Duke had to admit, the forges here were better than back home. Whenever he wasn't training or with Jazz, he was in the forges tinkering to his heart's desire. As much as he hid it, Duke got a love for inventing from both of his dads. Currently, he was working on a present for Jazz for their one month anniversary.
Jazz walked into the forges and sat on the workbench next to Duke, "Hey."
He glanced up, and smiled at her before looking back at his work, "Hey, Beautiful."
Jazz sighed, "So I saw James making out with Ethanael."
Duke put his tools down, and turned to look at her, "He's at that age where he'd be making out with somebody soon."
"Well...Yeah but, still. I don't like it."
"Why? He seemed like a nice kid."
"James is too young. He's probably confused...And..."
"And?"
Jazz shrugged, "I don't know. There's something about Ethanael...He seems really experienced and James has just started exploring..."
"At least he's exploring somebody who knows what he's doing." Duke pointed out.
"No. That's a bad idea. James is naive. Ethanael is experienced, making James an easy target to get used."
"We'll keep an eye on them. We won't let Ethanael hurt him."
Jazz shook her head, "Okay. But I don't trust that kid."
"Clearly, James does, and he's not as naive as you seem to think."
"Yes he is Duke. I know my own brother."
Duke stared at her, and shook his head, "He's growing up. He's eleven. He's not an innocent little puppy anymore, and what he doesn't know now he'll learn soon enough."
Jazz looked frustrated, "I didn't start learning anything like this until I was like thirteen. James is still too young."
"Girls and guys are different. I started learning about it at his age."
"Still...I don't want my little brother growing up so fast..."
He kissed her gently, cupping her cheek, "He won't."
Jazz shied away from the kiss, she was too preoccupied with her little brother. Then she looked over at what Duke was making, "What's that?"
"Nothing much." He shrugged, "Just a little project."
"Oh?" She scooted closer to get a better look at it.
Duke covered it while putting it into his toolbox, "No looking."
"Why not?" She fake pouted slightly.
"It's not done yet." He hated when people looked over his shoulder while he worked. They'd see it when he was done!
"So? Can you at least tell me what its supposed to be?"
"No."
She sighed, "Come on. Just a little hint."
"You'll see when it's done."
"Duke!" She whined slightly.
"No. You know I don't like showing it before I'm done."
Jazz poked him in the ribs playfully. "Come on." She attempted to tickle him.
He pulled away from her, "No!"
"Alright, alright. No need to snap." She slid away from him again.
"What's with you these days? You keep pushing everything." Duke didn't understand the rage rising in his chest. It was illogical, but the way Jazz didn't want to let anything go...It bothered him more than he'd first expected it would.
"Look, I'm sorry." She looked at him, "I keep pushing everything because that's how I have to get you to talk to me lately. You never tell me what's going on when I ask."
"There are some things I don't want to share with you yet! I thought you'd understand that. That we don't need to tell eachother everything!"
"Well excuse me for caring!" She hopped off the counter. "If this is about being scared of getting hurt, you can trust me."
Duke shook his head, "I'm not scared of being hurt. I'm not scared. There are some thing I just want to keep to myself for now."
"Okay. Fine." She turned away from him, "Whatever you say."
She didn't believe him, that was plain. Duke didn't know how to change that. He believed it was true, and she should believe him.
Jazz was close to tears and she was choking up but it came out just above a whisper, "...It feels like you don't trust me..."
"I trust you."
"Right." She wasn't sure if she should leave or stay and argue with him more.
"I should go...Dad said they were coming to visit today..."
"Yeah, and I have training. Maybe I'll talk to you later." As she left she muttered, "Probably not."
Duke heard the comment, which stabbed right at his heart. He didn't let that get to him though as he left to find his dads. Just stay focused on them, and everything will stay together. He found them in the archery range with Izzy.
The little girl rushed over to her pick brother, "Hermano! Daddy and papá are here!"
Leo smiled at his son, but he looked upset, "Hijo, what's wrong?"
"It's nothing. Jazz and I just had a fight is all...It's nothing to worry about." Duke wouldn't meet Leo's eyes as he stared at one of the targets. He picked up a dagger.
Leo sighed and pulled Duke away from everyone else by his elbow, "Talk to me. I want to be here for you, Duke."
He ran his finger over the blade, staring at the reflection in it, "We'll be okay. Just...communication issues."
"You sure? Cause I'm always here and so is your dad."
"I know, papá. It's just...she thinks I don't trust her, and I do." Duke stayed focused on the blade in his hands.
"Why would she think that?" Leo looked slightly, puzzled.
"I don't know...she said I won't tell her things."
"Well, are there things you're keeping from her?"
"No! I mean...there are things I don't want to talk about, but that's not just with her. I love Jazz."
"Has she shared things with you? Also, have you told her that you love her?"
"I don't know...I mean, she's told me stuff. And...no, I haven't...I didn't want to freak her out..."
"That's probably part of the problem. She feels like she's sharing with you but you aren't sharing with her. You should tell her how you feel. I guarantee she feels the same way about you." Leo smiled at his boy.
Duke felt a knot growing in his stomach. His fingers slipped on the blade, cutting his fingertips. Reluctantly, he nodded weakly, "O...okay..."
Leo patted him on the shoulder, "You can do it." He smiled at his son and walked back to Ace and Izzy.
Duke followed him, throwing the knife at a target, hitting the bullseye, before he turned away again, "I'm gonna...go talk to her."
Leo smiled, "Okay. Good luck, hijo."
