Sky Clock
Chapter 14
Jack turned as he reached his residence's driveway, he slowly released the gas as the vehicle started decreasing in speed. The garage door opened and he drove inside next to the black SUV. With the engine off he put his feet on the ground while still sitting on the seat and used both hands to take off the crash helmet. He held it in one arm, he swung one leg over as he turned his body to firmly stand. He dusted the snow lying on his brown leather jacket and cargo pants.
He observed the pearl white dual-sport motorcycle in front of him, it had a narrow and high body frame with strong wheel suspension. A design made for off-road riding. Its tough aggressive tires helped keeping the bike to the snow-covered ground. The seat was big enough for a passenger to the rear. He had wanted a regular sport bike, but riding those in Winter time wasn't the smartest idea.
All Rangers had motorcycle licenses by the time the six years of training finished. Jack hadn't ridden much since he started doing field work two years ago, so this still felt fresh to him. Not mentioning how it's far more dangerous to ride in the current climate. But hey, eventually he would get used to it so no big deal, although he also hoped no broken bones were required during the process.
The motorcycle's price wasn't so bad, people didn't ride much during this time of year so Jack got a good deal with the sale event. For a high school student, it's quite a lot, but a perk of being a Ranger was receiving very good paychecks. Saving up and spending them like a responsible person, he would be rich soon in several years. Well, he could already considered himself wealthy. That made him wondered, did his father and mother ever left anything at all? If he did then why hadn't he heard about it? Perhaps he would soon when he was out of school? He shook off the thought, he'd worried about that later.
It had already been Friday, tomorrow he would be back to his work, more specifically at midnight. Jack didn't like to do anything around that time since it would either mean napping earlier or slumbering later, it would always mess with his sleeping schedule. Having school in the morning didn't help at all, he hated staying in class, just had to endure until Winter Break came, but then his Ranger workload would increase. Unless the Syndicates appreciated Christmas and might lay low, however, their history spoke otherwise.
He sighed, midterms were coming up soon enough, after that teachers would start pestering the students about education after high school. Not that he cared about it since he already had a lifelong career, but no doubt Elsa would talk to him about it too, which he'd just lie again. Unless he got busted, hopefully then she'd understand. No matter, he'd deal with it when the time came.
Jack held the white crash helmet with a gloved hand and walked into the house. He looked at the clock, which showed that it was already dusk. Choosing the bike and dealing with the annoying salesman about insurance took quite some time. He did went for a ride around Arendelle so it was also taken into consideration.
He took off his leather jacket hanging it on the wall and put the helmet on the counter as he went through the door. He left the boots by the threshold. He saw Astrid standing in the kitchen with Hiccup, various cooking ingredients were spread out over the counter.
Jack looked closer to see that Hiccup was preparing of what looked like a large piece of beef meat from its dark red color. He was marinating the meat with different spices and sauces.
In the mean time Astrid was cutting a large orange fruit, from its sheer size Jack guessed that it was a pumpkin. Hiccup and her were busying themselves with their food preparations that they didn't notice Jack standing there.
"Hey," Jack greeted. Hiccup and Astrid looked up at him.
"Oh hey," they both replied simultaneously.
"So what are you guys making?" Jack asked walking into the kitchen after ditching his gloves on the table.
"Uh, I'm making roast beef for tonight, as for her," Hiccup answered tilting his head towards Astrid.
"Baked pumpkin," Astrid announced proudly, grinning.
"A couple cooking huh?" Jack smirked amusingly as he walked to the fridge to grab the egg container. "Sounds good, did you guys uh, got the recipes from the internet?"
"Of course, we're not natural like you," Astrid rolled her eyes, Hiccup just chuckled.
"Well I had to learn, can't keep living off of fast food forever," Jack retorted smiling. "So how are you doing? Hic doesn't seem to be that thrill about your cooking."
"Hey I've improved you know," Astrid pointed at Jack with a knife. "I don't spend my free time watching TV or 'monitoring' the city."
"For like the 28th time, it's my job," Hiccup groaned.
"And I was...watching for any good news to pop up," Jack said.
"Since when do news have dramatic music and credits roll showing actors?" Astrid said accusingly.
"Uh, a movie about news?" Jack offered weakly, Astrid didn't say anything as she rolled her eyes. "So why pumpkin? Any special event or something?"
