#1) jack will always be a bachelor because he's my oc and i want him to have silly sexy adventures forever because thats fun

[vonlipvig]

the longer i think about, the less i think that jack/jerry the rubbery man being endgame is a joke

[eerythingisshaka]

Will the Bell Ring? Pt. 3

(Erik Killmonger x Black!OC)

Part 1 Part 2

Kimara pays the barista for her green tea and goes across the street to the studio.  This week has been a hectic one for her since she’s been working with Peter Gafflin, an alternative rock artist who is on the come up since his EP dropped last year.  Kimara was owed a favor from the owner of the studio, Rick, after Erik helped get him some new equipment from a group that trashed the place after a drug fueled mosh pit they formed to add ambiance to their album.  Suffice to say, they would not be returning to record any time soon.

When she enters the studio, Rick is there playing in his grey locs nervously.

“Kimmy!  Good to see you 15 minutes past showtime, I really appreciate it.”  He smiles, dimples still displaying powerfully under is grey beard.

She shrugs.  “You know I have a process, Ricky Kanicky!  It all works out in the end, thanks for the hookup on this gig.  Are they waiting on me?”

Rick holds out his arm to escort her to the back.  “Nah, I stalled them with some mic check mumbo jumbo, so at least their warmed up properly.  You need some time in the booth before we start?”

She shakes her head as he opens the door.  A gust of patchouli hits her senses.  Peter Gafflin and his gang were warming up in a way much different than how Rick described.

“Rick!  Thank God, I was ready to call the police, you were gone for like three hours man!”  Peter’s rough Carolinian accent boomed as he walked wistfully over to you two in his holely jeans and cowboy boots with his fringed black leather jacket and matching wide brimmed hat.

“No, I just had to go get some extra talent to guide our recording session along.  This is Kimara, she’s the third part to our banging backup we keep on hand for artists.”

Peter towers over her at 6’7, but humbly bends to kiss your hand like a prince.  “To God be the glory for creating women and music.  Put them together and I’m a happy Papa, you know what I’m saying?!”  He ribs Rick before clapping thunderously to liven his group.  “Aight y’all!  Look alive.   Dave get your Fender, Bill get your wide ass behind them drums, everybody take your places!”

Kimara goes over to the mics with her other singers.  “Wassup Brenda?  Tara?”

They roll their eyes at you before mumbling their hellos.  You put your headphones on to get ready for the track to play, not studdin them today.  They were the fourth pair this year to work for Rick and the studio.  They all get inspired to be solo artists or get too wrapped up in the artist of the day and think they can keep up with a touring schedule to only come out of it broke with no plan B, and pregnant.  

Singing has always been her dream to do, and any capacity in which Kimara can fulfill that, is one she is willing to go for.  It’s her escape, her home away from home, it’s her church, especially when the artist has some good stuff to work with.  Kimara hadn’t gotten as in depth with Peter’s discography as she usually does with artist’s before a recording session because her mind could not focus lately.  Trying to have a baby has been on her mind 24/7 and Erik filling her mind with hope and then trying to tell her to chill made her crazy.  Did he want a baby as bad as she did?  Kimara didn’t think so anymore.

She shakes her head and takes a few deep breaths before looking over the music with the girls.  Brenda catches her up on the tempo of the song and little points in which Peter wanted them to blow.  Southern singers couldn’t deny the power of a good Black gospel when they needed it.

Peter certainly is no exception.  He places his hands in front of his mouth in prayer before raising them up to the sky, bringing them down with shaky fists.

“Now THAT is a climax if I ever heard one.  What did I tell you Rick?  Music and women, the best sounds on this Earth come from both.”  Peter smiles pointing victoriously at the three of them before taking his place at his mic.  “I’m ready ladies, let’s record this thing!”

After a few dry rehearsals, time came to record.  Kimara gives a thumbs up to Rick as he queues up the track to play in your ears.   The song isn’t bad, kind of bluesy and it’s about a love misunderstood.   Peter plays a man who is trying to convince his lover out of depression, using the analogy of being in shark infested waters.  His lover finds the water and waves so beautiful she jumps from the boat and dives in after he protests over and over.  He is subjected to watch as the sharks circle around her, he reaches out to her the whole time reminding her that he is there and to take his hand.  He can’t tell if her face is wet from the ocean or from tears but she is smiling all the same and it frustrates him to see the danger looming but she isn’t phased.  

The song ends ambiguously but Kimara can’t stop her emotions from spilling over and affecting her vocals a little bit.  Rick notices immediately and cuts the session short, popping into the booth.  

“Hey Kimara, you alright?”  He asks in a fatherly manner.  

All she can do is nod and wipe her eyes as she wishes she was anywhere but there.  Being late is unprofessional enough, but costing an artist studio time, she might as well hang it up now.  Peter comes over to Kimara, waving at Rick.  “We’re fine, just give us a minute.”  He dips his height down to look her in her eyes.  “You alright there, ma’am?”

Kimara nods shrugging.  “The song is just that good I guess.”

Peter shakes his head.  “No, it isn’t.  My buddy Ralph helped me to write it, I’ve been wondering about the composition of it since, but when he died in a car crash a couple months ago, I haven’t been able to nail this thing down.  He’d know exactly what it needs, but he ain’t here to tell it.”

“I’m sorry for your loss Peter.”  Kimara says apologetically.

Peter smiles.  “I didn’t kill him, so all’s good!  I want you to sing a little something on the track for me, just you, to kind of hear how it sounds.  Don’t worry about my notes, just do what feels good to you.”

Peter motions to Rick as he walks Kimara over to his mic, setting the headphones over her ears.  Kimara feels nervous instantly, not knowing what to do with the spotlight being on her, this has never happened to her before.  

But as the track plays, she sings the lyrics from her heart.  They were pretty simple and easy to memorize so when she closed her eyes and flowed with the track, she began to feel that familiar emotion again, accept this time she honed it as best as she could.  She knew where her inspiration came from, it was undeniable, but why did he bring the sadness out so easily?  Before she knew, the song was done and when she opened her eyes, Peter was on one knee with his hands out.

“You see me right now?  This is what you just did to me, an old bachelor crooner ready to lay down it all for your hand.  Are you betrothed my dear?”

Kimara laughs as she takes off her headphones, stepping back.  “None of your business, because you are too wild for me anyway!”  

Peter gets up pointing at Rick.  “You hiding treasures from me, you greedy bastard!  This girl ain’t a back up, she’s a star in the making!”

