CHASING SHADOWS.

Pushing her feet into the sand, Jiya just took a moment to enjoy the feeling of it on her skin. She was too close to her family to permanently move away from them, especially to a town that so far didn't hold a lot of great memories for her, but the idea of leaving also left her feeling torn. "What made you stay? Was it just being here felt right?" It was comforting to know that someone understood where she was coming from, that someone else had been in her shoes. "Maybe I'll just know when it's time."

Nodding, Jiya dropped her phone back into her purse before she leaned back on her hands. "I'm not much of a runner but it seems like a good place for a walk." In fact, she hated most forms of cardio. "What do you do at the resort?"

A loaded question. His gaze wandered itself outward, locked intently on the waves continually hitting the shore. “For me, going back..wouldn't work. — And you know, I’m ok with that.” A defiant nod followed. His focus zeroed in on the future forming right where he was. Easier said than done. “You probably will. Surprised me, that's for sure.” Shifting forward slightly, rugged hands re-tied the laces of his running shoes. 

“Definitely a scenic area for walking too.” Levi figured the recommendations would provide the brunette alternative ideas outside the resort. Until she found her choice of residence. “I run numbers for them. — Accountant.” 

Her gaze softened a little as she took him in, her teasing tone giving way to a warm smile. “I'm so glad I ran into you here, it's been ages!!" she gushed, giving his arm a friendly squeeze. "Work's just been keeping me busy, I keep taking on more and more classes at the rec." Waving the topic of conversation away, she leaned in slightly closer, as if to make sure she didn’t miss anything he said in the noisy bar. "But onto more important things! I hear someone has a pretty big update for me." She wiggled her brows expectantly up at him. Since her conversation with Nia at the Spring Fling, Val had been dying to catch up with Levi.

Receiving such a sunny, kind greeting from a fellow resident initiated the grin hinting upon his expression. “It has been, hasn’t it?” Then again, Levi’s time at his own place in their mutual building was rapidly dwindling more and more. “— How’s that going for you? Taking on more classes at the rec.” He’d be the last person saying anything regarding additional work, as he could also easily bury himself in it at the resort. Hearing something crucial needed shared with Val, a brow quirked. Interesting. “Depends what you’ve heard..” Levi intently trailed, a clever glint emerging within his gaze. 

At the time, she hadn't really put much thought in the fact that she'd signed up to decorate a basket because it seemed easy enough, only to find out that it wasn't. She peered back at the bunny and grimaced even though she appreciated the way he was trying to downplay the way the bunny looked by emphasizing his lack of skills compared to her own. "You're being too nice about it, especially since its starting to look like I'll be the one drowning the both of us and sending us right to the last position."

Elsie hadn't understood how people could spend their lives in this small part of town without any impulse to see anything outside of their hometown. It felt sad to her. Though it likely made sense to other people who'd found everything they needed here. "Not so much a farm persay. They have a lot of land and grow their own food, for the most part, order what they don't have online. They have some animals but there's a few of each. A few chicken, two cows, a goat." She was sure she was forgetting some but it was only because she had no interest in them outside of rare visits to feed them when asked by her parents. "She's doing better but the prognosis isn't great." It was all about time now but the end would ultimately be the same. "Stop— the more you compliment it, the more I think you're losing your mind."

“Once again, you wouldn’t want to see what my drawing would look like.” A light scoff escaped him. To him, Elsie’s solid effort looked like a damn Picasso masterpiece. His stick figure attempt surely would’ve disqualified them both before they even began. “You got us this far. And if we do get sent to last, you can still blame it on me.” That reasoning still made the most sense. 

Knowing next to nothing relating to farms, hearing her family did something entirely unique with their vast land truthfully intrigued him. “You know, that’s impressive. Do they have a lot of deals on the table for the food they grow?” Levi figured various businesses had to have been hounding them. His expression fell blank however at the candid admittance of her mother’s current condition. “— Sorry to hear…there’s..nothing else that can be done, then?” Anticipated or not, nothing made the final outcome easier. 

Coming to the Rusty Spur on a Thursday night probably wasn't the brightest idea the deaf yoga instructor had had lately. Thursday was very clearly the new Friday, and the country bar was packed to the brim. She had to weave her way through the chaos, shoulder to shoulder with strangers in boots and flannel. The din of the crowd so loud it made even hearing the country twang that played over the loud speakers inaudible for the brunette. She was scanning the sea of bodies for an empty table when she cut around a corner and walked straight into the path of a dart board she hadn’t noticed.

