➵ ۰ • stuck in the twilight zone.

DOES VENUS BELIEVE jeremiah will be jealous-free and safe from chris' antics? no, but she appreciates the transparency with what he knows he'll be able to handle and how jealousy isn't typically his default. what he says next about charlie also clicks for her. "i never thought of it that way. the everything is planned aspect of things, i mean. charlie definitely means well. she hasn't been overbearing. i think with the way she's been kind of helping and the way you've been navigating dating again... maybe, it clashes a tad." venus tries to make sense of everything. she's glad that the two of them are having this conversation so she could gather his perspective on their friendship and partnership. "i would love to experience those things with you, but i think the speed and the order of things is... i'm not sure how to put it. it can get a little confusing for me. there have been so many dates and we aren't in a relationship. now, there's sex and there's a date planned for tomorrow and still... nothing. we're talking meeting parents and communicating with my ex-husband. it's backwards for me." she puts it as nicely as she could.

jeremiah can definitely see where venus may be misinterpreting their overall status. it is backwards and usually he’d have everything under control and they’d be dating by now. “i think for me, our beginning was very… um… unconventional? it packed a lot of pressure behind it. i’ve never dated a close mate’s other closest mate. you’re also like her sister. that’s a lot to bet on. if i had approached you myself, i’d be so much more clear on my intent. i’m trying, really. even with you surprising me, charlie helped and i get it, she’s extremely excited, but it’s only adding to my nerves. i need you and i to have some set boundaries in that area before she becomes too invested.” he can date venus, but he wants to feel like he has some privacy, in terms of their dating life. “i just… i feel watched, a bit? she’s not hovering — yet.” this is his first time raising this concern, out of fear he’d offend someone. “everything’s tied in too close for me to leap, i think. i want to, but it’s a lot. I feel like I’m not steering this vehicle, or setting the pace.”

"YOU MOVE MORE than my daughters do. keep still." venus scolds with amusement laced in her voice. she continues to listen to jeremiah speak about their relationship then about his past ones. "if there are any jealousy or trust issues on your end, i would like to know. i'm big on communication and i wouldn't want things to get worse because we're not talking. of course, that's not relevant now, but when it is... i would need to know. because i can see chris possibly rubbing you the wrong way from the start." she predicts. jeremiah didn't seem like the jealous type, but chris has a tendency to be playful in a way that someone who was dating her would not be amused by. there is also the mere fact that the two tend to be touchy with each other, with his touches leaning into the sexual category despite her mixture of both. she finishes the first cornrow and begins to comb through the next section. she greases his scalp, not quite knowing what to say about how he talks about their future. "my relationships have been a mixture of fast and steady. i'm not familiar with this, so i'm not sure where we go from here. the ball's in your court. i would like to give us a try. i'm not completely confident in how i view relationships which has nothing to do with you and everything to do with how my brain is to me but the speed has been puzzling to my brain." she mentions. "is this the kind of speed you usually go in with your dates or significant others? it's pretty slow."

“oh! sorry, i forgot i need to be still. i tend to move quite a bit sometimes.” he cackles. when he was little he hated getting his hair braided, but as he got older it became soothing outside of having to sit still for so long. he sets the lotion aside and places his hands in his lap. “i’m not a jealous e, but i do value trust in relationships. i’d tell you immediately if something were to bother me. i can be very assertive when prompted, of course. makes for a good professor, I have to command my students attention, especially the ones who think i don’t see them online shopping…. what i’m trying to say is nothing can scare me off, not even an ex-husband.” he sits perfectly still, allowing her to part evenly between each row. “i don’t really go fast, but no.. i’ve never been this careful, but it’s not a negative thing, honest. i’m just getting back into dating and trying to find my footing again. our first date was a blind date, and it had me all pear-shaped. now, getting to know you, over our time together, i’m seeing things and feeling connected to you without the nerves.” he gently speaks thinking of their time together. he can’t think of a better match for him, truly, but he needs things to not involve charlie for once. he wants to be able share moments curated by him. “bless charlie. she means well and we do fit. my feelings are there, but i want to surprise you, go on a trip with just you. then it’ll feel right. i want to put in effort, not have my relationship planned for me or for you.”

jeremiah isn’t surprised to hear that venus’ ex husband is a little weary about hearing another man’s voice on the opposite end. anyone who’s experienced romance with venus has the potential feel a little bit territorial, but jer shrugs. “ah, sounds like the lad is a bit jealous? that’s understandable. i’m not worried. i’m glad nothing urgent was going on. i never want you to feel like you can’t talk to him in front of me, just for future reference.” jeremiah is very aware of what he’s getting himself into courting a woman with children in an ex-husband. her past relationship diesn’t spook him at all, he knows how to address any misunderstandings if any arise later. “i don’t mind having a chat with him in the future if we need to. two grown men should be able to sit down and have a conversation, especially a potential new boyfriend and the father of your little ones. if we really decide to seriously date, i think that’s important.” he uses specific wording so she knows what he stands without having to elaborate, eliminating confusion that may be leftover from earlier.”he closes his eyes while vee moisturizes his scalp, relaxing his broad shoulders. silently, jeremiah wonders if venus is over her ex-husband, or are there lingering feelings. he’s guessing the ladder, only because of how recent their split is, it’d make sense. “if you don’t mind me asking, how do you feel about him? What’s you guys’ dynamic look like?” he probes a little deeper. this conversation will determine how he moves the needle along the thread that is their budding relationship because if he’s brutally, honest, he could see himself falling in love with her very quickly.

