By the time Anakin had returned Fern had pushed his bed and desk to the wall leaving an open space for the work that needed to be done. Fern reached behind his closet slipping out the blank canvas. He turned around, quickly taking two steps away at the sight of Anakin's figure in the doorway. Fern didn't say anything, Anakin said nothing as well.

"Listen," Anakin said breaking the silence. "I...okay maybe this thing was my fault. I shouldn't have assumed that you would be able to see through the makeup. Most guys think Lady Gaga isn't actually Lady Gaga when she's not wearing makeup." Fern shifted a bit getting a better view of Anakin without the light of the hallway surrounding his figure like a light from heaven.

"So, you're saying that you should have expected me to be dumber because I'm a guy?" Fern asked slowly. A small smirk took form at the edge of Anakin's mouth.

"That's exactly what I'm saying." Anakin reached behind him grabbing strands of his wavy hair, using an elastic that seemingly came from nowhere he put it in a messy ponytail.

"So you're not mad that I was a huge douche?" Fern asked a bit shyly, conveniently letting the edge of the board cover the edge of his face. "Because by the way, I'm really sorry about that. I'm just..."

"Really bad at social situations? I figured. Okay, I don't love the fact that you made me...well that you were a jerk but I still want to be friends with you." Fern scanned over Anakin's face to make sure he wasn't joking. A smile spread on Fern's face, he lowered the board.

"Yeah, I'd like that too. So...we don't need to re-introduce ourselves to each other right?" Anakin rolled his eyes and took off the button up shirt that was over a graphic-T of a robot.

"Just get painting loser." Fern smiled, he didn't need any more prompting. He dropped the board and pushed the paints between them. "I still can't believe we've gotten so little done," Anakin grumbled as he picked up a brush. He reached into his back pocket, Fern followed his hand movement quickly looking away as he reached in. Anakin slipped out a smaller version of what the scene was supposed to look like and put it at the top of the board for both of them to see. They began working in comfortable silence. Fern glanced at Anakin's face from time to time, trying to double check that this was still a guy that he was working with. If Anakin noticed he said nothing, the determined look on his face unwavering.

"So..." Fern began both hating and loving the comfortable silence floating between them.

"Is a form of mending using thread and a needle," Anakin said immediately, still continuing to paint. Fern furrowed his eyebrows and cleared his throat.

"What?" Anakin turned to him, his brown eyes reflecting off of the lamp light in Fern's room making his gaze harder to keep.

"Nothing, continue." Anakin turned back to painting only putting half as much focus in his short strokes.

"Well, Anakin...Anakin. Like...Skywalker? Are your parent's nerds or something?" Anakin dropped the brushed and turned to him fully leaning closer to him than before.

"No. Absolutely not and never bring up that trainwreck trilogy in my presence. Or in my absence for that matter." Fern put up his hands leaning his body a bit away.

"Fine fine, I wouldn't want to get on your dark side or anything." It took a moment for Anakin to catch the joke. His face scrunched up even more than before, Fern couldn't hold back a laugh. Anakin could have been compared to a pug at that moment, all scrunched up cuteness and no edge.

"Listen Spaniard," he poked Fern in the center of his chest narrowing his eyes at him. "Anakin is a Native American name foremost. It is definitely not the name of a guy who goes on homoerotic adventures with his teacher." Fern wasn't sure whether it was appropriate to laugh again, Anakin looked closer to Casper the Friendly Ghost's family lineage then Native American.

"I've never heard of a Native American named Anakin," Fern said instead, choosing the middle ground rather than potentially step on Anakin's toes.

"Well, you are meeting one. My grandfather named me, Anakin means soldier for your information." Anakin turned away from him picking up his brush again in an attempt to continue work. Fern squinted at Anakin trying to pick out any even vague implications of Native American heritage. Unless really androgynous features was a known trait of Native American's then Fern could see nothing.

"Soldier?" Fern understood it was pretty hard to predict a baby livelihood but Anakin seemed removed from any possible identification as a soldier. He wondered if female soldiers were even allowed to wear makeup. Anakin shifted a bit not looking up at him but catching the question in the word.

