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 Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2020 5:48 pm
The idea that Q should have to use some sort of taxi service to get home was absolutely out of the question, and given that Nelson had 'something important to do', when he was asked to make the trip out to get her there wasn't really any way Jace could have declined. It wasn't just that he couldn't abandon Q to have to deal with more people after nineteen hours of being stuck on a plane, it was also that he really missed her.
Not that he could articulate that in any way that didn't express some sort of weakness, and his mother would be just offended if Jace lacked any humanity whatsoever.
He'd never be a good lawyer if he cared.
The request had been a little last minute, but that was expected. 'Something came up'. Xander was conveniently busy, so that left Jace to drive by himself to the airport and figure it all out. He tried not to feel anxious about there being so many people, because when left alone, what did he have to do except for worry about doing something wrong? About missing her, about her giving up and going on without him, about him letting her down.
He waited outside the terminal amidst a group of other people--happy families, excited partners, whatever. He was the only one with a scowl on his face, but it certainly wasn't because he didn't want to be here. He was eager to have her back. He stood amidst the others, arms crossed over his chest in his standard, too-dressed up for wherever he was supposed to be attire, looking like if he threw on a jacket he could be going to Court.
His eyes were on the stairs, though; people had begun to filter out of the plane now that it had finally landed and he stood, tapping his foot impatiently.
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Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2020 6:04 pm
The first hint she was there was the split in the crowd. With few exceptions most people opted to move out of her way as she exudes the rather distinct fact that she would absolutely ram into you with either her ‘murder heels’ or ‘kill boots’ on. Today seemed to be a murder heels day, her hair pulled back from her face and pinned there like the last person she’d been with had been her mother, who meant well but believed in a level of polish for her daughter that would have suited a doll in a glass case at times. A button down and a short skirt over stockings mingled with a half display of her normal jewelry including earrings that looked like safety pins. She had a slump to her shoulders that said worlds about the level of jet lag she was currently feeling. She scanned the crowd and saw you standing there, and marched towards you with the air of a queen. “YOU!” She said pointing. “Did you get the charms?” For all that her opening ‘you’ has a similar tone to a murder accusation, the inquiry was friendly enough. “I’m exhausted and you’ve been offered as sacrifice for my massage practice.” She rubbed at her eyes, smearing a touch of eyeliner with little care. “I need boba, and sleep.” She added. “Now hug me, I need to lean on someone and do anything but sit for a few minutes before I enter a discourse on how awful airplane food still is.”
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Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2020 6:49 pm
At the demand to be hugged, Jace flustered, like he didn't have the faintest idea what she was asking for. His arms remained crossed over his chest for too long before he managed to pry them off and hold them open almost awkwardly. He did not embrace her, because Q gave off the impression of hugging an anemone and he supposed that the only safe way to do it was to let her take the lead.
"Yes, I got the charms. Thank you," he said, and excused one of his arms to pull his keys from his pocket, making sure she could see the charm he'd attacked to them. "Boba's in the car, I grabbed it on the way over. It's on ice in the cooler. --Do you want me to hug you or do you want me to take your bags? Because I can do that, too."
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Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2020 6:59 pm
“You may live.” She said with a small groan, which was the Q equivalent to ‘may the blessings of heaven and all the saints be upon you.” She half hugged and half collapsed against his chest for a moment with the the soft groan of someone who is both exhausted and pondering murders. “I brought moon cakes.” She added “In my bag, the fruit ones you liked. Grandmother made them, said there isn’t enough meat on you.” She added and stood again. “I can deal with my carry on if you’re ok dragging my checked bag? Do I need to kill anyone local? Let me know now so we can plot our escape route. Holden is already sworn in as a plausible alibi.”
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Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2020 7:45 pm
Though Jace wasn't quite sure how to receive her in the hug, he held her carefully, safely, when she pressed against him--even if only just for the few seconds that it lasted.
