Main Campfire, Tuesday Evening

[fratboybitch.livejournal.com]

Alex felt restless enough to emerge from his alcove and head out to the main campfire again. It was easier to both smoke and stay warm since it'd gotten weirdly cold over the last few days. Whatever. He was from Iowa. He was used to this type of weather.

Didn't mean he would pass up a fire.

So, he slouched down against a log, crossing his feet at the ankle and leaning back to blow smoke into the air. It was the second week of classes and, amazingly, they weren't going that badly. Of course, considering the classes, Alex didn't know how they could go badly.

He'd take the good news while he could. It didn't happen often.

[campfires are open things!]

Comments

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

He nudged her gently.

"Why hello," he said with a faint smile. Makejoy bounced up a little.

[minnesota-teen.livejournal.com]

She kissed him, happily, before she gave over her attention to Makejoy.

"Hello you big ball of fluff," she cooed, reaching to love on her with scritches and nose kisses.

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

Makejoy bounced for her auntie and gave some affection right back in the form of licking and nuzzling. Liir watched happily, his hand curled along Amber's side.

[minnesota-teen.livejournal.com]

"If you don't quit eating, daddy is going to be able to offer Makejoy rides," she teased, continuing with her affection, and not minding the licking at all.

She turned amused blue eyes upon Liir. "I think I should have a gift in the form of a puppy, when I leave here."

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

"She's not that old yet," he said, ruffling her fur.

[minnesota-teen.livejournal.com]

Blink. "No, sweetie, I didn't mean from her."

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

He looked up at her, utterly innocent.

"Oh, you didn't?"

[minnesota-teen.livejournal.com]

"I mean, of course I could wait... if you were planning to let her have puppies?"

She had no idea how old a dog had to be to have puppies.

Um.

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

He laughed and nudged her.

"I was kidding, Amber. And maybe you'll get a puppy going away present. If you're allowed to have one at your school."

[minnesota-teen.livejournal.com]

Okay, so she turned red and felt stupid.

"I totally didn't know!" she giggled.

But then sobered quick enough. "Oh. Um. I didn't tell you did I? I'll be staying at home..."

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

He blinked.

"Oh. I didn't know."

[minnesota-teen.livejournal.com]

"I was going to tell you," she began. "I just haven't had the chance and the time never really seemed right to get into all of it." And of course Amber avoided the topic of her leaving and college like the plague. She was pretty sure Liir knew it too.

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

He did, but considering his own shortcomings in the communication department, he was the last one to get mad about it. He also knew that sometimes, it just never seemed to come out.

"Anything else I should know?"

Not the faintest hint of bitterness or annoyance. He was just curious.

[minnesota-teen.livejournal.com]

"Um," she murmured, ducking her head some as she petted Makejoy.

"I don't know. I'm going to the university there but-" she lifted her shoulder in a light, careless shrug, "-it's more cost efficient to live at home, so..." She knew she had told him she was staying in this timeline, and close, but that option wasn't working out for her. Her conversation with Alex made her think of Gladys but she hid that fear well enough in front of Liir, and wouldn't mention it for the sake of his feelings.

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

"It makes enough sense to me. But... the, er, other thing?"

He wouldn't say Gladys's name.

[minnesota-teen.livejournal.com]

She cringed, knowing what he meant. And playing innocent, while the thought to ignore the question was more than appealing, wouldn't work. She wouldn't do that to him since having learned it wasn't exactly the right thing to do.

"I don't know, Liir," she replied softly. "I guess I'll just have to keep an eye out."

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

"All right. Can I, that is... may I visit sometimes?"

[minnesota-teen.livejournal.com]

Aw. Amber really did not want to have this conversation now. But she turned to face him fully and reached up to take his face in her hands, and smiled softly. "I would hope that you would, and that I can visit you when allowed. Sometimes, maybe we can even meet in the middle."

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

"That would be nice," he said quietly, wishing they could just have things out for once. But she'd struggled through with him, so he'd give her the same.

[minnesota-teen.livejournal.com]

She wished they could too, honestly. But she was worried and had no idea how things were going to go and that uncertainty knotted up her stomach every time the subject came up. She knew he knew that too.

"Now's not the time," she whispered, leaning in to kiss him softly.

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

"As long as there is a time," he said, gentle but firm. He wasn't having someone disappear out of his life again. No, not again.

[minnesota-teen.livejournal.com]

"All right, Liir," she replied, her tone still quiet. "We'll go out soon. Talk over dinner, maybe?"

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

"Whenever you like, Amber. It just has to happen. That's all."

[minnesota-teen.livejournal.com]

She tilted her head. "Is there something specific you want to say to me?"

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

He shook his head.

"I'm just not letting someone I care about simply... slip out of my life again."