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Post by Lacey on Dec 25, 2017 22:59:25 GMT -5
"You're welcome."
The lack of words spoken between the two for the next few minutes didn't make things feel awkward or empty. Instead, the actions seemed to speak louder than words, with her walking closer to Spot. The pair were able to easily share body heat, with Lacey's free hand stuffed in her pocket and the other one perfectly content in Spot's.
The wind was loud and cold, but Lacey was too caught up in the way that the snow looked beginning to fall all around them. It wasn't falling too much yet, but even just the faint white backdrop behind Spot as she looked at him, with dirty blond hair and icy blue eyes, was one of the most incredible sights that she had ever seen. That accompanied by the weather-induced flush in his cheeks made it hard for the female to look away.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Dec 25, 2017 23:26:40 GMT -5
Spot paused by a lamppost for a moment so he and Lacey could warm themselves a brief moment before continuing on.
“Not too cold, I hope?” he asked as he rubbed his hands then rubbed her hands. “Staten is just a little farther.”
He didn’t really think a pause was necessary. His heart felt light and warm, but he knew Lacey might be feeling a little cold. It was more for her than it was for him. Besides, a break was nice.
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Post by Lacey on Dec 25, 2017 23:31:56 GMT -5
"Not too cold, I hope?"
For a moment, Lacey was worried that they had stopped because he had caught her staring. The realization that it was for her own good came as a relief to the female, who merely shrugged in response. "It ain't that snowy yet. I'm more worried about the trip back."
"Staten is just a little farther."
She nodded, gently stopping Spot's hands from moving for a moment and just holding them with her own. "You're keepin' me warm just fine, Spot. I promise." Her voice was hushed, her gaze somehow managing to be comfortable yet shy as she stared up at him. The eye contact, however, only lasted for a few more seconds before she broke it bashfully.
"I, uh, I really appreciate ya bringin' me along like this... I'm not sure I'd wanna go back ta the lodge with the party still goin' on." She bit her lip.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Dec 25, 2017 23:38:51 GMT -5
”It ain’t that snowy yet. I’m more worried about the trip back.”
Spot was relieved she was okay. He would hate to have dragged her out to Staten and have her frozen on the way. He chuckled softly. “Don’t worry about that. We’d stay in Staten for the night. Wouldn’t dream of headin’ back in this weather.”
”You’re keepin’ me warm just fine, Spot. I promise.”
He found himself blushing again. “Ah well... I’m glad. Don’t want you to be cold.”
”I, uh, I really appreciate ya bringin’ me along like this... I’m not sure I’d wanna go back ta the lodge with the party still goin on.”
Spot gave her a small smile. “I’m glad you accepted... My family isn’t um... the greatest, but they’re all I’ve got.”
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Post by Lacey on Dec 25, 2017 23:43:51 GMT -5
“Don’t worry about that. We’d stay in Staten for the night. Wouldn’t dream of headin’ back in this weather.”
Lacey raised an eyebrow. At least he had thought things through. She couldn't complain about that too much at all.
“Ah well... I’m glad. Don’t want you to be cold.”
She grinned, "That makes two of us."
“I’m glad you accepted... My family isn’t um... the greatest, but they’re all I’ve got.”
Lacey couldn't help but smile, her fingers interlacing with Spot's once more as she shook her head. "That's enough to make your family the greatest, Spot. They've had some rough times, sure, but you're still a family. That's special, and I'm glad that you have it."
Spot's hands were warm. She didn't know how, but they were warm, and that was enough to not make her want to let go.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Dec 25, 2017 23:52:38 GMT -5
”That makes two of us.”
Spot gave her hands an extra rub before they began walking once more.
”That’s enough to make your family the greatest, Spot.”
He shrugged lightly. Not everyone thought that way. Some people just didn’t care for the Conlons, but that was something Spot had just grown used to.
”They’ve had some rough times, sure, but you’re still a family. That’s special, and I’m glad that you have it.”
