Come Back... Be Here

[Talia Spencer]

Talia had never been a particularly patient person. 

It seemed this was one trait that had yet to improve. It had been three months now that Xavier had been away on a leave of absence. Three long months. Talia had missed him more than she cared to admit. She understood why he had to go and it was sweet of him to take the time to care for his sick grandmother. 

They had talked occasionally but he was usually pretty busy and pretty exhausted, so phone calls were far and in between. She wasn't upset about that really - well, not with him at least. She understood and the last thing she wanted was to interfere. But that didn't mean she didn't miss having him around or even just talking more often.

She tried to keep herself busy in the meantime. Luckily Hammel was a year-round school which meant that work always took up a big chunk of her day. The rest of the time she either spent with friends or throwing herself into her art. Unfortunately since her mind seemed to be stuck on one thing, so was her art. 

When had she turned into some lovesick school girl? 

Talia had never thought she could feel like this about someone. Yet there was something about Xavier that just got to her. Sometimes she worried that it was too strong a feeling, that she was going to end up dependent on a man again. That wasn't what she wanted for herself. Mostly though... the distance was just hard and it gave her far too much time to think about him and all the complications of their relationship. She was discovering just how much she could miss a person. All she really wanted was for him to be back already, and though she knew that would happen, not knowing when was eating away at her.

Yes, Talia Spencer was definitely not a patient person.

So today she was taking a break from her art as well. She had tried to break through her block for a couple hours that morning to no avail which meant it was time to mix it up a bit. She had sat down, book in hand, just after noon and now about three hours later, she was still there. Her mind was a bit distracted which made reading a slow process, but it was a distraction nonetheless.

[Xavier & Jaxon Wright]

Needless to say, Xavier was exhausted, his brother equally so.

The past several months had been months of constant unknowns; it was unknown whether their grandmother would recover from her stroke, and it was unknown how long she had left if she didn't. Each conversation with implications of the death of their grandmother would be met with desperate barks from their grandfather, saying he didn't want to hear any of that negativity. Xavier and Jaxon both understood why it was he didn't want to even entertain the idea. 65 years of loving a woman could do that, especially when it is always said that women live longer anyway.

However, while Xavier devoted much of his time thinking and praying for his grandmother despite his incredibly non-religious outlooks, his mind would wander to her. Xavier understood, to an extent, why it was that it had happened. The phone calls came at least a few times a week, if not more, but after all that was said and done, it was her he dreamt about when he went under.

Jaxon was a bit of a different story. Smokey focused on the recovery of his grandmother, the man couldn't even begin to comprehend how his brother's mind was on anybody but the immediate family, but if there was anything he had learned, it wasn't to try and understand because he likely wouldn't. They may have shared two bodies but both of them hold entirely different minds and personalities. And frankly, he didn't want to give her his mind by hating her.

So when Xavier asked to surprise her, Jaxon was more than willing to slide his brother the reins. After all, his grandmother was going to fine with a bit of physical and mental therapy, and he was exhausted.

Xavier, outfitted in a white muscle tee and jeans, knocked three times, his hand returning to brush the hair on his jaw. She had no idea, and that's what made it all the more enjoyable.

[Talia Spencer]

At this point, she had lost count of how many times she had read this particular paragraph. Talia sighed heavily. She just couldn't get her mind to focus at all. It was torture really. She probably should just give up trying, but she knew that there was nothing else to do, and so she simply took a deep breath and returned her gaze on the page.

Progress was made, but it was a slow process, most likely only achieved thanks to the half a pot of coffee she had gone through. Finally though, it wasn't her thoughts that distracted her from the book, but rather a knock at the door.

That certainly caught her attention given that she wasn't expecting anyone at all today. It was always possible that Macie had decided to stop by with some project or another... It wasn't until the third knock that she went into motion, standing and approaching the door. "Coming!" she called out, just in case the person was impatient.

What she never could have predicted was that as she pulled open the door, it would be none other than the one person who had been on her mind all day. "Xavier!" she gasped, standing there in shock as several realizations hit her. The first being that he was actually here, on her doorstep. The second being that he was seeing her in yoga pants and a plain fuschia t-shirt, without any makeup and even wearing her reading glasses that she forgot she needed at least half the time. She could only hope that it had been long enough since he'd seen her that seeing her at all would overshadow her less than ideal appearance.

"Oh my god," she mumbled, her voice hushed and fast. "I can't believe you're really here," she said finally, awe in her voice as she looked up at him, her brown eyes sparkling brightly.

