Hello there, I have maintained the weekly update for more than just 2 weeks, halle-frickin-lujah.

Anyway, hope you guys enjoy!

After an hour, they went into town like they had thought to do. Though now, you would be able to see a few things, like the way they walked very closely side by side, hands brushing, I guess I am the more experienced one here? He's getting embarrassed about hand holding, hehe, that's cute, especially how he normally acts all smooth and cool... Actually, how old is he? Oh boy, he better be old enough to be considered an adult! I never really checked, but he seems older than that, it'll be fine… Plus Hex held herself more positively, rather than her resting bitch face, she had that happy person look, or at least a look that was more like that one. David might've looked that way too, if he wasn't being all shy about it. Actually, I did basically spill my guts just now maybe some light convo would be good:

"You mentioned you had a sister?"

"Hm, oh, yeah, you've met her actually"

"I have…? Wait, *looks into his green eyes* Becky?"

"Yeah that's her, my big sis"

"Huh, cool! We're both the little sibling too then *he nodded with a smile*, any other family I should know about?"

"Mm, no, it's just been me'n'sis for a good while now"

"Alright, good to know, also, just curious but, *grabbing his hand with enough determination to be successful* how old are you?"

"I er, just turned 20 a few months back, *she raised an eyebrow* what?"

"Oh nothing, you look younger is all…"

"Oh really? *playful tone in his voice* How much younger?"

"Weeeell, you know… I kinda thought you were the same age or younger… but you're older huh?"

"Haha, yeah, I thought you were younger too to be fair"

"It's almost scary how casually smooth you are…"

"Aha, I don't, er, I mean… Thanks?"

"Was that a question?"

"Maybe?"

She laughed a little at that, with him joining in. It was coming to their attention that they had come into the town proper now and that perhaps people were now seeing something new. While the two hanging out was nothing new, that they were now holding hands and even just being that bit closer to each other was obvious, from how they're looking at us anyways... A few Ironlock members Hex recognised did a little cheer, some money(?) changed hands. Were they making bets on us? How long it'd take? Whether it would work or not? Looking around, quite a few more people, while not cheering exactly, were also making exchanges suddenly at their appearance. Oh, right, David is like super famous round here huh… So I guess I am too now… Oh boy, hopefully that won't come to anything, besides, they've been nothing but nice to me, it'll be fine… As she tried to convince herself of that, they drew nearer to Jacque's smithy. Before they entered however:

"He's gonna make a deal of it"

"Oh I know. If Al is like my uncle that would make Jacque my uncle's best friend, who is almost an uncle right?"

"Yeah basically"

"Better get it over with"

"Rip off the plaster right?"

"Yep!"

With that they headed in. There was someone waiting at the counter actually, someone Hex recognised:

"Oh Mike, hey"

Turning around was Anna's partner, she eventually found out they did have a family name and it was Smith, how original... On a side note, recently Hex couldn't help but notice Anna's belly was getting bigger these days, wonder if she's pregnant? Giving birth out here in a yellow zone though? Like, where? Is anyone here a doctor? Regardless of her ruminations. Mike turned his brown eyes upon Hex and David and found himself grinning at them:

"Heh, Anna didn't think you'd have the guts to go in already"

"Well I appreciate -your- support Mike…"

Hex chuckled a little, swinging their conjoined hands, and while David looked a little shy about it he didn't exactly resist, then Jacque chose that moment to enter:

"Yeah, looked like the chamber was dented, I just sorted it for ya and… Oh look who it is, and… Ah to be young again…"

"Ahaha, tell me about it, so much energy in kids these days I'm sure"

"Sure enough, anyway, your guns sorted now"

"What'll it be for?"

"Ahhh *waving his hand* you got bigger things to worry about than this, have this one on the house"

"Ya sure?"

"Yeah, seems you'll be needing everything you got soon, right?"

"Haa, yep *rubbing the back of his neck*, it is looking that way, well thanks Jacque and er, good luck lovebirds"

He left the smithy with David wearing a grimace and Hex blushing slightly and Jacque chuckling to himself. But he broke the new silence:

"You two did seem to hit it off real quick before, now we're here. Feels longer than two weeks."

