Okay, So some updates. Work is going good. Life is going good. Ever since I got out of the army, dating has been SO much easier. But even going out to hang out has been easy. I miss my buddies in the army but I'm adjusting well. It is kind of weird going out to bars and not having the same group of guys going out with me each time. So I'm making it a point to strike up a random conversation with at least one person whenever I go out.

Now, some of you will notice I haven't updated in a bit. And well to be honest. I've been enjoying not using social media and sites like fanfiction. Ever since the weather started to heat up around here, I've been spending more time hiking and going outside. Its not warm enough for camping yet, but I'm getting my weekend camping getaway bags prepped for when it heats up a bit more.

Spending time in nature, the gym, and improving myself in my day to day life takes priority over fanfiction and entertainment.

You got to take care of yourself lads.

Especially during these times.

I would advise you all if you can to get away for a weekend, get a tent, turn off your phone, go camping, and just go out in nature. Its nice to get away from it all.

"Hehehehe." Jem was laughing as he counted money from the lotto office.

On top of that, he also had a new trench gun, new truck tires, some fancy clothes, some new fishing rods, and a new hunting rifle. Ever since he started using Clover as a money making machine, he had been rolling in cash. At first he was worried about not having enough money to do what he wanted to do. But ever since Clover showed up and he abused the fuck out of his semblance, suddenly everything seemed possible.

The only pain in the ass was dealing with the IRS about his lotto winnings. That soured his good mood. Nobody liked dealing with the IRS. And then his thoughts went to other places.

Imagine having a child.

You love it, you raise it, you feed it, you care for it.

And then it comes out to you and says 'Dad, I got a job for the IRS.'

Imagine the disappointment on that parents face.

If Jem ever had kids, and any of them grew up to work for the IRS, he would probably end up telling people his kids worked at Mcdonalds for a living.

It was more honorable.

Jem laid back on his bed and breathed out a sigh of relief. He had more money than he ever thought he would. But he didn't really need it. He had nearly everything he wanted. He had his guns, his truck, his motorhome, his home gym, he pretty much already had everything he needed. So what was he going to do with the extra money? He looked at a notebook he had full of ideas. Maybe it was time he start traveling more? He wanted to travel ever since he got out of the army, so now would be as good of a time as any.

But then again, maybe he should exploit Clover for a little bit longer. If he could funnel some more money into his retirement plan at an earlier age, he would probably be able to retire in his early 30s. Clover was just sitting there ripe for the taking. So why not use him until it was time for them to go back?

"It would be nice if I won just enough that I never had to worry about money again." Jem said as he went to go bother Clover again.

Winter and Alex

"Out of all the things I thought would happen with our lives, I never expected Jem to pimp out Clover for money." Alex rubbed the back of his head as Winter rolled her eyes.

"He's not pimping Clover out, he's taking advantage of his good luck."

"I don't know, he's using another human being to make money, and he doesn't give Clover a cut? Sounds a lot like a pimp and a hoe." Alex pointed out.

"Clover doesn't really have any use for earth money does he?"

"Are you trying to defend the blatant abuse of his semblance?"

"All I'm saying is you're making it seem like Jem is making Clover sleep with rich guys in sleazy motels."

"Okay fair enough, but it still doesn't seem right."

"I know, but what can we do? At least it isn't hurting anyone." She said as she couldn't believe they were having this conversation right now.

"But there is an advantage, Jem is spending less time with Elm ever since he found out about Clover's semblance." Alex pointed out as Winter smirked.

"That does make me feel better." Winter twiddled her thumbs as she thought about the possibilities.

She was still trying to get a proper date with Jem. But what could they do? She didn't want to go to the range with him because she already did that. She didn't want to go camping since they had just gotten back from that. What could they do? She picked her own brain for date ideas. She wanted to do something that wasn't overly romantic, but it also couldn't be too discreet that Jem wouldn't pick up on the signals. So she would have to find a way to ignite the spark in him that said 'Hey maybe dating Winter could be fun!'

"So I was thinking, maybe you and Jem should try and go on a vacation together away from everyone else." Alex said as he he his hands interlocked in front of him like a smooth businessman.

"Don't you think thats too obvious?" She said as she took a sip of tea.

"True, but I think we shouldn't try to sneak around this, lets face it, you tried to do this 'slow burn' type of relationship, but with Elm in the picture, we need to speed this whole operation up, part of that is getting you two alone for an extended period of time." He said with a no nonsense tone of voice.

"Okay, I'll humor you, whats your plan?"

"Well, its summer, Jem's riding a 'high on life' energy from using Clover as a piggy bank, so why not try to convince him you two need to take a vacation together?" He pointed out Jem's newfound source of wealth.

"Obviously money isn't the problem but how am I going to convince Jem to just make it the two of us?" She asked as Alex was forgetting that crucial detail.

"Simple, just come right out and tell him 'Jem I want to date you and would love to go on a trip to get to know you." He said as she choked on her tea.

"Thats too forward!" She protested as she didn't like that idea.

"Oh come on! This isn't some fanfic where you wait until after something horrible happens to confess, last thing we want is for Jem to get stabbed and for you to come in like 'Oh, I really like you, lets date!' Thats cliche as shit! Just bite the pillow and go in dry!" Alex said as Winter was disturbed by the euphemism he used.

"Did you really have to say that?" She didn't feel comfortable with that last bit.

"Ugh, you know what I mean! Look, if you don't say something, I will! Or worse, ELM WILL!" Alex was tired of beating around the bush.

"Okay fine!" She stood up with an irritated look on her face and marched off to find Jem.

"...Wait, did that actually work?" Alex said to himself as he was honestly not expecting that.

"Heh, how about that, I still got i-" Only to see Winter walk right back in.

"..." She was silent.

"...Whats wrong?" He asked as he didn't understand why she was silent.

"...How do I tell him?"

"You're joking right?"

"I don't have a lot of experience with men!"

"Oh for gods sake, you're really going to make me work for this aren't you?" Alex rubbed the bridge of his nose.

Winter wasn't dense. She was completely aware of her feelings.

She just wasn't good at expressing them.

Jem was good at expressing them, but he was dense when it came to women.

Why must this be such a pain in the ass?