Author's Note: Happy Friday you guys. Hope you guys had a good week. This chapter was definitely interesting to write lol. Rewrote it a couple times, I had to make sure it was perfect! Let me just not say too much, and let you guys be the judge of that lol.

Disclaimer: Don't own a thing, but Inner :)

Warning:...uh, it'd spoil the chapter if I say it lol. You'll soon understand.

Tattoo

ஜ۩۞۩ஜ

Chapter 14: On and Off

"Love isn't a switch you can turn on and off. You just can't get rid of it, regardless of the circumstances, if you truly love someone."

The past week had been… different.

For everyone.

In the past week, between training sessions and dealing with the awkward tension between them, Jake and Trixie had also been preparing for their trip to the magical realm. It had started as an idea—a way to gather answers about Spud's mysterious tattoo and the strange energy linked to it and more information on Trixie's identity—but now, with each passing day, it felt more like a necessary step.

Lao Shi guided them through potential pathways, discussing the safest routes and what they might encounter once they arrived. Fu Dog had been gathering supplies, warning them of the unpredictability of magical crossings.

But despite their preparation, one thing was clear: they'd still need more time to train before going to the magic realm and facing whatever obstacles awaited them.

The usual rhythm of their lives continued—classes, assignments, after-school hangouts—but beneath all of it, something was off. There was an undeniable tension threading through their interactions, a subtle shift in how they moved around each other.

For Spud, it was his uncharacteristic quietness. He still cracked jokes, and still played along in conversations, but there was a weight behind his usual antics, something unspoken pressing down on him. He laughed a little less, zoned out a little more, and Trixie wasn't the only one who noticed.

For Jake, it was the awkwardness with Rose. The decision to take space had been mutual, but actually living through it? That was something else. They still saw each other in the hallways, exchanging glances that were too brief and loaded. Neither of them had entirely let go, but neither had stepped back in.

For Trixie, it was Jake. Or rather, the way Jake was looking at her.

The week following their last training session had been weird, even if neither of them had spoken about it.

Jake had been trying to act normal.

Jake had been failing miserably.

It started subtly. A look held for too long. A brush of hands when passing something. A pause in the conversation that stretched too far. Neither of them acknowledged it.

Jake had found himself more distracted than usual during classes, barely hearing the lectures, and spacing out when he was supposed to take notes. Every time he saw Trixie, his stomach clenched.

Trixie, for her part, noticed his weirdness—the way he got quiet when she walked in, the way he avoided eye contact just long enough to make it obvious.

And yet, neither of them spoke about it.

Instead, they kept things as normal as possible.

Lunches with Spud. Talking about movies. Playing it off like everything was fine.

But the tension sat between them, thick and suffocating.

ஜ۩۞۩ஜ

On this particular Friday afternoon, Spud had been quieter. Not gone, not distant, but there was a weight behind his usual grin, a hesitation in his jokes.

Trixie had noticed immediately.

When the afternoon finally rolled around between classes, Trixie caught up with Spud near his locker. She leaned against it casually, watching him grab a book from his bag.

"Alright, enough of this 'I'm totally fine' act," she said, arms crossed. "What's going on with you?"

Spud blinked. "Me? Oh, nothing, just, y'know… contemplating the vastness of the universe and our fragile existence within it."

Trixie deadpanned. "Spud," she shook her head. "Foreal, you good?"

"Pfft, duh. Why wouldn't I be?" he'd said, flashing his signature grin.

But it didn't reach his eyes.

Trixie narrowed her gaze. "Nah, don't do that. You've been acting… off, Spud. I know you, dude. You're not as loud, not cracking as many jokes. So spill."

Spud hesitated, fingers drumming against his locker. "Ain't nothing to spill, Trix. Just been thinking about stuff."

"Thinking about what?" she pressed, voice softer now.

He exhaled through his nose, glancing at her before looking away. "It's nothing bad. Just—sometimes things change, y'know? And you start wondering if they were always supposed to change, or if we kinda… made 'em change."

Trixie frowned. "That's deep as hell for you, Spud."

He chuckled. "Yeah, I hate it too."

