Disappear Here

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Hope was over the moon, shifting wasn’t scary as she thought it would be, it felt like accepting a part of herself that was always there, maybe he was right, maybe all she needed was support, it might be a simple little word, but it wasn’t something easy to find, her mother that was a shifter, wasn’t around to explain how this worked, and her father was happy to call her a demon for it, no one else in the town she grew up seemed to be a shifter as well, so hope didn’t want him to sell himself short, he was more important than he realized, Hope shook her head and smiled at him. “I just needed you.”

“Good because I like you too, Jackson. Like, keep getting extra hours at the diner to be there when you’re, like you.” It was almost embarrassing to admit that out loud, she even worked on her days offs because there was a small possibility that he might be in the mood for pancakes. 

The longer Jackson stood with Hope the more at ease he felt about everything. He was so worried the other shifter would still feel as wary about her other side as she had before but the smile on her face told him otherwise. He knew in that moment that he wasn’t the failure he believed himself to be. Jackson was helping her, but in it’s own way this whole situation had helped him too. It was teaching him to put value in himself and see himself in a more positive light. His smile grew at the mention of needing him to help. “ Well I’m happy to be that person” Jackson added. 

His own declaration of his feelings being reciprocated by Hope was something he truly had expected less than being a genuine help. He kept to himself a lot and tried not to get involved out of fear of losing more, but when he met Hope he realized how much he was missing by not getting to know others.  She was helping him in so many ways as well. “ Have you?” He asked at hearing her own admission. His smile grew a bit bigger before he felt himself grow a bit nervous. “ So if I asked if I could kiss you, would that be okay?”

Jackson wasn’t trying to look suspicious as he walked out of the store. He just had a way of reacting when people gave him that particular look that seemed like he may or may not have been up to something. He was just buying something to eat but, the shifter felt tense and walked out in a hurry. As he bounded the corner, he felt a sense of relief wash over him. He didn’t feel quite so judged now. However as soon as he caught his breath; Jackson walked right into another person without even looking. “ Shit. “ The shifter replied with wide eyes. “ I actually should have seen you there. I have blinders on man. I’m sorry” 

Hope was feeling a mix of nervous and anxiety, that maybe asking Jackson for help had been a bad idea, that he would see how much of a mess she was, a side of her that she normally hid very well from everyone, Hope was enjoying her time with him at the diner, and she hoped that dragging him in the woods wasn’t going to mess that up.

Shifting never felt natural to her, the times it happened she had no idea what she was doing, just that she wanted to run away as fast as she could, and turning back, she didn’t even know why she turned back when being a fox felt so much better. However, this time it was completely different, maybe it was because Jackson was there or maybe because she was actually trying to shift and not run away, but it just felt incredible, something natural like he had tried to explain to her before. Back to her human form, Hope barely put her dress back on before moving and pulling him into a hug, still feeling the rush and adrenaline, barely being able to contain the smile on her face. “This was incredible! You’re incredible!” She asked, now she could understand why they shifted. “I feel so stupid for not knowing how good this was supposed to be.” She said looking at him, and only now realizing how close they were, but yet, not wanting to move away. “I can’t thank you enough.”

Jackson felt as though for once something was going the right way in his life. He had messed up so much in his past that he was genuinely surprised that something involving him hadn’t blown up in his face. He had been so nervous at first about the situation, even when he had shifted back he was scared that he wasn’t going to be able to help Hope at all. Seeing her expression though made him realize that perhaps he was doing something right in his life. 

He wrapped his arms round her with an easy smile on his face as soon as she ran to him. “No, that was all you Hope!” Jackson mused with a smile. Those butterflies that seemed to always appear whenever he was around Hope seemed to come flooding back at hearing her words. At first he was trying to stick to himself and hide from others, but the longer he spent on the island the more he realized just how connecting with others was important to him. He couldn’t shut himself off from the world. “You’re not stupid, you’re amazing. You just needed some support” He added before pulling away a moment to really look at Hope. “ I like you Hope. Like keep wanting to make excuses to see you at the diner, like you”

Open starter: @paradisusstart​

The island was finally beginning to get back to normal after the attack. Everything that had been damaged was either already rebuilt or not terribly far from being finished. Of course, the residents of the island were still trying to get through their own traumas, but most had recovered from their injuries and were finally starting to fall back into their routines. This was the first time in months Ignas had seen On the Rocks this packed. Despite the rush, he was thankful for some form of normalcy back in his life. 

