Homecoming

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

August had agreed to meet Maxi for coffee before he went to work. He had gone back to his apartment to get ready for work, so it gave her a chance to clean up a bit. With August around the past couple of days, things had gotten a bit disheveled around her house. She liked the idea of doing something with August before he had to work, though. It was like seeing him off before he went to the office, and it gave her a warm feeling to be doing so. She’d never really seen him off to work before and she was excited to do so. It was like they had never fought, and she hoped it would stay that way. She waited for him at Sunshine’s Too over by the window and she’d been able to have a brief conversation with her friend, the owner, before settling down to wait. Maxi never minded waiting for August, and she watched as snow actually fell outside. It was the second time it had snowed in Scriptor Bay since the darkness had come over the city. While it was bizarre, she had always loved watching the snow, and she did so now with a small smile on her face.

She was beginning to wish she had brought a book with her when the sound of the door opening called her attention. Seeing the mop of dark hair, she began to look back to the street outside when she did a double take. No way. There was no way! When she looked back, a familiar face was looking in her direction and she just stared with wide eyes for a moment. It couldn’t be! A big smile broke out on the boyish face over by the door and she felt her own smile breaking out on her face. She hadn’t seen that face in almost fifteen years, though they had kept in touch. The last time she had seen him, he’d come to visit her in Ireland while she studied abroad a semester. He was in England, so they had taken several trips to see each other. But how could he be back here? He hadn’t told her! “Jamie!” she cried, practically jumping out of her seat.

By the time she’d made sure the chair wasn’t going to fall over, Jamie had already made it to her and she threw her arms up to give him a hug. The hug he gave her made her feel like he was going to crush her, and she returned the favor around his shoulders. She squealed as he picked her up and spun her before laughing as he continued to do it and put her down. Still hugging him, she pulled back just a bit with a bright smile on her face, her eyes wide with excitement. “What are you doing here?! Why didn’t you tell me you were coming home?!” She was so excited, she wasn’t paying attention to anyone they might have disturbed with all their noise. Her best friend was home! He was home just out of the blue, like a magic trick, and she was ecstatic! Before he could answer her question, she was hopping up and down and hugging him tight around his neck again. “I’m so excited you’re home!” she gushed through her bouncing. She was giddy as a school girl to have Jamie back. Jamie was home!

[JAMES MILLER]

James loved his sister dearly but sometimes he wondered about her. She was a quirky sort of girl, and she had a thing against technology. Who didn't have internet and cable in their homes? "Why destroy my mind when there are so many novels to be read? So many crafts to be done?" It was so backwards to him, but if she was content with her life like that, then he would deal with it. It certainly explained why she wasn't on facebook. James, on the other hand, was an internet junkie among other technologies. He loved his laptop like an old lover and treated it with the proper respect it deserved. She went everywhere with him, but she seemed moderately useless without a wifi connection and naturally all of Lizzy's neighbors protected their internet with the proper security they should. He got zero signal at his sisters flat which meant he would be in search of some free wifi today to hold him over until the internet providers could come to his sister's pad and hook him up, which wouldn't be until tomorrow.

He went down to Peanut Street, which was a hot spot when he was a kid, and also a place he knew would likely host a venue for his habit. While he searched for a wifi spot he took part in another little habit of his; smoking. The cigarette was laced with a bit of hash, just as he liked it, and he roamed the snowy streets with his scarf tied tight around his neck, keeping as warm as possible. His layers kept his body warm on the outside, his spliff on the inside.

As he searched, his eyes caught sight of a vibrant head of red hear through a window. He didn't really look much until the head popped up, making him almost trip. No.. it couldn't be! A big goofy smile creased his lips. Was it really his old friend? He might not have recognized her if he hadn't stalked her facebook on occasion!

He walked towards the door, happening to notice the wifi sign and feeling like this truly was fate! The bell on the door rang his entrance and he saw her head pop up, taking a double look at him. His smile was wide, waiting for the recognition to sink in.

The smile on her face was good enough. He headed over as she jumped from her seat and headed his way. “Jamie!” she cried, fixing her chair as he came over to her and wrapped his arms tight around her in a big bear hug, lifting her from the floor a little. "Maxi Maxine McMaximus!" He teased playfully, spinning her around in a circle before placing her back down on the ground. Her smile was a welcoming sight and he grinned back down, ear to ear.

