DAYS LATER…
With the summer solstice not too far from now, everyone was busy with preparations. Everyone except Jessa, who was curled up in her hole reading one of the books Gobo had given her. She couldn't do much with a big scar on her arm thanks to those bloodwraithes, but at least she got to enjoy her hole after Boober, Mokey, Red, Gobo, and Wembley made it all nice for her. Jessa was also wearing a different outfit this time since Boober was washing her clothes. A turquoise blue tube top and gray cargo jeans. Her hairstyle, however, remained the same. Jessa glanced at her bandaged arm and sighed before turning the page in her book. The scar still hurt, though not as bad as it did when she first got it. It provided some difficulties though. For example, showering was a challenge since it hurt to wash her arm. Jessa also couldn't sleep on her side as that would put pressure on the injury. Nevertheless, she managed. It wasn't until a half hour later when Boober arrived, exhausted from cooking all the food for the solstice.
"That's the first time I've seen you sedentary," he said to her as she looked up.
Boober was in his chef hat and apron, though he removed his oven mitts before coming to spend his break with Jessa. He also had a bit of flour on his face, which made Jessa blush.
"Can't exactly do much when you have a big scar on your arm," Jessa replied to him. "On the plus side, however, it's given me time to enjoy this hole."
Boober smiled before sitting down next to her.
"Nothing like nice clean sheets is there."
"Nope."
They both looked away, blushing and smiling before Boober slowly placed his hand on top of Jessa's.
"So how's food duty coming along?" She asked.
"I'm almost done with the radish bites. They're in the oven baking."
Boober could've sworn that Jessa scooted closer to him, and he grinned while his tail wagged.
"How's your arm?" he asked.
"Still painful, but not as bad as it was."
Boober stole a glance at Jessa's arm before turning to face her.
"Showering is difficult, and I can't lay on my left side."
Boober put his arm around her waist, to which Jessa's tail wagged.
"I was so scared when you went in there," Boober admitted. "With all those scary bloodwraithes, I thought you were going to get killed."
"Boober," Jessa began while cupping his face. "I've dealt with more intense fights than that one."
Boober only pulled her closer in response, which made Jessa blush even deeper.
"I thought I was going to lose you, Jessa."
"Don't worry, you didn't," she replied nonchalantly while hugging him.
Boober melted into the hug and sighed. This is what he needed right now! Time with his crush. He inhaled Jessa's scent and nuzzled her neck. Jessa rested her head on top of his and giggled.
"Who would've known that chef hat would make a great pillow," she commented.
Boober's baloobius lit up at what she said.
"I'm glad you find comfort in my uniform," he murmured.
Jessa chuckled as Boober caressed her back.
"You know, I gotta be honest," Jessa began. "This will be the first summer solstice in Fraggle Rock I've ever attended."
Boober remained silent, but Jessa didn't mind. This time with Boober was what she needed.
"If it makes you feel any better Boober, I won't be doing any crazy shit any time soon."
Boober hummed in response, relaxing into Jessa. She raised her head to look at him and chuckled.
"Careful, your radish bites will burn if you fall asleep on me."
"They won't be done for another 30 minutes."
"If you say so, chef."
Boober giggled; loving being called that. Jessa rolled her eyes in amusement and went back to reading her book.
"Isn't that Gobo's book of maps?" Boober asked upon noticing the pages.
"Yeah, it was one of the books he put on my shelf."
Boober couldn't help but feel a little jealous of Jessa's friendship with Gobo. The two seemed to have a lot in common and got along pretty well. It made him feel insecure.
"Jessa, can I ask you something?"
"Sure, what is it?"
"Do you like Gobo?"
Jessa was caught off guard by that question as she gave Boober a funny look.
"Not in that kind of way. I like Gobo more in a family sense."
"Oh."
Boober couldn't help but feel relieved at this news.
"Why do you ask?"
"Just wondering."
Boober let go of Jessa, but he still sat beside her. She couldn't help but feel disappointed when he did so. Jessa had never been the cuddly or huggy type, but having Boober hold her made her crave snuggles.
"You look nice in that color," Boober complimented her.
Jessa blushed before responding.
"Thanks," she replied.
At least Boober didn't have to worry about Jessa falling for Gobo. He sat there for a moment, thinking about when he and Jessa almost kissed. With all that had happened, neither of them had any time to think about it. Boober being busy cooking for the summer solstice and Jessa still adjusting to life in Fraggle Rock since she no longer had access to the Terrible Tunnel. Well, she could go back in there via teleportation or use her sword to destroy the boulder that now blocked the entrance, but it would cause too much of a scene and Jessa wasn't in the mood to get yelled at. Teleportation was her best bet, yet that would also involve the risk of exposing herself as half shazzle. Even with the most secluded areas of Fraggle Rock, there would always be a risk of somebody seeing her teleport. Not even the gorg's garden would warrant her any privacy to do so. With all that in mind, Jessa had no choice but to stay in Fraggle Rock. Regardless, she didn't mind it. More specifically, she didn't mind being in Boober's company. Boober also loved having Jessa here with him. Now he knew for a fact that she wouldn't get killed by something fearsome in the Terrible Tunnel. Jessa also made a mental note to not use her powers anymore, at least until they somehow opened the Terrible Tunnel once again.