“What can I get started for ya?” Ignas asked as he leaned against the counter as the other sat down at the bar.

Jackson had been somewhat busy since the incident on the island. He was trying to make himself useful due to the fact that the people there didn’t seem to judge him from his own past misdeeds. He owed it to everyone there, even if they didn’t actually know his history. As a result he was a bit more tired than normal. He needed a way to unwind and his usual way to do so was by drinking. 

Once he entered On the Rocks, Jackson was taken by surprise by how busy the bar was. He debated whether or not to leave, but the shifter really needed a drink and didn’t feel like being alone either. He took a seat at the bar and looked beyond the counter to see what beer was available. “ Oh hey” He noted before looking at the other male with a nod. “ Whatever beer is on tap. “ He answered before looking around. “ It’s kind of wild in here today”

It wasn’t often that people came to Jackson for any sort of help. To be honest people didn’t go to him at all. He was a known screw up, but on the island he was someone that was fairly in touch with his wolf. He was good at surviving and he had enough years behind him to help others who may not have the same sort of history. It was the one thing he could offer another person, so when Hope had asked him for help, Jackson immediately agreed.

 It was Hope herself,  that brought him into the woods today. He thought the day had gone well but he still needed to make sure the other shifter was okay. Jackson adjusted his shirt after placing it back on before looking at Hope. “ Is everything okay?” He asked with a small smile but there was still concern in his eyes. As much as Jackson wanted to deny it, he had developed a bit of a crush on the other shifter. Their late night diner interactions had weaved a hold on him and while he was not good at relationships, he still felt that maybe this could be a time it didn’t blow up in his face

Ever since losing his sister, Jackson had been dealing with a  lot on his plate. He felt a sense of responsibility for what he had done, while the guilt over her passing had lead him on his current journey. He had family out there, and whatever free time he could devote to finding his niece and seeking amends became this quest he had to complete. In the process of matters however, Jackson was hit with something he had never expected to come across. He had more family out there and they were on the island. Jackson knew very little about his parents lives. They had passed so many years ago that it was just a small memory that lingered in the tiniest corners of his mind. 

Perhaps he wasn’t ready to meet with his niece again, but this could be the perfect practice to build up to it. This was someone who hopefully didn’t know how much of a screw up Jackson truly felt like he was. His nerves were getting to him as he managed to find an address and stood in front of the door. “Jesus, this is ridiculous. Calm down” Jackson muttered to himself before he  was able to finally knock on the door

Alex had returned to work finally, mostly because he hoped it would be a way to get his mind off everything that happened. He was wrong of course, and admittedly, regretted coming back so soon. Maybe he was paranoid at this point, but he couldn’t help but worry about Charlie being alone, especially on nights he worked this late. But he’d already agreed to come back this soon and he couldn’t really back out. 

It was late and it was time to close. Like many others, Paradisus University’s library was big, and while there was usually security that hung around at night, Alex still had to be the one to initially lock up, which meant he was asked to do a quick walk around and check if any patrons were left inside. It was clear for the most part until he walked by a little corner and saw the other laying there. “Hey.. sorry, we’re closing.” He called softly as he made his way over to him. It was when he didn’t answer that Alex realized he was asleep. 

Annoyed and ready to go home, Alex grabbed the biggest and heaviest looking book off the shelf next to him and held it up only to let go of it, making it fall to the floor with a thud, waking the other up. “Oops.” Alex shrugged as the other looked up at him, sarcasm in his tone. “It’s fine but we’re closing.” 

It wasn’t often that Jackson spent time in a library, let alone fell asleep within the walls of one. He just wasn’t the kind of person that spent time reading, but he had needed a place to just enjoy the silence for a while after just how overwhelming being in town had been. He hadn’t expected his exhaustion to get to him and to be face first in a table that someone before him had doodled on. 

He rubbed his eyes, trying to adjust to the light and remember where he was. Thus wasn’t the first time he had fallen asleep in public, but it was the first time in a  while. “ Wait, what?” Jackson replied as he shook his head. His waves had been stuck to his face from his accidental nap. “ Oh shit, “ He noted in a hushed voice as he looked around and realized he may have been the last one around. “ I am so sorry. Wow, I probably seem like a dick”

West still hadn’t fully grasped the creatures that lived on land. He figured out a few things like the devices that they use to communicate with each other and many ways they use to travel around.  But where they slept he was now questioning after seeing this man fast asleep on the table. West skidded to a halt to the table on his newest favorite thing from coming from humans; his skateboard. He stared at the sleeping shifter for a minute before dropping his board back on the ground, hitting the pavement hard. West only flinched when the shifter sprang up. “How you ended up sleeping here? That’s not a common thing around here?” West wouldn’t have questioned him otherwise. “It didn’t look very comfortable.” 

