Little Note:

I'm practicing a different writing style with this chapter. For the most part I've been heavily-focused on dialogue and sometimes my story just turns into a comic strip in some points. That's because I've been a little bit rushing from point A to B and neglect narrating a lot.

Anyways I'm just gonna take it slow and make this chapter pretty chill. And not rush the plot, just a classic Huey and Jazmine one-shot/episode I guess.


Nowadays people think 'ho ho ho' means the Hilton sisters! Standing next to Nicole Richie! Now that ain't no hoe hoe hoe!

Somebody give me the real ho ho ho!

(Ho ho ho!)

FedEx! UPS! They can ship the package! But wait a minute! I know a man with a different kind of guaranteed overnight delivery!

He's got his own express! Forget airborne express! I'll take the reindeer express! Cause it's free shipping on Christmas Eve! Somebody say ho ho ho!

(Ho! ho! ho!)

Pr-

"Praise santa!" Jazmine suddenly wakes up yelling, sitting up from her bed. "Oops!"

Huey groans beside her. "Santa dream again... give me break..."

"Sorry..." She whispers, blushing in embarassment.

"It's... October..."

Jazmine looks at their clock, it's 3am in the morning. Poor Huey needs his sleep. She lays down again and they return to their sleeping cuddle, trying to sleep again.


It got cold, extremely cold, the kind of cold where glass fogs up and when a stair railing is cold to the touch. A cold snap is waving through the US capital and in such a rare occasion, its locals are a bit less accustomed to this kind of weather. Huey insists that Jazmine bundles up, hot weather may turn a person crazy but cold weather may turn a person sluggish.

If weather turns abnormal then living things seeks shelter, that can be described as one of life's many procedures, and crushing winds will make a casual stroll on the street into an uphill battle. The US capital seems quieter than usual, as friends and families, couples and individuals stay indoors to endure a cold October day.

Not Huey and Jazmine. They walk and stroll, fighting against the cold and wind. Two figures in an empty city street with not a care in the world.

They walk hand in hand, with Jazmine taking lead. They visit the cold sidewalks of a city they've been fighting for, they've protested, they've changed minds, they've advocated and turned wrongs into rights. She feels tranquility in a way, even peaceful, her life has been nothing but beautiful, orchestral, and her eyes drift happily at her surroundings, to the pretty autumn trees and the stern brooding face of the man that's she's helplessly in love with.

She continues her footsteps, with Huey hand-in-hand, she passes by a bakery and the smell of fresh bread fills her lungs. Huey sighs and they exit with a vegan pastry. Then they patiently wait at an intersection, waiting for the traffic lights to switch, and she rests her head against the tenderness of his wide shoulders. She even gasps as her eyes turn to the sidewalk floor, she giggles and clasps her hands excitedly, her face looks like she found gold when she reaches down and showcases it to Huey, on her hand is a penny, and his look of disgust warrants her to give a loving smile.

Huey doesn't think highly of himself, regardless of what the media says or the praise that strangers give him. He simply regards himself as an instrument to humanity's progression. A fighter against man's oppression, he is someone who takes what happens in the dark and bring it to the light. And yet over the years, he's learned to care about who he really is and more importantly he's learned to listen to someone other than himself. However, not to critics, or supporters, or adversaries, but he's learned to listen to her.

He still can't wrap his head around his life. Even after all this time he still can't rationalize how he got where he is now. Huey always finds something to hate, he's violent, soul-crushing, and he can properly break all 210 bones in an average human body. Yet as he traverses through the city's landscape he can't help but feel... passive.

When she pointed and pleaded to him, her puppy eyes begging him to go the bakery, he can't help but sigh at his defeat as he buys her an overpriced bread roll. He keeps his opinions to himself but he really wishes she would support a locally-owned black-owned business next time instead of a food-chain bakery.

