~~~~Lukas's P.O.V.~~~~

"You should get some rest Jesse. I got another feeling that this fire thing is more complicated than either of us suspect."

 I leave the room, praying to Notch that Jesse will get a nice healing rest or a powerful deep sleep. Which are basically the same thing, yet having options soothes my soul.

Worry and fear buzz in my head incessantly as I stroll to the kitchen. Yet my excitement, curiosity, and hope drowns them out. How can fear consume me when I have Jesse? He's basically fear repellent.

I am just continuously awestruck about how Jesse transforms dire situations into one bursting with hope and energy. Even in his weakest state, he's optimistic. Even in his pain, he worries about me. Even when whole worlds comes crashing down on him, he stays strong and keeps smiling, whether for his sake or for others.

I shake my head in amazement while entering the kitchen. Jesse can do anything! He rose above problems that others turned tail on, and out performed the best of the best.

He saved a floating city in another world full monsters and stopped a crazed Aiden. Even though Isa was trying to put him down.

He beat Cassie even though she rigged every room with death traps and stayed elusive nearly the entire time.

He shut down a giant thinking machine that was controlling an entire world, including Petra and me.

He convinced a bunch of strangers who have been trained to fight each other to the death to rise up together against the conniving Old Builders.

He traversed to new lands and dealt with nightmarish creatures to stop a manic who captured Beacontown, while impersonating him, along with many other powers.

And even before he did all that, Jesse managed to keep a weakening hopeless group from falling into despair and ended up saving the world from a horrible monstrosity.

Although part of me is concerned about his selflessness. He made seven pies! Such an amount is quite filling, awkward to hold, and Jesse isn't known for binge eating. Obviously such a trait takes its toll. Then everyone relies on Jesse and expects him to be some invincible warrior with no faults and to lead them into greatness. Jesse, as powerful and capable as he is, is still just a person.

It's not as if Notch as endowed him with godly abilities. Jesse worked hard with ordinary abilities to save the world. He doesn't have a limitless supply of energy and still has normal desires. Like sleep, or companionship. Yet Jesse denies these things... for some reason that eludes me.

It could be the expectations placed on him. Or even that he doesn't want to appear weak. Perhaps he thinks that it makes other people happier. Like when he told Stella to keep Lluna, although it was obvious that he had really grown to attached her.

But then why didn't he tell us about it? Why would he keep secrets from his friends? Does Jesse feel like he can't be like himself around us? That he can't express what he's really feeling? For what? The benefit of the group.... or the happiness of the group?

I push the door open with my back. "So Jesse, if you don't mind...."

I turn around, and find Jesse totally unconscious. I smile at his unique position, he must have fell asleep sitting up. Thankfully he was able to change out those blood ridden clothes. I guess he'll have to eat when he wakes up, this time well-rested.

Placing all seven pies on the nightstand, I'm just about to readjust Jesse's body when I notice that there is a piece of paper resting next to Jesse's hand.

Curious, I pick it up.

ReMeMber: TOMOrrOW TaLK TO STeLLa abOUT WaLL aNd

The 'd' never finishes, as an ink trail runs off the page. Jesse's handwriting is chicken scratch, his letters huge and not at all neat. I put the note on Jesse's desk and go back to the bed, avoiding the sight of all the paperwork.

I grab Jesse, so I could get him into a comfortable position to sleep in. The familiar warmth rushes into me, wrapping a cozy blanket around me instead of scorching me with a wave of torturous heat. It's still a foreign experience to get such a reaction when I'm only touching Jesse, but I always like it. It makes me feel safe and protected by 100 angels.

No, Jesse is the only angel I want. A kind, just, and beautiful angel.

I quickly release Jesse, and a new heat burns in my face. I stare at Jesse for a moment, reassuring myself that he won't wake up and see my flustered state. He's totally out, and thankfully won't be waking up anytime soon.

And it's at moments like these that I am extraordinarily grateful that Jesse hasn't been able to feel my feelings.

I walk back over to the desk, pushing Jesse out of my mind and focusing on the work in front of me. Which is suppose to be an easy task. There is a mountain of work that must be done. Everything to road conditions, to the verification of a purchase of wheat, to the overall budget of the entire town. Then there are a bunch of complaints about the blacksmith being right next to the daycare and how there should be a policy about pets since the dogs' barking is keeping them up at night or someone's is allergic to their neighbor's cat.

I get started, using Jesse's stamp and avoiding the more opinion necessary papers. Although I'm pretty sure I know what Jesse would do, I don't want to make a decision that would cause him more stress.

Yet I'm also curious to when leaves and goes into town. Jesse isn't one to put off things, so does he take breaks or go out once everything's done? And what does he do when he's out in Beacontown? Just walk around until someone asks him for help? But that doesn't seem very efficient. I wonder if there are specific tasks or people he likes more than others. Not that he would ever say something though, Jesse's way too kind to play favorites.

Yeah, Jesse's just really nice and considerate in general. Even to his enemies that tried to kill him. Ivor was turned into one of our closest friends and is now a true hero. Aiden and the 'Blaze Rods' were left to start over. Cassie didn't die and kept Winslow. Harper is still accepted in her world. Heck, Jesse even tried to redeem Romeo. The guy who took over Beacontown, killed some people, ruined Jesse's image for a bit, left an entire world to rot, and kept people in some insane prison for hundreds of years!