Jackson’s years of moving about and never settling down, due to fear of his past catching up to him had allowed the shifter to just make every place work when he needed a moment to himself. While the table wasn’t ideal, he had slept in worse places in his years. However, that didn’t mean he was comfy. “ It isn’t my favorite bed, but sometimes you take what you can get” Jackson mused as he tried to move his hair out of his face. “ The last few days have been exhausting to say the least”

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It took Cassian a moment to register just who stood before him. A grin pulled on his lips as he looked over the man, just the same as the last time he saw him so long ago. He glanced up at the shifter’s face, a fond smile growing wider by the second, “Jackson.” 

He took a few steps towards the male, “It’s been a while, I’m glad to see you’re still kicking about.” He chuckled, pushing a stray curl over Jackson’s shoulder, “As handsome as ever, might I add.” His eyes trailed his face, before laughing at his own ridiculousness. “How are you, love? Are you, you know,” He gestured towards their general surroundings, “are you okay?” 

Jackson could count the friends he had on one hand. He had a tendency to burn his bridges and cut ties the minute things go too real for him. He also had a habit of making enemies wherever he traveled as well, which made maintaining long lasting connections impossible. The mere fact that two people he adored with his whole heart were now on the island with him made the shifter not feel so alone, when that feeling had become his best friend. 

“ It will take a lot to get rid of me” Jackson replied with a half smile as his eyes traveled down to where  Cassian's hand had been. “ I feel like you’re just trying to butter me up, Cass. There’s no way I don’t look like I haven’t sleep in four years. “ He joked before shrugging. “ It’s been a process, but I made it out of this unscathed” He’d been healed but that wasn’t important. “ And you? You clearly are making sure people behave around here”

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Hope observed him as he tried to fix his hair, he looked so peacefully sleeping in the table that she felt bad that he had woken up with the sudden noise, without thinking she moved her hand closer to him, moving a lock of hair that was still out of place to where it was supposed to be. Realizing what she did, Hope moved her hand and gave a step behind, she was about to think of an excuse to why she needed to be in the kitchen when he asked her to stay.

Hope nodded and sat across from him, their conversation felt like it had been so long ago, her problems felt insignificant compare to what was happening now. “I’m glad to see you’re okay.” She spoke. “The bear you gave me almost didn’t survive.” Fur and fire wasn’t exactly a good combination, “His missing an eye, an arm and a leg. “ but she still kept it in her room like a treasure. “Every morning when I wake up, he’s flirting and winking at me.” She joked it, but waking up and looking at the bear did made her smile.

In so many ways Jackson was starved for human contact. He had began to withdraw from society for a number of years and it only got worse when he had been the cause of his sisters death. Being around so many people again was a little hard for Jackson to deal with, because he wanted nothing more than to be the way he once was, but he didn’t know how. Instead of doing anything, Jackson smiled softly at Hope as she moved his messy hair out of his face. 

“ You didn’t get hurt at all did you?” The shifter asked as his brown eyes softened while scanning her features. He had been burned in the initial attack but things had quickly changed once he had been healed. “ You kept it?” He asked as his expression changed into another soft smile. “ Is he? I can’t believe he’s better at flirting with you than I am” Jackson teased, before realizing what he had said. He cleared his throat, knowing he couldn’t backtrack on the fact he had been flirting with Hope lately. 

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Mei had spent so much time overseeing the blood rationing and the repairs at her labs that she hadn’t really gone out much on the island and she decided to remedy that. And it was as heartbreaking and angering as it was inspiring; there was still so much mess, still people hurt…but they were trying. Everyone was working together, trying to repair things, trying to make things better, and it gave Mei Lian hope for the future of their home.

As she walked she accidentally stepped on a chunk of glass, causing it to shatter, and when she startled someone she looked over, shooting the man an apologetic smile. “If you’ve been helping out with the repairs, I’m guessing that’s how. Manual labor is oftentimes tiring.” as she spoke she watched him, and something about his scent was….vaguely familiar… “Are you alright?”

