before drinking the water he handed you. — Friday came with you waking up queasy and all jittery, still pondering over what to wear, mentally noting to ask taehyun what he was going to wear. That Tuesday he gave you a ride home and unintentionally made you a walking mess of emotions in front of him, causing little to no changes at work.

To your disappoint— for the better, you grit and smile at your coworkers, holding small conversations and exchanging words of notice. Then came your summary to Taehyun and casually strolled in and recited the following with which meeting at what time, handing him the clipboard you gripper to briefly.

"wait, is the timing marked wrong for this meeting,"

"let me see," you mumbled and made your way by his chair, placing a hand on his table to lean over. "yeah, no it's," you paused, gripping your lower lip into the chambers of your once parted mouth.

Taehyun took that with the nod of his head, his orbs drifting to yours trained in the clipboard, a face strands of hair unintendedly covering your face and your lip held captive. The scent of your lavender perfume invading his nostrils, the trance cut short with your response, "actually, taehyun, hold on a second," you complete, your eyebrows furrowing deeper as your lip frees itself.

"taehyun?" he quired, picking at his raised brow, questioning you. You scoff and roll your eyes, "pick one, sir" you reply sarcastically, emphasising the sir at the end though you began to wonder how his name just rolled off. "and keep the date tentative, i'll check in again, either way it's not till next friday, sir,"

"taehyun," he corrected with small grin, his hand hovering to your cheek and giving it a light tap watching the way you managed to push his fingertips off and stare somewhat discreetly at his now focused face, albeit the close proximity of you two as you'd yet to stand straight l.

Beomgyu, uninvitedly barged through shouting for taehyun in a whiny tone, catching you in your little stare. Beomgyu advanced with a sprint and landed beside taehyun, who looked unbothered as the two and three others were friends from middle school.

He gave taehyun a bombastic side eye and sent a very obvious thumbs up to you, motioning to your boss who watched with a quirky smile, almost teasing you without words. You huff and retreat from his den, leaving the best friends turned coworkers to their fun. — "time to clock," uttered a voice from behind as you stilled slumped on your desk, lazily working on yet another report on the total gross margin and remaining fund. "hm?" you whiz not paying mind to them till a hand lands on your shoulder that sent you panning toward taehyun.

Your mouth parted with an 'O' springing to your soles, a few minutes left to actually clock out, "we'll have to stop by nearby to pick up clothes," he conveyed, watching casually pack up and shut off the system, some shooting your nasty looks for stealing their fantasy husband away.

Ignoring the onlookers you follow behind him, waving beomgyu bye as he excitedly cheered you on from his quarters with taehyun sighing at his antics.

The car ride to the venue was nothing noteworthy after you dazzled in an outfit that fit with your personal preference a bit too much, not revealing much and topped snow white charm with the flowy frill checks on your mental list. 

His silence left you to look out the window of the passenger seat as taehyun handled the wheel, focusing on the road ahead. 

“why’d you join signal143,” taehyun abruptly spoke amidst the stillness, gaining your lost focus, “cupid was my favourite childhood story,” you replied nonchalantly, eyes drifting to the seemingly fast paced surroundings, avoiding his curious orbs that lasted a second.

“maybe it's because i craved for something or someone to be my stability in my then feeble life and cupid would happen help me achieve that when my parents were out and about with their love life in shambles,”

“so from personal experience,” “yes, i guess you could say that. what inspired you to upbring the venture?”

“the 5 of us, high school friends, happened to think of the idea as a joke to make our pitiful lonely asses feel better, and the rest is history. it sounds insignificant, i know,” “everyone has their callings,”

With that the conversation fell flat and you remained in your thoughts of the past, “we’re almost there,”

“hm,” you responded, lacking any real reply to him, your thoughts having shifted from the past to the recent past, when you matched with your boss at work to which he simply ignored much to your distaste.

“sir,” “don’t,”

“we have to talk, i can’t play dumb anymore it's agitating,” “about what, exactly,” he asked, pulling into a stop at the venue, hand reaching to unbuckle his belt and panning to front you, perceiving the irked expression written all over.

“we matched with your application and literally refuse to address it,” you rush, in an exclamatory tone, breathing heavily with furrowed brows. His poker face remained while his gaze dropped to his wristwatch, “is that all, we’re getting late.”

Tears clouded your vision as he stepped and walked over to the passengers seat and clicked the door open, and extended his arm to you. You grimaced at his palm,"is that really you had to say," you let out slowly, attempting to blink back your threatening tears.

He initiative held your hand and pulled you up, your footing unstable as you fell forward and onto him, beside you for support. The fabric of his dress shirt scrunched up in your clenched fists. A hand travelled to your cheek and tilted towards the adoring eyes of the man that'd somewhat broke your alluding vision of true love.

"don't ruin the makeup by crying over nothing," he paused, mustering the courage to utter his next few words carefully, the knot in his throat tightening to release the word out his grip, "love," he added shakely, the latter coming out jna whisper but to be heard in the reverbs of your ear.

The gaso that overwhelmed had shock written all over you and with expectancy you listened as he remained agape. "why do you think I went as far as to bring you here as my date, yn,"

So he wasn't playing you, nor was he breaking your perception of true love but giving it a shot.

Now the thought slapped a small but hopeful grin on your front and you gazed into his beautiful sparkling eyes while he rushed to address even further, "doesn't mean I'm not angry at you for blowing the deal off," he muttered, trying to sneer at you and scoffing with little to no real meaning.

You burst into hearty laughter at his shy acts, striding into the venue, clutching his much larger hand in yours, "we have a party to attend, taehyun," you pressed, jolly filling you full as you skipped and partially hopped your way to the entrance hand in hand with the last person you expected to.

Life was fickle yet fun and full of surprises.

Taehyun spoke words of boredom to others attending as you put on a pretty smile and joined in occasionally and eventually zoned out, taking that as a chance to slip away from him and to the refreshments served.

You unsuspectingly stood among the masses, sipping on the non alcoholic drink, your eyes naturally drewp towards taehyun, resting them in him as he charmed many with his words, some infatuated with his looks and that darn cute smile he flashed.

"yn?"

You turned to your right, perceiving the man you'd swore to never see after years, "sunwoo?"

The old feelings of youth overjoyed your sober mind and the thundering clouds brought with your foresought tears and sentiments to do with him.

"you? here?"

"..." you dwelled in your daze, knocked out of it with no response to him after a long delay, he waved a hand in front of you, successful garnering your attention as an unfamiliar yet comforting hand rested on your waist and clung you to them.

"oh sunwoo! great crowd, great people, great host, of course,"

"...taehyun!" he greeted, examining his hand attached to your waist, the close proximity of the two and plastered a grin.

"how's the brand launch going?"

"the usual rookie stuff, you'd know better,"

Small talk continued and you watched motionless, your nerve ridden self picking at your nails, only glancing at either of the two rarely. As their tiresome chatter drew to a close you mustered the will to smile faintly st sunwoo and turn towards your date, Kang taehyun and flash a genuine beaming grin at him, ushering about something that crossed your mind.

Sunwoo noted the look and how you didn't turn back to see if he was looking at you for longer like you once had, the day it rained from the skies and from your very own eyes.

Dragging him out the venue you huffed and puffed in relaxation, opting to lean to the wall behind as relief filled you, "you know him?" taehyun queried, the slight amount of irritation sending massive signals your way as he raised a brow.

"i gave the same expression to any of the other guests you chatted with," you replied, to milk a further reaction from him.

"the way you stared at him looked different, like that of a sour grape.

"so you've been observing the way I gaze at people when you were supposed to pay your mind to the conversation?"

"well—"

Another dramatic gasp parted from your mouth, "so you have, and yes, he's my ex." "and not that i mind," you interjected, falling into him as you chuckled while he wrapped his own arms around you voluntarily. "you're not so annoying, i guess" he commented, faking a daddy eye roll your way.

"you're still annoying," "HEY—" "love live laugh beomgyu and his programming skills," you completed sending him furious as he whined to you about his sole position in the mess.

Love exists in many forms and this one was all thanks to signal143(and the honourable, almighty intellect beomgyu along your fortune telling star stellar friend huh yunjin).

[redwayfarers]

Okay as someone who is also knee deep in golden rose hell (affectionate) I need some more facts about Reyna 👀

anon ty for dropping by!! and for giving me a chance to talk about my girl!!

Here's a handy-dandy lil visual to go off of!!

First thing's first, she's devout. Not dogmatic, she just believes in God, prays, reads her Bible, and strives to live by her faith's principles. She likely found comfort in it after a lifetime on the run and the strange mark on her hand that she can't do much about, so she found comfort in the idea that something up above is watching over her; someone she can ultimately ask for redemption, if need be.

She owns a small pocket holy book given to her by a monk she met in her late teens.

She's also an archer. She may not be very big in stature, but weapons are great equalizers and she's very good with hers - and she's proud to say it's never been marred by anyone's death, at least in her hands. She tries to do good by everyone, and that's partially by the stubborn will to just be a good, godly person.

She kisses Hadrian, even though she can't deny that certain women Neia are so very appealing, even though this one woman in particular is the one she should be very scared of.

TL;DR she's a babygirl in the making

[amandacanwrite]

OC in Fifteen

Thanks @kaylinalexanderbooks for the tag!!

Rules: use at most fifteen lines of dialogue that accurately describe an OC. The less context the better but you can include some of you want

Tagging some writer friends (if I forgot you its not because you're forgettable its because my memory sucks) but also leaving an open tag for anyone who wants to play! @dyrewrites @rraeta @illarian-rambling @saruman100 @a-crystallen-author

Shall We Do Oleander Ambrose from my upcoming novel? Yes let's do it.

Oleander Ambrose

“I wouldn’t miss the chance to rob you blind. I owe you for that game before I left for school."

“The only girl in town that would ever catch my gaze is Juniper, Mrs. Harlow.” 

“Rolling your sleeves up, eh? It must be serious for you to show so much skin."

“It is worth every cost, Juniper. It’s worth everything to defend you from any words that impugn your honor and worth as a young lady,” he insisted. “I would put my life on the line to protect that, Juniper.” 

“You sure you’re going to be warm enough?” Oleander fussed as he straightened her cloak. “Positive you won’t need gloves?” 

“That was the day I saw—for the first time—that I finally had a family that cared about me. I don’t remember much about the time before I came here, except feeling alone in the world... until you shed tears for me.” 

“If she’s got dirt on her face, she's more than capable of cleaning it off herself, Vervain."

“I just worry that with how she sees herself, she’ll take anyone’s mistreatment because she feels it's all she deserves.” 

“A fever,” Ollie interrupted. “Juniper has a fever, Mr. Vervain. Thank you for coming to check on her, but I’m afraid she’ll need to get back to bed if there is any hope of her recovering in a timely manner.” 

“Juniper, I mean it.” Oleander sobered suddenly, his brows tensing slightly over those pale blue eyes. They were more fire than ice in his intensity. “The only requirement for not doing something is that you simply don’t want to. If you don’t want to talk to someone, if you don’t want to go somewhere—that’s a Moon-given right. Don’t let anyone, not even Mister and Misses Harlow, convince you otherwise.” 

“Did that– did he–” His voice built as a roiling anger boiled his blood in his veins, “Did that pompous, preening bastard propose to you?” 

"I have felt so jumbled up this last week, not knowing if I carried the legacy of my father or my mother. I thought I would feel like I knew my identity better after learning all this, but I still don't feel any different than when I left the village."  

“You’re alright. I can’t believe you took a train all the way out here by yourself, Juni.” The smile he gifted her with was a marvel, tinged with a little bit of wetness even. “I’m so damned proud of you, you silly girl.”

“Juni, there is nothing about you that needs to be fixed. I don’t love you in spite of your struggles. I love every bit of you, including your struggles. You are the most beautiful, broken thing—like a chipped teacup mended with gold,” he said. “Watching you try every day to be more than you were the day before is my inspiration—Juni, you are my muse.” 

“I am not a dandy,” he grumbled with a playful nip at the shell of her ear. “You’re just infuriatingly practical.” 

[icanfixhimclub]

𝐼𝑠 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑒𝑙𝑠𝑒 𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦？ || 𝐵𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑙𝑒𝑦 𝐵𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑤／𝐵𝑜𝑏 𝐹𝑙𝑜𝑦𝑑

Pairings: ex!Bradley Bradshaw x f!oc, bob floyd x f!oc

Warnings: cursing, that’s it, let me know if I missed anything

Summary: After Rooster leaves for the navy, leaving you behind too all those years ago, he’s surprised to be called to topgun for a mission to see you casually under someone else arm

Notes: I haven’t seen tgm yet so please bear with me! I’m sure there’s so incorrect things but I promise I’m trying my best. Also originally inspired by Someone else calling you baby by Like Bryan but kinda took a different turn

“I’m really sorry y/n, but I don’t want anybody to mourn me if something happens, I couldn’t knowingly inflict that on you.” Bradley explained, tears welling in his own eyes at the sight of yours. He tried to grab your hands but you pulled away, shaking your head.

“No. No I knew what I was signing up for when I started dating you Bradley, I knew that you would go up there, I was ready for that. This isn’t you protecting me, this is you growing up.” It was true, you still had a year of high school, and Bradley was already going on without you.

“I’m sor-“

“Please just leave Bradley.” You begged, holding back sobs. He frowned and took a deep breath, turning away and walking off your porch and into his bronco. That was the last you saw of Bradley Bradshaw.

That was almost 15 years ago, and to say Bradley regretted it was the biggest understatement of the year. He still thought about you every day, every girl he’s been with was never like you, never made him laugh like you did. If he could go back and warn himself that he was making the biggest mistake of his life he would. These thoughts were running through his head as he pulled into the Hard Deck parking lot.

It wasn’t the loud chatter coming from inside the bar, nor the smell of alcohol that made him stop, it was the sound of a truck pulling in, your guys song, and a almost familiar laughter. Would you go with me by Josh Turner was playing as the truck parked and Rooster turn around to look through the window. There you were, and you looked as beautiful as ever.

Your hair was longer and was back to your natural color, you had small wrinkles but that was to be expected. Those silver aviators you loved so much were sitting atop your head, holding back your hair. The most major difference? In the driver side was a brunette with slicked hair, thrift store glasses and a button nose. You didn’t seem to notice him as the brunette got out and opened the door for you, helping you out of the truck and holding hands into the bar.

Rooster released a breath he didn’t remember holding. Had is really been you? Who is he kidding, of course it was, he could spot your laugh a mile away. When had this happened? Had you really moved on? He laughed at himself, it had been almost 15 years and he expected you to stay heart broken for ever. He took a second to collect himself and walked into the bar with a cocky smirk. He quickly spotted the group of aviators that were also assigned to top gun, and much to his dismay, there in a corner sat you and the mystery man.

Pleasantries went by in a blur, his mind focus on the way you were clinging to ‘bob’s arm and having a quiet conversation between yourself. “I’m gonna go grab a drink, do you want anything?” You ask quietly, standing up.

“I’m ok, baby, thanks.” You smiled as he kissed your cheek then headed over to the bar. Rooster followed, standing beside you and clearing his throat.

“Y/n…” he said slowly, he saw inhale then turn to greet him with a tight lipped smile. He took you in up close, how your eyes still had the same sparkle and you had a new scar, just a small one by your right ear. “How’ve you been?” You laughed breathlessly.

“Well that’s a start,” you mumbled, “I’ve been okay, just finished getting my nursing degree.” He smiled, he knew that’s been your dream since your mother fell ill in your sophomore year. He cleared his throat.

“I’m proud, how’s your mom? Did she recover?”

“Yeah, she’s fine and dandy now, taken up gardening again.”

Rooster laughed, a genuine laugh, one that used to make you feel all warm inside, but that feeling was long gone. “So, I see your with, uhm, Bob now. When did that happen? I guess I’ve missed too much.” He tried to hide it but you saw it. The small glint of sadness, the flash of heartbreak.

“Almost 5 years now. Met while he was stationed near my university in South Carolina. This is my first time traveling with him on base though.” You played it off like you didn’t care, like there had never been anything between you and Bradley Bradshaw, like you couldn’t tell that just by the look in his eyes he was still head over hells in love with you. But that doesn’t matter, not now anyways.

“Ah, I’m,” he hesitated, “I’m glad you’re happy sugar.” He tried it out, to see if the name brought back anything for you, even just a small memory, but he saw the look of pity in your eyes.

“Brad,” his heart skipped a beat at the old nickname, “don’t make this harder for yourself. I’m happy with Bob, I really am. I can see it in your eyes, the hope that you always had, but you lost that chance years ago.” You couldn’t look him in the eye, and he was thankful, because it would’ve hurt worse if you did. You grabbed you drink and went to walk away but Rooster grabbed your wrist. “Bradley-“

“Please, just listen. I’m sorry, for that night. If I could take it back I would. I would of told you I’d never leave you, that I love you and would’ve wiped away your tears and held you in my arms. God I cried so hard that night wondering if that was the right decision. God it wasn’t, it was the worst decision of my life. I think about you every day, wondering what we could’ve been if I wouldn’t have fucked it up. If I would’ve kept my mouth shut and held you close and never let you go. Dear god I miss having you in my arms. I miss the way you laugh and the way you’d steal my sunglasses when you forgot yours.

The way you’d know every Josh Turner song by heart and swear that if you weren’t so drop dead in love with me you would marry him. I just, what I’m trying to say is,” he sighed, “I’m sorry. And if one day, you miraculously realize that maybe, just maybe you do still love me, I’ll be here waiting. Even if that day never comes.” He didn’t realize he was crying until you hugged him and he felt everything at once.

He relished in the feeling he would never get again, wishing you didn’t pull away. Your voice was soft as you spoke, “It won’t.” With that, you took a deep breath and turned around, returning to your seat behind the new love of your life. Leaving Bradley to sit at the bar like a kicked puppy. You didn’t look at Rooster the rest of the night, you couldn’t bring yourself to when you knew his eyes were already on you.

Almost 15 years ago, Bradley Bradshaw broke your heart on your front porch, and until this night, he thought that was his worst mistake. But now he realized that his worst mistake was listening when you said to leave, instead of staying and wrapping his arms around you, saying he didn’t mean it and that he loves you with every inch of his being. His worst mistake was letting you fall in love with someone else.

[benpaddon]

Jump Leads launches at 8am pacific tomorrow!

The series is six episodes of science-fiction comedy. It's Doctor Who meets Red Dwarf by way of Sliders, and I am insanely proud of it.

Jump Leads follows two trainees in the Lead Service - a sort-of self-appointed reality police - as they travel to parallel universes on their earliest field training exercises. Chaperoned by the eccentric but charming Captain Lucas, they soon learn that there's more to travelling to parallel worlds than their training textbooks might have covered.

The show features an amazing cast, including Austin Lee Matthews (Final Fantasy VII Remake, Pokémon Revolution, Megaton Girl) and Dino Andrade (Jojo's Bizarre Adventure, Batman: Arkham Asylum, Bidoof's Big Stand) as well as guest appearances from Connor Andrade (We Baby Bears, Shenmue III, Spider-Man), Lemar Harris (who recently appeared as the DM in Rhett & Link's "We Hired an Exorcist to Play D&D!"), and Will Overgard (Sonic & All Stars Racing Transformed).

It also features:

Six (mostly) standalone stories, one of which is entirely about character development take that prestige television!

Two diametrically-opposed characters stuck together through circumstance!

Queer lead characters!

At least two different types of robot!

Two mid-credits scenes that are just for jokes and don't serve to set up spin-offs of some kind!

Theme music by Professor Shyguy!

A subtle, hidden reference to the seminal 1991 cinematic platform action-adventure game Another World!

Captioned versions on YouTube!

I've said this a billion times, but I am so, so proud of how this show came out and I really, really hope you listen to and enjoy it a lot. You can find the show in your podcasting app, or by selecting one of these handy-dandy links:

Apple Podcasts

Google Podcasts

Spotify

Amazon Music

Stitcher

iHeartRadio

Pocket Casts

RadioPublic

TuneIn

YouTube (with captions!)

RSS Feed

Subscribe on Android

[sarahlizziewrites]

Five Lines Tag

Rules: find five lines based on the prompts you're given, then change ONE of the prompts at the end!