Kimara felt hot, trying her best to appear humble, but this man has a way with words that made her completely big headed.  “It’s nothing.  I don’t have the time for that right now.  I’m focusing on my personal life.”

Peter smiles but appears disappointed.  “Girl the places you can go.  I hope you have someone in your life to remind you of your-your QUEENLY-ness!  I wouldn’t leave the house without you by my side.”

Kimara shakes her head.  “Well luckily I do have someone.   He’s….pretty great I think.”

Peter pulls his glasses down the bridge of his nose.  “Well until that ‘think’ turns into a ‘know’ keep me in mind.”

Kimara cackles pushing him away.  “You have some nerve.  Get back to your spot so we can make this album and go home!”  

They share a laugh but before Kimara goes back to her mark she turns to him.  “Peter, I did wonder though, with the song:  Does the lady ever take your hand?  Gets out?”

Peter smiles weakly shaking his head.  “Nah, never does.  Cuz I pushed her in.”

Nine Years Ago

Kimara sits on the couch with a movie playing in the background but she isn’t really looking at it.  Her eyes have glazed over the moving images on her screen and the sounds are similar to being underwater.  There is too much happening in her mind at the moment to even be bothered with the world around her.  

Kimara hangs her head clutching her knees as she thinks back to a couple months ago, when Erik was there.  She had left her part time job at the music college and cautiously pulled up to her house when an ominous figure sat on her front doorstep.  Her keys tucked between her knuckles and 911 ready to just hit dial, she steps out the car.  

“Whatchu want?!”  She bellows, bringing the bass out her voice as much as possible.  His head hung low enough that the front door light couldn’t catch his features, face masked in the darkness.  

She hears him chuckle.  “The hell you barkin at?”  He lifts his head up to look at her.

Kimara’s heart dropped in her stomach at the sound of his voice.  Covering her mouth, she drops her keys to the concrete, overcome with emotion.  He wasn’t supposed to be there, practically considered him dead.  Erik gets up, hugging her tightly.  “I told you I was gonna be aight.  I told you.”

Kimara gasps for breath.  “No!  You ain’t told me though!”  She punches his chest for emphasis.  

Erik pulls her away to lift her face toward his, wiping her eyes.  “I like a surprise, what can I say.”

Kimara sniffles her snot bubbles, stepping back.  “This is so damn embarrassing.  How can you act so cool right now.  I’m a mess, and you put on so much damn weight, like, the fuck!”

Erik opens his jack to look down at himself.  “Well damn!  You still know how to talk crazy to somebody.”

She laughs.  “No, like, look at you!  You got so damn….BIG, like….”  Kimara holds his jacket apart a bit to run her hands down his chest.  

Erik bites his lip nodding.  “Now that’s more like it.”

“Shut up!  I’m just in awe!  You weren’t scrawny for real but not nearly this buff!  What kind of undershirt you got on, you feel bumpy.”  Kimara puls at the collar of his shirt, but Erik swipes her hand away.  

“Uh uh, you gotta earn the show.  Cash upfront.”  Erik jokes, putting his hands in his pockets.  “You look good too, real….real good.  Gettin them squats in huh?”  Erik stands on his toes to look around her backside but Kimara steps sideways.  

“Here you go!  Go on!  I don’t see you for two years and you drop yourself here for what?  Are you back for good?”  Kimara picks her keys up, going to her front door to open it.

“I’m just here to talk, hang out.  I needed a place to lay my head, so I figured I could get two birds with one stone.”  Erik walks in behind her, closing the door.  

Kimara takes off her jacket and sets her bag down.  “That’s fine.  You welcome here.  You gotta tell me how things went!  I know you went to Japan at first, but I didn’t get a letter from you after that, I got kind of worried…”

Erik told Kimara about his time in Japan; he was only there a few weeks before he was selected for Special Ops training, which gave him the physique.  Most of the rest of his missions were confidential, but the orders he was given were implied.  

When he showed his scars and the meaning behind them, Kimara just about lost it.

“How can you mark yourself up like that?!  The memories aren’t enough to live with?  You have to see them on yourself everyday you look in the mirror?”

“Might as well!  I see it when I wake up, when I sleep!  In a way, this is therapy for me, makes me feel like what I did wasn’t for nothing!”

Kimara paces the floor agitated beyond compare.  “Why would you hurt yourself like that?  Haven’t you been through enough to make these permanent changes to yourself?  I still can’t believe the day you signed up for that damn program.  The details were shaky at best.  But the Navy was more important to you than what I thought.”

Erik scoffs.  “This wasn’t about you to begin with.  We didn’t have anything to fight for.  You’re my friend, I had plenty of those.  You think you’re the only one that told me to fall back from it?  Huh?  This gave me purpose, it gave me a vision for my future, something I ain’t had EVER.”

Kimara looked at Erik with disgust.  “You’re a damn dumbass.”

Erik cocked an eyebrow.  “You better be glad I know you like that, I don't let anybody talk to me like that no more.”

Kimara stands her ground with him.  He really forgot who she was.  “I ain't scared of you Erik! You forget that I've known you for years now, I'm not just somebody off the street! I've seen you stressed out for exams, I've seen you dealing with people giving you a hard time for being on scholarship, hell US cuz we Black and they didn't believe us! I get that every year on your father's death date, you get extra distant but you let me in to your little rituals to honor him.  That Wakandan chant you'd do? I still know it by heart, hell I said it for you!”

Erik looked at Kimara angrily but not because she was wrong.  “Stop talkin bout that shit.”

Kimara steps to him.  “What you think you hard now?  You think you got everyone figured out, you so damn smart??  But you won’t even let yourself FEEL shit no more, is that what your big plan is?  Shooting people up and taking their things, like that’s ever worked for anybody.”

Erik snarls.  “Except it has, and I have no problem sending it right back to people.”

Kimara points to the door.  “Get the fuck outta my house Erik.  I didn’t ask for this bullshit in my face.”

Erik turns his chin up at her. “So you done with me now?  Now is when you wanna throw me out?  I knew you wasn’t worried about me anyway.”  As Erik turned away, Kimara pushes his back to get him to the door quicker.

“You fucking bastard!  I wasted my fucking time thinking about you!  You can’t get outta your own damn head to realize who cares about you!”

Erik reaches for the doorknob, standing there a moment listening to her wail.  