When they waited at the traffic lights so that they can pass the road crossing, she leaned her head against his body like an oversized pillow. Huey heard her smell his jacket and ran her hand through his arm and muscles. If only she knew how many people he's hurt with those arms. If only she knew how many times he's used his arms to injure and harm in order to protect himself, his belongings, and his beliefs. Yet even if he tells Jazmine his most gruesome deeds, his most violent actions, he knows that she'll jump into his arms without hesitation and cuddle him like he's a teddy bear.

And when Jazmine gasped and knelt down to pick up a shiny penny, he recoils in pain at how childish she can be. He questions if she's aware how unsanitary that can be, he questions how goofy and silly she is, and how despite all of his efforts to show her the grim truths of reality she still manages to be blissfully innocent and maintain the mentality of a small child. He scowled at her, he glared at her ominously like a looming storm cloud. It usually works when Huey shows his anger to someone, he'd display his unfiltered anger and hate he harbors towards the world and his target would react pathetically. But to Jazmine, all she did was smile back.

She smiles back at his scowls, she would look into the blazing fire in his eyes and all she would do is grin happily. He can't tell if she's gone numb, he doesn't really understand how a woman so innocent and childish can just smile back at such an angry face. Logically, his girlfriend is full of contradictions.

Perhaps Huey has given up trying to understand it. He feels like a wolf trying to blow away the houses of 3 little pigs, he would roar and he would blow but he can't tear Jazmine's brick house down. He can't help but feel powerless against her smile. He plans to topple goverments, tear down entire institutions, and stand against the will of powerful men. Yet he feels defeated by Jazmine's smile every single time.


Why would people waste a day like this! It's just a little wind! Jazmine thought to herself as she pockets the penny in her hand. He hears an audible sigh from Huey as they return to holding hands.

"Huey." She says, Jazmine is looking in the distance, through the empty street, and through falling leaves.

Jazmine points to a store in the distance. Huey responds bluntly. "No."

She tugs on his arm, smiling happily, bubbling with excitement. "Last one."

He shakes his head, not even bothering to reply again.

Jazmine takes a deep breath, she knows that he needs a bit more convincing. "Pleaseeeee."

"No. And if you ask again then we're going home."

She pouts and pull away from him, as they halt their footsteps and gaze at each other. Jazmine doesn't really enjoy doing this to him, or acting like a needy girlfriend, if anything he's done so much for her that she should be the one trying return the favour. But she's assertive, she has her wants and demands, and right now she's demanding they go into the flower shop, just across the street.

She smiles again, "Flowers, Huey. I'll love you more if you do this for me."

He scoffs at her implied stereotype. "You want flowers in exchange for love? That's so stupid."

Her face turns to a cute whimper and her lips lightly quiver, she really wants to buy one. "Huey..."

He sighs. "Fine. Just a single flower, I'm not buying an entire boquet."

She squeezes his hand and she gazes longingly into those cold, dark eyes. She's the light that brings joy into his life and when he lives in such a colorless, soulless life, she'll be the one bring to bring color and laughter to such an angry, gloomy man. Jazmine has always been religious, she's always put her faith in God contrary to whatever he believes in. And she has known for a long time why God had made them into soulmates, because when they were born they were each other's missing pieces.


"What's your favorite flower Huey?" She asks.

As they enter the little flower shop, the couple walks through displays and displays of flower arrangements. The shop was decorated with so many colorful flowers and cute decor that it made Huey's head spin.

"I don't know and I don't really care." He answers.

She smiles, as she shows him different kinds on a shelf. "Pick one! They have poppies, petunias, lillies, geraniums, daffodils, marigolds..."

Jazmine takes a bunch of flowers in her hand and shows it to Huey. She stuck it close to his face so that he can sniff the flowers.

She speaks softly. "Pretty? Right?"

Huey scowls and he exhales out the stench, flowers smell too sweet for him, too girly, too innocent. He grumbles "I'll just buy you a rose then we can leave."

Jazmine puts the flowers back on the shelf. "But I don't want roses."

