Chapter Twenty-one

Washing Away

So… more on Skyffrey, a little aggression and stuff

Rosalind stood and let the water wash away layers of mascara and sweat, standing in the shower. The salt and laughter, the times slowly were wiped away. Downstairs, Agathe was waiting for her; she had to get out soon.

She stepped out and pulled on a tank, then a pair of shorts, and walked down to where Agathe sat. Rosalind smiled.

"Are you hungry?"

"Famished." The noise came from the screen door, where Rosalind turned to see Jeffrey, Skye and Jane; all a little muddy, thought Skye put the rest to shame.

"Okay okay…" Rosalind beckoned them, then paled at the sight of Skye's feet. "Hose down, for goodness sake. No food until you are clean!"

Skye groaned, and turned to Jeffrey, "move."

"What?"

"Move! There's a hose behind you."

A moment later there was a spurt of laughter and a bit of water sprayed in through the screen. Rosalind smiled and turned to stove; Agathe threw her a packet of Mac and Cheese, and Rosalind turned again to look out toward the screen.

"Skye?"

"What."

"What do you want to eat?"

There was a pregnant pause, amid with whispers from the darkness. Finally Jane's voice rang out.

"Do you have pancakes?"

"And bacon." That was Skye.

"And berries and whipped cream." Jeffrey contributed.

Rosalind turned to look at Agathe, who smiled.

"I can help. I like to cook!"

A couple moments later, Jeffrey emerged, dripping. Rosalind rushed to get him a towel, and then one for the floor, and two more for both Skye and Jane. She made sure that everyone was dry and not leaking on the floor, and then bid them go upstairs and change, then she checked on Batty, Timmy, Hound and Ben, to find them all awake and wanting pancakes.

When Rosalind hurried back down to the kitchen, she saw that Agathe had stacked all the pancakes on a plate, and was currently overlooking the crackling bacon. Skye pulled out plates for everyone and Jeffrey and Jane set out the bowls of whipped cream, berries and a pitcher of syrup.

Batty settled down in her chair, with Ben on one side, Timmy on the other and Hound beneath her. Rosalind pushed her in, then bid everyone sit down. Agathe rolled over with the acon, and Rosalind quickly grabbed the pancakes.

"I'm so sorry I didn't help, Agathe."

Agathe smiled, pouring syrup over her bacon. "It's okay. I knew you just forgot."

Jeffrey snorted into his whipped cream, sending it streaming into Ben's face, "Skye knows about forgetting cooking."

Rosalind heard Skye's reply as she wiped the whipped cream off of Ben's nose, "shut up, Jeffrey."

There were a couple of well aimed kicks under the table, causing Rosalind to scowl at Skye, Jeffrey and Jane. Batty giggled.

"I remember when Skye burned down the house."

"I didn't burn down the house." Skye pursed her lips, making Batty laugh again, which made Jeffrey laugh.

"Almost." Jane laughed a little, helping herself to the berries.

Skye sighed, "I see I'm outvoted here."

Jeffrey poked her, and she turned with her fork, a faux-warning look on her face. Jeffrey chuckled, and he buried his face in his whipped cream, then kissed her on the nose, spreading the foam all over her face. She licked it all off, cocking her head at him.

"No foul play, guys." Rosalind said warningly.

Skye smiled at her, her tongue moving the last off of her chin. Rosalind couldn't help but grin back.

Jane sighed, and tipped back in her chair, looking happily down at her plate of bacon bits and syrup, "pass the pancakes?"

Timmy struggled to support the plate to Jane, and there was a knock on the door.

"Hello?" Rosalind stretched up her arms.

"Telegram for Jane?"

Jane smiled down at her plate, then stood up. Skye leaned over to see who it was, then turned to her plate as Jane kissed Rex in greeting.

Rex stood regally, surveying the pancake-fest, "Breakfast for a midnight snack?" He grinned, losing all kingliness.

"Would you like to stay?"

Soon, Rex was seated next to Jeffrey, helping himself to whipped cream.

"Hey Agathe." He smiled kindly over his water glass. She grinned back, beside herself.

"Unfortunately, I think it's time I got these ones to bed," Rosalind quickly picked a sleepy Ben up before he tipped the syrup onto the floor. Batty, Timmy and Hound dutifully followed, leaving a quiet table.

"So." Rex cleared his throat. "Did you like the party Skye?"

"Oh look, I'm not Air anymore." Skye muttered.

"I- I'm sorry about Melody. She can be a bit…" He grimaced.

"Tactless?" Jane offered.

Skye opened her mouth to say something, but Jeffrey stepped on her foot.

Rex looked down at his plate again, "I'm sorry."

"That's okay." Jane said quickly, glancing at Skye. Skye looked ashamed for a moment.

"I'm sorry more. You-"

"You're not her." Jane smiled, glossing over the moment.

Skye stood up suddenly, "I want to swim."

Jeffrey stood up too, "I'll go with you."

Everyone but Agathe stood and announced similar things.

Jane skipped ahead through the darkness, leaving Rex and Jeffrey walking together, and Skye trailing behind them, looking at the constellations.

Jane quickly stripped into her underclothes, and as did Rex and Jeffrey. Skye was slower in following. She pulled her short hair up into a baby ponytail and pulled out of her jeans. Jeffrey paused and turned back to look at her, a grin plastered across his face. She looked up to see him still looking, and threw her flipflop at him. He laughed and ducked underwater, emerging up next to her a moment later, grinning and grabbing her feet.

Skye ran forward through the waves toward him. The air sparkled and shimmered with static, from the continuous energy of the ocean's pounding. Jeffrey reached out his arms and they fell into each other. Jane looked at them, then looked away. Kissing wasn't necessary, as Skye and Jeffrey's mouths, lips were laughing, then not. They communicated more than tongue and teeth might, just through a fierce look from the blue to the green. And then from the green to the blue. He was lifting her up slightly, their gazes locking, speaking to each other without words. Skye was no longer afraid, she understood it all now. She needed not to date or kiss this boy, at least not yet. She loved him more in this fierce way, of anger and repugnant love, of the messed up kind. She needed not rainbows and butterflies. This here, in the ocean, with the sickly sweet smell of his sweat, and her nectary shampoo that she hated with all her might. With the intoxicating taste of salt on the air, with the noise of his breathing, of his being alive, next to her so that she could hear him. With Orion overseeing, and her sister turning away. With Jeffrey there, and not leaving, not shying away, not deflecting.

Skye breathed out hard, and turned her face to the sky. Jeffrey gave a shaky breath and hauled both of them into the ocean, washing all of their suffering away. He realized now, what he and Skye had. He would no longer need to kiss her, he understood that he had all the time in the world.