"--What?" he blurted, "No--who would you need to murder? You've been out of the air for what, five minutes, and you're already--no, I'll take your checked bag, and your carry on if you get tired of that between here and the car. --Why does your grandmother think there's not enough meat on me, are you showing her pictures of me?" he asked, half scowling out of embarrassment.
There was certainly enough meat on him, he worked hard to stay in good shape, and a few nights of too little sleep and too much coffee, and maybe too much stressing all around, wasn't enough to turn him into some waif.
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Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2020 7:40 am
“She thinks you’re too pretty,” Q said with a small smirk. “I’m pretty sure if you offered marriage, she’d accept; you could take over our family business instead.” She teased. “Also, you never know, I got a rumor from my Brother that there was a ‘farm’ incident. So… murder is still on the table.” She reached back and tugged the combs and pins out of her hair and tipped her head back in a sigh of relief. “Amazing, no matter how many times we do this, I always marvel at how little I want to sit, but now I’m so tired and have no desire to stand.” “Come on… have you eaten yet?”
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Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2020 8:48 am
He scowled again, as if deliberately now, to wash away any trace of prettiness. Maybe to hide the way he seemed flustered at the idea of marriage, too.
"Xander went to the farm, yeah," he answered instead, because it was easier to direct his anger at that than it was to process any other emotion he might have been feeling. "He's okay. Was talking with Nelson about plans, in case there's a next time. I don't know if Nelson's talked to you about it yet."
He wasn't sure the airport was the place to have that conversation, though, so he just shrugged it off and began maneuvering through the crowd. "But, I haven't eaten yet. Do you want fast food or a restaurant?"
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Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2020 8:58 am
“He has a little yes; I assume you know we’d abduct you as soon as you clear the test, regardless of results.” She gave you a stern look. “Because you’re not being sent back there either.” She added. “I will drug your tea and drag you out a window if I have to.” She scolded. “Fast food is good this time.” She rubbed the back of her neck. “I am going to sleep for about a week after I crash.” She warned. “I have an extra something for you in my bag, too; I’ll give it to you in the car.” She added like you should have expected something the whole time. “I’m at least fairly sure your mother will approve of part of it.” She added. “You’ll have to come with me one of these times, too; I’ll even protect you from most of the holistic remedy.”
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Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2020 9:04 am
Regardless of results set a shadow over Jace's face, because was very aware of the likelihood of failure--that he absolutely could not accept. That his mother wouldn't accept.
He wasn't going to be a failure in any capacity, and he forced himself to stand a little taller, a littler more defiant, because even if the odds were against him, he wasn't going to let himself be a failure. Or, at least, he wasn't going to give anyone else the chance to think so lowly of him before he actually failed.
He was suspicious when she said she had an extra gift for him, that even his mother would approve of. "I don't need protection," he huffed. "If I get free time, though, I'll go."
The car felt like it was a mile away, and he could only imagine what she must be feeling if she was walking around in those shoes.
"You didn't have to bring me anything, though. The charms were nice, and they were more than enough. Thank you," he said, because despite his apparent indifference for so many little, nice gestures, they meant more to him than he'd ever admit.
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Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2020 9:14 am
“I am just establishing a territorial claim.” She snapped back. “You’re going to ace the test, and you SHOULD know it.” She stomped hard enough to make the metal support of her heel gouge into the airport carpet. “I saw that look; you still think you’ll fail; I just think your mother might try and keep you at home when you DO pass.” She flipped a hand through her hair. A long sigh “I suppose we’re going to need an extra bed regardless because Holden won’t let you get away with not inviting him for a sleepover.” She added. “I haven’t heard from him in a few days. Do you think we should check social media and see if He’s joined the wrestling world?”
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Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2020 9:27 am
Jace immediately huffed and shot her a look that could hardly be described as antagonistic despite how harsh it was. He might butt heads with just about everyone, but he wasn't going to argue with Q about how he was not going to fail when she was already on his side.
That just made the threat of failing weigh so much heavier on his chest.
"It wouldn't be the end of the world if I stayed for a while longer."
