Raven didn't say anything.

--

Yue paused before slowly walking over and taking a seat.

Laurel seemed to be growing defensive, "He's not a bad man," she suddenly stated, "He's trying his hardest to learn how to love properly and he's terrified of failing at it. He's just so introverted because of his past that he looks so steely and hard-hearted! He needs love just as much as everyone else and isn't as strong as he likes to proclaim he is!"

--

James paced for a little longer before starting to hum. He looked nauseous he was so nervous. But after a moment he began to sing. No background music, no backup singers... just his voice. He sang quietly, only for Yue's ears with a voice filled with more emotion than any of his top hits.

Song:

Raven was rather taken aback. "... I never said anything to the contrary," he replied quietly after a long moment. "I... don't doubt any of that. But becoming someone else and learning to live with your past is a long road. And he has to want it more than anything else."

--

Yue sat quietly the entire time, expression hard to read. Even after the theater grew quiet, she remained... speechless.

"I know that," Laurel replied a little loudly, "But he does want it more than anything else because he wants me," she stated with absolute certainty once more, "and I won't settle for anything less."

--

James seemed to have grown calmer the further into the song he got. When he ended he was kneeling in front of Yue, staring up at her. After a very long moment he whispered, voice expressing some remaining nerves but no hesitation, "I want to be yours."

"... Alright then," Raven replied. "But I still don't think I will be of any help - at least until Nic's opinion of me improves."

--

Yue still didn't say anything, looking a little dumbstruck.

Laurel frowned, "Why would he think so low of you?" she asked.

--

James pulled something out of his pocket, it was a choker. He held it out to Yue, "Put it on me," he ordered quietly. It didn't seem like an ordinary choker to Yue, there was something too shiny about it.

Choker:

"Don't ask me," Raven replied.

--

It took Yue a long moment, but she finally started moving a little bit. And after staring at the choker for some time, she eventually took it slowly from James. She looked a little lost, but she did as he said and put it around his neck.

Laurel looked very confused, "Is it... something he did?" she asked quietly.

--

There was a tiny jolt of electricity that shot into her fingers as she clicked it together. James let out a little grunt.

"... We're just different," Raven decided after a long moment.

--

Yue jumped a little, surprised and wondering what the terra had just happened.

Laurel shook her head after a moment, "Whatever," she decided before pulled up what she thought was a weed but wasn't.

--

James slowly smiled a little, "I'm yours," he stated quietly.

Raven flinched a little, but didn't say anything. "... He'd probably get along with Wolfe if they gave up on their grudges," he noted.

--

Yue blinked blankly, wondering what brought on this bizarre dream.

Laurel's expression immediately dropped at the mention of Wolfe.

--

James nodded a little, "If I step within five feet of any other girl than you... I'll be zapped," he explained. Only he would think of such a ridiculous way of dealing with his flirting.

Raven sighed a little. After another minute he noted, "... He only does the best he can, like Nic."

--

Yue blinked again, not looking like she believed him.

It was pretty clear that Laurel didn't want to talk about Wolfe.

--

James leaned in a little, "This way... I'll be nicely trained for you," he whispered near her ear.

So Raven stopped talking and kept weeding.

--

Yue was still rather speechless.

Eventually Laurel got up to leave,

--

So James kissed her cheek lightly.

"... Have you talked to Fin about how he feels about having a big brother?" Raven suggested.

--

It was taking a long time for Yue to soak everything in. After awhile she reached down and touched the choker on James' neck lightly.

"I found him in Nic's room, piecing through everything ad trying on Nic's jacket. I don't need to ask," she stated.

--

Nothing happened but Yue could feel a slight vibration from it.

Raven smirked a little at that, looking amused. He nodded at Laurel a little before going back to weeding.

--

Her finger ran along it for awhile before it reached the clasp. She paused for a moment before trying to undo the clasp.

Laurel nodded before deciding to pay a visit to Fin anyway. She knocked on the door of his Juttle..

--

She couldn't unclasp it.

There was no response.

--

Yue blinked. Then she tried again.

"Fin?" Laurel called.

--

It looked like the current had welded it closed.

"... Yeah?" he replied from inside.

--

Yue blinked again, wondering how he was supposed to get it off.

"it's Laurel! Can I come in?" she asked.

--

"It won't come off," James replied simply.

There was silence for a moment before he replied, "Yeah..."

--

Yue glanced up at him before looking at the choker again. His stylist was going to yell her ear off. It took her some more time still, but everything suddenly seemed to start coming on her as she tried to sort through her feelings. She opened her mouth to say something, but she couldn't seem to think of the right words. Eventually she gave up, grabbed James by the choker, and pulled him into a kiss.

So Laurel unlocked the door and stepped inside.

--

James was surprised but quickly started kissing her back. After a moment he brought a hand up and ran it lightly through her hair.

By now, Fin was waiting for her by the door. He nodded to her, still acting a little distant.

--

Yue started to kiss James passionately, but it wasn't long before hot tears started running down her face. She tried to ignore them, but her breath started to get shorter until all she could do was lean her head against James' chest. This time seemed different though. As she cried, she seemed to be letting go of something heavy that she had been carrying for a very long time.

Laurel stepped inside with a smile and looked around, "Frei left?" she asked.

--

James matched her kiss but backed off as she started crying. He wrapped his arms around her tightly and kissed the top of her head lightly, "That's right..." he whispered to her before kissing her head again, "Let it out."

Fin tensed a little. That was supposed to be a secret. "No one else is here," he replied.

--

So Yue cried for awhile before starting to calm down. "I... never thought..." she whispered quietly as she got her breath back. But she still seemed to be having trouble wrapping her mind around whatever that thought was because she didn't finish.

Laurel nodded as she looked around, "Oh, you like to read?" she asked with a growing smile.

--

"... you'd find someone as perfect as me, right?" he finished for her jokingly before kissing her temple sweetly.

Fin nodded a little.

--

There was a pause before Yue punched James in the stomach. She was slowly becoming her normal self again.

"What kinds of books?" she inquired as she went over to take a peek.

--

James grunted a little but only held her tighter.

"... Any kind, really," Fin replied.

--

Yue stayed like that for awhile longer, feeling James' arms around her. Then she kissed his neck before pulling away just enough to look at his face. "I... trust you," she whispered as one of her hands cupped his face.

Laurel turned and she nodded, "Do you like animals, Fin?"

--

James smiled before leaning in to kiss her again.

Fin thought about it awhile. "They're alright," he decided with a shrug.

--

Yue kissed him back.

Laurel nodded again, "Would like one to keep you company in here?" she offered, "I rescue animals."

Fin blinked. The surprises didn't end around here, did they. "Uh... I'm alright," he replied.

"You sure?" Laurel asked as there was a suddenly squeak. Laurel blinked as Amela came out of the jacket she was wearing and climbed onto her shoulder. "Amela!" she scolded, "Don't do things like that, I might have squished you!" Amela yawned in response and clung to Laurel's ear.

Fin blinked at the monkey, not sure what to think.

Amela eyed Fin before leaping off of Laurel and landing on the table before padding over to Fin and looking up at him with a squeak.