“You could’ve been great here with me!  I don’t give a damn how tough you think you are, you aren’t this.”

Kimara grows weak from yelling, crumpling to the floor sobbing.  Erik crouches down to her quicker than he meant to.  It was instinctual more than anything.  “Come on now…”

She holds her hands up.  “No!  You don’t get it.  Whatever those people told you over there isn’t true.  You aren’t more of a man for doing this shit, for scarring yourself up, for not caring.  You’re not human!  You’re not yourself!”

Erik freezes when she says this, something finally clicked in him with what she said.  Erik apologizes softly, but Kimara was tired.  Tired of crying, tired of fighting, she just wanted her friend, she wanted to be happy and for him to be safe and happy too.  Erik just held her in his arms, allowing himself to feel like she kept reminding him to.  It hurt worse than getting the scars did and when he broke, Kimara was glad.  Looking into his face she finally saw the Erik she always knew, the one that she wanted so much from.  The world didn’t trample his soul that day, or any day for the next few weeks following.

Kimara allowed Erik in her heart, something she always fought with herself over because they were such good friends and Erik wasn’t the first person she would assume wanting to settle down.  But when he looked at her it seemed so genuine, so pure she couldn’t help but fall into him.  And that's what she was kicking herself over on that couch a month later, sore and opening a bottle of pills.

Present Day

When Kimara left the studio, she tried calling Erik but didn’t get an answer.   Instead she got a generic text saying he would call her later, in a meeting.

She rolls her eyes and decides to go check on his cousin at the community center.  He’s helped Erik through a whole helluva lot of bullshit before so maybe he could listen to hers.

The state of the art facility was amazing to see given what it used to be.  Old apartments where crime and drugs ran rampant, now it looked like something you would see downtown in the upscale neighborhoods.  

When she got inside, it didn’t take long for her to find T’Challa, crouched and talking to a small child standing next to their mother.  The child gives him a hug, which he took genuinely and that’s when he sees Kimara.

“Janae, I will see you next week to work on your long division, ok?”  He points to her, thanking her mother at the same time before heading over to Kimara.

“Hello!  How are you?”  He says to Kimara warmly.

Kimara bounces on her toes.  “I’m good T’Challa, you?”  They share a church hug.  Kimara is so happy she can call T’Challa family, without him, Erik wouldn’t even be there.

T’Challa sighs heavily, putting his hands behind his back.  “I’ve been better.  I’ve been drowning in chamomile tea and crackers to settle my stomach.  American alcohol is horrendous.”

Kimara laughs.  “Oh yeah, Erik took you out on the town.  Did you have fun at least?”

T’Challa half shrugs, smirking.  “It was successful for what the goal was.  I met with a young lady there and we may have hit it off.  I haven’t contacted her about it yet.”

Kimara’s jaw drops.  “Whaaat?  You playin with women’s heart now T?  I never thought of you as the type.”

T’Challa stutters a bit to find his words.  “It wasn’t really….well, Erik just wanted to cheer me up for me and Nakia not being on the best of terms, so-”

“Yeah, that’s how he was in college.  One girl doesn’t stop his show.”  Kimara rests her hand on the back of her neck, playing with her curls knotting at the nape.

T’Challa looks away, visibly uncomfortable.  “But I do intend to call her back, I just don’t want to appear too eager and things.”

Kimara pokes her bottom lip out, bucking her round brown eyes at him.  “Aww, now don’t go soft on account of me.  I know how guys are, so lemme stop asking about your love life.  However, if it ever becomes official, feel free to invite her to hang with us.  We can make a double date of it.”

T’Challa nods, smiling humbly.  “Of course, that would be delightful.  I am glad you stopped by actually, I imagine you’re looking for this anyway.”  T’Challa turns on his heels, the tails of his jacket picking up with a flourishing wave as he clicks down the hallway.

Kimara follows behind him confused.  “What are you talking about?”

Walking down the halls decorated with projects and works tagged with an ‘A+’ or 100% mark whizzed past them as they approached his office.  Opening the doors to his office, his footsteps muffle against the lush carpet to retrieve something out of his desk.

He pulls out a burlap pouch to hand to Kimara proudly.  “There.  Erik is pretty eager to get started on that regimen so you guys can….have at it!”  T’Challa gestures awkwardly shaking his hands about in front of him.

Kimara screws her face up looking from T’Challa to the bag.  “But I still don’t….OH!  He actually asked you about some erectile, baby juice making bull from you?”

T’Challa’s eyes widen.  “You and him never stray much from details, eh?”

Kimara opens the drawstring of the bag.  “I’m sorry, I just don’t….what is the shit, T?”  Kimara pulls out dried leaves and herbs from the pouch.

T’Challa tuts at her.  “Aye aye, put it back!  He is supposed to boil some water and put that in a cup and drink it.  It’s just a mix of common teas and spices, more of a placebo than a real cure.”

Kimara sighs, closing the bag up and placing a hand on her hip.  “So I guess Erik really does wanna have this baby.”  She murmur to herself.

T’Challa comes around the front of the desk, leaning against it.  “Were you having second thoughts?”

She shakes her head fervently.  “No, I want to be a mother more than anything right now which….may be part of our problem.  I’m forgetting how to be his partner.  We got into a bit of a thing when he had his appointment today.  He keeps saying I should slow down with the baby making regimen, and I thought for a second he wasn’t taking things seriously.”

T’Challa gives an empathetic glance, crossing his arms thoughtfully.  “Excuse me in advance if I’m getting too personal but Erik has told me only a few things, so I’m not unaware.  But I know that Erik has your interests in his heart.  He knows this is important to you and it is equally important to him.  However, he doesn’t do well with rules and regulation.  He likes to make things happen and if it works great, if not, move on to something new.  And maybe this is his way of moving on to a new method.  But it sounds like he wants to take pressure off of you,  like with this herbal method.”

Kimara looks at the bag in her hand, feeling herself relax as she held onto it tightly.  “I think you’re right.  He’s been getting on my nerves with it but I think he’s just trying to show he cares.”

T’Challa nods.  “He does, I’m certain of it.”

Kimara gives T’Challa a grateful hug.  “Thank you so much!  I’m gonna take this to him.  Thanks for your help, I knew I would get what I needed coming to you.”

T’Challa gives her a soft pat on the back before breaking the embrace.  “Anytime.  You guys are a great pair, he’s lucky to have you.”