He wasn't sure if he was telling her that or telling himself that.
"We'll see how the test goes." He felt the urge to speed home and pick up another book but tried to reel himself back into this moment. He was doing good. He was ahead of where he thought he'd be. He deserved a break.
His mother's voice was immediately nagging him in the back of his mind, appalled at the thought of him becoming complacent--of him thinking he deserved a break--so he spoke over it to say, "I'm sure Holden's brother is holding his phone hostage if he's not texting us. Probably hid it atop the refrigerator, or will only give it back when Holden has actually learned something. We're almost to the car, I got a good spot," he promised, eyes focused ahead of him so he didn't have to worry about her reading too much into any of his expressions because he'd let his guard down.
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Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2020 1:49 pm
“Are you telling me that, or are you trying to convince yourself?” Q said, stopping in her tracks with one of her more stern expressions. “Because if it’s me, I’ll respect that, if it’s something you aren’t sure of… then it can’t hurt to TRY and make your own space.” She would stay there too, against whatever ache was in her back or feet, patient for his answer. At least, most days, she would. She stepped forward and laid a surprisingly gentle hand on his shoulder, and sighed. “Think about it, alright? I’m sorry… I’m pushy because I’m tired.” She huffed. Rubbing at her arms in one of her own moments of being readable. Still, she gratefully followed towards the car, Destiny city might be strange, but it was home.
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Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2020 2:45 pm
Jace admittedly didn't seem to know how to respond to the gentle touch on his shoulder, and it softened him significantly--though, he turned away and gently tugged her towards the car.
"I'm figuring it all out," he promised, quieter than he usually was. It wasn't as confident as he usually presented himself, but there were less people around. He wasn't the sort to suddenly be vulnerable, and this was no difference. "...I'm more worried about Xander, anyway. But as long as he's taken care of, I'll be okay. I can figure it all out. Worst case scenario, wherever he is, I know I can go. Or you." He looked at her for only a split second before he nodded to his car now that it was in sight. "...I know that if I needed, you know. Help. I could count on you. But it's too far away for me to be making plans."
It wasn't. He was already making plans. He just didn't want to accept that he had to plan for any sort of failure. He reached the car and opened the door for her; in the front seat, by her feet, was a small cooler--carefully packed with the promised boba. The chair had already been pulled back, as if he expected she'd want to lay back and stretch her legs. There was a blanket, neatly folded, and a pillow, resting on the seat, and a pair of slippers on the floor of the car. He opened the back door and began putting in her luggage. "Go ahead and get comfortable, I'll get it packed up and we can get some food on the way home."
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Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2020 3:27 pm
“I know.” She murmured. “You’re going to shock yourself when you do move out, that’s all.” She froze, blinking at the front seat before breaking into a wide smile, huffing a small laugh. “And me, you’re just going to keep blowing us all away.” She shook her head and carefully slid into her seat, leaning back with a heavy sigh and then lifting the boba to take a long, rather satisfying swig. “I accept NO blame if I fall asleep in your car Jace.” She kicked off her shoes and immediately slid them into the slippers with a soft groan. It seemed for a moment like she might have already nodded off when she suddenly lurched forward and started digging in her carry on. “If my head weren’t attached.” She cursed and fished out first a long box, handing it over. “First gift first. I know Nelson brought Xander some extra things, so these are the extra things I brought YOU.”
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Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2020 4:11 pm
Jace had made sure everything was secured in the backseat and had just taken his place in the driver's seat. "You didn't have to get me anything," he protested, buckling up so he had a distraction.
Eventually, when he couldn't put it off anymore, he turned to face her, getting the car on and the air conditioning going. Q had free reign to change anything she needed and he had no doubt in his mind that she would set it up however she wanted--temperature, music. He didn't care, there were no limits. He didn't mind; he had her company and that was good enough.
"You can just get comfortable and relax, there's no rush for anything. I brought everything so you could relax. I figured the plane would be cramped, so really, you can just take it easy."
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