Fighting For Ava

*25*

Jethro waded through the rain, shivering as he cornered into a street that would eventually lead him home. Countless claps of thunder occupied the night, the breeze coming strong, and nothing that could be moved remained still.

Jethro sniffed and gave a small smile when he finally saw the familiar wattle fence. He rubbed a palm over his wet face and then his eyes caught something else. A red BMW was parked in front of the fence, and if he was not mistaken, the owner should be...

The front door of the car opened and the blond boy stepped out. Jethro froze and gazed at him. Finn.

"What're you doing in my house?" He challenged from his distance.

Finn did not say a word back. He just smiled and put his hands in his pocket.

Jethro sighed and moved closer to him before repeating his harsh question, "What are you doing here?"

Finn maintained his facial glow and wiped his soaked golden hair with a palm, "I'm here to talk." He said calmly.

"Talk?" Jethro scoffed, "With who?"

"Certainly not the rain or the fence." Finn smiled and added sharply, "I had expected this yunno, it would always be a tough time talking with you." He shrugged.

Jethro smirked at his statement, "Crazy you're giving yourself false hope. Who said I'm ready to talk with you, tough or not." He croaked and turned immediately to enter into the fence but Finn's quiet voice stopped him.

"I know you're mad with all that happened between us the previous time. But I'm here to say I'm sorry."

Jethro's legs halted when he heard that and the first thing that came to his head was to yell at Finn and tell him he should be begging Ava instead. But then he remembered Ava had told him Finn had already apologized to her. He gulped and turned back to face the boy.

"Is that all you want to say?" He asked in a nicer tone.

"No," Finn sighed, "I want us to talk."

"But I have nothing to discuss with you." Jethro rasped, the impatience evident in his voice. He had to get into the house quickly and ease Mother T and Rose of their worries. They would certainly be anxious that he had not returned home at this late hour.

"I do." Finn said, "I have a lot we have to discuss."

"A lot." A snort flew out of Jethro, "I'm sorry I don't time for that now." He made another spin toward the fence but Finn's frantic voice stopped him again.

"What of a few minutes? We should just say something."

Jethro sighed and his shoulders dropped as he turned back, "Okay." He agreed. He wrapped his arms across his chest, waiting for the boy to start talking.

Finn chuckled at that and then gestured, "We can leave the rain. The car would be more warm and comfortable." He suggested, the soughing of a wild wind emphasizing his point.

Jethro looked at him warily and hesitated before taking his offer, "Okay."

"Thanks." Finn breathed and waited for him to reach the car. They both opened the doors and slid in simultaneously.

Jethro took in relief as he was temporarily out of the cold rain after a long time.

"I called Ava yesterday and apologized," Finn informed after a short silence.

"I know." Jethro mouthed, watching the lines of water trickling down the windscreen.

"She told you already," Finn chuckled and then waited for a few seconds before speaking again, "You know, I'm sorry for all the fights we had. What you said to me the last time you came to my house hit me hard. It brought me back to my senses and I realized one thing..." He paused and let Jethro's sight wander to his face before continuing, "That we both like Ava and should be on the same side."