CASTAWAY ⚓ R.C, J.M

ELEVEN

Sea blue eyes fought the waves of tears as they stared intently at Harley's straining hazel eyes. She pursed her lips in concentration, willing her boyfriend to falter but he kept strong in his gaze. She debated melting her eyes to a gooey, puppy dog expression, but she had already fluttered her eyelashes in defeat.

"I win!" JJ cheered.

"What? No! Best out of three. I can beat you."

"No can do, H.R. We said one staring contest."

"Fine. You get to choose breakfast. And, I won't try and sway your mind. I'll just let you know that we have pancake batter. And, I can make alien pancakes." Harley smiled excitedly as she gazed at JJ.

"Alien shaped pancakes?"

"Yeah. They look weird but taste great. And there's loads of stuff for toppings."

"Hmm. Funny you should mention pancakes, as I was gonna say I've been craving them. Especially, alien shaped pancakes."

Harley beamed from ear to ear, her smile brighter than a lighthouse. She didn't know why she was so excited to make pancakes. Maybe it was the normality of the task. Everything had been 100mph and pure chaos. Now she bounced on her toes filled with glee because she got to be with JJ. No Cameron family. No being locked in a room. No Rafe. No John B. And no Sarah. Just JJ.... and Frankie... and her parents.

Frankie strolled into the kitchen first. He took a seat at the island, near JJ. "I heard something about pancakes."

Happiness turned to annoyance. "No you didn't. Go away."

Frankie turned to JJ and pointed over his shoulder to Harley with an incredulous side eye. "Pssh, did you hear that? I sure did, Harls. I want four."

"Make your own food, Frankie."

"Why when I have a little minion to do it for me? Thanks, Sis."

Harley's eyes swept to her boyfriend searching for help. To her despair, the blonde gave her a half shrug.

"See, your boyfriend agrees with me."

"No he doesn't," she retorted. "He just wants to get along with you."

That didn't bother Frankie. In fact, he purposely sat up with a glint in his eyes that made Harley want to hit him and he started up a conversation with JJ. No reality existed where Frankie conversed with any of the boys Harley brought around after the first one. So, even though she wanted to smack her brother with a frying pan for stealing her boyfriend with such a shit eating grin, she let him do it. Because if Frankie spoke with JJ, even just so that he'd get pancakes, she knew he would love JJ. And another person would see how amazing he was.

Amelia Rochester swanned into the kitchen, shortly followed by a dressed up Frank. He was going somewhere.

The boys' conversation slowed a little as Harley felt her brother eyeing her and her parents. Every meeting had not gone well, but at least she wasn't running to avoid them. Mostly because the house came with free food and a cloud like bed, but also because she could see JJ's glances encouraging her to give them a chance.

She rolled her eyes before slightly facing the adults. "Morning."

"Good morning, Sweetheart," her mom covered her surprise with a genuine smile.

"How's it going, kids?" Frank clapped a hand down on the two boys's shoulders and smiled at his daughter. "Did we all sleep okay?"

"Like a bug in a rug," JJ replied smoothly. "I now know what it's like to be caressed by the smooth hands of God."