Finally, we are here on the 200th chapter. I can't believe we're this far into the story.

Super-Jacin-t: Part Ten

Commonwealth, The Earthen Union

Jacin, Iko, and Kinney left Luna early this morning. They ended up sharing a row on the plane and, unfortunately, Jacin was stuck in the middle. He tried switching with Iko since she was smaller, but she was obsessed with taking pictures out the window to capture the clouds and the plane's wing. Meanwhile, Kinney just shook his head and took full advantage of the little extra leg room that came with the aisle. So, throughout the flight, he kept his eyes closed and arms stuck to his sides, like a soldier. It's hideously poetic.

But after a lame refreshment of a paper cup of juice and a bland cookie, they finally landed. Jacin made sure he was the first one to get his bag from the upper compartment and get off the plane first. Once he was in the airport, it took Iko and Kinney ten minutes to catch up to him since they were politely waiting for the people in front of them to get off. They even helped some elderly people get their bags. All Jacin wanted to do was move his legs.

"You two took my only two armrests," Jacin grumbles to them as they start walking through the Arrivals section.

"I had to rest my arm so it was energized enough to help those lovely grandmas," Kinney responds.

Jacin rolls his eyes. "Shut your spades."

"Did you tell Cinder when we were—"

Kinney's cut off by Ike's sudden screeching. He and Jacin move to the side to save their ears and because Iko dropped her bag before sprinting across the airport. Many heads turn and watch Iko and Cinder fall to the ground once they collided with each other. Kai laughs as he steps back. Jacin smiles to himself and goes to pick up Iko's bag but Kinney grabs it first.

"Your arm is still energized?" Jacin jokes.

"No, Winter's coming your way," Kinney says. "Gimme your bag."

Jacin quickly thanks Kinney and drops his bag right in time for Winter to jump into his arms. He hugs her, wrapping an arm around her tightly as she locks her legs around his waist. She cries happily, tears falling as she kisses him all over his face.

Kinney smiles to himself as he carries all their bags and walks past Jacin and Winter embracing and catches Iko and Cinder hugging on the disgusting airport floor.

Kinney sighs. "Rejected, as per usual."

Kai approaches him. He offers a hand but takes it back the moment he realizes that Kinney's are full.

"You must be Kinney," Kai says. "Or Liam, I should say."

Kinney nods. "And you're Kai. Cinder's boyfriend. Call me Kinney. Nice to finally meet you. I don't think I've visited the Earthen Union before."

"Same for me and Luna."

"I don't recommend going any time soon. We kinda just had a volcano erupt."

Kai cracks a grin. "Noted."

Kinney slides Jacin's bag up his arm to the crook of his elbow and holds out a hand. As Kai shakes it, he takes Jacin's bag to help him out.

They jump when Iko shrieks again.

"Aces, Iko…" Kinney mutters.

Iko points at Kai, staring at him in awe. "You're even more handsome in person, and awfully tall."

Kinney rolls his eyes as Kai reddens. "You're also on the ground."

Iko quickly stands and brushes herself off as she hugs Kai, finally meeting the boyfriend of her best friend in real life. When they part, Kai helps Cinder up and he kisses the side of her head. Cinder grins as she holds her hand out for Iko and she high-fives it.

"Come here, rejected," Cinder says.

As she hugs Kinney, Winter joins in and grabs Iko. Then, Winter embraces Kai despite them coming to the airport together. Jacin does the signature bro hug and even does it with Cinder before she shoves him away.

This time, all the hugs were tighter and lasted for at least a second longer.

-o-

They decided to leave their bags in the car and park somewhere before roaming around the town. They even changed in the airports since Jacin's dad made them leave Luna in their military uniforms (something about prestige but they didn't care enough to argue). Touring a city is much better to do in jeans or athleisure. Since Jacin's been here before, Cinder and Kai were pointing out all the sights to Iko and Kinney. Winter and Jacin walked behind them, hands held tightly.

"I'm starving," Iko says. "Can we eat at The Rampion? You're always talking about it."

Cinder nods. "Obviously. I don't think Scarlet's working now, but they have the best loaded fries I've had!"

"I'm always down for diner food," Kinney says.

"Get a burger, any burger," Kai suggests. "Maybe not a veggie one."

Kinney laughs. "Oh, stars forbid those. If I wanted to eat a sponge, I'll get a sponge."

As they continue walking ahead towards The Rampion, Winter slows her pace until she and Jacin eventually talk. When he looks at her, she walks them over to a city bench and she's silent for a bit. At first, she waits for Jacin to say something. Anything. But then she realizes she initiated this so she's better off talking first. Besides, Jacin could sit silently forever and be unbothered. Winter doesn't know how he could do that without thoughts barging in often. She could even be busy and the occasional dark thought inserts itself into the activity.

"I'm glad you're okay," Winter tells him, "and that everyone at the Academy is. I can't imagine-"

"Don't," Jacin states, "don't imagine it. Trust me. I was under a table for most of it. I got way too close with Iko and Kinney for my liking."

Winter nods, smiling a bit. "So, I've been thinking."

"About?"

"Next year for university."

Jacin slowly nods. "Okay … what about it?"

"I want to go home."

Jacin doesn't respond right away. He doesn't know what to say. As much as he dreamt of having Winter back at home with him, she left because of all the trauma she endured building, and then there was her recent near-episode with the earthquake. She was getting better in Commonwealth. She was so happy - is so happy. Her time in Commonwealth were some of her best moment if anyone asked him.

"Please say something," Winter pleads. "I've only told Dr. Darnel."

Not even Cinder. They have each other's passcodes on their phones.

"Are you sure?" Jacin asks.

Winter shrugs. "I'm still looking at my options and I've been considering it. It was actually my first thought and I didn't look elsewhere until recently."

"Winter, you haven't been back since-"

"I know. I just, I wanted you to know that it's on my mind."

"I'd love to have you back home," he kisses her hand, "but only if it's the best for you. And not now considering earthquake aftermath."

"My drug-balanced mind is a clear and coherent mind."

Jacin smiles, kissing the side of her clear and coherent mind.

"Winter!" Cinder yells from down the street. "Stop making out so we can get food!"

I have most of the next arc written, but will wait till it's finished to start publishing (as per usual). Until then!