You Are My Sunshine

Paul stared down at his phone as he sat behind the cash register, willing Roisin to text him back. But she hadn't said a word since she asked to meet up today and he told her that he had to work, but perhaps they could meet up afterwards. He then spent the last hour furiously cursing Mike and his likely-not-real hangover. Was he even at the party? Paul hadn't seen him, but then again, once he saw Roisin, he was fairly caught up in her and the imprint.

But the asshole didn't even look sick when he got to the store and had the audacity to grin and bounce out as soon as Paul arrived.

It was bad enough that the idiot had made a mess of the inventory system - again - in the short time he had been there that Paul had to fix. That was probably the real reason Mike had called him to take his shift. That and so he could go slack off at the beach or something.

Sighing, he put the phone down on the counter and ran his fingers through his short hair, glad that Jared wasn't there. If he saw Paul like this, he would give him so much hell about it and never stop. He almost wished he hadn't made fun of Jared and Kim so much. Or any of the others who imprinted. Knowing them, the next pack meeting was likely to include a lot of comments and ribbing now that he had finally done it. All of it payback.

But he couldn't stop thinking about her. Wishing that he could have gone over to her house today instead of working. He had been tempted to call Mike back in and invent a family emergency or something. There was no guilt in the lie; he wasn't supposed to be working today anyway. But then he remembered the cost of tuition and books and knew that he needed whatever extra cash he could get his hands on.

Frustrated, Paul sat back in the chair, staring out at the empty store, which was slightly unusual for a Saturday. But then again, maybe everyone was already outdoors, enjoying the unusually warm weather.

He then heard the front door chime and breathed a prayer of gratefulness that he could finally do something rather than sit around or clean as he hopped off the chair and turned. He then stopped in his tracks as he felt warmth envelope him while Roisin walked over, a bright smile on her face.

God, just why was it he couldn't stop thinking about summer whenever she was around? Maybe it was just the way she appeared, looking and acting like summer incarnate.

"Since you had to work, I thought I would come visit," she said, stepping over to lean against the counter.

"Certainly makes work easier," he replied, unable to stop grinning.

He then heard a throat clear and looked over, realizing that the man from the night before had come in with her. Paul hadn't even noticed him walking after Roisin.

"Right, I didn't get the chance to really introduce you last night. This is Sean. He looks out for me and Mae," Roisin said.

"Yea, I heard. Uncle, right?" Paul asked, holding his hand out to him.

A gatekeeper was a gatekeeper, and Sean looked like a gatekeeper. Paul needed to make a good impression if he wanted to keep seeing Roisin.

"We're related," Sean replied, shaking Paul's hand, an intense look in his dark blue eyes. He was a bit off-putting in a way, Paul felt, but he couldn't quite figure just why.

Outside of being far better dressed than others in Forks and looking more like a movie star than an uncle, there wasn't anything about him that looked overtly threatening. He was a bit taller, but lean. Looked as though he worked out, but not a ton. No, it definitely wasn't his outward appearance. It was as though Sean carried a small sense of foreboding with him. But just as Paul sensed it, it was gone. He turned his gaze back to Roisin, instantly smiling again.

"How's Embry?" she asked.

"Oh yea. Went over to see him this morning. He's completely fine. Our friend's mom is a nurse and she looked him over. Said it must have been some sort of weird reaction to whatever he drank last night," he replied. Roisin looked relieved. "Though pretty sure he won't be at the next party you have. Had to bribe her not to tell his mom and she was pretty pissed that we dragged her out of bed. Made him promise he wouldn't go back."

"Yea, well, I don't think we're going to be having anymore parties after that incident," Roisin said with a sigh. But then she brightened up again. "Since I'm here, I thought you could help me out. I really want to get a pair of hiking boots, but I have no idea which ones are good."

"It's kind of my job," Paul said with a chuckle as he stepped out from around the counter and led her across the store over to a display on a wall with a dozen or so different types of shoes. "What kind of hiking are you looking to do? Anything involving serious rock climbing? Or just a leisurely stroll through the forest?"

Roisin scrunched her face in contemplation as she browsed the display and Paul couldn't tear his eyes from her. While last night he had definitely been overwhelmed with the lust side of things, in the light of day those impulses had faded. They were still there just under the surface, but it was easier to ignore them.

Granted that also had to do with the fact that they were in public and her uncle was standing not far off, watching them.

He took a moment to really study her without flashing lights or loud music. Her features were delicate, though there was a smattering of freckles that ran across her face he had missed before, sat upon sun-kissed skin that appeared to glow. Her wavy hair was pulled back into a ponytail, revealing her long neck and dainty ears that came to a slight point.