She studied him for a moment longer, wanting to push—but knowing that Spud would talk when he was ready. Instead, she sighed, bumping her shoulder against his. "Well, whenever you're done 'thinking'—I'm here, okay?"

Spud smiled, this time a little more real. "I know, Trix."

ஜ۩۞۩ஜ

The trio had planned for an easy-going Saturday, taking a break from the usual school routine. Spud, however, had other arrangements—he'd made plans with Stacey, leaving Jake and Trixie to their own devices. With no distractions and an entire day ahead of them, they both knew there was no escaping their scheduled training session.

The underground training chamber at Lao Shi's shop was thick with heat. Dim lanterns cast long shadows along the stone walls, their flickering glow illuminating shelves of ancient scrolls and artifacts. The scent of parchment, incense, and magic filled the air, swirling together in the enclosed space.

Jake adjusted the wraps around his wrists, rolling his shoulders as he stepped onto the sparring mat.

Jake was dealing with a problem of his own.

That problem was named Trixie Carter.

As of lately, he couldn't stop thinking about her.

He had been distracted, unfocused, and completely thrown off his game for the first time in his life. He caught himself watching her too much, listening too intently, feeling too much.

And the worst part? She wasn't even acting differently.

She was still Trixie—loud, sharp, confident, always in his space like she had been since they were kids.

But now? Now, it was driving him insane.

And today?

There was no avoiding it.

Across from him—

Trixie stretched. Arms lifting over her head, the hem of her cropped tank rising just enough to expose a sliver of skin.

Jake immediately looked away.

Don't do this. Don't be weird.

He had seen her train a hundred times before.

This was not new.

So why the hell did it feel new?

"You ready?" she teased, rolling out her wrists.

Jake forced a smirk. "For you? Always."

She arched her brow. "Oh? You sure about that, Jakey?"

His jaw clenched. Something about the way she said his name made his skin prickle. It always had, but today, it was definitely heightened.

"You talking or fighting?" he shot back.

Trixie grinned.

"Both."

At first, it was just training. Then, it was something else. The heat picked up. The pace quickened.

Jake lunged—Trixie twisted—sweat rolled down the side of her neck, glistening against her skin. She countered—Jake barely dodged—her body brushed his, just for a second, and his stomach clenched. They weren't just sparring anymore. They were testing each other.

Jake could feel it.

The shift. The tension was rising.

His body reacted before his brain could catch up.

She moved in for a strike—he caught her mid-motion—flipped their momentum—
And slammed her against the wall. Trixie let out a quiet moan, her back hitting the cold stone. Jake's body pressed against hers, one hand braced beside her head, the other gripping her waist. Her breath was hot against his neck.

His thumb barely brushed the exposed skin at her hip.

Neither of them moved.

Her chest rose and fell against his. Jake felt every inch of her beneath him. And his thoughts—his control—slipped.

Trixie's lips parted slightly.

Jake's gaze dropped—to her mouth.

She noticed.

And she smirked.

That damn smirk.

"Getting bold, aren't we, Jakey?" she murmured.

Jake's grip on her tightened.

His heartbeat was a thunderous mess.

"You talk too much," he muttered, voice rough.

Trixie tilted her head. "Oh? You gonna shut me up?"

His stomach plummeted.

The challenge. The dare. The way her eyes flickered to his lips—so quick, but he saw it. And for the first time, Jake considered it.

He could.

He could close the gap.

He could shut her up the way she wanted.

But then—

She moved.

A sharp shift—she twisted, using his distraction against him—

And suddenly, he was the one on his back. Jake gasped, the impact knocking the breath from his lungs. And then—

She was on top of him.

Her legs straddled his waist, her hands pinning his arms down. Her breath was uneven, her chest rising and falling in sync with his. Her curls spilled forward, framing their faces.

Jake's body locked up. He couldn't move. Didn't want to. Because—

Holy shit.

Trixie smirked. "Guess I win, Jakey."

Jake wasn't breathing.

Because this wasn't training anymore. This was something else. Something real. And she knew it.

She rolled off him like nothing happened, grabbing a towel and stretching. Jake was still lying on the floor.