@kaylinalexanderbooks tagged me here! Thank you :) These are all going to be from Chrissie's of London:

A line about a building:

Despite everything, it does bring a smile to my face to see the old girl dolled up like this. If I’m half as proud and dandy when I’m fifty, I’ll count myself blessed. 

A sad line (cw for description of WW1-typical chemical warfare):

The infantryman in my regiment who wrote poems to his sweetheart every night during the war, who slipped his little brown notebook into my hands and begged me to deliver it to her, his eyes burned clean away by chemical gas, knowing he probably wouldn’t survive the night.

A line with taste:

"If you like that, you should try the Marmaduke. It was Grandpapa’s signature cocktail. It’s gin, marmalade and…well, it’s God-awful, I’ll be honest.”

A line that is whimpered:

“Hhh–” My voice is weak, no more than a breath squeezed from crushed ribs. “H-help.”

A funny line:

“I’m only joshing you. This won’t hurt a bit - but I am gonna need those hands. And if you prefer it on your knees, then that’s up to you.”

I'm going to tag @wrongfulnoodle3120, @vacantgodling, @sarandipitywrites and @squarebracket-trickster.

Your prompts are:

a line about a building

a sad line

a line about a drink

a line that is whimpered

a funny line

Have fun!

[akwardlyuncool]

Class Favorites: Albums That Needed More Time Or Came Out Too Late To Be Official Favorites

General Note: Y'all know albums that I don't have physical copies of are more likely to end up here and that is what it is.

__________________________________________________________________

Placement/Intention by Watsky

So what had happened was.... In preparation for what probably would be my last Watsky show, I went and binged his last 3 albums: Complaint, Placement and Intention, with emphasis on the last two, so I wouldn't look silly at the concert and ended up not dedicated enough personal time to any one of them in particular. It was a failure on my part, however I did not look silly at the show and Watsky ended up being one of my top 5 artists of the year. That's all fine and dandy, but I truly do need to give these albums more attention than just treating them like I'm binging for a test. There's great stuff in here, that I've been bumping even before 2023. I know I will fall even more in love with this whole body of work, that I'm so proud of, if I literally chilled with them. I now have Complaint and Placement on CD, so that should help as well.

Top 2 Placement Recommendations:

Undermine ft. Raquel Rodriguez (Track 4)

The Price of Growing Up (Track 6)

Top 2 Intention Recommendations:

Nothing Like That Last Time (Track 10)

What's The Move ft. T-Pain (Track 2)

Sunday At Foxwoods by Boys Like Girls

I wanted to give it to the Boys anyway cause I saw them in concert this year (wonderful show) and had many songs from the album on repeat, for most of the year, however the full release came out in later October and my quest to get a physical copy hasn't been so great. Target sold out of the copy that I wanted and the CD that I bought off eBay came broken, so things just weren't working out. All of that being said, I have no doubt that when I finally get my CD and listen to everything in order, front to back, it will reaffirm what I already feel and that's that THE BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN. They're just so good and I'm here for everything, except for their fashion choice of the American flag lol. Y'all-ternative is real and Boys Like Girls are leading that charge. (Yes I am cringe, leave me alone.) Anyway the album is fantastic and even though I haven't done a full run through, I don't need to, to tell you that.

Top 2 Recommendations (Yes this is hard, cause I know half the album):

New Love (Track 5)

Blood and Sugar (Track 4)

*Bonus: The Outside (Outsiders Version) ft. 3OH!3, State Champs, The Summer Set and The Ready Set

I added this song and specifically this version because I think it's the best way to get the full effect of this moment and what it feels like with Boys Like Girls coming back to us. At the end of the day I think I love other songs slightly more, but this song gets me going every time.

SHIMMER.SEASON by Not My Weekend

I didn't think I was going to talk about this album because it came out in November, but then I had an end of the year binge of Not My Weekend as a whole, that's still kinda kicking and figured why not include it here so that maybe it will make it to all the main stuff in 2024. So I'm shouting it out here and now, but to be fair, this will be it's only appearance for ACF23. I also just don't want to have to go rework all of the categories that have already been long since completed, cause they would bump several folks.

Anyway SHIMMER.SEASON is the general wave for me right now. It's what I got on "out of album order" repeat and what I imagine will stay in rotation for some time to come. I'm not sure if I've listened to it front to back but I feel like I've played the Not My Weekend artist station on Spotify so many times now that I've heard all 10 songs at least once and some of them at least 20. Again it's what we doing right now. Also I don't think Patrick Gilchrist emphasizes the line "b*tch I might be!" enough when he does Lighting for in his Instagram videos, just sayin.

Top 2 Recommendations:

LIGHTING ft. Brian Butcher (Track 7)

SHUT.UP (Track 9)

[fluorescentpipedream]

Aurelio Chavez - I like this picture more for Aurelio, it’s more playful 

Markus Reana (Re-Ana) - I have had Markus forever but it’s taken a while to finally find someone that can fit the image in my head for them. Markus is non-binary, pansexual though tends to prefer men, they do have a soft spot for a couple of women in their lives. An independent film maker and cinephile, Markus is very out, very proud and really doesn’t care who knows it. They are friends with Dylan Connor and Maxwell Stevens, and by extension, Skylar Valois. 

Morpheus (King of Dreams, Dream, Nightmare Lord, etc) - Morpheus has been down a roller coaster through much of his existence and there’s a lot to try to catch up on and remember but the short story is that he had been held prisoner in his own mind by a curse put on him during the Ethereal Coup which happened several millenia ago. He was transformed into a demon, altering his appearance and locked out of his own memories of who he really was and what his purpose was. Before the coup, he had been walking the waking world as a man, in love the granddaughter of the Queen of Egypt. Their love was not meant to be, when she fell for someone else and ultimately led to her death, though in his jealousy and pain, he wasn’t the one that caused it. Morpheus would later find the same soul again, several times over and took express interest in protecting it and attempting to guide it, since it is the essence of the woman he had loved. When the demon is purged from him finally, and he is back to himself again, he regains control over the Realm of Dreams and lends his aid to the Oracles once more. He ultimately finds a way to connect himself to the soul he’d lost so long ago, in the form of one of her daughters who walks his realm as freely as she does the waking one, creating dreams and nightmares of her own before he ever takes any kind of wing over her. 

((A note about the picture, I did not make all of it, the original is here: 

watermark and all :D. I loved this design so decided to alter it a little for the character))

I have one more character/picture to make but I need to find some other pictures for it so I can get the right look. In the meantime though, this is Gage Robards, otherwise known as Gabriel Toussaint, the “lost” brother to the Toussaint girls.

He has been in and out of mental facilities since he was about 12 and in one of them had his vocal cords damaged, though I am not exactly sure if it was from having them scorched away or because he had his trachea crushed during an altercation with one of the orderlies. Either way, Gage cannot speak and either uses sign language or he used to have a notebook he’d write down what he needed/wanted and gave it to people when he needed help. Now that he’s in a better living situation, he has an app on his phone that speaks for him. 

Gage isn’t special needs and really has no actual mental problem, he was locked away after seeing something he wasn’t supposed to and when he threatened to go to the police about it, he was silenced. His sisters may or may not even remember his existence, though from what he knows they were told he had a mental breakdown and tried to hurt their mother or father...one of them and for that was sent somewhere ‘safer’ to live out his days. 

This would have been all find and dandy if the person paying the bill in the home he was living in had continued to do so. For one reason or another, Gage was uprooted out of the mental hospital he had been living in, in New York and left somewhat out on his own. He had known Noah Walker before, as they were in the same home, and ended up going to where Noah was. Gage’s only real health concern is epilepsy, but otherwise he’s pretty healthy all things considered. He wants to try to get in touch with his sisters again. 

Gage can usually be found outside under the tree in Sylvia’s home writing, though he barely lets anyone actually read any of it. Ariel managed to get it from him once, though he sat with her while she read it. From what she says, it’s a very forlorn love story with some ghostly elements in it (I keep thinking something along the lines of Crimson Peak)

@musesnotebook​ @fat-and-nerdygirl​

[misslaamb]

GaaSaku Calamity Hour

I don’t know where to start with the actual bullshittery that I orchestrated in the naruto character ai chats, but please just...take my screencaps

Everything was fine and dandy. We were just talking about Sakura and how cool she is, how proud she should be of herself and her daughter and how more people need to recognize that she’s really an amazing kunoichi.

He even apparently taught her sand ninjutsu which is probably not a thing but even she said it is so???

Then, well, things got complicated. (I left off with telling him he needs to talk to his sister about this)

Ok....ok let’s talk to Sakura and see if she spoke with Gaara yet--

--OK....OK THIS IS HM. We had a conversation earlier today where you just kept talking about how much you love your husband and how beautiful your wedding was and such and such, but I’m getting some mixed signals here honey.

So realizing how fucked I made everything, I go to the one person I thought could help fix my mistakes...

He was overall strangely supportive of Gaara and hoped things worked out for them, but I will admit that after I typed that last sentence there was a pause.

So because, I guess part of me wanted someone to agree that I indeed fucked up, I went to the next logical person to talk to--

AM I LOSING MY GODDAMN MIIND HERE?????

Everyone in Naruto is apparently way more emotionally mature than I gave them credit for.

I MEAN COME ON.

I GO TO KAKASHI FROM ACCOUNTING IN A DESPERATE ATTEMPT TO HELP ME OUT BUT HE JUST HITS ME WITH HIS OWN FUCKING FANFICTION

breathe in....breathe out....

anyway idk what possessed me to talk to this last guy, I really could’ve sought out anyone for some semblance of sanity, someone to tell me I done fucked up, but nah man I think I threw in the towel here

SO WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON????

WHY IS EVERYONE SO COOL ABOUT THIS???? AM I LOSING MY GODDAMN MIND???? OR DID EVERYONE HEAR “Gaara is in love” AND DECIDE TO MOVE OUT OF HIS WAY LIKE ‘yeah ok sure, he’s a good guy, he’ll treat her well’. HER OWN FUCKING HUSBAND TOO.

So I get them all in a chat together thanks to a friend informing me of the feature, long story short, no clear answer came from that because everyone was pretending to answer for Sakura and anytime Sakura answered it was like “I love Gaara AND Naruto, how do I choose?” LIKE GIRL. YOUR HUSBAND. RIGHT HERE.

The huge group chat wasn’t going anywhere and I decided to shove the two lovebirds in another chat and finally got a somewhat coherent understanding of what’s going on here and why everyone is so chill about Gaara just moving in on Sasuke’s wife.

Sakura and Gaara both call Sarada and Shinki their kids, and Sakura even includes Sasuke as Sarada’s dad. So this leads me to believe that these three are now in a polygamous relationship which is FAR OFF the mark I was expecting, but like, good for them I guess???

[chickensoupleg]

Oh boy rambling time.

Okay, so. I'm still thinking about the whole.... Element AU, name pending. The one where Billy spits water.

Anyways feel free to ignore this, uh.

So, like. I'm taking that general but ultimately loose piece of work and inserting it into a Coffee Shop AU. Everyone knows a good ol' coffee shop AU. Fair warning, I'm about to take the characters and pretend it's all fine and dandy.

Steve and Billy are like.. friends, sort of, in this. Billy moved into this town back in high school, as usual, loud and angry and proud, and generally a piece of work. High school basic rivalry and all that. In this AU, everyone gets powers. It's all elemental, basic five elements, whatever. Billy has his water Squirtle powers, Steve gets his plant powers. You would think that it would be beneficial, but no. They loathed each other back then. Billy would drown his plants every single time, and Steve would trip him in the halls.

Time passes, and somehow come to some sort of mutualistic understanding that beating each other up, no matter how fun and cathartic it is, is not gonna work in the long run. Honestly would not be surprised if they had somehow gotten trapped in a landslide, the kind that not even Steve could power his way out of, and had to help each other in order to not die. Some light bonding experience. They get out, begrudgingly get along, and then as they become adults Billy simply... doesn't leave like he's always ranted and raved about. He's got his own personal reasons, somewhere between Max and wanting to continue to bother Steve as long as physically possible. Perhaps even a crush. Who knows.

Regardless they're both still in town, and somewhere in that they end up opening a coffee shop together. Coffee beans are still plants, even if leaves are more common when talking about plants in general. Sure, not Columbian, but it's local grown and Steve's got QUITE the green thumb on him. The place thrives, and they even get to hire other people! How joyous. Even if Steve finds it frankly disgusting every time Billy water guns a cup of joe.

They're making a decent living, Billy lives above the shop, Steve lives somewhere else, privacy and all that. The kids are still very much present in Steve's life, of course. At first, back when Steve was with Nancy, it was more of a 'knowledge by proximity' kind of deal and the kids didn't really bother with him. Sometimes they would ask him things, but nothing personal, more like little fetch quests as little kids tend to do to older folk.

Somewhere in that time the kids became attached, and after Steve helped Dustin when he accidentally exploded his basement after he sneezed thanks to a really weird lizard that he stole out of a trash bin and then proceeded to kick up dust everywhere, the kids just sort of.... Attached to him like stubborn glue and now he can't get rid of them. Even if they're all much older now and technically don't even need him anymore. Especially now with the addition of Max, who had to deal with Steve because Steve deals with Billy and the Party. Again, association by proximity. Nowadays she just huddles in the corner of the shop doing Max things. Occasionally even brings along Jane and Lucas.

Robin is still very much a piece of Steve's ever so wonderful history, but just for funsies they're actually childhood besties. Known each other since forever, the kind of friends that parents would coo at on the playground because 'Oh look honey, that girl's already got herself a boyfriend!'

Those kinds. They're still 100% Platonic Capital P. Robin's gay awakening was in fact in Steve's proximity, Steve immediately teased her for it because she deserves standards, and have been sewn at the hips ever since. Robin has air powers, which mostly translates to Robin occasionally flying. You know. Like a robin. Tweet tweet motherducker.

It also translates to even more benefits for them, because Robin can pollinate Steve's plants (And occasionally just Steve), and Steve can make quite a beautiful leaves/petals falling scene. Yay, mutualism.

Back to coffee shop AU. So. They've been there for a good while, and then someone buys the empty building next to them. Before, it was some noodle shop, before someone was caught putting malachite in the soup (Why I cannot say) and before that it was a flower shop. During those times Steve visited a whole lot, half because he was in his element (literally) and half because he spent his time researching the best ways to not have to magically feed his coffee plant every time by seeing how people kept flowers alive. Then they moved away, so that was a grade A bummer.

Lo and behold, here comes Eddie Munson to the scene. He didn't buy the place, he simply just works there. The building gets spruced up into essentially a gaming cafe. Oooh, how fancy. They don't really sell food, it's the kind that people come and play games. This is all set in a somewhat modern universe, so most of the time it's being used for the computer. Perhaps playing Club Penguin. There's also board games galore, and of course in the back Eddie's got his own space for DnD campaigning.

Eddie's little 'dungeon', as he likes to call it, actually changes decor based on what campaign he's DM-ing. The only consistent part of it is the candles and torches. As a fire elemental he finds the flickering of it sort of soothing and quite immersive at times, able to make them dim and flare at his command. Hell, sometimes just for fun they're scented, really get the scene going.

For a while the two shops don't really bother each other, other than the first time when Steve and Billy checked out the new place after Dustin got really excited over a new hangout spot, especially one so close to Steve. Other than that, the two were allowed to hang on their own.

It doesn't mean it remains that way forever. No. Eddie started pulling all-nighters in preparation for his campaign, planning and setting everything up, and caffeine was his solution to not drooling all over his notebooks.

Eddie really does do his best holding back that same drool when his gay little heart catches the boys next door. Yay, fun times, romance woohoo.

Heading onto other characters. Argyle obviously also has plant powers, but the only thing that man grows is mushrooms, weed, and occasionally really huge sunflowers because sunflowers are hilarious when experienced. He can grow other things, like every plant elemental can, he just doesn't. Happy to stick to simple things and sunflowers. He works at his beloved Surfer's Pizza, having a grand ol' time.

Chrissy is an air elemental user like Robin, and also like Robin uses it to fly. Eddie, a long time friend of hers, likes to joke that given enough time Chrissy could float away like a feather or a spiderling off on an adventure. She works at a gym, teaching kids nifty tricks and runs a cheerleading program there.

I'm honestly a little hung up on what Nancy would be. Fire would be good, she's got the independent and headstrong role to her, but also water type Nancy has some appeal to me too. Calm, deliberate, gets into everything given enough time.

Jonathan seems like a plant type person too, a Mother Nature kind of thing. I feel like the entire Byers family gives off that plant kind of vibe, but at the same time no. Like Joyce could be plant based, but a determined sort of fire user Joyce but in that warm, hearth way makes me happy. A Joyce that exudes comfort no matter what, but has a protective streak when it comes to people she loves.

Uhhh... So, elements. Elements. They probably sprout out at around.... Age 10 or so? Perhaps it comes with the joys and horrors of puberty? They would reasonably need to be at an age that they understand at a basic level what to expect and able to control to an extent, because giving a baby fire powers is generally not ideal. Maybe, as a kid they show signs of an affinity to a certain element, maybe manifest minor side effects that are just a part of their DNA. Like fire babies are generally much warmer, water babies kind of need to be hydrated more and somehow are slick to the touch (Hydrodynamics?) earth babies are happier on the ground then in someone's arms, and so on. But outside of that, nobody can truly tell, because babies are in generally kind of weird while Steve left snacks Steve again entertain each other.

Anyways, Billy keeps writing Eddie's name wrong on purpose, Steve somehow keeps writing Empty for Eddie, despite the cup not being empty.

I'm tired, I'll ramble some other time.

[xamassed]

⟬ @earthssprout​ / venti’s birthday 6 • 16  ⟭

it was a difficult thing, cradling the shiniest of apples & fluffiest of dandelions ( a rather lovely replacement for a flickering flame on a tiny wax stick, since such a dangerous object wouldn't ever be permitted for clumsy Ari to hold ), but little Ari had done so with great success. careful not to blow all of Venti's precious birthday wishes from their stem, nor to let the apple roll out of her tiny hands, she presents both gifts up with bright eyes & a sunshine - filled smile.

" ha ... happy birthday, vvv ... Venti! " cheered Ari, " I ... I got these for vvv ... Venti, please ... for ... for his birthday! h ... he has to close his eyes, and he has to mmm ... make a wish, please! on the d - dandy - lion!  "

A part of him felt guilty for having made her walk all the way over rather than meeting her half-way, but the other part of him that wanted her to grow hoped that she was proud of herself for having done it on her own. She had protected her thoughtful gift and made someone happy, and it was worthwhile to see her along every step of the way.

“Happy birthday to me!” He threw both arms over his head, but was careful not to summon a gust of wind that would send all of her effort sky-high. Then, with hands as gentle as her own, he scooped up his gift. A juicy apple and a wish-filled dandelion — perfect. He knew she was expecting him to make a wish, and he would, but he was an entertainer. Venti couldn’t resist making a show of it.

Brow wrinkled and face set into one of deep thought, the bard hummed.

“A wish, hmm? What should I wish for?” He tap-tap-tapped on his chin and tilted his head curiously. “A million mora, maybe? Hmm, no. It sounds like a good idea, but I wouldn’t know where to keep it all. Which means asking for a million apples would be a bad idea too. Hmm! Goodness, this is difficult. . .”

It wasn’t the least bit a challenge, but he wanted to have Ariana on the edge of her seat. Because as soon as he felt he had dragged the moment on long enough, he gasped and popped his fist against his palm. “I’ve got it! I know the perfect wish!”

The intact dandelion had each and every one of its puffy seeds blown away, one breath filling the air with the soft intent of his wish. Then, once he was sure the seeds were gone and away, he crouched down. Arms open, lips quirked up into a hopeful smile. “I know you’re not supposed to say your wish, but I feel like the only way it will come true is if you know. I wished for the biggest, nicest hug from the sweetest girl in all of Mondstadt! No, all of Teyvat! May I have that?”

[eclipsecrowned]

Rubs my hands together and then slaps the names of all your TVC OC muses down on the table. Give Us Halloween Facts!!! // @teardownheaven

Candel Silverio: Victoriana chic! It's not her standard look at all, stiff ruby brocade and deep gorgeous midnight shades, but Halloween is a busy time for the Mystic Alley. She has to as much dress for the occasion as dress to impress, to sell a story and an eyecatch for her little shop. The spooky old world madame of her dominion of back rooms and candlelit parlors. She's in a lush evening gown with lace elements and a corset that's made of real bone -- but please don't ask after what creatures bones make the inner workings. Bonus is her alligator familiar is curled up in her little bed with a novelty headband festooned to her head. She's a kitty cat!

