Late night walk //Matthew - Kya

[Jack Lexington]

Matthew Dunham

I'm trying ro find words that make what I did seem not so bad...'maybe he's gone for good.' Deep down I doubt it though. Right now I really feel like running from this incredibly embarassing situation where I stand with my pants down...emotionally and literally totally exposed to her good will. And I'm read y to take anything she'll offer me because I've screwed up...again. In a whole different, much more dangerous way.
At least I'm able to hold back those damn hot tears that make me feel even weaker.
I never cry. Not even when my mother ditched us or when I lost against Mark. Why now?

I catch her look at me and avert my gaze again. Then she sighs. Is she going to tell me I did it? I screwed her over one too many times now that I'm so open about everything?

Out of the corner of my eye I see how she stands up, drags the bedsheets with her and comes towards me. If I could back away now I would but there's the dresser and then her body, wrapped in the white sheet presses up against mine.
Oh dear...does this mean she can forgive me?
Her hand finds mine and I certainly don't pull it away even though I can't look Kyanite in the eye.

"It's okay Matthew... you don't have to worry. You've done what you said you were going to. You protected me. You've kept me safe and for the last couple of months, I'll never be able to thank you enough for giving me something I've never had before when he was around."

How can she be so sincere when I almost signed her death sentence. Where is she going with this?
"You..."
Bewildered I look up in her eyes. Is she being serious? Sincere even?
"Me?" I frown. Am I worth this kind of risk to her? I guess if the shoe was on the other foot I'd say yes but I live my ife in a risky way anyway. I fight, I use deadly weapons in the pregames and I'm the one who pulled the trigger on Jins. I wouldn't be afraid of him but I know she is.

Suddenly her lips are on mine washing away all those doubts and sorrow in the blink of an eye.
How does she do this? It seems like I partly lost controll over my own feelings and she's now the captain of my ship. So easily she wraps me around her fingers...or lips.

Once again I look her in the eyes with my head still tilted away from her and mutter.
"I'm sorry...I can't promise that I wouldn't do it again. maybe I'm just as much of a loose canon as that guy is. You know, when I saw him touch you..hurt you...I'd do it again. Ky, I can't even apologize for shooting him, just that I put you in danger."

[*]

"You." I tell him. I'm being nothing but truely honest right now to Matthew. He's my boyfriend and my protector, obviously. He's the one that deserves to know that I appriciate everything he's done for me. No matter what happens after this, I know I can count on him to have my back and to do what he needs to save me from that retched guy that harrasses me in so many ways. Even when I say that word, I take a quick note of the look that's in his eyes. I see the curiosity in his face and in his arched eyebrows. How his ears move just slightly upward when his facial expression changes. He repeats the last word again with confusion.

"Yes,, You!" I tell him without delay. I want him to know that I'm not teasing him. He's the best thing to ever happen to me and I don't care who knows now. He's been doing it all the whole time. It's me whose all caught up in him now. I let my lips fall on to his to show him what I mean, and by the way I feel his hands touch my sides, it seems like it'll be okay after this. I hope so. I don't want him thinking he's no good for me when he's quite the opposite. Everyone makes mistakes. I can't hold him to this at all, when it isn't his fault after all. It's only my own fear taking over.

He eyes me with a certain amount of shame still. Do I keep doing that to him? Why is it when he looks at me, after telling me what he did, does he still look at me like I've shamed him? I do wish he'd not be so hard on himself. As far as he knows, everything worked out. It's my job to let him know that everything is fine.

"I'm sorry... I can't promise that I wouldn't do it again. Maybe I'm just as much as loose canon as that guy is. You know, when I saw him touch you..hurt you... I'd do it again. Ky, I can't even apologize for shooting him, just that I put you in danger."

Should I calm his fears? Maybe to tell him that I saw Jins and just say he stayed away from me? What would be better? To tell him I've still not seen him or to tell him that I saw him but he's left me alone? Why wake a sleeping dog?

"I don't want you to apologize. That's the last thing I want you to do around me. Everyone is a loose canon, once in a while." I lay my head on his chest and take a deep breath. "If it ever happened again... you'd take care of him for me, won't you? If he were to ever appear, you'd make sure to put him away forever? Make him feel bad for what he's done?"

I ask out of curiosity. Everything he's done to both Vy, brooklyn and myself. I lean up from his chest and take his hand yet again, and lead him away from the dresser. I take backward steps to the bed and sit down on it and let him do the same before I pull his arm to be put around my body. I wrap my good arm around him and take a moment to just contemplate how I"m going to get rid of Jins the next time I see him.