“What are you doing here?! Why didn’t you tell me you were coming home?!” She hadn't changed one bit! She was jumping up and down and hugging him again and he couldn't help but give her the same back, glad to be in familiar arms. Small world! “I’m so excited you’re home!” she gushed and he laughed with a nod. "I'd be a bit more excited about bein' home if there was a bit of sun." He offered in a gentle British accent. It wasn't thick, just enough to know he was from that area without being obnoxious. He still said a lot of things that sounded American.

"Uncle Gert asked if some of us might be kind enough to head west, so here I am!" He spread his arms wide and sank into the chair opposite hers at the small table she had been perched at when he found her. "Woulda told yah but Lizzy is anti technology it seems, and I didn't exactly have loads of time to plan. Sort've last minute trip. Had to rush to get all my ducks in a row, but enough about me! How've yeh been? You look fabulous!" He looked her over with a scrutinizing eye. "A bit thin, though." He offered. James had never seen Maxine as anything but a friend. They had quite literally grown up together and she would always be that scrawny red haired girl to him, despite whatever womanly features she grew over the years. She would always be his Maxi Maxine McMaximus!

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

“I’d be a bit more excited about bein’ home if there was a bit of sun.” Maxi giggled a little, loving Jamie’s light British accent. He hadn’t picked it up quite so much when she’d seen him in the U.K. all those years ago. Now he sounded like he’d grown up there! Well, maybe not that far, but he did sound like a Brit. “Uncle Gert asked if some of us might be kind enough to head west, so here I am!” Maxi clapped her hands playfully and then went to sitting in her chair again. She still had a scarf wrapped around her neck, though her coat was hanging over the back of her chair, and she had to keep it from dipping into her coffee as she sat across from him. “Woulda told yah but Lizzy is anti-technology it seems, and I didn’t exactly have loads of time to plan. Sort’ve last minute trip. Had to rush to get all my ducks in a row, but enough about me! How’ve yeh been? You look fabulous! A bit thin though.” Maxi grinned wider still, shaking her head a little. She was still trying to grasp that Jamie was right there in front of her and calling her Maxi Maxine McMaximus again. It had been far too long since he’d called her that! Whenever she ran into his parents or siblings, they still called her McMaximus because of the nickname he’d given her when they were kids. It was one of her favorite nicknames to this day.

“You know I can never gain weight.” The comment was playful and she gave a light laugh. There were many women who would kill to have her problem with weight gain, so she never complained about it. “And you look fabulous yourself! England still agrees with you.” She wrinkled her nose a little with her sweet smile. The two of them had never been an item and never would be. They were best friends who had been through thick and thin together while they were growing up and she still saw him as the gawky, big-eyed little boy he’d been on the playground. She wasn’t attracted to him, obvious by just how comfortable she was with him, though when women said he was attractive she didn’t disagree. She’d had a couple friends in Ireland who just fawned over him while she shrugged and allowed that by normal standards, he probably was cute. “I’ve been great! Well, this weather has been messing with me. I’m sure you’ve felt it too.” There was no way Jamie would not understand what she was referring to. All of the Blurrs had lost their powers, making them just normal people…weakened and tired people, anyway. “But other than that, everything’s been fine. It’s summer break, so I’m just recuperating from the school year and enjoying my time off. I’m actually waiting for my boyfriend to show up before he has to go to work.” She gave a little shrug and blushed a little to refer to August as her boyfriend. That’s what he was, but they hadn’t defined themselves that way officially. It was the first time she had called him her boyfriend, and it made her all warm to do so. “But I’m so glad you’re here! I’ll introduce you guys when he shows up.” Her smile was wide and excited. August didn’t do well with her friends, especially her male ones, but he had promised to play nice after he met Becky.

“I’m also serving on the council now as Gertie’s secretary.” She nodded proudly, grinning from ear to ear. “He asked me to start just before all this nasty weather started, so I haven’t been on the council long, but I like it. I’ve always liked working with your uncle. Who knew I would get sucked into politics, though?” Maxi laughed lightly and shook her head, taking a sip of her coffee. When she looked up again, she let her smile spread ear to ear. “What about you? How’s your art coming along these days? Are you famous in London, yet?” She giggled at her tease, though she was genuinely interested in hearing how England was treating him.