"You mean you forgot? It's Halloween night," Astrid replied looking surprised.
"What? That's today?" Jack asked, slapping his forehead with the free hand. "Man, I really don't keep track of dates well."
"Why? Don't tell me you like dressing up going around asking for candies," Astrid smirked.
"Nah, I haven't done that since I was a kid," Jack shrugged. "Normally I'd just get candies for the kids."
"Aw, aren't you sweet," Astrid laughed. "Bet you'll make a good daddy one day."
"I thought you'd be the one to do the opposite," Hiccup chuckled.
"Hey, I'm not Eugene, what else am I supposed to do with this much money?" Jack scoffed. "And I don't plan on having any kids any time soon, I mean what the heck? You two will have one before me anyway."
Hiccup and Astrid looked at each other, she raised an eyebrow in which he flushed and turned back around to his beef. She then turned to Jack and smirked. "Maybe."
"...Ok," Jack said slowly. "Wasn't expecting that response."
"What were you expecting then? We thought about our future you know? Unlike you and your simple life," Astrid laughed.
"Well excuse me for living a simple life, I just much prefer it without drama," Jack said nonchalantly. "Although since when is a Ranger's life simple?"
"Time like this, when nothing is happening. Do you always look for trouble?" Astrid asked, chopping the pumpkin pieces.
"No, but it sure beats boredom and school," Jack chuckled, he moved next to Hiccup on the kitchen counter, back facing Astrid. There was considerably less space to work with, but he didn't care.
"Do you even do your homework at all?" Hiccup asked.
"Sometimes," Jack replied. "Otherwise I just randomly answered."
"And you're still passing?" Hiccup said.
"Pssh, I'm way above that, I mean bless my amazing brain," Jack laughed tapping on his head.
"I'll take your words for it," Hiccup chuckled and continued to prepare the meat. "So how's the bike, is it any good?"
"It does its job, going from one place to another. Handles fine in the snow and so on," Jack shrugged.
"What type is it?" Astrid interjected.
"Dual-sport," Jack answered.
"Color?" Astrid asked.
"White," Jack replied.
"Ooh, you have an obsession with white or something, white hair and now white bike?" Astrid chuckled.
"White helmet too, and got to live up the name Frost eh?" Jack laughed.
"Now you just need a white camo operative outfit," Astrid agreed.
"I definitely do," Jack nodded his head and laughed. "I'm going to buy some white clothes soon."
"You do that," Astrid chortled. "What are you making? And where's your apron?"
"Apron's in the washer, too lazy to get it, and I'm making Egg Drop Soup. So I can make sure my stomach is filled just in case," Jack grinned.
"Then don't eat my food then," Astrid turned around and glared. "Hiccup and I can enjoy it ourselves."
Hiccup said nothing as he laughed nervously.
"Oh I am forcing you to eat it mister. No backing off this time," Astrid said determinedly.
"Ye-yeah sure, I'll eat it. I'm sure it'll be good this time," Hiccup said laughing airily.
"Good, that's what I like to hear," Astrid said proudly.
Jack laughed at Hiccup's reaction, which showed apprehension. "You're so whipped."
Hiccup groaned, but then chuckled. "Guess I am."
"And I am so proud of you," Astrid cackled.
Jack's soup took him the shortest time to make so by the time it was done, he kept it warm in a saucepan. He washed his hand, dumping all the scrap into the trash bin and went upstairs to hit the shower. He came out wearing a short-sleeved brown shirt with long pants. He looked to the clock which displayed the time of half past 8.
He came down to see that dinner table being set up by Hiccup, who was wearing a different set of clothes. Astrid was nowhere to be seen so he assumed she was in the shower judging by the sound he heard when he passed her room.
"When's the beef done?" Jack asked as he walked down, one hand holding the COMLINK checking for e-mails.
"Not long," Hiccup answered, distributing the bowls and dishes.
"The pumpkin?"
"In the oven, just warming it."
"Ah okay then," Jack went over to the couch and sat down, he turned on the TV to the news channel, which showed the streets filled with people walking around in different costumes. The news anchor talked about the Halloween season and how the children were having fun collecting candies from the neighbors.
"As you can see behind me, despite the event that happened a week ago. It did not have seemed to affect the people at all. In fact it was reported that several of the costumes seem were made to look similar to the two people from the security footage shown." The news anchor spoke, she then turned to a group of people wearing said costumes and asked. "Tell me, why did you guys wear these outfits tonight? Were you not scared of what happened?"
