i am what i am

“She is suffering and is at the same time calm and gay.”

[Jax nodded, glancing towards the bedroom again]

[Ariel nodded slightly.] I'll talk to him.

[Spencer looked away towards one of Ariel's paintings when she blushed. God, this was hard.]

[Ariel smiled softly.] I would love to. And don't worry... I'm not going anywhere.

[Jax reached up to wipe at his eyes again and nodded his head a little]

Like I said, give it a little time and work on yourself. He found Madison again, you can find them both again too.

[Spencer sighed gently. Something about knowing two fully grown humans were about to cut out of her body made her lose some of her usual apprehension about things.] ...I meant "missing each other" a little... less literally than that.

Oh. [Now it was Ariel's turn to have her cheeks redden.] Well... yes. Certainly that too.

[Jax nodded, getting up and gently wrapped his arms around Ariel for a hug, trying to keep it together as best he could still]

[Ariel returned his hug.] Reach out to Mason though, when you can. He's dealing with some stuff at work right now, but once you both get a little settled... well, siblings are important.

I mean... I don't know, [Spencer lied.] I guess I feel like we just... [She hesitated for a moment but eventually let out a sigh and continued,] ...keep missing each other?

I know, but that doesn't mean I don't want to see you! It's just... life. And all the boys have needed a little more attention lately and-- [Ariel shook her head.] No point in making excuses. It is what it is, but I'm very happy to see you.

I... thank you. [Jax said seriously] Can I give you a hug before i go?

Of course. Just... be careful out there. And be smart.

[Jax kept his head down, looking at the table as Ariel looked for the hotel. He looked up when she started talking again and shook his head listening to her]

It's fine. I've been selling my pieces well lately and... well, I don't really do anything. So it's not a problem. And now you can fully focus on your decisions.

They are. There's a reason why you have the most things out here though, [Spencer couldn't help but say.]

Because I spend way too much with a brush in my hand? [Ariel joked.] Thank you though, really.

Well I appreciate it. A lot.

It's no problem. [Ariel was quiet for a little while longer while she did some searching and set things up.] I found a Holiday Inn here in Brooklyn. I'll forward you the email with the info. I paid for your first week, so you'll have a little time to figure out what you wanna do.

[Jax nodded again]

I do have severe oldest daughter syndrome. Helping is in my blood. [Ariel half-joked.]

[Spencer couldn't help but giggle with her.] ...Well, I promise I'm not being creepy either.

This is definitely a lovely place to do it. The other artists are very talented as well. And Red, of course.

What?! No! You're not being creepy! [Spencer was quick to say.]

I am? [Ariel asked, until she figured out what Spencer meant and giggled.] Oh. I wasn't trying to be. That's very sweet of you though.

...You've missed me? [Okay. Maybe Spencer could blush a little harder.] Really? We haven't even really... talked that much.

[Ariel shrugged.] We talked enough to-- am I being creepy?

[Jax opened his mouth then closed it, choosing to keep his comment to himself and instead just nodded a little, looking down to the table in front of him]

[Ariel shot him a look and then went back to searching.] We can find you something decent, I'm sure.

[Okay. If Spencer blushed any harder, she would actually turn into a tomato.] I am? That's... I'm glad.

Yeah. [Ariel said with an easy smile.] I've missed you.