[Xavier & Jaxon Wright]

The wait, in comparison to the extended timeframe in which they spent apart, was absolutely nothing. A few seconds, at most, but part of him wondered if the spontaneity of his action wouldn't go to waste. After all, he didn't even know if Talia would be home.

However, those few seconds passed and the woman who had been back in pilot ridge while he was at home was now standing right in front of him, without makeup, large reading glasses pressed against her face.

"Can I come in, Beautiful?" He said with a smooth tone as he peered into the apartment momentarily. His gaze quickly returned to her, and this time he no longer resisted the urge to simply smile. It was tiring to always smile when it was needed but wasn't honest, but now, with this, it was truly honest.

"Figured I'd stop by since I was in the neighborhood."

[Talia Spencer]

It was amazing how even after all this time, here he was and it was as if he hadn't been gone at all. The only evidence of his absence was the still lingering ache in her chest, though that was quickly being replaced by a rush of giddy delight.

As he called her beautiful, she found herself blushing ever so slightly, even as she found herself thinking for perhaps the hundredth time that he was unfairly suave. Still, she never questioned if he meant it or if it was true.

"Of course, Xav," she said with a smile, stepping aside so he could walk past her into her apartment, closing the door behind them after he entered. Then he smiled at her and there was something refreshing about it. He always had a lovely smile - it was one of his best features she thought - but this one made her heart skip a beat. Perhaps it was just because it had been so long since she had seen it.

Talia couldn't help but laugh about his quip about being in the neighborhood. It was good to see some things hadn't changed. She knew that his grandmother's stroke had taken a toll on him, but here he seemed as lighthearted as ever. "Lucky me," she said with a small smirk. "Were you just passing through or...?" Or was he back? She couldn't bring herself to say the words aloud, as though just voicing them could make her hope for that outcome any more than she already did.

Whatever his answer, she was grateful for the time they had. "I hope everything is well with your grandparents," she added, concern leaking into her voice. She thought that would be the case if he had traveled all this way, but she didn't want to assume.

"I'm really glad to see you again," she confessed, her voice just a touch breathless.

[Xavier & Jaxon Wright]

It was difficult for the young man to ever show emotion towards many things, just as Jaxon had. In that respect, it was something that the two could shield for just them. The only person who was able to pick up on the fluctuation in his emotional state was Jaxon, and vice versa, that was all part of their 'situation', their 'power'. So while he was exhibiting a rather genuine, lighthearted smile, he was using that specific reaction as a cover up. It was easier to express lighter emotions, which lead to less questioning that he had to answer to.

However, just upon entering he could already pick up on the blush that colored her bare cheeks, which, while it didn't surprise him, Xavier felt a bit soothed by the fact that he was still able to do such a thing with such ease, especially after all this time.

From what he could tell, things were scattered about, which was only a consequence of his sudden appearance. Xavier was quite sure that had he even given even the slightest hint that he would be back today, Talia would have cleaned up. But there was something about the disheveled look of the apartment that made it seem more... liveable.

"Pilot Ridge couldn't get rid of me for much longer." He said nonchalantly with a shrug. "We decided it was best to come home. Everything is fine."

But as a possible diversion and a long awaited gesture, Xavier grabbed Talia by the wrist and pulled her in, which happened a tad bit smoother than he expected, pulling her in for a kiss. After a few moments, he pulled away, keeping himself close, "I was hoping that was the case."

[Talia Spencer]

As they stepped into her apartment, she suddenly became acutely aware of just how cluttered it looked. It wasn't slobbish by any standards, but it was definitely messier than she usually let it be with things strewn about. As distracted as she'd been, she hadn't been able to focus on anything long enough to actually be productive. "Sorry for the mess," she said with a nervous chuckle. She was fairly certain he didn't really mind - though she was sure that Jaxon would have something to say about it.

But she refused to give that prick any more of her time or energy - especially not with Xavier standing right in front of her!

"Well, I'm glad to hear that," she said with a coy smile. She was glad his family was doing better and she was certainly happy to have him in the same zipcode once more. Distance might make the heart grow fonder, but it could be a real nuisance.

She didn't have long to respond though as she felt his hand close around her wrist and tug her closer for a kiss. Talia found herself melting into it - and him - and realizing with a new intensity how much she had missed him which certainly showed as she kissed him in return. I missed you. The words didn't need to be spoken - it was simply hung in the air between them, expressed in action instead. Moreover, it was a relief that even as the kiss ended, he didn't step back. It had been so long since they had been this close and now that she had the opportunity she wanted to savor every moment.