He sighs. "I don't know much about flowers... I only know that girls like roses."

Jazmine smirks at him. "That's a stereotype Huey. Didn't you say you hate stereotypes because it hurts our people?" She puts emphasis on the 'our' as Huey recently gave her a lecture on racial profiling.

Huey closes his eyes in thought, realizing his mistake. "Jazmine... what's your favorite flower?"

"Purple tulips." She answers, appreciating Huey's interest.

"Why?" He asks.

She smiles. "I can't explain why. I just think they're the prettiest."

He repeats the same statement. "Sorry... I don't know much about flowers."

Huey takes her hand and takes her to a shelf full of tulips and he picks out a purple tulip, he promised Tom that he'll take care of her, to be a good partner, and to pay attention to her needs. Even if he dislikes the entire concept of falling in love, he admits that he wants to marry her someday, and if he wants to maintain that blessing from her parents then he vowed to always make her happy.

He holds the purple tulip in his hand, urging her to take it. "Here."

She giggles loudly, heavily blushing. "I don't want a purple tulip!"

"What?" Girls can be so confusing to Huey. He can understand literal rocket science but not the whims of women.

"I'm here to buy a flower for you! Silly! That's why I asked for your favorite!" She giggles childishly.

"Oh..." He puts the tulip back, slightly embarassed. "Jazmine I don't like when you make fun of me..."

"Sorry... What's your favorite flower?" She smiles sweetly.

"I'll just take a tulip then..." He scowls.

"Come on sweetie..." She maintains eye contact.

"I hate flowers. Why do women like them? I don't see the appeal. They look presentable for 2 days and then they start withering. They don't even smell nice, they smell absolutely putrid!"

She speaks softly. "Huey... it's not because they look pretty... it's the gesture." When you give a girl flowers it means you care and you want to make the girl happy. Most girls don't really care if they get tulips or roses from their boyfriends, all that matters is that you picked out something nice and show you care."

They share a romantic moment as Jazmine leans in and gives him a kiss on the cheek. She pulls away and speaks caringly "Would you like a black tulip? I think it suits you."

Huey stands there pondering, taking in the weight of her words. "Alright..."

As Jazmine picks out his flower and they head to the cashier, she feels her heart flutter and sense a rush of happiness. The feeling of true love is so pleasant to the soul, so soothing to her body, she doesn't ever want to leave his side.

As they exit the shop, the tulip in Huey's hand sways violently from the cold wind outside. Huey shields it with his jacket and does everything he can to maintain it's shape.

"It's going to die Jazmine." He says, slightly worried he'll ruin her gift. She smiles and she retreats back to the store. Jazmine asks the florist for a plastic bag meant for boquets.

As she heads out the store she sees Huey in the sidewalk. She can't help but stare at how much he's trying to save the tulip. How he's taken off his jacket in the cold weather to save it from the wind. Desparate, caring, and his eyes are full of worry. Jazmine is familiar with those eyes, Huey gives the exact same look whenever he protects her.

Jazmine thinks to herself. So much worry, so much care... Huey I know you'll always protect me. I love you.

"Put it in the bag Huey... your jacket... you'll catch a cold." She hands him the boquet bag.

"Thanks."

She blushes. "D-do you like your gift?"

"It's nice." He admits as he looks at the black tulip in his hand.

Her knees turn weak and butterflies flutter in her stomach. "Y-you're such a sofite..."

"Don't get used to it."

She kisses him in the cheek again. "I'm glad I taught you about flowers. Most of the time... you're the one teaching me."

"Thanks for the lesson... I'll try to do something for you next time."

"You don't have to repay me Huey... just being with you, that's all I need."

"Okay... thanks."

Her eyes shine gleefully. "I love you." Definitely getting black and purple tulips for our wedding.


The next day.

Beep beep beep their alarm clock rings loudly.