[JAMES MILLER]

“You know I can never gain weight. And you look fabulous yourself! England still agrees with you.” He rolled his eyes playfully at her. He knew at least a dozen women back home who would kill for her "problem" gaining weight. Women were such fickle creatures when it came to their weight, he was glad Maxi hadn't succumbed to that. "Do I?" He asked looking down at himself and shrugging his shoulders. He supposed the UK had agreed with him quite a bit.

“I’ve been great! Well, this weather has been messing with me. I’m sure you’ve felt it too.” His eyes moved to the large window outside and he gave a steep nod. He'd felt it the second the bus drove into town the previous day, and when he got to Liz's he hadn't been able to shift. It seemed no one was safe from this dark cloud overhead, even the foreigners. “But other than that, everything’s been fine. It’s summer break, so I’m just recuperating from the school year and enjoying my time off. I’m actually waiting for my boyfriend to show up before he has to go to work.” She was blushing and he looked back at her, raising his brows and trying not to smile, thought his cheeks bunched up trying to hide it. "Boyfriend?" He repeated, as if the very thought was amusing. McMaximus found a man, did she?" The smile cracked through and it was wide, the corners of his eyes creasing and showing his true age.

“But I’m so glad you’re here! I’ll introduce you guys when he shows up.” This he had to see. McMaximus found a boyfriend. "Oh, I'm very interested in meeting the lad." He teased. James silently wondered what he'd be like. He'd never met one of the girls catches before. Probably someone laid back and fun; someone James could get along with.

“I’m also serving on the council now as Gertie’s secretary.” Now THAT was news. "Oh?" His uncle had failed to mention that. Actually, he hadn't seen his uncle yet, so maybe his uncle would mention it. Then James wondered if he knew he was friends with the girl. Probably not. "Who knew I would get sucked into politics, though?” He nodded and grinned. "Indeed." He agreed, never pinning Maxi for the type to do something stuffy like politics.

“What about you? How’s your art coming along these days? Are you famous in London, yet?” He wrinkled his nose at her taunts. "I'd like to say brilliantly, but truth be told I'm as famous as every other street artist. Had a few shows over the years, but nothing fancy. Don't really push too hard, yeh know? Just something I love to do. Joined a little band, been doin' that on the side a bit. Singing and playing guitar and such." He rolled his shoulders, smirking at her. "I see you've finally started growin' into those lips of yours." He patted his own lips playfully with his pointer, his smirk growing. He'd always teased them about it when they were kids, never seriously enough to hurt her, though. He'd been teased plenty for his big eyes. "They look nice, now." He smirked, being playful more than flirty. "Bet this boyfriend of yours likes 'em. Speaking of, where is he?" He wondered, looking around as if he were expecting to see him, not even knowing what the guy looked like.

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

When Jamie’s nose wrinkled, Maxi giggled, taking another sip of coffee. “I’d like to say brilliantly, but truth be told I’m as famous as every other street artist. Had a few shows over the years, but nothing fancy. Don’t really push too hard, yeh know? Just something I love to do. Joined a little band, been doin’ that on the side a bit. Singing and playing guitar and such.” She perked up a little. “Oh, really? Bring your band to the States, I’ll sing with you.” She giggled, picturing herself in a band. No way! Her stage fright was ridiculous, but it could still be fun. The look on August’s face would be priceless. “I see you’ve finally started growin’ into those lips of yours.” He tapped his lips with his pointer finger, smirking wider at her, and Maxi’s jaw dropped though she was smiling wide. “Are we really going to start this, doe eyes?” she teased back, raising her eyebrows in silent challenge. “They look nice now.” She narrowed her eyes playfully and cocked her head to the side. “Thank you,” she said firmly but with a smile.

“Bet this boyfriend of yours likes ‘em. Speaking of, where is he?” She blushed a little, shaking her head. Yeah, August certainly liked them, but she definitely didn’t need to say that to Jamie. “He does, actually. And I’m not sure…” Her eyes scanned the café to see if he’d arrived yet, but she didn’t see him. She gave a shrug and looked back to Jamie with a smile. “I got here super early, so he’s still got a few minutes. He doesn’t work until late anyway.” Maxi was hesitant to tell Jamie that her boyfriend was a Gargoyle. August was very sensitive about it and she didn’t want Jamie bringing it up in conversation. Even if he was her best friend, August would be furious if she brought it up. It was better to just leave that little bit out; much more diplomatic. “Just look for a guy in an expensive suit,” she said with a little smirk. “He’s kinda well-to-do.” She shrugged and gave a nonchalant smile. “I never thought I’d end up with someone like him, but we work surprisingly well together.” There was big smile on her face and it was obvious she was smitten with August.