Jackson rubbed his eyes and knew without even looking at himself that he most likely looked disheveled and messy. That was his look on a good day, but considering how tired he felt even as he woke up, he knew how exhausted he must have appeared. The shifter shook his head, trying to get his barring's, before replying back. “ Yeah, I’m not very useful in other areas, so I figured that was all I could do. “ Jackson explained. He wasn’t a useful member of society by any means. He was a thief who was trying hard not to steal anymore. Not exactly a noble past or future to speak of. 

“ Yeah I’m okay. I just didn’t really get much rest the last couple days. “ He noted before letting out a sigh. “ This place is so welcoming. The least I could do is try to show appreciation”

✿ ☀ ✿ ☀ ✿

When Jackson fell asleep at the Moonstruck Pub, Harley was prepared to just leave him alone for awhile. The bar wasn’t particularly busy, and he seemed to really need to rest. If he was still sleeping when the evening rush started, Harley would have to wake him up then. But as he set down a bucket of ice on his side of the counter, he could feel he had set it down a little too hard. He could also hear that it made noise, although he wasn’t sure if it had been as loud as it felt. He turned to Jackson, who bolted awake.

“Sorry. I was trying to be quiet but the ice had other plans. How was your nap, Sleeping Beauty?”

Jackson looked around, unsure where he was. He had no idea how long he had been asleep for let alone had no idea where he was. Years of sleeping in less than comfy places made every place start to blend into one look. Realizing it had been in the pub made the shifter a bit embarrassed. He looked like a tired drunk versus an overworked a messy shifter.

“ No it’s fine. You’re the one working. I’m the one who fell asleep in the middle of a bar” Jackson replied with a laugh on his lips.  “ I’ve never been called Sleeping Beauty before though. Makes me wish I had been kissed awake”

Xiu looked up at the man, the friend she thought she had lost all those decades ago, features softening a bit as she listened. Even after so long apart, she knew he was holding back from her. At least a little. But, that’s okay. They had all the time in the world now, and he could tell her anything whenever he wanted to. He was alive. And he was here! 

“I thought you were dead. I looked for you for months, but you’re too damn good at hiding.” She sniffled, eyes burning a bit as tears welled. The vampire huffed a small, incredulous laugh, wiping the traitor tear that spilled down her cheek. “I’m okay. I promise.” She nodded, once more wrapping her arms around the man, trying to solidify it in her mind that he truly was there. “I missed you so much, Jax.” She mumbled into his shoulder after a moment, “Catch me up on everything? Do you have time?” 

Jackson was typically not the type to become emotional. He often kept how he felt on lock down and rarely felt as if he was in a vulnerable state, but the loss of his sister and the falling out of everything that had happened changed everything. He had spent so long thinking Xiu was gone and he couldn’t accept the fact that perhaps something good had happened in his life. For once he wasn’t losing people but gaining his best friend again. 

“ I’m here. I know and I’m sorry. I looked for you but I didn’t want to get caught. I didn’t want anyone to get caught because of me slipping up, so I made sure to be invisible” Jackson explained. He had always been the kind of person that if he didn’t want to be found, he wouldn’t be. “ I missed you so much Xiu. “ He repeated back to her unable to let go of them. There was no way he was going to lose any chance to feel the smallest sense of calm and familiarity that he had been missing for so long. “ I have time. It’s not a great story, but I always have all the time in the world for you Xiu”

Everything was quieter at the daybreak than it normally was, at this time it would be hard to find an empty table, but since most people were helping rebuild the city, most orders were to go. Hope had just walked into the dinner after helping with the deliveries to find a familiar face sleeping on a table nearby, she gave a light smile, glad to see that he didn’t get hurt during the confusion.

She made her way to the kitchen to let some pancakes ready for when he woke up, she was happy to let him rest for as long as he wanted, after all, it wasn’t like there was a line of people waiting for a table, however the phone rang with a new order and the noise woke him up, since he was up Hope made her way toward him. “The chairs here are very comfortable.” He wasn’t the first person to sleep there, she placed a plate with pancakes in front of him. “These should help keep you awake.”

As Jackson became aware of his surroundings, he remembered that he had fallen asleep in the diner. He had spent a few days working too hard and wanted to see Hope again. He never got to finish their conversation and he had been worried about her as soon as the chaos had hit the island. It was safe to say the shifter was fond of the other. 

“Hope, hi’ Jackson replied with a half smile as he realized how ridiculous he must have looked. He moved his hair out of his face feeling a sense of relief, knowing she looked like she had made it out of things okay. “ I can never say no to these” He noted before looking back at Hope. “ Sit down with me for a second?’