"Tell me about it, feels like a lifetime. *David scoffed, she grinned at him, oh he got that?* We talked it out and then… Stuff"

"And then stuff? *David looked at her with a smug look* One word for it…"

"Anyway, *Hex was blushing a little, snuggles are amazing, I will not be denied snuggles! But thank you Jacque for changing the subject!* I'm guessing you know?"

"Yeah, not to leave today, thought we'd say hi anyways though"

"Well that's much appreciated, quite a few folks getting their weapons checked right now though… how's your stuff holding up?"

"Well, I haven't had to use anything, but if you wanna give it a once over *Hex handed him her three guns* can't hurt"

"Yeah if you wouldn't mind, I'd like to take you up on that offer too"

"Ain't no problem, you both do good work for the town, be happy to check"

A few minutes pass, with Hex and David debating how many back-up weapons is necessary, finding out that Hex also has a knife in her boots, but is debating having one knife per boot and maybe even another for her belt:

"That just seems like overkill, who needs three knives and three guns?"

"Someone who gets disarmed five times?"

"Seems unlikely though…"

"But, what if!"

"Yeah… maybe… still…"

"I don't think you have enough back-ups, just a rifle and sidearm?"

"I have a knife too, on the back of my belt"

"Okay, well, I was unsure of getting more but…"

"If you want more knives who am I to stop you, I just don't think you'll need em is all"

"Yeah… *smiling, that is so sweet and smooth, oooh, here we go through another rabbit hole* Maybe just one more knife for my belt then…"

"A backup close quarters weapon is probs a good idea, maybe I should get a second knife?"

"Yes, then you could have it in your boots or a leg sheathe…"

"Hey that sounds cool"

"I know right!"

Jacque clears his throat, standing next to them with their guns ready and two additional knives also:

"Sorry to interrupt the newlyweds but I would just like to give you yer weapons back, no problems here. *They were blushing profusely and very quiet now* Ahahaha, don't you mind me kiddos, just go be sappy elsewhere, got too much sugar from that already"

"Ahaha, yeah, sure…"

"Right *Hex nodded, red in the face, newlyweds? That's, well that is, definitely a, statement…* Well, thanks Jacque!"

She grabbed David's hand and started to pull him along while he responded:

"Thanks as usual Jacque"

Unbeknownst to Hex, Jacque gave David a thumbs up and a wink while wearing a devilish grin, to which David got even redder, and just gave a half-hearted thumbs up before joining Hex properly as they figured how to spend the rest of their perfect day.

News absolutely travels too quickly around here, the whole bloody town practically knows already. Sighing heavily internally, she looked up and noted the sun was starting to go down, I ought to head back soon… But then I'd need to talk to Al, about stuff. Or, maybe we can lose track of time again… As if reading her mind, David spoke up:

"You ought to be getting back soon right?"

"Y-yeah, probably, it looks like it'll get dark soon…"

"You know, I wouldn't worry so much…"

"Worry? I-I'm not worried. What's to worry about?"

"Hex *gives her a slight deadpan look* we both noticed how quickly you wanted to leave"

"Aha, haha, huh? I don't, know-"

"Hey, *puts an arm around her shoulders, walking side by side, pulling her into leaning on him* Al and your dad are very different people."

Hex took a deep breath, they both noticed huh…? Oh who am I kidding? Of course they did, I wasn't exactly subtle, then there was the less than chipper send off… Oh man, dead women and father figures are my bane now I guess… She put her hand on his, which was around her shoulders. Maybe telling one more person wouldn't hurt… Would it? David hasn't spoken again yet. He's waiting for me to speak, giving me the time to think, he is sweet… And, I suppose I should talk:

"I… I know, he's been great, but so was that man, to a point… *When I didn't cause problems or speak my mind… I was the pretty little daughter… But, back on track brain, Al is just a nice old guy… How old is he exactly? Wow we do need to talk don't we…?* …I guess that got to me more than I'd care to admit…"

He rubbed her arm affectionately:

"And that's okay… You know, it's okay to not be okay, around me, and Al for that matter"

"Hm, yeah… I would like that… I would but…"

"Would it help if I was there?"