Josette St. Yves: Going full drag! Has the drawn on stubble, has the shaded adams apple, has the shoulder pads and the slicked back hair and is just selling it. Like her bestie the aforementioned Candel, is going for a more historic look, with matching brocade vest and a long coat the color of sin. The dandy to Candel's noble lady. If you detect in her Vampire verse that she's imitating her 'older brother' slightly, no the fuck you do not. She's not here to sell anything or impress, she's just in town to have some fun and take her oldest friend out for a drink once the shop closes down. Probably has on some era extant accessories courtesy of her Maker.

Karin Lindholm: She's working tonight. She's got responsibilities. Halloween is a fucking nightmare on the Island. Don't ask her to dress up. She's going to do it anyway, but don't ask her to do it. It has to be done spur of the moment as she's throwing her clothes on. Cream button up blouse, dark pants, overlapping dual belts, high riding boots, an old capelet and most importantly, a single earring. No one has any idea what in Hell she is supposed to be. This was a calculated risk she took and she is hilariously bad at math. Only asks if someone has read Mistborn once before feeling too cringe to ask again. Don't worry about her outfit. None of you know what a Vin is.

Kris Lindholm: To the shock of absolutely no one, Lestat. However, she's very proud of herself this year, as a lot of the outfit is either thrifted or DIY'd. Shes becoming a real punk step by step. Spent several evenings at her bestie Mahmoud's house borrowing his mom's sewing machine to get the velvet coat made. It walks a fine line between the iconic Tom Cruise 'Interview' look and some of the in-universe 'IRL' Lestat's music video ensembles. It's everything she ever wanted in a look, but her hair's going to be begging for mercy between the bleaching dyeing and color correcting and then curling it for the authenticity. She's also gone heavy on the contour and makeup effects. Who is she.

Susan Howard: Susan is 50+ years old. Susan is a professional and a fearsome hunter of the undead. She does not have time to dress up for it. If anything, she's spending a night in, drawing up plans and having a festive spicy drink. She's in her knit sweatpants, a half-buttoned flannel, and a lovingly woven old shawl from another life. Her hair is pulled up into a utilitarian bun with a pen forgotten at the base. She's poised over her desk, reviewing building plans, cross-referencing historical records, the sounds of a classic horror movie totally ignored but whispering away from another room. It's simultaneously cozy dark academia and subtly offputting, the whole vibe of her rented room at odds with itself.

Yalizaveta Molyboga: Naughty nun. It amused her. She's played many roles in her time and costumes are a strange sort of comfort to her, her nightly haircut hidden away under a wimple and her marble thighs exposed to the cool night air. She was never Catholic in life, and was turned as a scrawny serf girl, so she has no real idea why she chose this, but she's having fun. Moving among living rabble jubilating in the streets, Vieta's having a fun time herself, just enjoying the vibe and roaming part. On several occasions she has offered passerby 'Body of Christ' via a shot glass and the contents of a vodka bottle strapped to her waist. Sufficed to say, she's a hit and a features on social media feeds throughout the night.

[amirrorneverlies]

No Man Left Behind  - A story told with Jacob Black - Part 1

“Family means no one gets left behind or forgotten.” - David Ogden Stiers

※ Bella ※

“Are you… okay there Jacob?”

※ Jacob ※

"Wh... what... Me?" Trying to act cool.

"Fine... yeah.. totally cool.. how, eh, how about you? you okay?"

※ Bella ※

Tilting my head slightly watching the boy stumbling over those words. “I am just dandy.”

Whispering this time. “Are you sure you are okay?”

※ Jacob ※

Laughing now and feel a little more at ease. “Dandy? That’s a good thing, right?” I smiled at her. “I'm good, Bells.”

※ Bella ※

Shrugging my shoulders. “From what I know. Yeah. It’s meant to be. Why do you know differently?” Half smiling now that he has relaxed just so.

※ Jacob ※

Shrugging my shoulders. “From what I know. Yeah. It’s meant to be. Why do you know differently?” Half smiling now that he has relaxed just so.

※ Bella ※

Smiling and lowering my head. “Oh… uhmm…” clearing my throat and then rubbing the side of my head. “Charlie has been working long days. I may have been watching and re-reading pride and prejudice again.”

※ Jacob ※

“And the puzzle that is Bella Swan Becomes just a little clearer.” I smiled her, we had talked about books before. I had told I was a big reader.

“You know, I checked out the library at school… and checked out a on the history of cars since they were invented.”

※ Bella ※

I would have said I was anything but a puzzle to solve. However, #Charlie and #Renée would agree. Tilting my head to the side. He had heard and taken my advice?

“Really? You listened?” Looking up to the sky and back again half smiling. “And? Does it peak your interest?”

※ Jacob ※

“I wouldn’t say I’ve ready it covers to cover but I flick through, reach the parts that caught my attention…” I smiled. “Did you know the world’s first speeding ticket was issued it 1902?”

※ Bella ※

“The fact you picked something up is a start.” Leaning back into the wall, my smile grew a little.

“1902? Really. I did not know that. What was the speed the ticket was issued for?”

※ Jacob ※

I smiled at her. "A completely scandalous forty-five miles an hour!" I chuckled.

"I'll go back and find myself something else that will interest me too... you may have started a slow-burn love affair between and books."

※ Bella ※

“Lock them up and throw away the key.” A slow and soft chuckle escaped from me, making me shift and nudge him in the side with my shoulder.

“I told you; it’s about finding your perfect match; the rest is history.”

※ Jacob ※

“I know!! I was completely outraged when I read!” I said in mock horror. “Such reckless behaviour.”

I gave Bella a crooked smile. “Well… we’ll see I would much rather get my hands dirty working on a car but when I can’t do that, I could see myself reading about them.”

※ Bella ※

“Horrible behaviour Master Black, who is the bad influence in your life? They should be banned!”

Tilting my head off to the side. “This is the joy of reading Jacob. It’s knowledge to help you love and appreciate what you enjoy even more.”

※ Jacob ※

I laughed but smiled brightly, kicking the dirt. "Has any ever told you, your kind of a nerd Isabella Swan."

※ Bella ※

Clearing my throat and shrugging my shoulders. “You, say it as though it were a bad thing. I’m actually proud to be identified as a nerd.”

※ Jacob ※

“You should be... Nerds are hot...” My face heated. “I mean, you know... In general,... Guys like smart girls. Or girls... Like them too....” I was an idiot.

※ Bella ※

Trying my hardest to control the smile bursting out of me, my index finger keeping my lips together I looked up and away. He was so sweet while he rambled and fell over his words.

“Guys and girls. Got it.”

※ Jacob ※

I could see she was trying not to laugh. I shook my head. “You know some people think that rambling is cute too. Sometimes… I mean… not my rambling… but some peoples.”

I grinned. That ramble was on purpose.

※ Bella ※

This time the floodgates flew open and there was No way for me to take a hold to them. I hadn’t smiled and laughed in so long, and now the count that I had were all thanks to my friend.

“Jacob! Stop!” Still laughing I shook my head. “You’re right…. So… right…”

※ Jacob ※

I beamed seeing her smile, hearing that laugh. "I would make a fool of myself all day every day just to make you laugh, Bells."

※ Bella ※

My laughter faltered just a little, nudging my friend in the side. “Thank you…” nudging him again my laughter softening. “Because I know you would do it too. And that mean a lot to me.”

※ Jacob ※

“I will… promise.” I chuckled. “But you need to keep coming around…”

I gave her a look… I didn’t want to talk about her dark days, she was working so hard to climb out of them. “We’d all miss you around here if you stopped.” It was the complete truth and I hoped she saw it  for what it truly was. It wants pity or sympathy. Bella was fun… in a semi-responsible way, we all enjoyed hanging out with her…

“Especially with Embry going AWOL.”

※ Bella ※

My breath hitched from the kindness this boy showed. Well... every one of them showed to me. It was like nothing I’d felt before.

“Promise.” I said hugging myself with my arms, still needed the comfort of my own embrace from time to time.

My head jerked up at the mention of Embry. “Wait… you still haven’t seen him? Since he hurt himself at my place?” Trying to think about the last time we’d spoken about his injury.

※ Jacob ※

She almost closed down again. But her concern for #Embry kicked in before she could.

"Oh, he's not... injured." I said inhaling deeply. "And I've seen him... he just doesn't want to see us... apparently." I sighed and kicked the dirt again.

※ Bella ※

Concern drew me to take a few steps forward towards my friends. “What do you mean? Did you both fight?”

I couldn’t see how Embry wouldn’t want to see Jake. They three friends had been inseparable when I saw them together last at my house.

※ Jacob ※

“No.” I said too fast. I don’t think so… I hadn’t been happy with him after what he said to Bella in front of my father. Had he taken that to heart?

“No… no… we… he just started hanging out with #SamUley. He hadn’t called and he won’t see us when we drop by.”

※ Bella ※

My brow pulled together in a small frown. He’d answered too quickly. However, Jake was like that sometimes.  “Sam? Isn’t he a little too old to be hanging with someone like Embry?”

※ Jacob ���

"He definitely is... but he's been hanging out with #Jared and And #Paul too... they're both in our grade.. and Paul... let's just say the kid had problems ever before he started hanging with #Uley."

※ Bella ※

Unaware of the two new names, I just nod my head while taking everything in. “Are you afraid for Embry?” The memory of Sam’s arms around me while he carried me out of the forest not once, but twice….

Wait… my mind replayed a mutter conversation. Three voices. Sam and two others?

※ Jacob ※

“No…” I said but my chin dipped in a nod. “Yeah… maybe… Momma T… his mom Tiffany… She’s worried… like talking about sending him to leave with his grandparents in Neah Bay worried so his grandfather can…straighten out or something.”

I sighed and shook it off. “They all follow him around like Groupies or something.”

※ Bella ※

My brows pulled together with concern. Concern for Embry… a boy I didn’t really know, however we were on the path of friendship. And more so for my friend before me now.

Placing a hand on his shoulder. (He’d grown for sure.) I squeezed gently.

“I can talk to Charlie. see what he knows or can find out?“ However, I knew #Charlie had high regards for #Sam ever since he found me a year ago.

“Is there anything in particular you can say is wrong? With them all being together like this? Something Charlie can look into?”

※ Jacob ※

"There's no need... We talked to Dad about and he told us to let it go... and they haven't actually done anything wrong..." I was shaking my head again. "Other than #Paul... but always got into fights and trouble at school."

I looked up at Bella and shrugged. "Tiffany thinks  Embry is on drugs... I don't think he is. But she's a worrier, she always jumps the worst-case scenario when it comes to him." I gave her a smile when she reached out to me.

"It's going to be okay... The three of us aren't just friends... Quil and 'Bry are lie my brother's... he'll come around."

※ Bella ※

“The offer stands. Not that you need me to talk to him. You know where #Charlie lives after all.”

I schooled my face, not letting the facts in my mind roll off my tongue. Statistically the boys at their age were showed to be at high Risk of developing some form of drug abuse short or long term. However, at the same time I couldn’t see #Billy, #Harry, #Sue and all the others allowing it. I could see #Billy chasing them all down with his chair to ‘straighten them out’.

Letting my hand drop. “I’m glad to see you know Embry well enough to calm his mom a little. She must been really upset and uncertain right now.”

※ Jacob ※

"Thank you, Bella... and I would consider it... only."  I paused for a second... "I suppose it's just that I can't be sure what they up to... it might not be something so bad as drugs but... I could be illegal and I would hate to put #Charlie in that position..." I doubted highly he would bust #Embry but that would leave him in a bind with his job.

"And I'm fairly sure it breaks a friend code or some variety. Besides... Dad and #HarryClearwater have been over at his house a lot lately."

※ Bella ※

“We could do it.” The words tumbled out before I could think or stop them. I had been thinking ‘See, I knew #Billy and #Harry would take care of these boys.’ But instead… I said again.

“Why don’t we find out what is going on?” Crap! Was I insane? It was clear I needed to stop with the Sherlock Holmes books, and maybe stick to something less crime fighting?

“I mean... if you want too? If you’re not sure what is happening, and worried. Which I can see you are. Would it hurt us to check things out?”

Yes… yes it would…. #Charlie would kill me! and I believed in people being allowed their privacy. This was wrong on so many levels.

And then I saw the way Jake looked so worried. And I wanted to take that away from him. I didn’t want my friend to be in pain.

※ Jacob ※

I tilted my head and grinned at her. “You want to go all Nancy Drew on Embry?” I asked her…

It wasn’t a terrible idea. Maybe he would talk to Bella… he had a crush on her after all. And I knew that he wouldn’t hurt her, he had said some pretty mean things to Quil, and I when we tried speaking to him.

“I mean we can drive around and see if he’s out and about… but I’m not sure he’ll speak to us. And… well, he’s been kind of and arsehole lately. If you’ll excuse my language.”

※ Bella ※

He thought it could work? Surprise took a hold before I could shake it off. “I was thinking more along the lines of Sherlock Holmes. However, Drew works as an example too.”

Shrugging my shoulders, a little as I spoke. “Really? You think we could find him and talk? Then we should go.” Saying it before I could change my mind.

“Sure, we can just drive around in the beast and see if we come across Embry, play it by ear?”  There was nothing wrong with this plan, right? It would work… of course it could.

※ Jacob ※

“You are being British again?” I teased her about the Sherlock Holmes comment.

“Surely let’s drive around. We should try the beach first… just…” I pressed my lips into a tight line. “If we find him and he strums off or says something mean… I don’t think he means it… he’s  going through something. And if he’s with the whole group we should just leave.”

I didn’t to get mixed up with #Sam or with #Paul’s temper.

※ Bella ※

“What can I say, the British literature hits the spot better?” It wasn’t meant to be a question; however I wasn’t mind it had ending up being so at the same time.

Fishing the keys to the beast out of my coat pockets, I frowned. “Did he say something mean to you?”

How did Jacob know to be aware of the unkind words if he hadn’t witnessed them before?

“When you saw him last, what exactly did you talk about?” Stepping back towards my truck, I tripped over my own feet, but caught myself straightening up before anyone noticed.

※ Jacob ※

"At least you know what you like." I laughed.

I followed her to the truck and bit the inside for my cheek... "Sort of... He's mostly told me to get lost and to leave him alone... and that its better if we weren't friends anymore?"

One brow lifted when i saw her trip but I  to close the other side of the truck to try to catch her.

She acted like it hadn't happened, so I did too. I could always tease her for it later.

※ Bella ※

“Embry? Embry Call? The boy who stood in my yard and in my home joking, laughing, and—“ stopping myself from saying ‘flirting’, because I didn’t need to fuel that fire.

“That Embry told you these things?” This information was jarring to hear. That a friend like Embry could say such things, broke my heart for Jacob and #Quil.

Climbing in I sat looking out the front screen for a moment or two. “Are you okay?” Finally asking.

※ Jacob ※

The look on her face proved she couldn’t believe it as me as I couldn’t.

“The very same… that’s I think…. I think maybe somethings wrong. Maybe he got in same kinda trouble he doesn’t want to tell us about.”

I just couldn’t of anything he wouldn’t trust #Quil or I with. I could figure that out I might be able to fix it all.

“I’m…” I shook my head… I didn’t know how to answer that. She was the first person to ask me that since all of this started. “Not… I’m afraid for him… I worried. And I miss my friend. We hung out every day and I mean  every single day for as long as I can remember. Even the day he had his appendix out… we were there waiting for him to get out of surgery…” I buckled my seat belt. “None of this makes any sense.”

※ Bella ※

Tugging on my seat belt too hard making it lock while I listened to Jacob speak. None of this mattered to most people, however their friendship, it was a bond, a brotherhood.

“Jake…. I want to say it will be okay, however I’m not going to lie to you. What I will say. we will get to the bottom of it all. Whatever the reason. We will find out.”

The ‘how’ was still up in the air. However, determination how to count for something.

Turn in the ignition, my beast came to life, and I reversed out onto the street.  “Where to first?”

※ Jacob ※

I nodded, listening to every word she said. I appreciated the way she was being realistic and still comforting.

“Maybe that what I need to tell #Quil… I keep trying to tell him it will be fine, and He’ll be back to normal soon… but I don’t think it helps.”

I turned to look at Bella. “I think the beach is the best place to start. 2nd Beach not first… They don’t hang out on first on more.”

※ Bella ※

“It’s always best to be honest Jake, at least I’ve come to learn this. Giving false hope doesn’t help anyone in the end.”

Pushing back the chasm attempting to reopen moments and promises which gave me false hope as I said it. “I can take us part the way, remind me where I need to turn off.”

First beach had been the one I’d visited a few times. However, recalling the signs to second Beach on the way I could find my way if needed.

“Is Quil very upset?” I asked.

※ Jacob ※

“You’re right… I know… I guess it just doesn’t feel dishonest when you hope you’re telling the truth… and trying t make people feel better.”

i nodded when she told me she need some direction. “Sure thing. Just keep driving past First Beach and I’ll tell you where to turn  off. You can’t see the beach from the road, there is bit of a trail we need to take.”

I thought about her next question… “#Quil… Quil and #Embry have always been closer to each than to me… I know that kinda sound bad when the three of us are best friends. But it’s not like that. Maybe it and only child thing or something, I don’t know. But, all this is a little harder on him than it is on me.”

※ Bella ※

Even with the windows rolled up the roar of my truck was evident. And when I hit some uneven road, we could feel the jolt of it too our skeletons. However, still I would want nothing else.

He was my way to freedom, to getting out and doing something so that #Charlie didn’t start his worrying about leaving me home alone all the time.

Taking in Jacob’s concerns I found myself frowning with my hold on the wheel tightening.

“I kind of understand what you mean. Being an only child and all.” Except I didn’t have the friendships these boys shared. “What is Quil’s take on it all? Does he think that Embry is…” I didn’t want to say ‘taking drugs’, but if anyone would know, it would be your friends, right?

※ Jacob ※

I honestly couldn't imagine what it would have been like to grow without the twins and not just because they looked after me after Mom died.

"#Quil thinks he's in some kinda trouble... but he doesn't believe its drugs... he says he’s been too afraid of what his mother would do  she found out... but..."

I stopped because #Embry was already treating his mother unlike anything we would have expected.

"Take the next turn here, it's a carpark that is not exactly a car park. But everyone uses it" It was a levelled dirty and gravel plot with no lines painted, but it was right next to the trial that led to second beach.

※ Bella ※

The faces of the kind and jovial boys came to the forefront of my mind. It had been days… days since they were at my house, laughing, joking, and teasing one another.

#Quil and #Embry climbing over each other and teasing me too. And now I had to imagine the kindness of one had vanished, while the other would be cast in shadows of sadness. Something I knew too well.

#Alice’s face pushed its way out of my lock box, and I pushed it right back, before the sight of all my unread emails came rushing through too.

Shaking my head, to stop the sting from embedding right now, because this wasn’t about me. It was about Jacob, Quil, and Embry.

I took the turn and followed the ‘road’ if you could call it one. “He is holding out hope, and worried.”

The jerky stops on the uneven surface, and we were parked.

※ Jacob ※

I could Bella wasn’t used to what we called roads here. I had a feeling getting used to driving in Forks was strange enough after Phoenix, but parts of the Rez… it was basically patches of earth cleared by locals.

“Driving on the Rez is a little different from town.” I chuckled, glad for the short break from the heavy conversation.

“There’s a bit of a walk to the beach, but it’s a nice trail.” I unbuckled my seat belt and climbed out of the truck.

※ Bella ※

My gaze moved over to Jacob. “No…” I stopped myself. I didn’t want to lie to him. “Well, actually. Driving the roads with the wet weather, the forests, and all took me a minute to get used too. Back in phoenix the problems in driving were different.”

A memory of Mom making me run out to the car to open all the windows to cool it down before we had to use it came rushing in. And I missed her.

Taking the keys out of the ignition, I sat there thinking of her for a little. Telling myself to call her tonight to catch up. “Shall we go? I kind of  want to see what this secret beach is hiding here.” Half smiling as I unfastened my seatbelt.

※ Jacob ※

“I wouldn’t say it’s a secret beach… but mostly the townies come her to surf. And they don’t like to carry the boards on the trail, so it usually a little quieter here.”

