F'N FABULOUS (Completed)

Floof

Dinner was quiet and she spent the rest of her day in her room with Jake trying to bribe Mr. Floofer into coming onto his lap much to the bunnies indifference. Jake laughed as the bunny periscope around looking when there was a strange sound. Jessie couldn't stop her own smile seeing anyone enjoy interacting with rabbits as much as she did. The closest Jake could get was a quick hop on and then off his leg to grab the banana chip. The response- a cheer from Jake and Jessie noted a soft chortle from behind the door as Derek snuck a peek in.

"You can come in," Jessie said when she noticed him.

"Sorry. I was just popping by to let you guys know that I am traveling the rest of this week for work." He said with a slight frown.

"What is it that you do?" Jessie asked.

"I'm a contractor for a welding company. My specialty is underwater projects."

Jessie's eyebrows raised. "Wow. That's cool. Is it dangerous?"

"Not Derek, he is uber-cautious. When are you taking off?" Jake answered for him.

However, Derek wasn't happy with the response. "There are dangers associated with every dive and every project. I take as many precautions as needed to ensure the safety of the crew and myself." He clarified. "I'm booked on Friday Morning's flight out, but I am going to be busy with prep work the rest of this week so I'll hole myself in the apartment till then."

"See... cautious." Jake said while getting up and made an exaggerated yawn. "Well, it's getting late and I'm actually driving to my rents place tomorrow to take Mom out for her birthday. Sounds like you will have the apartment to yourselves." He walked a few steps and Derek moved to let him scoot past. "Oh, Jessie."

"Ya."

"Angel confirmed that he and his boyfriend are coming in as a Model on Friday so we don't need you to work that session. You are more than welcome to come and watch... or if you feel comfortable you can join them as a third model. They are the previous models that couldn't make it on Monday. I owe them one session in their contract, but don't want you to be uncomfortable."

"Oh. Umm. I guess maybe I'll stop by to get an idea of what you guys were doing before? Is it going to be like Monday's?" She asked.

He shook his head. "More like what you did this morning because of the class schedule. Friday we work with watercolors so it's very abstract concentrating on how the colors bleed into each other on paper."

She nodded like that made sense to her. It didn't really, but then again watercolors weren't really her thing.

Jake disappeared. Derek stood at the door a moment longer before making a move to shut the door.

"Did you want to meet Mr. Floofer?" She asked searching his eyes to see if he was nervous or what.

"Umm. Sure. What do I do?" He asked shutting the door behind him.

"Sit here." She pointed across from her on the floor. Mr. Floofer was munching on some hay in his litterbox. Derek's huge form was shockingly agile as he sat down gracefully in a cross-legged position.

"Now what?" He asked.

"Let the rabbit come to you. If he does. Don't pet unless you see him put his head down. I'll show you how to pet him." Mr. Floofer eyed Derek but went over to Jessie first. She was safety. He put his head down looking for assurance. "See how I'm slowly moving my hands. Always approach from the side front so that they can see your hand and know what you are doing." She explained. Mr. Floofer settled into a bunny loaf allowing her pets until he was done with her touching him. He shook his head and went back to exploring the room.

Jake had bought several wooden tunnels so Mr. Floofer took his time chinning each one before swinging back over to where Derek was sitting. Other than Mel, Mr. Floofer is normally very tentative when new people come around. Derek's hand was hanging over his knee and to Jessie's surprise, Mr. Floofer chinned it.

"He is not yours, silly rabbit." Jessie giggled.

"Is that what that means?" Amusement on his deep throaty voice.

"Yea. He is scenting you. Crazy. He doesn't even do that to me." She shook her head with more smiles. Then watched Mr. Floofer kick out his feet with his back against Derek's shin. Jessie's jaw dropped.

"What does that mean?" He asked quietly so as to not scare the bunny.

"Well. They are prey animals. Anytime they are not on their feet, they don't have a way to escape so it means he feels comfortable around you." She leaned in. "Took him three years to get that way with me. I'm a little jealous." She admitted but she still had a soft smile on her lips.

He bit his lip but stayed still like he was afraid to move. As quickly as it started, Mr. Floofer decided break time was over and went back to chinning things in the room.

Jessie and Derek started talking about his work which led to her learning about his family. "My Dad was a welder; the one who taught me about the trade. My mom was and is a diesel mechanic. They actually met at a construction job."

"Your mom is a mechanic?" Jessie's eyes wide. "Cool!"

He smiled. "Ya. She jokes that she is a fat Michelle Rodriguez from Fast & Furious." He shook his head. "But I like to drop the fat part. We are all a little fluffy in my family."

Jessie laughed. "You look like you take care of yourself. Fluffy is not the adjective I would use."

His eyes twinkled in mischief. "And what adjective would you use?"

She shook her head. "Fishing for compliments?" She teased. It was so easy with him. He didn't look at her with judgy eyes and kept answering her questions.

"Ha!" He slapped his thigh causing Mr. Floofer to jump. "Oh. Sorry, little guy." He laughed.

Jessie laughed. Her cheeks hurting from increased usage. "Umm. Maybe time for us to turn in?"

"Ya. You are right. It's getting late." He got up slowly to make sure he didn't scare the rabbit again. "Did you have plans tomorrow?"

She shook her head. "Just working on the storage unit inventory for Jake."

"Want some help?" He asked both offering a hand to help her up and in reference to the job.

"I thought you had to do your prep work." He easily helped her to her feet. She had to take a step back to not be in his space, but he took the step into hers.

"I do, but I'm waiting for them to send me the project information. I have some free time if you want a hand." His chestnut colored eyes still on hers. Now she could feel her cheeks warming up. She pretended to get busy picking up the bunny tunnels.

"Umm. Ya. Sure. Always could use a hand." She said trying to pretend everything was just fine. She was not blushing like a preteen.

He seemed to get the hint. "So. I guess I'll have breakfast ready by..."

"You don't have to make anything. We could just make a bowl of cereal or something too."

He waved her off. "I always make breakfast. Jake does the vacuuming and taking out the trash."

"I could do dishes." She suggested.

"That could work." He smiled. "What time?"

"Oh. Umm. 7 okay?"

"Sure. Sleep tight." He winked and left her. She sat on the bed with a crash.

"Mr. Floofer!" She said into her comforter. He, of course, just thumped in displeasure at her sudden movement.