John Baptiste. [powered_otaku]

[sweetsalome]

        It's one of those perfect summer days, one that isn't too hot, too humid. Right after a hard, cold rain, that cools everything down and leaves just enough moisture in the reserves for when the sun shines high over head. Salome's Grandparent's house sits on three acres of land, enough for a great back and front yard, but not enough to be considered country. Far back away from the road, it rests on top of a slight incline, that is just right for sledding when the snow falls in the winter. Two stories tall, it's painted white with blue shutters, that get repainted every two years, a task that her grandfather complains about, but always does proudly. There is a front porch and a back porch, maybe some years ago they were connected, but it seems someone had gotten rid of it years before.

On the back porch there is a swing, it's chain rusted and when it rocks back and forth it squeaks. Not an annoying squeak, but steady and simple, it's sound changing with the back and forth movements. It's one of the things on grandpa's to do list, but never seems to get done. There are four old apple trees a few feet away from the back porch, in the spring their leaves turn dark and about mid-summer the married couple talk at great length over what is the perfect time to pick the fruit. In the end, their largest issue is what to do with the apples they don't eat, turn into preserves, or bake into pies. The setting is idyllic, and for the most part, so is life in the Snyder house.

But like most things the exterior does not match the interior.  The Snyder's have an almost rabid hatred for anything to do with Liam Collins, and who can blame them?  The man took away their daughter, and through lengthy court custody battles, have left them with very little money to survive.  Despite the fact that they can't get a third year law student to look at their case, they still hold out hope that they will one day have their daughter back.  It's painfully obvious, and a weakness that is easily exploited.

       This morning, Salome and Jonba sit on the back porch with finger paints and large sheets of paper.  An old book with pictures of paintings sits propped up on the railing.  Salome is trying to convince the boy to make a painting like the vase of flowers in the book.  The boy needless to say is having none of it.  He is much happier smacking his multi-colored hands down on the paper, or just rubbing his chubby fingers around in circles in globs of paint.  Painting is just not a talent that the Collins possess, clearly.  It doesn't seem to matter, the boy is laughing and having a great time of it.

Comments

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

A couple of hours later, Hiro slowly wakes to the sensation of his hair being played with and drool on his chest. He looks down first to see a mop of blond curls, then up to see Salome staring off as she plays with his hair.

"Anata?" he says softly.

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

Her eyes are glassy, unblinking at the horizon, thinking, fantasizing, remembering, it doesn't truly matter. His voice startles her from where ever she was, lost in some sort of dream world she blinks. Bowing her head, she finally drags her gaze back to his face.

"Hello, my heart, did you sleep well?"

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

"Mmmhmm," he says, nodding a little. He likes her dreamy little smile. "He wore me out." He grabs her hand, kissing her fingers before he sits up so that Jonba is now sitting in his lap. "He is out like a light. Perhaps we should take him back to the house so he can sleep on his bed?"

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

Picking up a napkin from the basket she carefully wipes at the spot of drool on Hiro's shirt and then wipes at Jonba's chin. Leaning down she kisses the little boy's forehead before pulling back. "That's a good idea, I'll pick up." Moving away from them, she starts to clean things up.

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

One-handed, Hiro hands her things to repack into the cooler before he gets off the blanket. Hefting Jonba up so that his head is on his shoulder, Hiro stands up and picks up the cooler.

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

Salome gets the rest of the things, carefully folding up the blanket before taking the cooler from Hiro. He's already carrying too many things, Jonba is a handful just on his own. The little boy whimpers in his sleep, rubbing his nose on his arm before settling back down. Salome smiles at them both before she starts back to the house, her hand resting lightly on the small of her boyfriend's back.

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

He puts his arm around her shoulders and slowly strolls with her back to the house with Jonba still sleeping on his shoulder. "I like this kind of day - one of my favorite things about summer."

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

"It is very nice, not too hot, and not too many bugs." She agrees, her head on his shoulder, pulling back only when they got inside the house. Setting the cooler on the counter, she reads the note that her grandmother has decided to run errands. "Let's put Jonba in his bedroom," she points to the stairs. The boy's room is the one at the very end of the hall.

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

"Ok." Hiro carries him up the stairs and goes into the room indicated. He lets Salome pull back the covers before he lays him down on the bed.

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

As he lays Jonba down, she kisses the top of his head and takes off his shoes. She tucks Elmo under his arm, and then pulls back, he looks peaceful and doesn't even stir. Salome moves to Hiro and kisses his mouth lightly before taking his hand and urging him to the door.

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

Hiro ruffles Jonba's hair a little, then follows Salome out the door. He directs her to the porch swing. It's shady, but still outside. "I like listening to the birds." He explains, blushing.a little.

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

"That's okay, I like sitting out here, I think it's very peaceful. But you have to hold me, okay?" As soon as he sits, she crawls up on to his lap and wraps an arm around his neck. Her head on his shoulder, she sighed happily and closes her eyes.

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

Hiro holds her close, pushing the swing back and forth just a little with his foot. It's an idyllic setting and he feels a peace steal into his soul that he hadn't realize was missing. His fingers play with her hair as he stares out across the land. "Did you come here over the summer when you were younger?"

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

"No, not really, my dad didn't want me to come out here, he doesn't like my grandparents." Yawning, she ran her hand up and down his chest, listening to his heart beating. It was wonderful being with him, cuddling in his arms and just being normal. This was the life, if the world was going to end right now it would have been perfect.

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

"It is a pity. This is a great place for a kid to come for the summer. Even adults. We will have to make certain that Jonba spends a lot of time here. I think he would love it and I am certain your grandparents would be happy to have him. It's also a good place for you to study. Do they have a computer here? I cannot say that I was looking for one."

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

"I have my laptop, and I manage to steal wireless from the neighbor. My grandparents aren't very technologically savvy, so sometimes it's a pain." Lifting her head, she grins at him before kissing his temple lightly. "I think they would be very happy to have Jonba here, and us. My Grandmother likes you very much, she thinks your a gentleman."

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

"I will get you set up here. After all, if I am here and if they need to get in contact with me, I will need a reliable network."

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

"How is this going to work? Are you going to live in the city and come out on the weekend?" She whispers in his ear, nibbling lightly on his earlobe.

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

"That sounds like a good idea. Is this house closer to your school?"

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

"I couldn't go back to my private school in the city, it would be too horrific. I will enroll in the local high school, it's only down the road." She wrinkles her nose. "I hate school."

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

Hiro shrugs. "I liked school, except most of the other students.. As long as I had Ando around or kept away from certain kids, I was fine with school." He looks around as if he expects to see the school suddenly appear. "You are a senior this year, yes?"

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

"Well that's simply because you are brilliant, my dear!" Laughing she nods and leans back a bit more against him, looking out at the field. "Yes, last year, full of books and worrying about what other people think of you."

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

"Tests, tests, tests." He sighs. "High school was awful."

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

"Well you don't have to go back, unless you want to take me to prom." Laughing again she rolls her head and picks up his hand studying his fingers intently. "Plus, I still think you are the smartest person I know."

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

"Of course I will take you to the prom. Unless you have someone else you planned to go with." He blushes a bit. "Oh, I am hardly the smartest person. Maybe a bit smarter than most..." He has a silly grin on his face.