/N: Sorry about the long wait everyone! This chapter is rated T for some suggestive themes, by the way. ;)
"Seeing as we're sticking with an animal theme, I do think the Jungle Fury rangers are calling our name," Emily comments, seeing the so addressed people waving at them. Jayden frowns.
"They're yelling for age-old samurai that are newly engaged?"
"Of course." Emily laughs at his description of them. Giving a smile as well, Jayden pulls Emily closer to him as they walk over.
"Hey guys!" Lily exclaims as soon as they're in earshot. She hugs them both at once, one arm around Emily and the other around Jayden. Emily laughs again, but this time more at Jayden's surprised face. He looks vaguely uncomfortable as well, not really liking anybody touching him so carelessly and so shamelessly to add to it.
"Lil, I think Jayden's going to kill you if you hug him much longer," says Theo, gently pulling Lily's arm away from the groom. Jayden looks slightly relived as he's released.
"Sorry," Lily apologizes sheepishly. "I'm just a very…hands-on type of girl."
"Is that so?" Dominic asks, wiggling his eyebrows at her. There's a moment of silence as everyone realizes exactly what he meant.
"Not like that!" Lily cries, her face turning a deep shade of red. Emily is also blushing, not liking the road the subject turned down. "No no, that's what I meant."
"I'm sure not," RJ reprimands her, raising his own eyebrows at the scene before him. Dom is almost doubling over with laughter as the girl's blushes deepen. Jayden and the other two former Jungle Fury rangers are looking quite awkward as well.
"Are you saying that you don't' like to be hugged by Lily?" Casey asks, bringing the attention away from what just happened and turning the heat on Jayden.
"Well no. No, that's not it," Jayden mumbles, shifting from one foot to the other. "It's just…"
"He's very sensitive, "Emily breaks in, trying to distract herself from the previous conversations. She smiles brightly as Jayden glares at her. "Well, it's true!"
"Don't worry, so is Theo," Lily reassures her. "He is very closed-minded until you get to know him." She flips a piece of curled hair over one shoulder, careful not to let it tangle with the yellow-jeweled stones that are her earrings. They math her cheetah-inspired dress. It clings tightly to her until her thighs then flows out in a long train with black overlay. RJ, with his color being violet, the only purple ranger thus far, is wearing, obviously, a purple tie with his white suit jacket, which is very classy. Although it is kind of taken down a notch by his scruffy boots but it can't be helped.
"Thank you Lily, for once again making me seem much worse then I really am." Theo rolls his eyes at his best friend who grins back at him brightly. Theo softens his features, knowing he can't stay mad at her for long.
"You have to admit, you weren't the easiest to get along with," chimes in Casey. "At the beginning," he adds hastily, seeing the frown on Theo's face deepen.
"I have to say, I'm with Casey on this one," Dominic agrees. "You didn't like me very much."
"Why would I?" Theo retorts. "You gave me no reason to."
"Be nice," Lily chides him. "I don't know, I liked him. The way he came in and introduced himself was by far the most creative way I've ever seen."
"It was quite clever," RJ says. "And just like you, as well."
"I bet Jayden would have had a fit if I came in like that. He is quite organized and focused." Dom nudges the red Samurai ranger who decides whether or not to be offended by his statement. "And I'm, well, not."
"Eh, you could use some work," Casey offers up. "Overall though, you're pretty decent."
"Decent? Decent?" Dom raises his eyebrows and gapes at Casey. "Just decent? I beg to differ, Casey Rhodes. I think I am much more then decent."
"I think you are," declares Emily, giving him a sweet smile. Dom turns to grin at her and bows, as f to thank her for her support. Theo rolls his eyes again, way too used to his friend's antics.
"I think Fran agrees with that too," teases Lily, getting back at Dom earlier for his, um, dirty statement. But unlike Lily, Dom doesn't blush or stutter. He merely smiles and accepts it.
"Ah, love," RJ sighs happily. "You know what they say about love."
"What's that?" Casey inquires, letting his gaze wander to Lily. Theo notices and narrows his eyes slightly at him, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Love is not about finding the right person, but creating a right relationship. It's not about how much love you have in the beginning but about how much love you build up to at the end," RJ explains dreamily and patiently, as if he were explaining to them that two plus two equals four.
There's dead silence after his statement. Jayden and Emily are looking at each other with a little shyness but also love shinning out. Dom is staring over their heads to see Fran talking with Tenaya near the table holding the drinks.
Lily is staring at RJ incredulously, surprised he would say something like that. And Casey and Theo are exchanging glances, a little skeptical of what he said but agreeing that it's deep nonetheless.
"And who said that?" Theo inquires carefully, breaking the silence.
"Me," responds RJ, smiling at nothing.
"That's very…insightful, I have to say," Emily says after a few moments.
"Yeah I didn't know you had that in you," Casey chuckles. "Never would've come up with that, for sure." He steals another glance over a Lily and their eyes meet for a split second.
"So does that apply to you two?" Dom asks, directing his question at the newly married couple. They look at each other, unsure how to respond or what to say.
"I guess…in a way," Jayden says thoughtfully, scratching the back of his neck with the other hand that wasn't holding Emily's.
"All I know is, you're mine," Emily states, planting a swift kiss on Jayden's cheek. "And that's enough for now."
Jayden smiles at her. 'You're mine' is one of the most selfish phrases that can ever be said but it is also one of the most loving things someone will ever say.
"Now, I think you guys should leave before RJ imparts any more pearls of wisdom on you," Theo suggests. "Because we all know he will."
"You say it like it's a bad thing," RJ defends himself.
"No, I think Theo is right," Emily says regretfully. "We still have some other teams to meet."
"Which reminds me, thanks for catering the pizza," Jayden adds, suddenly remembering why they wanted to talk to the former Jungle Fury rangers in the first place. Emily's eyes widen.
"Oh yeah! I totally forgot! I'm so sorry. Yes, thanks so much, it was very kind of you." She feels a little bad for forgetting such an important thank you. It was so nice of them to provide the food, more specifically pizza and she had failed to remember to thank them.
"It's no problem." RJ waves away their guilt. "We're happy to do it."
"We'll see you again," Lily promises, hugging Emily once again. She's careful to not hug Jayden again, already learning her lesson from last time. Instead, after she's done with Emily, she sticks out a hand for him to shake. Slightly relived, Jayden does take it. He then shakes the others as well.
"Thanks for the wisdom as well," Emily tells them before walking away. "I think that will come in handy soon." She winks at Lily who takes a quick glance at Theo, then Casey and then blushes. Emily smiles at her as Jayden whisk her away to their next meeting, leaving Lily with thoughts swirling.
A/N: So I can never pick who I would rather Lily be with, Casey or Theo. So I included a little bit of both for both shippers out there!