Hex looked at him then, scanning his eyes. Strength in numbers is it? Comfort from someone I trust, who wouldn't turn their back on me… But Dan did… He was my brother who I'd known all my life, what's to stop these guys who I've only known for a couple'o'weeks?! But David is sweet… But so was Dan… But David was never influenced by 'that man' so… maybe… He was looking back at her, they were now staring into each other's eyes, for quite a while. He was struggling with the prolonged eye contact, then eventually Hex seemed to realise, once she exited her mind palace, that they were staring into each other's eyes. She simply leaned her head on his shoulder a bit:

"Would you do that? For me?"

"Of course, why would I not?"

"I know we're a thing now but we only just started a bunch of hours ago, this is a lot…"

"You seem worth it"

"I am?"

"Well, er, yeah, that is, I think so, absolutely"

"Ahahaha, you are too damn sweet to also be simultaneously so damn smooth…"

"Well, it just comes out, you know, when you're being cute, and, you know, sexy and stuff…"

"Huh? Sexy? Me?"

"Uhm, er, yeah, you have a very charming way with your actions and words, like a, charm hex or something…"

"Oh… *Going red in the face, I just did what felt right! That's being sexy?! Guess I am a bit of a Hex Girl after all… hehe* …Well, I ah, *tucks a strand of hair behind her ear* appreciate your compliments…"

"Just giving it to you straight… But anyways, back on track, I would be happy to accompany you for the conversation."

"Well, *This guy is too good, for me, this place… further down the rabbit hole…* I would appreciate that a lot"

"Then it would be my pleasure"

With that he kissed her on the head, and leaning on each other they drew close to Al's cabin. The sun is starting to turn the sky that shade of slight orange as the sun begins to set and maybe, the lingering shadow of the damage from two years ago, would finally end too. It would be better if I never had to remember him again, maybe that will come in time though…

As they neared the cabin, Hex could make out Al sitting out front on one of his rocking chairs, she suddenly felt apprehensive again, why though… Agh, why does 'that man' have to make me feel this way about a man who has been nothing but nice to me? Even from the grave, he hates my existence, and I hate his… She felt a squeeze on her hand and exhaled deeply, apparently she'd been holding her breath for that internal debate, and started to breathe again. She glanced up and noticed him looking at her with a little concern in his eyes, she looked down briefly before saying:

"I was just thinking, how I hate how hesitant I feel about talking to Al again… All because of that man…"

" I can understand that, *little sideways hug, as they walk slowly* and, have you thought about what to say?"

"Well, I was thinking of telling him what I told you… Why? Is that no good?"

"Oh, no no no no, I just meant, had you thought about it much, but I guess you have huh? Plus that does sound good to me, he may be quite surprised by some things but, I'll be there too remember. It'll be fine."

"Yeah… yeah, I hope so…"

"Well hey, before I forget, here's the com link I mentioned before, you know so we could talk to each other."

"Oh. Thanks, really, it'll be nice to have you within reach this way."

"My thoughts exactly, plus, just another safety measure"

"Can never be too careful… Thanks David."

"No problem"

With that they were just a few minutes out from the cabin, wouldn't be long now. A big moment was to soon begin, and Hex was feeling it, the urge to do anything else to stall, but with a source of courage at her side, and the knowledge that Al was a nice man, Hex eventually made it to the cabin:

"Hey Al, been quiet?"

"Hey kiddo, Anna popped by earlier actually, wanted to talk to ya, said you'd be around later or tomorrow"

"Anna? She okay?"

"I think so, didn't sound urgent…"

"Oh that's good… You okay if we talk?"

"Hm? *He glanced down* Well I can see you two figured things out, I'm guessing it's not that though…"

"Aha, yeah, we decided to be a thing… But, yeah… this is something else, about how… how I got here"

"Ah. *Nodded slowly* And David?"

