He looked nervous. "What do you mean?" *** Jaz got up, going over to the car. "Can I help?" *** She got up, going over to him and hugging him from behind.
"Just that," she said, sounding more sad than anything else. "You've made yourself clear. It's... It's fine, Dion." * * * She looked up at him in surprise, sitting up. "But... did you finish your breakfast?" * * * He glanced at her from the corner of his eye. "Are you done sulking?"
His panic grew. "I don't understand, Aisling." *** He shrugged. "Most of it. Let me help." *** "Kinda," she said. "Is that okay?"
She shook her head again, pulling her knees up to her chest. "Is it the clothes?" she asked tentatively. * * * She frowned at him. "I'm just getting the sand and garbage out so people can sleep comfortably on the way home, Jaz. You can go eat." * * * "I was hoping you'd be done completely by now."
"Aisling, please.. I'm so confused." *** "I want to help you," he said, frowning slightly. *** "Yeah, but you started ignoring it so it's been prolonged."
She frowned at him, tilting her head before a small smile cracked on her lips. "I'm kidding, Dion," she said quietly. "Don't worry." * * * She sat on the floor of the van, her legs hanging out the opening of the door. "You're very sweet, Jaz, but I feel badly..." * * * "That seems counter-intuitive."
He looked incredibly relieved. "Oh, good. I was worried I had upset you." *** "I offered. Nobody told me to." *** She rested her head on his shoulder before pulling away and sitting back. "I'm done now. Come sit with me."
"Although, I am a little upset that you don't think I'm attractive," she replied smoothly, raising one eyebrow at him. * * * "But you could eat first..." * * * He looked concerned, looking back at her. "But... I'm cleaning up."
"What? Of course I do." *** "I ate most of it. I'm not hungry anymore." *** She pursed her lips before slowly putting the blanket hood on again.
She laughed lightly, pulling her hair back in a quick ponytail. "Hm. Alright, then." She stood up and offered him her hand. "Let's go to the car, okay?" * * * She sighed before relenting. "Well... okay. I've already swept out the major sand amounts." * * * He continued cleaning, ignoring her pouting.
He took her hand, standing. "To help clean it?" *** "What can I do?" *** She huffed before getting up and helping him clean.
She dropped his hand when he stood up out of instinct, glancing over to the car and noticing Jaz and Lucy. "Oh. Sure, I suppose. I was just going to get the car started." * * * "Let's get their blankets set up," she said decisively. "They're going to fall asleep again when they get in here." * * * He looked up at her with a grin. "Got you."
He nodded, starting over the car as he stretched his arms over his head. "That works too. Let's go." *** He nodded going to grab the blankets as she asked. *** "I figured the sooner you were done cleaning the sooner I could stop pouting."
She followed him, slipping her hands in her pockets as she followed him, her head tilted affectionately. * * * She took them from him, beginning to tuck them into the seats. * * * "That's a good compromise."
He opened the door, frowning slightly. "Maybe we can get the radio to work again." *** He helped, getting the seats that she didn't. *** "It is." She stood up after cleaning up a bit. "I'll be right back. I'm getting a coat."
She came up to him with a small frown, catching his hand and pulling him into a hug, her arms slipping around his waist. * * * She nodded, smoothing over the blankets. "There. That should be good." * * * "Alright. I'm almost done here."
He blinked, obviously surprised as he look back at her in confusion. He paused before hugging her back. "Are you okay..?" *** He nodded. "Good. Now we have maximum comfort." *** She returned a minute later, wearing a warm coat.
She was quiet for a moment, looking up at him thoughtfully. "I'm not..." she said, hesitating. "I'm not very good at being affectionate, I don't think. I'm watching Blaise and Ellis and thinking about how I could never be like that. It's not me. But I do think you're lovely. I mean it. I really think you're wonderful. I'm sorry if I struggle to show it." * * * "I'm not really so worried about us," she said with a small shrug, grinning at him. "I'll just end up falling asleep on you anyway. I'm more worried about everyone else." * * * He had finished cleaning and was packing up. "Better?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
He frowned, brushing her hair hair slowly. "That's alright, Aisling. I don't mind.." *** He grinned. "Fair enough. We win either way." *** "Much," she said, going to help him.
She frowned as well, her hand coming up to cup his jaw gently for a moment before she pulled away, squeezing his hand before going around to the driver's side. * * * "Agreed," she said with a grin, getting into her seat. * * * He picked up the basket, kissing her cheek before gesturing to the car.