"nooo..." Jazmine grounds loudly. Huey gets up immediately and finds his slippers. Soon enough he walks around the bed to Jazmine's side.

He yawns and stretches before kneeling down to her eye level. "What's it gonna be Dubois?"

"carry... me... please..." She says tiredly, still not completely awake.

Huey pulls of her blanket to reveal her body. They're comfortable enough that she only wears a shirt and panties in their bed, Huey cradles her in his arms like a newborn baby as he takes her to the bathroom.

She giggles. "you... so... rough... last night..."

Huey sighs. He turns the sink faucet for cold water and lightly splashes her forehead with a few drops.

"Ahh! Hiss!" She makes a goofy face at Huey, at last fully awake. Huey puts her down so she can stand.

Huey hands Jazmine's toothbrush, he's always placed urgency in their morning routines, they always have busy schedules and they lack the luxury of having a lot freetime. So they quickly brush their teeth together as Jazmine gazes at him through the mirror.

Then after they finish, they give each other privacy on the toilet.

Knock knock "Done Huey?"

He replies from the other side of the door. "No."

"How bout now?"

"No."

"Now?"

"Fine..."

She opens the door as he turns on the shower, trying to gauge the proper temperature. She enters the bathroom and hugs him from behind.

"Any plans afterschool?" She asks, trying to massage his stiff shoulders.

"No."

"Well... I checked the weather while you were peeing, it's gonna be cold again." She turns her attention to his back joints.

He nods at Jazmine's forecast. "Okay thanks. Water's ready Jazmine." He says, as the shower continues pouring in front of him.

"I want to do something again... after classes." She kneads his arms and then turns to his back again, applying pressure and soothing his muscles.

He lets out a deep groan as she massages his rigid body. "We just had a date yesterday."

"I think you'll love it."

"Alright... I don't really have a choice."

At his response, she clasps her hands happily and she takes off Huey's shirt. She undresses him to prepare him for his shower, Huey always glares at her, he's not a pampered child that needs assistance with showering but he has long conceded this part of their routine, it's simply Jazmine trying to show another act of affection.

Soon enough, Huey enters the shower while Jazmine takes off her own clothes, she giggles happily as she steps inside the shower with him.

This has always been their morning routine, they brush teeth, take turns on the toilet, she massages him until the shower's ready, and they step inside together to shower. Statistically, not many couples actually shower together, even less incorporate it in their daily routines but with Huey and Jazmine they enjoy spending their private time together.

They do it for completely different reasons too, Jazmine does it because she thinks it's pretty sweet and a good way of showing affection. As for Huey, he's long surrendered to this, it's a war that he lost a long time ago. In fact it had been the topic of their first argument. It's simply Jazmine trying to show every single act of affection to him, it isn't done out of lust, in fact his peace terms are to forbid sex in their morning showers.

Huey doesn't really understand her logic sometimes, she doesn't need to impress him or show love and care at every conceiving moment, he's already attracted, he's already held captive with her love, sometimes her kisses are simply a waste of breath when a look or a smile would suffice. And yet time and time again she does these things for him. Always signs of affection. Always 'I love yous' and kisses. Huey knows fully well that they love each other and yet she always repeats those words.

"I love you." She says in the shower.

He sighs angrily as he applies shampoo on her long frizzy hair.

At the very least, Huey can't disagree with facts. And in fact, showering together wastes less water. At least Huey Freeman can rationalize that showering with his girlfriend can save less water.


They dress together and sit down for breakfast, classic oatmeal and berries for two long-time vegans. Jazmine had a spare flower pot from her decor shopping and she's placed the tulip right in the center of their dining table.

As Huey places her bowl of oatmeal down, he sits down next to her as they eat side by side. Back then when she first moved in, they would sit in opposite sides. Huey preferred it that way, her chewing and munching can be heard at a safe distance. And now she's rearranged their furniture in a way that he has to sit next to her.