"It's more metaphorical like you know strong, reliable, that sort of shit." Fern nodded still trying to wrap his mind around the new information. Not more than an hour ago he would have craved to know anything and everything about Ani, he wondered if that hunger was still there.

"Which tribe do your grandfather and the rest of your family come from?" Fern picked up his brush hoping that he phrased the question appropriately. It took a moment for Anakin to answer only adding to Fern's anxiety.

"The Pueblo Indians, and it's only really my grandfather and me who identify as Native American. My dad and sister frankly don't care enough." Fern didn't say anything but he was already considering this as a ploy to get into a better college.

"You and your grandfather close?" Anakin audibly perked up and nodded, loose strands of his hair bouncing around his face.

"Well of course we are. He taught me all that it means to be Puebloan and I teach him the pro's and con's of Nutella and Reese's Peanut Butter Spread."

"Real mutualistic relationship there huh?" Fern glanced over at Anakin's side of the board, it was almost finished the only white part was where the reference paper covered the board. He looked at his own side, it was mostly white with only a few squares actually painted in.

"In the summer Edudu is going to take me to New Mexico, that's where the tribe is."Anakin put down his brush and reached into his back pocket again. He wiped his paint covered hand on his pant leg and unlocked his phone. He turned the phone and faced it towards Fern so that he could see the picture of the home screen.

The picture looked like it was taken recently, by the way, Anakin looked. His hair was down and he was wearing makeup again, though considerably lighter with lip gloss and a reddish color on the top of his eyelids. His hair was to the side partly colored the side of a much older man. Fern had to lean in closer to make sure his eyes weren't deceiving him. The man next to him was much older, his hair already a dark shade of grey. The stark contrast between the skin colors of the two of them was hard to believe. The older man's skin color was closer to Fern's own, and Anakin looked like a European wet dream. Anakin's face was resting on the shoulder of the man which Fern assumed was his grandfather.

"That's me and him, he took me out for a nature walk with him after my first audition for La La Land." Fern looked at Anakin's face, he had a dreamy look in his eyes that made his features look even softer than before.

"You two look...different." Anakin looked up at him and shrugged turning his phone back off.

"He married a European mutt, that combination produced a child who married another European mutt, which leads to me being pasty." Fern nodded unsure if Anakin would want congratulations or not. "It's shitty now I can't even get a tan, too much Irish or something." Anakin looked down at his arms and rubbed them, almost like encouragement to flush even a little color.

"Does he live around here?"

"Yeah, just the next town over with my Ulisi." He paused for a moment. "My grandmother I mean. He visits a ton though." Fern nodded again looking at Anakin, he hated himself for how hard he had to try to maintain the conversation. He wasn't sure why it had been so easy to talk over the phone and even over text but the idea of being face to face drove him to silence.

"That'll look good on your college applications huh?" Fern offered to glance to the side as he painted what was left of his side. Anakin dipped his brush in more green and began neatening up the messes Fern's clumsy painting made.

"I don't need America's handouts. I mean you can't just try and Genocide an entire people then tell them it's okay because you can get into almost any college you want." Fern admired the vigor Anakin said that with like he relied on himself more than anyone else to get him where he needed to go. Fern was almost embarrassed to know that if he was accepted into a college it might be solely based on his nationality, and whatever sob story he would feed the board.

"I mean it's better than actually succeeding in Genocide." Fern offered weakly, earning a quick look from Ani.

"You have pretty low standards don't you?" Fern smiled and shrugged as a response. "I mean, it makes sense you did say you had a crush on me." Fern first thought it was a jab at him then realized the backhanded insult.

"Hey, you have a pretty nice..." He stopped himself before he alluded to Anakin's only redeeming feature being his ass. He was pretty positive that even guys didn't appreciate that level of objectification.

"Fernando! Dinner is ready!" His mother's voice cut in, saving Fern from his own stupidity. Anakin closed his eyes and sniffed the air.