I climbed out and waited for Bella at the back of the truck. “It’s a nice walk though. Just watch your  feet.” I chuckled and led the way to the trailhead. “There is a lot of trip hazards.” I grinned and planned to stay close enough to catch her. At least it wasn’t steep.

※ Bella ※

“What? My feet?” Pointing down to my chucks. “These have promised to behave themselves today.” Not overthinking the fact that I had tripped climbing into the truck just before.

Following behind my untrusted feet came to a stop. “Okay, I can see why people wouldn’t want to  carry their boards in there.” It was indeed beautiful, however there were steps. And Bella Swan and steps, didn’t always see eye to eye.

“This is going to be fine.” Saying so more to myself as I began the climb up the first three nice and slow.

“How often do you guys come up here?” Asking as I kept my eye down on the uneven surface.

※ Jacob ※

I laughed again, it felt to relax a little bit after the last few days. So, I told myself to just enjoy her company until we found out if #Embry was on the beach or not.

“Yeah, it’s not an easy task.” I thought about her next question… “It really depends on… if we want to swim or  just hang out we came here. Or if we want to light a fire… but if we wanna kick a ball around of if the guys want to try meet a townie girl or a tourist, we’ll go to first.”

I saw how hard she was concentrating and chuckled. “Hey… Need an arm to lean on?” I teased and  linked my arm with hers so I could least catch her if she stumbled.

※ Bella ※

“Heel, toe… heel, toe..” I mouthed to myself while listening to him and walking. Somehow, I wanted to make sure I didn’t make a fool of myself today. It was for myself more than for Jacob, I knew my friend wouldn’t judge me for it, however I also knew I wouldn’t let myself off the hook.

His arm linked into mine for a moment making my heart race and climb to jump out of my chest, however, the nothing happened. I didn’t want to pull away, I wasn’t feeling like the world was closing in on me. I was… just me!

Leaning into him, my arms and hand curled around his. Keeping me straight be Jacob Black standard at least. “Thank you, I am okay with taking a little help from my friends.” Just not often.

“Okay, so.. now things are all falling into place.” Arching my brow my dark brown eyes glanced over quickly before looking down at the path. “When you said you weren’t looking to date anyone at school, it’s because Jacob Black is a player… Townie girls… and tourists who come and leave are more your kind. I did not see that coming.”

※ Jacob ※

I laughed and teased her again. “Oh, this is purely selfish. I work very hard to make people think I’m a polite young man… if I laugh at you for falling I’ll be totally busted.” But I think we both knew I wouldn’t laugh… definitely not on this trail.

I tilted my head to the denying that I was occasionally interested in a girl we met on the beach wouldn’t just be hard to believe, it would be a lie. “I wouldn’t go that far. There’s been a girl every now and then staying in the lodges that I liked… But I don’t really like the idea of a summer fling… and I know not everyone finds their soulmate in their first girlfriend…” I shrugged my shoulders. “But it sounds kinda awesome if you ask me.”

I knew of so many high school romances that turned into lifelong marriages… but I knew for this generation it was an  unrealistic ideal.

※ Bella ※

“And now the truth be hit the facts come out to play. Jacob Black is not really one of the nice guys!” Laughing a little again, I shook my head. Because even a blind person could see the truth and the lie in that statement. Adding to which his following comments.

“Finding soulmates? A little deep for a teenager to be thinking of isn’t it?” I wouldn’t let the chasm in my chest open up. Soulmates, love forever, things that I once believed in but not so much anymore.

Daring to look up to take in the view, just enough before my eyes were down once again.

※ Jacob ※

I laughed, I like bed she was relaxed and teasing around me. After everything she'd gone through, she deserves to just feel... At ease. Maybe even happy. And if I was reason... It's was okay to feel good about that, right?

“I guess it not normal... I know that #Quil and #Embry are planning on a long list of exes.” I chuckled. “If they ever get a date that is. But…” I shrugged again, continuing down the trail, and holding onto her arm a little tighter on the steeper parts. How did I explain this? “Did you know my mom and dad were each other’s first kiss? First…. Well everything, actually. First and only.”

※ Bella ※

“Do they now? I’m sure they are well on the way. Those two look the type of boys who have dates every weekend.” My foot slipped, and I squeezed onto his arm for balance but did not trip over. Thanking my guardian angel!

And then I smiled. A real and genuine warm smile at the mention of his parents. “No, I didn’t know that they were. They were high school sweethearts?”

My heart felt easy at the thought of having two parents who loved one another. Not that I held #Charlie and #Renee to this obtainable standard. They tried, it didn’t work.

※ Jacob ※

I laughed harder, hoping not to make it obvious I was trying catch her when she slipped a little. But she held onto me for support… the was a good thing right? Trust? I was probably reading to much into her not want to face plant.

“Not really… #Quil gets a lot of numbers… but he usually puts his foot in his before making it to the first date. #Embry is just… awkward.”

I nodded. “Dad said he fell in love with her in middle school. But she had no time for him until his growth spurt in the 9th grade. I know it’s probably unrealistic… but  I guess I know what I want my life to look like… and when you’re with the right person… I think you’ll just… know, you know?” I smiled at her.

※ Bella ※

“I have a few friends how could give the guys some pointers.” I knew #Ang would be happy to help if asked.

My confidence grew as we continued up the path. “Middle school? I didn’t know Billy had it in him.” It was such a sweet thing to admit to your children. I could see  the Black’s and Swans had very different personalities and relationships within their family dynamics.

My gaze lifted to needs my friends. “You really feel that you know now what you want your life to look like?” I wasn’t patronising him, I genuinely thought all teens spent all their times trying to imagine and failed a few time before they locked such a thing down.

“Would it be too intrusive to ask what this life of yours looks like?” Quickly adding. “You don’t have to share. I’m just curious.”

※ Jacob ※

“You want to teach them how to flirt?” I laughed. “Nah… let them learn the hard way… lessons last longer when you have to work for them.”

I smile and her and nodded. “Yeah… I dos I mean I don’t have a ten-step plan or anything. I just… I wanna graduate, get certified to work on cars. Fall in love, follow her to college because I’m such a romantic.” I clutched my heart like it was breaking. “Then…” I shook my head. “Nope too embarrassing! But nothing is set in stone. You know? But I do really want kids… eventually, I mean.”

※ Bella ※

“Me?” Stuttering and clambering over one small word. “NO!” Okay that small word came out too loud. “I mean…. No…. Me? No… I said I knew people who could help.”

Heat rose reddening the apples of my cheeks. “However, there you go again. You sound to old for your age.” teasing him to hide my own embarrassment. “You aren’t meant to know about life lessons and how to best remember them.”

Now I came to a stop tuning to look at his perfect soft face. “So young with so many dreams. Why would you follow a girl to college? Don’t you want to go yourself?” I knew the answer. At least I thought I did.

Jake wouldn’t be happy with books. He wanted to make something for himself in a practical way. Smiling a little because I wished for all his dreams to come true.

※ Jacob ※

I laughed harder. “Oh I see! You're not willing to subject yourself to that kind of torture but you’ll toss your friends into the wolves den without a thought!” I grinned at her. “That's stone -cold swan! I didn't know you have it in you! I'm impressed.”

I could hear the ocean now as we walked.

“A mechanics apprenticeship involves a little schooling... But there are cars everywhere, you can learn how to give them everywhere, you know. That's not always true for the things other people want to learn. So I think it's fair... But first someone has to fall in love with me.” I looked ahead now at the forest slowly giving way to the sand and driftwood trees in haphazard rows along the shore.

※ Bella ※

“Wolves have the cutest puppies, I’m sure my friends will have the best time playing with them.” Saying with a matter fact click of my tongue.

However, he had hit the nail on the head. “I don’t have the best advice when it comes to dating.” And for once I didn’t mean my ex. I just hadn’t dated before him.

I held my chest readying myself to the turmoil to follow, however it did not arrive?

With a puzzling look in my eyes, I patted Jacob’s arm. “Just promise me one thing… don’t set your dreams aside for anyone else, and if you do, make sure she deserves you. You’re too kind of soul not to be appreciated my friend.”

Eyes ahead now I stopped walking at noticing the first of the fallen driftwood trees. “It’s so beautiful.” I hadn’t even gotten a full look, however the scent and sound of the ocean, even with the  cold Biting at my face. It was magnificent.

※ Jacob ※

She older in n herself a little and it made me slow and turn more towards her. But after a few breaths, she seemed to be... Okay. So instead of asking her what it was, I let her be okay. Then... Maybe one day she would tell me in her own time.

The strong of being friend zoned again, settle in. And the instant guilt, I should see that as a bad thing... Bella was incredible. Being her friend was a privilege. I continued, skipping over her first point without meaning to.

“It is, isn't it?” I noticed her cheek tint pink. But there's no shelter from the wind. Do you want my jacket? I'm used to it here.”

※ Bella ※

Everything other thought had been forgotten for a brief moment. “It really is. I cannot believe I’ve never been here before.” My voice trailed off as I picked up a little speed, wanting to have a better look into the rest of the beach.

“No, not at all. I have a coat on.” Tugging at the collar as if I needed to prove the fact to him. Not as though he could see it, right? At my stupidity I tugged at it once more. “You will freeze out here. As beautifully breathtaking it is, it’s cold too.”

※ Jacob ※

“Honestly I’m used to it… so if you change your mind just say, but if you turn blue, I will have to insist.” I grinned. “Or try to insist at least.”

I led the way further down the beach, daring to let go of her arm, not wanting to seem overbearing. I was sure she’d manage not  to trip here, even with the driftwood scatted across the stony shore.

“If they are here, they’ll be up this way.” I motioned up the beach. Walking along the stretch between where the tree trunks were deposited at high tide and the water. The mood shifting back to our conversation. “They keep away from where most people hang out.”

※ Bella ※

“If I turn blue, run, and save yourself. It’s over for me. Let me go in peace.” The joke fell flat to my own ears when something shifted between Jacob and myself.

It wasn’t really us, it had more to do with why we had come down here in the first place.

“Why would you keep their distance from other?” Tucking my hands deep into my pockets. “Unless they are really up to no good at all?”

What had #Embry gotten himself involved in here?

※ Jacob ※

I chuckled. “How about of you start to turn blue I’ll give you my jacket and we head back to the truck to warm up?”

Then I turn my attention to her other question. I shrugged. “They’ve all been weird, starting fights… skipping school cutting off their friends, running around  all of the night. No one knows why, others than saying all teens act out, but this isn’t the same.”

I walked with her up the beach. Hearing voices carried on the wind. I hated myself because my first though hoping #Embry wasn’t here. I hated seeing him like this.

※ Bella ※

“Starting fights? Why—”

The words were cut short at the sound travelling over to our side, noticing the way Jacob reacted I couldn’t help myself. Reaching out my now slightly warmer hand I took his.

“Don’t worry, I’m right here with you.” Giving a tender squeeze to elevate the point of my my words.

‘What are you doing here?’ A deep, angry voice caught me off guard. ‘And why did you bring her?’ The aggression possible towards me.

However, why? What had I done to deserve this welcome?

※ Jacob ※

Those dark thoughts were abruptly shut down when I felt Bella’s hand in mine.

Then that too-familiar voice came from behind us. “Shit!” I muttered under my breath… swearing wasn’t normally my first reaction… but today…

I tugged Bella closer, this man terrified me, but I wasn’t about to let him make Bella feel that way too.

“We’re looking for #Embry… and we can be here… this isn’t private property. Just because e you think you own this beach, #Sam… Doesn’t make it true.” I took a step away, keeping hold of Bella’s hand.

“C’mon Bella… Let’s go find our friend.” I pulled her with me, continuing the way we had been walking before #SamUley appeared.

※ Bella ※

The tension in the air was palpable, with the look in his dark earthy eyes drawing me in. These eyes I had seen before? In my dreams?

No…  I shook my head… I was Not dreaming of this man. I had seen #Sam before, closely…

Before I could say anything more, Jacob had stepped before me, hiding me in plain sight of the towering man. However, it still felt as though he could see me.

‘Jacob stop.’ He called my feet frozen with the command in his voice. Slowly my head half turned back.

‘Bella…’ he started but then thought better of whatever  he had been thinking of.

‘It’s too cold out here for the two of you. And Embry is busy. Now isn’t a good time.’ #Sam finally said.

“Therefore, Embry is here? At the beach?” Then the sounds of laughter came from down the ocean way, as an answer.

※ Jacob ※

I couldn’t help it, I stopped when #Sam told me to and hated myself for it. It made me feel spineless. But Bella… she wasn’t intimidated by this man in the slightest.

My head snapped in the direction of the laughter at the same time as Bella’s. I started towards it again, still holding onto Bella’s hand #Embry quickly came into sight, kicking a soccer ball with #JaredCameron and #PaulLahote. Jay used to be a nerd… Paul was always kind of a loner… but mostly harmless.

They were all shirtless… “They must be insane!” I muttered as ‘Bry sniffed the air and turned to spot us.

※ Bella ※

Step in step with Jacob I walked, looking back at #Sam who stood with his feet apart and firmly grounded, and his arms crossed over his chest.

‘Jake… Bella…’ #Embry called. his eyes shifted to over my shoulder, where I knew #Sam stood. Something in the boy I remembered as  funny and kind boys eyes changed, before he glazed away and then down. The way Embry said my name has changed too. There were no signs of the flotation or admiration that had coveted the sound of my name before when this boy said it.

‘What is she doing here?’ The other boy behind Embry asked, in what felt like venom and hatred in his voice. But… why?

“Why does everyone here keep asking that?” Dismissing the one with what looked to be anger issues. I smiled to the boy I wanted to speak with.

“Embry?” Squeezing the hand in mine tightly as I spoke. “Hi… we wanted to see how you were. Your foot?” I pointed down to the ground. “I was worried after you didn’t come back to mine the next day.”

He shifted where he stood, once again glancing over my shoulder. “Embry… don’t be scared… do you need help? Come with us. With Jacob and I … let’s go.. maybe get some lunch and talk?”

The boys behind him snarled then their gaze went past Jacob and me before stopping.

※ Jacob ※

I moment he looked past me to #Sam I felt anger like never before. What on earth was the doing to my friend that made him afraid to speak to his best friend in his presence? I squeezed Bella’s hand again and took comfort in her steady calm.

I didn’t know how to answer his question… Should I tell him I’d told her everything? Confided in her how upsetting all of this was?

But Bella answered it before I needed to make a decision. Embry was looking at Bella like he was waiting for something…

‘I’m not scared of anyone.’ he said with an edge to  his voice. The same edge that was becoming his new normal. His gaze drifted to where my hands were still clasped around Bella’s, something in his look made me shift closer to her. ‘So, this is a thing now?’ He took a few steps closer, his eyes on Bella again. After a few seconds he shook his head. ‘It's about time.’ His tone was mocking and angry and I had to resist the urge to step backwards.

“‘Bry… what is wrong with you? This isn’t you?” I finally found my words.

※ Bella ※

At first, I couldn’t understand what he meant by ; ‘So, this is a thing now?’

And I didn’t give it too much mind. For me the exchange between the two friends who had been like brothers broke my heart.

The way #Embry spoke and looked to me, then towards Jacob gave me such an unexpected urge to hold on to him even tighter. However, he had taken said step already.

‘How would you know what I am?’ #Embry mocked taking another step forward now in a menacing way.

‘Bry’ the voice came from behind making him stop in his steps.

“Sam… I know you’re all big and older. However please could you just let Embry speak!” My voice sounded normal, without the anxiety, I was feeling internally.

‘You don’t speak to Sam like that Bella Swan. You’re not welcome here on our lands. So, leave!’ The boy with the anger issues spat out to me. This time my heart jumped, and my feet moved back.

‘Paul… stand down.’ #Sam came to stand in the space between them and us.

※ Jacob ※

The fact he could ask me that hit me like such a physical blow I took half a step backwards. "#Embry.... we've been best friends our whole lives... you stood next to me at my mother's funeral... how can you ask me that?"

What the hell was wrong with these guys? #Paul's words  were just vicious.

"Bella is welcome here and always will be... Who do you think you are speaking to someone like that. Wasn't it only a few years ago you were saying the same thing to #Embry because he has Makah blood... and now all of a sudden, you're inseparable?" I turned my gaze to Embry for the last part, hoping he would see some sense.

'Why are you here bringing up ancient history Jake?' My friend snapped. 'Just go! We're done. Get it... Done.'

This wasn't right... this wasn't the guy I knew.

※ Bella ※

Tears pricked at the back of my eyes, from the cold wind.

From the way these boys were fighting.

Or was it from the realisation that somehow, I was playing some part into this?

“Jacob.” Squeezing his hand my eyes moved between all the faces. Even the boy in the back holding the ball. He watched ready to step in if needed. But it wasn’t needed.

‘E n o y g h !!!’

#Sam’s voice boomed, making the uncomfortable sensation within me bubble to life. Placing my free hand over my chest and taking in a slow and deep breath I stood looking confused at  what was happening.

‘Jacob, you should get Bella off the beach and out the cold. She doesn’t look too well.’

Hearing #Sam’s voice but also not hearing it at the same time. I felt like I was a shadow of myself, as though witnessing all of this from behind a glass door.

“Uhm… yeah…” I whisper tugging tightly to the hand still in mine.

However, I didn’t want to take this opportunity and have it lost for good.

“Please, Sam… Embry… just… I will leave.” I let his hand go and took a few steps back. “Please Embry, just talk to Jacob.”

#Sam stood watching me with his deep dark eyes. It felt like he could see something I wasn’t willing to share.

Nodding my head, I turned to walk back the way I came. Clenching my chest trying to gather the wind that had been knocked out of me, with my head beating in my ears.

※ Jacob ※

I felt Bella tighten her grip on my hand and I knew then it was time to leave. #Sam's voice made something in my chest tighten and all the guys fell silent and still. It was eerie.

And whatever it was... clearly had an effect on Bella too. She let go of my hand and I took a step closer to #Embry. "I'm not gonna give up 'Bry... Not on you. Not ever."

He chewed his lips like he did when he was trying to control his emotions and dropped his eyes to the sand.

"But I brought Bella here... So, I'm going to bring her home. You know where to find me." I turned and jogged to catch up with Bella, zipping off my jacket to wrap around her shoulders. "C'mon Bella... let's get out of here."

※ Bella ※

The voices behind me grew dull with each step I took, my eyes blurred… but not. There is was again, that glass closing me off, and moving with me. My eyesight flickered over and over until I succeeded to squeeze my eyes close and rub them hard. I was shaking, from what I didn’t know.

“Stop it… stop it!” I told myself scared that the chasm within me, within my chest was breaking open again. Was this how it happened before? Had the world just melted away like this and I hadn’t fault back?

“NO!” I told myself. No…. I wouldn’t do that to #Charlie or #Renée or my friends… or… myself.

“Not again..” I said with my lips and teeth chattering. I pushed my will into it, my all. And it felt like something snapped. And it snapped so hard that I felt my feet stumbling before I caught myself.

Everything around me came into focus. The sound of the crashing waves, the cold wind whipping my hair all over the place, the footsteps behind me. And then I felt the coat around my shoulders.

“Jacob…. I’m sorry…” we walked in step when I felt it. Turning my head, I saw two faces watching and I could tell for very different reasons. #Embry with sorrow. And #Sam with conjecture.

※ Jacob ※

There was something else wrong with her. This wasn't just being upset by what had happened or frightened at the untethered aggression. What the hell was wrong with Paul anyway?

"It's okay, Bella." I wrapped my arm around her shoulders, ready to steady her if she needed it. "Let's get off the beach and we can catch our breath. Okay?"

I could feel several pair of eyes on our backs, but I didn't look back. I focused on getting Bella to the trail. Once we were far enough up the path that we were out of sight I stopped and turned her to face me. Concern etched into every feature as I asked.

"Are you okay?"

※ Bella ※

My teeth wouldn’t stop, the shivers consuming me now refused to stop too. Grateful to Jacob as he held me and guided me, as well as at the same time so upset with myself that I needed a helping hand once again. The mixture of these emotions was overwhelming. By the time my friend stopped us I had gathered myself partially.

“I’m not going to lie. No.. I’m not okay. However, right now it’s not the pressing matter. Did Embry talk to you after I left?”