“What about you, Strawberry Jam? Have you met any special British ladies yet?” she asked with a teasing grin. She’d called Jamie Strawberry Jam when they were younger because he had gone through a serious phase with strawberries after the first time they listened to “Strawberry Fields” by the Beatles. When picturing the kind of girl Jamie would end up with, she pictured a modern day hippy with a cool demeanor and a pretty smile. How perfect would that be?

[JAMES MILLER]

“He does, actually. And I’m not sure…” James wrinkled his nose a little at the mention of her boyfriend liking her lips. Maxi had definitely gotten beautiful over the years, but she was still McMaximus to him. He things been different he'd chase her for sure, but there was too much history. Maybe.. maybe he could get over that, but she had a boyfriend and he didn't have an interest i pursuing her.

“I got here super early, so he’s still got a few minutes. He doesn’t work until late anyway.” He raised a brow. "You with a night owl?" That didn't seem right. Maxi was drawn to the day naturally, as he was. It was their nature. But opposites attracted he supposed. “Just look for a guy in an expensive suit,” He looked even more stunned. “He’s kinda well-to-do. I never thought I’d end up with someone like him, but we work surprisingly well together.” She was grinning like an idiot and James knew that this was serious. "Never took yeh for the ritzy pitsy boyfriend type." He taunted, surprisingly uncomfortable whi his best mate being with someone who sounded so stiff, but he was jumping the gun. This fellow couldn't be all that bad to have landed Maxi, who had to be one of the kindest people he'd met to date. Even if he was well to do.

“What about you, Strawberry Jam? Have you met any special British ladies yet?” He laughed and shook his head. "Strawberry Jam. Haven't heard that in ages." He leaned back in his chair, still shaking his head. "And I'll have you know I meet special British ladies all the bloody time." He teased wishing he could pull a smoke out, but he was sure the smoking inside would be severely frowned upon. He really needed to think about quitting. "Keeping them around's always been the tough bit." He shrugged, "I like to have fun. I like not bein' tied down. I mean, what if I feel like up'n leavin' jolly ol', yah know? If I've got a lady friend I can't very well go where the wind takes me. Look at me! I'm in America! Girls require plannin' and you know I've never been very good at that." Just then the bell to the shop chimed and the door opened to a well dressed man glaring at James. He made eye contact with the fellow and he was certain he knew exactly who he was before he could be introduced. "Think that boyfriend of yours just arrived, love." He said softly, never letting his eyes leave the man.

[AUGUST WITT]

It had been odd being away from Maxine again, but he knew it was for the best. They weren't living together, and though they were seeing each other regularly he was quite certain they weren't an official couple. August still insisted he didn't do the couples thing but Maxine was very much his girlfriend in every sense of the word. He cared for her, and she him. When they fought he made up with her. He bought her nice things and treated her to meals, and they slept together often and showered together... He wasn't opposed to it completely he decided once he thought more of it, but he knew he couldn't publicly date the woman. It just didn't make sense for his career and if Snow were to find out.. August didn't like thinking about his leader finding out more about his personal life.

Thanks to Maxine he was sleeping much better these days. He had switched his schedule a bit to be with her, but thanks to her sleeping pills he was doing quite well with resting when he needed to. He'd made sure to get up early so he could see her before heading off to work, knowing she would be asleep, or should be, by the time he was done.

The weather was cold for that time of year, another drawback to this dark crap. August didn't really mind all that much. He preferred the chill for some reason. Probably because he was a creature of night and it was often chilly at night. He bundled up and left his home, driving through the city to Peanut Street, where he was to meet Maxine.

When he arrived he parked and got out of the car, heading inside. When he got in it wasn't difficult to pinpoint his gazelle since no one else there had a head of flaming red hair, but what did surprise him was the fact she wasn't alone. He froze, glaring at the man across from her. He was in desperate need of a razor and a comb, and he was making Maxine smile. He immediately seethed, feeling as though he were stepping on his turf, which he very much was. Casually he made his way over, desperately trying to keep an open mind for Maxine's sake. She had asked him to be kind to her friends and he'd promised to try. Then again, there was no saying this boy was a friend.

