Spontaneous Combustion (Talia)

[Xavier & Jaxon Wright]

The night was notorious for poor drivers and hazed accidents, where people die and live simultaneously in a blur of alcohol and sweat. On one end, the next morning could be filled with either a smile from a reminisced experience after the hangover subsides, or it could be filled with regret, black dresses, and waterproof mascara. An ultimate end that cannot be returned to sender, or back to the department store where it belonged.

Both Xavier and Jaxon were well aware of the dangers involved in the night of New Years Eve, and while Jaxon didn’t quite want Talia to come over, it was made known that she was to come whether he liked it to or not. Jaxon didn’t wish pain or death on anybody, not even the woman who was taking his brother, and so he agreed without reluctance that it would be best to pick up Talia and bring her to the house rather than the other way around.

Xavier didn’t feel as though she couldn’t manage herself on the road, but it didn’t have to be her that wasn’t being careful in order for something horrible to happen. But knowing that most people would be leaving to their parties around eight, Xavier planned accordingly. The eldest soul convinced Jaxon to prepare some snacks and food for the upcoming night, just so they didn’t have to order take out, or even leave the house for that matter.

And, in the span of things, Xavier wasn’t even sure she had even seen the inside of their home, which Jaxon had made the comment about how she wouldn’t be able to handle the decency of their home, or something to that extent, but Xavier simply ignored him.

The drive wasn’t that long, ten minutes at most - Pilot Ridge was not a large place, after all. And Xavier, who allowed Jaxon to choose the wardrobe before telling him that Talia was to come over, stood at the door of the woman’s apartment. There was a slight nervousness in his stomach, of which Jaxon was suspicious of in the first time, but he wouldn’t allow himself to act on it.

Instead, as he knocked, he very much looked calm and collected, easy going and with a half smile on his lips.

‘You look like an idiot,’ Jaxon muttered.

Well then, that was your fault. You dressed us.

[Talia Spencer]

New Year's Eve was a favorite holiday of Talia's. Well, really, she just loved all holidays truth be told. But New Year's had a certain charm to it. On one hand, it was about fun and partying - both things she could definitely appreciate. But on the other it was about celebrating - both the year that had gone before and the endless possibilities of the year to come.

So it was little surprise that come New Year's Eve, she had her pick of celebrations to attend. Except for her, there was really no choice to make. Xavier had invited her to spend the holiday with him, at his place - an invitation that she by no means could refuse. Nor would she want to. Since she and Xavier had reconciled - or since she had learned it was Jaxon who had earned her anger and not Xavier - things had been going quite well between them. She had worried that Jaxon's influence would make things more difficult, but if that was the case, she was blissfully unaware of it.

Furthermore, he had insisted upon picking her up in an effort that could only be called chivalrous. She had said that wasn't necessary - she would hate to trouble him - but he wouldn't hear it. As such, he should be arriving any moment to get her.

Talia had spent longer than she cared to admit agonizing over how to style herself for the evening. On one hand it was going to be a fairly casual date, but on the other, she still wanted to look good for him. Finally she had settled on a peach colored sweater decorated with a gold sequined heart and faded blue jeans. Her hair was loose in gentle waves and her makeup was natural. Luckily her indecisiveness meant that she didn't have long to wait before Xavier arrived.

She heard the knock and the door and immediately slipped into her jacket - well, his jacket - grabbing her purse on her way to the door. "Hey," she said, slightly breathless, more from anticipation than anything, as she opened the door. Still, as soon as she saw him, she couldn't help but smile. "Thanks again for picking me up. It's really sweet of you, Xav."

[Xavier & Jaxon Wright]

Anything but amused with the way Xavier had literally tricked the younger soul to dress them for the occassion, Jaxon had fallen into another one of his moods, a mood that he wished simply would disappear. Ever since Talia had come into the picture, there had been more fighting and less talking, their body no longer feeling like his. In those moments, when Jaxon failed to see any purpose with Xavier, he wondered why he even came to existing with Xavier if this is how he would be treated.

It fucking sucked.

'You didn't tell me until the very last minute that she was coming over!'

Would that have changed your decision?

'I don't know! Maybe, but Xavier this is /my/ body too! How the fuck do you think It's okay to not tell me what is going on?'

I did tell you though, Jax.

'Oh my fucking god,'

But it was then that Talia had appeared and Xavier's attention fell from the conversation and onto her. Seething in the background, Jaxon listened in on the conversation at hand, since it was the only thing he could do, it seemed.

"It's a dangerous night to be out and about," Xavier shrugged off, feeling as though it didn't warrant a thank you. What he had planned, however, might. It was new years, after all - one of Xav and Jax's favorite holidays, by far - and it was always a time to make big plans. Going out with a bang, as Xavier saw it.