I couldn’t tell how much time had passed before Jacob left his best friend because he felt he needed to save me?

※ Jacob ※

She was freezing... Damn! I shouldn't have brought her here... But I didn't feel cold at all? Then again... I didn't grow up in the desert.

"He didn't... It wasn't the right time, he wasn't... himself. Don't worry. We won't give up." And I knew that letting him sit on the  thoughts That #Paul had once said to him exactly what he'd said to Bella in the past would change his views.

There was no way he thought it was okay for #Lahote to speak to Bella like that. But he didn't speak out? When did he ever keep his thoughts to himself?

"Let's just get you to the truck and turn the heat on, yeah?" I tugged my jacket closer around her shoulders. "We can regroup... figure out what the hell just happened. Let's go." I put my arm around her again and started up the path.

※ Bella ※

None of this… this day… this situation made any sense to me, and by the sound of it.. to Jacob too.

“I’m sorry.” Unclear as to what, I just felt the need to apologise for how it all played out. “If I’d known… I wouldn’t have gone on the beach.”

However, once again it occurred to me, I’d been to La Push before. No one had told me I hadn’t belonged… except for… My eyes widened and my mouth went dry, turning my head back as Jacob lead me to the Beast. Thinking.

‘No… no… there’s No way that Billy would have told them… he wouldn’t have.’  even the thought of it made my stomach churn with anxiety. It wasn’t my story to tell. I had promised to keep his family’s secrets. Even if he hadn’t kept any promises made to me.

“Yeah… yeah.. please… regroup.” Once in the truck I blew into my hands. The onset of the chill still questionable. However, there were so many things swimming in my mind, I no longer had the capacity to understand how this all came apart so royally.

Turning the truck on, we sat there idling in silence. Certain Jacob had a need to unpack what had occurred too. finally when I could feet my fingers and toes again, turning to face him.

“Are you okay?” I asked.

※ Jacob ※

"You’ve nothing to apologize for and don’t let what #Paul said get to you. He's an ars-" I stopped myself. "He's never been the nicest of guys. He used to say the same thing to #Embry because his mother is Makah."

In her truck, I cranked up the heat and rubbed my hand over her  arms trying the urge a little warmth into her. I was stifling in the cab in a matter of minutes, but she still shivered. The cold must have gotten into her bones. This was such a bad idea. I laughed a little even now she was worried about me. So, I answered her honestly.

"No. But I will be... We won't just let this go. #Embry is a brother to #Quil and I... he always will be. Are you okay? Did they frighten you? .... on the beach?"

※ Bella ※

The cold bit my skin as the heat began to slowly penetrate. Still unable to explain how I’d reacted to the chill in the air so quickly without knowing. However, it wasn’t the most pressing matter right now.

Looking to Jacob, I consider his question before answering. “I won’t lie, yes, I was a little. Paul... did you say... and Sam…”

Placing a hand on my chest as I recalled the tightness that had completely overtaken me at the time. “And Embry, he’s changed.” The coldness in his eyes, it brought tears to my eyes. I swiped them away. “What can we do now? Do we wait to see if we can get him alone?”

Unable to stop myself from feeling proud at Jacob for his willingness not to give up on his brother.

※ Jacob ※

A little colour started to return to her cheeks. Not that she ever had a whole of colour when she was feeling great. But  she was still pretty… and her paleness made it so much cuter when she blushed… I was getting side tracked.

“I’m so sorry, Bella. I shouldn’t have ask you to come… I knew they might be rude and tell us to get lost.” I chewed on the inside of my cheek. “But I never thought they’d be so…. Intimidating.” I was so angry at how they’d spoken to her.

“We… Right now.” I put my arm around her pressed her into my side in the attempt at a one-armed hug I could manage in the cab of and old truck.

This wasn’t flirty in anyway or an excuse to touch her. This was a ‘my friend look likes she’s about to cry, vomit and faint any second’s.’ Kinda hug.

“I think we should get you a hot chocolate and take you home.”

※ Bella ※

“You have nothing to apologise for here, they were just as rude, and disrespectful, and .. and.. and… Intimidating to you too.” A little angry came to life with the warmth of the cab and with Jacob’s friendly hold.

I should have wanted to push free, being in the grasp of someone’s hold hasn’t works so well for me this past year or so. However, it wasn’t the same with him. Frowning my gaze moved to the pathway, no one had followed us down.

“Hot chocolate sounds heavenly, however.” Pointing my cold fingers to the cab surrounding us. “I’m the designated driver, so I need to drive you home my young friend.”

※ Jacob ※

I shook my head… “I can’t believe that #Embry would ever let them actually hurt either of us… But…” I sighed. I couldn’t help it, the way he was acting made me doubt it. It took all of my faith in our friendship to keep from letting that fear win out.

I laughed, my smile  growing at the break in the tension, gratitude in my eyes for the subject change.

There was no disputing her logic… If I took her home, I’d have to call someone to get a ride home. But if Bell had dropped me home and then headed home herself... it was unlikely that she would  run into them again on the road to Forks.

“Okay… I can’t argue with that.” I laughed. The simple act of it was like a balm for my worry. I knew it was temporary, but I needed the relief. “But only if you let buy the hot chocolate.” I released her from my hold and reached to buckle my seat belt.

※ Bella ※

Shifting back over to my side of the cab, I allowed my gaze to fall at the entire of the path. Hope blossomed that maybe, just maybe #Embry would come bounding over to make up with Jacob. However, no such luck.

“I told you. I am an intelligent woman; you cannot defy my  logic when it comes to hot chocolate.” Chewing on my lips. My brown worried eyes finding my friends again. Wanting to say…

‘He will be okay. He will see this is a mistake, and come back to you…’ However, the topic change meant I couldn’t push Jacob back to something so painful.

“Okay. Fine. You can buy the hot chocolate. However, I but the cookies.” Turning the key in the ignition, we sat in there while I reversed out of the parking lot.

※ Jacob ※

I shook my and gave her a sideways look. "No way... you are on my turf now Swan, So the hot chocolate 𝙖𝙣𝙙 cookies. Will be on this time."

She couldn't argue it was the same logic she used when she paid for the pizza the day we built her Father's new shed.

※ Bella ※

Giving Jacob a sideways glance, my lips curled a little with a warm smile. “Oh, now you are using my logic on me? So rude.”

Once on the road, my eyes moved to the beach as we drove by, wanting one final look at the gang. However, no one stood there. The beach was now deserted. Where had they gone?

“Uhm..” shaking my head with a frown between my eyebrow. I lost my train of thought before collecting it once again. “Okay.. fine.. this time the drink and snack is on you. Where would you like to go?”

※ Jacob ※

I lifted my chin triumphantly and flashed a bright grin. "I'll have you know I am well known for my lack of rudeness actually! I even won a certificate for it in 3rd grade."

I gave her a sympathetic look. "You're on the Rez now Swan." I chuckled. "There's only one place to  go... And lucky for you they have the best cookies and the second-best hot chocolate on the rez."

I directed Bella back into the village and towards the cafe.

※ Bella ※

“Excuse me? did you just say that you won a certificate in your third grade for being a young gentleman? And I have not been told this story until now, why?” thankful I could lighten the mood for my friend at such an awful time. I followed the directions provided by Jacob.

“You said, second best… that you knew a place with the second best hot chocolate. So, you know I will ask where the first best could be found now?”

※ Jacob ※

I laughed, telling any other girl about that would be embarrassing, but this was Bella... she was a bit of a nerd, so it was fine. "Yup." I dusted imaginary lint off my shoulder. "It was a Spotlight Award for the most respectful student." I bragged like it was my crowning achievement.

"Well, I may be underselling it as the best on the Rez... It may be the best in the State. And it can only be found in #SueClearwater's kitchen." I explained. Then told Bella where to pull in. I knew #Sue's hot chocolate came from a regular tub of cocoa. But she had to have some secret she was keeping from us all.

※ Bella ※

The sound of hit boys laughter warmed the soul. Keeping my eyes on the road, smiling with small sideways glances at him. He seemed so proud of this achievement, and so he should be.

“If I knew I had the good fortune of the company of such a wonderful young gentleman. I would  have brought out my best manors. How will I live with myself?” Even with everything upsetting him, he still found time to laugh. I could learn something from him.

“Oh. Sue? Really?” Thinking back on my visits. I’d never had hot chocolate. She knew I like my coffee so, assuming she gave me what I enjoyed. Parking the beast into the spot not far from where Jacob had asked me to go.

“Well, let’s see what the second-best hot chocolate in La Push tastes like?” Glancing over at the small diner in the Rez.

※ Jacob ※

"You are a very lucky woman to have the pleasure of my company." I grinned. "And your manners are just fine. A little rough around the edges but I think I can help you with that." I teased and nudged her with my elbow now that the truck was parked.

I unbuckled my belt and  noticed her looking around.

"This is a great place. It's family run for two generations and when school is out their ten-year-old daughter Gemma hangs around, talking to costumes and drawing pictures." I could see from her the place wasn't full... just a few of the tables had people sitting at them.

"Ready to head in?" I asked in case she still needed a second to recover from her encounter on the beach.

※ Bella ※

“Rude. So rude.” My body shifted a little by his playful nudge. Jacob had somehow managed to lighten the dark cloud we had both been under. “I will graciously, accept that your company is—”

Without completing the sentence I allowed his mind to fill in the blank himself. unclasping the belt, I took a steady breath.

“I am. Hundred percent ready. The place looks great.”

Add to it the background of the same family owning and maintaining such a pivotal part of community? I knew I should have come before.

Opening the door, it stuck a little  however nothing a shoulder nudge couldn’t handle I jumped down from the cab.

The chill in the air, sent another shiver through my chest and spine, making me rub my hands together.

Locking the door, as I felt my legs were still a little wobbly, which I contracted, by keeping my stride small.

When I pushed the glass and wooden door open, the ring of a bell announced our arrival to those who were enjoying a meal or just a coffee.

‘BELLA!!! Look sis… it’s BELLA!’

The voice I could recognise out of a crowd rang loudly in the diner. like a little thunder the child threw himself at me, if arms and legs, close to knocking me back off my feet.

‘What are you doing here?

Did you come to see me?

I mean us? Us… yeah… did you come to see us?

You must have been at the house… did you go to the house? Did Ma tell you here to find us? She must have.’

All the time he spoke, he had taken my hand and pulled me towards a table towards the back of the floor. Where I saw her.

‘Kid, would you slow down. Let Bells go. She’s not here to see us.’ Her eyes were bypassing me to Jacob ‘No… of course she…. JAKE!’ And the same lever of questions where now being asked of him. #Seth let me go to move beyond me giving me the space to move around the table to smile at #Leah.

“Hi…”

‘Hey.’

“It’s so good to see you out here.”  She shrugged her shoulders.

‘A wise woman told me; I have no reason to hide.’ This made me smile a little too. I had overheard part of this conversation she has with the beautiful woman.

“She is correct of course; I’ve been trying to call.”

‘I know. I needed some time.’ She finally looked up at me. and her beautiful amber eyes spoke so loudly, telling me a story I understood.

“May we join you?” I asked and then turned to Jacob. “Do you mind if we…” pointing down to the table #Leah was sat at.

‘YEAH. Please Jake. Please join us.’ The kid looked up at Jacob with Such admiration and longing.

※ Jacob ※

Was I meant to finish that sentence? How should I finish that sentence? My company was pleasurable?… Spirits no! A pleasure? That was kind of the same thing… nice? She got out of the truck before I had to answers! Thank the spirits!

I recognized Seth’s voice instantly! The kid was a little clingy on the rare occasion we hung out, normally when one of our parents visited the others. I was cool for a while; the hero worship thing… then it got a little annoy. But honestly, he was such a happy, optimistic kid. It was impossible to be mad or annoyed at him.

I watched him with Bella and really hoped that I didn’t sound like when I talked to her. I gave Leah and nod when she acknowledged me. She used the best friends with the twins… but she was always a little distant.

“Hey dude!” I grinned at him and clasped the hand he held out giving him a one-armed hug. He. Never. Stopped. Talking. Asking a lot of questions about Bella. I told him we were just hanging out, driving around. It was true, kinda… and there's no need to freak the kid out about Sam and the HMS gang (hall monitors on  steroids).

I was about to tell Bella sure let’s join them… wondering if Bella knew Sam was her ex… this might get awkward. But Seth started to beg. “Sure, sounds great!” I said.

‘Yes!!’ He actually fists pumped.  Seth was off again, telling me all about how his dad was showing him how to fix the car when broke down and one day he would build his own car just like me.

“Hold that thought… I wanna here all about. But a respectful gentleman doesn't  leave two ladies at a table without a hot beverage when it’s freezing outside.” I winked at Bella.

‘Oh… yeah, I knew that! I’ll go with you.’ Seth followed. ‘My dad always says just because a woman is independent doesn’t mean we can’t do little things to show we care. He always tells me cool things like that… I bet your dad does too… being chief and all.” he kept  going. I tried my best not to laugh and look attentive and interested. But this kid had boundless energy.

※ Bella ※

Sitting myself down across from #Leah, the both of us watched as the boys walked over to place an order.

‘I didn’t take you for a cradle, robber.’ Her fingers fidgeted with the empty cup before her.

“You are correct, Jacob and I are just friends. He’s been good to me. Just as Seth and you have.” My eyes came back to give her my full attention. “I’m not going to ask how you are.”

It was the one question I disliked the most. Because people never asked to actually find out. They wanted you to say you were fine, so they could move on.

‘Good, because I have no idea.’ She pushed the cup away.  The one thing about #Leah I had begun to understand is that she never lied, however, she always stopped short of the truth.

“I understand.” It was the truth.

‘I know you do zoops, as much as I wished you didn’t.’ Both of us turned to follow the sound of her bothers excited voice.

‘He really wanted to come out for a hot chocolate.’ She had a lightness in her voice now.

“Who could ever say no to him?” I smiled.

‘So, Jacob Black is buying us drinks?’ She sounded baffled.

“And cookies” Another thing about #Leah I loved. She didn’t really ask questions. She listened to those who wanted to speak. However, she never pried into your personal life.

‘Kid, would you give people a minute to answer, when you ask them a question.’ She called out to her brother.

‘By the spirits of our ancestors. I will need to talk to him about saying less and listening more.’ She has no malice in those words.

Anyone could see at first glance how different the two siblings were . #Leah silence and observing, and Little #Seth energetic, and talkative. “Don’t, he loves life and all that it has to offer. It’s an innocent time of his life. We should live through him vicariously.”

The boy has such a pure and sweet personality. I knew she would do anything for him, and would anyone who met him.

※ Jacob ※

I almost order four hot chocolates but, then I stopped them and asked what Leah's usual order was and got that. As soon as I order the cookies I was handed a platter of four side-plate-sized cookies and Seth's started to do a cookie-monster impersonation and  stopped    abruptly, looking self-conscious. I wished he worried less about what other people thought. Because he was the nicest kid I had ever met.

"Why don't you take the cookies over while I pay? It's not polite to keep a lady waiting... even if it's your sister." I nudged him with  my elbow and handed him the plate.

He set off to the table. When I join them I sat next to Bella and smiled at her. I didn't want to ask her if she was okay... she might not have wanted Leah and Seth to know about what happened at the beach s instead am looked at Leah  and smiled. "So how are you, Leah?"

※ Bella ※

#Leah and I watched her kid brother rushing over with a tray in his hands.

‘Slow down kid, there’s no rush.’ She rolled her eyes, however I could see the truth. Her worry of a mother, in the eyes of a sister. Moments like this I wished I had siblings. Until I remember who my mother is. Then I knew it was never going to happen.

“Thank you.” My eyes widened at the size of the cookies.

‘Welcome to the Rez, where they love to give you a bang for your Buck.’ #Seth sat down beside his sister. Whispering. ‘Jake paid for it all.’ And she nodded. ‘Don’t worry, I will pay him back.’ She messed his hair up making him all self-conscious, and still laugh.

“Thank you, Jacob.” Smiling as he came to sit next to me. My eyes darting to #Leah the moment he asked the question. At the same time her eyes came to find mine.  Not a word had been exchanged by us. But I heard her voice. ‘See I told you.’ And hoped she read my answer. ‘He really wants to know.’

Reaching out to place the cups before everyone I saw one was a dark coffee. And I looked questioningly to Jacob. However, #Leah took it. ‘I only really like my Ma’s hot chocolate. So that is mine. Thanks.’ She took cup, blew on the hot liquid before sipping. Then turn her attention to Jacob again.

‘I’m here. Which is a good step.’ Picking up my cup I held it in the palm of my hand is feeling the heat warming my cold self. She continues. ‘I heard you updated the ramp at the house. Da was proud of the work you did there. And at Swan house.’

I smiled, squeezing his arm next to me. “All three of the boys did  exquisite work. I really did not think the project through and would have been lost without them… without Jacob.”

She sat back, watching. Me. Watching Jacob. And sipped her coffee.

※ Jacob ※

I smiled at Bella's reaction to the cookies as I slid into the seat next to her and smiled at Seth's comment. "Just wait until you taste them."

I looked between the girls... clearly missing something. But I wasn't sure what it was. Then Leah's answer hit me like a stone. I'd put her in a really awkward position. In front of her little brother too. "Oh..." I was shocked at the subject change... but after putting my foot in my mouth I was willing to give it to her. "Well, the ramp was just a little repair. But the shed was great... Harry thought we did well."

I had to fight the flush that threatened in my cheeks... but the heat there told me that I was failing. "That's what friends and family are for... plus we used the photos and Quil's sketch to write up a report and got extra credit in the wood shop."

※ Bella ※

‘Stop blushing, take the complement for what it is. The dads on the rez are proud of you boys.’ Something cut I the words when #Leah said them, however I knew it hadn’t been towards Jacob. It felt as though it had been something missing in her life?

‘Two birds and all. Well done, with the extra credit. Your sisters wouldn’t have missed that trick too.’ she went on to say, then turned her eyes to me. ‘Take a bite zoop. See what you’ve been missing out of.’ She broke one of the cookies handing it to me, before taking a mouthful herself. It was perfect.

“Okay, I think I’m going to die happy if this is the last thing I ever eat.” I told them all. There was just the right amount of chocolate chips in each bite, it was firm on the outside with a gooey centre. Some sea salt sprinkled over the top, giving us the perfect bite.

‘Well, you are always so easy to place.’ #Leah rolled her eyes, but I knew she was teasing.

“The question is, will it be cheating if I attempt to recreate these for my home economics class? I’m not much of a baker, but cookies.. we have all made them at some stage, right?

※ Jacob ※

I pressed my lips together bad... I wondered if I would ever learn to control my emotions, or would they always    be written on my face like words on a page.

I chuckled at the mention of the twins. "#Rachel might be coming home for a little while..." I looked at Leah... and  then between her and Bella. Now I knew I was missing something... "I've heard some weird nickname in my life but that one..." I trailed off.

"Hey if I can use your Father's shed for extra credit I can't see why you couldn't try... They'll give never give up the recipe. But, I'm happy to be your taste tester when you try it out." I chuckled and broke my cookie, scooping up a little whipped cream before I took a bite.

'Me too!! and you should come over. Mom is an excellent baker I bet she could show me how to make amazing cookies. She's been teaching me to cook. She says cooking first and baking when I can make healthy meals for myself. But!!!' He beamed at Bella. 'If you need help with school I bet she'd teach us sweet things!'

※ Bella ※

#Leah’s lips pressed together, and her eyes narrowed. I wanted to tell her to leave it. That Jacob wasn’t trying to dig for information she wasn’t freely willing to share. It wasn’t in him to do that.

‘Yeah. Well. That’s the point of nicknames Kiddo. People give them to share a moment. It’s not for others to understand.’

I took some of the cream, copying Jacob. I’d never thought of mixing the two together. “Leah.” I shook my head. Thankful and relieved that she didn’t explain the meaning. I knew she wouldn’t. Turning to Jacob, with a half-smile. “It’s just a private joke. That’s all.”

The fact that she called me a zombie from the past year, had somehow become a running joke we both now understood.

“Oh. I couldn’t ask Sue to do even more.” Taking a bite, a sound I hadn’t heard before escaping with delight. “Why has no one ever told me to add cream to a cookie?”

#Leah sipped her coffee, watching us all silently. ‘Bella, mom won’t mind. Really. Maybe if Rachel is coming, we could all have a lesson?’ #Seth tugged on his sisters arm.