He cracked a small smile. Yes, there had been lots of rough times. Da and Mum passing away, and even his uncle. Jasper getting polio, and Darcy running away. But they were still together through it all. Maybe just maybe, things would be okay.
“Yeah... I’m glad too.”
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Post by Lacey on Dec 25, 2017 23:57:11 GMT -5
"Yeah... I'm glad too."
It was a simple response, but one that Lacey could hear the emotion behind. Spot loved his family more than anything the world, and more than likely would have done anything for them in a heartbeat. That was admirable.
Walking once again with Spot, Lacey found that the break had somehow made her feel much warmer, sticking closely by Spot's side and falling into stride with him as they made their way towards Staten. It was the perfect night for Christmas, it seemed.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Dec 26, 2017 0:06:23 GMT -5
Spot was a bit reluctant to enter the lodge once they had arrived. He had rather enjoyed their long, silent walk. But he was getting a little cold, and he was sure Lacey was freezing. So inside they had to go. They were given warm greetings by the lodge owner and some of the Staten boys before Thunder and Jasper came over to greet them. Spot could feel his cheeks redden in slight embarrassment as the boys noted the guest that was with him. But thank goodness, Biscuit shooed all the boys away and left the Conlon brothers plus Lacey to themselves. Thunder was pleased to see his brother had arrived safely and with a friend in tow. He would have to wait to hear about that. For now, they would head to the small apartment he was renting to spend a Conlon Christmas together. ((Hey I gotta head to bed. =w= It’s past midnight for me. I hope to catch you on again later! This was a lot of fun. It’s really great having you back. ))
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Post by Lacey on Dec 26, 2017 1:18:59 GMT -5
[Goodnight love! Good to talk to you again too!]
Following Spot was no problem, and she actually didn't find herself all that bothered by the cold until they were a little bit over halfway there. She could feel her fingers beginning to go numb, and her body was faintly trembling, although this all changed the moment that they got into the lodge.
The greetings from everyone were warm and kind, just as she had expected them to be, although she found herself casting glances at Spot from time to time, just wanting to catch a glimpse of that little bit of happiness behind his eyes that could only come with seeing his brothers.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Dec 26, 2017 15:09:56 GMT -5
Spot was glad the greetings were warm and short. It was nice of Biscuit to herd them away so they could have some family time. Before the Staten leader left, he gave him a nod of thanks and a small smile. He would have to be sure to thank the leader more personally at another time. For now, he was just glad to be with his brothers.
“Thunder, Jasper,” he greeted as his two brothers reached for their coats. “Umm.. I have someone I want ta introduce before we um head out.”
Thunder raised an eyebrow, smiling since he had already met Lacey once before. “Go ahead.”
Spot gently pulled Lacey over to his side. “This is um... my goil Lacey,” he introduced quietly.
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Post by Lacey on Dec 26, 2017 16:26:35 GMT -5
Truthfully, Lacey would have been more than content to just stay where she was. She was tired, it was warm in the lodge, and more or less quiet once everyone had been herded away by Biscuit. However, she managed to drag herself along anyway, staying upright and keeping her hazel eyes from shutting.
“Umm.. I have someone I want ta introduce before we um head out.”
Lacey's cheeks flushed. She had to hold back a brief cough and she just prayed that she didn't look too awkward standing there beside Spot. That would have been a bad first impression to make as Spot's girl.
"This is um... my goil Lacey."
Hearing Spot say it alone was enough to make Lacey crack a smile, allowing herself to be gently pulled to stand beside them as she offered them a quick wave. "Good ta see ya again, Thunder... And nice ta meet ya, Jasper. Spot talks a lot about ya."
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Post by Spot Conlon on Dec 26, 2017 16:36:03 GMT -5
Thunder was pleasantly surprised at the introduction. Sure, he knew who Lacey was, but now he knew what the relationship between her and his brothers really was.
”Good ta see ya again, Thunder...”
The eldest Conlon smiled. “And a pleasure to see you again.” He winked at his brother and gave him a nudge before opening the door for all of them. “It’s not a far walk,” he said to Lacey, noting that she looked tired.
