Obscurity (2) - JJ Maybank

THE CROSS VI.

Aria and JJ couldn't keep the smiles off their face as they climbed back into their cars. On one hand, they were back to how they used to be and on the other, they basically just did it in front of all the other Pogues who were all worried about the cross. 

JJ's hand had been squeezing Aria's thigh as she drove them to Freedman's church, she tried to bit down on her lip to conceal her smile but not even that could keep the grin off her face. 

When Aria pulled up the car with the twinkie next to them JJ almost sprinted around to her. He laced his arm around her waist as she turned to look away from him because of the slight blush. 

Pope didn't take notice of the two as he ran up to the church doors, Kie and Sarah both gave Aria a pointed look saying 'we're going to talk about this' with their eyes as John B clapped JJ on the back. 

"Well," Aria cleared her throat as she walked away from everyone already feeling awkward as she followed Pope up. JJ helped Pope with the door that sparked birds to flutter away from fright. 

John B leaned on Pope as he limped up the steps, JJ intertwined his fingers through Aria's as she rubbed small circles on the back of his palm. The church looked rough and mouldy, there was no way there was a golden cross here. 

"Okay, you're telling me Denmark Tanny decided to his the cross here?" JJ questioned as the Pogues started to walk forward into the building. 

"Mm-hmm," Pope hummed in agreement. 

"Okay everybody, just spread out," Kie sighed. 

"Okay, well, if I was a cross and wanted to be hidden in an old church, where would I hide?" John B asked rhetorically as he started to limp around the church. 

Aria walked over to the bookcase perched against the wall in the corner. She slowly started to pull out one book at a time, wait a few seconds then put the book back. 

"What are you doing?" Kie shook her head looking at Aria. 

"Well, Kiara, I am seeing if one of these books opens up a secret passage," Aria answered. 

"There isn't going to be a secret passage," Kie scoffed. 

"We are literally looking for a seven-foot cross that can heal the dying, that is also worth millions, but a secret passage is too far for you?" Aria raised an eyebrow, Kie rolled her eyes and walked away. 

"Are you sure that Denmark hid the cross here, Pope?" JJ questioned realising there was nowhere that the cross could be. "Like, are we at the right church?"

"It's gotta be here somewhere, guys," Pope sighed looking at the alter. 

"What if we have to push a secret button or, like, play, like a... a certain chord, and then, all of a sudden the ground beneath us reveals the catacombs or something on which we stand?" JJ theorized. 

Aria clapped her hands together pointing towards her boyfriend looking at Kiara. "Secret passage!" She exclaimed, Kie gave her a sarcastic thumbs up. 

"How about we try to find obvious clues?" John B retorted to both blond pogues. 

"It's not an escape room," Kie huffed annoyed at the two. 

"She just doesn't get it," Aria shook her head with a dramatic sigh as she flung her hands to her hips, looking at JJ. 

"No, she really doesn't," He replied as he walked over to her and put his arm around her shoulders. Aria bit the inside of her mouth ignoring the blush re-appearing for the thousandth time.