Processing.

She tossed the towel at his face. "That was fun. We should do this more often."

Jake stared at the ceiling.

He was so fucked.

ஜ۩۞۩ஜ

Following the intense training session, Trixie picked up her bag and headed for the shop's exit, her muscles still buzzing from the workout.

They had started their training pretty early in the morning, so it was awesome to have the rest of the day to herself. She could maybe work on a couple of school assignments, and perhaps just keep it lowkey for the rest of the day and just chill at home.

She was tempted to ask Jake to hang out, but she mentally slapped herself out of it. After that moment she shared with him on the sparring mat, she wouldn't dare spend another moment alone with him.

The tension. The stares. The way he tightened his grip on her hips. The way he spoke to her with that damn voice. She almost slipped up.

She needed to get a grip of herself.

A blush attempted to creep up at the thought of Jake, and it took all of her might to hold in the warmth of her cheeks.

Plus, he was with Rose. But then again, this past week, she peeped at how the two weren't speaking to each other. She barely saw them in the same space. A part of her wanted to ask Jake what happened but figured when he was ready, he'd talk.

Trixie stepped out into the cool air of the shop's main floor, she nearly bumped into Lao Shi and Fu Dog, who were sitting at the counter, observing her with knowing expressions.

Lao Shi stroked his beard, eyes narrowing slightly as if seeing something more beneath the surface. "Your energy is different, Trixie. Stronger. More controlled."

Trixie blinked, rolling out her shoulder. "Well, yeah. I've been training. That's kinda the point, G."

Fu Dog snorted. "Nah, kid. It's not just regular progress. There's something else at play here."

Lao Shi nodded. "Your power—it is not just raw magic, but something… deeper. More ancient. There are forces at work within you that you may not yet understand."

Trixie frowned. "What, like wizard puberty or something?"

Fu Dog groaned. "She's got jokes."

Lao Shi simply smiled, though his eyes remained thoughtful. "You are on the verge of something significant, Trixie. And when the time comes, you must be prepared."

Trixie, lost in thought, slowly lifted her hand, fingers flexing as she focused inward. A faint glow pulsed at her fingertips before forming into a small, steady ball of energy. She turned her hand slightly, watching how the aura flickered and shifted, almost as if it were responding to her emotions. It felt different—more refined, more potent. For the first time, she could actually see the magic she carried, not just feel it.

Fu Dog whistled. "Yeah… that ain't just your run-of-the-mill wizard energy, kid. You got something bigger brewing."

Trixie exhaled, crossing her arms. Something deeper? More ancient?

She wasn't sure what that meant.

But she had a feeling she was about to find out.

Before she could ask more, a sudden chime rang from the back of the shop—an enchanted alert spell Lao Shi had placed for emergencies. He and Fu Dog exchanged a quick glance before Lao Shi turned toward the source of the signal, his face tightening with concern.

"What now?" Trixie asked, lowering her hand as the glow faded from her fingers.

Fu Dog hopped off his stool, tail flicking anxiously. "Heads up, kid. We got trouble."

Lao Shi stroked his beard, his expression unreadable. "There has been a disturbance at some abandoned mall in Bed-Stuy—one that requires immediate attention. Something dark is moving, closer than we expected."

Trixie straightened. "You mean another magical attack?"

Lao Shi nodded solemnly. "And this time, we need both you and Jake to check it out."

Fu Dog sighed. "Looks like your day off just got a little more interesting."

She wasn't sure what that meant. But she had a feeling she was about to find out.

ஜ۩۞۩ஜ

The flight from Manhattan to Bed-Stuy was quick but tense, the wind sharp against their skin as Jake soared above the rooftops in his dragon form, Trixie held securely in his arms. From high up in the sky, Trixie gazed down at the neighborhood she'd grown up in whenever she'd visit her cousins —the familiar layout of buildings, stoops, and street corners glittering under the amber hue of the early evening light. The sun was low, casting a golden sheen across brownstone rooftops and cracked sidewalks, and for a moment, the tension in her chest eased. Bed-Stuy sparkled from up here—quiet, almost serene. It was surreal to see it like this, distant but beautiful, like something out of a dream.

