Where We Will, We'll Roam

The nap was not intentional. One moment Ulysses was listening to Jasmine's voice and the gentle pull of her fingers through his hair, and the next he was blinking awake to find the afternoon sun shifted. He sat up with a quiet yawn, his exhaustion eased, if only a little.

Rather than immediately seeking her out, Ulysses rose and wandered toward his study. An idea had settled into his mind during his sleep. With a flick of his wrist, stacks of cream-colored paper lifted from a desk. Pens dipped themselves into ink and began scratching elegant invitations across page after page. The village book club. The elderly ladies. A few fishermen. The baker who kept trying to send him home with pies. If they were all so determined to involve themselves in his life, then he might as well reward their persistence. When the final invitation was finished, he snapped his fingers. Dozens of folded letters sprang from the desk like startled birds and vanished through open windows in flashes of silver-blue magic, each finding its intended recipient without the inconvenience of roads, weather, or postal services.

Only then did he go looking for Jasmine. He found her and leaned against the doorway, looking considerably more awake than before. "I've done something either very kind or very foolish," he informed her. "Possibly both." A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "I invited half the village to the lake for a gathering." His arms folded loosely across his chest. "The invitations have already been delivered."

Jasmine was in the kitchen. It was the place in their house she visited most often. The kitchen made a house into a home. It was warm and cozy, with a small spot to sit, and of course enough counter space to create the most wonderful dishes. The oven was on and the smell of something sweet lingered all around. Jas was rinsing a chopping board when she heard the footfalls approach. The edges of her lips curled, but she didn't turn around just yet.

"Oh, really?" Something very kind or very foolish. From the tone of Ulysses voice she could hear it couldn't have been that foolish. There was no panic. There was that light amusement that popped up whenever he had done something mischievous that he was kind of proud of.

Slowly, she turned to look at him and, indeed, he seemed quite pleased. She, however, shrugged slowly. "I didn't get an invitation." That look on her face - the sheepish, innocent smile - was her way of looking mischievous. "Lucky me."

She turned back to the oven to check on tonight's dessert. "And what are you planning at this lake gathering?"

"Have you ever heard of Henri Cartier Bresson? He's the father of candid and street photography-" She knew it was a dumb question; that she was rambling- not many people knew about photographers; even ones that changed the pictures that they looked at every single day of their lives. Every ad, every bill board. She shook her head. "Anyway he pioneered Images à la Sauvette- "The decisive moment" in french. He talks about recognizing and seizing moments that convey deeper truths about life. Being able to recognize timing, framing, light and human composition. And then seizing it."

"Well.." Jas tilted her head and considered her next words. Her lips curled up just slightly and she decided to continue. "Have you told him? That you want to get married?" A lot of people thought that they communicated clearly, but the other person was completely in the dark. Will wasn't most people and surely a lot better at reading body language, but he was still a man. Men somehow were completely oblivious to some things.

Kind of a blessing in disguise, wasn't it?

She took a breath. Alex's words made sense. It was just.. "My decisive moments are what makes me doubt myself." She hadn't, after all, made the best choices in the past. Self-undermining choices. Sabotaging choices. That's why she had to go over everything inside her head times twenty before she could decide anything. "Never mind." Quickly, she waved her hand to dismiss what she had said. "It'll be fine. Oh. You should come over sometime. I got this new camomile tea you really should try."

"Want to come over to my place and see the old reruns of Survivor? We can judge and compare their survival tactics together. That way we have something to do while our dogs play."

Ilyas snorted, followed by a soundless chuckle. What a ridiculous question. Super Boy kept trying, regardless of all the rejection. Maybe, in a way, it was admirable. In other ways, it was just plain stupid. And yet..

Ilyas was smirking, but bit the inside of his cheek as well. He took longer to answer than he usually did, almost as if he was considering. "..okay." Okay? Really? Where was this going? His shoulders bobbed up and down in a light shrug. "Yeah. Sure." This was so ridiculous.. it might even be fun.

[TXT] : answer the question.

[TXT] : you left your jacket here.

[TXT] : ignore that last message.