"That smells great, didn't even realize how hungry I was." Anakin put down his brush and stood. He offered a hand to Fern. Fern grabbed his hand letting himself be pulled up. Fern ignored the warmth of Anakin's hand, and the proximity of their bodies when he stood up. He blinked looking at Anakin's forehead taking deep breaths.

"I'm taller than you." He said suddenly, he took a step back and made a show of looking down at Anakin waiting for a reply. Fern smiled wider as Anakin scrunched his face up like pug again.

"Shut up, my people kicked yours out of an entire state. I'll kick your ass out the window." Despite not knowing entirely where he was going Anakin turned away from Fern and went out his room door. Fern chuckled as he followed behind him.

"The stairs are to your left," Fern called out, watching Anakin turn around and march down the stair. Fern smiled and followed him.

They were met at the bottom of the stairs by Fern's mother. She smiled at them, it was evident to Fern that she had reapplied her makeup and touched up her hair.

"Fernando, you didn't tell me your friend was so beautiful!" She said loudly approaching Ani and enveloping him in a hug. Fern cringed expecting Anakin to either feel insulted by being called a girl again or to stiffen and be opposed to the close proximity by this stranger.

"Why thank you Mrs. Oliverez, but I doubt I could possibly be as beautiful as you." Fern was taken aback, Anakin missed no beats. Fern's mother scoffed the beginnings of a blush on her face. She swept her long hair behind her shoulder.

"Oh don't you butter me up, I like you already. And please call me Maria, Mrs. Olivarez makes me feel so old." Fern rolled his eyes at that and slipped his hand into his pocket, taking the lapping step on the stairwell to meet with the two of them.

"Mom you are old, and Ani isn't a girl." Fern said casually earning a look from his mother. She pushed his shoulder lightly.

"Fernando it is wise not to anger two women so close to each other." Fern ignored the muffled laugh from next to them.

"Mom Anakin really i--" Maria raised her hand immediately silencing him.

"Fernando, just because she dresses more casually, and is a bit..." She circled her chest area with an open palm. "Behind, doesn't mean she is not a woman same as me."

"Actually," Anakin stepped between them a raised finger. "He's not lying I really am a guy, but I appreciate being called beautiful." He said with a slight laugh. Maria's face switched between several different emotions landing confusion.

"Um..." She blinked looking between Ani and Fern, until landing on Fern. Fern mouthed: 'We'll discuss later' to her. She nodded widening her smile and clasping her hands. "Well um, dinner! Please sit down." She turned around and quickly walked off in the direction of the dining table. Anakin turned to Fern laughing his face nothing but amused.

"So you're not pissed that my mother thought you were a girl?" Fern asked smiling at him. Anakin shook his head and used his hand to push back his hair.

"Maybe it's the ponytail," Anakin said with a shrug moving his head so it waved behind him. Fern shrugged with him and hit his ponytail.

"I like the ponytail, makes up for the lack of..."He waved his own open palm over his chest. Anakin rolled his eyes and pushed Fern's shoulder.

"Shut up." He grumbled turning and following the same path Fern's mother took. Fern followed closely behind him watching Anakin's ponytail wave as he walked.

When they stepped into the dining room a mix of smells hit both of them. Fern glanced at Anakin and could tell that he felt the same way. He stepped closer to Anakin so his mouth was by his ear.

"Prototype, my mother is Mexican and she takes great pride in her authentic Mexican tacos. So even you hate everything you're eating, it would be in your best interest to say nothing." Anakin bit the corner of his lip a bit, his breathing coming out more shallow.

"Don't worry I won't need to pretend, smells great, looks great, let's eat." He stepped away from Fern and quickly stood behind a seat at the six-person dining table.

"Don't have to seem so nervous," Fern mumbled under his breath walking more casually to the table and standing next to him. Maria put the last type of meat next to the other bowls of meat.

"Six different types of meats, a bowl of limes, as many toppings as you can count, and authentic cornmeal tacos." She put a hand on her hip her chin jutting in the air. Fern and Anakin both looked at each other silently deciding who would say the first compliment.