[Jack Lexington]

Sowly I calm down at her words because I can tell she means it.Iam vulable to her. That's something new to me. Other than my dad noone has ever told me that. So I try to swollow my shame and offer her a slight smile.
"Yes,, You!" She sounds so confident and that slight sparle in her deep brown eyes tells me that she feels passionate about this...us.
I pressmy lips together and nod at her.
"Thank you."

I'm not sure how she's able to overlook all my strange tendencies and faults. I've let her down when she offered help and I've helped when it wasn't wanted, yet sheputs her soft full lips to mine and reminds me that there's much more between us than single events. We've managed to create a bond that I'm unfamiliar with.
It's so unknown that I feel overwhelmed by it, but Ky seems just comfortable.

"I don't want you to apologize. That's the last thing I want you to do around me. Everyone is a loose canon, once in a while."
That actually makes me laugh because I doubt it.I've got a long history of loosing my cool but Kyanite? Not so much.
"Yeah, thanks." It feels relieveing to joke the guilt away.


With her head on my chest,because that's just about where she reaches when she's not on her tippy toes she becomes serious again.
"If it ever happened again... you'd take care of him for me, won't you? If he were to ever appear, you'd make sure to put him away forever? Make him feel bad for what he's done?"
So do I. I a calm, slow but adament voice I promise.
"I will never let him do anything to you again, Ky. If he shows his face again, you let me know and I'll take care of him, no matter what. I promise that."
For a moment I lean my chin on top of her head and rub her back.
"I swear, Kyanite."
It's a given, she didn't even have to ask this. I regret not going through with it in the first place. At least partly.The other part of me tells me that if I did I might be in jail right now with a much guiltier conscience.
I'd still do it though.

Then she guides me back to the bed with only the blanket covering part of her and my naked body. It's pretty cold right now, so I lean back onto the bed and push up until we're both completely on it before we cover ourselves in the warm, fuzzy blanket.
I never let go of her because I feel this dire need to protect her from anything, even cold.
My eyes fall close because I feel this is where we both need to be right now and I don't want her to leave.
"Stay here tonight." I whisper before drawing a deep, freeing breath.

[*]

"I will never let him do anythig to you again, Ky. If he shows his face again, you let me know and I'll take care of him, no matter what. I promise that." An overwhelming sense of calm takes over my body. His voice is serious and very sincere the way he says that. With my head on his chest, can he feel the breaths that come out hitched? When asked if he would do such things and questions for him to continue to protect me, would he? I feel horrid for not telling him and even more so when he suddenly comes out with more. "I swear, Kyanite."

Internally, I'm screaming. Inside, I just want to tell him everything at that point. Why it is that Jins finds pleasure from my pain. Why Jins never lets up. Everything that happened when we were eight is the cause and I wish someone knew the entire thing. My problem is having the guilty conscious.

With that being said, I guide him to the bed. He pulls the blankets up to our naked bodies and I lean heavily into him, letting my cheek rest on his chest. Just like my favorite thing to do, I bring my hand up, letting my fingers trace lines and shapes onto his skin. I look up once to see his eyes closing and a smile appears on my lips.

"Stay here tonight." I already want to agree with him. The only thing that might not sit well is telling my father or Jeran, of all people, where I am tonight. Though, a small fib won't hurt. Gala can always have my back if they needed someone to confirm it.

"I'd like that... very much." I tell him and start to shift my weight a bit and turn into him, pulling one of my legs over his legs, strattling his lap and press myself against him again. This time my lips find his in a very quick manner and I tease him just slightly before letting my lips brush up against his ear.

"You know... the food is probably done. Are you hungry?" I tease him, and get off his lap, taking the sheet that is still draped over my body to conceal my curves. I walk to the doorwar and turn back to look at him. Satisfaction and love and comfort. That's what eminates from him. That's what makes me feel alright right now. I give him a subtle wink and walk out the door and down the stairs. Without another moments of hesiation, I briefly call out to Matthew.

"When is your father going to be home?" That's the last thing I need is for his father to see me wrapped up in his son's bed sheet.