“You too.  He’s come so far because of...because of you.  So even though these are dud teas, it may make things a little more hopeful, who knows.”

T’Challa clutches his chest, looking hurt.  “Dud teas?  I will tell you those are delicious and very relaxing, if nothing else!  Fresh import from Wakandan gardens of the royal palace-”

Kimara yawns.  “Yeah yeah, I gotta go home now.  Tell Shuri I said hello, and if Nakia give you any trouble…”  Kimara boxes the air with weak punches.

T’Challa walks her out giving final goodbyes before making her way home to the man of her life.  

Walking into their place, Kimara finds Erik sitting on the couch playing 2K.  

“I’m home!”  Kimara calls out, kicking off her shoes and jacket.  Erik presses a combination of buttons on his controller, grunting as he misses his shot at the basket over and over, losing to the computer.

Kimara climbs over the back of the couch, laying her calves over his chest, warming his neck with her serried thighs.  “Erik…”  she whines.

Erik remains unconcerned with her presence.  “Come on, I’m almost done with this quarter, don’t fuck it up.”

Kimara plays with his head, pushing it side to side before resting her breasts on top of him.  “Are you still mad at me?”  

“When did I say I was mad at you?  I thought you were mad at me?”  Erik says, still focused on the game until a loud buzzer makes Kimara jump and Erik tosses the controller on the table in defeat.  

“I’m not mad, I was just...upset and assuming shit.”  Kimara says softly, massaging his scalp.  She feels his shoulders relax under her legs as he strokes them.

“So what problems you tryna work through still?”  Erik says deadpan.

“None!  We don’t have any.”  Kimara says sweetly, feeling hands along his face to scratch his beard.  “T’Challa gave me his little love potion stuff…”  She dangles the bag in front of his face.

Erik takes it, staring at it in his hands.  “Aight, just let me know what time you want me to take this and I’ll be on the way to the bedroom.”

Kimara swings her leg around to slide beside him holding on to his arm.  “Erik, you ain’t gotta worry about that!”

Erik looks so tired, looking at Kimara wearily.  “I don’t wanna be a reason you feel like you can’t get pregnant.  I know you think I’m being childish sometimes but I want a kid just like you.  This ain’t been good for us though, how we doin it.”

“I know,”  Kimara says, resting her chin on his shoulder.  

“And soon as those results from the lab come back, we can talk about other shit, but right now, I got you and I’m good with that.”

Kimara’s heart pounds in her chest, what a lovely man he can be.  “You’re the fucking sweetest.”

“So don’t be looking at your phone in bed with that tracker, don’t just fuck me without tryna be sexy about it, and don’t down my manhood in the heat of your anger.”

Kimara rubs his chest.  “That was bad of me.”

“Damn right it was.  Cuz that ain’t no fucking problem.”

Kimara shakes her head.  “Never.”

“I know faking, and THAT ain’t it.”

“It’s impossible for me to fake THAT.”  Kimara says, knowing exactly what he’s talking about.

“So as a man and as your man, lemme take care of what I gotta do on my own terms.  You just keep being cute and fine and smart as you always acting.”

Kimara lays her head across his lap looking up at him.  “Never an act babe, I’m all those things and more.  Including hungry.”

Erik plays in her wild fro with one hand, the other resting at the base of her throat.  “What am I supposed to do about that?  You ain’t got hands to dial delivery?”

“Erik!  I know you got something in that kitchen, I smelt in soon as I walked in.”

“Yeah, for ME.  This a every man for himself house, Ma, you know that.”

“Pleeeease.”  Kimara widens her eyes a bit for good measure.

Erik smirks.  “You better quit all that for I poke your eye out.”

Kimara scoffs, smacking his stomach as she gets up to look in the oven and pull out a brown paper bag with two containers of penne pasta slathered in marinara meat sauce and melty cheese with the crispy crunchy bread she loves so much.

“You were gonna eat two by yourself, huh?”  Kimara quips.

“I can eat a lot more than that, so don’t try me.”  Erik calls across the room.

Kimara gets her serving out and practically skips back to the couch to enjoy and watch Erik play his game.  Except he still had it on pause.  

“So you couldn’t bring mine back witchu?”  He asks, voice raising an octave.

Kimara slurps up a stray string of cheese off her fork.  “Erik, seriously?  I just got in!”

Erik kisses his teeth.  “Ok, lemme have a bite of yours.”

“Uh uh!  Get your lazy self up and get your own!”  Kimara kicks her feet up at him, scarfing another bite.

Erik doesn’t take no for an answer, pushing her legs to one side pinning her.  “Gimme some!”

“No!  You’re gonna make me drop it!”  Kimara squeals, barely holding onto the aluminum container.

Erik just opens his mouth open coming closer and closer to her face.  “You gonna spit on me, close your mouth!”  

Erik guides his mouth to her fork and she hesitantly puts it in his mouth.  He dramatically pauses to savor the flavor, chewing slowly.  “Mm!  Damn that’s good.”

Kimara rolls her eyes.  “Can you get off me now?”

Erik nods, swallowing.  “Yeah, just lemme have some bread and-”

“NIGGA IF YOU DON’T GO!”  Kimara squirming under him.  

Erik takes the container from her hand setting it on the table.  “Chill I gotta digest now.”  Erik proceeds to open her legs up laying his head against her chest, snuggling in her womanly comforts.  Kimara is lowkey seething when all she wants is some damn dinner, but in reality it had been a while since they had been this playful with each other.  Putting her needs aside, she takes the time to enjoy his weight on her, his heartbeat on her stomach, the warmth in between her.  

“Sing me somethin.”  He mumbles in her titties.  

That night and every night following for the next two weeks were grand.  Kimara hadn’t felt that kind of love for Erik in a length of time she would be embarrassed to admit.  It felt like they were dating all over again and she would’ve loved for that to have stayed that way, but then his results came back and her worries erupted all over again.

Part 4

Masterlist

Ragtag

@chaneajoyyy @sarcastic-sunshines @muse-of-mbaku@dameshaemonique  @fonville-designs @destinio1@bakarisangel @wakanda-inspired @klaine15689 @savageiz @nickidub718 @yoyolovesbucky

[brightpinkpeppercorn]

Happier (Part 2 of 3)

Prompt, A/N: Thank you to the sweet Nonny who requested a Jake x MC fic based on the song “Happier” by Ed Sheeran. This ended up being longer than I thought so I’ll be posted Part 2 today and Part 3 tomorrow.

