(Jace Beleren)

I don't think I've ever seen anyone or anything that is a beautiful as she is. She's wrapped up in her blanket, black hair strewn haphazardly over my pillows, I don't want to leave this bed, I don't want to end last night. She snuggles into me, incoherent with sleep. However, the last thing we need is Mom or Rafael to come in and see us naked and cuddled in the same bed. I know she usually wakes up extremely early, but we were up late last night. I shake her from her slumber, she gives a whine and turns over.

"Go away," she says, voice still thick with sleep.

"Not likely," I say as she sits up, rubbing her eyes. She looks at me and then back down at my pillows.

"Can't we just go back to sleep? It's like eight AM! Which is actually late for me, but the dick makes me sleepy," she grins, "But only when it's good."

"Glad you enjoyed it, doll." I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her in tight. She seems startled at first and then relaxes.

"Why do you freak out when I touch you innocently, Liliana?"

"I told you before, I'm just not used to it."

"We're going to do something before I go to my dad's. Go put on your pajamas and I'll be over there in a second, okay?"

I'm not exactly sure how this is going to work, but we both need her to get used to my touch. It breaks my heart every time she jumps, I don't know what's happened, but I can't watch her be scared of me any longer. I put on a pair of basketball shorts and head over, where she is sitting in a purple and black polka dot pajama set. It's cute.

"This isn't about sex right now, okay?"

"Jace.."

"Liliana, I'm not going to half ass do this. Especially after what you called me last night."

Her face grows red at the mention of this, I don't know if she's regretting it or not, and I don't know if I should ask. My brain is going a thousand miles per hour and I'm trying to remember what I've read. Communication. We have to keep the channels of communication open or we're doomed.

"Did you say it by accident or something?"

"Yes, Jace. It was accident. Because I speak Polish and that's what I revert to. No, it wasn't an accident. Use your brain."

"Then you have to trust me, doll. We can't do this unless you trust me. No more sex until you're not jumping at my touch."

"Oh, come on."

"Nope, this isn't a discussion."

She opens her mouth to argue, but she falls silent after realizing that I am serious about us, and about this and the way we're choosing to be together, for lack of a better word. I know that we're not exclusive but I know that I'm not going to be with anyone else as long as she asks this of me. I made a promise to Josu and saying yes is a promise to Liliana.

"I'll be able to tell if you're uncomfortable, please don't insult my intelligence. This isn't going to be accomplished in one night, or one week or maybe even in a month, Liliana. But this is more important than anything sexual we could do."

"Says you," she gripes.

"Lay back," I counter. She doesn't understand where I'm going, which is fine. I pull her head into my lap and start to pull a brush through the tangles that the night and our lovemaking have left. She is very obviously tense and that's exactly why I'm doing it. This relationship, this dynamic, is all about care.

"What's your favorite color?" I look at her, sleep still in her eyes, giving her a soft smile.

"Why does it matter, Jace?"

"Are you going to fight me every step of the way, Liliana?"

"Just answer me."

"It matters because I want to know you, because you're important to me, because maybe you're than a piece of ass to me."

"And what makes me so special, Jace?"

"How do you see yourself, honestly? Because you obviously don't see the girl that I see. I see someone who is passionate, hilarious, talented, and absolutely beautiful. I want to make you feel as special as you are."

"Sometimes you make me seem like more than I actually am," she sighs.

"What does that mean?"

"Nothing, it doesn't matter. That feels good," she says as I manipulate her long, black locks into a braid. I lean down and plant a soft kiss on her lips, one that she returns with a small smile. I allow my hands to graze over her shoulders and upper arms. She's still not relaxed, and it really perturbs me. She lets out a breath that I didn't know she was holding and tries to relax in my arms.

"You don't have to be tense, I'm not going to hurt you, doll."

"I'm trying."

"You were so sleepy last night that you let me hold you. It was nice. You're such a puzzle; you're entrancing."

She just gives a tiny smile, but it touches her eyes. Her eyes are the most vibrant green I've ever seen, almost like emerald, but a few shades lighter. Her eyelashes are long and beautiful, curling at the ends. What on earth does this girl want with a geek like me?

"Do you want to skype tonight, Jace?"

"While I'm at my dad's? Sure. You know what, leesi?"

"What?"

" Something happened, I know, and I know how much it takes for you to relax and I'm so glad that you are trying, I didn't expect for you to let me do this right off the bat, honestly," I say, looking into her eyes, unbraiding her hair and starting again.

