Better ~Jean x Reader AU~

Chapter 24: Fragrance of Spring

The golden rays of the setting sun bathed the campus with a soft glow as a warm breeze rattled through the leaves on the trees. Hushed chatters reverberated through the atmosphere as the gentle songs of cicadas and crickets chirped to the soaring dance of the overhead birds. The smell of freshly bloomed flowers lingered in the air, the fragrance swirling up into my nose with each inhale, causing my lips to bend into a small smile.

All was so calm and peaceful at that moment. The campus was rather empty from a majority of the student body going back to their hometowns for summer break. It was actually rather amazing how quickly it cleared out. As soon as everyone got their final grades it was like they booked it and I didn't blame them. Who wanted to stay on campus all summer? Well, besides me. I couldn't speak for others, but I had my own reasons to stay. Reasons that made me want to stay there more than anything.

I exhaled a tired breath and thought back to my visit with my father earlier that day. I had never seen him so vulnerable and open like that. I mean, he even told me about what caused him and YM/N to split. That was something I had wondered since I was a child, though I had expected it to have something to do with the Order. I just...I never anticipated him spilling as much as he had. I even understood why he had left us -both of us- and it was not all with selfish intent. He thought he was doing the right thing by leaving me with my mom. He believed it would have helped her and me to develop a mother-daughter bond, but he saw his error. He knew he should have taken me with him.

Still, regardless of what had happened back then, I was happy to have gotten closure. For the longest time I tried to dissect the whole situation with no help from neither YM/N or YF/N, but that was resolved. And I knew it hurt YF/N to talk about his and my mother's past like that, but I truly appreciated it. From the very bottom of my heart, I did. All those years as a child wondering if it was my fault could be laid to rest.

Because it never was my fault.

I shoved my hands in my hoodie's pockets and listened as the soles of my Converses scuffed the pavement. Despite it already being the end of the spring term, it was indeed still only spring. It was only May, meaning the evening hours were still chilly but nothing compared to the bitter winter. Perks of college -longer breaks.

I glimpsed around, scanning my surroundings. Peaceful was the only way to describe what I saw. What people I saw were all sporting smiles and laughing. Everyone was so...happy. That clouded veil that Professor Wells had brought during his reign of terror was lifting, the joy once again finding the campus. And, it was amazingly refreshing. So refreshing that I had no desire to retire to my dorm.

So, I decided I'd go for a walk on the trail close to where I had seen Nala. I mean, it was the only trail that was pretty empty due to the break. Of course, that didn't bother me. I preferred it, truthfully. The quietness would allow me to clear my mind and just enjoy the lovely weather that evening. That was something I needed.

I continued down the trail, listening as the insects sang from the grassy areas surrounding me. The breeze still encircled me in its hold, the spring scent still lingering in my nostrils. I found myself becoming lost in thought, though I was not fretting. I was merely just enjoying myself. That was all.

I had been walking for a few minutes when I heard a clicking sound; a familiar clicking sound. I paused, my heart racing with a sense of elation. I knew that sound too well. The sound of a camera snapping photos.

Without really thinking, I quietly began to creep over to where I heard the clicking, making sure to avoid any twigs or fallen limbs. I succeeded and made it to the edge of the trees and scanned the clearing. To my luck, the brassy hues of the setting sun drowned the little meadow, allowing me to see the most incredible thing; the photographer and Nala.

His back was to me, but I still admired him as he worked with the doe. Nala stood tall, her jaw flexing as she chewed a mouthful of grass. Her large eyes locked on me, her ears twitching in a multitude of directions. It was clear that she had heard me, but she hadn't darted away. Maybe she knew I wasn't a threat. Then again, maybe she trusted the photographer enough to know he wouldn't let anything happen to her. In the end, I wasn't sure why she didn't flinch, but I wasn't about to dwell on it.

I just stood and watched, a smile creeping across my lips in awe. The photographer didn't seem aware of my presence and I wasn't about to compromise that, so I remained in silence. I remained in the shadows of the trees, the quietness being my shield. He continued to snap and take pictures with his back to me when he finally turned.

My eyes widened and my breath hitched at the identity of the photographer.

**Bello my lovelies! Sorry for the sucky chapter, but I didn't wanna give too much away right off the bat. I'm sure y'all have your suspicions and hunches on who our photographer is. Don't worry -that will be revealed in the next chapter. So, I hope y'all are ready for that lol. Anyway, thank you so much for everything! Y'all are the bestest! Wuv yous!! <3**

-Noel Ross

P.S. "The Beginning" by ONE OK ROCK. I honestly can't remember if I've used this song already in another book or not, but regardless, it's a good song.