[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/8bItC51.png[/img] [img]http://i.imgur.com/A8Z4wUu.png[/img] [img]http://i.imgur.com/3yTrKuw.gif[/img] [img]http://i.imgur.com/AdjM39X.gif[/img] [img]http://i.imgur.com/A8Z4wUu.png[/img] [img]http://i.imgur.com/8bItC51.png[/img] [/center] Ash didn’t hit him because of that last comment, so that was a plus. She allowed Jackson to move freely, so that was another plus. All signs were pointing to nothing but good things. So much so that Jackson would proceed to stand up to stretch his legs. Before he would get the chance to, however, he heard some rather disheartening news. The realization that Ash was not only going to get married, but in just three-weeks time had frozen him as he was halfway up, prompting him to place his butt on the couch once more. Pain from her knee upon his balls was still there, but it wasn’t the priority when it came to the pain he felt. Coming all this way after five years to win her back, Jackson saw her. He talked to Ash. she was here in his apartment. They were talking as if nothing had changed between them. He would make silly comments, and she would return him with that laugh that he loved so much. She would hit him and he would forget about it because he loved her more than anyone in this world. He would act reckless and she would calmly scold him. He would make a mess and she would tell him to clean it up. All of that was present, yet.. Before Jackson could say anything. He wouldn’t say anything positive, so he would keep his thoughtless mouth shut. It wasn’t until Ash broke the silence that he smiled, kind of foolishly. It was that kind of smile that showed signs of being relieved. “[color=crimson]For sure. Can’t miss the opportunity to congratulate the lucky son of a bitch that won your heart.[/color]” Jackson said, half-honest in his words. He was happy for Ash, but a bittersweet tone was laced into his words. He wished it was him, but alas he simply was too late. Could have would have should have, but too late. Still smiling at Ash, Jackson let out a laugh when she mentioned her family. Apparently, from what he remembered about her telling him about them, they were still as uptight as ever. “[color=crimson]They probably fused with that stick up their asses, huh? I bet their one with the stick.[/color]” Of course Jackson had to say that. Couldn’t pass up the chance to be yourself huh, Jackson Drake? Of course not because you’re an idiot. “[color=crimson]But right, I guess I can’t go around calling everyone “dude” or “bitch”, huh?[/color]” Jackson kind of half-shrugged. “[color=crimson]I’ll keep my Jack-O-Meter on low, then.[/color]” Jackson winked. It was that kind of affirming wink. Totally nothing more to it, [i]at all.[/i] As she continued speaking, she actually would willingly invite Adi? Oh lords, does she not know what she’s doing? Adielle might be a good friend to JAckson, but she’s also a bit of a loose cannon. At least Jackson knew when to call it quits on certain things. Adi never has - and probably never will - end her craziness. Jackson internally wept for anyone who would get involved with her knowing that they would surely be in it for the for the long-haul. Jackson shook his head as soon as Ash mentioned Ghost. Alex was his name, but everyone knew him as Ghost. “[color=crimson]You’re kidding me? That idiot is a mercenary? Was he the one who killed Bin Laden? No wait, that’s too extreme for that dumbass.[/color]” he said. To Jackson, Ghost always seemed to be a bit of a loose cannon just like Adi, but in a different way. He had anger, like Jackson did himself, and he also was impulsive. To think that he actually found work that would be able to channel that somewhat. Jackson would have to catch up on that fucker at some point. They were overdue for it, that’s for sure. While Jackson was still thinking about Ghost and his career ventures, he took Ash’s hand to stand up. Both of them were finally able to stretch their legs. Jackson rotated his arms clockwise and then counterclockwise. He heard the joints crack. “[color=crimson]Oh what sweet relief.[/color]” Jackson felt a sense of bliss when his joined had cracked. Being in such a stressful position as he was when Ash had her knee just inches away from crushing the royal jewels, standing up next to her in her lingerie, which Jackson tried to keep his eyes off, standing up was a nice change of pace. Jackson did some motion of a nod to Ash. He would love to sit down with Ghost again. He was pretty sure Adi wouldn’t mind either. She was like that. “[color=crimson]Yeah, that sounds great.[/color]” Jackson gave her a cheeky smile that only he would give. It was that kind of idiotic grin. But when she went to the topic of horses, Jackson looked at her a bit perplexed. “[color=crimson]No, I can’t say that I have.[/color]” Jackson said, scratching his head trying to remember if he ever did. “[color=crimson]Don’t tell me you actually have a horse?[/color]” Jackson knew that was a stupid question. Of course she did. She was rich, after all. Rich people had horses. She probably had a pony as a child and everything. Oh God, Jackson now just pictured little girl Ash on her white pony. Jackson started laughing lightly. Ash wouldn't know what about, so it would be like it came out of nowhere. It only lasted for a moment or two. “[color=crimson]Even if I am, they can go fuck themselves. I wanna see your horsey, Ash.