"I'm going to go start breakfast before everyone gets up, are you coming?"

So she pointedly ignored my question, which is fine, at least we're getting somewhere, even if she is fighting me tooth and nail. I wonder how badly she's going to buck the "no sex until you're not jumpy" thing I have going on right now.

We head downstairs, trying not to look too guilty, and Liliana pulls a bowl filled with what looks like dough out of the refrigerator.

"Is this what you did last night while I was helping Emmara?"

"It is indeed what I did while you were helping Emmara last night. What man doesn't like homemade cinnamon rolls?"

"Oh, god, keep talking, I think I just got a little bit horny," I laugh, but no one but her can hear. She melts butter and starts to mix up cinnamon sugar; she also grabs cream cheese and powdered sugar from the cabinet.

"Wife material," I laugh.

"Um, what?!"

"I said you are wife material, it was a joke, calm down."

"I'm not wife material, get real."

I roll my eyes at her, she hands me a whisk and I start mixing the ingredients together as she spreads the gooey cinnamon mixture on the dough. About the same time I get done mixing, she is cutting the cinnamon rolls into disks and sliding them into the oven. We seem to be the only ones awake, but as soon as these things start to bake, I'm sure we won't be.

"Don't ever say you don't have talent- because I've seen two amazing ones."

"I really don't, I'm not smart like you or Su, I'm just decent with a knife and flexible, really."

"Stop cutting yourself down, Liliana."

"So what do you have planned for today at your dads?"

"Do you always change the subject when somebody is trying to get to know you," I say, frustrated with her.

"I'm not important," she looks into my eyes and then down.

I take her face in my hands, tilting her head up just slightly. I don't know what has happened, but she will know she is important because, firstly, she is human and secondly because she deserves happiness.

"You are, don't let anyone tell that you're not. That goes for your father, Sorin, anyone else," I place my hand on the back of her neck. "Because before anything, we're friends. And when you asked me to do this for you, I became something just a little bit more," I decide not to tell her that I'm hoping to crack her shell. It's too soon. "Besides, how are you not important? You're an amazing sister, and a great friend. You're the only one I can imagine having this dynamic with, Liliana. So yes, you are important. To me and other people too."

"This is what I mean, Jace," she says, pensive. "When you make me seem like more than I actually am."

"This is what I meant when I said someone broke you," I say, making eye contact with her. "But your pieces are important, regardless of what you may or may not think."

She drops her head, and for the first time, she grabs my hand.


Avy and I decided to take one car, because Emmara has a date tonight and would be bringing hers later. I told Avacyn that I planned on eating lunch with Liliana on Tuesday, and while she gave me a sideways glance, she didn't say anything else. I've kept my mouth shut about her dating someone so old, and I think she's catching on to me, but she's paying me the same courtesy I've given her. I don't know how much longer it's going to last, especially with Avacyn- we call her the chatterbox. She won't be able to hold in her questions much longer, and I can physically see them burning her as she sits in my passenger seat, bouncing on the black leather.

"I'm really glad that someone in the house can finally cook- because Mom can't."

"Yeah, she's really talented. Did you get to taste the pierogi she made the other day?"

"What, no! I was out with Sorin! I haven't had pierogi since grandma died, because no one in our family can cook! How did she know how to make pierogi anyways? They're Brazilian."

"I think she looked up the recipe for me," I say, knowing I've just given Avy fodder.

"You two are really close, I think that having an adjoining room has really helped you guys as friends." Avy puts emphasis on all the right (wrong?) words and lets me know she thinks something's up. She won't tell, I know it, but I really hadn't planned on telling anyone until we got things a bit more ironed out.

"So tell me more about Sorin, Josu and Lili haven't really said much, other than some things that are kind of weirding me out, I need to warm up to him," I say, opening a can of worms that was probably best left shut.

"I think he's coming for dinner tomorrow, so you'll get to talk to him then, Jace."

"I didn't ask to talk to him, I asked you to tell me."

"I think he's great. He's charming and he can sing and he loves his family, Lili and Josu included, did you know that they call him Su? I wouldn't call him Su, because he just looks so intimidating, he really doesn't need a girl's name."

"He actually prefers to be called Su, Avacyn."

"So you've actually talked to him? He hasn't really said much to me," she says, still bubbling over with happiness.

"Yeah, I talked to him the other day," I say.

"About what?" she says, her interest obviously piqued.