But the deeper they got into Brooklyn, the quieter it became. The magic led them to a place that hadn't seen life in years—a decaying, graffiti-covered shopping plaza that sat like a forgotten relic of a different era.

Jake landed softly in the cracked and weedy parking lot of an abandoned mall, its signage faded and its front windows long since shattered. The air was unnaturally still, and the late-day sun cast long shadows over the broken asphalt. The silence was too thick and deliberate. Even the street noises from a few blocks over seemed muffled like the entire block was caught in a magical bubble.

Trixie stepped out of his arms and onto the pavement, her shoes crunching over scattered glass and debris. She took in the scene—rusted shopping carts, broken light posts, a once-busy lot now swallowed by stillness.

"Charming," she muttered.

Jake shifted back into human form, adjusting his jacket and narrowing his eyes. "This place is dead—but the energy here isn't."

The air around them pulsed faintly, an invisible thrum that set the hairs on their arms on edge.

It was too quiet.

Too wrong.

And definitely not empty.

Trixie rubbed her arms. "You feel that?"

Jake nodded, scanning the area as the duo reached further down the parking lot area of the mall. "Yeah… and I don't like it."

They stepped forward cautiously, eyes scanning the alleyway. No obvious signs of destruction, no creatures lurking in the shadows. But something was here.

Then they saw it—a glowing magical mark etched into the ground, a swirling emblem of dark violet energy pulsating in slow, rhythmic waves. The edges of the symbol twisted unnaturally, shifting as if alive, constantly reconfiguring itself into unfamiliar patterns. Strange symbols, ones neither of them could immediately recognize, formed in the air above it, flickering like they were written in shadows, pulsating with unfamiliar energy.

Trixie crouched down, eyes narrowing as she studied the mark. "What the hell is this?" She reached out cautiously, feeling an eerie warmth radiating from it—too controlled, too intentional to be wild magic.

Jake clenched his fists. "This isn't just a random attack. Someone left this here—on purpose."

Trixie exchanged a glance with him, realization sinking in. "The other attacks… this has to be connected. Whoever left this mark doesn't just know about our plans—they're trying to stop us."

Jake exhaled sharply, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, and that's not exactly reassuring."

Trixie cursed under her breath, "What a drag. We need to tell your grandpa and Fu."

A gust of wind picked up, carrying an eerie whisper. The mark pulsed violently, and suddenly, a deep, distorted voice erupted from the symbol, echoing through the alleyway.

Jake didn't hesitate. He immediately stepped in front of Trixie, arm thrown out protectively as he dropped into a defensive stance. His eyes scanned the shadows for the source of the voice. His body was tense, and his senses flared—he was ready to fight.

Trixie stood frozen behind him, her heart hammering in her chest. The pressure of the message seemed to contract the air around them.

"Turn back. The answers you seek will destroy you. The path ahead is not yours to walk."

The voice was undeniably male—low, commanding, and laced with something ancient and unyielding. The very air around them grew heavier, pressing down on their chests as if an unseen force was testing their resolve. The mark pulsed in response, and for the briefest moment, a spectral shape flickered in the darkness—a hooded figure, featureless, watching them from the far end of the alley before dissolving into nothing. They both tensed, feeling the weight of an unseen presence.

This wasn't a battle.

It was a message. A deliberate, personal warning.

This was a warning.

ஜ۩۞۩ஜ

The flight back to Lao Shi's electronic shop was quieter than the one that brought them out. The wind stung their cheeks as Jake flew them across the city skyline, but neither spoke. The message—the voice—still echoed in both of their minds. Trixie clung to him a little tighter this time, not out of fear, but from the sheer weight of uncertainty.

Jake's eyes swept the rooftops below with suspicion, his thoughts churning. He didn't like how calculated the warning had been. It hadn't been a random burst of magic—it was a message tailored for them, placed like a trap to rattle their resolve.

By the time they landed, the eerie pressure of the encounter still clung to them like a second skin.

The moment they stepped into Lao Shi's shop, they wasted no time recounting what they had seen. Trixie leaned against the counter, arms crossed, as she described the glowing mark and the voice that had come from it.