[Jack Lexington]

For me all my worries just dissolved and I'm ready to give in to sleep with her tightly pressed against my side. Her lips caress me once more, so do her fingetips.
I'm half asleep with her conformatbly draped over half of my body when Kyanite suddenly pulls on the warm blanket and sits up talking about the food that weleft on the stove downstairs, which is probably burned right into the pot by now.
"Are you hungry?"
"Just sleepy." My voice is low and slow.
Instantly I'm cold and not half as comfortable anymore. My senses become unwillingly alert again so I groan a little.
"Really? This was so nice."
But before I know it she's out the door with my bed sheet.
"Ah shit." I rub my face to get a little more awake and sit up for a moment.
My eyes scan the floor for my clothing when I remember that we left it all around the living room downstairs.
Maybe it is a good idea to grab the stuff before my father comes home from work.
So I stand up...still in my birth suit with the firm plan to retrieve my clothes downstairs as quickly as I can.



By this time my father has already entered the door downstairs. The first thing he noticed was the slightly burnt yet interesting smell, which never happens when it's just me at home. I don't cook for myself.
Then he steps inside and casts a glance around to find a heap of clothes on the living room floor just to spot some girl coming down the stairs in the hallway with a bedsheet wrapped around her.
At first there's a deep frown on his face but because he's not generally a rude person and somewhat amused by the fact that this young lady will be udderly embarassed in less than two seconds he greets her with a neutral. "Why...hello."
Next thing he lays upon is my naked form stumbling down after her, which he hasn't seen since I was a little boy so he places his hand over his eyes and scold me loudly.
"Shit, Matthew. Do you want to blind me? Get some clothes on!"

I have to admit my fathers presence not only startles me but also makes me very uncomfortable right now, so I just growl at him. "About to." and hurry to the living room to at least slip some boxers and pants on.

To somehow distract him from Kyanite I ask. "What are you doing home? Not working the night shift today?"
"Obviously not." He taps his fingers on the door frame to the living room.
"Looks like you didn't expect me home!" He states the obvious.
My father isn't a fan of women, nor does he know what to do with them.I inherited every bit of my bad attitude straight from him, yet he seems unusually mellow today.

[*]

"Are you hungry?" I ask him in which I get a common reply after we do this. I, myself, am ready to close my eyes, but the food on the stove we left unattended has suddenly become priority as I'd rather not have Matthew's father coming home to a house that's buring down for a little while of pleasure between the two of us. So, I listen to his voice and make my way down the hallway and hit the stairs, not even a second after my voice carries up asking about when his father would be home, only then, do my eyes travel upward away from the steps to notice the man that's standing in the living room, his eyes right on me as I realize that he's not only on his way home, but already here. I gasp out, and turn to him, to hide the redness in my cheeks.

"Why...hello."

Complete and utter embarressment floods my cheeks, and warms my skin. Matthew's already on his way down as his father yells something about getting some clothes on before he blinds him, but I can only think that he's somehow judging me. In his son's bedsheet of all things. I know his father doesn't like women and he's not had one since MAtthew's mother left him. I can't know what's going on through his mind. Nor, do I know what to do in this kind of situation. I'm not sure whether to go down and grab my things or have MAtthew bring them up to me. I dont want his father to have any kind of images going through his mind than what he just saw.

So, I take my leave and go back up the stairs, hiding away around the corner. "Matthew, would you mind.... my clothes?" I ask, and my voice is full of shyness now. I've only just let Matthew see my naked body since we've been dating, and I'm so careless right now to think that his father might have seen something of mine if I wasn't covered enough. I stand against the wall on the landing, my back pressed firmly against it and my hands covering my face. I wait to hear the footsteps of my boyfriend coming back up the stairs with my things before I can face his father again.

[Jack Lexington]

Judging by the way Kyanite turns right around and hurries back up the stairs whilst asking me to retrieve her clothes I can tell how udderly embarassed she is. So am I. Not too long ago I claimed to my fathers face that I hated all women just like he does because they are nothing but trouble.
How is he supposed to understand that I changed my mind because of the one upstairs.

His arms are crossed and his face doesn't look one bit amused but he never looks away from me while I slip on my boxers, jeans and gather our stuff in both of my arms.

My exit strategy is just to push past him and not say a word but he blocks my way.
"What is this, son?"
Of course his stupid question provokes some attitude on my side so I look him in the face and sigh at the way he's not letting me through.
"What does it look like, dad?"
His eyes narrow dangerously...after all I got my temper from someone.
"Give me a damn answer. Since when do you screw around? And in my home!"
His words are hurtful...mostly to Kyanite so I bark back at him.
"I don't screw around." I give him a long and hard glare. He really should know me better than this...then again I share nothing of my private life other than the training with him.
"Kyanite is my girl friend. She's been my girl friend since the winter!" I try to justify our actions leaving out our break up.