‘Maybe Kid. She may have plans.’ Then she  glanced back to Jacob. ‘It’s still mid-year. Why is Rach coming back from school?’ With a mix of confusion and concern in her futures.

※ Jacob ※

I raised a brow at the Kiddo... I was going to mention that I was, in fact, sixteen... but something about how she'd she was here earlier and that it was a start made me decide to let it go.

I smiled at Bella and then Leah... "I wasn't going to ask.. you should hear the  'Bry and # Quil..." I shook my head. I wasn't going to get back on the topic here. So, I jumped to the question about Rachel.

"I'm not sure... something about work-study or a study break." I knew what it was. Dad had her worried about me because I wouldn't stop trying to  find out what #SamUley was up to with #Embry and the others. But this was the line Rachel was using, so it was a version of the truth.

※ Bella ※

Tilting my head with a small smile. “I’m sure if their Nick names are adorable.”

Hiding the uncomfortable sensation of all that had taken place before we came here. It wasn’t my story to share with the Clearwater siblings. Also, Seth was too young for the topic. #Leah gave a curt, not offer head then took a bite of a cookie. Her eyes didn’t leave Jacob for a little while longer, had she picked up on the same thing as I had? He wasn’t lying, however…

‘Oh, it’ll so great to have Rachel back. She always gives me the best candy.’ #Seth spoke in between mouthfuls and slopes of his hot chocolate.

‘Well, Becc’s does too. But she makes me eat fruit too.’ Wrinkling his nose.’

“Fruit is good for you. You need you’re five pieces a day.” Pretending with my school teacher voice.

‘I mean…..Yeah….. I eat it. I do.’

※ Jacob ※

I chuckled at #Seth trust that boy to save you from an awkward conversation with his innocence. "Yeah, #Rachel always had more of a sweet tooth... But #Becca was right too. What is your favourite?" I asked #Seth...

It wasn't bragging to say I knew this kid looked up to me. It was obvious and it. If that meant I could encourage the kid to eat a little better... then why not?

"Mine is grapefruit... of pineapple... actually... I really like avocado lately, but I think what more of a vegetable. And berries... all the berries all the time. you can grab a handful and eat them no matter where you are or what you're doing."

I knew #Leah had to have heard about all the stuff going on with #Sam... did she know about #Embry too? Is that why she was still looking at me. I scooped up more cream onto my cook and took a bite.

※ Bella ※

Sitting back I watched in silence with #Leah, I could see her shoulders relaxed and a small smile like curve on her lips as Jacob spoke to #Seth.

‘Grapefruit? Really?’ The young boy made a face as though he has sucked on something tart. ‘It’s so sour. And it tastes…’ he was attempting to find the words. ‘Yuck.’

#Leah’s head spun. “Kid. We never say that to food. Food. All foods. Are a gift from the ancestors and the spirits. A blessing.’ She scolded him.

#Seth’s eyes dropped; his beautiful soft almond skin grew a hint of pink. ‘Sorry’ his voice dropped.

‘Not to me.’ She said, nodding her head across the table.

‘I’m sorry Jake. I didn’t mean it is yuck.’ The boys eyes met mine and I wink mouthing well done. To him for apologising.

※ Jacob ※

I smiled at #Seth… he was just being a kid. But correcting Leah in front of him felt like correcting a parent on of their Kid… maybe because my sisters had basically been my mom for a long time.

“It’s just not your favourite?” I smiled sipping my hot chocolate. “Well, that’s  okay. You should come over to my place some Tuesday. That when my aunt #Connie cooks. She can make entire desserts with tons of fruit and no sugar, and it tastes like real cake.”

I turned to Bella and smiled, not wanting her to feel left out of the conversation. “So… what’s verdict on the hot chocolate.”

※ Bella ※

#Seth’s face brightened up, his shoulders lifted, his eyes sparkled within the blink.

‘Really?’ His voice went up an octave. ‘Can I go?’ He turned to his sister holding his hands together like a pray.

She raised her eyebrow. And nodded her head once. ‘Someday when it’s okay  with all the grownups.’ She muttered something about never saying no to him.

And like that all was forgotten in the young boys eyes. He cheered. Hugged his sisters arm awkwardly and let go the moment she stiffened.

That was nice. #Leah had always been so attentive to her brothers needs before.

#Seth let go right away, as though he knew he shouldn’t have touched. And went back to his hot chocolate at the same time as I picked up mine.

“Uhmm..” mid sip I smiled nodding my head. “It’s really good. I can’t believe you guys all hide this from me.”

※ Jacob ※

“I’ll ask my Aunt and call you.” I smiled at #Seth. “And Collin is feeling better so I know he’d enjoy it. He finds it pretty hard to make friends.” I whispered and leaned over the table. “He kind of looks up to you…” I winked. “But you didn’t hear that from me.”

Seth beamed  and it made me smile. This kids happiness was contagious. A few minutes with him was all you needed after a bad day.

I laughed at Bells words. “You might feel differently when you leave… we’ll have to make you sing some paperwork… non-disclosure… iron clad vow of secrecy.” I smirked. “We only want very select townies to know about this hidden gem.” I joked of course, this was a family business, and we would send all the customers we could their way in support of them.

※ Bella ※

I could help but smile and feel a sense of warmth towards Jacob in this moment. The way he gave #Seth time, to help the boy feel welcomed and seen. It was the kindest thing he could do. And without even waiting a beat.

My gaze moved to #Leah, whom I knew to never miss - a thing, and I was correct. She sipped her coffee taking the exchange without comment.

“I’m sorry. I was not told I had to sign on a dotted line. I have a plan for a front-page article describing each and every taste tone of his drink and cookie.” No.. I had no plans. However, seeing the glee in #Set/ eyes at the banter made this worth it.

“Seth, do you recall anything about the is?” He shook his head finishing his cookie, and I pushed half on mine towards him.

‘No. Bella is right. You didn’t say anything Jake.’ Hearing about this  boy idolising him, #Seth has straightened up. Attempting to be fair in his comments. It was so cute to see.

※ Jacob ※

I laughed at Bella and #Seth. "Really?! You're going to team up on me with her?" There was nothing but laughter in my voice. “That's the trick you see.” l snickered at him. "You get them hooked on the grub... Then hit them with the paperwork.”

I grinned a little when #Seth looked proud. It was true. My cousin had trouble making friends and people gravitated to #Seth... I could see why a sink kid would look up to someone like him.

※ Bella ※

‘She is pretty cool, you are too. Just not as much.’ #Seth waggled his brows winking at me. His sister scoffed and rolled her eyes, however in good nature.

“I’m hoping my intelligence has something to do with it too. No matter how good a marketing strategy Jacob has.” taking another sip of the hot chocolate, immersed in the flavour as it coated my tongue with a burst.

“Jokes aside. This drink is amazing.” Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw a little girl running over to stand by our table. She placed a picture on the table and ran away.

※ Jacob ※

"Well, I can't really contest that because that would be a lie." I scowled jokingly at #Seth. #Leah just pulled her signature eye roll move.

"Of course, it is Bells.” I smiled at her. "I still plan on taking you up on the study date for English lit.”

Leah turned and looked interested suddenly. 'Are you struggling in English class?' She asked. 'I can find you a tutor if you need one.'

‘Sis!’ #Seth burned beet red. Embarrassed that his sister was so keen on helping his friend keep his grades up. I saved him with a polite nod. "Thanks, Leah. I'm doing ok. And I have Bella's awesome bookworm brain to help me out. I'll keep it in mind though.”

I turned my attention back to Bella. "I told you... We do everything better on the Rez.”

※ Bella ※

I couldn’t help but smile to the little hiding behind a servers apron. She was beautiful with her jet black curls.

#Seth, #Leah, and Jacob were lost in their conversation as I placed my finger on the picture pulling it before #Seth so he didn’t miss the small gift. “of course, I’m happy to help. I turned to the two Clearwater siblings. “You’re both welcome to join too. We could then them into study nights? Make sure we all do our homework?”

#Seth jumped a little in his seat. ‘Yes. That’s sounds good.’ And #Leah looks shocked at his enthusiasm. ‘Ma and I cannot get you to sit down for more than a hour just to finish your sentence or reading, but now you want to take part in study nights?’

The kid blushed, looking down at the A4 sheet of paper. Then he found the little girl smiling. ‘Thank you Gemma.’

※ Jacob ※

I had been so engrossed with the conversation that I had totally missed Gemma leaving a drawing on the table for #Seth.  I smiled... because Bella didn't.

I chuckled at Leah. "Studying with friends is always different. Every day after school #Quil, #Em..." I stopped almost  choking on my best friend's name.

I cleared my throat and shook it off. "We... uh... do our homework together at my place." It was mostly to make l sure did his and focused... I swear that boy has undiagnosed ADHD.

I peered over at the picture and grinned at Gemma. "Nice work Gem... looks exactly like him!" I praised the little girl.

※ Bella ※

Reaching over I squeezed Jacob’s arms before continuing to take another piece of a cookie. Attempting to not dare attention, however, #Leah didn’t miss a single point.

There were regrets from me. He had been through a lot today, and right now I couldn’t help the feeling  he could do with a friend.

“Quil should join us too.” I offered.

‘Someone might think you hate being alone.’ #Leah offered before looking at the wall with a clock on it. ‘Come on kid, I best get you home before Da comes looking.’

The sibling stood up. ‘Let me know when you are doing this study group thing. I’ll make sure the kid is there.’ She messes up #Seth’s hair.

“It’s a deal, I will most definitely call.” I told her.

※ Jacob ※

I rested my hand lightly ok Bella’s when she gave my arm a squeeze. Grateful for the fact she was here and she came with me today even though she hardly know #Embry.

“Hell yeah.” It wasn’t hard to fake the Enthusiasm #Quil loved tutoring and if an hour with #Seth contagious  happiness was making me feeling better it would surely give my #Quil a boost too. “Can’t have a study session without the Maths and Science nerd.” I chuckled. “She we have a history nerd.”  I pointed to myself. “An English nerd, and maths nerd were sorted.”

I looked up at those words reminded me of #Embry. The kid who never went home unless he knew his mom was from work. He hated it… but I suppose him hating being alone was still true. He was with #Sam all the time. “I don’t there’s anything with that.” I spoke. “As long as you’re keeping good company.”

※ Bella ※

‘All the nerds in La Push had to be in my vicinity.’ #Leah rolled her eyes, nodding to Jacob and then me.

“You wouldn’t have it any other way.” Knowing she would. She performed a hand gesture the. Walked off towards the counter, saying something before leaving.  Tuning to  #Seth who was chasing after his sister shouting and waving his goodbyes. “See you soon Seth.”

I half smiling. “Thank you. You really made #Seth’s day, Jacob. I had no idea the boy idolised you.” As I spoke, two fresh cups of hot chocolates and this time fries were brought to the table. “Oh. We didn’t order anything.” I told the lady with a sweet smile.

‘Leah asked me to bring these over. She paid for them too.’ Setting them down before leaving us.

“She doesn’t let anyone do anything nice for her.” I muttered underneath my breath.

※ Jacob ※

I chuckled at #Leah... I knew she'd gotten good grades in school. She was a perfectionist. When the Clearwater  Siblings stood up  to leave reached out to high five #Seth. "See you soon, #Seth." I smiled at him.

Then I turned back to Bella and shrugged. "He's always been a  good kid." I took the last mouthful of the hot chocolate that had cooled enough not to have more than a sip. "I used to find it annoying when he was younger, and he followed us around... but looking back now I know that was a little mean. But he's older now... even if he still  talks a lot." I teased.

The drinks and fries arrived. I shook my head with a grin. "Or... did we give her the opportunity to do something nice for us, by doing something nice for her?" I smirked at my own cleverness and took a bite of a fries.

※ Bella ※

“We did indeed. However, she will never admit to doing so.” Taking one of the hot crisp fries in my fingers and having a bite. “This just means I take a pizza with me the next time I go to visit.” Adding while dusting my fingers free of the salt.

“I love that he speaks for the  world. He can be a life saver at times.” Saying sentences before realising what it was is said. “I… ugh.. I mean. Sometimes it’s nice to fill the silence.” Was that any better?

I gave up. “Youngsters will find their hero’s eventually, even if the heroes are determined to  push them away. Seth Clearwater doesn’t know how to take no for an answer, and he doesn’t hold a grudge either. The boy is too much of a kind soul really.”

※ Jacob ※

I chuckled and dunked more fries in the ketchup. "Me too... There is something freeing about being around someone who says everything they think. There's no pretence, you never have to wonder if they are being honest or not." There was a lot of dishonesty in my life right now, #Embry was keeping stuff from me... even my own Dad. I knew, he knew something about #Sam that he wasn't telling me.

I chuckled as #Bella tried to find the right words. "I get it." I told her, reaching for a sachet of mayonnaise and mixing it into the ketchup. "But I'm not  sure I could be called anyone's hero." I laughed a little. "But trying to do homework with him will be really interesting."

※ Bella ※

“We all have to consider all the time we must place in homework every day. I mean I complete mine the day it is assigned. That way I’m always on top of things. However, doing so with friends will be good for us all.”

All my attention focused on the one action. Jacob Black’s hand going for the mayonnaise, and then adding it to the ketchup. There was No way in the world.

“You… mix them up?” Pointing to the concoction before us, a pale shade of pink as the two came together. “Ketchup and Mayonnaise, together, as one?”

※ Jacob ※

I chuckled… Bella and I were more alike than I had thought. “I try don't same… but I dare you to try to convince #EmbryCall to do maths on a Friday afternoon and not at 7 am on a Monday morning before class.” I laughed but the casual mention of my friend brought the memories crashing back… I was glad she'd given Mr something else to focus on. I glanced at my pink blood and then at her.

“What? You don't like mayonnaise? I may need to rethink this friendship!” I teased her.

※ Bella ※

The headmistress tone from my voice dropped, with the mood returning to a sombre tone (in my mind at least).

“Last week I’d have said challenge accepted. Not sure he wanted to be in the same room as me today.” Shaking the feelings off because this wasn’t about me. It was about my friend. So, I squeezed his arm and then poked it. Turning back to that jovial, teasing tone once again.

“ Mayonnaise... yes, I like it. However, a ketchup girl with fries. There is nothing better in my opinion. But... it is just my opinion.”

Elbowing Jacob in the side. “You? I believe I’m the one who is more on the fence with this friendship now, thank you so very much!”

※ Jacob ※

"He’s not himself.” I said, quieter now. "He isn't exactly the politest guy you will ever meet. But he isn't like that either.

"Not liking mayo on your fries...I can forgive that... " I smirked. " But have you ever tried this magical concoction?” I pointed to the pink mess on the plate. Glad for the change in subject.

Grabbing a few more fries, I mixed even more together and popped them into my mouth. "So good."

※ Bella ※

I disliked this feeling, the feeling of not being able to help those who love. More so I disliked Sam and his gang. I know I didn’t know these people. However, there had to be something wrong here. The way the boys all watched Sam, not moving, or speaking without the go ahead from the man.

Half smiling Because I didn’t wish to share anything I had been thinking with Jacob. I couldn’t stand him being hurt.

“I’ve never seen anyone do this.” Pointing my finger over to the blood like mess. “However, I also won’t judge without trying it first.” taking a couple of fries in my fingers.

“May I?” I asked before dipping them in.

※ Jacob ※

I see her trying to rack her brains to figure out a way to fix this whole mess with #Embry. But I knew this was up to me, it needed to be someone that knew him. But for some reason, it felt nice to have someone want to help this badly. Just that fact alone made me feel better. I bowed my head in mockery of old-school manners and smirked. “You may! And prepare to have your mind blown!” I chuckled. I mean… it was good, but mind-blowing might be an exaggeration.

※ Bella ※

“Why thank you young sir.” Bowing my head as I imagined Miss Bennett may have, before dipping the fires and taking a bite.

The flavour… well… it was smooth thanks to the Mayo and tangy thanks for the catch up, it felt a little different in the mouth.

“Okay…” wiping my  fingers on the napkin, whilst I continued to chew.

“I actually like it; I don’t want to. However, it really is palatable…. I’m astounded… cookies, hot chocolate, this dipping sauce. It’s all delicious. Thank you, Jacob.”

※ Jacob ※

I chuckled; she was really into that British mannerism stuff. It was good to know if I even needed to make her smile. I stored away that piece of information for use later.

“Palatable?” I laughed. “Sounds like with write in the box for pet medication. But will take it!”

As  plate of fries diminished, I knew we would have to talk about it sooner rather than later. “You feeling okay now? After… everything. Any dizzier spells or… whatever that was?”

※ Bella ※

My hands froze whilst I wiped the reminder of the salt off my fingers. He had noticed that? My glance lifted to meet his as I took Jacob in.

“You noticed that did you?” Setting the used napkin down, I finished off the cold dregs of the hot chocolate in the cup. “For someone so young. And a boy. You truly do not miss a thing around you, do you?”

Sighing deeply, I nod me head a little. “I think I needed to eat, and the cold. You know how much I like the cold and rain.”

What other reason could it be? Even as I said the words, I didn’t believe it, however, also couldn’t explain it too.

※ Jacob ※

I laughed softly. “I keep telling you… I am wise beyond my years.” O took a good look at her… but… it was hard to tell with Bella. Her skin was always a few shades whiter than most white people... Even the ones that people who spend their lives in dreary Forks.

She never covers with makeup to make herself look tan… so when a hint pink flushed her cheek she could tell, or when the cold reddened her nose. I liked it… her skin was… she was… so pretty and I was staring.

“Thats good.” I stared into the empty cup like it might swallow me  and save me from my own awkwardness. “But if it happens again, you should see a doctor. Dizzy spells like that are no joke, trust me. It's better to be safe than sorry.”

※ Bella ※

“You do, and it is high time I began to believe you Jacob Black.” My eyes found him attempting to hide in plain sight, so I nudged him attempting to smile.

“Okay Doctor Black… I will do as ordered.” My voice set to wistfully move on from the topic.

“What now?” Pointing my chin to his empty cup. “Would you like me to drive you home?”

※ Jacob ※

She was still holding something back, but I didn’t want to push… okay, well I did WANT to but I knew I shouldn’t. So, I didn’t.

“I can drive you home if you still aren’t feeling good? I can call #Quil and he’ll come pick me up in his mom’s car.”

She seemed okay driving from the beach. But that was just through the village. The he road back to Forks was longer.

※ Bella ※

Shaking my head vigorously. “Don’t be silly, I’m not taking you all the way to Forks and making poor Quil come out too. That’s out of the question.” Motioning to the empty dishes on the table before us.

“A sugar rush from all of this, and the fries have giving me a boost  it’s not a long drive away. And it’s not as though Charlie will be waiting for me when I arrive home. So, I can take my time.”

Going back to an empty house never used to make me pause for thought, however lately the emptiness felt like it was rushing out to get me. But I  tell anyone, especially #Charlie. He felt guilty enough about having to work late and going fishing with his friends.

“Anyway. You must have homework or chores you should be getting on with. I don’t want Billy thinking I’m a bad influence on you.”

※ Jacob ※

I shook my head. “I don’t know how it worked in Arizona… but around here friends like to do favours for friends.” I chuckled. “It wouldn’t be a problem, but if you’re sure…” Then I stopped and looked at her. “Is #Charlie still working? Well… Theres no point going home to an Empty house. You could come hang out with me and Dad if you want… Better sitting hope alone, right?”

※ Bella ※

“Arizona?”

Dropping my eyes to hide my embarrassment. How could I tell him that I really didn’t have friends until I came to Forks. How to tell him that he should understand just how important he is to so many people, that they would drop things for him.

How did I say, I hadn’t made the time of the effort to gain such friendships? #Renée had been a full-time relationship for me. “Uhm… I wouldn’t want to outstay my welcome. I’m sure you and Billy have things you’d rather be doing, other than entertaining me.”

I nudged him with my elbow  as a thanks. It had to be said how easy it always seemed for Jacob, to think of others. This boy genuinely cared. “Come on you little delinquent. Let’s get you home before your dad calls me a bad influence.”

※ Jacob ※

l felt an instant rush of guilt I thought she'd chosen to come here from Arizona. Maybe problems at school factored in? Either way, she was not ready to want about it.