Lao Shi's expression darkened as he listened. "A voice emerged from the mark? And it told you not to go?"

Jake nodded. "It wasn't just a threat. It felt like a test—like whoever this is, they wanted to see how we'd react."

Fu Dog scratched behind his ear. "Great. Because nothing says 'relaxing Saturday' like some ominous all-knowing enemy trying to psych you out."

Lao Shi stroked his beard, deep in thought. "This confirms it. Someone does not want you to reach the magical realm. And if that is the case… then you must proceed with even greater caution."

Trixie exchanged a glance with Jake. "So that means we're still going?"

Lao Shi met her gaze evenly. "It means that now, you must be more prepared than ever."

ஜ۩۞۩ஜ

After dealing with the magical cryptic warning and reporting off to Fu and Lao Shi, the weight of what they'd just experienced hung over them as they returned to the shop. Lao Shi hadn't offered any solutions—only warnings. Fu Dog cracked a few jokes to cut the tension, but even he couldn't hide his concern. They were still shaken when they stepped outside again, the cold air doing little to clear the thoughts swirling between them.

With Spud busy and no immediate crises at hand, Jake and Trixie found themselves at a rare crossroads—time to themselves with nowhere urgent to be.

Jake kept glancing at Trixie out of the corner of his eye, noting the way her shoulders tensed and the tightness in her jaw. "You good?" he asked as they stepped outside the shop.

Trixie hesitated, then shrugged. "Still kind of creeped out, honestly. I know we've been through some stuff, but that... that was different."

Jake nodded, his own thoughts still spinning. "Yeah, it was."

She looked down at her hands, flexing them slowly. "It's like... the more I try to learn about my powers, the more dangerous this whole journey gets."

Jake didn't argue. He just walked beside her in silence for a beat.

"You want company?" he asked quietly.

Trixie didn't look at him, but her voice was steady. "I don't really feel like being alone tonight."

"Then you won't be," he said simply. Then, Jake smirked as he noticed a park that came into their view. "Well, since we're already out, we could hit the park. You know, the one we used to go to as kids?"

Trixie arched a brow. "Feeling nostalgic, huh?"

"Nah," he said, shoving his hands in his pockets. "Just figured you might need a break. And besides, I still owe you for that beatdown earlier."

She chuckled, rolling her eyes. "Alright, alright. Let's go."

When they arrived, the park was quiet, as the golden hour had slipped into early evening. Streetlights flickered on in the distance, and a dusky glow painted the sky in hazy violets and deep amber. A gentle breeze stirred the trees, carrying the scent of warm pavement and faint barbecue from a block away. They strolled past the old swings and jungle gym, reminiscing about the dumb things they used to do when they were younger.

For Jake, this place held more than just casual memories. He vividly remembered a summer evening when they were seven, running across the park barefoot after splitting a melting popsicle. They'd raced toward the swing set like it was the finish line of an Olympic sprint, Jake trailing behind as Trixie leaped into the seat and pushed off, laughing like nothing in the world could touch her. He remembered thinking, even back then, that being around her made everything feel lighter, simpler, and safer.

It wasn't their first time meeting, but that memory stuck—because from that point on, it had always been them. Scraped knees and shared snacks, tag-team roasting bullies, making forts out of benches and sticks. Every milestone, every shift in their friendship, had some thread that led back here. The park wasn't just a place. It was the place. Their starting line.

He remembered scraped knees and dares, summer popsicles, and lazy afternoons watching clouds. This park had been their first battleground, their first hideout, their first home away from home. Being here now, with her beside him again, felt like he'd come full circle.

Except this time, everything was different.

"Remember when you dared me to jump off the top of the slide?" Jake laughed.

Trixie snorted. "Yeah, and your dumbass actually did it. Nearly broke your arm."

Jake grinned. "Worth it."

They reached the swings—old, slightly rusted, but still standing. Without a word, Trixie claimed the one on the left, Jake on the right.

"Race you to the sky," she challenged, already pumping her legs.

Jake rolled his eyes but grinned. "You're on."