[TXT] : must be my fault somehow.

[TXT] : this was a bad idea but i'm doing it anyway.

[TXT] : guess i misunderstood the vibe.

[TXT] : i'm only texting you because i'm drunk.

[TXT] : i can't stop thinking about your hands.

[TXT] : you're not gonna believe this..

[TXT] : i'm blushing shut up.

[TXT] : okay wait no don't answer that.

[TXT] : i didn't say anything because i didn't want to argue.

[TXT] : be honest with me.

[TXT] : are you free tonight?

[TXT] : i'll explain later, just call me now!

[TXT] : i like it when you looked at me like that.

[TXT] : i should stop texting before this escalates.

[TXT] : i keep rereading that message.

[TXT] : are you trying to distract me on purpose.

[TXT] : i hate that you were right.

[TXT] : you'd be so proud of me right now and also disappointed.

[TXT] : cheers to bad decisions.

[TXT] : i had a dream about you.

[TXT] : i thought you were coming?

[TXT] : wow that's crazy.

[TXT] : it's whatever honestly.

[TXT] : your stuff is still here.

[TXT] : open the door.

[TXT] : what are you doing right now?

[TXT] : don't screenshot this.

[TXT] : don't make me ask twice.

[TXT] : i'm grabbing coffee, want one?

[TXT] : what are we?

[TXT] : no really it's fine.

[TXT] : you don't have to lie.

[TXT] : i don't feel great.

[TXT] : don't rush i've only been waiting.

[TXT] : i forgot the grocery list.

[TXT] : don't do this over text.

[TXT] : did i do something wrong?

[TXT] : i don't trust myself around you.

[TXT] : running late sorry.

[TXT] : you make it hard to be good.

[TXT] : i told myself i wouldn't text you tonight.

[TXT] : are you mad at me.

[TXT] : please answer me.

[TXT] : i told you not to do that.

[TXT] : can i come over?

[TXT] : i'm outside.

[TXT] : you're being unfair.

[TXT] : that's not an excuse.

[TXT] : can you stay on the phone with me?

[TXT] : are you busy?

[TXT] : please tell me you're okay.

[TXT] : i think i fucked up.

[TXT] : i need to vent.

[TXT] : do you want food?

[TXT] : this is messing with my head.

[TXT] : i should not be imagining this right now.

[TXT] : are you mad at me?

[TXT] : please say something.

[TXT] : can you lie for me?

[TXT] : i found your keys!

[TXT] : i just thought you'd let me know.

[TXT] : i know you're awake.

[TXT] : stay the night.

[TXT] : you look good and you know it.

[TXT] : this reminded me of you!

[TXT] : this conversation is not helping my self control.

[TXT] : i love how you only respond when it's convenient.

[TXT] : i love you and i hate that i love you.

[TXT] : you left me on read.

[TXT] : i cleared my schedule.

[TXT] : i can't keep doing this.

[TXT] : are you alone?

[TXT] : stuck in traffic.

[TXT] : you could've just said no.

[TXT] : i don't want to be alone.

[TXT] : who are you with?

[TXT] : something has to change.

[TXT] : if you were here right now i'd be in serious trouble.

[TXT] : i'm done.

[TXT] : don't tease me.

[TXT] : i'm getting worried.

[TXT] : oh okay i guess we're not talking anymore.

[TXT] : where are you??

[TXT] : i'm thinking about you.

[TXT] : i hate nights like this without you.

[TXT] : can you come get me?

[TXT] : look up.

[TXT] : i trust you.

[TXT] : i need help.

[TXT] : this is flirting right?

[TXT] : i changed my mind about earlier.

[TXT] : it's fine do whatever you want.

[TXT] : it's not what it looked like, okay?

[TXT] : my brain won't shut up about last night.

[TXT] : please come get me before i make worse choices.

[TXT] : that was not funny.

[TXT] : i'm proud of you.

[TXT] : i don't know why i'm telling you this.

[TXT] : i'm sorry, i should've said something sooner

[TXT] : please don't be mad..

[TXT] : are you coming over or just teasing me?