Wait.

Paul blinked and looked away, then glanced back, seeing completely normal-looking ears. Okay, that was strange. But maybe it was just his lack of sleep. And well, she did appear a bit pixieish.

Roisin glanced over at him, smiling slightly.

"I think I'm more the leisurely stroll in the forest type," she said.

Paul nodded and looked back at the display, walking over to it and browsing around a bit before reaching for one.

"Right, then this should do. Sturdy and good support, but not too cumbersome. Lighter and more flexible, but still waterproof, which you'll need out here," he said, handing it to her. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Sean leaned against the front counter, watching the exchange closely.

Damn, did he always hover like this?

Paul turned his attention back to Roisin as she examined the shoe, bending the sole a bit. She then nodded and looked over at him.

"Alright, guess I should try them on," she said, still smiling.

"What size?" Paul asked, already turning back to the stacks of boxes underneath the display.

"Um, five," she said. Paul glanced at her and then down at her feet, currently clad in a pair of Converse sneakers. "Small feet run in my family."

Sean snorted behind them, causing Paul to glance over at him and then turn back to locate the right shoes in the right size. Whatever. It took a while, but he finally located a size five and a half and stood up, walking over to kneel in front of Roisin, who was now seated on a bench and had pulled off one shoe.

"Typically, you get a half size up," Paul explained, pulling the shoe out. "Taking consideration for wool socks, which you'll want if you do any hiking in the late fall or winter. Or really anytime. It's good to have comfortable, thick socks."

Roisin wrinkled her nose.

"Not sure I'll be out much in the winter. Can't stand it," she said as Paul undid the laces on the hiking shoes. He chuckled as he looked up at her, though he didn't miss the underlying scorn in her voice.

She really must hate winter.

"Hate to say it, but you probably picked the wrong place to move to," he replied. "It gets cold here starting around November and lasts a good three and half months, though more so when you get up into the mountains."

"I'll be sure to stay out of the mountains then," Roisin said, the dislike somehow gone and a laugh replacing it.

Paul couldn't help the flutter in his stomach at the sound. He took a deep breath and tried to stay focused on what he was doing. But it was hard. He swore he saw a shiver run up Roisin's body when he took her small foot in his hand and slid it into the hiking boot. And it was hard to keep his eyes from running up her long legs. He knew she could feel it too, the imprint. But at the moment, he still hadn't really stopped to consider just how he was going to tell her.

Oh, right. And that he turned into a giant wolf.

"Try that," he said, leaning back on his heels after he had tied up the laces.

Roisin stood, testing out the shoe as she walked around a bit and then hopped up and down a few times. Paul watched her feet for a moment and looked up, searching for any sign of discomfort.

"I'm not sure what I'm supposed to be looking for," Roisin admitted with a smile. "I mean, it feels… okay. Not too uncomfortable."

"It'll be a bit stiff before you break them in, which I suggest you do before you go out in them the first time, otherwise you'll get a ton of blisters," he said, slightly in awe that he could keep his thoughts straight.

Every time he met her eyes, all he wanted to do was take her in his arms. But he found the more time he spent with her, the calmer he felt. Meaning he was starting to adjust to the imprint. Good, at least this meant he could act normal around her and not like a lovesick idiot.

Or a horny teenaged boy.

"You know a lot about this sort of thing," she said, crossing her arms in front of her and tilting her head to the side, a curious look coming over her face. Paul just shrugged.

"My dad's worked in the parks service since before I was born. He's always outdoors and all. Guess I picked up some things. And well, I spend a decent amount of time outdoors myself," he replied, silently adding that most of the time nowadays it was on four legs.

Roisin's eyebrows rose in interest as she glanced at Sean and then smiled down at Paul.

"Well, I think these will do just fine. I'll take them," she said, moving to sit down and remove the shoe.

Paul quickly took it and situated it back in the box while she put her shoe back on and tied it. They both stood at the same time, nearly colliding. Roisin braced herself by grabbing onto his arms, and for a second, there was a sudden spike of heat where she touched him. But then the sensation was gone, and she let go of him, her cheeks turning slightly pink. She then moved away, and Paul nearly reached out to grab her and pull her back, but then remembered her uncle standing nearby.

Glancing cautiously at him, Paul cleared his throat and walked over to the counter, putting the box down and moving to the register. He scanned the barcode and stared at the screen.

"That's $100," he said, looking over at the two. Roisin reached into a bag slung across her body and pulled out a wallet, then handed over a credit card.