"Mother, magician, beautician, and chef. Is there anything Senora Maria Olivarez can't do?" A masculine voice said from behind Maria. Fern leaned over to see his father walking behind them. Maria looked over her shoulder, to face the man behind her. Fern didn't need to see her face to know that she was smiling. Sebastian Oliverz slipped an arm around his mother's waist and gave her a chaste kiss on the lips. Fern looked away regardless eager to ward away any thoughts of his parents kissing his mind.

"Well, you might have to wait and find out." She said her voice teasing as she shared another kiss with her husband. Fern looked to Anakin gagging a bit expecting a similar response. Anakin smiled slightly and shrugged.

"The food really does look amazing Mrs. Ol--Maria. I hope you didn't make all this just because I was coming?" Maria put her hand on her chest and shook her head.

"Of course not!"

"Yes." Maria and Fern both said at the same time. Maria looked at her son with a warning in her eyes and continued.

"I make dinner like this every day, I take great pride in my kitchen uh...I'm sorry I never got your name."

"My name is Anakin, and I'm guessing that the handsome man behind you is Mr. Olivarez?" Fern inwardly cringed, there was just something uncomfortable about Anakin calling his father handsome. It felt like Anakin was an adult talking to a little kid about how tall he had gotten.

"Oh please call me Sebastian, since you're already on a first name basis with my wife." Sebastian slipped a hand away from his wife's waist and extended it to Anakin. Anakin took his hand without hesitation shaking it. "Huh, you have quite a strong handshake for a--" Fern masked the word guy with a cough into his shoulder. Anakin glanced at Fern but didn't stop smiling. Sebastian looked at the four other people and just nodded. They dropped hands and Sebastian smiled politely.

"Why don't we all sit and dig in huh? I have a dessert that I'm sure you will love."

"I am positive that I will enjoy anything that you make," Anakin said taking a step to the side so that he could pull out his chair. Before Anakin's hand touched the chair Fern had already pulled it out for him. Fern not thinking much of it pulled out his own chair and sat down. In the process, he missed the shared looks between his parents and Anakin's own look. Fern instead focused on the empty plate in front of him, his mission becoming to fill it.

He registered the scratching of the chair as it was pulled in, and felt the warmth of another body close to him. He took a breath and grabbed a shell and passing the plate of shells to Anakin. Anakin looked at him for a brief moment before taking the plate and placing a shell on his empty plate. Fern hummed to himself looking at the six different bowls, all with different meats debating how to start his creation off.

"Anakin dear, I hope you don't mind but some of the meats are spicy. I hope that's okay? Nothing too spicy of course." Maria assured him, she had already begun layering her shell with sausage meat.

"Oh don't worry I have had plenty of spicy food in my day, I'm sure I can handle it." He added a smile to reassure. Fern resisted rolling his eyes at him, positive that he was just saying things to impress his mother. He focused back to his plate and decided to make a base coat of guacamole. From there he began lathering with five other different types of meets garnishing each layer with a different vegetable. He topped the creation off with a thick layer of tomato salsa and wrapped it up. He picked it up ready to tear up with its delicious beauty. He looked to the side to watch Anakin's progress.

Anakin only had one type of meat on his taco and was carefully adding radish to selective spots on the meat.

"What are you doing?" Fern asked saying what he was thinking. Anakin looked up at him with a tilted eyebrow.

"This is just to make sure I get a bite of radish with every bite." He placed the bowl of radish back where it belonged, and picked up the Jalapenos. Fern chuckled a bit and shook his head leaning over and grabbing the green peppers.

"Ani those are Jalapenos, not peppers, here switch." He said gesturing the bowl of peppers towards him. Ani ignored his gesture and placed the bowl next to his plate.

"Fern don't worry I know what a Jalapeno is," He took a few shredded Jalapenos and scattered them on his taco. "And I know that I like them." He took a slice and popped it into his mouth like a potato chip. Fern's eyebrows came together but he shrugged.

