Protective Shadows (The Protective Series, Book 2)

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Happy Australia Day fellow Aussies who are reading this! Aussie Aussie Aussie! OI OI OI!

I pursed my lips in thought, tapping the end of my blue ballpoint pen against my temple. In front of me, sprawled out across the wooden desk, scribbly line after scribbly line of my song stared back at me, blurring as my eyes threatened to shut on me.

Jarmo had helped me add some more tabs for the song, which I was still debating a title for. The intro was just a cluster of 4s along the first and second parts of the neck, progressing into a more complex pattern from the verse onwards. Jarmo had more expertise as a song and music writer, so it made me feel a little more comfortable having him to help me with songs for the group. He was more than eager to write some more lyrics where I had gotten stuck; mainly during the second verse.

Dr Miller had allowed for me to go home after I had returned to the hospital two hours ago, but there had been a catch; I had to return to the support group three times a week for at least another month. Home, in this case, was the hotel, and ever since, I had been trying my very best to perfect this song, without totally screwing it up and destroying the whole thing as a result. He had seemed relieved to see me go, though he had never admitted it to my face. Andrea had thrown her arms up into the air and flailed them, running around in circles while loudly calling 'hallelujah praise the lord!'

Typical.

I'd rolled my eyes as I'd walked out through the electronic doors to the main entrance of the hospital, thinking back to Asko, resting peacefully at one of the general hospitals that didn't specialise in mental health, and helping youths become better people than who they once were. Technically, I was two months away from turning twenty, when I would officially become a young adult, but I'd never complained.

All day, I had been thinking back to Christmas last year; the last Christmas I had spent with Janne, and the only, as well. It'd been a day full of laughs and smiles, one that I would not soon forget.

December 25, 2014

A knock sounded from the front door. I instantly threw the green mixing bowl down onto the granite countertop, sauntering over towards the foyer in only a pair of red velvet Santa pants and a matching Santa hat. The snow white fluffy pompon bounced against my bare shoulder as I reached over, taking the golden lever handle in my hand, and yanked it open, grinning broadly at the sight before me.

"Ho ho ho," Janne chuckled, clutching a medium sized box concealed with snowman wrapping paper between his hands. "Merry Christmas Mr Pearce."

"Janne!" I squealed excitedly, flinging my arms around his shoulders. He grunted, staggering back out through the doorway. We both hit the concrete pathway, with me landing on top of him, erupting into a fit of laughter. "I wasn't expecting you to show up! How have you been?"

Janne sat up, causing me to slide down his torso. I hastily pulled myself upright, delicately placing my hands on his shoulders. He wore a black t-shirt imprinted with Crimfall's band logo and a pair of fleece Santa pants, the fluffy white ankles now threaded with bits of grass from my front yard. His enticing dark brown eyes gazed up in total awe at my face, his soft brown straightened hair spilling tidily a quarter of the way down his arms, blowing gently over his back in the slight breeze.

"It's been what, two weeks, since we last saw each other?" Janne's mouth stretched up into a smile, creasing softly at the corners. "I visited my family yesterday, and now I'm going to spend today - Christmas Day - with you, the only person in my life who loves me unconditionally, no matter how many times I fuck up, repeatedly."

I placed my index finger to his lips, leaning forward until I had closed the small distance between our lips. He rested his hands against my lower back, moving his mouth softly against mine, his teeth playfully nibbling at my bottom lip. I groaned, tangling my fingers in his hair, gradually opening my mouth fully over his. Our tongues intertwined, caressing each other's cheeks, remaining calm and collected the entire time, not once growing hard or carnal.