Okay guys, I got some good news. Just filed my tax returns, I'm getting more back this year then I did last year. On top of that, my CHL is on sunday. I managed to get a GREAT deal on camping gear and got my minimalist camping setup all squared away. I'll also be able to buy my AR 15 by next month no problem. Things have just been doing really well lately. Lets see, made some more money, got a good gym schedule, managed to buy some decent ammo for cheap. Already being considered for a pay raise at my new job, The only thing thats awkward is I ran into my ex girlfriend, but the awkward part is shes dating my ex boyfriend as well...and that was awkward and funny as hell.

Lets see what else...eh thats pretty much all the life updates for now. Honestly life is going pretty good for me. The only thing I can complain about is I miss all my buddies in the army. But they're getting out this year too, so I'll see them all soon enough.

Anyways, enjoy the chapter.

Needless to say, it took them a bit to finally get Jem to stop hugging Elm. Elm herself while she didn't mind was very confused by the whole ordeal. But she was a nice lady. So she decided to just let it happen. Besides it wasn't like hugs were a bad thing. Granted it was a bit weird, she had never been hugged for being 'muscular' Which that was another weird part of this whole thing. After they had got Jem off of her. All he did was admire her muscles. Which she had to admit, she was not used to at all. Most of the guys she had met outside of Atlas were intimidated by her physique, but this guy seemed to actually like it. It was flattering if a bit weird. She didn't even notice that Winter was glaring at her. Then again, Winter didn't even notice that she was glaring at Elm.

"Good thing Jem picked up extra steaks." Ruby said as everyone was looking down at a big ol porterhouse that Jem had grilled up.

Marrow had dug right in as his canine instincts went wild at the delicious smell. The rest of his teammates still had their manners. And they were all suddenly really glad they didn't fight Jem after all. The dude could grill his ass off. Elm was lost in food bliss.

So lost that she didn't even notice Jem was aggressively eating his meat while looking at her.

Alex was pissed off at the recent turn of events.

His girlfriend however was laughing her as off because she said it was 'Tormund and Brienne' all over again.

Granted he was starting to think she had a point.

If Jem had hair, that red beard would certainly make him look like Tormund. Granted a smaller version, but still the same. But he did notice there was some good to this situation. Winter had not stopped glaring at Elm since that whole hug with Jem, so if nothing else, at least he knew that Winter DID have some hidden feelings for him. Regardless if she acknowledged them or not. He started to think, Winter was taller then Jem only by two inches at the least, so she definitely had the tall look he seemed to go for. But that was about it. Winter while fit didn't have the same muscle 'thiccness' as Elm. Elm also had a shorter hairstyle, while Winter either let her hair down or put it in a bun. On top of that, despite her and Jem working out together, he had not once focused on Winter's body during his workouts.

Reason being?

He was focused on himself and flexing in the mirror admiring himself.

Alex shook his head and facepalmed.

How was Jem not gay with how he would flex his ass in the mirror and say to himself 'Damn bro, looking thick'.

Course, he would always defend it saying theres nothing gay about loving your own body.

But that was besides the point.

Right now Alex was trying to think of a way that he could stop Jem from looking at his newfound 'Big tiddy tomboy gf' and focus on getting him to fall in love with 'big tiddy snow queen'.

His evil smirk came back as he saw Winter was obviously showing signs of jealousy. Which meant if he played his cards right, he could get her on his side. Nala was currently in a peaceful unaware state of bliss due to steak. So she was out of the picture. Alex would admit he was disappointed in his young apprentice, she still had a lonnggg way to go til she advanced in her shipping lessons. But that was besides the point. He had to focus on the matter at hand.

"How much can you bench?" Jem was asking questions as Elm was just happily answering question after question.

It was nice to have someone actually think her strength was awesome rather than scary!

"I mean, to be fair its hard to tell, aura amplifies a lot, so I would probably be like Superior man in your world." Jem tilted his head.

"In this world we just call him Superman."

"You know thats another thing, why do so many big name actors and characters have counterparts here? I mean Spruce and Bruce Willis? Come on." Elm said as she giggled and Jem just had puppy dog eyes looking at her.

"WELL...As I was TRYING to explain before..." Winter got cut off by Jem again.

"How tall are you?"

"Oh I'm about 6'5''." Elm said as Jem was practically looking at her with stars in his eyes.

"Dang, you're the same size as the rock." He said as that was just amazing.

"I don't know who that is, but I'm going to guess its a compliment?" She asked unsure of what to think of that.

"Absolutely, the rock is probably one of the nicest and coolest people you'll ever meet." Jem said.

"Hehe, thanks." She said scratching the back of her head with a slight blush and smile.