He sighs. It's another war that he lost. But this time, no argument had been made, he just surrendered to her demands just like that. Oh how Huey Freeman had fallen. At the very least, Jazmine had learned to chew less loudly.

"Open wide." She giggles as she hovers a spoon full of oatmeal to his face.

"Jazmine... this is humiliating."

She returns the spoon to her bowl, knowing his limits. "Sorry... I thought it'd be cute."

He sighs and reads his newspaper, every now and then he glances at Jazmine to catch her reading too.

She takes another bite of oatmeal. "Huey?"

"Yes?"

"You like the tulip? It looks nice with the pot I picked."

"It's nice." He scowls at the newspaper and turns the page, he didn't even take a look at the tulip.

"Hey Huey?"

"Yes?" He scowls even deeper into the newspaper.

"What do you know about flowers?"

"Tulip Mania was a period in Dutch history and occurred well into the Thirty Years War. The Netherlands being a newly formed protestant state rejected ideas of indulgence and catholic practices and due to this many Dutch nobles steered away from expensive jewelry or expensive furs and goods as it was considered sinful by protestants to indulge in extreme luxury."

Huey continues "Therefore as tulips were being imported from overseas colonies, they were considered exotic and rare. Nobles obsessed over these tulips as it was a way to spend and brag about their wealth without appearing sinful or unfaithful. These tulips were so overly priced that they were sold like stocks in a stock market and Dutch peasants sold their houses to 'invest' in a tulip bulb for growing."

Jazmine listens attentively. "You know too much!"

"You asked."

She smiles, Jazmine has a feeling that Huey had read flower-related stuff when she bought him that tulip "You said something about protestants and catholics."

"Yeah?"

"Are you a catholic or a protestant?" She asks.

"Neither."

She eats another spoonful of oatmeal. "But I know you believe in God. You told me when we were teenagers."

He puts his newspaper down and takes a look at their tulip. It has only been a day but he's already noticing signs of decay. He learned yesterday how to spot the signs and various tulip species. Suffice to say, he was slightly interested.

Huey then turns to Jazmine as she happily eats beside him, she's wearing gym shorts and one of his collared shirts. He can't help but admit that she looks beautiful in the morning, when her hair is kept simple, and when the rising sun shines down on her face.

She catches his glance and she blushes. Sometimes, even after all this time, she instinctively looks away when she blushes. Sometimes it feels like they're 12 again and her cheeks would get flustered when their hands slightly brush or when they make prolonged eye contact.

"Y-you haven't answered my question." She reminds him.

"I believe in a higher power. But it certainly isn't the Christian depiction of God... a God who's all-loving and all-caring wouldn't allow our people to be exploited and enslaved for centuries. Even recently, why would God allow a Holocaust or 9/11 to even happen? I believe that there is a God, but he's either imperfect or he can be morally wrong."

"Good to know..." She kisses him on the cheek, her breath smells like blueberries. "I'm not judging though."

"Okay then, good talk."

"Maybe I can... invite you to a church... if you're interested."

He scowls at her. "Jazmine... you've known me for so long, you already know the answer."

"Yes?" She smiles.

"No."

"But when we get kids, I'll take them to church." She giggles, she's learned to love teasing him with kids, it's one of her guilty pleasures.

He replies back, annoyed. "Indoctrinate them however you want."


A while later, when they drive to their university, when Jazmine would sing along to the radio and Huey would think silently to himself. A little while later, when they take their separate classes and she misses not being with the love of her life. And after then, when they reunite in the parking lot and she showers him with kisses and reports about her day.

"So... like you promised. We're going out after classes right?" She smiles as she drives them away from campus.

"Where are we going?" He asks.

"It's a surprise." She whispers excitedly.

"I hate surprises."

She's fully aware but she can't resist his cute scowl. "Hmmm... okay I'll tell you."

He appreciates her gesture. Jazmine understands how on-edge he feels with surprises. "Thanks, now tell me."

