Enjoy.

The morning following the disastrous holiday, Taggart merely nudged Piper awake, informed her she'd drooled all over the pillow, then handed her the phone, complaining Anna wouldn't stop calling.

Piper had informed him it was none of his fucking business.

The stubborn mule refused to let that slide, so, after much hedging, she called back her friend. Anna had apologized profusely, claiming she should have listened and trusted Piper. Piper agreed and forgave her, but a part of her remained hesitant.

As time went on, that part lessened as did her own secrecy about her feelings. Anna became her closest confidant. Slowly, Piper had revealed her relationship with Bran, her own feelings and even the stupidity she often experienced in his presence. Anna had said she'd understood and Piper recognized her sincerity.

Taggart, also, became a source of comfort. In fact, the two were practically inseparable. His laugh, his smile and his slight temper all made Piper feel again. And since the night of his comforting, piper let herself be more emotional with Taggart than any other person she'd met. Twice more, Tag held her through a panic attack, being the only one able to calm her back to reality. Tag was also helpful at chasing off other men, namely, Bran Cornick.

Bran had tried numerous times that first week, to speak to her privately. The Alpha had not, however, expected that Tag would be glued to her side. And Tag thankfully, had a rebellious nature. Despite, the Bran's orders Tag stayed put.

In fact, it wasn't until the second week of December, that Bran managed to find a moment alone with Piper. It had been just like every other morning, Piper on her way to run the trail, when she'd spotted him leaning against an oak. He was in running gear.

"What are you doing here?"

He shrugged, "Thought I'd take up running."

She could tell Bran wasn't going to let this go. Wanting to end it, Piper did the only thing she could think of. "Listen, I'm sorry for the scene at Thanksgiving..." The apology felt thick in her mouth. She had never been very good at making amends. Besides, she wasn't sorry one bit for standing up to that bitch... "Wont happen again, or whatever."

He chuckled, "That sounds real sincere."

"You want sincerity, read a letter."

Bran frowned, "I can smell your anger, Piper."

"Well, quit sniffing around me, then."

"I did come here for an apology...But not yours. I wanted to say i'm sorry."

Piper wondered how many times the Marrok had used the words. She realized she really didn't care, she was curious, how many times Bran had used them.

Absently, she recited, "I don't ask for an apology because it's only tomorrow's fish-and-chip paper."

"Another quote?"

Piper huffed. "Listen, it's not necessary. Whatever weird attraction thing was between us that first night is long-past. I'm over it." Liar, her mind screamed.

He only nodded and Piper decided it was as good a time as any to start running. "I'll see you later," she called, before taking onto the trail.

The wind flew across her face and hair, she closed her eyes, marveling at the speed, at the freedom, footfalls could be heard from behind her and Piper didn't need to guess who trailed. It wasn't until Deeper into the forest that she couldn't resist looking back. Bran was running a few paces beside her, smiling openly at her. Piper increased her speed.

By the end of the run, he looked calmer and had a humorous tint in his eyes. Piper was only more mad with him.

-oooooooo-

The next day, despite showing up an hour later, Bran was waiting for her. An infuriating smirk played across his thin lips. As it did, the next day, when Piper tried to run an hour earlier. The change in time did not defer Bran, as he was already waiting for her. She grumbled at his spooky fortune-telling skills that entire run.

It soon became a new routine of sorts. Bran would be there, waiting for her at the trailhead, no matter when she'd run. He would greet her warmly, and she would nod. They wouldn't talk, despite, Squint's best efforts. And he'd part only with a smile and a promise to do it all again the next day.

This routine lasted almost two weeks before Piper finally spoke back to him without even realizing it.

"-miss the city."

"Not really," she'd said. "I thought I would, but i love these woods."

Bran had looked extremely pleased that she'd answered him. He'd asked her further about Detroit and her newfound love of nature.

The following days they had spoke of art and music as they ran. Bran would listen to pretty much anything. But he loved classical. Piper, on the other hand, loved 90's grunge bands. They'd argued for a while before she'd declared "You're village just called. They're missing an idiot."

Bran had smiled before turning a serious look toward her. "I really am sorry you know," he said.

"It's okay. You can't help your terrible taste in music."

"No," he ran a hand through his cropped, blonde hair, "I mean about Thanksgiving. I should have stopped Leah."

"Oh," Piper turned toward him, curious, "Why didn't you?"

She was only asking out of curiosity, surely. It wasn't like she was asking because he'd hurt her. No, she was just merely confirming he had been backing his terrible mate...of twenty fucking years. Her stomach churned.

"Honestly?" She nodded, and noted how young he looked with his hair so disarrayed.

"I thought it would end...differently."

She chuckled, "I didn't figure you for a betting man."

"I'm not. I was sure..." Bran looked into her eyes and Piper scolded herself at the slight reaction she still felt for him. Twenty years, she reminded her traitorous libido.

"...it seems you're very unpredictable."

Piper smiled. Maybe he's been miserable these past two decade...maybe- Knock that off!

"You're not the first to loose a bet on me, Squints." She glanced at her watch, "I've got to run. My shift starts soon. He walked toward his house on the hill, as Piper called out to him.

"Oh and Bran?"He turned. This wasn't really a topic she wanted to bring up, but since this honestly crap was happening, Piper figured it best to clarify. Especially, with these 'get to know you' runs occurring each morning.

"You know I didn't mean what I said, right? I'm not planning on…" Do not blush. Do not Blush

His face lit up into a wicked smile. "Well, Piper, we all know you only came here for my body," he said before jogging into the house.

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