Spot looked a bit guilty. It had slipped his mind that Thunder had mentioned he had gotten an apartment and had wanted to spend Christmas there.
”And nice ta meet ya, Jasper. Spot talk a lot about ya.”
Jasper’s eyes widened before he turned to look up at Spot. “You do? Thunder says you don’t like talkin’ about family.”
Spot reddened. “Well, Jasper, um that’s um durin’ borough business.”
“But I thought-“ Thunder cut his little brother off. “Now, now, we can talk more once we get to the apartment, ‘Kay?”
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Post by Lacey on Dec 26, 2017 16:39:29 GMT -5
“And a pleasure to see you again.”
Lacey grinned. At least she hadn't said anything too idiotic.
“It’s not a far walk.”
She shrugged, doing her best not to show the relief on her face. She'd be able to make it without a problem. She'd gone on longer walks being more tired, after all. "It'll be fine."
“Now, now, we can talk more once we get to the apartment, ‘Kay?”
Lacey blushed. She hadn't meant to start anything between them or anything, but she assumed that it was better than starting a fight.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Dec 26, 2017 16:48:09 GMT -5
”It’ll be fine.”
Thunder pursed his lips and nodded, side-eyeing his younger brother who gave him a look. Spot was doing his best to take care of his girl. He didn’t need Thunder butting in.
Spot was relieved that Thunder diffused the situation quickly. Not that he didn’t love Jasper, but the kid had a mind of his own at times. Thunder wasn’t of much help sometimes since he wasn’t always in touch with Spot. It made him feel a little guilty, especially at this time of year. Perhaps it was time to leave Brooklyn? He wasn’t sure. Brooklyn would always be home, and now it was a little something more with Lacey now.
Thunder kept at a light, brisk pace, eager to get everyone safe at his apartment. He fiddled with the lock some as they arrived. The door had frozen up a little.
“It’s not much,” he admitted. “But it’s home now.”
Spot smiled. “It’s great, Thunder.”
Jasper tugged Spot and Lacey, silently asking for them to follow him. “You got ta see the tree! Thunder got a real nice one and I got ta help decorate!”
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Post by Lacey on Dec 26, 2017 16:54:20 GMT -5
The walk there was a fine one. The quick pace was enough to keep her relatively warm, sticking closely by Spot. Upon their arrival at the apartment, the warmth emanating from inside was enough for Lacey to nearly rush in right away.
“It’s not much, but it’s home now.”
Lacey had to admit, she was impressed. Not many newsies could afford an apartment even for one night, and the fact that Thunder had it was enough for her to figure that he had to be either really good at what he did, or have some way of getting money that people didn't know about.
“You got ta see the tree! Thunder got a real nice one and I got ta help decorate!”
A grin spread over her features once more when she realized that Jasper seemed more than willing to accept her as a friendly face. Following him in, the tree inside was lit up with beautiful lights, decorated with a few things here and there. It wasn't too fancy, but it was beautiful.
Eyes wide, Lacey managed a quiet "woah" before she turned her attention away from it. "It looks real nice."
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Post by Spot Conlon on Dec 26, 2017 17:00:09 GMT -5
Thunder smiled as he watched his brothers go look at the tree. In the meantime, he hung up the coats and got to work on the fire as well as dinner. Still, everything was very simple. He could afford a small apartment, but not everything to make it what one would call a home for a family. But this was a start. His raise at the railroads was really helping.
”It looks real nice.”
Jasper looked up at her proudly. “I even got ta put the star up at the top!” He seemed to get a little shy has he noticed Spot raising an eyebrow at him. “Thunder... Thunder helped,” he admitted a bit grumpily.
Spot chuckled softly. “You did good, kid.” He fluffed his brother’s hair before placing his gifts under the tree. “Real nice decoratin’. Been gettin’ tips from the lodge?”
Jasper shook his head. “Nope, my secret!” He smiled up at Lacey. “So um... Lacey? Miss Lacey?” He wasn’t sure what to call her.
