when you come around//Howi

[Alyssa :)]

Howi listened as Nightshade explained what she had done for the past two days in his absence and it sounded like she didn't like any of that. He would hate having to sneak out of his house and avoid his parents just because they were abusive. He gently brushed a hair from her face as she leaned on his shoulder. She seemed so helpless to her mother's abuse and it really bothered him. He hadn't stopped thinking about the last time she had told him about her abusive mother. How could any parent be so mean to their daughter?

He ran his fingers through her hair before resting his hand back on her shoulder. "That sounds terrible but I promise to never leave you alone for that long again." He replied gently. Lazily he stretched out his right arm before placing it in his pocket. He rested his head on the tree trunk and looked at her with a gentle smile. He pulled his hand out of his pocket and placed it on Nightshade's hand. "I love you so much."

[aliciamusa]

"That sounds terrible but I promise to never leave you alone for that long again." I smiled and keep watching little Howi run around. "I love you so much." I blushed, but smiled. I looked up into his eyes and keep smiling. "I love you too." If he asked me how I was I should ask him. "How have you been?"

[Alyssa :)]

Gently Howi sighed when she asked how he had been. Should he tell her about the whipping he had gotten for dropping a box of fruit while at work or remain quiet about the whole ordeal? He looked at her and her wonderful smile and found it even harder to lie to her. "Tired and sore from work." He replied gently, "The peacekeepers are getting tougher and lashing out at everyone for every little mistake. I think it might be due to the fact the games are close but man its terrible."

He took a quick trip down memory lane as he remembered the peacekeeper calling his name and having to pull off his shirt. His hands had been tied so he couldn't even fight back. The people he worked with were forced to watch as the long, black leather whip struck against their coworkers back. A chill ran along his spine and he shook his head to clear away the memory but sadly the pain didn't go with it. "I just happened to be their example that night. Man and I do miss being able to lay on my back to watch the sky."

[aliciamusa]

He was their example. What did that mean? "Man and I do miss being able to lay on my back to watch the sky." Than I got it. He was whipped. I started to panic. "Are you okay? What happened?" I started to shake. I hate this. I don't like it when people hurt the people I love. Than I remembered something he said. "I think it might be due to the fact the games are close." My mind automatically went back to my dream. I have been getting the dream over and over and now every night, it keep getting clearer and clearer.

[Alyssa :)]

Howi very gently ran his hand along Nightshade's back when she started to shake. Why was she shaking? Slowly he dug through his memories in which they shared trying to determine why. He remembered how she was talking about her dream two days ago when they were laying by the fence. Now he felt stupid after bringing up how close the games where. He protectively wrapped his arms around her and continued to rub her back. "I'm fine I just tripped and ruined a box of supplies besides this wasn't my first whipping." He stated leaving out why he had tripped.

Gently he kissed her forehead before pulling back and looking at her. "I'm sorry..." He whispered and trailed off. He knew exactly what was going through her mind and it was because of what he said. Slowly he closed his eyes and bit back a sigh. This day was turning into something he didn't want and that was for her to worry about the games.

[aliciamusa]

My mind was so off all I noticed was Howi kissed my forehead and then his mouth moved. I wanted my mind to be all there but it just wasn't. I looked at Howi and He seamed worried. I was worrying about him. This wasn't what he wanted and I know that. I gave him a kiss. I knew I could make him stop worrying. After I pulled away my mind was all back and I realized that little Howi was in my lap. I looked at Howi and gave him an apologetic look. "I'm sorry."

[Alyssa :)]

Howi listened as she apologized after giving him a kiss. Her lips were as soft as her voice both of which he loved very much. He sighed lightly and leaned back against the tree. Little Howi had brought her out of her fearful mind set. Dark amber gaze fell to his pant legs which had a small black beetle strolling across them. Rather annoyed at himself Howi flicked the bug off his jeans before looking towards the sky. He looked back at Nightshade and tried to smile but it was more of a half smile. "It's okay its not your fault anyway." He replied gently still with his half hearted smile.

Slowly he shifted to the point he was laying down. He hated sitting for a long period of time because he always had to look up to see the sky. Lazily he moved his arm to pet the mischievous kitten that hopefully would fill an empty void in Nightshade's life when ever he wasn't around. He rolled his head to look at his girlfriend. "Are you okay?"

[aliciamusa]

I wanted to be okay. Only this was supposed to be a day with Howi and not worrying about anything else. As he started to lay down a did too and put my head on his chest. I moved so instead of looking at his belly I was looking at his face. I have missed him and I don't want to be looking at his belly. I smiled and said "The only thing that would be wrong is if I was never with you."

[Alyssa :)]

Howi flinched slightly when Nightshade laid her head down on his torso. He took in a deep breath and smiled gently at her. Lazily he ran his fingers through her hair and trying to figure out what to say. His life wouldn't be the same if they hadn't gotten together but that would be so cheesy to repeat. So he laid there in silence letting his mind wander over the words he could possibly say. He tucked one of his arms beneath his head just so he was a bit more comfortable. "You are the reason I'm going to wake up each day because I just love that smile of yours."

[aliciamusa]

I was the reason he woke up in the morning? Why was that? He said he liked my smile. Well I like him. He is nice and kind and loves me for me. I look at him and blush. "I love you for who you are. "I smiled and thought about the good times we had together. Witch was barely any. Seeing as I never knew he wanted to be friends with me. I always wanted to be friends with him just never wanted to ask him before. But now we are more than friends. We are a couple. And that's more than I could ever ask for.

[Alyssa :)]

Howi was loved for who he was which was nice. He pretended to sigh in relief and ran his hand along his forehead. "Good cause for a minute I thought I was going to have to compete with fluffy there." He stated sarcastically with a glance towards little Howi. There was no need for him to compete with the cat but he thought there would be a small laugh if anything. He stretched an arm towards the kitten to pet him. "I thought I might have to curl up at your feet or something just so you'll love me." The sarcasm continued as he spoke.

[aliciamusa]

I laughed a little bit at his sarcasm. I looked him in the eyes and smiled. "Why do you think you would have to compete with little Howi. He is our cat. And your my boyfriend. You don't have to compete with anybody." I was still giggling after he said that he might have to curl up at your feet or something just so I would love him. He comes up the weirdest things ever. Its so cute.

[Alyssa :)]

Howi loved how he managed to pull that whole sarcastic bit off. He laughed at her non-stop giggling and reply. She was adorable about the whole thing. "Come on can't you see why I have to complete with the little fluff ball? He's down right adorable and he'll keep your feet warm at night." He replied, voice still full of sarcasm. Silently he petted the cat and listened at little howi purred. "Then there is me. I just give you little cute creatures that I have to compete with." He smiled gently at his new line of sarcasm. Carefully he propped himself up on his elbows to get off most of his burning back.

[aliciamusa]

I looked at Howi and than at little Howi. I looked back at Howi and keep looking at him. "You don't ever have to compete with anybody. I love you more than anything in the world why would you have to compete?" I said while smiling. He is kind and sweet, Little Howi is just little Howi. I know the cat likes me but that is only because I was nice to it. I keep looking at Howi and give him a kiss.

[Alyssa :)]

Howi looked at the sky for a brief second before looking back at Nightshade. Gently he sighed and stretched out his arms before laying them back down. "I was just joking and I know I don't have to compete with anything." He replied gently. Had she really missed the sarcasm in his sentences? If she had well he failed at being a joker. Oh well it didn't really matter now since he explained his joking matter. He laid his head back on the blanket and took in a deep breath. "I love you more than this work because the world is just terrible."