He frowns at me and then looks towards the stairs because he remembers seeing her around before.
"You should know better." His voice is low and almost disappointed like he's trying to warn me not to make his mistakes.
"She ain't mom." I give back just as low.

To my great surprise I don't get one upside the head by my angered father but a simply step back so I can get through.
Carefully I pass him and then walk up the stairs to meet the girl, who's anxiously waiting for her clothing.

I can see how red her face still looks and give her a smile.
"You're cute when you're embarassed....don't worry. It's all good."

[*]

Why, did his father have to come home early? Or at all? Or at least he could have waited just a few more minutes for me to get my clothes on. OH how incredibly embaressing this is. His father caught me in a bedsheet. SHIT! My back presses harder against the back of the wall when I called for Matthew to bring me my clothes, since he was already down the stairs and grabbing clothes when I was coming back upstairs to hide away with the guilt of being caught red handed and unclothed in front of his father. Downstairs though, he's getting the backlash for me. He's taking the heat for having me over and I know that I'm partially the cause. Maybe it won't be that bad? At least it wasn't my father who caught Matthew with his pants down or the bedsheet around my body?

The bickering between the two makes me feel worse. Hearing his father asking him why he's screwing around in his house makes me feel like the average girl who does nothing but sleep around with random guys. I'm NOT like that. How dare his father think I'm one of those kinds of girls? Matthew is my first. He never was, nor will ever be a string in many more like that. I only stick to one and it happens to be his son. I just hope after all this, his father don't make him deal with making me obsolete from his life. I can't handle losing him again because of his dad... nor mine.

Matthew, on the other hand, defends me. I barely hear him say to this dad that I'm not like his mom. Meaning for that is that I won't walk on him. Sure, we've had our rough patches already, but we've always gotten back together. Still, it gets quiet all of a sudden, and I wait with a halted breath to hear the footsteps coming up the stairs. I'm almost pictureing it to be his dad, and shoo'ing me out of his house and forbidding me from ever seeing his son again. Though, the face I look at, with redened cheeks, is Matthew as he has the clothes in his hands and I see my precious intimates rolled up with my other clothes. I reach out for them, shyly.

"You're cute when you're embarassed.... don't worry. It's all good." I want to say I heard what his father said. I want to tell him that I don't think I should stay the night, but I told him I would already. Just depending on what happens next with his father, will ensure my time here with Matthew.

"Matthew... I don't think I've ever been so humiliated in my life before." I give him an honest shy grin and keep my hand to my cheek and take the clothes into my hands and give him a nod to what he said. "You're father probably thinks I sleep around with anyone... I didn't want him to have the kind of impression of me. I barely know him and already..." I bring a hand out to the sheet and put it on display with the way I show it off. "he's got an image he'll never get out of his head. Maybe, I shouldn't stay tonight. I mean... your dad..."

My voice goes rigid and low. With Matthew, I've never been shy before. Now that his father has seen more than he needs to, I'm at a loss with myself. I really have no clue what to do with myself. So, I merely just walk to the bathroom in the hallway and slowly close the door, but unlocked. Taking my time, I lower the lid to the toilet and sit on it, laying the clothes in the floor. How can I face his father now, of all times?

[Jack Lexington]

I try to lighten the mood by stressing that she's cute when her cheeks are so pink and she looks so shy. Not like the girl without many inhibitions who kicked my butt out in the forest.
Kyanite can't see the humor in it though.
"Matthew... I don't think I've ever been so humiliated in my life before."
I just look at her with a subtle smile and hold back any comments along the lines of 'You shouldn't have walked down'.

"You're father probably thinks I sleep around with anyone... I didn't want him to have the kind of impression of me. I barely know him and already..."
I can only shake my head at that. "I told him your my girl friend, Ky."
Gently I touch her bare shoulder while she's still hiding in the bed sheet.
"Just give him some time to get used to ..." I motion for her and me. "...this...us. My dad's not a very social guy. But if I think he'll come around."
I actually don't think so because I've heard all the crap come out of my fathers mouth how women are nothing but heart ache and trouble...they say one thing and mean another, they give us all these mixed signals, the screw us up royally. No woman is worth that kind of trouble...and he said that in my sisters and moms presence. No wonder both left when they had the chance. I'm actually not so sure about my mother, There must be more to the story but I guess I'll never know.

