Jetsum

  Fauna used to be scared of his large figure. Worry about if his harsh words could turn into harsher actions, but she knew now he wouldn’t hurt her. But she was taken aback by his lack of excitement seeing her. Her smile faltered for a moment. Mr. Jet had turned into Mr. Grinch. She readjusted her grin and laced her fingers through his. No matter how grumpy, she’d try to brighten his day. “It’s almost Christmas, Jet. C’mon, can’t you manage a smile for me?” Her tone tried to remain playful, but she was growing concerned. “Why don’t you come have some cocoa with me. I got some new chocolate in my room. I’m on my free period. So it will just be you and me.” 

Jetsum forgot that Fauna wasn't used to seeing him like he was with others. She was used to the side that didn't want her to be afraid of him. He was in a bad mood, this whole season just made him feel horrible. Of course, he did seem to feel the warm hands go into his and when he looked down at them his eyes seemed to flicker back to Fauna's eyes. She was trying. A breeze ran past Jetsum and like almost everything around the two, Jetsum's scowl seemed to be frozen on his face. "Sorry, Fauna. I don' like tha cold." He mumbled lightly. Slowly, he pulled her near him a bit and didn't answer. Instead, he just pulled her in the direction of the apartments. "Mhm." 

  Fauna held her cocoa tightly in her hands. The warmth from the cup keeping her fingers from going numb. But she still smiled. This time of year was beautiful in this part of the country. The snowflakes gently floated down and clung to her hair and eyelashes. The billows of steam that escaped her lips with every shiver curled and floated through the air. The large form of Jet caught her eyes and a smile formed on her face. His usual grumpy scowl adorned his. He was far too concerned with complaining to notice her walking towards him with a grin on his face. “Cabbage-brain, are you gonna just be a negative nancy 24/7 or is it just saved for the holidays?” 

 Jetsum kicked away the snow from the sidewalk, he didn't mind mud but when snow got on his boots he hated it. The snow melted and made his boots all wet and cold. He groaned at just about everything around this campus, the lights, the snow, even how the people changed. Jetsum was annoyed with it all; so much so that he didn't seem to realize Fauna walking up to him. The girl that could usually make him smile at any time wasn't enough for this Grinch. "I think I'll be negative about whateva' I wan'." He mumbled kicking away more snow. 

  She quickly adjusted the grey beenie in her hair keeping her ears somewhat warmer. She hated the cold as much as a person could possibly hate it but there was work to be done, and the decorations needed to be up in hopes that the school would have a little bit of a Christmas spirit. Her eyes widdened at his reply. “Damn, I thought we were buddies, Jetsum. I thought that afternoon in the pond was a bonding experience.” She took out the lights from the box and started climbing back up the ladder “I’m hurt. Very hurt.” She began to work on the decorations again. “Oh, by the way. Do you know how to get the lights on the trees? Is there an energy source somewhere near it?” Mel asked from the top of the ladder, looking down at Jetsum.

  Fauna looked down at their hands and smiled up at him. Every moment she spent with him made a slight pink touch her cheeks. She felt bashful when he complimented her cooking. No matter how many times he said it, she was still shy around him. “Well, I hope you like it. Because I really do enjoy cooking for you.” It was a simple thing. Something to do with him. To share something she enjoyed so much with a man she loved. Her eyes cast up to catch his, and she smiled at him. “I love you.” 

 Jetsum could see the nervousness in Fauna. He didn't understand it in her but he never asked even though he knew he'd get the sweet rosy cheeks he adored. He offered her his usual barely visible grin and shrugged at her. "I never have hated a thing yah make. Yah know that." He said. His hand tightedn around hers slightly and he shook his head. "Just... don' worry 'bout it, alright." He assured her. He heard her words and took a moment, still shocked she could ever feel anything for him. "I love yah too, Fauna. More than yah know." 

 Jetsum was waiting for her to answer and when she stopped he wouldn't say it didn't annoy him. He looked at her blankly when he didn't receive the answer he was looking for and let out a large breath, a cloud running around them. He looked down at her and cocked his head. "A question? What do yah want, huh?" He asked looking at her to answer him this time and not just look at him. He really didn't know what she wanted but he would say no immediatly if it was something he didn't like. 

  Melody stood outside on top of a ladder fixing the lights for the Christmas decorations. Right now it was the only thing that occupied her time, that and the kitchen. With just two weeks until Christmas Mel was starting to test out some recipes for the big night and also starting to stock up the pantry so they wouldn’t have to do last minute shopping. She was taping the cord to the wall when she saw someone pass by, turning her head slightly to see who it was she managed to recognize the person. “Well, if it isn’t my favorite buddy.” She joked, trying to get is attention. “I’m up here, big guy. This time I’m taller than you.” The girl laughed at Jetsum who didn’t looked too amused. She started climbing down the ladder to get another set of lights. “I liked the view much more from up there.”

 Jetsum had really just been standing in the cold, feeling it seep through his clothes and it seemed to more time passes there the worse his mood seemed to boil. He didn't even make the effort to notice or remember that Christmas was creeping up on him. He didn't care too much. At the sound of the familiar voice he rolled his eyes and looked up to the girl on the ladder. He almost wished to push the ladder out from under her but of course, any harm to a student and he would be in a bit of trouble. "Yeah, whatever. Yah were but once yah are on the ground I'm able to pick yah up an' get yah under the frozen lake." He said with a chuckle. "So shut up."

 Jetsum could feel the contact with someone else and he immediately looked down to find the ignited head of the small girl looking back to him. If his mood wasn't already torn from the snapping cold weather he might have taken the route a bit sweeter. Then again this was Jetsum and sweet to him was a cold shoulder and a grumble without offending anyone. He scoffed down at her, his green eye squinting down. "Hurt me? An' how in the hell do yah think yah could eva' hurt me?" He asked. "Why don' yah learn to watch where yah goin', huh?"

  Fauna grabbed the snorting bulldog and pulled him to her chest. The wrinkly dog struggled as she tried to get the harness on him. The rumble of laughter from Jet caused her blush to deepen. His large hand enveloped hers and she laced her fingers through his. “Let’s go.” She placed the bulldog on the ground and he began to prance around the larger dog. The leashed almost got entangled, but Fauna caught it before it became catastrophic. “So, what are you in the mood for tonight? I’m feeling like making some comfort food. How do you like meatloaf and mashed potatoes and green beans?” 

Jetsum just went with what mess was going on around him. He walked tall, like always and just looked forward, not seeming to pay any attention to the dogs that were under him. He looked over at Fauna once he heard the question and lifted his large shoulders in a shrug. "I don' know. Guess that sounds good for me. I like anything yah cook, Fauna. It always comes out good." He said with a nod, keeping her hand in his as they walked. Jetsum made sure to keep her close whenever he could. 

Mysterious, huh? Guess it's jus' in me nature. Don' even realize when I doin' it or not. -raises a brow- Oh? Well, looky here, if it ain't the tough ol' Trish tryin' ta find a way to say she missed me. I'm always around, at least I'll be seen more from now on, yeah? Jus' for yah.