#fenixtj

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Jessica found herself loving much of the holidays even if she felt overwhelmed for a bit. Yet dad and mom, and even Siv - it was good to see them. It was good to..

See Duff. he.. he was waiting for her return? He didn't look worried, an approving nod, a ..bit of smile

Thinking heavily, Jessica exits the Trods... and pauses. "Oh. Um. Hey."

"Hi, Merry Yule, CHristmas, all that stuff" He says "You have a good time?"

"Yeah. Yeah, it was... ok. Good. You?"

"I got things done" He hands her a wrapped box without ceremony, looks to be bowling ball sized but lighter

"Um. Hey, thanks...." She looks around and shrugs her backpack on her shoulders. "Want to come to my room?"

"Of course, I have fond memories of that room" A lip twitch, but he puts an arm about her waist, "You can open it there if you like. "

"Ok." She leads the way (as if needed) and sets the package down first, then divests herself of the pack, coat, etc.... then looks at Duff. "I, um, I have something for you, too." She digs in her pack and offers a wrapped package.

He takes it, "Thank you," He says sincerely

"Um... you're welcome. So. We open these?"

"That's how it works"

He starts to open his.

And Jess does the same.

He stares, then looks her over, "I could do a lot with this. "Eyes on her body at the gift in his hand

"Yeah." Unwrapping and going a bit lavender. "You could." A faint grin as she rips paper.

"I will" he promises then...

she pulls out a ..large blue snow globe? Of... Rivervale? she can see the lodge in it! If she stares she can... wait, snow flakes make sense, but she sees small dots...dogs? the dogs on patrol

She frowns, pulling the globe closer, watching.....

it feels like home...

well THAT home

and...

"It allows you to view Rivervale... the weather as it is is reflected"

The glass is actually the same temperature as the temperature of the area now

Her face does a complicated thing. "Thank you. Duff. This is.... it's very nice. Thank you."

"Nice?" His own face has a conflicted look.

"I'm sorry. It's... it's very sweet, thank you." She sets it down and turns to him. "Thank you."

"Nice and sweet," He says amazed, "You're welcome. I suppose I was thinking you'd like it. Clearly something bothers you abouti t. I thought it might be a comfort to you. A literal piece of your family's home"

He can see her struggle against... collapse. "No, no, it's... It's wonderful. I'm sorry. Can I have a few moments?"

He starts to turn away then, looks back, then, sits down next to her, "Jessica Talk to me." A deep breath, "Please."

"I don't... I just need to ... process, ok? "

"Process what? The gift?" He runs a hand along her cheek, "Jessica, lover, I care about you. Perhaps that's why when I enjoy stirring up trouble with others, I don't get the same satisfaction from upsetting your day. " it almost sounds like a complaint but he's also concerned.

"No, the gift is... it's very... It's wonderful." Tight.

"Can I have a few moments alone? I need that."

"Jessica, placation o my ego is kind of you, but I'd rather you tell me what is bothering you I..."

His jaw sets, then he looks at the Henna "You trust me with this, but not with your true feelings." Duf sighs "Jesssica, do you really think I would use what you show to ever willfully hurt you?"

A pause. "No." reluctant.

"Then, talk to me about it. Trust me enough to listen. If you want I won't speak until you tell me I can. "

"Duff. I just need time to myself. Get it? I need quiet time."

For a moment some emotion plays across his face, anger? Hurt? Hard to say then, a deep breath "All right." and he rises leaving the Henna set as he goes to the door, "You know where to find me, Jessica. " And he closes the door. He does not slam it, but rather is almost extremely careful not to.

Jessica curls up on the bed.

near the bed, there's that image of home, she can see snow, dogs, birds. and smoke rising from the chimney

She rolls away.

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While Jessica wrestles with her own trouble, Tweak is having a sandwhich , a Nocker Sandwich, thus perfect and she hers Troll stomps...but it's not Blue Tooth!

"get shot for a damn gift and how does she react? she shuts me out.."

"Hey, babygirl," she says to Shuri in a carrier on her back. "Target practice." She turns to the baby can aim an infant-grade squirt gun at the approaching stomping.

The baby gurgles in happy complicity and fires somewhere near Duff...though her aim is questionable.

"Hey" Duff's hand goes near a belt then stops"Damn it. She's got me so wired I don't even remember where i am" The liquid did graze him across the shoulder "Tweak, you miight want to remember this is a rough neighborhood"