Apricity {Jasper CullenxMale OC}

Chapter 15

Kova winced as Bella's truck roared to life. She was letting him borrow it to go see Jake, and he made a mental note to buy himself a bike the first chance he got. His mothers life insurance had left him with plenty of money to survive, but it somehow felt wrong to use it so soon after she had passed. The werewolf shook those dark thoughts from his mind as he started down the familiar path that would lead him to the Black house. He was just hoping that Jake would be home.

A smile spread on his lips as the Black family home came into view.

He pulled up in front, killing the engine and sighing in relief once more as the deafening noise cut out. At the sound of the truck, Jake had come out of the house, thinking Bella had finally come to see him despite their current predicament. The wolf was shocked when Kova swung down from the drivers seat. He'd wished to see Bella, but wasn't disappointed to see her handsome cousin instead.

"Kova?" Jake asked in surprise, a wide smile replacing the cautious one that had been on his face.

Kova's eyes took in the much larger, much more muscular form of his old friend. He was clad in only a pair of cutoff jean shorts, his ripped upper body bare. Kova looked mournfully at his short hair, nearly in disbelief at his lack of long, luscious locks. There was a tattoo on his shoulder, that was also new. It was a tribal design, bold and full of meaning.

"Jake!" Kova exclaimed happily, bounding towards the other teenager. "Is that you?" He asked sarcastically. He looked so different, Kova couldn't not comment.

They threw their arms around each other, squeezing hard and smiling ear to ear. They parted, clasping each others shoulders as they examined the other. Jake was taller than Kova, but not by much.

"What are you doing here?" Jake asked cheerfully, finally releasing him.

"What, not happy to see me?" Kova teased. "I barely recognize you! You went from indigenous Rapunzel to buff knight in shining armour," he said sarcastically.

"Of course I am," Jake insisted, "I'm just... very surprised. And I'm going to take that description as a compliment," he decided with a wink.

Kova's smile faded as he deflated a little, realizing he'd have to once again explain what had happened to his mother, and Jake noticed it. Kova smelled the worry off of him, the uncertainty and concern. It was comforting, to have people that care about him that much, people that could read him and know. Jake pulled him back into his arms, this hug different from the first. Kova buried his face in the other wolfs neck for a moment, breathing in the scent of cedar, warmed honey, and a salty sea breeze. He smelled lovely. Jake squeezed him tightly once, releasing all of him but his hand.

"Come on," he said warmly, leading Kova to the garage around back.

Kova relaxed as they entered the familiar space. It was like going back in time, the garage hadn't changed a bit. Except that the famous rabbit wasn't up on blocks anymore. Kova felt at home here, and took a seat in the car.

"You finished it," Kova's smile was small, but there as he nodded at the rabbit.

"Yeah," Jake smiled, his trademark sunshine grin. Kova could still smell the concern from Jake, and sighed as he prepared himself to say the words again.

"My mom..." Kova trailed off, his heart breaking all over again as it stuttered painfully. "She died."

"Oh no, Lily..." Jake's voice trailed off sadly, his grief heavy on the air. He'd known her well enough to feel that loss, and because him and Bella were on the outs... he hadn't heard what had happened. "I'm so sorry you lost her Koko."

He sat himself down into the drivers side, reaching a hand out to hold Kova's, his thumb stroking soothing lines across his knuckles. Jake's hand was big and warm, and felt nice around Kova's.