Links are being annoying so you can find Happier Part 1 in my Masterlist!

Kicking off Endless Summer Appreciation Week!  

Characters/Pairings: Jake x F!MC (Taylor) , Jake x OC Summary: Jake and Taylor deal with the impact of a decision he made years ago and they still need to have a discussion  Song: “Happier” by Ed Sheeran A/N (part two): As always, thank you to @mind-reader1 and @bbaba-yagaa for being my sound board and beta reading.

Rating: PG-13 to M (suggestive language) Word Count: 4982 + song lyrics   Disclaimer: I do not own the majority characters, they belong to Pixelberry. There is one original character and I can claim them. The song “Happier” was written by Ed Sheeran, Ryan Tedder, and Benny Blanco

Tag List: @mind-reader1​ @choicesyouplayandmore​ @indigo39​ @roonarific​ @indescribablechoices​ @riseandshinelittleblossom​ @choiceslife​ @daniela2510​ @thedaryllee​ @endlessly-searching-for-you​ @mysteli​ @zaffrenotes​ @likethetailofacomet​ @ooo-barff-ooo​ @agent-bossypants​ @sleepwalkingelite​ @cocomaxley​ @akrenich​ @nitta-jaeguet​ @truekender​ @dancetothestoriesinyoursoul​ @emomoustache​ @endlessflame​ @littlecrookedheart​ @indiacater​ @feartheendlesssummer​ @endlesstaylormckenzie​ @darley1101​ @lostlightningbug​

Others that may be interested:@blackcoffee85 (ES week) @debramcg1106

'Cause baby you look happier, you do My friends told me one day I'll feel it too And until then I'll smile to hide the truth But I know I was happier with you

“What do you think? Want to share a ribeye?” Annie called over her shoulder from her spot on the bed, lying down on her stomach, as she thumbed through the Hyatt’s room service menu. No response. “Has Jack Daniel’s A-1 sauce, I bet you’ll like that.” Again, Jake didn’t acknowledge her. “I’ll let you eat it off me.”

Rolling onto her side, she noticed him sprawled on the room’s couch, chuckling at something on his phone. He was completely engrossed with the device in his hand, typing away as quickly as he could. “Mac, are you phubbing me?”

“Huh?” He glanced briefly at her before turning back to his phone. “Yeah, give me another half an hour to recover, alright, Miss Annie?”

“I meant food, McKenzie, I’m hungry. Worked up an appetite.” She let out a sharp exhale as he continued to ignore her, laughing at something on his phone. Getting up, Annie tossed the booklet onto the bed and kneeled in front of the couch. Leaning over, she peered over to look at his phone screen. “Are you getting a play by play of the bachelor party?”

To kick off the three-day ‘wedding extravaganza’, as Sean called it, both he and Taylor had their bachelor and bachelorette parties on night one. Night two was the rehearsal dinner followed by the wedding on day three. Jake, finishing his second glass of whiskey at a burlesque club, wasn’t in the mood to celebrate anything and sent Annie a text to see if she’d be willing to ditch the party and meet him back at their hotel. Within a few minutes, they had both gotten an Uber.

After the two had met at the graduation party, Jake would make an extra stop to see her whenever he completed a disaster relief missions. Working for Hyatt, Annie was able to get them a comped room for a night, maybe two, depending on their availability. Their communication was otherwise infrequent. Jake liked Annie just fine, enough to look forward to the end of his missions - mainly because she filled a need for him, something he’d missed for the four years since his separation from Taylor. Annie was well aware of his intentions and looked forward to his visits for the same reason.

“Nah. Getting a play by play of the bachelorette party.” Still amused, he flipped his phone so she could see the screen with a picture of Quinn doing a body shot off of Grace. A new image flashed across the screen, a blurry selfie of Taylor and Estela.

For reasons to do with Sean’s schedule, the engagement period was only six months. It wasn’t much time to prepare for a large wedding involving an athlete with a rising profile. Originally out of nerves, Taylor had started sending Jake occasional text messages and before long, they found themselves talking almost every night. Including the nights he was with Annie.

“Got a new one from Taylor.” Annie rolled her eyes, pushing the phone away from her face. “Looks pretty far gone which I’m sure is hilarious.” Placing her hands on his chest, she learned over and kissed him briefly. “But I definitely made the right decision to back here. They’re about one more drink until the crying phase of the night and I wouldn’t have been in the mood to babysit.”

Looking at the picture, Jake smiled before putting the phone down next to him. Turning towards Annie, he smirked at her and patted her shoulder. “Said you were hungry, huh? Let’s blow the food here and go across the corner, best late night shrimp po’boys outside of Louisiana. They’ll knock your socks off.”

Sticking her tongue out, Annie made a face. “Oh, God, no. I hate shrimp.” She was met with a shrug. “Besides, if we go together, it’s a date and we don’t do that.”

“Wasn’t askin’ you on a date, Lilac.” Chuckling, he got up and walked to the dresser, pulling out some clothes. “Was telling you about some of the best food you’ll ever eat. You can come with me and pick up food or you can stay here and eat the same thing you always eat. Your choice.”

She sat down on the previously occupied couch, crossing her legs, making no point to move. “Let’s meet halfway: get me a roast beef sandwich and a root beer if they have it.”

“Yes, ma’am.” With that, Jake left the room in pursuit of food.

By the time Jake arrived back to the hotel, the noise level of the lobby had increased ten-fold. He’d forgotten that Annie had secured Taylor’s bachelorette party a suite in the same hotel and they had all just gotten back. Jake hadn’t physically seen Taylor, save a few Facetime calls, since her graduation party and while he wanted to see her, he wasn’t sure about dealing with a drunk Taylor.

“Top gun!” Bouncing up next to him, Taylor threw her weight on Jake, almost knocking him off his feet. Steadying himself, he tried to keep a straight face as he took her in. A tiara somehow balanced on her head and her blond hair was disheveled. Eye makeup was smudged across her bleary eyes. Reaching over, he tore off the sash reading ‘Bride!’ which was held together by two thin threads upon her shoulder.

“Well hello, Ms. Taylor.” Jake shifted the bag of food under his arm as he handed the sash back to her. “Had a good night?”