"We're going to... rescue some animals. it's still really cold and I'm scared that stray animals are freezing out there."

Huey thinks on her choice, it's certainly something Jazmine would do. "We'll look for strays and bring them to animal shelters?"

"Exactly."

He sighs. Huey had been planning to read more law books this evening. But he relents. "Alright... we can do it until it starts turning dark."


They get out of their car and they start walking down the sidewalk again, holding hands. Exchanging scowls and smiles. Huey points out to her that stray dogs and cats would seek shelter in storm drains, or underneath cars or garbage dumpsters. In a windy cold day like this, their only instinct is to stay away from the elements and exposure.

Jazmine has never really done this before, but deep down she adores pets. She loves how puppies are so cute, she thinks cats are absolutely adorable, and it breaks her heart to know that so many animals are suffering in the world. With the Freeman Foundation she's turned her focus towards helping the animal shelters, she's fundraised donations for animal welfare and advocated against animal cruelty.

She loves Huey for his help. He supports her every step of the way, he's the reason why she can fundraise and advocate to begin with. He showed her how she can make change in the world, he showed her how to take action, to take initiative. Dreams, plans, and goals mean nothing if action isn't taken and Jazmine has learned to never sit idly and actively work to make the world better.

Even now, Huey supports her, when she asks to save animals, he dutifully follows her. What did she even do to deserve someone like him. She'll never find a way to repay him, she can give him a million tulips, a billion kisses, and a trillion smiles and she'll still be short on her debts.

They patrol through scary alleyways, they take a peek down weird city corridors, and look under every nook and crevice in the nearby area. Jazmine almost feels disappointed, she really wants to save something today, but if her animal activism made it so that every stray animal in the city is safe and fed then maybe she's a better activist than Huey!

She giggles at the possibility. At the very least, walking together with Huey, working together as a team is always a treat for her. Never once had she felt scared, walking through shady areas in the city, she always feels protected around him and she's well aware that what Huey is capable of when it comes to self-defense.

Then suddenly, she sees a malnourished labrador collapsed on the floor of a dark alleyway.

She almost ran like it's an endangered infant. Huey calls out to her. "Wait."

She stops in her tracks. "What is it Huey? Look! She's starving! We have to help her!"

"Let me do it. It could be sick." Huey looks at her with a determined look.

She lets him take the lead. "O-okay..."

Huey takes the risk for her as he kneels down next to the unconscious dog. She's starving and there are missing patches of fur from flea infestations. From the looks of it, Huey deduces that it's suffering from hypothermia and weakness from starvation.

"Huey..." She looks at him with tears in her eyes, making sure to follow his wish and keeping her distance.

He takes off his hoodie and wraps it around the dying labrador, trying to bring it warmth, a dog can usually survive near-freezing temperatures if it has proper shelter, but it seems like she hasn't eaten anything for a long time. A dog can spend a night huddling for warmth in an alley, but if it can't keep moving and find things to eat then it'll surely die from starvation. Such is the common fate for stray dogs.

"Get the car. Now." He orders. Jazmine runs, they've parked their car a minute away from here.

Covered in his hoodie, he lifts the dog up in his arms. The dog expectantly feels light, he can't help but think about how he's risking his health for Jazmine and this stupid mutt. For all he knows the dog might have rabies or worse. As she parks close and opens the backdoor of their black SUV, Huey gently lays it down, while thinking about how he's never gonna wear that hoodie again.

"Huey..." She whispers.

"No. We're not adopting it. Get in the car, we're going to the dog shelter."


Jazmine had already been to the shelter multiple times. The first time she visited she dragged Huey to get him interested in saving animals. It really wasn't the focus on the Freeman Foundation, he was mainly trying to help the black community and the homeless. But in a way, Jazmine inspired him to broaden the scope of his work. Huey isn't really an animal person but more recently, he lets Jazmine take the reins and do her own agenda with his organization's resources.