"Maxine." He greeted in a low husky voice as he got to the table, standing protectively close to her. "I didn't expect you to have company." He shot a wary glance towards the young man, making it clear that Maxine belonged to him. Period.

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

“Strawberry Jam. Haven’t heard that in ages.” Maxi laughed too, watching as Jamie got more comfortable in his chair. “And I’ll have you know I meet special British ladies all the bloody time.” She grinned wider. “Oh, I’m sure,” she replied in the same teasing manner. She was far from shocked that he was still the playboy he had been the last time she saw him. “Keeping them around’s always been the tough bit.” When was the last time he’d had a steady girlfriend? “I like to have fun. I like not bein’ tied down. I mean, what if I feel like up’n leavin’ jolly ol’, yah know? If I’ve got a lady friend I can’t very well go where the wind takes me. Look at me! I’m in America! Girls require plannin’ and you know I’ve never been very good at that.” Maxi laughed and nodded. “That I do know.” He sounded like a British version of what the old August was probably like. Well, British and much closer to the poverty line. It was still strange to hear how very English he sounded when they’d both grown up in America, but she figured she would sound the same way if she’d spent almost twenty years there. She took a sip of coffee, musing quietly for the moment when she heard Jamie speak softly. “Think that boyfriend of yours just arrived, love.” Maxi looked up at Jamie first, a little surprised, and then her eyes turned to the door.

There was August, walking closer with his usual scowl when he saw other men with her, but she smiled brightly at him. She was in a good mood having Jamie back and now she had her unofficial boyfriend coming closer. “Hey!” she greeted cheerfully, hoping that would loosen up the chilly look on his face. “Maxine.” He came and stood very close to her and she reached up a hand to rest soothingly on the small of his back. Honestly, did he really think any man was a threat to him? “I didn’t expect you to have company.” Maxi smiled gently up at him, keeping her hand where it was. “Neither did I! August, this is one of my very best friends, Jamie Miller.” She looked back at Jamie with her big smile. “Jamie, this is August Witt.” She didn’t have to say he was her boyfriend, nor would she. It would only make August uncomfortable, though she might bring it up later. Wasn’t it about time they admitted they were committed to each other?

When the two men had greeted each other, she turned her big blue eyes back up to August. “Jamie and I grew up together, but he’s just come back from England. I haven’t seen him in ages, so when he just appeared in the café, we just started catching up.” She looked back to Jamie again, a thoughtful look on her face. “The last time we saw each other was in Ireland, I think. Just before I came back to the States. And that was junior year of college, so it’s been forever.” Her eyes flitted between the two of them, wondering if this was going to be another awkward meeting of her boyfriend and a close friend. August had promised to be nicer and she was hoping he would live up to that with Jamie. If he didn’t…well, she had made a threat, one that she swore to make good on. If he did, though, she would be sure to reward him generously.

[JAMES MILLER]

The guy looked like he'd recently eaten a lemon and it left an equally sour taste in Jamie's mouth. Maxine greeted him cheerfully and all he did in return was say her name. No kiss? Hug? Loving touch? Anything? "I didn't expect you to have company." Jamie smiled pleasantly at the man, almost taunting him.

Maxi slid her hand on the mans back, pleasant as ever. How could she be with someone so incredibly stiff? He was her complete opposite as he'd feared! “Neither did I! August, this is one of my very best friends, Jamie Miller. Jamie, this is August Witt.” Jamie leaned forward and took the mans hand. "Pleasure." He lied with a cheerful smile. "Likewise." Came the mans short reply and Jamie had the distinct feeling he wasn't too keen on him either. Jamie was a laid back fellow, though and it helped he had a decent amount of weed in his system so he simply didn't care what the guy thought. "Here, join us!" He said enthusiastically, standing up and leaning towards another table, dragging a chair over for Maxi's man.