"Didn't you see those guys? They were like super awesome secret agents or something!" One white hair boy said excitedly, who was trying to dress like Jack, he had to admit that it was pretty close enough. "And the explosions were awesome! I mean it's not everyday that you get to see something so cool!"
"Totally! It was like a video game or movie or something!" A girl who tried to look like Astrid chimed in, she looked straight into the camera giving it two thumbs up. "If you guys are somewhere hearing this, you guys are amazing!"
"How long did it takes you guys to make them," the news anchor asked.
"I did it in two days! With my dad's help of course," one boy answered.
"I made mine in three! And it was by myself," The girl claimed proudly.
"Well it was my idea that we should make them," the boy retorted.
"Nuh uh!"
"Uh huh!"
"Nuh uh!" The girl crossed her hand huffing.
"Uh huh!" The boy didn't back down. At this point Jack could tell that they were siblings and chuckled, he heard Hiccup did the same behind him.
The news anchor put the microphone back in front of her and laughed lightly. "Well folks, it looks like nothing can keep these people from having fun in time of we can see, some home owners really outdid themselves with such outstanding decorations." The camera turned to some of the most creative houses Jack had ever seen. Some were brightly lit while others were gloomily dark. People lined up at front doors carrying baskets, some filled with candies, some weren't. "It's a holiday, so don't forget to celebrate it with a smile. If you don't, well then keep a positive mindset and tomorrow will be a good day! Back to you," The news anchor said cheerily and the display switched to the newsroom.
Jack chuckled as the news turned to something that he didn't care about. "Certainly wasn't expecting that huh Hic?"
"Looks like you two are celebrities," Hiccup responded chortling. "Sadly no one knows about the poor guy that sits behind the monitors."
"Then don't sit and we'll switch tomorrow night," Jack said.
"I'm perfectly good with where I'm at," Hiccup replied.
Jack said nothing as he stayed in silence for half a minute.
"I don't get it," Jack started running a hand over his hair.
"Get what?" Hiccup asked confused as he brought the Roast Beef out.
"Why didn't you register yourself as the squad leader?" Jack said, turning around to look at Hiccup.
"Like I said, you were the most experienced," Hiccup answered putting the food on the table.
"One year isn't that much more," Jack pointed out. "And I was alone during that whole time."
"I just thought you were better," Hiccup responded shrugging.
"Better doesn't always mean good," Jack countered. "Truthfully, I always thought that you were best in our team. Our old team."
"No I wasn't," Hiccup claimed. "I was weak, I was scrawny, I was shy."
"But you were the smartest," Jack said firmly. "And because of that, we won that final game."
"I didn't do much. It was all you guys and Flynn lead us through that," Hiccup affirmed.
"And he was using your suggestions," Jack stood up, hands suggesting himself. "We only did of what we thought was good. You on the other hand, saw the whole problem and gave it solutions. And we 'followed' it."
Hiccup didn't respond as he looked down scratching his head through the mitten, he looked back up. "But that's all that I have."
"Back then maybe, but now you can't say the same," Jack said. "Being a pilot now, you don't put weak and scrawny in the same sentence. Shy? I've seen the way you talk to Astrid and how she have changed you. You're definitely not the same reluctant kid I used to know."
Hiccup said nothing as he sat down into a chair, head hanged in thought.
"You don't give yourself enough credits," Jack commented, he leaned against the couch's armrest with arms crossed. "Before we made this squad, Astrid wanted for you to be the leader didn't she?"
Hiccup nodded.
"Why didn't you take it? I mean it's just us, not like a whole division," Jack said.
"Well I uh," Hiccup sighed as his shoulders slouched. "I don't know, I just...didn't think that I could. I mean, Merida, you, and Flynn can give orders without hesitation and I just...can't."
Jack nodded his head understood what Hiccup meant. He knew that Hiccup was never one to be the first in line or shouting orders, that he never liked attention, wanting for people to notice him. He was always that shy kid who stood in the back observing, but there was also a small fire in his eyes that glimmered.
Jack knew that Hiccup wanted to prove himself, he just didn't know when. He saw his growth when their team split up. When Hiccup chose to pursue being a pilot, he had taken the first step towards independence, like the rest of them.