"Mind your own business, Avy."

"OOOH, you shut me down real quickly, what are you hiding?

"Nothing," I say, hopefully well enough to throw her off the scent, at least for a little while. But with Avacyn, you never really know.

"Does Mom know about you and Sorin? I don't see her taking kindly to it, especially if Dad agrees, you know how they get. If Dad agrees, Mom has to disagree on principle. It's like she doesn't know how to be civil. Dad is snarky, and it just gets to her, I guess."

"Not really, I've managed to convince her that we are just friends. I don't think Mom cares for Josu all that much, and by extension Kaalia, Liliana and Sorin."

"What gives you that idea?"

"She always talks about how Josu is filled with wrath, like he's always ready to fight someone for no reason at all sometimes."

"Josu only really has few reason to fight, and one is his sister, the other is his girlfriend."

"What's their deal with Ty, Jace?"

"I don't know if I'm really at liberty to say anything about how they feel about Matias- but it's not really a great situation. Matias is honestly more distant than Kallist is and has Rafael feels like he's his second chance because he messed up so bad with Liliana and Josu. They don't take very kindly to that, and along with the fact that Matias gets away with nearly everything while Liliana and Josu can't get away with anything. Plus, in case you haven't noticed, he's an almighty pain in the ass."

"Bad situation."

"Yes."

"You like her, don't you, Jace?"

"Avy, what are you talking about?"


When we get inside, Dad and Grandpa are sitting in the living room, just waiting on us to get there. It's our tradition to have a board or a game of cards every time we come over. Grandpa Niv is the biggest cheater, and he thinks he's being slick when in reality, we all know. Avy throws her arms around Dad's neck, she's always been a Daddy's girl, which is why I was surprised when he let her go on a date with Sorin.

Dad throws his other arm over my shoulder as we make our way into the living room, and sit down around the card table, getting ready to throw some fake money around.

"So Avacyn has told me that you've been talking to a girl," he starts.

"Avacyn is full of shit and needs to learn to keep her mouth shut," I stare daggers into my sister's head as she just laughs. I should have known that she wouldn't keep her mouth shut, especially to dad.

I purposely make Avacyn lose at Monopoly- when the game gets done, it's been nearly four hours, because Teysa comes in from the private ballet lessons she teaches. She comes over, hugs us both and asks Dad what he wants for dinner. I head upstairs to my room and open up my computer to see if Liliana is online. It appears she is. We should have scheduled this. Anyways, I call her and she picks up, Kaalia and Su sitting by her.

"Hi," she says, kind of quietly, but still strong. She has on a turquoise sundress, which looks gorgeous with her dark skin. This is going to be a long few weeks, I think to myself. She seems to be making progress though, I'm really proud of her for even trying. It's important to me that she does this, because this kind of dynamic without trust is dangerous.

"Josu, aren't they adorable," Kaalia starts.

"Don't start, Red, I swear.." Liliana says dangerously.

"Maybe he'll be the one to loosen you up, Liliana," Kaalia says.

"In more ways than one," she automatically covers her mouth. I can't hold back the laugh at Liliana's 'oh, shit,' expression and the flabbergasted look on Josu and Kaalia's faces. It's nearly perfect.

"Don't start, Red, she says, she started it herself, didn't she, Su?"

"Shut up, Kaalia, I swear to shit."

"We're leaving anyway, skank."

"I learned from you, Lia."

They exit and she turns back toward the computer screen, smiling. I smile back at her.

"Avy's onto us."

"Is she? She's perceptive and she knows you, so I'm not surprised, at all."

"I'll probably end up telling her and my dad sometime soon."

She has a bewildered expression, and I know it's because I said that I planned on telling my dad. I know I can go to my dad in confidence and he won't tell mom, unless I'm going to physically harm myself or someone else. I understand that she doesn't get that, especially from her father. My relationship with my dad is polar opposite from what hers is.

"My dad's not going to snitch to Mom on me, he didn't even do that when they were married, he damn sure won't do it now," I say, hopefully quelling her fears. "Unless I'm planning on murdering someone, he's not going to tell."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. What are you doing, doll?"

"Dad and I just argued, so I'm chilling up here. That's why Su and Kaalia were up here, because they're not happy with Dad either."

"What happened, leesi?"

"He started bitching that Josu and I were playing Mario Kart and that we weren't doing homework , and Kaalia didn't need to have her legs wrapped around Su, Josu got pissed off and started yelling, Kaalia and I went up to my room to wait it out. I think your mom tried to chide Josu and he really didn't like that."