[/color]” Jackson said. He gave her a grin yet again. A few moments of some silence passed, and Jackson looked at Ash as she brought him in for a hug. At first he wanted to pull away. This was just JAckson still feeling - oh one would say hurt -at the news that she was getting married, but once he was holding her slender body in his arms, something familiar came back to him. The way she was able to make him forget almost anything with just her embrace. Granted, there was also the fact that she was half naked, and he had to restrain himself from wanting to tear it off. That wouldn’t be a wise thing to do. So he just held onto the moment for as long as he could. He closed his eyes, taking in her scent. A not-so-obvious whiff of her scent, JAckson let a blissful smile form on his face. The way she smelled had a fresh, cool aroma to it. There was a subtle floral fragrance that he caught. “[color=crimson]I missed this.[/color]” Jackson said, unaware that he actually said it aloud. He held onto her with a tight grip. His arms around her upper back, fingers were locked, and Jackson didn’t want to let her go. He didn’t want this moment to escape him. He didn’t want to ever let her go. He wouldn’t mind if time would freeze at this very moment. He didn’t care if they would grow old in this very spot. JAckson, just for this moment or two, had forgotten that she was set to get married or that he selflessly didn’t state why he was really here. There was nothing else that mattered to him. But like all good things, this must come to an end. As disappointed as he was, JAckson gave her a smile again. Ash told him he shouldn’t leave his shit around. He shrugged. It was whatever to him. It felt familiar, so why would he want to change? When she had went to get her dress, Jackson couldn’t peel his eyes away. Oh how that rump had given him many magnificent dreams. He always went to touch it, but too little, too late. She had gotten the dress from the ground, and she folded it on the table. “Adi brought a few things over from Las Vegas. I’m sure she won’t mind you using them for the time being.” Jackson said. He went over to his closet, and pulled out a pair of yellow and pink polka dotted pajama pants, and a tank to match it. “[color=crimson]Sorry it’s so brightly-colored. Coincidentally, Adi hasn’t changed much either.[/color]” Jackson let out a laugh handing them to her. As she would switch into them, JAckson stretched his arms one last time. “[color=crimson]I’ll park it on the couch again. You get the bed. No fighting me on it, either.[/color]” Jackson said, plopping on the couch. He didn’t have the strength to stay awake any longer. It wouldn’t be long before Ash would hear his blissful snoring as he laid stomach first, head half off the couch, and eyes closed. [center][img]http://i.imgur.com/8bItC51.png[/img] [img]http://i.imgur.com/PXjRvVZ.gif[/img] [img]http://i.imgur.com/RRA1tF9.gif[/img] [img]http://i.imgur.com/8bItC51.png[/img][/center] The hours went by, and Jackson slipped in and out of his unconscious state on the couch from hell. Though he was able to fall asleep rather quickly, his eyes kept on opening and closing periodically. Maybe he was too groggy to notice, but each time he opened up his eyes, he could have sworn that he saw Ash going back and forth from his sight. Perhaps it was his mind playing tricks on him. Jackson shrugged, and wiped his eyes, struggling to get up from the three-seat couch he was laying on. In retrospect, he should have invested in a more comfortable couch, or at the very least slept on the couch in his living room. At least there he knew he would be a little more comfortable and would have slept better. Now, not only did he not sleep well, but there was this massive knot in his neck that he could see be a both all day. When he tried to turn his neck, his neck started to ache beyond belief. Now as he was in an upright position, two things occurred to Jackson as he looked around. The first thing was the aroma in the air. He heard the sizzling sounds of oil coming from his kitchen. It was sausage and bacon. He would recognize that smell anywhere. They were his favorite breakfast sides, after all. Though, just laying everything out there in the open, Jackson liked any food that wasn’t necessarily good for him. It didn’t matter if it was greasy sides like sausage and bacon, or if it was deserts or whatever. Bottom line was that Jackson really liked food that would otherwise be considered unhealthy for the human body. Oh well. He liked his food as God intended it to be: full of your friend, Fat. “[color=crimson]But why do I smell that now?[/color]” Jackson’s curiosity got the better of him. He got up, which brought him to the other thing that he noticed. His apartment was clean. Not only was it clean, but it seemed to be spotless. All of the clothes that were on the floor, scattered wherever Jackson had previously left them were no longer there. Either JAckson was still dreaming or Ash was a busy bee while he was snoozing. Jackson wandered into the kitchen to get an even deeper whiff of the aroma that got his lazy ass up to begin with. When he turned to the stove, there he saw Ash. She was wearing those yellow and pink pajamas that he told her about. Good thing she took his advice, but Jackson was scratching his head at the fact that she was cooking. Though he still felt guilty, a few seconds later his stomach was growling. It was probably the aroma that the eggs and bacon and sausage was giving off. No more guilt. “[color=crimson]You’ve been a busy bee, Ash.[/color]” Jackson said, announcing his arrival in the kitchen. “[color=crimson]Not only do you cook, but you also clean? That husband-to-be of yours is one lucky guy, that’s for sure.[/color]” Jackson knew what he said. He did so as a joke. Besides, Ash knew him. She knew his sense of humor. Surely she’ll just let that one slide. If not, then breakfast would be awkward as fuck. “[color=crimson]So,[/color]” Jackson began to shake the awkward silence of the past moment, “[color=crimson]what did you make?[/color]” he asked, taking a leaning position against the counter, blue eyes on Ash.