She didn’t hear the sharp warning from somewhere behind her, only the muted shuffle of boots and laughter. What she did notice was the sudden thunk against her glass. She froze, staring down at the offending dart now sticking out of her drink like a bizarre garnish. Lifting it out by the tail, she turned toward the general direction it had come from, one brow arched. “…Not sure if I should offer to buy you a drink or ask if I’m next.”

Finding a usual niche inside amidst the bar games, Levi found himself competing in an ongoing dart match. While intently surveying his next throw in rotation, a lone game piece from another player ended up flying awry, nowhere near the board. "— Val!' Levi called out upon the recognition of where and who it landed near. "Now my throws aren't that terrible." A faint smirk touched his lips, immediately approaching his familiar neighbor's side. "But I'd bet one of them over there tried that on purpose." A nod motioned back towards his opponents. Odd attempt at a move though. "Where've you been, by the way? Long time no see."

Despite the fact that he hadn't disclosed every dirty detail, his friend's understanding was enough to truly warm Enzo's heart. Living with so many secrets had certainly taken its toll and while those secrets existed to protect his family and friends, the man was happy to have someone he could confide in. At least about things on a surface level.

"Nah. For all I know, he's making this person up to scare me now that he knows he owns a share of the company. But even if they're real, I'm not sure I would want to entertain it. The more time you give these people, the better they become at getting under your skin." With a breathy sigh, the man ran his fingers back through his hair. "I'm not sure what you could do, man, but I'm happy to listen if you have any ideas."

“— So what you’re saying right now is, this potential deal could be hearsay?” Yet from his years in the business realm, keeping track of any ulterior talk still would be best. “Well, you should keep an eye on it, yeah? If this turns out to be anything, we can talk more about strategy on that front.” A finger tapped idly on the opened manilla folder before him. “Right now..how about we get these numbers cleaned up and go from there?” 

A small grin melded within the additional kiss she stole, a knowing shiver shot through his spine while a painted fingertip trailed along his sharp jaw.  “No, you’re right. I don’t think it is either. Plus, you did just get that promotion at the resort.” Since the striking woman crashed into his life, running elsewhere again actually hadn’t consumed his thoughts. Her infectious charm stuck with chipping away at the rigidly set walls he held firm bit by bit.

“— Feel any better? A hand rested idly on Nia’s knee while she shifted to laying her head upon his shoulder. Levi couldn’t help a brief huff of a laugh leaving his chest at her remark about the town. “I second that…am I included in that ‘most of the time’?” Something akin to a glint hinted within his deep blues.

The shifted conversational angle struck a sharp nerve, a simmering tension once again emerging. “I see..” His shoulder’s squared, yet a rebuttal falling short. For being few and far between, ironclad trust like that involving anybody did go a long way. “‘Family obligation’ is only a saying.” He gritted through a clamped jaw. Didn’t sound utilized much or at all in the Guneri family though. 

Driving a distant wedge with his own left Levi unable to grasp one that seemed consistently tight-knit. The extent of Civan’s familial duties hadn’t crossed his mind either, usually pre-occupied with their animosity. “But I do understand respecting privacy.” He also valued it, likely more than most residents. “— Un-earned?” Off the cuff, Levi echoed the specific wording. 

With a faint laugh, his brows furrowed incredulously. “— You? Cursed?” He couldn’t fathom how that distinct thought even crossed her mind. 

“Nia…” A few fingers assuredly placed themselves underneath her chin once that shimmering, earthy gaze re-emerged. “If you head off anywhere else, so am I.” Levi swore it, stealing a brief, firm kiss from Nia’s soft, painted lips. Sealing the point. She altered his outlook altogether with staying put in town. 

Shuffling a little to look at him, Jiya offered a small smile. It seemed that, from what she read between the lines, there was somewhat of a kindred spirit in Levi. "Turned up and never left or did you expect to stay?" Shrugging her shoulders, Jiya tried to envision going back to New York but as much as there was longing for her home, there was also a reluctance, but maybe that was just the unfinished business in town. "That was always the plan. I don't know, I didn't expect this so I don't really know when, but I'll never not go back. My whole family are in New York, so it's not like this is completely forever."

Shaking her head, Jiya pulled her phone from her purse to quickly jot down the places he had mentioned so she could make sure she got to them. "I'm not much of a camper but the winery piqued my attention." Adding another note about the lighthouse, Jiya smiled her thanks before dropping her phone back into her bag. "I don't think I'd mind. It's still weird to hear it daily anyway, it definitely sounds like it'll be more isolated out there. Do you go down there often?"