"Whatever you want A." He mumbled and reached over Anakin's front to put the green peppers back. He put the taco to his lips prepared to take a bite.

"Mijo, don't forget to squeeze some lime onto it." Maria reminded him raising the bowl of cut lime. Fern took one and squeezed it on the exposed part of the taco. He took a large bite of his taco moaning with his mouth full.

"Thanks, mama." He mumbled as he chewed. He ignored a reminder by his father to not talk with his mouth full and turned back to Anakin. The boy in question was strategically placing chili peppers in select spots in the meat. Fern frowned, swallowed his bite, and licked his lips.

"Dude, do you know how hot those are?" Fern asked he glanced at his dad's taco, his second one at that point. He only had a few chili peppers on his plate, and he was typically the only one who bothered.

"Hotter than me in a bikini," Anakin said prompting a chuckle from Fern's mother. Fern knew Maria probably assumed Anakin was teasing. Fern, however, wasn't completely sure he was, and he definitely didn't want to think about him in a bikini at the dinner table.

"Anakin we're talking about burning sensation, not like a tickling of the tongue." Fern clarified putting down his masterpiece. Anakin rolled his eyes practically into his head and leaned closer to him.

"Sounds like it's too hot for you." He took another slice of Jalapeno and slipped it into his mouth.

"Okay okay, I am totally not being pulled into this..." He moved his hand in a circular motion between them. "This whole schtick," Anakin raised an eyebrow and looked innocently at him.

"What's this? Me saying you're not Spaniard enough to eat a few chili peppers?" Fern felt the heat rise to his face and he knew it wasn't the peppers.

"Hey eating spicy foods is not a gauge of how Spanish you are, okay? I am positive that there are plenty of Spanish people, Mexican, Puerto Rican, and others, that despise spicy foods okay?" Anakin shrugged and turned back to his taco, a small smile on his face that was beginning to drive Fern crazy.

"Okay," Anakin said taking the salsa that his mother's spicier salsa and spreading it over his taco.

"Okay?" Fern stressed the word leaning over to catch Anakin's eye. Anakin looked at him and shrugged.
"Okay." He said plainly, reaching behind Fern to grab the bowl of limes.

"Okay, you do not just okay me," Fern said putting his hand on Anakin's shoulder.

"Um...then what do you want me to say? Fern you are wrong?" He placed the bowl in front of him and took two limes squeezing them over his taco.

"Well fine if you're going to be like that." Fern leaned over the Anakin grabbing the bowl of chili peppers and putting them next to his plate. Making a dramatic clinking sound with the bowl.

"Like what?" His smiled widened and was chuckling with his words. "I'm not forcing you to eat anything!" He protested. Fern was unrolling his taco already.

"Uh huh, sure." He was loading his taco with chili peppers and took a few Jalapenos for good measure.

"Fern are you sure can eat that?" Sebastian said, wisps of humor in his voice. Fern looked up at his father giving him a hard look, then looking back at his taco.

"If the Guerro can eat it, so can I." He tilted his towards Ani for emphasis. Anakin had his folded taco in his hand and looked between them.

"I feel like Guerro is a derogatory term." He said aloud, no one replied to him. He shrugged and opened his mouth to take a bite. Fern leaned over putting his hand in front of his mouth stopping him.

"No we are eating this together, and I will prove..."

"Prove what Mijo?" Maria asked a hint of concern in her voice. Fern was silent for a moment then shook his head.

"I'll you when I figure it out. Ani pass me the spicy salsa." Fern demanded with an outstretched hand. Anakin sighed deeply, he picked up the bowl placing it near Fern's plate and began spooning the tomato and spices mix onto Fern's taco. Fern said nothing and wrapped up the taco when Anakin finished.

Both Fern and Anakin held their taco's together looking back at each other. Sebastian and Maria were otherwise finished, their napkins on their plates, and their dirty utensils in an empty dirty bowl.

"One," Fern started taking a deep breath, he could practically feel the heat radiating off the bomb in his hands.

