Home is You

Chapter 6. Hidden Love

A/N: The wait is SOOOO worth it. Thank you Malika for blessing us with this chapter ❤️

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Kiara sighs as she enters what she has called home for years.

Yeah it's different to any sane person's idea of comfort but for the Pogues the Chateau has always been home.It's where they all grew up and hanged out for hours. It's where Kiara learnt to play the ukulele thanks to Big John. It's where she made bracelets with JJ as Pope studied his textbooks and John B rambled on and on about whatever he and JJ were up to before they came.It's where Kie drank her first beer and smoked her first joint.

JJ emerges from the small kitchen area, a mop in one hand and a playful grin on his face. "Good morning" he teases, his blue eyes sparkling.

Kiara smiles, her heart fluttering at the sight of him. "Morning, JJ," she replies, her voice soft. The memory of their confession still lingers in the air between them, creating a tender intimacy that feels new and exhilarating.

JJ walks over to her, offering her the mop. "Wanna help me clean up this mess?"

Kiara takes the mop with a chuckle. "Yeah, I guess we should. But you owe me breakfast after this."

"Deal," JJ agrees, leaning in to kiss her forehead gently. "I make a mean scrambled egg, you know."

Together, they set to work, moving around each other with an easy familiarity. Kiara hums softly to herself as she sweeps the floor, while JJ busies himself with picking up the empty bottles and tossing them into a trash bag. Occasionally, their eyes would meet, and a shared smile would pass between them, filled with the unspoken promise of their newfound love.

As Kiara bent down to retrieve a stray chip bag from under the couch, she felt JJ's hands gently wrap around her waist, pulling her upright. She turned to face him, her heart skipping a beat at the mischievous look on his face.

"Miss me already?" she teases, looping her arms around his neck.

"Always," JJ murmurs, leaning in to press his lips to hers. The kiss is sweet and unhurried, filled with the tenderness of the morning. Kiara melts into him, savoring the warmth and security of his embrace.

When they finally pull apart, JJ rests his forehead against hers, his breath mingling with hers. "I love you, Kie," he whispered, the words a soft promise in the quiet of the Chateau.

"I love you too, JJ," Kiara replies, her voice barely more than a breath. She kisses him again, a quick peck that leaves them both smiling.

Reluctantly, they return to their task, but the air between them is lighter now, filled with the shared joy of their love. They work side by side, laughing and teasing each other, their movements synchronized in a dance that felt as natural as breathing.

Finally, the chateau is clean, the mess of the last few weeks replaced by a sense of peace and order. JJ and Kiara stand back to admire their handiwork, their fingers entwined.

"Well, I'd say we did a pretty good job," JJ says, a note of pride in his voice.

Kiara nodded, leaning her head on his shoulder. "Yeah, we did. Now about those scrambled eggs..."

JJ chuckles, squeezing her hand. "Coming right up, m'lady."

As they move to the kitchen, their laughter fills the Chateau, a sweet harmony that promises many more mornings like this one.

The afternoon sun hangs high in the sky, casting golden beams through the chateau's windows as Kiara sweeps the floor, her mind wandering back to the previous night's events. The morning's clean-up with JJ has been a welcome distraction, but now, as she works alone, the memories of their confrontation with Pope return with a vengeance.