“— I knew I’d be staying…for this long? Don’t think I could’ve predicated that..” At the time, everything seemed largely unknown, uncertain in all aspects. “You blink and next thing you know, years have passed.” With a brief, light scoff, his head shook itself, intent gaze lost in the repetitive breaking of the waves onto the nearby shore. Still, even despite the brutal surprises that awaited him in Briar Ridge, Levi couldn’t envision himself returning back to the west coast at any given point. “That’s ok. I didn’t have any idea either.” If that was some consolation for his unexpected, pleasant company. 

“Yeah, definitely would recommend there.” He didn’t mind giving them away in this instance, especially with the brunette taking his suggestions seriously, diligently typing location names into her phone. “The lighthouse? I try to. If I’m not stuck at the resort.” Which happened often. She might’ve already noticed as a current guest. “It’s usually part of my running route though.” 

"Don't act like I'm cruel for not wanting to speak or be around you, Levi. The way you're saying it sounds like I'm some horrible person." She said as she peered towards him, waiting to see if he would say anything in his defence or just agree with her.

Her gaze turned back to the road, counting down the minutes until she reached her house. "I don't want to see you but don't act like your presence alone brings me misery. It does, but you don't have that power it's.... it's because of me that it does." She scrunched her nose, hating the way it was coming out all wrong but she just hated that maybe he felt like he could do something to her.

"You did. It's too late now. You should have done it months, years ago."

“— I implied that?” This particular retaliation left him at all but a loss. “You don’t think I get why you or your sister wouldn’t want to speak or be around me?” The lasting punishment already sealed itself, right from the moment the jarring realization struck that the Yilmaz family actually hailed from the area. “Seeking you out unannounced didn’t seem right.” 

Drawing a staggered breath, Levi attempted focusing so he wouldn’t make an incorrect turn before reaching Selin’s residence. “— You shouldn’t put that on yourself..” Nothing he did or said would change anything. All blame fell upon his shoulders. 

“Is your home just down the road here?” A finger merely gestured forward, slightly lifted from the leather padded steering wheel. 

"I was born here and basically high tailed it after high school. I couldn't leave fast enough. It wasn't as much about the town but I just knew there were bigger things and my parents are a little recluse. They have land, and don't leave often." They didn't need to, not with their set-up, the well, the food they grew. At least until.... "My mom got sick so I'm back to support her." Elsie said it casually, not wanting to bring a shift to the conversation. When he found the hot glue gun, she stepped aside for him to work his magic. "I'm thinking on the grass, and if we have more, we can start putting some on the handles. Should we put one on the bunny? Maybe near the eye but make it seem like it's behind its ear to hide the mess I did or just embrace the lazy eye?"

Couldn’t leave fast enough. He related with that perspective well. “Well, you aimed high. That’s a good thing. Most people I’ve met that are from here don’t seem into leaving much.” His shoulders casually shrugged, firing up the hot glue gun. “Your parents own a farm around here then?” Levi guessed, considering that’s what residents usually meant when revealing they had land in their possession, expression falling at her following admittance. “— Oh...sorry to hear. I bet she appreciates you coming back. Everything going alright?” With a firm nod at the given instructions, his tall stature leaned slightly downward, eyeing each area with careful precision. “You need to quit it with the lazy eye, ok?” A brief, amused scoff left him, temporarily halted on the work at hand. “Looks like a damn masterpiece to me.” 

“— Yeah. She does her thing, goes around catching up with everyone she knows.” His finger directed outward towards the various set-ups, a fond tone hinted behind the words. Talking her up when an opportunity presented itself came easy. Naturally, Nia had many friends and made more within seconds every time she stepped outside. Left someone like him with glaring trust issues towards most others in sheer awe. Interesting he and his unlikely company were similar in that regard.

Levi’s brows furrowed, surveying Guneri's reaction upon his reasoning for aimlessly roaming around the event himself. "Why would it be inappropriate saying that right now? Your family have you mic'ed up or something?" Not really a shock if true though.

She smirked, poking fun at her own inner thought on his corporate lingo but noting how it came across to him. A little mean, maybe a bit threatening, but she decided that she didn't care if Levi believed she was that mean or horrible. "But that's great to know that you're confident you'll get it back to me in a timely fashion."

Her hand rose and her finger pointed to the left, unable to actually say it was the left because she was never right with those two. It was just easier to point and let him decipher it. She nodded her head when he asked about the mat, thinking of the options she had and which one would be more oblivious to her nosy neighbours. She wouldn't put it past any of them to come and steal her car. "The mail box is probably the best. You can leave it in there. Just don't make it obvious, you know."