As he finished ringing her up, he swallowed and glanced nervously at her. He then took a deep breath. He would rather not ask her out in front of her uncle, but it looked like there was no way around it unless he wanted to do it via text. And for some reason, he didn't want to do that. Not when the opportunity was staring him in the face right now.

"If you're looking for some good hiking spots, I can take you out," he offered. Roisin's eyebrows rose in surprise and then she gave him a brilliant grin.

"Yea, I would like that," she said as she accepted her card and the receipt. Paul then quickly slid the box into a plastic bag and held it to her.

"Next Saturday good?" he asked.

Roisin nodded. She then leaned against the counter, as though she intended to stay put for a bit longer. Honestly, Paul had hoped she would, though wouldn't mind if her uncle suddenly had a few errands to run around town.

He apparently had other ideas.

"We need to go, Ro," Sean said, slightly impatiently. She glanced over at him, frowning.

"We don't have anything to do today," she replied. Sean rolled his eyes.

"Ro. Come on," he said. "Homework."

She huffed and turned back to Paul, smiling again.

"I guess I'll see you next Saturday. Just text me where to go. Unless we run into each other before then," she said.

"Yea, sure," Paul said, nodding. He then watched as they walked towards the door, though Roisin gave him another brilliant smile before she stepped outside.

Sighing, Paul fell back on the chair. Okay, so things were going well so far. Right. He just needed to get to know her a bit, and then he could figure out a way to tell her the truth. Despite his slight worry over how all that was going to go, he felt a peace wash over him that he had never felt before as a smile graced his face. And he couldn't help as the anger over having to work today towards Mike seemed to slip away.

God, he was happy he found his imprint.

OOOO

"I think that went well," Roisin said with a smile as Sean drove them back to the house. "I feel completely fine."

"Yea, but it didn't hit you until several hours later last time. I don't want you leaving the house until we know for sure that you won't go off the deep end again," Sean warned. Roisin huffed.

"I really don't see why this is all so… serious," she replied, crossing her arms in front of her. "It wasn't like I was hurting anyone. Just… off for a bit."

"Ro… you're a royal fae living in a town full of mortals. Not to mention, you're more powerful than I think you sometimes realize. If you can't keep yourself in check, things happen," he said cautiously. "And unfortunately, being here means anything strange or weird is going to stick out more and be harder to explain away."

"Yea, but it's not like it was bad," she countered. "And it was at home - no one saw me. Hell, even if they did, I'm pretty sure they wouldn't have found it weird. I'm supposed to be a teenager. Isn't that typical human teenager?"

"What if this is building up to something?" he asked, sending her a stern look.

"What on earth could it be building up to?" she replied in frustration.

"Do I need to remind you of New Orleans?" Sean asked with a sigh.

"This is completely different. And I knew exactly what I was doing in New Orleans," she snapped, now frowning at him. Sean just gave her a look. "Okay, so maybe I lost control just a little. But I've learned from my mistakes and I'm much more in control now."

"You're still only 150," Sean said, keeping his eyes on the road in front of him.

"I've been of age since I was 100," Roisin scoffed. "And out in the mortal world since I was 50. I think I can handle myself by now."

"Most of the time, yes, you are in good control of yourself. But we both know that there are times when you lose it. And you know full well what happens when you do," he retorted. "Fuck, Ro. You don't need me telling you this. You're Summer fae - by nature more volatile than others. And royal. More powerful than most royals - which we both know why." He gave her a pointed look that had her squirming in her seat. "All it takes is one flip-out and the next thing you know, there's a fucking hurricane blowing in."

She didn't like to think about the main reason she did occasionally lose it. And she knew Sean didn't bring it up a lot because he knew how difficult it was for her. Which meant he was really trying to drive in his point right now.

"I seriously doubt I could cause something as big as a hurricane," she said, looking out the window. "And I still don't see what this has to do with New Orleans. Completely different situations and that was justified."

"You caused a club to burn down, Ro," Sean said flatly.

"Yes, because some asshole drugged and then tried to take advantage of my friend! How was I supposed to feel about that?!" Roisin shouted, the temperature in the car climbing exponentially.

Neither spoke for a time, though a sympathetic look came over Sean's face as he looked away from her. Roisin took a few deep breaths, calming down before she turned back to him.

"No one died or got too hurt, though he deserved to, if you ask me," she said evenly. "And then we left town before Darraugh or anyone else found us. The police never connected us - though it's not like they could find anything anyway. Not then, at least. Still a bit incompetent, if you ask me..."