"I'll help you with your homework after we go to the aquarium. She doesn't need to be Josu's mom. You two are fucking grown, practically."

"I'm already done with all that's due for this week, we did that the other day, he just wants me to get ahead. Which is stupid af. It would be different if he treated either one of us with some sort of semblance of respect, but he doesn't."

Dad pokes his head in and tells me that dinner is ready and waves at Liliana. She's blushing when I turn around, so I ask her what about.

"Nothing, will I talk to you later?"

"Do you want to?"

She starts to blush even brighter now, and just kind of smiles.

"I'll talk to you later, tonight, doll."


"She's pretty, Jace."

"Dad. Leave it alone."

"Why are you getting defensive, son?"

"I'm not getting defensive," I say, all too quickly. It just sounded defensive.

"If he doesn't want to talk about it, Ral, he doesn't have to." Teysa looks at dad and smiles while stirring her tea.

"You like Liliana, don't you, bubba? You never Skype anyone!"

"Avacyn," I say, gritting my teeth. "Keep your nose on your face."

"So she does have a name," Dad says, "So, how did you meet her?"

"Thanks a lot, Avy."

"You're welcome!"

"She's Rafael's daughter, Dad."

"Do we know a Rafael?" He says, puzzled for a second.

"Yes, Dad, and that's how I've got myself in this little quandary."

Grandpa Niv pipes up, his voice louder than usual. "Who says quandary?"

"I do, Grandpa," I say, slightly laughing, sincerely hoping this will throw them off of what the initial topic was.

"That's why you have trouble with the ladies, son," Grandpa wheezes. "Let me help you, my boy," he finishes.

"I'm good, Grandpa, remember that you scared Tamiyo from coming over for like six weeks?"

"Not my fault," he says with a smile.

"Anyways, son, what's the quandary?" Dad says as Grandpa Niv shakes his head, as if he's questioning if these people are related to him.

"Nothing, Dad."

"Who is Rafael? The only Rafael I can think of is Kate's boy—oh, god, Jace!"

"Why does it matter, we're not related," I say, as if daring anyone to challenge that fact.

"Are you two in a relationship?" Dad says, his hand on the bridge of his nose.

"Something like that," I say, I can't tell him what we are when I really don't know myself.

"She's your stepsister, son!"

"Not yet! Hopefully she'll be my girlfriend before they actually get married."

"Daddy! Do you want to hear the best part about all this?" Avacyn pipes up.

I narrow my eyes at her, she will pay for this, I swear to the eternities, I will show Sorin every embarrassing picture and tell every embarrassing story I know, she will answer for this. I don't know how but she will pay. Dad turns his attention to Avy and she sniggers.

"Mom and Rafael gave them adjoining rooms!" Avacyn has almost fell out of her chair laughing. But suddenly she sits back up, stiff as a board. "You guys are doing it, aren't you?! You lucky ass!"

"Avacyn, I swear to the gods," I start.

"YOU ARE!"

"Yes, you nosy little brat, we are."

"Jace, have you lost your mind?" Dad says, concerned.

"In Jace's defense, Daddy, I'm not even gay but Liliana could get it if she wanted."

"Avacyn!" Dad is thoroughly taken aback. He looks back at me. "Are you at least using protection?"

"Um, sort of."

"Jace."

"She's allergic to latex."

"Son.."

Avy pipes up. "She's also Catholic."

"Jace…"

"She doesn't actively practice Catholicism, that's Rafael's doing-" Avy cuts me off, but I talk over her. "And she's getting on the pill this week, so don't fucking mention it in front of them."

Teysa nods her head and has to get up from the table due to her giggles. Dad is just sitting, staring.

"Son, you know I'm not going to tell your mother, so do your best not to knock her up."

"You mean you're not like WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?"

"I mean, son, it's not an ideal situation but I want you to be happy. You're not related, like you said, but I would just tread carefully, you know how your mother can get, and I don't know her father." Dad says, I give him a dark look and he understands. "Please be careful."

I breathe a sigh of relief. Liliana and I talked about how her telling Josu was like a breath of fresh air, and now I'm enjoying that same feeling. I feel like some of the weight of this decision has been lifted, knowing that I have Dad and Teysa's support, and while she annoys me, Avy is still my best friend and I'm glad she knows.

"So when will we be meeting her?"

"One step at a time, Dad. One step at a time."