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Post by Lacey on Dec 26, 2017 17:17:42 GMT -5
"I even got ta put the star up at the top!"
Lacey grinned. The star was a beautiful one, all shiny and golden up at the top of the tree. She barely even noticed the qualifier that came after it as she stared up at the star. The girl's lodge had always had an angel there instead. Mrs Harbour had gotten it from her grandmother and it was a tradition to have it up there.
"So um... Lacey? Miss Lacey?"
She blushed, "Oh, it's just Lacey. Nothin' too special. What's on your mind, Jasper?"
She didn't need any formal nicknames or anything. It would just make it seem weird.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Dec 26, 2017 17:23:39 GMT -5
”Oh, it’s just Lacey. Nothin’ too special.”
Spot bit back a chuckle and tried to sound serious as possible. “Oh but I think Miss Lacey fits you very well.”
Jasper gave his brother a confused look and was about to comment when Lacey asked him a question.
”What’s on your mind, Jasper?”
Jasper smiled, happy to talk with Lacey once more. “How’d you become Spot’s girl?”
Spot immediately reddened at the question. Sure, he knew Jasper would ask that eventually. He just hadn’t expected for it to be that soon. Apparently Thunder felt the same way. There was a thud from the small kitchen area. The eldest Conlon must have dropped something.
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Post by Lacey on Dec 26, 2017 17:33:09 GMT -5
"Oh but I think Miss Lacey fits you very well."
Lacey's blush only deepened, nudging Spot gently whilst trying to keep herself from actually laughing. Poor Jasper looked confused enough.
“How’d you become Spot’s girl?”
Lacey sputtered a bit at the question, fighting the urge to hide her face in Spot's shoulder as she cast a glance at the now blushing male beside her.
"Well, uh, that's a long story. I liked him a real long time before anythin' happened, but I guess it, uh... What part of the story are ya wantin'?" She didn't want to bore him with all of the details if he was just asking about the conversation where they had discussed their feelings outwardly, or if he was asking about something else. If the story could be shortened, she figured that it should be.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Dec 26, 2017 17:40:22 GMT -5
”Well, uh, that’s a long story.”
Jasper cocked his head slightly and hobbled a little closer to her and motioned for her to sit by the fire with him. “I like long stories.”
“Jasper!” Spot scolded and slightly embarrassed.
”I liked him a real long time before anythin’ happened, but I guess it, uh... What part of the story are ya wantin’?”
Jasper ignored his brother’s scolding and looked at Lacey thoughtfully before answering, “The whole story.”
Thunder chuckled softly. Well this would definitely be interesting. He’ll leave them three to that and keep dinner on hold a bit. It would take a little while to heat up anyways.
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Post by Lacey on Dec 26, 2017 18:00:15 GMT -5
“I like long stories.”
Lacey blushed. This one definitely qualifies. "Well, if you say so."
“The whole story.”
She exhaled. The whole story. Easier said than done, but she would do her best. Taking a seat beside Jasper, the fire almost immediately warmed her, and she hesitated for a few more moments before beginning.
"Well, I guess it started when I was tryin' ta become a boid. I thought that I'd be good at it, since I listened ta people all the time and I saw more than most of the boids did - I guess the other newsies figured that they should behave around them. I tried startin' ta prove myself, and I just got closer ta Spot the more that I did." She began. There were a few details that she knew she was forgetting, but she figured that she could do her best.
"So he made me a boid, and we just started tryin' ta spend more time together from there. I started likin' him a bit early on - he took me ta 'Hattan one night and it was a real nice night 'n' everything. I think it must've started there - but he was kinda gruff enough for me ta not say anythin' about it for a real long time. I, uh, actually didn't say it until we got into a fight one day..." She trailed off, pausing for a moment and looking to Spot for some sort of indication that she was saying too much. She didn't want to overstep any boundaries or humiliate him too much.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Dec 26, 2017 18:14:07 GMT -5
”Well, if you say so.”
Jasper grinned and glanced over at Spot who merely shrugged. He seemed okay with Lacey telling the story. After all, his brothers would hear the story eventually... and well, Spot was honestly curious to see how Lacey would tell it.