"he's got an image he'll never get out of his head. Maybe, I shouldn't stay tonight. I mean... your dad..."
I want to object but don't because she walks away to the bathroom.
For a moment I stand there with myu shirt still slung over my arm and put my hand against the wall. What do I do now? Let her walk away? Talk to my dad? To her? But what do I say...how do I out of all people try to act as a mediator?


I decide to follow her into the bathroom and lock the door behind me. Then I lean my hands on the sink behind me.
Kyanite looks very uncomfortable, almost scared which makes my faint smile vanish as I look at her with concern.
So I crouch down in front of her and place my hand on her knee.
"Are you okay?"
I pull her into my arms and hug her.
"Don't worry so much. Stay with me tonight. He'll get used to it."

Then I stand up to pull the t-shirt over my head and wait for her to get dressed.
"Dinner's still sitting downstairs. I think we should eat." My hands out for her to take it.

[*]

Have I shamed myself for doing this? In his house? While we only assumed that his father would have stayed out and we were totally free to do whatever we wanted? Maybe, we should have been more careful? A little more secret and made sure to collect our things before we went upstairs to enjoy more alone time. Good things never last though. My eyes gaze down to the articles of clothing I laid in the floor and grasp at the bedsheet that's around my body. It's just so overwhelming to show my face right now. Not only in front of Matthew, but his father. Where did this emotion come from? When am I ever embarassed?

The door clicks and my gaze is shooting to the door. It opens slowly at first, then the image of Matthew is what I see, so my heartrate begins to go back to normal again. I don't know why, but I was half expecting it to be his father with the demands to get out of his house. Instead, Matthew shuts and locks the door and leans on the sink. I can't get rid of the redness in my cheeks, so I hide it from him.

He takes note of my silence and then walks over to me, and crouches down in front of me. His hand touches my knee and I gently look up to let my eyes meet with his.

"Are you okay?" I shrug my shoulders, but obviously I'm not.

He leans up and pulls me into his arms and his arms wrap around my body and that sense of overwhelming comfort is extracted from him yet again. I don't understand how he can do that. With a mere touch. With a simple gesture, he seems to help the heat in my cheeks disappear. Why can't he just turn back time? Turn the clock back just enough to stop me from walking out his bedroom door and down the stairs. It would have been different should his father only catch him, but he caught sight of me first.

"Don't worry so much. Stay with me tonight. He'll get used to it."

"Will he? You've told me and I heard about his luck with women. Both of you have. Yet, you're the only one that seems to want me here. Even that night when you brought me here to stay when my father refused to have me at the house, I still heard that tone in his voice. I'm not welcomed here... but I will for you."

A shy nod comes from me, accepting his invitation to stay for the night. I'm not sure if his father will appriciate it, but if nothing else is said tonight, I will only be too lucky. He stands in front of me. His hand leaves my body leaving that coldness that engulfs me. He pulls the shirt on and I grab for the clothes, and start to dress as well. Though, I never imagined how easy it was to get the more intimate apparel off because it was Matthew who'd done it, but putting it back on is a different story. After a short struggle, I pull the shirt on of MAtthew's he brought me and slip on the jeans. The socks and shoes aren't part of the bundle, so there's no way I can just simple slip out without those items and the offer to go eat comes up.

"I thought you said you were sleepy. Not hungry?" A form of a tease comes out finally. With the addition of clothes, the emotion of moments ago start to deminish. Folding my arms up in front of me, I lean into Matthew.

"You're sure you still want me to stay? We can always randevous another time?" I reach for the handle, unlocking the door but holding back for a moment.

[Jack Lexington]

"Will he? You've told me and I heard about his luck with women. Both of you have. Yet, you're the only one that seems to want me here. Even that night when you brought me here to stay when my father refused to have me at the house, I still heard that tone in his voice. I'm not welcomed here... but I will for you."

I sigh heavily because she is definetly right. I understand her worry and discomfort but my urge not to9 give in to it is stronger.
“Don’t let that keep you away from here…from me.” I remind her.
“You’re right. My father will never be a big fan or yours or any other girl but I think if he gets to know you he will accept you for who you are instead of seeing just another woman in you. He’ll get to see the individual just like I did.”
I pause my speech to see whether any of my words are reaching her, then I continue.
“It’s a stereotype, Ky. He needs to learn that. I’m not going to accept this!”
I see her nod to my offer to stay over night, even if it’s a shy nod and get dressed.