[TXT] : i won't bother you again.

[TXT] : i almost sent this three times.

[TXT] : did you get home safe?

[TXT] : you don't owe me anything clearly.

[TXT] : i miss you.

[TXT] : guess who i just ran into..

[TXT] : i can't sleep.

[TXT] : i need clarity.

[TXT] : tell me to behave.

[TXT] : okay fine you win.

[TXT] : hello?

[TXT] : you did good.

[TXT] : do you miss me?

[TXT] : i'm bored, entertain me.

[TXT] : are you safe??

[TXT] : you're unbelievable.

[TXT] : i shouldn't have said what i said earlier.

[TXT] : i hope you're asleep because this is embarrassing.

[TXT] : don't ever say that again.

[TXT] : are you flirting with me?

[TXT] : you owe me gas money.

[TXT] : stop avoiding me.

[TXT] : call me when you see this!

[TXT] : you still mad?

[TXT] : can we talk in person?

[TXT] : can i crash at your place?

[TXT] : you're going to get me in trouble.

[TXT] : i'm spiraling.

[TXT] : you're doing this on purpose.

[TXT] : okay i'm done texting now.

[TXT] : you look cute.

[TXT] : glad you had fun.

[TXT] : i'm exhausted.

[TXT] : i'm trying to be respectful but you're not helping.

[TXT] : why would you think that was okay??

[TXT] : i want to move on.

[TXT] : thanks for the heads up i guess.

[TXT] : you left your panties here for a reason didn't you.

[TXT] : you know exactly what you're doing.

[TXT] : please don't tell anyone.

[TXT] : remember when we said we wouldn't do this again.

[TXT] : i can't find my shoes.

[TXT] : do you always do this or just to me?

[TXT] : tell me you don't miss me so i can shut up.

[TXT] : you crossed a line.

[TXT] : you up?

[TXT] : you didn't have to do that.

[TXT] : don't get smug.

[TXT] : i'm on my way!

[TXT] : i should not be saying this.

[TXT] : remind me to tell you later.

"What did I tell you about inviting over strange men? You shouldn't--" He paused and inhaled deeply, followed by an even longer, exasperated sigh. "Fuck it. It's too hot for that shit." Too hot for the self deprecating speech? Wow. Ilyas had it bad.

Alex's reaction made Jasmine's brows edge up in genuine surprise. Her friend was contradicting herself and that sort of thing only happened when someone was nervous, or lying. She wasn't going to rub that in Alex's face, though. She was going to be compassionate about it. "Really? He seems the type of person to want to talk about everything to the finest details." She chuckled softly, not intending for it to be an insult, but Will sure talked a lot. "Maybe you should just.. talk to him."

Her shoulders bobbed again. She wasn't sure if she agreed with that: rather failing than not trying. If you didn't try, you couldn't fail. It felt safer somehow. "Well, there sure is a bigger chance of me becoming a nurse than me getting into a relationship, so." Her eyes rolled lightly. Compared to opening up to someone and committing to them, nursing would be a walk in the park. "Classes start in September, so I still have some time to thoroughly doubt myself."

"I don't know if you're into these--" Jasmine presented the little box to Beth with a smile on her lips. She loved tea. These were incredibly cute. It was the perfect gift. Small and if Beth didn't like them, she could serve them to someone else. It was the thought that counted, right?

"--but I hope you are. Anyway. Happy birthday."

Beth's reaction was precious. The gift was a simple gesture only, but received with this much love, it made Jasmine's heart beat a little faster. She loved giving. She loved seeing the look on someone else's face when they saw something they didn't expect. It made her feel truly happy.

"Pi..kake." She tried to repeat what Beth said and probably completely butchered the word, so she bit her lip as her cheeks colored a light pink. But with a small wave of the hand, those feelings were dismissed. "Honestly, I've been curious about the camomile one ever since I laid eyes on it." Camomile, for calm and ease. It was perfect everywhere.