"You're saying it like we were born natural," Jack chuckled as he looked at Hiccup. "I think there's another reason right?"
"Yeah, it's just that...being a leader, even something as small as a three-man squad," Hiccup hovered both of his hand, palms facing each other. "There's always this...responsibility thing that I don't know if I can handle it. I mean like how there's always this 'what ifs' involved. I don't know, I just don't want to make any mistakes."
"Hic, we all make mistakes one way or another," Jack laughed dryly shaking his head. "We all did, like sleeping with our eyes closed while Merida's still around."
Hiccup's shoulders shook as he joined in with his own laughter. "Yeah."
"And responsibility? Look at me," Jack spread his arms. "Why do you think I know anything about it? I was alone for two years. Even back in training camps, I thought of everything as joy and fun, and how my parents would be waiting for me at home by the time it ends."
Hiccup said nothing and did nothing, he simply stared.
"This is actually the first time I've held responsibility for someone else's rather than my own," Jack said, eyeing Hiccup seriously. "You and Astrid became mine when I agreed to be the squad leader. And I sincerely hope that I don't do anything stupid that will get ourselves killed."
Hiccup didn't respond, he only nodded a few times. Jack looked at him for a moment before a memory flashed in his mind.
"Actually, I can safely say that you are a more responsible person than me," Jack put his hands behind his head, leaning to the side of the couch.
"Uh, how?" Hiccup asked curiously.
"From the story that Astrid told me, the first one about the Syndicate raid on the airbase," Jack explained. "Of when you took control of the jet away from her, and that means at the time you were already taking responsibility, so what changed?"
"I...uh, that was different," Hiccup looked down to the ground sheepishly, he chuckled. "Well, you know."
"Uh, no I don't," Jack raised an eyebrow crossing his arms.
"Well, you know the thing, when a guy sees a...pretty girl," Hiccup looked up grinning slightly, his cheeks pinked.
Jack blinked once.
Then twice.
After the third time he burst out laughing falling back into the couch. He saw Hiccup blushed while scratching his head.
"So the reason you did it, was to impress her?" Jack continued laughing as he sat up.
Hiccup just shrugged as he grinned.
"Hormones huh?" Jack asked chuckling.
"I'm still blaming it," Hiccup laughed heartily. "What about you then huh?"
"What about me?" Jack looked up.
"I'm sure you've had the urge too," Hiccup smirked.
"Well, tried showing off my chess skill, didn't work out too well and now I'm her punching bag," Jack chuckled. "I'll admit she's gorgeous, but I was still mostly in shock that she was the same one from the dreams. Have you ever dreamed of someone you've never met before?"
"No, not as far as I can remember," Hiccup shook his head. "But I've heard stories of people who saw their own deaths in their dreams."
"Woah, that's just creepy," Jack said.
"It's just stories, I don't know if they're true or not," Hiccup shrugged.
"Dreams really are weird huh?" Jack commented, he stood up and stretched, he looked at Hiccup seriously. "Well, guess I'm staying as squad leader for awhile, for as long as I need to until we need...this." Jack raised a hand pointing at Hiccup.
"You just pointed to all of me," Hiccup said.
"Exactly, until we need you," Jack smiled.
Hiccup sighed, he nodded. "Just uh, give me time."
Jack was about to reply but someone else interjected.
"We will."
Jack and Hiccup turned their heads to the stair. Standing on the bottom step was a smiling Astrid with her arms crossed as she leaned against the wall. She walked towards the latter and stopped in front of him.
"You know, I don't think I've ever heard you called me pretty before," Astrid commented.
"Well, I uh...," Hiccup turned his head left and right smiling. "Guess I never did huh."
Astrid came closer to wrap her arms around Hiccup's neck, she leaned in and kissed him. Due to being slighter shorter she had to tilt her head up a little. Hiccup's eyes widened in surprise before closing and put his arms around her waist.
Astrid pulled away smiling at Hiccup's flustered face, she giggled. "And you wanted to impress me huh? Well, safe to say that it worked."
"I'm uh, glad it did," Hiccup grinned sheepishly.
"Jack's right you know," Astrid said, holding Hiccup at arm's length. "You don't credit yourself enough. You're a lot more than what you think you are. I didn't fall for a simple guy you know," she smiled.