The air filled with the creak of chains and the rush of wind as they swung higher and higher, laughter echoing across the park. It was a small, silly competition—but in that moment, it felt like everything.

For just a few minutes, they weren't worrying about magical warnings, secret enemies, or complicated feelings. They were just Jake and Trixie. Two kids trying to see who could touch the stars first.

Trixie eventually slowed down and let herself glide back down to a gentle stop, kicking at the gravel beneath her swing as she laughed. "Guess that makes me the reigning champ."

Jake let out an exaggerated sigh as he hopped off his own swing. "Only because your legs are longer."

"Excuses," she teased.

They shared a laugh, breathless and carefree. Jake looked over at her, the way her smile softened her entire face, and for a moment, he just stared.

She was beautiful—like always—but here, at this moment, with the last traces of sunlight haloing her curls, she looked untouchable. Radiant.

He tore his gaze away, clearing his throat. Get a grip, Long, he told himself. This is Trixie.

But the pounding in his chest and the heat building under his skin told a different story.

They sat down on a bench, watching the last golden rays fade behind the horizon as twilight fully claimed the sky. The air had cooled, and the first stars blinked into view, casting a soft silver glow over the park. The shift into evening wrapped everything in a calm hush that made their quiet moment feel even more suspended in time. The air between them was light, easy—until it wasn't.

The silence stretched, but it wasn't uncomfortable. It was… charged. Like something unspoken had been hanging between them for too long, waiting for the right moment to surface.

Trixie turned to him, catching him staring again. "What?"

Jake hesitated. "Nothing. Just… it's been a minute since we hung out like this."

She exhaled, leaning back. "Yeah. Feels kinda nice."

Another pause. Another moment where they could say something—where something could happen.

Jake's mind drifted back to their last training session—the pin, the breathless closeness, the way she looked at him when he was flat on his back. He hadn't been able to stop thinking about it. About her.

This shouldn't be happening, he thought. She's your best friend. You've got history with Rose. You're supposed to be focused.

But then he glanced at her again. The way the streetlight caught in her curls. The curve of her mouth. The way she sat there beside him was like she belonged.

And suddenly, Jake didn't know what he was supposed to feel anymore. Only that he wanted to feel more of this.

But instead, Jake smirked. "Alright, let's make it interesting. Bet I can still beat you at Jenga."

Trixie raised a brow. "Oh, you tryna lose now? Say less."

Jake leaned back against the bench, his foot nudging at a loose pebble on the ground. "Well, unless you know a public park that keeps Jenga tables on deck, we gotta figure out where this is going down."

Trixie smirked. "You tryna take this L at your place or mine?"

Jake laughed but hesitated for a beat. "Well, my folks would lose it if they knew you were in my room unsupervised. They're still stuck in 'not-under-my-roof' mode, even though we're practically adults."

Trixie shook her head, chuckling. "Classic Mr. and Mrs. Long. Guess that narrows it down."

"Guess it does," Jake said, glancing over at her with a lazy grin. "You got the place to yourself tonight, right?"

She nodded. "Yep. My grandma's out for the night visiting one of her sisters."

Jake stood, offering her a hand. "Then it's settled. Trixie's house it is. Where legends go to lose at Jenga."

He kept his tone cool, casual—just the way he always did around her. But inside? He was spiraling. Ever since their last training session, his mind hadn't been able to shut off. The way her body had pressed into his, the way her eyes had lingered on his lips, the way something had nearly snapped between them—he was still reeling from it.

Relax, he told himself. You've been to her place a hundred times in the past. This is just a hangout. It's nothing.

But it didn't feel like nothing. Not with the way she looked tonight. Not with the way she kept smiling at him like she didn't know she was slowly ruining his life.

Jake forced a breath, pushing the thoughts down.

He had to stay chill. Had to stay Jake.

Even if every hormone in his body was screaming otherwise.

Trixie took his hand, rolling her eyes as she stood. "Talk that talk, Long. You better back it up."