"Two." Anakin continued, he looked much less grim than Fer was. He licked his lip dramatically, looking at Fern as he did so. The sight sent a feeling through two parts of his body. He choked out the last number.

"Three." He turned away from Anakin to look at his taco and took a large bite. He could hear the crunch from next to him, but all he could focus on was the burning sensation in his mouth. He chewed slowly but he knew his eyes were already watering.

"Great, right Fern?" Fern turned his head trying to figure out how Anakin had already swallowed his first bite. Fern took his time swallowing what felt like hot coals, before answering him.

"Amazing." He whispered surprised his voice box even functioned. Anakin smirked and took another bite in front of him. Fern knew it was a taunt and followed it up with a bigger bite. The second bite was even worse than the first he felt like his taste buds were being whipped with every chew. Anakin swallowed his mouthful, his eyes searching over Fern's.

"Feel's like fire but tastes incredible." He over articulated the word, Fern wasn't sure how he could say a sentence as long as that. His own lips felt numb. He just nodded, and they took their third bite together. By that time Fern could notice water dripping out of Anakin's eyes. Fern felt a swell of pride, like a chink in Anakin's armor. That was until he felt his own tears dripping down his face.

At the seventh bite, both of their taco's were finished. Fern was leaning over the table taking in deep breaths panting like a dog his tongue sticking out. He didn't care how he looked to Anakin or his parents he thought his insides were coming to a roaring boil.

"Tsk...Mijo.." His mother began, Fern did not miss the giggle in her voice. He looked up at her with a betrayed looked, then finally found the strength to look at Anakin. His cheeks were a deep red, his lips were shining almost glazed over, his eyes had a reddish tint and were watering, and his hair somehow looked more out of place than usual. They looked at each other for awhile, both panting. Fern knew for a fact that Anakin looked more enthused than Fern ever would. He waited for his mother to leave with dirty dishes before speaking.

"You look like you either got fucked, or you are dying just as much as I am." Anakin chuckled at that and picked up his napkin.

"I wish I got fu--" Sebastian coughed loudly claiming both of their attention.

"I'm going to get you some uh water," Sebastian said pushing away from the table and standing up.

"Wait, Mr...Uh Sebastian." Anakin said, Sebastian stopped and looked at him eyebrows raised.

"Got Milk?" He looked at Fern instead of Sebastian, somehow a silent message went between both of them. At that moment Fern had two incredibly strong urges, he stuffed the first urge in the back of his mind and began laughing. It kind of hurt and his lips felt like rubber but when Anakin joined him he felt less crazed and more hysterical. He didn't know when his father slipped away but he appreciated the tall glass of milk that was offered to them after some time of laughing. Fern used a clean napkin to wipe away the rest of his tears and took the milk thanking his father. Anakin sipped at his milk, while Fern took large gulps. He felt small hands on his shoulder and he looked up to see his mother. She smiled at him, her lipstick already reapplied from dinner. She dipped lower closer to his ear.

"I have a feeling of what you were trying to prove, but...I'm proud of you anyway. For...whatever you were trying to do." She moved away and kissed his cheek. She rubbed his hair and walked back to the kitchen. When they finished their milk Fern stood up his hand outstretched.

"Come on we have a job to do." Anakin smiled up at him and took his hand pulling himself up with him.

"Well let's get poppin' B." He chuckled and began walking towards the staircase. It took a moment for Fern to remember that they were still holding hands, he let go a continued up ahead in front of him. Leading Anakin back to his room, and back to work.

Fern snorted at the irritated look on Ani's face. He was looking his backside in the mirror were a yellow handprint was proudly pronounced.

"I freaking hate you, Olivarez?" He mumbled fully turning back to him.

"I know you do, but it was an accident?" He tried again, barely able to stand up. "My mom can give you some great tips on getting stains out." Fern offered to wipe his eyes.

"Fern every boy our age knows how to get stains out of clothing," Anakin grumbled slipping the dried boards under his arm. Fern shrugged at that trying not to blush. He pushed over the open can of yellow paint.