Jamie beamed as Maxi explained how they knew each other, but August didn't seem all that interested. “The last time we saw each other was in Ireland, I think. Just before I came back to the States. And that was junior year of college, so it’s been forever.” Jamie gave a short laugh and nodded, "We had a blast during that trip!" He gushed, laughing again. "Remember when we decided to visit the tombs in Poulnabrone Dolmen near Limerick?" He asked and then looked over at August, trying to lighten the mood some. "We'd been gone for hours and hadn't found a bloody thing! Some guy at this inn we'd been stayin' at told us this place was a must see. Beautiful! A bit off the beaten path, but worth the hike. So here we are, tryin' to find this damn place and we keep gettin' lost. Not a soul in sight, save for a herd of sheep. It had been a good seven hours of wandering around, and we were starving! Finally wandered to a road and walked down only to find ourselves a nice old pub where we ended up ordering breakfast, which came with black puddin' which was actually a banger." He wrinkled his nose. "Nearly threw up when yeh realized it was made mostly of blood, didn't yah." He teased Maxi, laughing again and leaning back in his seat. "We had a blast in Ireland.." He reminisced, grinning at Maxi. He'd really missed her..

"So! 'nough about that. How'd you two lovebirds meet?"

[AUGUST WITT]

August wasn't fond of the scruffy man. He made him uneasy with how laid back he was around his Maxine. He was still, but remained polite for Maxine's sake. He wasn't sure if she would make good on her promise or not, but he thought it was unwise to test the boundaries. "Here, join us!" August bristled at the invitation and cringed at the sound of the chair scraping against the cafe's floor. If anyone should be inviting anyone to the table it should have been him inviting Jamie, which would have never happened. He couldn't help but feel like this man was creeping a little too far onto his turf.

“Jamie and I grew up together, but he’s just come back from England. I haven’t seen him in ages, so when he just appeared in the café, we just started catching up.” Maxine explained as he adjusted the chair close to her and took a seat, trying not to look too bored. "How convenient.." He grumbled softly, offering a hard, brief look at Maxine. “The last time we saw each other was in Ireland, I think. Just before I came back to the States. And that was junior year of college, so it’s been forever.” Why was he suddenly back? Why the hell couldn't he have stayed put in Europe?

"We had a blast during that trip!" August cringed at the thought of Maxine enjoying herself with this...bloke. "Remember when we decided to visit the tombs in Poulnabrone Dolmen near Limerick?" August didn't care about his storied with Maxine. It was like nails on a chalkboard as he went into this story that was supposed to amuse him, when all it did was annoy him further. He was polite and even forced a small, close mouthed smile as Jamie gushed about the time he'd spent with the girl beside him.

"..we ended up ordering breakfast, which came with black puddin' which was actually a banger. Nearly threw up when yeh realized it was made mostly of blood, didn't yah. We had a blast in Ireland.." August let out a forced little chuckle. "Sounds like it." He grumbled, doing his best not to sound nearly as bitter as he felt.

"So! 'nough about that. How'd you two lovebirds meet?"

The last time August fielded this question Maxine had gotten upset with him, so he was going to butt out of this one. His eyes penetrated Maxine's, silently telling her he wasn't going to answer this question. It was up to her if she wanted to tell him the truth or not. For some reason I picked her up in a liquor store and fucked her brains out all night was not an acceptable answer to that question for Maxine.

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

Maxi was so glad Jamie was being so friendly to August, even if August wasn’t showing the same courtesy. She hadn’t expected him to, after all. When she brought up the last time she and Jamie had seen each other, August didn’t look that enthusiastic. “We had a blast during that trip!” She smiled and laughed as Jamie told how they had visited Poulnabrone Dolmen, remembering it fondly. They had been lost and hungry and completely alone, but they had loved every minute of it. Some people might have fallen into arguing with the hunger and frustration, but she and Jamie had only sighed about it a little and gotten over it. It really was a beautiful place and she found herself getting a little lost in the memory. She looked to August to see if he was enjoying the story, but the forced smile on his face suggested otherwise. She hadn’t really ever talked to him about Ireland because he was bitter about never having traveled before. Still, she didn’t let her displeasure show as Jamie told his story. In fact, she was more inclined to ignore how unhappy August was and just enjoy remembering her travels.