Pointing to her tiara, she straightened up and flashed him a smile. “Princess. Call me that, I miss you calling me that.” Knowing better than to protest, he nodded. Hearing the sharp sounds of heels hitting the floor, he noticed Michelle walking over to them. “Meech! My maid of honor!” Taylor’s lips pushed into a pout as Michelle gave Jake a quick ‘hello’ before turning her attention to Taylor. “Why do I have so many bridesmaids, anyway? I only wanted the island girls.”

Trying to keep a straight face, Jake watched Michelle try to convince a stubborn Taylor to head back to the suite so they could get some rest. After some back and forth between the two women, he cleared his throat. “Leave her with me, Maybelline, I won’t keep her up late.” Putting her hands on her hips, Michelle raised an eyebrow at him. “Promise.”

“Alright.” Michelle took Taylor’s sash and looked pointedly at Jake. “Have her back by one am, she has to be up by eight.” In response, he held up the boy scout salute. “Okay. Thanks.” Relaxing her shoulders, Michelle started to leave before turning around and giving Jake a grateful smile.

“Come on, Princess.” Leading Taylor towards the lounge of the hotel’s coffee shop, he felt a wave of familiarity, reminiscing over the times he’d taken care of his drunk wife. Taylor laid back on a couch, propping her feet up on Jake’s thigh after he sat down next to her. “Let’s get some food in ya.” Reaching into his back, he pulled out the sandwich and bottle of water he had purchased for himself. “Have you had some water?”

Taylor propped herself up on her elbows and took the bottle of water from his hands, unscrewing the cap and taking a large drink. “Yes. Dr. Meech made sure I had water in between every drink. I’ve had to pee, like, a hundred times.” She pointed her chin towards him. “What’s that?”

Unwrapping his sandwich, he silently said goodbye to the food he’d been craving all day and handed it to her. “It’s a po’boy.”

“From that place across the street!” Taylor’s eyes lit up and she sat up quickly, a bit too fast. Holding her head and wincing, she took another drink of her water. Immediately after taking the sandwich, Taylor bit into the bread and fell back into the couch. “Oh, God. It’s so good.” Though her mouth was full, she took another bite and continued, “Remember that time you made us these back in Costa Rica? You were on the phone with your Mom for an hour!” Giggling, she swallowed then took another bite before realizing she had gone through half of the sandwich.

“Yeah. They turned out pretty okay.” Stretching his arms around on the couch cushion behind him and putting his feet on the coffee table, he got comfortable and watched Taylor inhale his sandwich. Usually, Taylor tried to be a polite eater but when she drank, she ate with reckless abandon.

Wiping some sauce and tomato juice off the corner of her mouth with the back of her hand, she looked over at Jake who was smirking at her, amused. “That was your sandwich, wasn’t it?” Slowly, he nodded. Laughing, she crumpled up the wrapping and tossed it on the floor. After taking a sip of water to wash down the food, she sat up straight and fluffed her long hair.

He watched her flip her hair over her shoulder and bat her eyelashes at him, a pair of faux eyelashes starting to come loose on her right eye. Getting on her hands and knees, Taylor slowly crawled over to him, getting close enough to hover her mouth around his neck. Shivers crept down his spine as he felt her warm breath on the skin behind his ear and caught the smell of her perfume. The blend of warm spices, flowers, and wood reminded him of a very memorable birthday of his years ago. Thickly swallowing, he tilted his head towards her, rolling his eye to meet the half closed ones staring back at him. “What’s goin’ on in there, Princess?”

“I heard of a country in Europe tonight.” Blinking rapidly as the eyelashes started to come off, she sat back momentarily to pull them off. Letting out his breath, he was grateful for the break and shifted, trying to relieve the growing tightness in his pants. His rational side was telling him that he needed to get her back to her room. His irrational side, the side that wanted to take her right there, kept him frozen in his seat. “Anyway. In this country,” she continued, running a finger up his arm. “Sometimes people have a final fling before they get married.” Biting her lip, her eyes scanned down from his face down to his lap and up to his face again. As her hand moved over his pocket, she felt his phone vibrate, interrupting her.

Arching his head back, he let out a sigh of relief. The idea of a ‘final fling’ sounded so damn good to him but was outweighed by the situation at hand. Before he realized what she was doing, Taylor had taken out his phone, her face falling when she read the screen. She got up, wobbling a bit and handed the phone to him. Quickly, he glanced at the message from Annie. “Where are you, Mac? I’m hungry and horny.”

Silently cursing to himself, Jake tried to avoid Taylor’s reaction and busied himself with cleaning up the light mess around them. Taylor, meanwhile, kept her gaze on her feet and rubbed her eyes, leaving wet streaks of mascara on her thumbs. Looking down at her, Jake’s heart sank and he put his hands on her shoulders, bending down to her eye level. “Talk to me, Tay.”

Taylor sniffed as he wiped the dark tears from her eyes. “I’m sleepy. Will you take me to my room?” Nodding, he slung an arm around her shoulders and they headed towards the elevator.

***

“How long have you had this suit?” Annie circled Jake as he absentmindedly fiddled with this gray and black striped tie. Standing in front of him, she ran her hands down the front of his vest. “I mean, it looks brand new and it fits perfectly! You’ve really had it for over five years?”

“It’s my only suit.” Temporarily forgoing his tie, he adjusted his belt. “First, I didn’t have the money for a new one and then I didn’t have the time to get something tailored. This works and if it ain’t broke …” What Jake failed to mention was that it was the suit he’d swiped from the Winter Lodge on La Huerta, the same one he wore when he married Taylor. “I’m surprised you’re surprised, I became an adult in the Navy. I know how to take care of a uniform. Look at how shiny my shoes are, Lilac.”

“My cousin was in the Air Force, those shoes come shiny. Still can’t believe you have them.” Annie sat up on the counter of the bathroom vanity and observed him continue to fiddle with his tie. “Need help there, Mac? Can’t tie a tie?”

“Hm?” Blinking, he looked down at his hands, seemingly forgetting what he was doing. “I’m a self taught expert in knots. Learned to tie a knot in --”

“The Navy. I know.” Annie crossed her legs, watching him finally tie the cursed accessory. “You know, I wouldn’t be opposed to you using your expertise in other ways.” Scooting back against the mirror, she pulled the skirt of her dress up her thigh and ran her tongue across her upper lip. Jake had moved on to her his hair, keeping his focus on the mirror. “We have some time and I’m not wearing anything under this dress.”

After distributing some pomade through his hair, he glanced over at Annie who was making bedroom eyes at him and slowly bending one of her knees. “Are we sharing an Uber to this rehearsal dinner or are you still weird about us going places together?”