Hiccup said nothing, he started nodding rapidly. "I uh, I'll do my best. But-"
"But you're not ready yet, I know," Astrid smiled warmly at Hiccup. "That's why I'm willing to wait. Now I'm getting hungry so let's eat."
Hiccup chuckled as he went to a chair to pull it out for Astrid, who flashed a smile at him and sat down. He followed suit and took a seat next to her.
Jack stayed quiet during the couple's moment, it was the first time he truly saw Hiccup showed affection towards someone. It was nice sight to see, normally he would've left them alone but it happened right in front of him so he couldn't help it. Couldn't blame him for being curious. He could see that Astrid was important to Hiccup and vice versa. He sighed and walked over to the dinner table and took a seat for himself.
"I hope you guys didn't forget me back there," Jack chuckled as he sat down.
"Maybe I did," Astrid smirked, hands grabbing a fork and knife. Hiccup laughed sheepishly.
"Ouch, as much as I know showing affection is good and all, but get a room next time," Jack said.
"Oh look," Astrid elbowed Hiccup playfully and laughed. "Someone's jealous 'cause he's lonely."
"Pssh, I'm not...lonely," Jack complained, he sighed and admitted. "Okay, may be sometimes."
"Aww, Frosty needs a little bit of warmth in his life," Astrid joked.
"Well I already got a fireplace for that," Jack chuckled started slicing the Roast Beef and took a piece for himself.
"Doesn't warm the heart now does it?" Astrid snickered, taking a piece of meat to her mouth and munched on it. "Hey, not bad."
"Really? I think it could've been better," Hiccup commented swallowing the food.
Jack bit on the meat, it was tender as the flavor spread all over his taste buds. It had a good mix of being sweet and salty. He didn't remember when was the last time he had Roast Beef so he couldn't really compare it. But overall, it tasted great.
"I think it's great," Jack praised, smiling. "Good to know that I won't be the main cook all the time."
Hiccup just scratched his head and laughed.
"Alright then, let's see how I do," Astrid said stabbing a pumpkin piece onto her plate. She stared at it for a short moment before eating it. She chewed a few times and looked disappointed. "I thought I did good this time."
Hiccup ate the pumpkin, he looked to be in thought and shrugged. "It tastes like pumpkin. That's what you wanted right?"
"Yeah, but," Astrid shook her head. "It's not sweet enough, still too bland."
Jack tested the food for himself. He didn't like pumpkin much to begin with so there's a good chance that he wouldn't like it in the first place. He ate it slowly in order to savor its flavor. Astrid was right, it was pretty bland, would've been better with more salt.
"Yeah, a tad bland, but it's not completely terrible like I was expecting," Jack chuckled.
Astrid groaned and leaned her head back. "How long did it takes for you to be so good at cooking anyway?"
"I don't know," Jack shrugged, not knowing, he continued eating the beef. "Do it long enough and it'll get good I guess."
"Ugh, maybe I should just give up," Astrid sighed.
"Hey it's more then edible this time," Hiccup laughed a little. "That's progress right there. And I'll wait to be the first to taste your amazing food."
"Aw," Astrid smiled patting Hiccup's cheek. "So you're ready to go through every single meal that I'll make in the future huh?"
"Every single one," Hiccup nodded grinning.
"So much affection, I think I'm going to turn on the air," Jack chuckled, walking over to the kitchen for his soup. He came back to his seat with a bowl. "This is out of nowhere but, say that high school is over and the assignment is still going, are we going to attend like a university or something?"
"Uh," Hiccup rubbed his chin. "Not really, only if you want to and it's easier being inconspicuous if you do."
"Okay, so I assume that if that time comes, you two will just go for aviation right?" Jack asked sitting down.
"Well hey, it'll be a breeze," Hiccup shrugged.
"And more nap times," Astrid agreed chuckling.
"Ugh, I don't know what the heck I'm going to do then. I don't want anymore work," Jack groaned.
"There's always culinary," Astrid suggested. "It'll be easy for you."
"I guess," Jack shrugged, scooping a spoon of soup into his mouth. It was a simple choice of soup, but it tasted great, he smiled. "Yeah it'll be great."
Astrid looked at Jack before going over to the kitchen to get herself a bowl of soup. She went back to sit down and ate it. She sighed and narrowed her eyes at Jack. "I hate you."