ஜ۩۞۩ஜ

Jake hadn't been inside her house in years. As soon as they stepped through the door, a quiet kind of nostalgia hit him. The place smelled like vanilla and clean cotton—just like it used to. There were small changes—new curtains, a different couch—but the vibe was still unmistakably hers. Familiar. Grounding. His gaze lingered on framed photos in the hallway, old memories of her family, and younger versions of themselves. He smiled faintly, wondering why it had taken so long to come back here.

They headed up the stairs toward her room, the wood creaking beneath their steps. Jake followed just behind her, trying very hard not to let his eyes drop—don't look, don't look. But it was impossible not to notice the sway of her hips, the bounce of her ass as she moved. Every step felt like a test of his self-control.

Once inside, Trixie disappeared into the bathroom to shower. Jake took a seat on the edge of her bed, scanning the room. It was a blend of old and new—her familiar posters still tacked up, now joined by a few framed photos and a shelf filled with books and magical trinkets.

When she emerged, she was dressed in an oversized T-shirt—one that used to belong to him back in middle school—and a pair of tiny, worn-in shorts. Her hair was out in its full natural state, a soft, voluminous afro that framed her face in the most beautiful way. Jake's throat went dry.

She looked effortless. Comfortable. And so damn fine.

Fuck.

He quickly looked away, pretending to be very invested in setting up the Jenga tower.

Focus, he told himself. Jenga. You're here to play Jenga.

But his dragon senses were going haywire. The warmth of her skin, the faint smell of her favorite shea butter shampoo, the way her legs brushed against his as she'd occasionally pass by him—it was all too much. He tried to focus on his breathing and tried to act like everything was normal.

But nothing about this night felt normal. And nothing about Trixie Carter had ever made him feel calm.

Trixie dropped onto the floor in the living room like she never left, flipping open the Jenga box. "You just gonna stand there and reminisce my room, or are you joining me?"

Jake blinked out of it, chuckling. "Yeah, yeah. Just taking it all in. It's been a minute."

"I don't know why you keep setting yourself up for failure, Jakey," Trixie teased as she carefully removed a block and set it on top.

Jake scoffed. "Big talk. Let's see if you're still that confident in about five minutes."

The game went on all evening, each turn dragging out the tension between them in ways neither wanted to acknowledge. Every time she leaned over, every time their fingers brushed, every time her laughter filled the room—it chipped away at Jake's restraint.

Then, it happened.

Trixie reached for a block, miscalculated, and the entire tower collapsed.

Jake threw his arms up. "Ha! Told you!"

Trixie groaned. "Damn it."

Jake leaned back, a victorious grin on his face, but when his eyes met hers, something shifted.

She was still laughing, but it was softer now, more private. And then she wasn't laughing at all.

Just looking.

The air between them stretched too thin.

Jake's smirk faltered. His pulse was suddenly too loud. He watched as her expression flickered—something unsure, something hesitant, something that mirrored exactly what he was feeling. Neither of them moved.

Jake swallowed hard. He should look away. He should say something stupid, make a joke, break the moment before it spiraled into something he couldn't take back.

But he didn't.

Because, for the first time, he didn't want to.

Neither of them spoke.

Trixie's breath was slow, controlled—too controlled. Her fingers twitched slightly on the floor between them, as if she were resisting the same pull he was. And then she moved.

Just a little. Just enough.

Her hand brushed against his, fingertips barely touching, and Jake felt it like a spark shooting straight through his chest.

And suddenly, there was no more pretending.

Jake leaned in first, barely aware of himself moving. He hesitated for a fraction of a second—long enough to see Trixie's eyes flicker, her breath hitch, her lips part in anticipation.

And then she met him halfway.

The kiss deepened, slow at first, but then something shifted. Jake's hands found her waist, pulling her closer, and Trixie responded instantly, fingers curling into his shirt. It was needy, unfiltered, electric. Every inch of space between them disappeared as the kiss intensified, their movements instinctive, desperate to close the tension that had been simmering for weeks.

Heat curled low in his stomach. This wasn't like anything he'd imagined—it was better. Because it was Trixie.