“Finally wandered to a road and walked down only to find ourselves a nice pub where we ended up ordering breakfast, which came with black puddin’ which was actually a banger. Nearly threw up when yeh realized it was made mostly of blood, didn’t yah?” Maxi wrinkled her nose and shook her head. “Please don’t remind me. I’ve actually come to terms with the fact that it really tasted pretty good.” She had almost thrown up that day, though. Fortunately, she was hungry enough to keep it all down. “We had a blast in Ireland…” She grinned back at him, nodding vigorously. “We really did! It was great.” Her smiled turned to August, who muttered, “Sounds like it.” At least he was making an effort, though part of her was frustrated at how he was almost sulking. All she had asked was for him to be polite, not to enjoy his time with her friends, and he was managing to be kind. Maybe she would surprise him one day with a trip somewhere…

“So! ‘nough about that. How’d you two lovebirds meet?” Maxi let her eyes get a little bigger and then she gave a breathy laugh, looking at August. He obviously wasn’t going to answer this question a second time, judging by his stern look, and she nudged his leg gently under the table. “I was getting a bottle of wine after my students finished a week of exams a few months ago and August noticed me and started talking to me.” She turned her smile back to Jamie, giving a little shrug. “We spent the next few hours getting to know each other.” It had been more than a few hours, but she would leave that part out. “And now here we are, almost four months later!” She smiled happily with a cute little shrug. “How long are you planning to be here, Jamie? I hope you’re not going to be here for a week and then jet right back to London.” She gave a little pout as if that would break her heart, and then smiled again, waiting for his answer.

[JAMES MILLER]

Jamie couldn't help but feel like this guy was completely possessive. He could hardly look at Jamie without scowling, which made the Brit wary of him. It took a lot for Jamie not to like someone, but August Witt was high on his list of those he wasn't wild about. The guy clearly wasn't what he hoped for Maxi.

“I was getting a bottle of wine after my students finished a week of exams a few months ago and August noticed me and started talking to me.” James forced a grin looking between them. August didn't fight the story, but he clearly had no intention of adding to it. “We spent the next few hours getting to know each other.” By k now each other Jamie sincerely hoped she meant chatting. The guy didn't seem too talkative, but then again sometimes people were different behind closed doors. He wasn't, but that was him. He was a genuine person. "Sounds like a nice an' simple story." He teased with a little grin.

“And now here we are, almost four months later! How long are you planning to be here, Jamie? I hope you’re not going to be here for a week and then jet right back to London.”

Jamie decided just to ignore the fellows existence since he was clearly uninterested in adding to this conversation. "Well, if yer happy, then I'm happy for yeh, love." He said with a little nod. "And I'm here indefinitely. 'Til the country kicks me out or my uncle does." He joked with a little shrug. "So, to answer yer question, long enough to see you a few times. That is if August here will be kind enough to share yeh." He smiled at August, almost daring him in a polite way to refuse.

[AUGUST WITT]

August sat quietly and patiently as Maxine regaled Jamie with the story of how they had met, kindly leaving out the gory details. It was those details that made the story all the more enjoyable. At least to August. “And now here we are, almost four months later!" Had it been four months already? They way she was talking made it seem like they were this happy couple and he watched her silently. Were they a happy couple? Were they a couple at all? He often thought about it still, but didn't want to now. He wouldn't think about it again tonight.

"And I'm here indefinitely." This made his stomach sink. He didn't like the thought of this fellow hanging around for an intangible amount of time. It meant he would likely be forced to see him, and he couldn't simply ask Maxine to visit during the day since he was awake during the day. Could he trust her with him? He might not have to. Maybe they wouldn't visit, or perhaps he would allow the boy over so he could keep a watchful eye on them.

"So, to answer yer question, long enough to see you a few times. That is if August here will be kind enough to share yeh." August seethed and looked at the kind smirk on the boys face, not being able to help the feeling that he was being challenged somehow. August was not kind enough to share her, but one look at Maxine made it clear that she expected him to accept. He suddenly felt like he was losing a battle, like they truly were in a relationship and she had the upper hand. This was why he didn't date. Things needed to be his way or no way and his way did not include Jamie Miller. Or anyone else in her life, for that matter.

"If it's Maxine's wish." He said stiffly, looking at her and suddenly wishing he could just leave. He wasn't comfortable leaving her alone with Jamie, though. "I'm going to get a drink, would you like something?" He asked Maxine, ignoring Jamie, as he stood up. He nodded her order and then moved away form them, hoping Jamie would get the hint to just leave.

