Title: Learning To Hunt
Chapter: Section 8
Fandom: The Tribe
Author: PinkTribeChick
Summary: Sometimes, love is just right under your nose . . .
Extended Summary: An alternate-universe Series 4 romance story, from the point of view of Pride, Jack, and an original female character.
Rating: Teen
Pairing: Jack-Original Female Fiction Character, Pride-Original Female Fiction Character, Jack-Ellie, and Bray-Amber, with a few mentions of other pairings.
Author's Notes: Massive thanks to Ariannya and Whit for their thoughts and proofreading on various sections over the years! Enjoy, and please review! Feedback is much appreciated!
Disclaimer: All characters, situations, and song lyrics remain the property of their respective owners. Any original characters are sole property of me, PinkTribeChick.
Learning To Hunt
Section 8
Liliana walked into Pride's room later that evening, holding Samuel's hand as he toddled alongside. Pride sat on his bed reading a book, so caught up in it that he didn't hear them enter the room. His brow was furrowed intently, and Liliana just stood there for a moment, observing him. His curly black hair was shorter than it had been when he left, falling just above his shoulders. But his eyes hadn't changed a bit. Still the same kelly green they had always been. And the same sweet smile.
There was something comforting in the fact that he hadn't changed much in the few months he'd been away. Like he was an anchor in her life, something that would always be there and would hold steady throughout time. But looking at him was also difficult at the same time, because every time she looked at him, she would see all the wonderful and remarkable things about him that she had once loved, and she would start to love him again. And she just couldn't allow herself to do that. She couldn't allow herself to be hurt by him again.
Pride sighed, closing his book and rubbing his eyes. Upon opening his eyes again, he saw Liliana and Samuel standing just inside the doorway. He put his book to the side, sitting up.
"Hi," he said, a surprised tone to his voice.
"Someone wanted to see you," she said shyly. She led Samuel over to him. Pride smiled, picking the little boy up.
"Hiya, buddy. Did you have a good time at the lake today?" Pride said, tickling Samuel's tummy. Samuel giggled.
"I wanted to apologize about not being able to spend time with you earlier," Liliana said.
"It's okay. It's not like I own you and Samuel. You're free to do whatever you want, when you want," he responded. "And I shouldn't have said that stuff about Jack. You need to make up your own mind when it comes to him."
"Well, some of what you said was true. I don't know him that well. And he is just coming off a pretty serious relationship. I don't want to be the rebound girl," she admitted. She watched as Pride bounced Samuel up and down on his knee, singing a little rhyme to him. Samuel laughed, grabbing at Pride's hair a little bit. Samuel's face lit up with the same cute smile as his father's, and Liliana's eyes filled with tears. Pride then held Samuel close to him and looked over at Liliana. Tears were streaming down her cheeks.
"Lili? What's wrong? Why are you crying?" Pride asked, concerned. He put an arm around her shoulders.
"Nothing. I just didn't realize how much I missed you until now. That's all," she answered quickly, sniffling.
"I missed you, too, Lili. So much," he said, giving her a squeeze. "It was strange not seeing you and Samuel every day. I kept expecting you to just walk through the door any minute. But you didn't." Liliana buried her head in Pride's shoulder. As Pride held her closely, memories of the dream he'd had earlier that day flashed through his mind, sending a surge of emotions racing through his heart. He kissed the top of Liliana's head, her curls soft against his skin.
Liliana cuddled up a little closer to him, feeling safe for the first time in weeks. She wanted to stay there wrapped up in his arms forever. A million thoughts raced through her mind, so many things she wanted to say to Pride right them. She wanted to tell him how much she loved him, she wanted to tell him everything she'd been keeping inside for so long. In the midst of her intense rush of emotions, for a moment she almost forgot whose arms she was in.
But as her senses returned, she panicked, pushing away from Pride. She took a deep breath, swallowing back the tears that were threatening to rise up in her throat again. He gazed at her, startled by her actions, as she jerked back from him. She suddenly felt desperate to get out of the room, away from him.
"Uh . . . would you mind watching Samuel for a little while . . . I, uh . . . I have some chores to get done," she sputtered, trying to come up with an excuse to vacate the area.
"Sure. I'd love to. What do you think, Samuel?" Pride said, tickling the toddler's stomach again. Samuel giggled. Pride looked back up at Liliana. "I think that's a yes."
"Alright. I'll come back for him in a bit. Thanks," she said, already standing up and moving quickly toward the door. She exited the room as fast as she could without running, hurrying down the hallway to her own room.
Once in the safety of her room, she shut the door and started to cry. Leaning against the doorway, sobs wracked her body. She slid down to the floor, pulling her knees up to her chin as she wept.
"I can't keep doing this. I can't keep pretending I don't love him. I can't keep living this lie," she whispered to herself. She crawled over to her bed, curling up into a ball under the blanket and crying herself to sleep.
Please review? Pretty please? I'm dying here . . . reviews are love. So gimme your thoughts, for the love of all that is holy! I know you're reading – a couple of you have added this story to your favorites – thank you for that! But please, show me some love here by clicking that review button below! And thanks for reading!