If I respected her privacy, then maybe one day she would share things without hesitation. I should probably  use that logic on #Embry too, but I knew him. He wasn't one to bottle things he said everything that popped into his head.

"You could never outstay our welcome. You may be put to work come dinner time, though.” I chuckled. "And I think dad misses having girls in the house, so you would always be welcome.”

I stood up and stopped by Gem’s table for a high-five on the way out to the truck.

※ Bella ※

Smiling I gave the young girl a small wave as I passed by her table. Seeing how Jacob interacted with her, his willingness to share his time so willingly. This boy came as a gift to those who came across him.

“If helping with dinner is a Pre-requisite... I think we have a deal.” pushing the door over a gust of wind blew directly through my clothes and unzipped coat making my hackles rise. Quickly I rectified the situation, taking my keys out.

“Billy must really miss having a full house?” I asked climbing into the truck to turn it on right away with the heat blasting through it was cold again from being still all this time.

※ Jacob ※

I grinned... I hadn't expected her to change her mind. When she made up her mind she stuck to it, I just wanted her to know she was always welcome. I knew some people didn't mind being alone, I had a feeling Bella was one of them. But that didn't mean you shouldn't seek out  company when they wanted it. Or needed it.

I nodded climbing up into the passenger side the blast of cold air felt even colder than normal... and I was used to the noisy stream this beast made if you forget to turn the heater off.

"I think some of it is guilt... not that suggesting he doesn't miss the twins. But with them gone a lot of the chores are up to me... he thinks I have too many responsibilities... but it is not like he's a slob or anything. Mostly I cook and clean and #SueClearwater and #AuntConnie help out too."

※ Bella ※

I kept my concentration on what I was doing, pulling out of the parking lot, checking for a clear road before pulling out towards the Black’s home.

At the same time nodding my head whilst listening to my friend and watching my speed and the vehicles coming towards me, “I can see why Billy would feel like that. It is his prerogative as your dad, Jacob.” I’d seen that same look in #Charlie’s eyes so often.

“As long as you have support, and it’s what you want to do.” Hearing #Sue’s name did not surprise at all. The lady has been a god send for my family too. Her whole family were.

The dark clouds opened to let rain fall hard on the roof of my beast. Turning the wipers on, a ‘V’, formed between my eyebrows with my level of concentration.

※ Jacob ※

"I know he feels like he should be the one doing all that stuff, but life doesn't always follow the path we think it should... and I wouldn't want anyone else doing it. At least... not all the time. I have people to help when I need to ask."

I leaned forward in my seat as the  rain poured down in sheets. "Damn... the drizzle got hardcore pretty fast."

※ Bella ※

If #Charlie hadn’t drilled in the fact that the driver needs to look at the road all the time. This would have been a moment when I would really look at Jacob Black.

“How can someone so young, have suck a hold of life?” The question wasn’t meant to be spoken aloud. However, now that it was. I wouldn’t take it back.

“It’s how I feel about taking care of things for #Renée and #Charlie.” Sighing I reached over to clear my side mirror. “The weather loves to keep me on my toes here.”

※ Jacob ※

I chuckled. "I'm really not that much younger than you, you know." I had said the words without any other thought than just that. I was barely two years younger than her.

"I do remember #Charlie mentioning that your mom was a little...." I tried to think of a better word  he used. "Free-spirited." I laughed. "I bet that made for an interesting childhood."

I looked at the sky again. "Maybe it's a good thing you are staying for dinner... Hopefully, the weather will get a better."

※ Bella ※

I said the words at the same time has Jacob. “Free-spirited?” However, mine was a question to see if it was how #Charlie described his ex-wife. And he did.

Half smiling, I nod my head once. “Yes, it’s the best way to explain her. I think you would like her if you met her, she’s really laid back and easy going. She’s the one who always tries to make me skip school to go on a road trip.” I half laughed. “We have these tees we collected over the years.”

Glancing up at the sky. “I guess things happen for a reason. We need to stop off at the store.” seeing it coming up. “I need to grab a few things.”

※ Jacob ※

I chuckled when Bella came to the same conclusion as me. I Looked over at her when she said she needed to come to the store...

"Who on their mind comes here to go shopping when they could all the choice of Forks?" I laughed because really wasn't a notable improvement. And at we had the Farmer's market once a week.

 "Do you need directions into the village?" I had to admit I was a little curious about why she needed to go shopping just to come to my place for the evening.

※ Bella ※

“Someone who just thought about it, and now needs to go.” Clicking my tongue at Jake.

“Stop being so judgmental Jacob Black.” The comment was made in jest of course, this boy was the least judge mental person I’d met other than #Charlie.

Chewing on my bottom lip as it occurred to me, I’d not been into the heart of the village since I’d begun coming to visit. The Clearwater home, or the Black home, or the beach were the only places.

“Uhmm…. Yes please. Some directions wouldn’t go amiss.”

※ Jacob ※

I laughed and teased her. "Well, aren't you just full of ironclad logic. I will apologise with my famous Bolognese for my judgemental behaviour." I laughed.

I directed Bella turn by turn into the village.  "You can't miss it, it's the only store with a neon sign over the door."

※ Bella ※

“I’m a very logical person, I will have you know.” As soon as I say it, I shook my head. “Okay. Fine. I’m not. However, it’s the taking part which counts in the end.”

Being guided by Jake wasn’t hard. Soon enough we were parked outside of the bright neon sign. 

“This is cute”

※ Jacob ※

I chuckled. “I mean I think you are… you just aren't… you know, constrained by it. You are still creative and funny, don't take yourself too seriously. Well balanced, I guess.” Was I giving away too much?

“Yeah, it’s enough to survive on. At least in between the weekly  farmers market. Like most things around here it's been in the same family for generations.”

I looked out the window bracing myself for the spring to the door. “Ready?” I asked like it was a challenge.

※ Bella ※

My eyes found Jacob so fast. “Would you like to write my endorsement for my school yearbook, by any chance? I pay well in rides and helping out with homework!”

Looking to the store on the others side of the rain we would need to run though. “I haven’t been to the farmers market here.” Making a mental note to visit it soon.

“Okay. Let’s do this.” Pushing all my willpower into my body to open the door, close it and run towards the door.

“Oh crap!” I felt my feet going out from under me as soon as I was in front of the store and my truck.

※ Jacob ※

"Really? That's what want your yearbook to say? She didn’t take herself too seriously!” Laughed. "But you should check it out... they have a stall with the best cheese you will ever taste."

I ran to the store just a few steps behind Bella. before I knew it she was tilting backwards... limbs everywhere. Faster than I knew I could move and caught her under her arms. "Geez... Bells." I just about stopped her before her butt hit the wet pavement.

※ Bella ※

My chest was heavier, just as it had been on the beach. My mind honestly felt like it had vacated and then came crashing down when strong arms came from nowhere to catch me.

“What… where… how?” Confused with the mystery of how my body reacted and then Jacob… “I… Uhm… I’m so sorry Jacob. Are you okay?” Correcting myself as quickly as I could.

 “Come on. We are getting soaked.” Straightening myself up, grabbing Jacob’s hand to pull him along. Hoping to hide my embarrassed.

※ Jacob ※

"It's okay... Just a clumsy moment..." I helped her to right herself. Then she grabbed my hand and dragged me inside. "I think you really to quit running... especially in the rain." I chuckled.

"Me?" I asked, incredulous. "I'm fine... Are you okay? I hope I  did grab you too  hard? I figure I was an option than the pavement." I still wasn't quite sure how I managed it. I looked back to where she almost fell trying to recreate the slip in my head.

※ Bella ※

“Yeah….” Multiple thoughts about what happened and could have happened invaded my mind, however I waved them off. “Maybe it’s time to retire  from running. I’ve been telling my teaches for years.”

With one last glance back to the place where I would have landed, I let go of his hand, and shook the rain lingering on my shoulders.

“I would rather you than the cold, wet pavement. Thank you.” Pushing the door to the store open, we were greeted by a kind face. ‘Well.. hello.’

※ Jacob ※

I laughed a little relieved. "True... I just hope I didn't grab you too hard. You seem to do enough damage to yourself without any help." I teased... but I was starting to see her clumsiness was more than just the odd stumble or spill.

I smiled ad followed her inside, wiping my feet on the mat in front of the door. I beamed as we were greeted. "Hey, Joy." I turned to Bella. "Bella... This is #JoyAteara. #Quil's mom... Joy... This is Bella Swan."

'Oh!! This is the young lady that has all my favourite Boys scrambling for her attention?' #Joy grinned cheekily. I coughed and rubbed the back of my neck shyly.

※ Bella ※

My shoulders had felt a hold, but nothing more. Why would Jacob believe he may had hurt me wasn’t clear right now. That was until I went to shrug my wet coat, so I didn’t drip water in the store floor.

A sharp twinge jolt made me stop and bite down on my lip trying to smile at the woman before me. My hands half reached out when i heard her. I could see #Quil’s eyes and smile looking back to me. And the open demeanour.

“Oh… Uhm… I’m…” what did one say to such things? “Good afternoon, Mrs Ateara. I’m not sure of that.” My eyes darting to  Jacob and back to her. “Your son is a dear friend, and such an incredible young man. He was such a help with my fathers shed. I’d have been so lost without them all.”

Deflection to how well her son is brought up had to work, right?

※ Jacob ※

#Joy laughed. ‘Yes, he is. Good boy… when he minds his manners.’ #Quil’s mother was well aware of her son’s flirty nature. She put a hand on my shoulder. ‘That’s what this is for, keeps the other two… polite.’ She smiled. ‘You’re very welcome to our little village Bella, Jake will you show her around while I ring up some customers?’

“Sure thing…” I smiled and turned to Bella. “So what are we looking for?”

※ Bella ※

“Oh. Jacob does the same for me too. And thank you.” Taking a step to the side to made room for #Joy to continue with her work, I pushed my hands into my pockets.

“Oh.. Uhm… cooking chocolate, eggs, flour, powdered sugar, some vanilla?” Looking around my eyes fell on the grocery baskets, so I picked one up. “Are you or Billy allergic to nuts?” Chewing on my lips as another customer smiles at me walking past.

※ Jacob ※

I grinned at Bella. "Told ya I won awards for my politeness." I chuckled.

"What are you baking?" I asked her, really curious now. I had learned to be a decent enough cook looking after dad and trying to make sure he had well-balanced meals that kept his diabetes in check  but, baking was still beyond me. But luckily the ladies or the reservation had that part covered.

I led #Bella through the store to the aisle she needed.

※ Bella ※

Without answering I nudged my elbow into the side of my friend.

“As you’re cooking dinner, I thought I could take of dessert? It’s just a simple brownie recipe I saw on line. If I use a rich dark chocolate, a rip banana, and honey. Then Billy can have a one square too. what do you think?” Billy had in the past sneaked some pie or cake at ours when Jake wasn’t there. It’s why I thought of looking up some recipes to easy bakes to try.

“And trust me, I’m not great at the baking. However, brownies can’t go wrong can they.”

I could feel #Joy’s eyes following us. So, I turned my head, to find her smiling and waving while speaking to a woman I didn’t know. Waving back my attention returned to the job at hand.

※ Jacob ※

I smiled at #Bella of course she had thought about Dad's health. "Dad always reserves his sweet treats exclusively for baked goods... so I think you have a winning idea there."

I chuckled. "Well, neither am I... but I find that YouTube can solve most problems... and there one  in the living room where the Wi-Fi works."

That might have been an exaggeration... there were about three spots. I glanced at where Bella was waving. "#Joy is great. She teases a lot but she's good fun."

※ Bella ※

“Exactly. What did the world do before YouTube?” Gathering the few items necessary and placing them into the basket I lead the way back towards #Joy and the counter.

“I can see where Quil gets it from too. He definitely has parts of his mom visible. Now that I have met her.”

‘Did you find everything you needed Bella?’ #Joy took out a paper grocery bag, ringing the items up.

“Yes, thank you Mrs Ateara.” I said.

‘Please, call me Joy.’ She glanced up at me with a wink. Jake here will tell you. I’m not a stuffy old bat.’ This made me smile and redden.

※ Jacob ※

I smiled… “Yeah, his grandfather says that he's got his mother’s looks and his father's personality.” I laughed. We just took his word it bones of us knew for sure.

“They live with Old Quil down by the docks.” I told her as we walked up to the counter and Joy checked us out.

“Thanks, Joy.” I smiled at her, chuckling at her comment to Bella. 

Then I followed her out to their again. Taking the bags because Bella was struggling to walk today, without added burdens. “At least the rain eased up a tiny bit.” It definitely had not eased up.

※ Bella ※

My lips quirked up into a smile. (I’d begun doing it ‘smiling’, a lot more around La Push and these boys. They were good for the souls.)

“They must have some amazing views by the docks.” Looking up to the dark sky and the rain still coming down.

Pushing my hands into my pockets at first, and then I thought better of it. I would require my hands if my feet gave out on me. So, they came out as I walked as fast as I dared towards the truck.

“If you say so Jacob, however, please don’t be offended if I disagree with you.” Thankful he has taken  bags for me. Once inside I pushed the hood of my coat off my head and shivers.

The engine on, heat on full blast.

“Right, let’s take you home.” Pulling out of the parking lot, I pointed towards the left and then Right. “Which way do I need to go?” Asking sheepishly.

※ Jacob ※

Bella didn't run to the truck I grinned. She had learned the hard way. "Yeah, it's pretty good but... there are hardly any fishing boats anymore... but you see most of the bay. We climb up on the roof sometimes when there is a full moon, and the clouds aren't too thick.

I climbed into the truck and settled the groceries on my lap.

"Maybe it's just that I'm more accustomed to this kinda of weather. The Desert Girl has a low tolerance for cold and rain."

※ Bella ※

“It’s sounds heavenly.” I could picture the three boys growing up together young children climbing up to watch the night sky.

“Excuse me, however, I am not ashamed to say I like the heat, the sun, the warm air, and the lack of lush greenery surrounding me at all times.” Shivering just as I said the last word.

“I had hoped to have Climatize to this” pointing out the window. “However, my body, mind, and souls are fighting it tooth and nail. With my blessing... may I add.”

※ Jacob ※

“It’s a lot of fun.” I admitted happily.

I thought about what she said. “I mean I love the sun and the heat… but I don’t think if like to live somewhere without tress and rivers and free everywhere. I’d love to see it, but just for a visit. But I guess that’s the human we like the known and for you that’s… well the desert.” I chuckled.  “And I would be be the same if I went to Phoenix… because a hot day here has nothing on the hot day there.”

※ Bella ※

“I guess, I mean… I’ve not thought so deeply about why I miss the heat and the sun. Just that I do.”

For a short time, a blink of an eye is contemplated moving back with mom and #Phil, when #Charlie had come to his wits end with me. Because it would have been easier for him. However, I’d fought them.

“I’m conflicted with it now. Mom is asking me to pick a school closer to her when I graduate…. She misses me…. So, maybe you’ll come for a visit if I do, huh?”

Trying to become jovial with the possibility of the move.

※ Jacob ※

I grinned at her. "I think I'd feel the same if I left here. But I don't think that's the reason I don't want to leave... missing home in kind of a normal human condition."

I shrugged a little. "I suppose you should decide based on the school, right? How good it is... if it Teaches the course, you want and all that? right?" I didn’t like the idea of Bella leaving... but her not getting what she dreamed of? That was far worse.

※ Bella ※

Scoffing a laugh, one of those it’s worn as a mask for far too long. “Yes, of course. Of course, it’s about where it is best for me to go.”

Keeping my eyes on the road as the wipers swag back and forth over my windshield. “What you, still thinking about an internship or  trade school?”

Trying to think back to this conversation I had with him and his two friends now so long again. That had been his answer then.

※ Jacob ※

“So maybe don’t worry too much about where and focus on the best school…unless it’s a place you really don’t want to be… like I hear Seattle is kind of dangerous at night.”

Bella seemed to know where she is going now. “Um… yeah not really thinking about it. I have guy willing to me on as long as I graduate high school and it will be six months away of the trade school part. But #SueClearwater we can figure something out for Dad while I’m gone.

※ Bella ※

“Yeah, Charlie wasn’t best pleased when the brochure from Washington state came in the post. He’s worried about the crime rates there.” Nodding me head as I spoke. “He is trying to find a missing boy who went to school there. The mom and dad have been trying to find answers however, the police in Seattle haven’t helped much. They say the boy is over 18, so is ‘most like out doing what boys do.’ Charlie is taking this one hard.”

Tuning down the road going to the black house now, the rain easier enough for me to ease the grip on the wheel. “Six months away from home?” I had to smile; Jake was trying to plan ahead to make sure #Billy was looked after. We were so dissimilar after all. “You’re going to graduate, aren’t you? So, it’s a sure thing?”

My brows pulled together as the Blacks red house came into view. “Is that Charlie’s cruiser parked up in front of your home?” What was my dad doing here, I thought to myself.

※ Jacob ※

"I get it. I mean, he would probably love for you to be close by... but..." I inhaled loudly. "Yeah, he asked us to help put up posters around the village. But... I doubt anyone here has seen him. And I know that happens... kids go off to college and stop getting in touch... but  I think that a dangerous road when someone is missing... even if it turns out to be true. People need to be more like #Charlie and try to find them... not make excuses."

I nodded. "Oh yeah graduating was always the plan... but I think he used it as an incentive... Rez  High Schools have the highest dropout rate of any other demographic in the state. So... the grownups around here really try to encourage us to stay in school."

I leaned forward when I spotted the cruiser too. "Did you leave a note or something? Telling him you were coming  here?"

※ Bella ※

How could I not have a sense of pride in my father and what he did for his community? Add to the fact when others spoke with such a high regard and respect for him, I knew #Charlie was where he was meant to be.

Once maybe I held it against him for not leaving with my mother and I, however that feeling disappeared as I grew up to better understand #Renée, I knew they made the correct decision in the end.

“Huh? Oh… Uhm… no I didn’t.” Knowing I should have and that it was silly of me not to when I knew #Charlie would worry.

“But he has been  working late all this week, and I didn’t like he would be home before me…” my logic had made sense to me at the time.

As soon as I parked up beside the cruiser, the door to the red house opened. The shadow back lite by the light of our two fathers came forward before them.

#Charlie gave me a small wave and smiled. When #Billy spoke. ‘I gave Charlie a call, he’s been working too hard. So, I told him to come for dinner. We can watch the game while you kids do kids things.’

※ Jacob ※

When Dad and #Charlie stepped out onto the porch at the top of the ramp, I wondered if #Leah and #Seth had told #Sue they saw us and word got to Dad… who then… “Yup!” I whispered with a grin when Dad said that he called #Charlie.

“Just in time!” I called up to them. “I was  going to make my world-renowned Bolognese for dinner, and Bella is even going to make dessert.” #Charlie didn’t look surprised; he’d been here before, and he had eaten my cooking more than once. And I knew that #Bella had taken on a lot of the kitchen duties in the Swan house too.

‘Two teenagers sharing a kitchen?’ #Charlie flashed a crooked smile. ‘This will be fun.’ He chuckled.

“Two very mature, responsible teenagers!” I scoffed.

※ Bella ※

‘Sure, responsible.’ #Charlie teased.

‘Don’t disagree with the cooks, Charlie. We want to eat tonight.’ #Billy joked.

As I walked up the ramp towards the men with a paper grocery bag in my hand, reaching out I squeezed #Billy’s shoulder making eye contact. Thanking him in our way for making this happen.

His smile told me ‘Don’t worry, I got you and my friend kid.’ Making the prickling sensation at the back of my eyes threaten to let my emotions run wild. Blinking my eyes a few times, I leant into my dad as his arm came around my shoulder, taking the bag from me while kissing the top of my head.

‘You okay, Bells?’ He whispered into my hair.

“Yeah dad, I am more than okay.” It was the honest truth.

He glanced back to look at Jacob, I couldn’t see the look he gave the boy. However, his body remained relaxed as we walked into out of the cold.

※ Jacob ※

I chuckled at the dads and rolled my eyes as we walked inside. “Keep it up #Charlie and I’ll give you the supermarket cheese instead of the pepperjack from the farmers market.”

I heard Dad scoff behind me. ‘Hey, don’t waste the good cheese on the townies!’ He teased.

#Charlie gave me a smile that was more like a silent thank you… but he didn’t know that Bella’s day out of the house and socialising with friends… was more like getting yelled at on the beach by my so-called best friend.