VENUS DOESN'T ANSWER jeremiah right away, automatically bowing down to the overpowering roars of the blowdryer before saying anything. his hair was perfectly washed but she wanted the coils stretched to avoid any shrinkage with his cornrows. she hears the way her current flame speaks about his role in her life and their future. potential boyfriend. if they seriously decide to date. nothing contained any certainty, which is what drives her decision to not take it upon herself to claim anything beyond their level of friendship now. "unless shit hits the fan, you two don't need to talk." she puts it as simply as she can. although jeremiah sounds adamant about communication, she doesn't see a point in the two meeting for a very long time. chris will be chris, as she says to herself inwardly. "our dynamic can be complicated sometimes. i think overall we're so much alike that we talk like we're best friends or as if nothing happened, but i hold on to shit. i can't overlook how that divorce came to be because i feel like i devoted so much time and energy and was strung along in the end." she begins braiding the first set of cornrows. "but we do get along. he's really playful. he can be flirty. he's still breaking out of that married state of mind even after all of the arguments." she informs him, not hiding information about her ex husband's behavior that could be labeled as problematic to anyone who is pursuing her. "do i have anyone to worry about? not that i would be worried."

the intensity of how loud the blowdryer is almost startles jeremiah and he laughs a bit. he keeps quiet as he applies his lotion to his legs and feet. then, his arms, chest and hands are next. once the tool is powered off, jeremiah continues expressing his thoughts. “love…listen, i’m very serious about you. it’s in no way necessary for me to speak with him… however, i wouldn’t want any shit hitting said fan to start a conversation either…but i respect your reservations regardless. just… know that i’m willing to do it.” he wants venus to know, his speed in which he’s moving has nothing to do with what he wanted from her, but it really has everything to do with what he wanted to have with her. jeremiah positions his body at a better angle. he’s so tall in stature, he knows that sliding further down a bit will help her grip his strands better and she won’t have to strain her neck and arms. “i suppose, i rather you get along with him than not… and i’m sure it’s an adjustment for everyone involved, you especially.” he doesn’t see any of his exes getting in between them. “no, i’ve ended relations with my ex-girlfriends, quite amicably, i’d say. the doors are very much closed. if it weren’t i would say something, but i like you. i can see a future with you. i just want to know that we’re both ready to go forward before we do the family introductions. i don’t want to take you to meet my mom and nothing’s established. that’s bloody ridiculous, right? and it absolutely without a doubt has to be romantic, not something charlie set up…”

VENUS PLACES SEVERAL kisses onto jeremiah's lips before the two continue on with the start of their makeshift hair appointment. she starts off by moisturizing his hair. soon after, she's returning from the bathroom after fetching a blow dryer. "the chris call? no, i didn't return it, but i texted him instead. everything's fine. he was being dramatic about something. honestly, it was about hearing your voice." she admits. venus doesn't want to shy away from warning jeremiah about a jealous ex. she believes that transparency is important even if the two aren't official yet. "it's a little weird being divorced. it's one thing to feel like you're under a microscope in the public eye, but the added feeling of being under a microscope by people in your personal life... i thought i was done with that."

jeremiah isn’t surprised to hear that venus’ ex husband is a little weary about hearing another man’s voice on the opposite end. anyone who’s experienced romance with venus has the potential feel a little bit territorial, but jer shrugs. “ah, sounds like the lad is a bit jealous? that’s understandable. i’m not worried. i’m glad nothing urgent was going on. i never want you to feel like you can’t talk to him in front of me, just for future reference.” jeremiah is very aware of what he’s getting himself into courting a woman with children in an ex-husband. her past relationship diesn’t spook him at all, he knows how to address any misunderstandings if any arise later. “i don’t mind having a chat with him in the future if we need to. two grown men should be able to sit down and have a conversation, especially a potential new boyfriend and the father of your little ones. if we really decide to seriously date, i think that’s important.” he uses specific wording so she knows what he stands without having to elaborate, eliminating confusion that may be leftover from earlier.”he closes his eyes while vee moisturizes his scalp, relaxing his broad shoulders. silently, jeremiah wonders if venus is over her ex-husband, or are there lingering feelings. he’s guessing the ladder, only because of how recent their split is, it’d make sense. “if you don’t mind me asking, how do you feel about him? What’s you guys’ dynamic look like?” he probes a little deeper. this conversation will determine how he moves the needle along the thread that is their budding relationship because if he’s brutally, honest, he could see himself falling in love with her very quickly.