The shelter was barbaric back then, dogs were kept in small metal cages with barely any windows and sunlight. While Jazmine feels pity for the dogs, it's still better inside a warm cage with good meals than being out and left to die in the streets. But now, with donations and contributions from their organization, the shelter got newly renovated to give dogs a more comfortable and humane living space.

And luckily, this shelter has an on-site veterinarian for emergencies.

"Huey..." She sits in the passenger seat as she watches Huey drive hurriedly to the shelter.

"No talking. I'm driving fast."

Huey finds a parking spot and opens the trunk, Jazmine follows right behind him.

Still breathing. Huey thought as he checks the dog's pulse. He carries the dog in his arms again, still wrapped in the hoodie as the couple walks inside.

He loudly calls out in a deep commanding voice. "We need a vet!"

The lady at the front desk immediately recognize the two. Over the time they spent in DC, they made quite a name for themselves, especially in this shelter. In fact, they're the shelter's biggest supporters.

"Mr. Freeman! Ms. Dubois! Sorry to keep you waiting!" An old female veterinarian suddenly rushes into the room with a cart. Without another word Huey sets the dog down so that she can be wheeled away for treatment.

Huey nods. "We found it unconscious in an alley."

"Thank you Mr. Freeman, I'll keep you posted on her recovery." The vet wheels the labrador away as she retreats to a backroom of the shelter. Huey turns to the lady on the front desk, who was the one who called the vet in the first place.

He walks up to her. "Do you have any hand sanitizer?"


Jazmine and Huey stand outside the animal shelter as they ready to leave.

"Huey..."

"We're not adopting it. We're too busy to take care of a dog."

Tears well up in her eyes. "I-I'm so proud of you..."

The way he looked. the concern in his eyes. The fact that he sacrificed his hoodie. It was too much for Jazmine. She has never really seen Huey be so caring. He's protected her before, he's been worried for her before but Jazmine always sees him resolve things in violence.

She's seen him kick, throw, and shoot things. That's always his last resort, but she's never seen him be so compassionate. She's never seen Huey Freeman resolve problems with love and care. That's usually Jazmine's job.

"Why are you staring at me like that?" He says, back to his regular normal scowl.

"You saved... that dog's life."

"I did. And I don't see how that's a big deal."

"I- you're so sweet." Words can't describe how proud she is of Huey.

She leans in for a ki- "No kissing yet. I'm gonna take a shower." He had leaned away and puts his hands up defensively.

She blushes. "I love you so much... that was so brave."


Their apartment.

Huey turns the water on, as he waits for his shower to warm up. He takes his shirt off and drops it down the floor. Luckily for him, he didn't get any fleas and he feels slightly relieved when he had gotten a text message from the shelter. No serious conditions. Fast recovery.

He closes his eyes and briefly meditates against the beating drums of dripping water. He's done much today and he simply wants to relax. He's done his work and their organization is growing at a steady pace, he's done his papers and he seems on track to finish in his planned time, and more crucially, he's spent time with Jazmine and hopefully satisfied her unprovoked desire to save animals.

Huey doesn't really understand why she wants to have a pet. He's won that battle and they won't be getting a pet for a very long time, but Huey is wise enough to know that a dog or a cat is inevitable. Huey is dating Jazmine Dubois after all.

He doesn't understand the appeal. With Jazmine's talk, he can somewhat wrap his head around flowers, it's more of a romantic gesture instead of an actual physical gift. But with pets, he doesn't see why someone would befriend a weaker, defenseless creature in order to look more superior. Perhaps she can teach him the meaning of pets one day.

He hears the bathroom door open, he doesn't even turn his head to look and simply ignores her entrance.

"Huey..." She blushes, even after all this time, her cheeks turn flush at the sight of his shirtless body.

"Jazmine." He acknowledges her.

"That was so brave... saving that dog."

He sighs heavily as the water is ready. "If you want to say thanks or show another pointless gesture of your love then just wait until I shower please..." The shower is steaming hot, as a precaution for fleas.