"I thought you said you were sleepy. Not hungry?" She teases again and leans against my front.
“Yea, but the food’s ready. Might as well eat it before we sleep and yes, I want you to stay tonight!”

Together we leave the bathroom and I take her hand to walk back down the long flight of stairs.
My father has started to set the table…for three. So I take it as a peace offering from him and grab a jug of juice from the fridge, then the pot with my other hand.
With a look at my dad, who’s got a stern expression on his face, I place the items on the big old wooden table and sit down.
When Kyanite doesn’t immediately join me he motions for the empty seat next to me.
“Take a seat...” Then he pulls his own chair out and sits at the head of the table where the leader of the family would always sit.
His elbow is on the table but he doesn’t reach for the food but addresses Kyanite instead.
“Matthew has told me that you and him are…together. I don’t know if he told you but I’m not very happy with that. I was hoping he’d not get himself involved in a relationship.”
His dark blue eyes switch over to me. “My son’s always had his own head so I guess he’s got a different idea. I can’t help him there. ”
The pain he experienced because two of the most valuable women in his life couldn’t handle him any longer, is deeply engraved in him. I know that. It’s the same for me, which makes it all that much harder to let myself fall into this relationship with Kyanite. Somehow it still happened though.
I nod to him and watch carefully what’s to come. This doesn’t sound like an apology to me, nor does it sound like he wants to kick her out.
“Let’s eat together.”

[*]

I tell Matthew exactly what's going on in my head. That his father isn't the one that really wants me here. Why is it our fathers refuse to let us be happy? Why do our fathers constantly want to make our lives a living hell to be with one another. Mine refuses to allow me to be happy, while his refuses to accept his love for the gender he hates the most. Will things ever change for us or is this how it's going to be as long as we are together. We are forced to make decisions against the people that is suppose to love us the most and for what? Love for one another? Can that really hold on for good? To weather the storms?

"Don't let that keep you away from here...from me." I would never do that. Maybe from his home, perhaps, but never from him. I won't allow that to happen again. Without him, I feel lost. It's almost like I depend on him but my own independance still reigns. He completes me in a way that I can't explain. He explains just a bit more to me and then he pauses. What he's saying seems to put this calm through me; easing my mind. "It's a sterotype, Ky. He needs to learn that. I'm not going to accept this!" He asserts his voice and his reasoning for me to give it some time. Maybe that's all it's going to take to break through his father's tough exterior? To break down that wall he's built up against the opposite gender.

I"m going to be the deciding factor whether all females that come in their lives isn't going to be like what they've gone through. I've got big shoes to fill.

With a bit of humor shining through, Matthew allows me to lean against him. He simply replies that the food is ready and he makes it a point to look me straight in the eye as he states he wants me to still stay with him. That feeling is overpowering. His sultry voice makes me feel wanted. Who am I to refuse him after that?

He takes my hand and we leave the bathroom and take the stairs . With every step, dread still seems to engulf my fears. Fears that his father will still want to make me leave. The looks on his face that will tell me I'm not worth the dirt he treads on. Maybe he will look at me with displeasure and just see what he sees in every woman that's ever crossed his path. Instead, I see the table setting for three, but when I reach the kitchen I don't sit. I wait to see what's going on.

Matthew goes to the fridge to grab something for the drinks and in his other hand, he grabs the pot and takes them to the table. Without even asking, I keep my mouth shut but his Father's voice is what brings me out of my hesitant stupor.

"Take a seat..." I give a subtle nod, a hint of a smile, and an unwavering walk over to sit next to Matthew. I pull the chair to a comfortable position but his father doesn't want me to enjoy the meal just yet. I rest my hands in my lap and look over to him when he speaks.

"Matthew has told me that you and him are ...together. I don't know if he told you but I'm not very happy with that. I was hoping he'd not get himself involved in a relationship. My son's always had his own head so I guess he's got a different idea. I can't help him there."

Well, at least he's made it clear that he'd rather not have me in his life. At least, he's a little accepting tot he fact that his son is stubborn and will do whatever he wants. Whether or not he knows that Matthew has asked me to spend the night, will all depend on that for later. Obviously, he knows what we've been up to, so it shouldn't be that much of a surprise for me to stay. I've been here once before under other circumstances, but it's all the same right? Matthew and I have been together for longer than his father can image.

