The Night Skies ~ Avengers

CHAPTER 4

"The same thing you are, that is if I know you as well as I thought I did." he answered, cryptically. "Are you enjoying the quiet?" he asked, reading my face for an answer.

"Yeah, you do know me well." I answered with a laugh. "You do realize that you showing up here out of nowhere makes you seem like a creep." I told him, as all he did was respond with a smirk. In reality I'm not surprised at all.

Jess had a way of coming across as creepy, he carried a mysterious vibe with him as if it were his most treasured possession. Avoiding questions with laughs and sarcastic remarks.

It was what I loved about him though, he'd show up when you needed him. That's how I met him when I was fifteen, I was sat in this park gazing at the sky late in the evening. I was on my way home from a dinner I'd been forced to go to by Peter and May at the avengers tower.

All of a sudden a boy plopped down next to me and just started talking, though he scared me at first his presence soon became amusing, if not comforting. Over the years I'd gotten to know him pretty well during similar occasions, so much even that I could probably call him my best friend.

We would always either not talk at all and just enjoy the silent comfort of each other or have the most deep conversations about the questions of life. Jess was a mystery.

This time though I didn't allow him to be his distant self, I didn't realize that I needed someone like him right now. Someone who would truly understand me and who could give me what I needed at the same time, space and comfort. It was a thin line only Jess could walk.

The grin I'd always carry with me dropped as I let a breath of emotion escape from my lips. Jess opened his arms in a welcoming manner, and I had never been more thankful for him, as I let him envelop me in a warm hug. 

His warmth replaced the crispy air of a cold night, and in that warmth I felt more safe and loved than ever.

We stood there for what felt like hours before a laugh returned on my face as the last salt tears dripped past my mouth and on the damp grass. "That's enough emotions." I told him as I looked in his eyes and gave him a reassuring nod as I pulled away.

"I'm so sorry." he said with sorrow, empathizing each word. "I'm gonna be okay." I told him, as I nodded to myself, it was the truth. I wasn't okay at the moment, I was lost and I knew that, but I also knew that it would eventually pass, things like this always do. Besides, this wasn't my first rodeo.

"Sooo, how many hours have we got left?" I asked him, my lips turning up, I was ready for some distraction. He smirked, his usual sparkle returning to his eyes, knowing what I was planning for the rest of the night. 

"I'd say we got about three hours left till dawn." he said, as he glanced up from his watch.

I reached in the bag, hanging from my shoulders, drawing a glass bottle from my bag. I felt a spark of excitement ignite as I looked at the whiskey glinting invitingly as the glass reflected the moonlight.

It seemed to be promising warmth and a temporary escape from the whirlpool of thoughts that had been in my mind. I held it up triumphantly, a wide smile on my face.

"Look what I brought!" I announced, my voice slightly louder than necessary, echoing against the brick walls around the park.

Jess raised an eyebrow, a mix of intrigue and amusement crossing his features. "You really come prepared for anything, don't you?" he teased, but there was no judgment in his tone, just playful banter.

Besides, he'd usually be the one to bring the entertainment of the evening.

"I like to think of it as foresight," I replied with a wink. "Now, let's go somewhere we can enjoy this properly."