His words made her smile. He always seemed so cool and charming, as though it were effortless for him. Her arms wrapped loosely around his neck as she looked up at him, a mischief sparkle in her eyes. "I would hope that the feeling is mutual."

[Xavier & Jaxon Wright]

Everybody had the person that everybody wanted to portray when they were getting to know someone else, and it usually was the more 'perfect' and organized version of themselves that they chose to exhibit. In Talia's case, it was the dolled up version with the more than clean apartment, which Xavier didn't mind even in the slightest, there was no reason to condemn that, especially when she looked phenomenal, but seeing her in a more natural state felt more pure.

After all, they had been dating for a while by that point. She should realize whether or not she wore something she 'deemed' attractive, it didn't change the way he felt. Her face, her voice, and her smile was something that almost seemed like a gift after all the shit he had to deal with over the course of several months.

Her kiss, even more so.

Xavier momentarily brought himself back in, a quick peck pressed to her lips, "Well, you could say that," He said with a short chuckle, arms loosening from around her figure and instead, repositioned so his hands rested on her waist. "So, Tally, you think it'll be a little forward if I ask to hang out for a bit? The whole 'slow and steady' thing never was my thing."

[Talia Spencer]

They had been dating for awhile now, and when Xavier had left, they were right in the midst of that transition from trying to impress each other to relaxing and getting more comfortable. Of course, the distance hadn't exactly made that any easier. She knew that she didn't need to always be perfect around him, but that didn't mean that revealing those imperfections was any easier. There was always that tiny hint of fear of scaring them off somehow. Especially since Xavier literally had a voice in his head to point out every flaw.

But the joy of seeing him again vastly overshadowed any insecurities she might have, even if she was caught more than a bit off-guard. In a way it was almost a relief, for him to see her like this and still stay, even if it had always been a question she already knew the answer to.

His lips returned to hers and she couldn't fight the grin that tugged at the corners of her lips; a grin that only widened further as he replied. This playful banter between them was what had started everything, and that it was still as much a part of them as ever was something she enjoyed. To put it simply - they could have fun together, laugh and tease. It all just felt so natural.

She never got tired of his nickname for her, and just the sound of it was enough to make her heart race a little faster. "You know, it probably is. But I was never good at that whole 'slow' thing either," she said, a playful smirk on her lips. After all, all she wanted at this point was more time with him. Her smile softened slightly after a moment of teasing. "Yes, of course. I wouldn't want it any other way."

[Xavier & Jaxon Wright]

Despite Jaxon's initial frustration with the way Xavier had just brought up going to Talia's without even asking in the beginning, Xavier found Jaxon to be a bit more understanding of the situation. Part of Xavier wondered if Jaxon just grew tired of fighting because he knew what, or rather who, would win out in the end. Jaxon was his brother, but it's been 28 years that Xavier had gone without having another person to confide in because Jaxon was there. Jaxon had been there for a long while, but even Jaxon couldn't satisfy the desire for something else.

However, his thoughts were short lived. Talia agreed to let him stay, which was a relief in and of itself, but that wasn't entirely enough for him. His gaze shifted to the couch where the slightly open book lay in plain sight. He moved away from Talia momentarily to grab the book, and sit on the couch where the hard covered book once sat, and flipped the page once, "Oh did I interrupt your reading time?" Dark brown eyes moved from the book to rest on her figure, eventually returning to her eyes, "I could always let you get back to it. Seems interesting enough."

Really, though, Xavier was confident enough that Talia was not going to choose the book over him, and even if she did, he would be much too distracting to let her even consider reading. It's been months since he had last seen her, and now that she was here, Xavier was definitely going to take advantage of that fact.

[Talia Spencer]

Talia wasn't about to question the dynamics going on in Xavier's head. Perhaps there had been a time where she would wonder if Jaxon was awake and judging or if they were truly alone, but wondering only distracted her from spending time with the brother who actually enjoyed her company. She wasn't about to squander that opportunity, especially after all these months without him.

A small smile spread across her lips as he left her side to look at her book which had been cast aside. "I would hardly call it an interruption," she countered. "More like a failed attempt at keeping my mind busy and distracted." That was a bit of an understatement all things considered, but true nonetheless. Nothing captured her attention quite like Xavier - or even just thoughts of him - did.