"So," Jessa began as Boober made eye contact with her. "You're still going to pass on the celebration?"
"Yeah. Loudness is not my thing."
"I'll let you know how it all goes down then."
"I will enjoy hearing about it."
Boober and Jessa held hands once again, but before they could say or do anything else, Boober began to smell his radish bites.
"I better go check on those radish bites. I'll be right back."
Jessa nodded as Boober went back to his kitchen, leaving her to read more of the book.
Boober had gotten busy with his other tasks and didn't come back, but Jessa didn't hold it against him. After finishing the book, she put it away and got up to walk around the Great Hall. Jessa didn't have her boots on, and it felt weird being barefoot. Nevertheless, she ventured out into the Great Hall. She casually walked past the other fraggles playing and doing their own thing. None of them noticed her, which was just fine by Jessa. She walked past the Terrible Tunnel, now blocked off by an enormous boulder. She stopped to stare at it for a few minutes before continuing her walk, having mixed feelings about this whole situation.
"Looks like there's no going back," she said to herself.
"Excuse me?"
Jessa turned to see the same fraggle that cried over Orzie's death approach her with what looked like a geode in her hands.
"I never got the chance to thank you for avenging Orzie."
"You don't have to," Jessa replied somewhat indifferently. "Shit like that just happens."
"Here's a geode for killing those bloodwraithes."
Jessa took the geode and stared at it. It was a large rainbow crystal geode that sparkled when held at certain angles. It was very beautiful! Jessa was already beginning to think how good it would look on her bookshelf.
"Where did you get this?"
"It's a family heirloom."
"You… gave me an heirloom? But I'm not related to you."
"There's not very many fraggles who would go in the Terrible Tunnel and kill a whole nest of bloodwraithes. You deserve it."
"What about your descendants?"
"I don't want children. And besides, that's a very precious geode."
Jessa stared down at it again and smiled.
"I'll take good care of it. Thanks."
The fraggle grinned and left, leaving Jessa to go back to her room and put the rainbow geode on her bookshelf. She was in the middle of finding a spot for it when Boober finally returned.
"Hey Jessa, I-"
Boober noticed the geode and stopped to admire it.
"Where did you get that geode?"
"I was walking around the Great Hall and some fraggle that knew Orzie gave it to me. As a thanks for destroying the bloodwraithes."
"It's a honey, that's for sure," Boober said while hugging Jessa from behind.
"A honey?" Jessa chuckled in amusement.
"Yeah, a honey."
"I didn't expect to be compensated for my kill quest, but with prizes like this geode, I'd say it was worth it."
Boober made a small noise while tightening his hold on Jessa.
"Of course, even without the geode, I'm just happy that you're not dead."
A moment of silence passed between them as they both stared at Jessa's geode.
"I meant to come back much sooner," Boober finally said. "but the laundry needed to be done and I had to make the fruit punch."
"Boober, don't worry about it. Shit happens."
Jessa giggled when he nuzzled her neck, both of their tails wagging.
"Mokey said something about a musical group coming to the solstice."
"The Minstrels?"
"Yeah. Those guys."
While they were talking, Mokey walked in to get something but stopped once she saw Boober and Jessa. She smiled seeing how close they had become, fully aware of his feelings for the dark purple fraggle. She could see his tail wagging while he held her.
"What kind of music do they play?" Jessa asked Boober.
"The most enticing orchestral music any fraggle has heard."
"I just love their music," Mokey interjected, forgetting that she was watching them.
Both Jessa and Boober turned around in surprise.
"Mokey?" he asked.
"How long have you been there?" Jessa asked her.
"Just a couple of seconds," Mokey answered innocently. "I just need some streamers."
Mokey looked around in her hole for them while Boober and Jessa watched. After digging around for a bit, she noticed the geode on Jessa's bookshelf.
"Oh, what a lovely geode!"
"Thanks, it was a reward for the Bloodwraithe Massacre," Jessa replied proudly.
"Isn't it a honey, Mokey?" Boober asked her.
"Very much!"
Before Mokey could admire it much longer, Red caught her attention.
"Mokey, come on," she told her. "Those streamers aren't going to put themselves up."
"Coming Red."
Mokey followed her out of the room, leaving Boober and Jessa alone with each other once again. Jessa shifted to lie on her back while Boober watched her, smiling and blushing.
"You look good in that chef uniform, by the way."
"Gee uh, thanks," Boober replied shyly, grinning like a dork.
Jessa chuckled at his shyness, finding it cute. Boober's tail wagged once again before lying down beside her.
"Do you need anything?" Boober asked Jessa.
"Not that I can think of," she answered after pondering on it.
Boober nuzzled her in response, making Jessa giggle.
"I need to get back in the kitchen."
"Alright then."
Boober stole a hug from Jessa before leaving, making her blush and grin. Jessa then grabbed another book off her shelf to read, sighing lovingly to herself before opening it and getting lost in the lore of what was written on the pages.