"So your sister's outside?" He asked, trying to keep any disappointment out of his voice. Anakin nodded and opened the door to Fern's room, letting in light from the outside.

"I can walk you out." Fern offered, stepping ahead of him down the hallway, and to the stairs. He heard Anakin's footsteps behind him. They passed by his parents in the dining room table. They were sharing a mug of what Fern assumed was coffee together, shoulders pressed against each other.

"Going so soon Anakin?" Maria asked tilting her head to him. Fern looked behind him to see Anakin nod and smile.

"You two are wonderful hosts, thank you for having me. The food was incredible." Anakin said politely, his mother smiled and looked at Sebastian. Sebastian looked back at Anakin and nodded.

"Feel free to stop by anytime and keep Fern company. Maybe encourage him to complete his studies." Fern rolled his eyes and continued to the mat in front of the door.

"I'm walking Anakin to his car, making sure he doesn't get mugged or something." He and Anakin slipped on their shoes and walked outside. Fern could immediately feel the temperature change and shivered a bit. He looked at Anakin who seemed chilled but said nothing. In front of the walkway was a dark red convertible. They began walking down the walkway, neither of them saying anything. The only sound between them was the smack of the boards against Anakin's thigh.

They got to the car door and Fern opened the door for Anakin. Ani raised an eyebrow at him but said nothing slipping the boards into the back seat.

"Not going to introduce me to your new BFFL?" A female voice said all her words dripping with a familiar sarcasm. Anakin rolled his eyes and stepped backward, letting Fern get a better look at who was inside. Fern ducked his head into the car. The women inside the car had a familiar soft beauty to Anakin, her hair was brown and curly a few shades darker than Anakin's, her lips were just as pouty but a bit thinner than Anakin's, her basic face structure was almost disparaged to her brothers. The only strong difference was her eyes had more green than brown to them.

"Fern this is my sister Dakota Jr, Dakota Jr this is my..." He took a deep breath and his voice came out higher and peppier. "Best friend for life Fern Olivarez."

"Oh my god he's like totally my everything, I totes feel connected to you already." She said dramatically putting her hand on her chest. Fern looked at Anakin who was shaking his head.

"Jr? Was she named after your father?"

"After that display, he's only worried about that and nothing else? Maybe he really should sign up to be your best friend for life." Her voice had an edge to it. It reminded him of Anakin but somehow less humorous and more biting. Fern shrugged and looked back at Dakota.

"I was just asking, I would have assumed Anakin should have been named Dakota. You know being the guy and all." He shrugged slipping his hands into his pocket.

"Well, you assumed wrong. Mom only wanted two kids, and Dad already promised to let grandpa name the second one." Anakin answered, slipping by Fern to get to the passenger seat. Fern took a step back and closed the car door for him. The windows were rolled down and he stuck his head through.

"I mean we could always switch names, you can be Dakota Jr. and I can be Princess Leia. There we're all happy." Dakota's smile afterward proved she had intentionally tried to annoy her brother. And Anakin's response proved that she had succeeded.

"Well, there's a yellow hand on the ass of these pants," Anakin said crossing his arms after buckling himself in.

"So?" Dakota turned to the road and shifted the car into drive.

"These are your pants, and this is your shirt. So there." Dakota scoffed and looked at him sideways with the evil eye.

"Anakin I'm honestly going to tear you a new one." She said with a growl in her voice.

"Don't have to, I'll ask your boyfriend Jack to do it for me." Dakota's hands tightened on the wheel. If Fern didn't know that the two of them were siblings, he would have feared gratefully for Anakin's life.

"You fucking stay away from Jack, he's not gay, or bi, or pan!"

"We'll see about that now won't we," Anakin said smugly, he turned to Fern and waved. "And I'll see you tomorrow. Bye Fern," Fern took a step back and barely got say goodbye before the car tore away. The last thing he heard before they were out of earshot was Dakota swearing to stuff Anakin back into a closet. Fern scoffed under his breath, he'd love to see her try.