Hey! Love you're reviews, making me smile

A little message to MiaAndOak, it was your idea I used, and I am very very grateful for it!

Enjoy

"Mara?" Poppy knocked lightly on her door, and she actually waited for a response this time, instead of just barging in like she normally would. Mara was resting, John thought she was just ill and he wasn't at all suspicious, he had no idea about the red mark on her neck.

"Come in," Poppy pushed open the door, to see Mara, in a sitting position on the bed. She looked red and out of breath

"Are you feeling any better?" she asked, moving to sit beside her friend

"A lot, does it look any better?" Mara removed the scarf and stretched her neck slightly. Poppy nodded

"Better, does it hurt?"

"Poppy-"

"No Mara, you can tell me, we're friends right? I know you've been hiding the pain from Jerome because you're afraid to make him feel guilty, but I've seen how you wince,"

"Poppy-"

"Please."

Mara sighed, brown eyes looking down at her hands "It hurts a bit," she admitted

"A bit being a lot?

"Yes," Mara whispered

"Do you have the cream?"

"Yeah, I'll put some more on." Mara promised, smiling up at her "You're a good friend Poppy,"

"Thank you," Poppy seemed pleasantly surprised "You're an amazing friend." She stood then, heading over to the door "Get some rest Mara, and you should tell Jerome it hurts," and she walked out.

"I won't have to," Mara whispered to herself, as she watched Jerome scramble out from inside the wardrobe. He stood at the end of the bed, looking down at her

"Mara," he whined slightly

"I'm sorry," she said quickly "I just didn't want to hurt your feelings, I mean two days ago when I told you it hurt, you almost dumped me and-"

"I don't want you to keep things from me," he said intently, blue eyes shimmering "If it hurts, you have to tell me, not Poppy,"

"Alright, no more holding back,"

"Good," Jerome stated proudly, a small smile lighting his face "You know, I thought it'd be really boring you being cooped up in here all day, but it really plays to my advantage," He walked round over to her, and kissed her softly, his hand placed gently on the side of her neck, too aware of her scar.

Mara tilted her head slightly, kissing back. God she loved him, she didn't think she'd make it without him. How had she not seen it before? It was so obvious.

Her thoughts were cut off, when she felt him open her mouth, and she moaned into him.

"Jerome," she panted, as he placed butterfly kissed along her jaw "Jerome…stop…"

He didn't listen to her, capturing her pink lips with his again. Her feeble attempts did nothing, and he roamed his hands down her sides, beginning to slide her shirt up.

"Jerome." She said again, a bit more forcefully "Jerome stop," he paused for a moment, leaning his forehead against hers, breathing heavily, but just kissed her once more. She moved her hands up and grabbed his shoulders, flipping them over with all the strength she could muster, her fair falling past her shoulder, tickling the side of his face. "Stop." She whispered.

He took a deep breath, nodding "Sorry," he whispered, he shook his head "Sorry, it's just that-"

"I know." She cut him off, smiling slightly. "But not yet, okay?" she was unsure if he would be upset, or if he would think it was because she didn't love him.

"Okay," he whispered, the corners of his lips pointing upwards "Good to know you understand,"

"Good, now, will you help me back, I can't actually move."

Jerome laughed lightly, even though the guilt flooded through him. He lifted her gently, placing her back on the bed, stroking her face

"Would you like your rest?"

"If that's okay,"

"Sure. I love you," he leaned down and kissed her forehead, not yet trusting himself with her lips.

"Love you too."

Line Break

"Check." Jerome smirked, the look of annoyance was clear on Poppy's face. She moved her King one space to the right "You're just delaying the process," Jerome reminded "I'm gonna win,"

"Not yet Jerbil."

Jerome moved once more "Check." He said again. Poppy moved her King once more, but knew soon he would win, she would have nowhere else to go.

"Jerome?" she asked suddenly, meeting his eyes. Jerome wouldn't have looked away from the game, only she had used his first name, and there was no harshness anywhere in it.

"What?"

"Do you love her?"

Jerome blinked once. Looking his sister up and down, before leaning away from the board and sighing "I do."

"Are you sure?" she pressed

"More sure than I have ever been in my entire life." He answered without thought. Poppy seemed deep in thought

"Mara…has a really bright future you know,"

"I know." He answered, beginning to see where this was going. And angry that it was his own sister saying it.

"Before you get angry!" Poppy gushed, sensing her brothers anger "I know you're great together, I'm just saying. I actually like Mara, and I don't want you messing this up."

"Umm…"

"Here." Poppy retrieved her bag from the side of the room, unzipped it, and pulled out 17 thick leaflets and handed them to him. Jerome huffed with the weight and placed them on the table.

"What are they?" he asked puzzled

"University leaflets. You have graduation next term and Mara wants to go to Yale. So naturally, Yale is your first choice." She spoke efficiently, pointing to the top leaflet.

"Y-Yale?" he repeated, slightly dazed "Are you joking? I'll never get into Yale."

"Yes I know. But, if you tell Mara you want to go, she'll spend hours tutoring you, which is bonding time for boyfriend and girlfriend, which is a plus side. And going to the same university, which is a plus side."

"R-right…"

"And if even with training you don't get in, which I highly doubt, I've gone into all universities within walking distance." She removed the top brochure to show him the others.

"Wow…" he looked up at her "You've given this a whole load of thought."

She looked at him for a moment, stumped "Well I…I….I guess I want you to be…happy?"

"You're a good sister Poops," he smiled.

Poppy grinned back.

John smiled in awe behind the door.

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