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

“Well, if yer happy, then I’m happy for yeh, love.” Maxi smiled wide, hearing the tiniest hint of reluctance in Jamie’s voice, but she was glad someone finally offered that sentiment. Wasn’t the most important thing that she was happy, regardless of what anybody else thought about her boyfriend? “Thank you, Jamie!” she chirped, feeling genuinely happy. Now if only August would stop being a sourpuss. “And I’m here indefinitely. ‘Til the country kicks me out or my uncle does.” She smiled wider, giggling a little. “So, to answer yer question, long enough to see you a few times. That is if August here will be kind enough to share yeh.” The smile Jamie gave August made Maxi a little wary. Even she could see the subtle challenge there and she didn’t need another dispute to happen between August and one of her friends. Her eyes turned anxiously to August, waiting for his response. He caught her eye and she gave a small hopeful smile. “If it’s Maxine’s wish.” Her smile spread all the way across her face. Today was such a good day! “Yes! I’d love to!” she chimed, looking back to Jamie.

When August moved to get up, she was afraid he was going to leave, and her eyes got a little big with fear as she looked up at him. “I’m going to get a drink, would you like something?” Maxi was relieved and she let her smile come back to her face. “Yes. A cappuccino please.” He nodded and she watched him go for a moment, seeing he was agitated. She turned her smile back to Jamie and then dug in her purse for a pen and an old receipt she found buried in there. “This is my number. You can call or text me any time, it’s always on,” she said as she scrawled her phone number quickly in her neat handwriting. When she was done, she passed it to him and dropped her pen back in her purse. “I want to see you as much as possible before you run away again, so call me and we can set up a time to meet. Right now, I think I should probably focus on him since it seems he’s in a bad mood.” She gave an apologetic smile as if August’s behavior was off today, though she knew better. He was always in a bad mood when he had to share her, especially when he had to share her with her male friends.

Standing, she put her arms out to signal for Jamie to give her a hug before he left. “Sorry to cut it short. But call me and we’ll set something up, I promise.” She smiled bright for him before she gave him a good squeeze around his shoulders. “It’s good to have you home, Strawberry Jam,” she said softly into his shoulder, standing on tiptoe to get a better grip around his neck. When she released him, she gave him a big smile before sitting down again and waiting for August to come back. She feared looking in his direction, afraid she would see him seething because she gave Jamie a hug. Instead, she calmly took a sip of coffee before she braved a look at him. She gave him a somewhat apologetic smile, hoping he wouldn’t be too furious with her.

[JAMES MILLER]

“If it’s Maxine’s wish.” Jamie looked to Maxine, smiling wide. “Yes! I’d love to!” Of course she wanted to! "Wonderful! It's settled then!" He gushed, drumming his hands on the table a little and ignoring the sour look of resentment on Maxi's boyfriends face. He didn't need to be such a twat about it, honestly. They were only going to be spending time together, not humping like rabbits!

Jamie watched as August excused himself, his dark eyes following the man to the counter. “This is my number. You can call or text me any time, it’s always on,” He reached for the paper and rolled his eyes. He had her number! Not that he called often... or ever, really. Doing the math with the time difference never seemed like fun for him and he didn't like the thought of catching her at a bad time. Email had always been his preferred form of communication with old friends. “I want to see you as much as possible before you run away again, so call me and we can set up a time to meet." He nodded and slid the paper in his pocket, figuring he would message her his number later so she had it. "Right now, I think I should probably focus on him since it seems he’s in a bad mood.” Jamie couldn't help rolling his eyes. "He's a bit of a stiff, McMaxi.. or what we like to call a wanker." He teased, knowing she knew full well about the slang they used. He didn't like her boyfriend, but he wouldn't come right out and say that.

“Sorry to cut it short. But call me and we’ll set something up, I promise.” He got up and let her fall into his arms, squeezing her tight and lifting her a bit. "No worries." He said softly into her ear. “It’s good to have you home, Strawberry Jam,” she said into his shoulder as he lowered her back down. "It suddenly feels a whole lot nicer being home, Maxi Maxine McMaximus." He said back kindly, pulling away and giving her a kind smile.

"I'm going to sit over at another table and let you two have your moment. Need an internet fix and Lizzy has a thing against the web, you know how she is. I'll give you a ring tomorrow, we'll make plans." He leaned in and pecked her cheek. "Good seeing you, love." He threw her a wink and made his way to another table, setting up shop with the laptop that was still slung over his shoulder in a black case.