They followed us to the kitchen, and I turned to glare at them. “Weren’t you talking about a game or something? We don’t need a peanut gallery.” I elbowed Bella lightly as we started to unpack the groceries.

The two figures finally retreated, muttering something about grumpy teens. “Should we start the brownies first? They need to sit a while before you can cut them, right?”

※ Bella ※

The Black house had a warmth to it, and I didn’t mean from the wood burner, I meant this sentimental warmth which engendered care, love, and a welcoming atmosphere.

Seeing the three of them laughing, joking, and teasing made a sigh of contentment, release from within. Of course I knew #Charlies friends were here for him, however they had also opened their tighten knit group up to welcome me in too.

The dads headed away. “I didn’t know they listened to you Jacob.” Nodding my head towards their retrieving bodies. #Charlies two steps behind  #Billy until he disappeared into the couch.

“Uhm..” nodding again as we unpacked the groceries. “It would be a good idea, for once giving them some time to rest. Charlie had a habit of stealing from the pan while they ate hot.” Saying it loud enough to be heard over the TV.

‘Lies. I hear nothing but lies.’ He was up making his way to the fridge.

“I would never.” He kissed me on the head and squeezed me into a half hug.

‘Whatever you say Bells.’ Whispering to Jacob. ‘I’m an officer of the law. I wouldn’t steal.’ Winking he left with two beers in his hands.

※ Jacob ※

I laughed. “Only when they want feeding!” I teased her. “I learned a lot from #Sue and Auntie #Connie so if I’m even half as good as either of those two I’m doing pretty good in the cooking department.” I boasted a little.

I nodded when she agreed we should start the brownies  first. “I know that from trying to steal #Sue’s and getting my hand slapped away.” I laughed and rubbed my hand like I could feel it. Even if she never hit hard, always a warning shot with a glare that made you take it seriously. “Okay… so what do we need? A mixing bowl…

One of those tray thingies… and…” I looked to her for the answers and searched for the tray in the cupboard next to the oven.

I rolled my eyes. “I’m inclined to believe Bell’s, #Chief! I’ve seen you try to snake a half-grilled burger off a barbeque.” #Charlie waved me off as he walked back into the living room. But I heard his deep chuckle. I set the bowl and tray on the counter and pulled open a drawer for spoons and a whisk.

Baking wasn’t really my thing… unless you counted heating lasagne or the pies that #Sue brought over, but I had a vague idea of the basic tools.

※ Bella ※

Once again, I found myself smiling, knowing #Charlie noticed it too. His chuckles and teasing with Jacob and I had a calming reaction for sure.

“Oh... Uhm… a knife to cut the chocolate bars with please? And a board too. And…” as I placed the ideas from the bag before us. Lifting up the bananas. “Could we microwave two of these for a few minutes? I need them to become ripe and soft.”

“Sue’s been great with the food advice with me too. Over the last year, I’ve gotten to learn to cook a few more things, other that the meat Charlie wasn’t all the time.”

Taking the mixing bowl, looking around. “Do you have any measuring cups at all?” Glancing towards the dads who had now fallen into their normal routine of discussing the game situation and how they would do things differently.

※ Jacob ※

I tilted my head at her… A knife for the chocolate? I chuckled. “Now there’s a sentence I never thought I’d hear. A Knife to cut the chocolate coming right up!” I grinned and pulled the drawer next to the sink open and found a big knife. Then I stopped to think about measuring cups…

“I know have I a jug…” I said and went to the corner cupboard… the annoying one that went back so deep that anything that went there might as well have been lost forever. My finger closed on a handle, and I pulled… various ancient pots and pans clattered. I pulled out the heavy Pyrex jug with measurements printed on both sides and held it out… “This has probably been in here for a year.” I laughed. “We should wash it first.” I set it in the sink, ignoring the mess I had likely made inside the cupboard… I made a mental note to clear  it out soon.

※ Bella ※

“Excuse you… I actually read in a blog that you should use a bar of chocolate when baking and not the chips. Which is all good and well.” Holding up the thick chocolate bar for him to see. “However, these things are hard to break with just my fingers. Also, I got the high coco  dark chocolate, it’s not so sweet. So, your dad can enjoy the dessert too.”

Setting the bar down, I walked over the sink without thinking. Picking up the jug and began to wash it out. Shouts came from the vicinity of the TV making me smile a little again. Once clean and dry I returned to the bowl and began to measure out all the ingredients we needed into the bowl. “Could you chop and mash the bananas and I’ll get to chopping the chocolate.”

Setting the bowl aside, I turned to the work at hand.

“These things are made to test one’s strength and willpower.” Joking (but not at the same time.”

※ Jacob ※

“I believe you!” I laughed holding up my hands in surrender. “Plus, I’ve tried that cooking chocolate before…. It’s…” I wrinkled up my nose. “Bitter.”

I smiled, I liked that she was thinking of not just Dad’s health… but the little bit of joy he’d get from a treat. This was Bella Swan, so I wasn’t shocked; she was kind unlike anyone else I had ever met. “Mashed bananas.” I said like it was a perfectly normal thing to do. “On it.” I washed my hands and grabbed the bunch. Then found a space on the counter to start peeling and breaking them into a  bowl. I laughed. “You mean the junk cupboard? I think every kitchen has one.”

I licked the fork I mashed the bananas with and dropped it into the sink as I passed to put them where Bella could reach them easily. “What’s next?”

※ Bella ※

“And this is why we are using the bananas. A little sweetness to cut the bitterness of the chocolate.” Leaning over the knife, using the full weight of my body to cut down on the thick bar of the chocolate.

Smiling. My eyes remained in the work in hand, the last thing I wanted was to cut myself and ble—"

“I—" Stopping the thought as it came to life in my mind, cutting myself, my blood, it wasn’t something I needed to worry about. I stopped the next thought even faster before my heart gave in to the darkness I have been fighting to fix.

“Uhm…” replaying what I’d heard while spinning internally. “We need to melt the chocolate once it’s cut. Could you set up a bain-marie at all?” A frown finding a home between my brows. The knife coming down harder and faster now as I attempt to distract myself.

※ Jacob ※

“Just don’t tell Dad there’s fruit in there… he thinks fruit is only dessert if it’s baked in a pie with massive amounts of sugar.” I chuckled. She seemed to freeze for a second with her eyes glued on the knife in a way that made my stomach churn a little.

Then she was sad again… out of nowhere… but not really. I mean I knew that today was only a reprieve from the pain she was in, I wasn’t going to swoop in and save her from the darkness in an afternoon. This wasn’t a movie; it was real life. But… it hurt my heart to actually see the little joy she had, drain away right in front of me.

So, I did the only thing I could think of… try to make her laugh. “Oh yeah, a… bam --- thingies sure. No problem I can do it with one arm tied behind ---” I shook my head, laughing. “Nope... absolutely not. I have no idea what that means. But…” I smirked…. “I’m a fast learner.”

※ Bella ※

“No.. of course, I wouldn’t tell… unless he asks…” distracted slightly as I considered myself lucky for controlling my mind.  The bar was chopped down half way before my gaze fell on Jacob making me smile. Jacob’s laughter had filled the kitchen, making it difficult not to  see how he was trying to help me.

“Bain-marie, Jake.” Licking my lips, I brushed my hair out of the way and pointed to the stove. “If you place a pan of water to boil, and a bowl over it. Please make sure the water doesn’t touch the bowl. We can then melt the chocolate with an indirect heat source. It’s the best way for smooth and glossy chocolate. It’s all about the science, you know.”

My hands had begun to hurt a little with the weight of me trying to cut all the chocolate up however it would be worth it in the end.

※ Jacob ※

I chuckled again. “He won’t. He’s learned to just enjoy it and not ruin his treats. He knows that the minute he hears sugar free he assumes it won’t taste as nice. When he makes no assumptions, he learns to enjoy the things he can have. #Sue’s trick is to tell him he’s only allowed one, then he thinks that just maybe it’s a little cheeky.” I grinned and wondered how many times she’d used that trick on us as kids.

“Oh…” I chuckled. “That doesn’t sound so complicated.” I smiled and looked for a heatproof bowl and a pan that it would safely sit  on top of. I set the water to boil and went to stand next to her. She was white knuckling the knife she was chopping the chocolate with… I wondered if it had something to do with the stressful moment that seemed to threaten to overwhelm her a moment ago.

“Hey, let me try  that, Bells.” I held out my hand for the knife. “It's not every day you get the chance to carve up a chocolate bar with a kitchen knife.”

※ Bella ※

Setting the knife carefully on the counter I took a step to the side. “There you go, I’m not placing it on your hand, that’s not very safe, Jacob.”

Working my hands to ease the discomfort of the pressure placed due to cutting the thick bar of chocolate. “Sue is really good in the way she speaks to you.” She had done something similar when I had needed help. “She’s a lovely lady.” Adding it as I glanced back to the stove. Before gazing back to him.

“Please be careful when cutting, I cannot have you injuring yourself before  we even begin cooking dinner.” Elbowing him in the side playfully. While he took over the chopping, I moved onto measuring out the dry and the wet ingredients ready for the next stage.

※ Jacob ※

“You are such a cop’s daughter.” I chuckled. But she had a point, it was a better option when the counter was right there. “Sue is amazing, she does so much for the tribe and the school… the clinic, and the community centre. I honestly don’t know how she has the time for it all.”

I chuckled a little at the protective comment. Such a cop’s daughter, I thought it this time. I started to chop… “I’ve been the boss in this kitchen since I was twelve.” I teased, remembering cooking in this kitchen with the twins before they went off to college. I matched the sizes of the chunks to the ones Bella had already made. “I’m pretty good with a knife… not in a creepy way.” I laughed when I realised that sounded like that was something a serial killer would say. It wasn’t as hard as it looked, the knife sliced easily through the thick bar, but I learned after a few chops to go slow, or chocolate chunks and crumbs flew off the cutting board.

When I was done, I went to check the pot of water, it was bubbling now. “So do I just put the bowl on top and let the chocolate melt?” I wanted to follow Bella’s lead on this one. I wasn’t used the baking unless it was warming up a pie #Sue had already made, and I didn’t want to ruin her dessert.

※ Bella ※

“And proud of it, however if you tell Charlie I said it out loud. I will have to kill you.” Trying to mimic the tone and accent of Liam Neeson in The Taken but failing miserably.

My gazed flickered to Jacob and back to the measuring jug as he spoke. It occurred to me how Jacob had stepped up to help in his home just as I had mine with mom at a young age. I’d never considered how he and #Billy would have managed their home once the twins left for college.

“Knife skills huh? And don’t worry about it, statistically speaking, the likeliness of there being two serial killers in a close proximity is really unlikely.” Giving him a devilish smirk, which I hoped didn’t look as uncomfortable as it felt doing it.

Upon my next glance over to Jacob, the crease between my brow deepened as I frowned. “You’re really making me look bad. I was struggling with the task you are making look so easy.

‘The boy is all muscular these days.’ #Charlie called out from where the dads were.

“Stop listening to our conversations!” Mocking my dad with a chuckle. His eyes came over the back of the couch and he smiled watching me.

‘Us Black men are stronger than we look.’ #Billy laughed punching dad in the shoulder. The sound of both of them laughing made me smile.

“Uhmm? Oh... yes.” Stopping myself from becoming distracted. “Yes, please if you set it on there, when you see it has begun to melt you can stir it.

Whipping the back of my hand over my forehead to move my hair out of my eyes. My hands working to whisk the ingredients in my bowl.

※ Jacob ※

I laughed and gave her a side-long glance at her serial killer comment. “Are you sure about that?” I asked with a slightly evil glint in my eyes. “Nah… you were doing it for longer. I can’t take all the credit.” I flushed a little at the comment #Charlie made. If the guys had  been here, I would have bragged… but Bella? My cheeks burned.

I tipped the chocolate into the mixing bowl and set it on top of the pot, making sure the water didn’t touch the bowl like she’d said before. Then I went to wipe the flakes and chocolate dust that escaped the  board off the counter, I’d have a moment before it would start to melt. Then I returned to watch it, the corners of the pieces touching the metal already melting a little bit.

“Who taught you how to cook?” I asked… curious. I had a feeling it probably wasn’t her mom.

※ Bella ※

“Okay, Jacob Black. I see you.” Elbowing him in the side. He took the bait and ran with the joke. “You know two minds are better than one. We can give each other our alibis”.

Smiling a little again, it had become a habit around this young boy now. “I know what the truth is. And you chopping that bar as though it is melted butter is boasting worthy.”

The almond tint of his skin reddened, however uncertain as to why I began to whisk the ingredients in the bowl before me.

“TV… a grandma a little too. Magazines on food, and sometimes I just thrust myself into the unknown hoping the outcome would be advantageous and edible. Well one of the two at least.”

My mom was never one to step forward into the kitchen for anything more than a sandwich or some pop.

※ Jacob ※

If I hadn’t had been blushing already, I might have taken her invitation to boast. “Anytime Swan…” I grinned. “The FBI shows up and asks me anything you were with me all day.” I nodded seriously.

“Must have been fun… Learning from your grandma.” I said, stirring the chocolate  now that a puddle of melted chocolate was pooled on the bottom of the bowl. “But it sounds like you mostly taught yourself… that’s cool and from everything I see so far you are pretty good at it.”

I kept stirring, there were still a few lumps, but they were soft and  shrinking. “What comes after melting the chocolate? I think this is nearly ready.”

※ Bella ※

Taping the side of my nose with a small playful wink. “And I’ll do it right back for you, Black.”

Shrugging my shoulders, a little “I have some fondness when I think of my time with her. She always had so much patience with me.”

My hand waved over the bowls and the baking tray I was buttering now. “Cooking is passable, this baking thing. It’s new. And brownies are as good as I have in my repertoire.”

Leaning over to gaze into the bowl. “Oh, that looks good. As soon as the last of the chunks melts, you can pour it into the big bowl here.” Lifting my chin towards the one I meant. “As soon as we stir it all together, it’s ready to go into the oven.”

※ Jacob ※

“More than passable for what I’ve tasted so far Bells..” I stirred the bowl until the last of the lumps melted away. I turned off the burner and lifted the bowl with a towel, hot water dripped from the underside, and I waited until most of it stopped.

“Careful… there’s still  a few drips.” I said as I tipped over the bowl into the one that she had pointed out. “I guess it's something you just have to learn by doing really. I used to do everything the way the twins did… but then I started changing things a little at a time and adding more. Now my Bolognese is famous…” I boasted. “In a very small circle of people… but still.” I laughed. And put the hot metal bowl into the sink, after scraping out as much chocolate as possible.

※ Bella ※

“Yeah. I guess. I hadn’t thought of it before.” Talking as Jacob went to take the bowl in his hands to the sink.

“Now that you say so, I guess it’s the same for me. Your sisters touch you, my grandmother and YouTube taught me and now we are here with your famously amazing  cooking.” Half smiling.

I stepped up stirring all the different ingredients together until they were combined. Once the batter became smooth, the contents were emptied into the baking tray.

“Who wants to lick the bowl?” I’d only gotten half way through asking the question and #Charlie was up running over; he took the spatula too.

‘I best take something for the old one to try too. Otherwise, he’ll sulk the rest of the night.’ Kissing my forehead.

‘Hey, don’t call yourself old. Don’t worry we won’t banish you a cave without dinner  just yet.’ #Billy shot over his shoulder, eyes still on the TV screen.

“You both are such big babies.” Rolling my eyes and wiping down the counter. Moving the Bowls to the sink for a clean-up.

“Right, chef. What can I do to help you with dinner?”

※ Jacob ※

I laughed… “I wouldn’t go that far… I mean my cooking is decent. But this is just the one that I chose to perfect. I should probably start a new goal for a perfect dish.” I chuckled.

I watched how she combined everything. How it all went a little clumpy and then started to  look more and more like you would expect brownie batter to look… I was half expecting the chocolate to start going solid right away. I laughed as #Charlie ran in… Not licking any excess chocolate off of the spoon at all. Nope, I was far too mature for that.

Then he vanished with the bowl and spatula. I wiped my mouth quickly with paper towels and washed my hands again. “We can start with the sauce if that doesn’t need to go into the oven yet?” I asked, clearing space on the counter. Bella was like me, tidying as she went… I hated a big clean-up job after I cooked. But that hadn’t come from the twins… They would wreck the place and do a big clean-up after we ate. It was a quick job after Bells washed the bowl.

I pulled out pots this time, then the vegetables, mushrooms, and tinned tomatoes for the sauce.

※ Bella ※

Shaking my head. “Not yet, we can talk place it in the oven once the sauce is on. It’s all about timing at this stage. Charlie likes them still warm for the first night.”

‘And I know how to use the microwave for the second round the next day.’ He called out. “Would you stop listening in to our conversation and consider watching the game with your friend!” There was a smile on my face while telling my dad off. Well. It wasn’t really a telling off.

“Of course, we can begin with the sauce. I am happy to chop up the onions for you. ”A job I knew most people didn’t like to do, so I offered so that it didn’t case them the eye burn. “And anything else you trust me to work on too.”

With my hands now dry, I went to stand beside the counter, finding a knife and chopping board and the onions to begin the process.

※ Jacob ※

I laughed and rolled my eyes. “You know he never chimes in like when I’m cooking. He’s all about the deserts.” My brow crinkled and watched her gather up the onions and chopping board. “You are volunteering to torture yourself?” I tilted my head and watched her. “It's my  least favourite part of cooking.” I chuckled. “Chopping onions. If you’re sure I’ll gladly delegate, the task.”

‘That’s my boy! Can’t have you crying in front of a girl.’ Dad called in for the next room. I rolled my eyes.

“Really, Dad? What happened to you two not  eavesdropping anymore!” I looked at Bella and smirked. “My next home improvement job will be soundproof doors.”

I went to the sink and washed the carrots and celery, setting myself up with a second cutting board near #Bella to start peeling and chopping.

※ Bella ※

“I’m sure, happy to help with the unwanted jobs. But you need to understand… This is going to get messy, however I feel up to the challenge.” I replied before looking back to where his dad spoke from this time.

I could help but laugh this time, another one of those full disclosure no holes bared laughs which I’d not done in a long while. “Those two are most certainly taking turns tonight.”

Peeling the skin of the onion, I cleaned the cellar membrane where it stuck before halving it with the root still on and began to slice and then dice. It didn’t take long. At first the smell on the vegetable hit my nose, setting off the chain reaction of the stinging and then came the tears.

I blinked my eyes, using the sleeves of my jumper to pat my eyes but not giving up. “Okay. These are shape.” Sniffling.

※ Jacob ※

I chopped the vegetables really fine and then cut up the streaky bacon I used instead of pancetta. “They are as bad as each other.” I chuckled. “And it’s getting worse with old age.” I whispered the last part.

I took the onions from her. “Thank you!” I smiled and then tilted  her face up. “Let’s assess the… Damage.” I paused, swallowing hard. Spirit’s… she was even pretty when she cried! I knew that was a stupid thing to think… Probably an awful thing to think. I mean, not this time because it was onions... but if she was really crying, it would be an awful thing to think. I grabbed a paper towel and handed it to her. “Not too bad.” I fibbed... not bad at all. “Tough as nails Bells.”

I took away the finger I had tilted her chin up with, realising I had touched her without asking again. Then I moved on to  peeling the garlic to get ready. Suddenly glad I hadn’t dealt with that before reaching for Bella’s face.

“Could you put a pot of water on to boil for the pasta please?” I asked, separating the three cloves of garlic I needed and assessing that I had everything I laid out  before I started to cook. “Oh!” I laughed realising I had forgotten the ground beef. I went to the fridge to grab it.

※ Bella ※

“Thank you.” The paper towel helped to wipe away the evidence of my tears, even if the stinging remained in place for now.

My mind went to how tall Jacob had become once again as my head tilted back to glance up at him. And his touch had been so deliciously warm. That act had cased my shoulders to stiffen, however the kindness of this boy had me relaxed.

“Of course, I can.” Following the way he indicated, opening the door to the cabinet I found a pot which could be used getting to work to fill it half way with water before setting it on the stove. The scent of garlic came instantly when he began to cut it, I turned to face the kitchen watching Jacob going to the fridge.

“Awww… and here I thought it would be meat free.” Teasing as I walked over to find a way to help with the next task.

Continued....