WHILE JEREMIAH IS enjoying his rejuvenating shower, venus finds herself removing his shirt from her body momentarily to take pictures for chris. she doesn't send them quite yet, deciding to hold on to them based on his behavior. juggling two people who she would deem weren't serious to her at the same time, with one being someone she had gotten a divorce from, was not ideal. she'd love nothing more than to try a romantic relationship with jeremiah as opposed to only being romantic in nature, but there was something that she couldn't put her finger on about how slow he was in timing. she ties the oversized shirt to crop it once it's on her body again. she smiles over at jeremiah once he returns to the room, sitting on the edge of the bed and widening her legs for space. "you're looking all sexy after your shower. step into my office, jer. just in a different way than about thirty minutes ago." she jokes. she pats in front of her before motioning to the floor. venus grabs a pillow and puts it onto the floor for his comfort. "it costs one kiss to get your hair done. how did you want it? am i just freestyling?" she double checks. venus is excited to do his hair as she considers it a chance to bond and have deep conversations.

“you look bangin’ in my shirt…” he grins, his muscular frame still somewhat damp. he made sure to grab lotion too when he went to go grab his hair products. jeremiah hardly lets anyone touch his hair. the person’s energy, their aura had to be right. letting venus braid his hair is a form of intimacy that tops anything they’ll do sexually. this moment is an exchange of words that only someone of their shared cultural experience would know. this is comfort. sitting on the pillow in between venus’ lap, he tilts his head back, lips puckered up for a kiss. “do it however you like, i trust your vision.” he kisses her again. “so did you return that call? is everything okay?”

VENUS CLAIMS ANOTHER seat, an office chair that is paired with a desk in the room. she watches as jeremiah takes initiative changing the sheets. good, she thinks. although it's something she has to do just about every week, she didn't want to do it on vacation. "in charlie and i's defense, i almost said no to the trip, but i got the whole 'you need a break for once' line." she scoffs with irony evident in her tone. venus stands momentarily so she could give jeremiah a kiss on the lips as a thank you for making up the bed. "you can freshen up. you've been at the beach and in the pool. it's a wonder how we didn't end up in the hot tub. i'll wait for you. have your hair supplies and compliments ready for me once you're done."

jeremiah makes the bed again, finding new sheets in one of the closets in the room. he hates wrinkles in anything, so he make sure to smooth out the sheets as he tugs each corner and pulls them over the mattress. once done, he shakes the duvet out and fluffs it so that when it falls onto the bed, it’s basically neat enough for them to comfortably climb into bed when they’re ready. he kisses her back, nodding. “i could use a quick shower, we’ll see about the hot tub tomorrow. i need to see you in more bikinis.” he smirks before disappearing into the bathroom, leaving the door slightly cracked open. fifteen minutes past and jeremiah exits the bathroom— a cloud of steam, surrounding him. he keep a towel tightly wrapped around his waist, carrying a handful of hair products with him. “that shower has wonderful water pressure.” the brief decompression from a long day felt great. jer feels like he needed that. want me to sit anywhere in particular?”

RIGHT ON CUE, venus kisses jeremiah back once his lips are puckered onto hers. "positions don't determine gentleness, babe. i mean the hair pulling and choking. i said i didn't mind anyway. i felt comfortable." she repeats, hoping that it settles in for him. she wouldn't want him to change anything when the two could possibly meet each other in the middle of it all if needed. the overwhelming height difference shows through how jeremiah's shirt fits on her once she puts it on. removing her hair from the disheveled ponytail, venus lets her curls sprawl. she grabs her phone so she could get in contact with chris once she remembers that he called during her temporary escape with jeremiah. "you make me happy too. i believe that you like me, don't worry." for now, her own voice echoes into her head. it'll only be a matter of time before she's overthinking something he says or does. venus is even thinking about how the two are admitting they make each other happy, yet they have not officially claimed a relationship status beyond just being friends who date. she digs through her suitcase for underwear, putting some on now that the two were finished their activities for now. "you should let me braid your hair." she offers.

jeremiah nods, gaining clarity, he didn’t think he was looking for. “well, my darling, i truly am glad that you feel so at ease with me. that’s all i care about, really.” he has a smile hidden beneath his tone as he starts the tedious task of changing the bedsheets. she’s still on the bed so he politely motions for her to stand up, well continuing the conversation. “vacations call for braids. i was going to have someone do it. granted, i had no idea you’d be here.” jeremiah can’t believe that charlie got one over on him again, but this time venus had been in on it too. “the sand and chlorine in my hair? i absolutely hate the task of getting it all out— ugh, no.” he expresses his disdain for the consequences he might face if he doesn’t braid his hair up now.