Man of the Past-
Jack and Aeris were gathering berries while Jake hunted when a man passed them.
Aeris gasped and hid behind Jack, fear coursing through her.
"Aeris, what's wrong?" Jack asked, confused by her reaction.
"I-I know him"
Jack frowned and looked at the man who was heading to their village. He was bulky with black hair and wore strange clothing.
"How? Who is he?"
Aeris trembled and hugged herself, "I-I can't tell you"
Jack glared at the tree line that the man disappeared through.
"Come on, let's go tell Jake" Jack said as he led Aeris to his hut.
Jake was already there, putting the meat away. He turned when he heard them and frowned when he saw Aeris looking pale.
"Aeris?" he headed over to them, "what happened?"
"Someone she knows is here, but she won't tell me how she knows him" Jack explained, "he was a 6-foot, 8-inch male with black hair, bulky, tanned skin, and dark eyes"
Jake turned to Aeris, "who is he? How do you know him?"
Aeris refused to answer as she continued to look at the ground.
"Aeris, please" Jake begged.
Aeris looked between the two before sighing softly.
"I... may have not been honest on my heritage" Aeris shifted, not being able to look at them, "the Blues aren't my birth family, my birth family was killed by soldiers almost three years ago. The Blues found me and took me in. That man... he was... he bribed my parents into marrying me, we were to be married in a week but the soldiers came"
Jack placed a hand on her shoulder and she gasped before looking up, she expected anger for her deceit or ever betrayal but saw only simple understanding.
"We'll protect you from him, I promise. Besides, you and Jake are together" Jack grinned, "and I should know that Jake would protect those he cares for"
Jake nodded.
Aeris smiled.
…
Jack had gone to go tell the Blues about the man and ask if Aeris could stay a few nights while Jake and Aeris stayed behind.
Aeris turned to Jake, "we have to tell him!"
Jake blinked before looking around to make sure no one was around. When he was sure the coast was clear he shook his head.
"We can't Aeris, this is for his protection" Jake stated.
Aeris closed her eyes, "fine"
…
"Good news, the Blues said you could stay here and are keeping a look out for the man" Jack said happily as he entered the hut, he froze and looked around, "guys?"
Jack tilted his head when he heard singing, he followed it to the roof and saw Aeris singing softly, Jake sitting next to her.
Jack felt his heart constrict but pushed it back, he promised himself to not get in the way of Jakes' happiness and he was going to uphold it.