Furrowing her brows at him, she decided to try again. Running her hand along her exposed thigh, she spoke in a breathy voice. “There’s no rush, Mac. Why don’t you show me your knot skills?” Not paying her attention, he started rolling up his sleeves. Sliding off the counter, she pressed her chest against his, running her hands down his torso. “I’m sure Taylor isn’t going to care if we’re fashionably late.” Just as she had suspected, Jake perked up at the mention of his ex-wife’s name and smiled at Annie.

After finishing with his sleeves, he stepped back to admire the woman in front of him. Her dark hair, with large curls, grazed her shoulders and brought the deep jade color of her eyes. Her sparkling, gold dress covered one of those shoulders and hugged her hips tight, ending just above her knees, brilliant against her tan skin. “Have I told you how sexy you look tonight?”

Grabbing a hold of her hips, he pulled Annie towards him and twirled a strand of her hair in between his fingers. Closing her eyes, she let out a shuddering breath when she felt his lips on the crook of her neck.

“Hold on.” Gently, she pushed him off and looked him directly in the eyes. He returned her glare with a quizzical look. “No, McKenzie, you haven’t told me that because you’ve been so distracted. Even more so than usual.” Cocking her head to the side, she motioned for them to walk into the living room of the suite.

Annie hopped onto the suite’s desk and motioned for Jake to sit in the chair in front of her. “I’m going to be straight with you.” He sank into the chair and waited for her to continue. “Last night I had the best sex of my entire life.” Instantly, she regretted telling him that as his mouth stretched into a large, cocky grin.

“Didn’t I guarantee that after we took that third shot?”

“You did. My only issue was that your head wasn’t in it.” His eyes narrowed, curious where she was headed with that statement. “I know you were thinking about Taylor the entire time.”

His cheeks started to feel warm. He’d gotten so worked up by Taylor the night before and subconsciously unleashed that energy on Annie, making her grip the bed sheets, scream his name, and even forget where she was. The entire time, however, he could only evision Taylor. He groaned, she was correct.

The silence she was met with confirmed her assumption. Nudging him with her foot, she got his attention again. “I have truly enjoyed fucking you, Mac. Thing is, I don’t want to continue doing so with a man still hung up on his ex-wife. Who’s getting married in less than 24 hours to one of my friends.” He opened his mouth to protest but put a finger up to stop him. “It’s obviously she hasn’t gotten over you, either. I won’t get into details but her face lights up like a damn Christmas tree anytime someone mentions you. At the bachelorette party, she talked about you more than her own fiancée.”

Straightening up, he reached back to rub his neck, trying to figure out what to tell her. Stubbornly, he shook his head. “If you’re telling me to confess anything, I ain’t gonna do it. I’ve known her a long time and I’ve never seen her look this happy before.” Jake could almost hear Annie roll her eyes, not accepting what he was saying. “Just gotta get through tomorrow and I’ll be fine. Close the book on that part of my life and start a new one.”

“Look is the keyword, Jake.” His blue eyes had turned dull and he gave her a pitiful smile after she rubbed her foot against his thigh to indicate no hard feelings. Taking a deep breath, Annie scanned the room, noticing her phone was also on the desk. “Alright, you pathetic puppy. I’ll get an Uber and we can even share it.”

*** Jake’s stomach grumbled as he looked down at his glass, swirling it and making a face at the carbonated water. Between Annie confronting him, not hearing from Taylor since he dropped her off at her hotel room, and Sean’s toast - “The first thing Taylor ever said to me was that she saw me in a dream. I cannot wait to give her the life that she’s always dreamt of. The life that she’s always deserved.” - he couldn’t get himself to eat the chicken picatta on his plate. The glass of bourbon in front of him was, for the first time that he could remember, left untouched.

After dinner, everyone gathered around the groom’s cake and Jake took the opportunity to slip out of the dining hall. Eventually, he found an empty lounge in the fancy restaurant hosting the rehearsal dinner and sat down on a red, plush couch. Laying down on the couch and resting his head on the armrest, he pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket. Quickly scanning the wedding schedule, he found his name next to Quinn’s. Closing his eyes, he thought about how he hadn’t seen Quinn in some time.

“Why is it every time I find you alone, you’re taking a nap?” Opening an eye, he saw Taylor’s silhouette against the cream colored wall behind her. Her silver sheath dress cinched at her waist and the collar was decorated with lace flowers. The dress shifted with her as she walked and shimmered when it caught the light.

Slowly sitting up, he watched her approach him and a sense of déjà vu overcame him. He sidled up to the edge of the couch and patted the space next to her. With a smirk on his face, he countered, “Don’tcha  know it’s rude to interrupt someone takin’ a nap, Princess?”

Taylor sat down next to Jake and stuck her tongue out at him as she offered a plate stacked with crackers, cheese, fruit, and a thick slice of cake. “You didn’t eat anything.” Studying the plate, he picked up a raspberry and popped it in his mouth before ruffling her hair as a ‘thank you’, taking care not to mess her loose ponytail.

The pair sat in silence for a few minutes, picking at the food on the plate, taking a few bites here and there. Licking cake frosting off her finger, Taylor looked at Jake’s tie thoughtfully an reached over to untuck it. “I can’t believe you wore this tonight, Jake.” Tugging on his tie, the deep breath she took came out shaky. Noticing her grip tightening, Jake undid his tie and handed it to her.

“Here you go, Ms. Taylor. Somethin’ old.” Taylor wrapped the tie around her write and he chuckled, causing her to look up at him. Lowering his voice, he tilted his head towards her and winked. “Now don’t go getting any ideas but if you do, you can have my belt, too.”

A hot blush crept up Taylor’s face and her eyes widened. “Jake!” He tried to suppress a laugh by drinking his water but failed, accidentally spitting some of it out onto her dress.

“Ah hell, sorry.” Picking up the napkin Taylor brought with her, he blotted the wet spots on her dress which happened to be on her chest and knees. Keeping his hand pressed on her, he stopped and gave Taylor a long glance. “You know, this dress looks familiar.” Jake raised his eyebrows when he came to a realization. “This looks just like your handfasting dress.”

“I’ve been thinking about all of it tonight, Jake. The New Year’s party, your belt and tie, getting handfasted. Ever since you walked through the door, wearing that suit with that tie and your sleeves rolled up.” Slumping back into the couch, Taylor covered her face with her hands, embarrassed by what she had said.