She closed the distance between them, grinning up at him. "As if I could ever hope to concentrate on anything else with you here," she teased. Of course, she was fairly positive that he knew that fact, but she said it aloud anyway, knowing it would at least earn a smile - even if it was that hopelessly cocky grin of his that was simultaneously annoying and endearing. "Besides, I imagine there are better ways to spend my time now that you're here," she added. Honestly, she didn't even care what they did, only that he was really truly back here with her once more.

[Xavier & Jaxon Wright]

Without the presence of the younger brother in Xavier's head, he felt free to simply think as his own self. There would be nothing but adoration and respect for Jaxon, especially when Xavier had fallen to the depths of hopelessness and brought them both back out stronger during the several months that the two had endured, unsure of whether their grandmother would survive the night.

Now that Xavier could say for certain she would, and his mind had the capacity to think of the woman who sat beside him, it returned to the tense relationship that had been so present before they left. It was exhausting for both of them, and when they had the opportunity, the two pushed for the ability to do something that calmed them. In Jaxon's case, it had been painting, reading, and isolation. For Xav, it was going out and putting himself into situations that forced him to detach himself from the reality of it all.

It only made it easier for him when he looked at Talia and felt that immediate pull. The pull to see her smile and to be the reason behind it all was almost unbearably difficult to restrain from acting on that pull. In the end, he decided to act, and as she spoke, his lips curled into a slight half smile - a smile far different than the one he had given at the initial reunion. This was his signature, a light flash of cockiness appeared in both his posture and eyes. "Well," He hummed, shifting towards her slightly as his one arm reached behind her and grasped at her waist while the other arm reached to secure her legs, pulling her onto his lap, "I could always help with that distraction you were looking for."

"What do you say?"

[Talia Spencer]

Talia could only imagine all that he had been through these last months. She knew that it had been hard on him. She could hear it in his voice when they talked, even if he didn't share many of his thoughts. Much as she might resent Jaxon's interference with their relationship, she didn't want to come between the brothers and she only hoped that maybe the tension between them had somehow been resolved in this time. Perhaps it was a long shot, but she had always been the sort to tend towards idealism. Besides, now wasn't the time to think of such things, but instead to focus solely upon Xavier and let everything else fade away.

As soon as she saw that all too familiar signature smirk of his, she knew he was up to something. She hadn't realized just how she had missed that gleam of mischief in his eyes. She leaned forward slightly, wondering just what he had in mind.

Still it was a surprise when he reached for her, pulling her from her perch on the arm of the couch into his lap. The sudden action earned a soft squeal of surprise from her that quickly faded into laughter as her arm wrapped around his shoulders, steadying her. Truth be told, she probably should have seen that coming, but his ability to surprise her was one of her favorite things about Xavier.

"Hmm..." she hummed, pretending to consider the idea. "You know, I think you just might be onto something there," she said after a short pause, a mischievous grin tugging at the corners of her lips. Her brown eyes met his. "I can't think of a better way to be distracted."

[Xavier & Jaxon Wright]

It was quite obvious that Xavier preferred to avoid his demons all together; talking had never been his strong suit, and talking about his own emotions to an extent further than "I don't want to talk about it," was relatively unheard of. His thoughts, despite sharing this body, were his own and he preferred it this way. It made it easier to deny it all if somebody wasn't questioning him about it all.

His eyes fell to her lips for a short moment, but his gaze quickly shifted to trail the length of her figure before returning to her eyes. Quite clearly it wasn't the first time he had done the same thing, but never so blatantly obvious. In the moment, however, there was little hesitation.

"You say that now," He mused as he moved closer, brown eyes searching her green for a reaction, "But do you really mean it?"

[Talia Spencer]

Xavier wasn't one to talk about himself, especially his emotions, and Talia wasn't one to push. Besides, considering the stress of his family situation was all either of them had been thinking or talking about lately more or less, it wasn't a surprise that neither had an interest in discussing it further.

His eyes fell first to her lips and then lower still, and she felt his gaze on her body. Of course he'd looked at her before - they'd been dating for months now and she knew he found her attractive - but there was a level of blatancy in this that almost had her blushing. Especially since they were already so close to once another.

If there was any doubt that there had been a notable shift between them, his words confirmed it. Still, she didn't rush to respond. Now it was her turn to take him in, though her eyes remained focused on his face, before returning to meet his gaze. A hint of a smile tugged at her lips. She wasn't sure what she expected to feel, but beneath all the excitement of being reunited, was mostly just a sense of contentment. It just felt right being with him. Of course that made her answer easy.

Their eyes met once more, and it was with confidence and affection in their depths. "Yeah, I really do."