“I am.” His mechanic friend would really be owed one, yet this situation deemed itself a necessary emergency. Ultimately, he owed the Yilmaz family anything, everything. And still, that would’t be enough for the lives lost. The fact Selin even spoke to him at all wasn’t something he’d take for granted. 

With a nod, Levi acknowledged the direction she pointed ahead, seeing as the town limits were now well passed behind them, building structures appearing once more. “Mailbox it is. You won’t have to see me put it there either.” A guarantee before another jarring silence fell between them. “Also..you were right. I did need to make more of an effort..with you, your sister, your family..” So she at least knew her derision towards him wasn’t in vain. 

"I'm glad I could be here with you," her earthy warm gaze stayed locked on his as she realized just how much she wanted to always be there for him. Levi seemed stoic, she thought, to other people. A wall he put up. Behind it though, she knew, was a melancholy he couldn't ever quite put words to. It was what made her so fiercely protective. She leaned up on her toes to plant a lingering kiss, the kind where everything else melted away and Nia let her emotions seep into a soft burning fire. Broken only when her lungs ached for a breath, but she didn't pull fully back. Her mouth still just a whisper from his, and as she took a few steadying breaths some sense flitted into her mind. A memory from New Years, for just a second, in her kitchen... when he'd looked almost unsure, afraid he might lose her. She didn't find vulnerability particularly easy, especially when it meant admitting to any kind of dependence on another person but Nia couldn't help but think Levi might need a little reassurance.

"It's just you," Nia gingerly brushed her mouth against his in a feather light touch, "You know that, right? It's just you."

That charming, earthy gaze instantaneously locked slate blues, her smooth fingertips reaching upwards, taking hold of his face instigated broad shoulders lessening tension. A dazed grin formed itself at the corner of his lips, Nia’s radiant, affectionate smile no match for the rigid barriers he preferred shielding himself with in place of blind trust. Not her. He’d let her know everything. 

“I wanted you here with me.” Levi’s tone retained the same low rasp, his arm remaining firm, draping over her shoulders. Otherwise, the endeavor would’ve been abandoned altogether. Actually going through with it ran deep. For both of their sakes. The woman’s gleaming eyes themselves carried a poignant weight behind them that didn’t go unnoticed.

Soft, painted lips met his, and he didn’t dare waste another second from meshing his mouth intently against hers. A familiar, fluent electricity emitted from the insistent, lingering kiss, losing themselves within the craving that burned between them. The earlier suggestion, coaxing her down onto the sand below could’ve come to fruition, at least until there wasn’t any choice left except breaking. The intoxicating scent of her alluring perfume filled his senses, staying mere inches from the other. 

The sheer authenticity behind Nia’s admittance struck a complacent smile etching itself upon Levi’s features. Despite all they’d kept under lock and key, choosing one another won out on a consistent basis. It’s just you. A mutual certainty, shooting down the residual haze that hung over New Year's. The fleeting, teasing gloss of her mouth had his lips just barely pressing against hers once more. “My answer’s no different.” It hadn’t been. Something made sense, this always made sense. “Only you.” 

Shaking her head, Jiya offered a small smile. "I'm from New York, so unless I'm driving or flying somewhere, I'm not getting close to the ocean." The best they had were restaurants and bars by the river which as nice as they were, didn't quite have the same calming nature that the ocean did. "Well, I don't live here, I'd still very much consider myself a New Yorker but I'm not here for a vacation, so I guess 'technically a tourist' is the only thing that fitted."

Following his glance to the pier, Jiya grimaced as she saw how busy it looked, even from a distance. "Yeah, it's a lot. Are there a lot of these places where you can get quiet spots or have I stumbled on one of the few?"

“Makes sense why you might still gravitate towards apartments then instead.” Levi mused, a hinted grin sounded within his tone. “Coming out here from the west coast, I’ve still been around oceans a lot of my life though..” His tennis-shoe covered foot dragged itself forward slightly in the sand. “But still, different kind of beach here on the eastern side. — I guess I’m technically still one too so you won’t hear me saying anything. And..sounds like you might go back to New York at some point?” 

“I thought the pier would die down for a little bit at least..after the recent festival clean up, but looks like I’m wrong.” He’d probably already have to re-consider his running route for the summer months. "— Have you been to the campgrounds or the winery yet? I’ve found some good ones in both those places too. They've got lots of land..also the lighthouse area, if you don't mind the ocean being a little more loud there."