Tempted to confess that he thought about the same things every single time he thought of her, he opened his mouth but quickly shut it. Taylor was going to be a married woman in less than a day and the realization that it was too late to say anything weighed heavily on him. Cracking another joke would probably make things worse. “Princess…” Expecting her to scowl, he noticed instead Taylor’s shoulders relax. “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be with your fiancée or bridesmaids tonight?”

Putting down her hands, Taylor made a whining sound and darted her eyes towards Jake. “Why isn’t this easy? I’m getting married to a perfectly nice, perfectly good, perfectly perfect man tomorrow and I want to be here with you instead of home with him.” Without thinking, he scooted closer, resting his elbow on the back of the couch, leaning over her. He could feel his heartbeat quickening, wondering what she’d say but not wanting to get his hopes up. Taylor didn’t say anything else and instead started rubbing her arms.

The tension between them made the air feel thick and Jake unbuttoned the top button of his shirt in an attempt to breathe easier. “Tay this just sounds like a classic case of cold feet. Everything will be fine in the morning, I promise.”

“Niala’rei.” Taylor picked up his tie and slowly weaved it through her fingers. Jake thought for a moment and remembered the Vaanti celebration of marriage. “I didn’t hesitate, not for one second, about marrying you.” She quickly glanced at him before turning her attention back to the item in her hands. “It was so easy then. Why is this different?”

They both knew the answer. Jake blurted out the second thing that came into his head. “We were in a different world. Young and dumb. Living on adrenaline.”

Taylor hung her head, seemingly feeling defeated. “So that’s why you married me? An adrenaline rush guiding a rash decision?”

Audibly exhaling, Jake pulled a despondent Taylor into him, wrapping his arms around her. “I didn’t mean it that way and you know that ain’t true. I married you because I loved you, Princess.”

“Loved me.” Pressing her face and rubbing her nose into his chest, she took in the scent of his cologne. Tilting her head up, she cleared her throat and waited for Jake’s eyes to meet hers. “Remember when I had that question?” That question was constantly in the back of Jake’s mind since she posed it six months earlier. Despite talking on most days, they never brought it up. Jake nodded and Taylor straightened up and sat back against the couch. “Would you have done it differently?”

Jake searched her eager eyes, confused by her questions. “Done what differently?”

“When you took that job and broke up with me.” Taylor paused, trying to steady her voice which was starting to tremble. When her hands moved towards his, he grabbed them and laced their fingers together. “Would you have done that again?”

Chewing his bottom lip, he looked down at their hands, unable to meet her eyes. That question had eaten at him for the past few years, especially when he was flying for hours over international waters. Taylor let out a soft gasp when he shook his head ‘no’. What Taylor needed that night was closure and it was about time he told her how he felt about his decision. “I would have taken that job again because it has done a lot for me.”

“So you would have done it again.” Tears started to fill her eyes and she tried not to close them to keep the tears from flowing.

Tipping her chin up, he searched her glistening blue eyes. “I would have done that again, yes.” Tears started escaping her eyes and he wiped them away with this thumbs. “What I would have done different was include you in the decision making process.”

“Maybe I wouldn’t have let you go.” Her voice was soft and she turned her face away from him.

“Not that decision, Princess.” Taylor winced again. “Sorry, Taylor. We would have figured out what you were going to do in the meantime. Until I came home to you.”

Tears were streaming down her cheeks and she wiped them with the back of her hand. “I would have talked to Diego, Jake, and enrolled in Hartfeld. I would have been half way done by the time you got back.” Her brows creased and her eyes darted up to him again. “Do you regret it?”  

Taking a moment to figure out how to answer her question, he shrugged. “Look at where you are now, Taylor. I don’t regret how successful you’ve been and will be.” Taylor abruptly got up, her wet face a mixture of anger and sadness. Running his hand through his hair, he got up and followed her to the wall  she was standing against.

Her usually soft and sweet voice was steely and cool as she pushed her finger into his chest. “You acted out of ego and this primal need to take care of me, Jake. You may have forgotten two things about me.” Flattening her hand, she pressed her palms on his chest. “One, I know how to take care of myself. I would have figured something out to make not just you but me proud. Two, whether on the island or in college, I would have waited two, four, even ten years for you.”

Putting his arm on the wall next to her, he hung his head. In the silence, he could only hear the sound of Taylor’s breathing as he fought the urge to tell her he still loved her, wanted her to cancel her wedding, and take her home so he could show her just how much he missed her. It was too late. His name escaping her lips brought up back to reality and he looked at her concerned face. “That part I regret. I underestimated you. You’ve done nothing but prove how incredible and capable you are.” His lips pressed together. “I would have hated you worrying about me and waiting for me. I regret that I wasn’t able to countdown the days until I came home to be with you again.”

A smile tugged on her lips and her face brightened. “I regret not having this conversation sooner.” Reaching out, she cupped his face in her hands. “Please, answer this honestly. As the bride, this is the only gift I want from you.” He nodded and chuckled to himself, thinking about Rebecca going through Taylor’s wedding registry for him and finding a gift to send. “Do … Are … Jake ....” She let out a deep breath. “Do you still love me?”

His mouth felt dry, scanning her maybe hopeful but increasingly confused face. Over the past years, he had missed opportunities to tell her the truth. Instead of staying behind and insisting they had this conversation on the day of her engagement, he’d opted to give into a night of passion in hopes of moving on. He’d missed all his chances to tell her how he felt. Slowly, he shook his head to indicate ‘no’.

Her face sunk and she pushed herself off the wall. Throwing up her hands in frustration, she shook her head and started walking backwards towards the door. “Jake, you have always been a bad liar.” Taylor, being met with just a sad smile from her ex-husband, turned on her heel and walked out the door.

Alone in the room, Jake cursed under his breath and picked up what was left on the couch. She had left his tie behind and he stuffed it in his pocket. He leaned in the doorway and put his hands on his face, groaning. He really was an idiot. Not noticing that Taylor was just around the corner, walking back towards the room, he did something he rarely did - speak out loud to himself, not caring who was around. “McKenzie, you fucking moron, what you should have said was that you still love her.’”

He lifted his phone out of his pocket to get an Uber back to the hotel and walked out of the room. Jake still hadn’t seen Taylor standing close by, mouth on her hand as she processed what she had overheard him say.

Thank you for reading!