“Thanks,” she started, tilting her head slightly, her tone dry but playful in that quiet, almost deadpan way. “I think I lean more toward kitchen witch.” A faint smirk tugged at her mouth, not quite as effortless as it usually was. “I have one true love, culinarily speaking. Spaghetti assassina. Burnt, a little dangerous, slightly unhinged. So, you know. On brand.” She glanced briefly at Will, then folded her arms loosely, leaning a hip against the counter. “But yeah. I make things. People eat them. No one’s died yet, so I consider that a success.” Her gaze flicked toward the kids, subtle but intentional. “You’re welcome to test that statistic.”

Her fingers brushed against Will’s again before she spoke, knowing she should add more if they wanted to know about her. “Um, I also write,” she added, a touch more hesitant now. “Books. Under a pen name. D. G. Nocturne.” A momentary uncertainty crossed her face, like she was debating how much to admit. “They’re… not exactly light reading.” Intense, spooky, violent, more like. She cleared her throat softly, then pivoted with a small, almost sheepish smile. “I like the color red, though. It’s simple. Easy.” And obvious, given how much of the home seemed decorated that was her signature. Her gaze moved between Ty and Bee, gentler now, opening the floor to them. “What about you two?”

For the first time since his family arrived, Will saw the Delia he knew. That little sass, the sparkle in her eyes. There was tension still, and he honestly would've doubted his relationship if there hadn't been, because this was about the biggest step two people could take together.

Once there were children involved, everything got so real.

"I love food." Ty shrugged with an almost goofy grin on his lips. He was definitely the more easygoing out of the two and it showed. A softy, some might describe it as. His sister definitely used that word to get at him sometimes, but someone couldn't just change who they were, could they? There was nothing wrong with being you - or so his dad always said. And his dad knew that stuff. He was a psychiatrist, after all.

"And, I mean. Red's cool." It were typical teenager answers: short, direct, with a whiff of indifference, though unintended. But at least Ty spoke. Bee still chose the silent treatment, arms tightly crossed over her chest and her brows lightly folded. She might never ease up.

Will knew that Ty's comments didn't exactly break the tension just yet. A soft nudge might help. "Ty plays the guitar really well." Somehow that comment made the young man's eyes light up. It changed his demeanor too. "Yeah." He shrugged, but smiled too. Wider than before. "I'm gonna join a band and play at, like, Coachella or something." Someone - the grumpiest of them all - huffed at that, but it went mostly ignored. Will glanced at Delia. It wasn't hard to see he was proud. "Hashtag: goals."

"You don't even know what a hashtag is." The teenage daughter who rebelled everything rolled her eyes at that. If her attempt was to get under anyone's skin, she'd failed. "True!" Will said simply, which only made Bee roll her eyes more, but he ignored that part. Ty ignored his sister too. He'd learned how to do that a long time ago. "It's uh.. pretty cool that you're a writer," he said to Delia, his hands in his pockets and looking down slightly. Perhaps it wasn't so much indifference, but rather a shyness that popped up ever so often.

"You want to be married?" Jasmine knew she could easily win this argument, cause in her head, stable didn't mean having to own everything. But the conversation took a turn and she thought it was a more interesting one. Maybe somewhere in the back of her mind, every girl dreamed about marriage. She'd never really talked about it with Alex, but her friend wouldn't casually bring it up if it didn't mean anything to her. "Maybe you should ask him." She shrugged, cause it seemed to make sense.

What was she unsure about? Only everything in her life, all the time? "I don't know. It could be different when it's a job." Then suddenly, she wouldn't be good at it? It would be too much pressure? She couldn't pinpoint what it was exactly that was holding her back. "I guess.. I'm just scared of failing." Or maybe she could. Maybe she could pinpoint it precisely.

Yaira shrugged again. Tact was complicated to her. It might've been a cultural thing. She preferred it when people said what they meant, not beat around the bush. "I love that, actually. That you don't have a filter. I love the 'what you see is what you get'." But if it made Greta uneasy, she could drop it. No worries.

Of course she wanted to ask what Greta was hiding. That was the first question to pop into her head. But.. not so tactful, was it? No. She decided on another. "Okay, real talk." She shuffled slightly closer, as if she was about to spill something secret. "What would you glamor about me?"