Jazmine takes off her shirt and with a thud it drops to the floor, Huey opens his eyes and his shoulders perk up.

"Let's shower together."

"Fine." Huey and Jazmine take off their remaining clothes and head inside the shower.

She hugs in an embrace as they let the water drip down on their heads, soon enough their hair gets soaked and fall.

"Jazmine... how can I shower if you're gonna hug me the entire time."

She tightens her grip on him, not even responding. She simply whispers and mumbles, too soft to hear under the sound of a shower. He sighs and grabs the shampoo bottle. Applying shampoo on his hair while Jazmine holds on tight. He debates about it at first but he internally relents and applies shampoo on her too.

Another whisper and mumble from her.

"Get off. I'm not rubbing soap on you. You're a grown woman, shower by yourself."

"No." She buries her face in his shirtless chest.

"Jazmine. This is ridiculous."

"Huey... you'll make a great father someday..." She blushes.

"Come on Jazmine! Not this again! We're in the shower!" Huey groans tiredly, he can tell she's getting emotional again.

"You are the most sweetest, most caring, most loving man I have ever met... no matter what people say about you. Despite all your scowls, your anger, your stubborness, I know that deep down you are the kindest person in the world..."

Huey doesn't even respond, he just lathers up their bodies in body wash. Conceding again, while hoping this doesn't become a regular occurrance.

Jazmine squeezes him tight, almost like she's suffocating him. "No matter what people say... Huey Freeman does have a heart."

Huey sighs again. For all his anger, for all his grumpiness, there is a partial truth to Jazmine's words. Perhaps it's because of her that he's learned to care more for others, perhaps he has a softness within him to begin with. Huey always pondered about how he'd turn out if he didn't lose his parents. There'd be a chance he'd act like Jazmine, if he actually had a normal childhood with loving parents. But he doesn't see much use in dwelling in his pasts.


As they finish and they get ready to make dinner, Huey sits on their bed, trying to digest her words.

He sighs "I know I can be stubborn sometimes... it's just my nature." Jazmine smiles and sits beside him, resting her head on his shoulders.

"And I'm silly and childish... sorry if it annoys you sometimes..."

"It's okay. I know I scowl at you and look mean to you... but I think you're attractive..." He closes his eyes, disgusted at what he's saying.

She kisses him on the cheek. "And I don't care if you scowl and look mean... because you love me. It's cute."

"It's just who I am... I can't help but feel angry all the time. But I apologize for acting harsh to you..."

She kisses him on the cheek again, hovering on his neck. "Don't apologize. You're perfect Huey, don't ever change."

"Alright."

"That was so brave saving that dog. Deep down, even if you try to look mean I know that you can care and show love. The way you protect things.. the flower, the dog... me- I love it, there's no words to describe how I feel about you Huey Freeman."

He smirks lightly, making Jazmine's heart flutter in response. She continues. "I'm so happy you're gonna be the father of my child. I love you so much sweetie. You always look so mean but deep down I know you can be such a softie..."

Soon enough his smirk disappears and it returns to his signature scowl. "Yeah... cut it out now, let's cook dinner." He hates even the slightest mention of children.

Jazmine giggles "Okay okay..." They both stand up. Jazmine suggests a dish. "Vegan meatloaf?"

He responds "Sure."

They exit out the bedroom. "Okay sweetie... Love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I lo-"

"Stop." He scowls angrily at her.

She giggles childishly, she can tell by his maroon eyes that he enjoys her teasing, deep down Huey Freeman really does have a heart, no matter how many people would disagree, she knows that Huey Freeman is the kindest, sweetest man in the world. Who else is crazy enough to change the world for the better?


Yeah took my time with this chapter. Less dialogue and more narrate. Cool writing right?

Naturgal29: glad you enjoy reading, big ups girl. Yeah Tom is so sad in a lonely house. It'll get better but I feel so bad lol.