"That's what every workers say about their boss," Jack laughed while feeding himself.
"Well this one is a show off," Astrid scoffed.
"Should've been the squad leader then," Jack grinned.
"Yeah, totally should've," Astrid rolled her eyes, jabbing her thumb towards Hiccup. "But he was sure about you."
Jack looked to Hiccup with a raised eyebrow, who simply shrugged. He looked down to his food, hand holding a cup of water, and chuckled. "Well I'll do my best then." He looked to the clock for the time then to the direction of the front door. "Porch light's off? Since no kid's been ringing our bell yet."
"Yeah," Hiccup confirmed.
"Alright then, I guess this is one way to celebrate Halloween," Jack smiled, raising his glass. "To our little squad."
Astrid and Hiccup laughed as they did the same.
…
About an hour and a half later they were finished with dinner, Hiccup was the first to yawn so Jack and Astrid made him retired early. He wanted to stay and help with cleaning up but eventually gave up after being rejected and went to sleep.
Jack put any leftovers into the fridge and brought the dirty plates and bowls to the sink. Astrid was wiping food crumbs from the table. He thought about how nice it was to sit together with friends and have a nice meal, something he sorely missed when he was alone. He didn't want the feeling to go away any time soon or ever at all. He smiled to himself as he turned on the faucet to wash the dishes.
"I'll do it, you get some sleep," Jack heard Astrid's voice from behind him.
"It's alright I got it," Jack responded looking back.
"I wasn't asking, so scooch," Astrid walked up next to Jack and nudged him out of the way.
"I always make sure they're clean you know," Jack said standing back.
"I know, but I just want to do it," Astrid replied.
"Alright then if you say so," Jack chuckled shaking his head. "So what brought this on?"
"Brought what on?" Astrid looked back.
"What do you want to talk about?" Jack asked crossing his arms leaning against the counter.
Astrid looked at him for a moment before turning back to do her work. "I just want to say thank you, for...telling him that he has grown."
Jack looked at Astrid, she sounded sincere, he silently nodded his head. "So I take it you couldn't get through him?"
He heard her laughed softly, her shoulders shook a little. "He's stubborn, and I think the real reason is because he looks up to you, Flynn and Merida as well. I don't think I've known him long enough to gain that respect."
Jack sighed and looked up to the ceiling. "Respect huh? I don't know If I've done anything to deserve that." He chuckled. "I suppose that I should say thank you to you though."
Astrid looked back at him with eyebrows raise, clearly confused.
"When we split up and went our own ways, I wasn't sure how well he could do on his own," Jack continued. "Like you said, he can be stubborn and do stupid things, but he's also the type that needs someone to help him, to bring out his independence. I don't know what you did or will I ask, but you did it. So again, thank you, for being there with him, when we weren't."
Astrid stared at him for a long while, everything was quiet and the only thing Jack could hear was the water droplets falling from the tip of the faucet. She laughed softly and turned back to the sink.
"Guess I was wrong when I took you for a simple guy at first," Astrid said. "You really can't judge a person from the outside huh? I won't be surprised if that Elsa girl will fall for you eventually, and you're not a bad catch yourself."
"That's nice and all," Jack chuckled. "But right now she's not my main concern, you two are."
Astrid looked at him amused, she giggled. "Don't let her hear that, a girl's heart is fragile you know."
"Well then, I'm learning aren't I?" Jack nodded snickering. "But I'll never learn everything will I?"
"Nope! Not likely at all," Astrid grinned. "Now go to sleep."
"Yes, mother," Jack stood up straight chuckling. "You finish up and do the same. That's an order."
"Whatever, squad leader," Astrid rolled her eyes.
Jack turned to the direction of the stairs and walked up, he called back. "Good night."
"Good night," Astrid replied.
Author's Note: I am so sorry for the late update, I'm a terrible person I know. Anyway, sorry if you guys wanted the Ranger stuff to happen already, but this chapter was necessary. A little Hiccstrid fluff for the fans out there, including me haha. For the writers out there, you guys ever read something so good that you feel like your work is bad and you need to step up your game? Well I did and that's why this chapter came out late, well mostly because I was procrastinating, hehe. As usual, thank you for all you reviewers and readers out there. I understand that last chapter was like shite and I don't even know why I even wrote it. So uh, tell me what you think of this one.