Like Real People Do - Jill Roord

It Wasn't Even A Question

Leah's POV

To me, it was obvious. To me, it wasn't even a question. 

Lia gently tapped my shoulder, I harshly turned around thinking it was another squad member but sighed when I saw one of the only trusted people here, "Look at them," She whispered, pointing to the bed furthest from us. 

I glanced towards that back corner to see something completely unexpected yet I'd called it from the very first second. There was Hunter seemingly fast asleep in Jill's lap and Jill had also dozed off, a look of complete peace on both of their faces.

"They're so sweet," Lia smiled.

I nodded, I couldn't bring myself to be in such a foul mood towards the team when my best friend looked so complete, "They are."

Lia and I could have continued to stare and whisper about the duo but we turned back around to the movie, giving them a sense of privacy, the rest of the team always failed to do so. 

A quiet smile lay on my face and almost a sense of ease in my chest, I knew Hunter had someone. I could see Jill would protect her. 

From the begining I could see their eyes pulled to one another, it was strange to me because Hunter never cared much to look at people, she seemed too preoccupied in her own conversations and head. But when we'd be having a conversation and her eyes would constantly be somewhere else, I'd always turn around to see that Dutch smile.

I didn't know how they loved one another, but I assumed they did in some sense of the word. They seemed connected from the begining, Jill hadn't even hesitated before standing up for Hunter in Barcelona. 

The team dinner in Barcelona hadn't been much as mentioned since, it was the first time when I'd felt genuine tension between this usually tight knit group. Hunter didn't know anything, I didn't think throwing her into the middle of this situation would be smart, though I did know she'd eventually find out I didn't want it to happen just yet. I wanted to keep Hunter out of it for as long as possible because it wasn't her problem, it was all of theirs. 

"We're going to head to bed," Viv sighed after the movie had ended, her and Lisa standing up. 

"Yeah, me too," Katie yawned.

"It's an early start tomorrow," Kim warned, "We need to be at the reception by nine and straight back to training."

Everyone got up and left, mumbling goodbyes to those who remained; it had been a tiring day. Only Lia, Jill, Hunter and I were left now.

"Should I take Hunter back to our room?" I asked Lia quietly, not wanting to wake either of them.
I'd figured that in her slightly drunken state, Hunter had mistaken Lia and Jill's room for ours though it seemed to have worked out considering all the team had gathered there. 

Lia stood up, tilting her head slightly to admire the pair, "I'll room with you," she whispered, scared to make much noise, "Hunts looks calm for once, don't ruin that."

"Should we tell Jill the timings though?" I knew Kim might kill them if they were late to the hotel foyer.

"I think we have to," Lia chuckled, "Kim was pretty clear."

"Okay," I walked over to Jill, shaking her shoulder gently.

Jill startled awake, seeming rather unaware of her surroundings, "Oh Leah," She sighed, seeming to still be half asleep.

"Yeah sorry," I apologized, feeling bad for waking Jill when she'd seemed so peacefully content, "But I've got to tell you to be downstairs for nine. Kim will kill you otherwise."

Jill laughed, her voice husky from her nap, "Yeah thanks," she nodded, "Should I wake Hunter, so you can take her back?"

I took a moment to look down to the brunette, I don't think I'd ever seen her look so safe. "No," I shook my head, "Lia offered to room with me tonight, she looks too at peace to move."

Jill glanced at Hunter, a gentle smile being brought to her face, "Okay," she agreed quietly.

Lia stepped forwards, "Just don't let the other teammates find out," she winked. 

"Oh yeah," I rolled my eyes, "They'd have a field day with this one."

Jill frowned, "They're being stupid, I don't know why."

It was the first time we'd properly discussed the situation. In Barcelona I'd just stormed off and we'd remained in this angry silence.

Sitting down, I sighed, "I wish I could explain it to you Jill."

"Maybe we should talk to them?" Jill suggested with this hopeful glimmer in her eyes. 

Lia shook her head, answering before I could, "Then it would all be fake, they've got to want to change themselves."

"But what if they don't?" Jill asked anxiously, "Then what do we do?"

I looked down to the floor, it was a difficult situation but I knew we couldn't do much, "Hunter is an adult."

"Barely," Lia shook her head. It's true that Hunter was a couple of years younger than us, but she wasn't a baby, I think people just confused protecting her with infantilizing her. 

"She's old enough to make her own life decisions though, we shouldn't interfere," I told them.

Lia slumped slightly further down, "I just wish we could protect her."

I huffed, knowing to wrap this conversation up between any of us dwelled too far deep into a situation we couldn't solve, "Yeah but we should probably be heading off. Early start tomorrow and all."

Lia snapped out of her daze, "Leah's right."

I stood up, paying one last smile to the sleeping brunette, "Come on Wally."

"I'm coming," She called after me but in a hushed tone. 

"Night Jill," I smiled back at the Dutch, "Good luck getting her up in the morning."

Jill chuckled, "Goodnight you two."

Lia stood there few a final few seconds, bending down and kissing the top of Hunter's forehead, "Night Hunts," she whispered, "Night Jill."

Lia and walked back to my room next door, both shaking our heads and chuckling, "I think Jill might have found a soft spot for our little Hunter," Lia joked.

I sighed, "Don't think she's so little anymore."

Lia huffed, "But I like to remember her as the teenager I met, so happy and free," She skipped around the room, I assumed to mimic Hunter. 

"I think she's still both of those things," I laughed at Lia's act. 

"Yeah," Lia sighed, sitting besides me, "But it's a little different now."

I knew Lia was right, but I couldn't admit it to myself, let alone the world, "I think people change a little as they grow older."

We were already in our pajamas from team movie night so that meant we didn't have to get changed, I climbed into bed as did Lia, "Night Leah."

"Night Lia," I sighed.

I heard Lia's giggles from across the room. 

"What?" I chuckled.

"Our names," She explained through her laughter, "They sound the same."

"Oh my god," I hid my face in the pillow, questioning how she'd only just realized this fact, "I'm going to sleep Wally, see you in the morning."

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