from bribing,” Jax acknowledged. "Anyway. She ended up falling asleep so I waited a bit to take it all in before I brought her back."
"Did she wake up?"
"No." Jax shook his head. "I almost thought she'd sleepwalked there, but that didn't make much sense with how she reached the top of the building with no one noticing. I was lucky the security hadn't come around on a patrol."
"Very lucky. Wouldn't want that to be on the news," I reasoned. "President of the prestigious Witchling Academy with a very naked Vice President discovered on world's tallest building in the heart of Dubai at the stroke of midnight."
"That sounds like an extravagant adventure that could be made into a drama," Jax reasoned.
"Glad you're enjoying my vision," I said in amusement as I watched him chuckle and rest his head back to look at the stars.
"At least she's safe and back to being sandwiched between Finnick and Kaito," he concluded. I was going to ask for an elaboration, but he added, "They're wearing clothes, or at least Kaito is, and Finnick's in boxers."
"Is it just me or is Kaito rather conservative as of late?"
"Meaning he seems to be the slowest in terms of making a move on Brianne?" Jax clarified and drank more of the alcoholic beverage.
"Ya. That," I confirmed. "Is something bothering him?"
"I'm not sure," Jax admitted. "It's not Brianne. She seems to be more open with showing her affection when she wants to kiss and make out. She’s still innocent in a few areas like romantic antics in groups, but she's been very laid back with other stuff."
"I'm happy she's finally feeling more relaxed to do those things," I admitted. "She was so afraid of being judged before, and now she has the confidence to act on what she knows will please her. She may not initiate everything, but she allows herself to give in to her desires, which is great progress." I looked up to the stars and continued, "As to why Kaito's being cautious is beyond me. He's not really the cautious type, and it's obvious he loves Brianne like we do, but maybe we're missing something," I suggested.
"Could be," Jax answered and finished his beer. "Maybe he's just getting used to liking Finnick as well and doesn't know how to balance both at the same time?"
"Even with Finnick, I'm not sure. I know they were rather intimate when we went to the hot springs, but since Finnick's father's passing, it's as though he's been there to be physically "there" for comfort, but I haven't seen them kiss since."
"Maybe I just need to talk to him and see if everything is okay?" Jax suggested.
"Could be." I lowered my gaze back to him, only to lock onto his eyes as he stared right into mine.
"What?"
"You're okay, right?" he quietly asked. "With the whole sponsorship thing?"
"I'm trying to put it off until we have to face it," I admitted. "My mom doesn't know about it, and I don't think I should inform her yet. I'm guessing tensions are high between them. I figure the news of him trying to bribe me to his side of the table would set her off. That is, if they're on different sides."
"The possibilities." Jax shook his head. "Well, we're here for you if you need us. You know that, right?"
My grin must have shown how his words gave me a sense of calm and hope.
"I know," I replied. "We should go to sleep if we expect to keep up with those three during the tours tomorrow. Finnick's going to be excited to draw everything."
"Right." Jax lightly chuckled. "I took a picture of the view from the tower. I'll show you guys tomorrow. I'm sure he’ll want to paint that."
"Do you think he's okay since receiving that god weapon?" I pondered. "He's been acting okay for a bit, but it's those quiet moments I worry about."
"I think he's working on coping," Jax concluded. "His mourning is different from when it was Flynn and his mother. Even though six months have passed, I feel it takes Finnick solid years to be able to move forward. I'm sure the weapon may have triggered something. Didn't Flynn used to use bows as his primary weapon?"
"Yup." I remembered how Finnick would talk about bows all day and night during one of our many summers. He'd draw them or pretend to carry one everywhere and shoot people with it. Now that his weapon is a bow and arrow that was blessed