”Well, I guess it started when I was tryin’ ta become a boid.”
Jasper’s eyes widened. “A boid? You’re a boid? That’s so cool...” He would love to be a bird, but Thunder said he was still too young to be one.
”I thought that I’d be good at it, since I listened ta people all the time and I saw more than moist of the boils did - I guess the other newsies figured that they should behave around them.”
Jasper nodded some. It sounded like she would be a great bird, not that he really knew. He just heard a lot from Spot and Thunder about what birds should be like and are really like.
”I tried startin’ ta prove myself, and I just got closer ta Spot the more that I did.”
Jasper nodded once more. “So Spot made you a boid then?” He looked over at Spot who gave a slight nod. “That’s great!”
”So he made me a boid, and we just started tryin’ ta spend more time together from there. I started likin’ him a bit early on - he took me ta ‘Hattan one night and it was a real nice night ‘n’ everything.”
Jasper scooted closer to Lacey. “He took ya to Manhattan? Was it at Medda’s? Thunder says she’s got a great voice, but her dress tends ta be a bit- ow!”
Spot pinched his little brother’s ear. “Shhhh! Let Lacey finish her story.” He gave her an apologetic look, mouthing, “Thunder tells him too much.”
”I think it must’ve started there - but he was kind gruff enough for me ta not say anything’ about it for a real long time.”
Jasper chuckled a bit as he rubbed his ear some. “Spot’s always gruff and a bit grumpy.” He earned another look from his brother but didn’t pay it any mind. He wanted to hear more.
”I, uh, actually didn’t say it until we got into a fight one day...”
“A fight?!” Jasper squeaked before looking at his brother in shock. “You hit her?!”
“What? No!” Spot answered a bit flustered. “She didn’t mean a fight like that...” He ran his hadn through his hair, trying to think of a way to explain it without explaining it entirely. Thunder was peeking out over at him, making him a little more self-conscious. “We just... had an argument.” He glanced at Thunder again who merely raised an eyebrow and returned to cooking dinner.
Jasper, on the other hand, didn’t seem quite appeased with the explanation. “Why were you arguing?”
((I gotta eat dinner. I’ll be back in a few.))
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Post by Lacey on Dec 26, 2017 18:27:24 GMT -5
“A boid? You’re a boid? That’s so cool...”
Lacey blushed, "Yeah, it's pretty cool."
“So Spot made you a boid then? That’s great!”
Lacey cast a brief amused glance at Spot, nodding.
“He took ya to Manhattan? Was it at Medda’s? Thunder says she’s got a great voice, but her dress tends ta be a bit- ow!”
“Shhhh! Let Lacey finish her story."
Giggling quietly, Lacey answered, "That's true. Medda was wonderful, but it was for a card game, too. He tried teachin' me how to play 'n' everythin', but it was kinda over my head. He was great, though."
“Spot’s always gruff and a bit grumpy.”
"Yeah, he is, isn't he?" She teased.
“A fight?! You hit her?!”
“What? No! She didn’t mean a fight like that... We just... had an argument.”
Almost instantly, Lacey's eyes widened. "Oh, no! No, he never hit me. It was an argument. Not physical whatsoever." She quickly clarified, her cheeks flushing a deeper red at how easily the whole thing had been misconstrued.
“Why were you arguing?”
Lacey bit her lip, "I, uh, don't remember really, if I'm honest... I think it was kinda about how I wanted ta try helpin' him with some serious borough stuff - it's a secret, so we can't talk about that - but he was too focused on tryin' ta handle it himself and keep everyone else safe. I was scared... I was scared that he'd end up gettin' hurt tryin' ta be brave. I guess the fact that I cared more deeply about him just kinda slipped out... He didn't feel the same way back then, though."
[Alright, enjoy dinner!]
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Post by Spot Conlon on Dec 26, 2017 20:28:23 GMT -5
”Yeah, it’s pretty cool.”
Jasper grinned. “When I’m a little older, I wanna be a boid too.”