"Let's eat together." I nod to his father, and grace him with a pleasant smile. I wait though. This isn't my place and I'm not in front of just Matthew. His father's presence still makes me weary, so I turn to look to his father.

"Mr. Dunham, you've raised a good son. Strong. Opinionated. I guess, that's what draws me to him. I know you don't approve of us, but I hope that one day that'll change. I don't want to cause a rift between you two, though." I tell him and take the initiative to stand up just a little and take the spoon in the pot to scoop out his father's helping of soup first. I'm hoping it'll be my way of showing him that I do respect him even though I'm not going to let him tear me and Matthew apart. A pleasant smile is given to him before I turn to Matthew's plate and do the same. I sit down, and place my spoon in the plate and take a wandering gaze over to Matthew and wait for him to take the first bite.

"Good?"

[Jack Lexington]

The tension between everybody on the table can almost be cut with a knife and the fact that Ky sits down shows how brave she is and how much I mean to her. She could easily make up and excuse for leaving right now.

I can't believe the speech my father's giving her. It's more open than usual but also harsh considering she's done nothing wrong.
I want to dart up and ask him whether he's prefer me to just screw around with various girls rather than being in a real relationship and he'd probably tell me yes.

Kyanite listens to the end though and even offers a smile while I glare at my old man.
Just when I think we can eat and stop talking she speaks up. "Mr. Dunham, you've raised a good son. Strong. Opinionated. I guess, that's what draws me to him. I know you don't approve of us, but I hope that one day that'll change. I don't want to cause a rift between you two, though."

For a moment I hold my breath and give her a brief look then give my dad a warning one 'don't screw this up for me'.

My father's jaw is set, his lips in a hard line but then his expression softens as if he's trying to force a smile on his face. "Maybe."
That's all he'll give her, I know, but good enough for now.

Ky grabs the spoon and serves my father. I can just see how much he's holding back because nobody ever serves him. He takes the damn spoon and dumps a shitload in his plate. Nobody takes that out of his hands or decides how much he gets.
He gives his plate a gentle shove but then picks up his spoon and tries the vegetables.
"Alright." He asnwers while he chews so I follow his example.
The taste isn't the best since we were too busy in the living room.
"Tastes a little burned." My father notices so I let him know.
"Yeah we got distracted."
He just raises his hand. "That hasn't escaped my attention."
is eyes muster us and I'm not sure what he's thinking but he keeps eating. So do I since I"m hungry. Very much so actually.
"So what happened at the academy this week. How are your points?"
In front of my father I have a tendency to brag and bring out the wildest stories just like he always does with me so I drink a sip and say.
"I got 4 points for a one on one battle, crazy stuff and we had a field test where we had to arrest tow guys. Most of the other groups just had one. Jeran, my partner, shot me. He wasn't aiming for me...but that took me out of the picture. I'm not sure why but I still got 4 points for it even though he made both arrests."
That's when it occurs to me that her brother might not even have told her the story.
"Rubber bullet. It's all good." I take her hand under the table because I don't want her to get mad at him or worried. I'm still a little mad but that's my thing.

[*]

I know I was being forward by speaking up after his father made me feel as though I was not good enough for his son. He's unhappy about it. Okay. I can handle that. I felt the same way with my own father. I refused to listen to him, yet his father and mine seem worlds apart. Only after my retort to his speech, he merely replies with a simple 'Maybe'. At least that's better than no and just a step below acceptable. It's going to take time, I can see that. Hopefully, it'll work out in due time. It's up to me though. I have to prove to both of these men that I'm not like every other female to them.

I follow up with my own need by serving his father the food from the pot, and doing the same for Matthew as well. Although, instead of Matthew taking the first bite, his father does and I also do the same as Matthew, by taking a small bite just to appease them and let them know I'm not holding back. Though, the flavor does taste like it's sat too long with the low heat setting. It gives away that it has been unattended to for quite some times. Surprisingly, it doesn't taste half as bad as I had thought though. Next time, Matthew and I will have to just settle for one or the other. Though, my choise will end up forgoing food in the long run. There's just too much of Matthew to miss out on.

His father comments on the food, as does MAtthew. Once again, I seem to blush when his father remarks the reason why it's slightly burnt to the taste. The only good thing is that the conversation takes a quick turn when the academy points are brought up to discussion. At least now, I'll feel more comfortable to eat without blushing.

"Four? So that's good, right?" I bring it up and the way that Matthew says it, it must be a good score. With the mention of JEran, I sit the spoon down back on the plate and listen as he says that he had shot him. INstantly, my mouth drops.

