Thunder // Jack Avery (Complete)

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A/N: Really quick! I'm 17, wooo! Also, the fan fav seems to be Mars Bars, so...

HELLO, MARS BARS! Thank you for supporting me! :)

-Mar

- - - - -

The world was moving in slow motion. Miley just stood there staring at the sienna man she loved throw his arms in every direction and twist his face to express his anger. She was blank faced, barely blinked even. She didn't know how to feel. She was relived that they were finally talking, but she was broken at the way he chose to express his feelings to her. All she'd done is asked if he wanted to run to the store with her. One question threw him over the edge. She didn't even know what he was saying. She didn't want to know what he was saying. Then, the world sped up and her stomach churned as she threw up in the kitchen sink. Cowen stopped immediately and held her hair. "It's okay, Smiley. I'm sorry. You're okay," he muttered as he rubbed her back.

"What did I do wrong?" She choked out after unloading the contents of her stomach.

"Nothing, Smiley. I'm just a dick."

"Communicate with me, Cowen. Please?"

"You have all this energy and wonder and you're so adventurous, but I'm not. The truth is, I've been depressed most of my life and it weighs me down so much. I want to do things with you, but I just don't let myself. I'm sorry."

"Why didn't you just tell me that? We could have been talking about this and figuring out solutions and ways to help you, Baby. I thought you didn't want to spend time with me because you didn't love me. I was so scared I was losing you before I had you. Let's sit down and talk about this after I brush my teeth and take a shower, okay?"

"Okay. Thank you, so much for understanding. I do love you, Smiley, and everything about you," he replied after kissing her forehead. Miley smiled at him, closed-mouthed, at him and walked away. She knew she probably reeked and didn't want to put him through that.

- - - - -

After a brisk shower and a long talk, they agreed that Cowen should start by talking to his doctor about the issues he's having. He explained that he was open to medication, but if it affected who he was and entrances him he would have to quit them. Miley told him that she preferred him starting off with therapy and medicine should be a last resort. Cowen agreed and set an appointment for when he got back.

In the meantime, he promised to say yes to more things and even if he didn't feel like doing them. So, they started off with a shopping trip. Miley drove them to Kings, blaring a playlist of her favorite music, which surprisingly catered to Cowen's music taste. He even admitted to liking Why Don't We's music. He was already happy that he came. It made him wonder about all the other things he missed out on. He said no to the zoo, to the mall, to the pool, to everything Miley had offered. He didn't intend on making that mistake again.

Once they arrived at the store, Miley grabbed a cart and pushed it around like a scooter, riding on the cart as it rolled around. Cowen intervened when it looked like she might hit something. Eventually, he insisted on taking control of the cart. That was after Miley ran into the side of an isle and fell forward into the cart. So, Miley danced down the halls and loaded up the cart. Cowen couldn't believe he had found such a happy girl to be with, and that happy girl wanted to be with him, even after the way he treated her.

They gathered a good amount of items, adding up to a subtotal of $117.04. Miley got a bunch of snacks to start with, then got things she could cook them meals with, and gathered all the toiletries and handy things she needed to restock on. Cowen grabbed some thins that he knew he'd enjoy and helped her pick out meals. Miley was surprisingly a good cook. Her dad was a chef while he still lived at home. Then he'd gotten a new job and met a beautiful, younger woman in the office. He left after a month-long affair. Miley didn't talk to her dad much anymore. She only answered his sparse phone calls on holidays.

She told Cowen the long story as they cooked some dinner for the evening. Cowen was sipping on a glass of wine and leaning against the counter as Miley worked away. He was focused on her words. He loved listening to her tell stories. He thought she would make a good author, but Miley feared she was too shy and unmotivated to write stories down. "I'm better at telling them on the spot," she said, "no outline, no thinking ahead, no worries, no grammar, no spelling, just talking."

"You're going to be such a good mom, someday," Cowen blurted our in the silence after she finished her story and he had responded with a sad "Sorry."

"I like to think so," she replied with a proud smile. "You're going to be a good dad."

"I don't know..."

"Cowen, you have so much life experience and you'll be able to help him through hard times because you've been through them yourself and you're going to get through all the pain. Your wisdom is what will make you an amazing father."

"I don't really have a father figure in my life, though... to reference."

"What do you mean?"

"My sister and I were adopted by a lesbian couple. My birth mom died while giving birth to my sister and my dad killed himself awhile after. I was too young to remember them and my baby sister never met the really. We were put into a foster home where my moms, Lilliana and Page, adopted us."

"Were they soulmates?"

"My moms say they were," Cowen smiled.

"A real life tragic love story. That's so heartbreaking and beautiful. I'm really sorry, Cowen," Miley replied as she kissed him on the forehead. "Are your moms soulmates?"

"Yes! They are absolutely adorable. Were your parents?"

"No. They got married when my mom found out her birth control didn't work until she'd been on it for a month," Miley chuckled.

"Is the food ready?"

"Soon, baby. Just a few more minutes on the garlic bread in the oven."