”That’s true. Medda was wonderful, but it was for a card game, too. He tried teachin’ me how to play ‘n’ everythin’, but it was kinda over my head. He was great, though.”
Jasper looked impressed as he nodded. “He took ya ta a card game? What fun... an’ Spot is real good at cards! Race talks about it a lot.”
Thunder had finished up in the kitchen and was standing beside Spot. He raised an eyebrow and nudged his younger brother.
“A card game?”
Spot shoved his brother. “It was... business... not like that.”
”Yeah, he is, isn’t he?”
Jasper nodded firmly. “Thunder is more fun.”
“Hey!” Spot defended himself. “I’m not grumpy. I’m just as fun as Thunder.”
Thunder just chuckled.
”Oh, no! No, he never hit me. It was an argument. Not physical whatsoever.”
Jasper looked relieved. “Good... Thunder says that our dad said never ever ta hit a goil.” He looked very serious about it as he looked up at Spot and Lacey.
”I, uh, I don’t remember really, if I’m honest... I think it was kinda about how I wanted ta try helpin’ him with some serious borough stuff - it’s a secret, so we can’t talk about that.”
Jasper was slightly disappointed, but he supposed borough stuff wasn’t something he would understand anyways. Thunder, however, was concerned. Borough stuff? That did not sound good, and he had a feeling it was Queens starting something up again. Spot had hinted at it... but he hadn’t ever really explained things.
”But he was too focused on tryin’ ta handle it himself and keep everyone else safe.”
Thunder nodded knowingly. Typical Spot.
”I was scared... I was scared that he’d end up gettin’ hurt tryin’ ta be brave.”
Jasper reached over and patted Lacey’s hand. “No need to be scared. Spot’s Brooklyn’s leader. He can’t get hurt.”
Spot hid a small, sad smile. Jasper didn’t really know what had gone on in Brooklyn in the past couple of years. He had no idea...
”I guess the fact that I cared more deeply about him just kinda slipped out... He didn’t feel the same way back then, though.”
Jasper frowned. “Spot didn’t like you? But he made you a boid, didn’t he? That had to mean he liked you a lot!”
Spot coughed. Well, in a way Jasper was right... but then not.
((Thanks! It was good.))
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Post by Lacey on Dec 26, 2017 20:39:11 GMT -5
“When I’m a little older, I wanna be a boid too.”
Lacey grinned, "It's tough. But if ya work hard, I'm sure that you'll make a great boid someday. You'll make your brothers real proud takin' care of the borough." Jasper was sweet, and she was sure that he would be a perfect choice for a bird one day if he really wanted it and worked for it.
“He took ya ta a card game? What fun... an’ Spot is real good at cards! Race talks about it a lot.”
She grinned, "Yeah, he's real good. He's a real good teacher, too, if you're capable."
“Thunder is more fun.”
“Hey! I’m not grumpy. I’m just as fun as Thunder.”
Lacey giggled, choosing not to pick a side on this one. She found Spot perfectly pleasant to be around - but there were definitely some times in which he could be grumpy.
“Good... Thunder says that our dad said never ever ta hit a goil.”
She nodded. "That's good. And a goil shouldn't ever hit a boy, either." She had always found it strange that people didn't really discuss that it went both ways, but Lacey figured that violence should only be used as a last resort - talking had always worked much better for her. Talking and time alone.
“No need to be scared. Spot’s Brooklyn’s leader. He can’t get hurt.”
Lacey's smile faltered for a moment, and she cast another glance at Spot. Of course, she wished that Jasper was right, but a part of her worried every day that something would happen regarding Queens, and she wouldn't know about it in time to help. She had woken up many times in the middle of the night since finding the strange people in the warehouse with that nightmare running through her head. It was made even worse by the fact that it could easily one day become a reality.
“Spot didn’t like you? But he made you a boid, didn’t he? That had to mean he liked you a lot!”
She shrugged, "He didn't like me that much. That took a good while longer. Truthfully, I have no clue when things changed for him... I guess I'm just glad they did."
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