JaDine Oneshots & Drabbles

Free Hugs (Futuristic)

Futuristic... a little. Someday where JaDine have established and successful individual careers. :)

The adrenaline rush from their concert hasn't gone when Nadine and Yassi entered the backstage so it wasn't really surprising that James had all but flew towards them and wantonly embraced his girlfriend.

Both Nadine and Yassi had laughed at his antics just as Bret moved towards them.

Yassi had hugged Bret as well as a greeting and congratulated him for a job well done. He was one of James' guest performers. When Yassi pulled back, Nadine stepped forward and hugged Bret, too. That was normal enough, they hadn't seen each other for a long while, and Nadine is really close with the whole squad. In fact, when Sam came, both Yassi and Nadine also hugged him.

Just then, the door opened once more and in came Jack. He's alone this time, what with his other siblings being busy and their dad was back to Australia for a bit of vacation. It was actually somewhat rare that James' whole family would watch a performance together these days, but they still try.

Nadine had made a beeline for Jack and gave the younger guy a squeeze. Which was just as well. Jack looked equally happy to see her. The two have bonded for most of the last four years and is indeed very close. They were practically brother and sister in everything but blood and name (and James isn't complaining at all that he have the power to do something about the name part).

When Alex also came, and Nadine once again moved forward to give his friend a hug, James started feeling a little uncomfortable. But then again, before knowing Alex as part of his squad, Nadine is already friends with him.

When Nadine hugged Inigo, the unease heightened. James told himself that they did know each other from working together a few years back. And they had known each other even before that. Anyway, Yassi had also hugged him.

But then Nadine proceeded hugging the rest of his guests, not to mention a few of the G-Force dancers, both boys and girls.

James couldn't really do anything but watch, dumbfounded. He really felt quite disturbed now. He was confused. What was with all the hugs? Even Yassi, who was more of a touchy-feely person had stopped at Inigo.

It actually looked like Yassi was also taken by surprise by her best friend's actions-- she, along with all the people Nadine had hugged.

But James kept his silence.

The group talked for a while, with Nadine and Yassi congratulating everyone and the performers asking them random questions ranging from how they found the performance to the weather outside.

And then Inigo's dad came and that had been their cue to start going their own ways. It was James' last performance for his tour and for this time, they ended it in Manila.

Yassi had left with Andre and Kobe (who had joined the group a few moments before--and yes, Nadine hugged them, too) and James had left with Jack and Nadine. This was also quite the routine now.

While walking towards the parking lot, James felt it okay to ask his question.

"What was that about?" He asked, and winced at the accusation in his voice. He wanted to be casual about it.

Nadine though, just looked at him in question.

"What do you mean?" She asked.

James couldn't really read her face. He didn't know if she was honestly asking or if she was actually teasing him. Was this some kind of a prank?

"What's with the free hugs?" He asked and this time, he managed a casual tone. He realized Jack is looking at Nadine in wonder, too. Her actions must have baffled him, too.

"Oh. That. Was I too obvious?" Nadine asked, looking a little embarrassed.

James grew more confused, but it was Jack who spoke next.

"You did that on purpose? Like, not because you just randomly hug people? Why?" He asked.

Nadine shrugged. "My brother's girlfriend is majoring in Psychology. She shared that a person needs at least five hugs per day. It's what is healthy in the psychological aspect. And it's quite understandable since human are social creatures." She started rambling. "It's really interesting. I wonder if our body needs a regular release of oxytocin, you know, the cuddle-hormone--"

"So you decided to give out free hugs?" James deadpanned, not realizing he had stopped walking in the middle of Nadine's explanation. He looked indignant.

Nadine didn't even look at him, still walking forward, and just shrugged once more. "It's something I can do to help other people stay healthy."

At this, Jack started laughing. "You are such a saint, sis." He said, fondly and teasingly. "But you know, you might help other people, but not James." The younger boy glanced at his brother with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Is there some sort of a jealous-hormone? If there is, I don't think it'd be something healthy." He told his 'sis'.

James glared at Jack, but then pouted when he heard Nadine laugh.

"You were jealous?" She asked, teasingly.

"No." James said a little too quickly, as he started walking once more. "I just wondered why you did that..." He added, rather lamely. He had claimed years ago that he really doesn't get jealous, and he really wasn't lying back then, but for the love of him, when it comes to Nadine... Even back when they first joined Philpop, he had had a hard time trying to tame the green monster inside him. He could admit that now, but just to himself.

"Right..." Jack said sarcastically.

"I wasn't." James insisted, very much annoyed at his little brother. And Nadine just laughed at the two.

They had reached James' car then, and James unlocked his car. Jack automatically went to the backseat, used at the arrangement when Nadine is with them.

When the younger boy was inside, Nadine turned to James and gently pulled him closer.

"Have I said 'hello' yet?" She asked him sweetly.

James smiled. "I don't think so."

Nadine chuckled and wrapped her arms around his neck, lightly pulled him down, and stood on tiptoes to touch her mouth to his in a chaste kiss.

"Hello." She said, and pulled back.

There was a knock from inside the car and the two pulled away. Jack had elegantly re-enacted gagging to them. James rolled his eyes, but proceeded to open the front seat's door for Nadine.

He continued talking to Nadine as if they weren't disturbed.

"Now your greetings... I think I need that at least five times a day for my psychological health." He said with a sheepish smile.

Nadine shook her head in amusement as she got on the car.

"I'll think about it." She told James with a serious face. The mask cracked though, as she added, "Hmm, if you say it that way, then maybe I should also give out free 'greet--'"

"No." James cut her off. "Definitely no." He knew she was just teasing but he didn't appreciate the mental image. Both Nadine and Jack burst out laughing.

"Nadz, that would have killed my brother 'psychologically'" Jack drew quotation marks in the air. "And all the recipient would literally die, I'm betting. I don't really want to see James behind bars. "