"How did he shoot you? Why?" I shake my head. "Is that the bruise?" I pipe up because I saw the bruising, but never mentioned anything about it. A bit preoccupied to actually ask. I was going to get to it eventually, but now it just comes out."

I could care less how well my brother is doign in the program, what kills me is the fact that Jeran shot him. What if it had been an acutal bullet or something? What if it had done actual damage. I woudln't know what to do without Matthew and I could only imagine the guilt that would reside within my brother. Why hadn't I asked him about that yet? Why hasn't Jeran said anything first?

"Are you alright, though?" I request to know even though he says it's all good. He's a guy. Guys don't usually express things like pain much. Though, Matthew's actually been expressing a lot of emotions to me lately. In front of his father, I'm sure he won't. When his hand reaches for mine under the table, I hold back a small grin to show him that I'm not totally upset.

"He's never going to live it down now. He'll get an earful from me soon enough." I tell him, then look to his father. I just don't know how to connect with him. I dont' know what his father is like at all. It's actually quite unsettling that I'm speechless toward his father. I actually hate it. So, one has to try, right?

"Mr. Dunham. How long have you had your business?" I show interest in his job and from under the table I squeeze Matthew's hand a little bit, running my thumb against his skin as I let our hand rest on my leg.

[Jack Lexington]

Thank goodness we're off the topic that embarasses both of us, Ky and me.
She asks about my scores and I nod with a smile.
"4's pretty good. 5 is the top score but nobody has gotten that yet. So with 4 points times two I think I'm doing alright."
That's an understatement. I'll never know how I got 4 points without making an actual arrest but I'll take it for what it is.
"I might actually become one of those bastards."
I grin over at my dad because we both share a dislike of authority. Both me and my father had smaller run ins with the law but nothing major.
"I'll buy you a new punching bag if you make it." He nods and keeps eating even though he doesn't seem to like the food all that much.

When I mention that her brother actually shot me, Kyanite suddenly seems to flip out.
"How did he shoot you? Why?" I see her shake her head. The last thing I wanted was to cause a big fuzz about my physical constitution or her brothers crooked attitude.
"Is that the bruise?"
Lowering my voice I nod. "I don't think he meant to get me. He was aiming at the guy we were supposed to arrest. I got shoved in the way."

Now it's my dads turn for some wisdom. "Well, then it's your own damn fault. Don't let anybody shove you."
That's how my father operates....he has an opinion without knowing the facts.

I roll my eyes at him.
"You weren't even there, dad! The guy held a gun to my head. Rubber bullets or none. That's going to hurt."
Why do I feel the need to always justify my actions to my father? I don't know. But it's always been this way.

"Are you alright, though?" I hear Ky's overly concerned voice.
"Yeah, fine." I look her in the eye and squeeze her hand because that's another thing I don't want in front of my dad. A girl fuzzing over me. He's going to think I've grown all mushy inside.

When I was a kid and would fall off my bike and knock my knees open my father wouldn't put a band aid on them. He'd tell me to try again until I got it.
"You don't want the other boys to laugh about you."
He brought me up to be tough and now it pays off when I'm in the arena or training to be a peace keeper.

"He's never going to live it down now. He'll get an earful from me soon enough."
"I like the sound of that" I give her a sheepish grin because her brother has given me nothing but attitude and I'm not even sure that he didn't aim for me or at least enjoy the moment it happened.
I saw that look he gave me under the shower, that wasn't exactly lined with sympathy.

Once again Kyanite chooses to adress a new subject over this mushy meal and asks my father about his business. Clever girl. It's his favourite subject.
"It's been a family business for three generations." He explains.
"Matthews grandfather inherited it from my grandfather and now me and my brother run it together. We like to keep it in family hands."
He casts a meaningful glance at me. "I'm the one who's supposed to take it over in a few years." Needless to say my dad isn't happy with my peace keeper excurison.
"Once you had enough fun getting shot by other cadets and seen a little of district two you should come back."
"I know." I exchange a glance with Kyanite.
"It's a great business. Generates a lot of revenue and it's so inventive and genuine. We build the things that we draw up, machines on request, some own ideas. It's very creative."
Dad always gets passionate when he talks about the only thing that he CAN get truly passionate about.
"What does your father do, Kyanite?"
It's interesting to see him actually interact with her. Maybe there is a slight chance here if she plays her cards right.