A slight nod in the direction of the parking lot indicated he was ready to go, "You have everything?" Because even Xavier was nervous to be out on such a night. He'd lost a few students to it over the years, and some of which were actually being /careful/.

[Talia Spencer]

As always, Talia was unaware of the discord between the two brothers, leaving her to focus on only the positive. Truth be told, she was quite content to imagine that the other brother - the one who hated her for absolutely no good reason - didn't exist. Perhaps it was a bit rude, but in her defense, Emily Post hasn't exactly written what the etiquette was for how to properly deal with the entire other person who shared your date's body, especially when he loathed you. It was a complicated situation with no real precedent. As it was, she hadn't had a run in with Jaxon since she'd found out that he existed and so she was focusing on the positive instead.

That being said, she lit up - as she always did - when she saw Xavier. It was strange to her, the way that he could always make her feel a little giddy and nervous all at once. One would think that would fade with time, yet it had not. It was an exciting feeling, even if part of her feared that she was getting in too deep far too quickly. But that was a voice she was determined to ignore - especially tonight. She liked how she felt when she was with him, so she was going to take the risk, even knowing that his other self could tear it all apart.

Talia nodded in agreement as he commented that it was a dangerous night. Much as it was a favorite night of hers, she wasn't ignorant of the dangers. Every day on January 1st there was always at least one article about a fatal drunk driving accident. "Still," she insisted. "It means a lot that you care enough to go the extra mile."

She offered him a warm smile as he asked if she had everything. "Yeah, I got everything I need, assuming you don't need me to bring anything specific," she responded with a teasing smirk. After all, she had no idea what he had planned really. Not that she overly cared. Talia was just happy to get to spend time with him, what they were doing didn't matter that much. Still, she had come to notice that he was a big fan of surprises.

Luckily, she liked being surprised.

[Xavier & Jaxon Wright]

There had never been a time in the life that Jaxon had lived that Xavier blatantly disregarded his opinion or feelings, and so he couldn't even begin to fathom what had made this woman, who showed up not even three months before, so special over Jaxon. Seventeen years should have outnumbered three months, but in the eyes of Xavier, it seemed, it didn't.

However, even with that brimming boil of frustration that Jaxon may have felt toward Talia, he wouldn't wish even the slightest of harm on her. The younger soul may have been angry, but he wasn't the type of man to hurt another in place of his selfish desire. There wasn't a feeling of sympathy, but rather, an understanding of mutual human rights that even if he wasn't receiving, he still felt it should be given to others. That was the extent in which he would go, though.

"3.9 miles, actually." The span of Pilot Ridge was not large, but there was still some exceptional curves that made it so. However, Xavier's lips curved ever so slightly in an amused smirk of a smile.

There was a scoff that Xavier simply ignored, once again, knowing it would just simply be Jaxon's pissiness showing through, and while it was beginning to irritate Xavier beyond belief, he couldn't help but feel bad about it all. That was, until she spoke up again, and his attention was entirely back on her.

Still here, Jaxon offered, Been here for seventeen years, but that doesn't matter.

"I would have told you to bring something if it were important," Xavier's lips fell slightly, but his voice did not hold any sarcasm nor ill will. Jaxon had just been doing an incredible job at ruining the experience. "But come on, I'd rather make sure we get back to our place as soon as possible."

The word 'our' came so naturally, it wasn't even thought of until Jaxon made a comment on the word's behalf.

Oh, so you /do/ remember me. It's our house, or did you mean yours and hers?

Xavier extended out his arm, waiting for Talia to take it. "Your chariot awaits."

[Talia Spencer]

Talia laughed as he pointed out that he had gone not one mile, but precisely 3.9 miles. She enjoyed his sense of humor. Moreover though was the fact that he had paid attention to the precise distance between their homes. She couldn't help but feel a little giddy at that fact. She knew he cared, but all the little ways it was obvious made her happy nonetheless.

She nodded as he said that he would have told her if she needed anything. Mostly though, she noticed the way his smile faltered, and she found herself feeling concerned. Had she said or done something wrong? But then he remarked about going back to 'our' place. So was it... right. Jaxon. Both of them shared their mind. She had felt that in the dream. Sometimes they were both there and sometimes it was only one of them... She wondered which was the case now. Did Jaxon really hate her so much that he wanted Xavier to be unhappy?

Dating a guy who was really two guys was incredibly complicated.

But still, that realization was enough to keep her from asking him. She wanted tonight to be fun. To be happy. Talking about Jaxon - if that even was the issue - was sure to sour the moment if not the evening. Besides, maybe she was just imagining everything.

She took his arm when it was offered, grinning up at him brightly, absolutely determined to enjoy herself tonight and putting all unpleasant thoughts out of mind, for the moment at least. "Let's go then!" she responded with a giggle.

Talia shyly looked up at him. "I'm really looking forward to tonight, Xavier," she admitted softly.