"I'm support, she told me, and, well, it'd be better for her to say more"

"Alright, best settle in I reckon eh?"

"That might be for the best, yeah…"

Okay, gently does it, it's starting well, he's been mostly normal so far. They headed inside and sat down, in those three chairs, arranged so that Hex would be opposite Al, aka facing him to talk to him, with David between them. Hex was twiddling her fingers amongst her hair, twirling it around her fingers and then her fingers in between each other. Al had gathered a cup of water for everyone and surprised Hex by speaking first:

"Congratulations to you two first I guess, good on ya for getting on with ya lives."

"Thanks Al, you've always looked out for me."

"Well of course, I don't turn anyone away."

"It's true, he is our town's nicest old man"

"Hey, I'm not -that- old…"

"How old are you Al?"

"Turned 60 this year"

"Huh… *A little smirk on her face* That is a little old"

"Yeah yeah, sure, I'm old I guess, haaa…"

"Well anyway, I'm just gonna start, it's a long and heavy story though"

"Fine by me"

And so Hex regaled Al with the tale of how she came to be here, in Lilean. How she started life in a blue zone, the explosion, the lab, those two terrible nights and how she got here. Throughout all that she never stopped twiddling her hair in between her fingers, and when things seemed to be getting to her, David was there just resting his hand on her knee, to reaffirm his presence. By the end it looked as though Al was trying hard to control his emotions, rubbing his face and eyes, he had finished his water some time ago and once Hex had finished he went to get another cup. Hex looked at David and he smiled at her with a nod, she smiled back, sniffling and wiping her eye a little. When Al sat back down he took another sip, then seemed in thought:

"Now, I just want to be honest, so, I will say… *looking at David then Hex again, took a breath* You've had nightmares since being here, *She stopped twiddling and looked at him, his face wracked with… Worry?* you'd be crying in your sleep, mostly muttering but sometimes you would mention a 'James' and say 'don't go'… So I had an idea that it wasn't good, but that's… a lot."

She went back to twiddling again, nightmares? He never asked either… Well, he always asked how I was, but I always felt fine in the moment… On a deeper level maybe…? I even talk in my sleep…? It's no wonder then, maybe, he wanted to see me smile… Huh… If he could see how sad I was without even me knowing it… She had a small smile now, and looked up at Al, he was watching her:

"You never wanted to ask?"

"Well, sure I did, but wasn't my place to pry"

"What if I was a terrible person with awful intentions?"

"Well, I don't think about things like that too much, I just like being nice to people, you know?"

"True…"

"These past two weeks, you've been having those nightmares, I got, protective of you I guess, just wanted to see you happy or even just smile…"

"It never occurred to me that I didn't…"

"Well from the sounds of it, you had a lot going on. I'm glad you talked to me."

"So am I, though I nearly didn't… *He raised his eyebrow* Well, after I told David, and when we were coming back, he seemed to pick up that, I was getting, cold feet…"

"Really?"

"Yeah, then he said something about you and that man being different people…"

"I would like to think I am different to him yes"

"Aha most definitely, but well, it's cuz, you know, you've kinda been like looking out for me, right?"

"Ah, I think I see, something about 'male figures' is it?"

"Yeah, that's what we think. I've come to liken you to an uncle in a way you know…?"

"...Really?"

"Uhm… Yeah, though that's just me so-"

"No, no, *he was smiling now* I'd like that…"

"Yeah?"

"I told you he would"

"I just wasn't sure if it was a bit quick to be getting attached like that…"

"Nonsense, live life a little, especially out here."

"Aha, yeah, I guess I will"

With that she headed over to Al who had stood up too, and hugged him, he was a bit shocked at first, but soon he was hugging her back. She looked at David and he was just smiling at the sight and gave her a thumbs up, to which she smiled back, feeling quite happy. As now, she has gotten herself well established now in Lilean. She had her support network, she had her love interest, and a friend or two in Anna and Mike maybe. Things were looking up Hex.