KRE KRAK!

Everyone turned to Winter.

"Oh dear, I'm sorry, I seemed to have...uhm, accidentally stabbed the table." She said as her steak knife was embedded in the table.

"How did you do that?" Jem asked confused.

"...I was just eager to cut into this steak." She said covering up the fact she was feeling jealous.

"Ah, don't blame you." He turned to Nala.

"Remember Nala, its important to eat all your food." He said as Nala was finishing up her food.

"Will I get big and strong like Ms. Elm?" She said as Elm felt her heart skip a beat.

"Of course you will!" He said as he patted her on the head.

Winter stood up really quick.

"I uhm...If you'll excuse me, I need some fresh air, its rather warm in here." She said as Jem nodded.

"Yeah no problem, theres a bench swing down by the lake if you wanna enjoy the scenery." Jem said completely unaware of why she was acting so weird.

"Thank you." She said as she rushed outside, and Alex smirked and followed her out.

Jem and Nala went back to talking to Elm. Jem in particular wanting to know more about how she dealt with the recoil of her rocket hammer. Needless to say, the ace ops were rather...disturbed by how easily they started conversing. Harriet of all people was skeptical as hell, especially since the guy may not have been a killer hillbilly like she thought, but just looking at him gave her a bad feeling, something was off about this guy. She was sure of it.

Outside

Winter was pissed. And she didn't know why...okay she knew exactly the reason why but she was trying not to admit it to herself. She admitted to herself she liked Jem okay?! She admitted it! But obviously she hadn't told anyone! And she didn't want to just come out and say it, so she wanted to see if she could get Jem to warm up to the idea first! But now that big thicc hussy had come along and thrown a monkey wrench in the whole thing! She was still pissed at how long Jem held that hug for! Even more when just before he pulled away he complimented Elm on her abs!

Winter felt her own abs through the shirt, she had abs! Why had Jem never noticed. Oh wait thats right, he was too busy checking himself out in the mirror. Ugh this was so frustrating!

Stupid big tomboys...

"Hello Winter." She turned to see Alex standing there.

"Oh, hello." She said as he smiled.

"So, you like Jem." She snapped her had at-

"I do n-" He cut her off.

"Oh please hunny, you were giving Elm the 'stay away from my man bitch' eyes back there. I know you don't want to admit it to other people but you do like him." Alex said cutting right to the chase.

"...Okay, so what?" She said looking away while crossing her arms.

"So do you want my help or not?" He said as she looked confused.

"Why would you help?"

"Bitch, I've been trying to get you two together since I met you, a blind person can see you two would be good for each other." He said in his sassy gay friend voice.

"Excuse me?" She did not appreciate the B word.

"All I'm saying babe is you two are a good match, plus my girlfriend doesn't think you two would work and thinks Melania would be a better cho-" That was all Winter needed to hear.

"I'm in!" She said not going to let that furry bitch get to Jem.

"Oh wow, that was quick, I'm surprised you weren't already on board when you saw Jem practically humping her leg in there.

"He wouldn't do that!" Winter defended him as she covered her mouth.

"Ah good, you're defending him, thats a good sign." Again she looked away with a blush.

"So now what?" She asked not sure where to go.

"Well. As we know now, Jem really likes tomboys." Alex stated the obvious.

"Shockingly yes." Winter still couldn't believe it.

"To be fair I never expected him to go for women taller than him, most guys don't feel confident with that." Alex was confused.

"Keep in mind though we're from a different dimension with super powers, so we're already out of the ordinary so why would height be a factor?" She questioned as Alex nodded at her logic.

"Fair enough, I suppose you can't feel self conscious when the woman in front of you is literally a super powered babe from another world." Alex couldn't argue with that.

Plus Alex was absolutely certain that Jem had some weird kinks, he was absolutely convinced that the more conservative someone was in their public life, the more freaky shit they were into in their private life. But again, he couldn't be entirely sure. But considering how he saw how Jem reacted to a woman who was literally the personification of barbells and anime tiddies, he was certain he could peg Jem as being into muscle girls.

Then again...he did remember Jem REALLY like Sophie Arvebrink.

Actually now that he thought about it, it was kind of obvious.

"Well babe, I think we need to get you a makeovvvveeerrr!" Alex said as he dragged Winter off.

"WOAH! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" And how was he able to drag her.

"Honey, trust me, I've watched a lot of queer eye for the straight guy, I know a lot about fashion and hair!" He said as she looked confused.

"But I'm a girl!"

"Winnnnny, theres a reason my girlfriend lets me do her hair and makeup! Trust me!"

Well...this was going to be a long day.