"I won't argue against the bastard deserving to get his ass kicked, but… you could have seriously hurt someone else. Someone who didn't deserve it," Sean said. He then heaved a heavy sigh. "I know that you're better with keeping things in check. But… I'm worried. You've never been like this with a mortal. With anyone. There's a lot we don't know about this situation, and I know you. You'll spend the rest of eternity punishing yourself if you were to accidentally hurt someone. I'm just trying to look out for you."

Roisin was quiet as she thought over his words. She knew he was right. But she didn't want to have to give up Paul. Felt like she couldn't when there was so much left to learn about him. While last night had been intense - and this morning strange - she had felt far more settled when she went into the shop to see him. More centered.

"Okay, how about this? Let's play it safe and see what happens the next couple of days before we try anymore experimenting," Sean said. Roisin glanced at him.

"And if I'm okay, I can go on a date with him next weekend?" she asked, a hopeful look in her eyes.

"Yea, I don't see why not," Sean begrudgingly said. "I have a feeling you'll go no matter what I say."

"I would. But I would feel bad about it," Roisin replied. "I am grateful for everything you've done. I wouldn't have made it this long without you."

The air was heavy with the implication behind the statement, but it wasn't lost on either of them. Sean smiled slightly, glancing at her.

"Yea, I know. You wouldn't have made it two days if you hadn't run into me," he joked, now smirking. Roisin rolled her eyes. "And, again probably doesn't need to be said, but I'm going to say it anyway - be careful."

"Haven't we just determined that I won't see him until we know I won't hurt him or myself or anyone?" Roisin huffed in slight annoyance.

He really was starting to sound like a protective uncle.

"Not that," Sean replied. "I meant… try not to get too attached."

Roisin frowned as she looked out the window. Of course, she knew this. Every fae knew it. Mortals had shelf lives. And well, with the way most fae viewed mortals, getting attached wasn't an issue. But Sean knew that Roisin didn't share those views. While she knew they would leave Forks way before Paul got old and such, Roisin suddenly found the idea of leaving him at all difficult to swallow. But she wasn't about to admit that to Sean. He was already concerned enough, and she wasn't even sure just why she felt this strongly for someone she had literally met last night.

"You've never told me… have you ever gotten too attached?" she asked instead. Sean chuckled.

"No. When I was Shadow Court, mortals tended to not last that long around us," he replied.

Roisin looked over at him, feeling her stomach turn slightly. While all the courts had a fair amount of disdain for mortals, the Shadow Court enjoyed using them as toys and had a habit of breaking said toys. But she also knew that this was one of the reasons Sean had left. He hadn't enjoyed senseless slaughter or bloodsport.

"After that, it was easy to not get attached. Plus, I moved around so much I wasn't ever around any one mortal long enough. Though definitely had some fun," he said as he waggled his eyebrows at her, causing Roisin to roll her eyes and chuckle.

"Well, and suppose you had Cara," she then said, grinning deviously. Sean just smiled in return.

"Cara's always been around, yes," he said. He never said more than this about their… whatever it was. Relationship? Friendship? Roisin wasn't completely sure.

Oh, well. At least they had reached an agreement. She would stay home the rest of the weekend and if everything went well, she could see Paul again. A sudden spike of excitement hit her in the stomach, and she sighed as she turned to look out the window again. That was short-lived as a frown appeared as soon as she saw the sign that sat on Forks city limit.

"Goddamit, Mae," she groaned.

The sign had been painted over, instead of reading "Now Leaving Forks," it said, "Now Leaving Sporks."

"Seriously, Ro. It's not that bad," Sean said, not even bothering to cover his laughter.

"Yea, but she's supposed to be staying out of trouble. And especially after that whole ordeal with Embry," Roisin huffed. "I swear to the goddesses, she is pushing it this time."

"She's adjusting. And well, it's not like you've been spending as much time around her here as you usually do. And you did tell her no more parties last night. Let her get it out of her system and she'll calm down," Sean said. Roisin shot him an incredulous look.

"You so sure about that?" she asked. Sean sighed.

"We won't let her get out of hand," he replied. "You know how she is. She acts out, but once you spend a girls' night with her, she behaves. For a time. And really, she could do a lot worse than graffiti a town sign."

Roisin sighed and nodded.

"Right. Okay. I'll give her my undivided attention the rest of the weekend since I'm under house arrest anyway. May even let some of the fae stick around and we can have a small party with just us," she said. Sean smiled.

"Oh, she'll love that."

OOOO

Spent a lot of time working on this story today. Writing, figuring out background stuff and editing. So thought I might post a chapter (or two)…

Marianka – Thank you so much for all the comments! I'm so happy you are enjoying the story!

Felinegreat – Thanks so much!

As always, thank you for reading and following!