Then, without thinking, Jake's hands moved. One moment, they were gripping her waist; the next, he swiped the Jenga pieces off the table, clearing it in a single motion. Before Trixie could react, he lifted her up and settled her on the wooden surface. She gasped against his lips, fingers sliding under his shirt, nails raking against his skin as she reached for his belt.

His breath hitched, and his dragon senses went haywire. Everything about her was overwhelming—her scent, the way her body molded against his, the heat of her touch. His heart pounded as he trailed his lips along her jaw, then lowered them, biting down gently at the curve of her neck, leaving a mark.

Trixie shuddered, a quiet moan slipping from her lips, and that sound nearly broke him. Jake's fingers dug into her hips, ready to take this even further—until it happened.

And he had wanted this for longer than he was ready to admit.

But then—

A soft glow pulsed between them.

Jake felt it before he saw it—the shift in the air, the sudden warmth pressing against his chest. He blinked, pulling back slightly, and his breath caught when he saw it.

Trixie was glowing.

A soft lavender-purple hue radiated from her skin, pulsing in time with her rapid heartbeat. At first, it was faint, a gentle flicker, but then it brightened, crackling with raw energy.

Trixie gasped, her hands flying to her arms as she stared at herself. "Jake—what the hell—"

He barely found his voice. "Trix—you're—"

She jerked away, stumbling slightly as she scrambled backward. The glow flickered, then dimmed, but the heat in the room lingered, charged with whatever just happened. Her breathing was unsteady, her fingers trembling.

Jake sat there, chest rising and falling, staring at her with a mix of awe and something else he couldn't name. He swallowed hard. This wasn't just magic. This was something else. Something deeper.

Trixie exhaled sharply, shaking her head. "I—I need a second."

She turned away quickly, pressing her hands to her arms as if trying to hold the magic inside, shoulders tense with embarrassment. "This… this isn't normal. I shouldn't—"

Jake stood up and cautiously approached her. "Trix, hey," he said, his voice softer now, reassuring. "It's okay."

She let out a breath, frustrated. "No, it's not. My magic—it's not supposed to just explode out of nowhere like that. What if I can't control it? What if next time it—"

"Stop," Jake interrupted, his hand brushing against her arm, the warmth of his touch grounding her. "It's part of you. And you don't have to be afraid of it."

Trixie looked up at him, eyes searching his for doubt, but there wasn't any. Just certainty. Just Jake—accepting her, no hesitation.

Slowly, the tension in her shoulders eased. She swallowed, taking in a shaky breath. "You really think so?"

Jake nodded. "Yeah. And I think whoever did that magical disturbance at Bed-Stuy? They're scared of what you can do. So don't be scared of yourself."

A small, reluctant smile tugged at her lips. "That was kind of deep, Jakey. Didn't know you had it in you."

He smirked, bumping her shoulder lightly. "I got layers, Carter. Real deep ones."

She rolled her eyes but didn't pull away this time. The glow on her skin had faded, but the warmth between them lingered.

They sat in the quiet for another few beats; the tension settled but not forgotten. Jake glanced at her again, and this time, she was already looking at him. Her lips parted slightly like she might say something else—but she didn't.

He exhaled through his nose and leaned back, his heart still not quite slowing down. This wasn't just some slip, he thought. This wasn't just magic.

Something had changed between them. Something neither of them had the words for yet.

But they both knew.

Jake let out a long breath and leaned his elbows onto his knees, running his hands through his hair. His heart was still thudding, but now for a different reason. The glow, the kiss, the way her voice had cracked with embarrassment—everything about that moment was still buzzing under his skin.

His mind drifted to Rose. Their pause hadn't exactly given him clarity. He still didn't know what he wanted. Or maybe, deep down, he did—and just didn't want to admit it.

Trixie wasn't supposed to be the one I fall for, he thought. But here I am, losing my mind every time she looks at me like that.

He looked over at her again. She was staring at her hands, still shaken, still glowing just faintly under the skin. And all he could think was:

I want to stay.

Right here.

Jake didn't know what tomorrow would bring. Or what the magical realm would reveal. But one thing was certain—there was no going back.

Author's Note: About time - 14 chapters later, we finally got a kiss lol. Welp, see y'all next week.