I shake my head clear, remembering that I still have work to do. Although I repeatedly have to refocus on my task. Somehow Jesse slips into my head, crashing my productive train of thought, and paints vibrant daydreams on top of the dull words.

Despite that, I manage to trudge through the miserable fog of work and end up getting a decent amount done. There is still quite a bit left, but I'd rather have Jesse take care of those. Something tells me I might not be entirely qualified to tackle those ones. I can however inform Stella to come over here tomorrow. Or perhaps ask someone to deliver a message? I don't really want to leave Jesse...

I look back at him, and focus my attention to his emotions. Which is really easy once you get used to it a bit. It's basically just being outside with the weather. It's standing under the sky on a beautiful day and the sun just radiating a blissful warmth. Or it's a cloudy day with a light drizzle of rain. Sometimes, like now, the weather isn't particularly noticeable, not cold, windy, warm, or rainy.

However, there was one time when I was just a leaf in a storm. The whistling wind whirling and rain whipping around me. The black sky rumbling as it tried to contain the lightning flashing and struggling to burst free.

And when you don't prepare or even notice a storm brewing, it catches you off guard. Big time.

That isn't happening though, since Jesse isn't really feeling anything at the moment. Luckily, that means he doesn't have a nightmare. However, that could change very quickly and it would be very bad if I'm all the way at Champion City...

Yet, if I don't do something to notify Stella, then she won't come here. Without her, Jesse will find some other way to get the wall up. This would most definitely mean more stress for Jesse. Something I'm desperately trying to get him to avoid.

The solution, it would seem, is simple. Just ask someone to go over to Champion City and tell Stella. Asking someone translates to asking a citizen... and I really don't want to do that. A whole mob literally broke in here complaining. I doubt anyone will feel like helping. So unless there is someone who isn't really doing anything and doesn't currently have a grudge against Jesse...

What I am doing? I can ask Nell for help! Jesse said she just got back, so she probably doesn't have any plans. Plus, her house is really close to the Order Hall. All I got to do is tell her to deliver an urgent today to Stella and that it's from Jesse. Jesse saved Nell once back in the games and keep her safe from Romeo, so I would assume she's pretty grateful to him and will do the task. Okay great, I have a plan that will most likely work.

I push back the official documents, and place a fresh piece of paper in front of me. I expertly twirl the feather in my hand while thinking of what I should to write to Stella. It needs to sound important enough to come on her day off, yet it should be professional and what Jesse would write.

Stella,

If you have spare time tomorrow, can you swing by Beacontown? I want to expand the walls, but I'm lacking enough labor to do so. Although I'll discuss this in greater detail in person, I would be grateful for anything you'll be able to do. And be sure to bring Lluna over if you end up coming!

Your not rival,

Jesse

While it's not the best, I'm sure it'll do. I pocket the paper and walk towards the door. Just as I reach for the door handle, a trembling sensation of doubt seizes my hand. The quivering energy firing up to my head. I turn back to Jesse, unable to stop the worry from prickling in my mind.

Sighing, I make my way over to him and sit down. I grab his hand, wishing I could send so much strength into him that I won't have to worry about him getting nightmares. My mind is pleading to any divine force that nothing will disturb his peaceful rest. Literally no part of me wants to leave him, knowing that he could suffer at the hands of a nightmare at any moment.

However, I let go of his hand and stand up. This time, I exit the door despite any instinct screaming at me to do otherwise. If I don't do this it will cause Jesse much more stress and much more suffering. It might seem abstract, but this is what will ultimately help Jesse.  

But just because my brain is able to spew out a logical explanation and plan of action, doesn't mean I feel calm right now. My heart pounding against my chest, and my muscles are shaking faster than a death-doomed mouse.

The adrenaline in my blood overpowers my walking pace. I pick up my pace, briskly walking into the Treasure Hall. And by the time I'm going through the hole in the door, I'm lightly jogging.

The bright sky and fluffy clouds greets me with the lively colors of Beacontown. I gnash my teeth and look at the ground, dishearten at the fact that Jesse is so worn-out that he can't appreciate the beautiful city he has built.

I'm running over to Nell's house, the vibrant colors around me are a depressing reminder of Jesse's desolate state. The longer I'm away from him, the worse he will get. I can't help him if he gets a nightmare now, and he'll have to suffer through it all alone after I just told I would be there for him.

I quickly climb up the steps to Nell's house, and bang on the door. The thuds echo back at me, no sign of Nell. No yell or anything to indicate she's home.

I bang louder, typically not so rude, but every second counts. Every second that goes by Jesse could get a nightmare. Every second that goes by my fears grows and my heart beats just slightly faster. Every second that gets wasted is a second I could be using to help Jesse.

I'm now pounding against the door. The hairs on the back of my neck rises, as I can feel a beast slowly stalking Jesse. Waiting to strike... and waiting... and waiting... leaving me sweaty and in a frantic state as I desperately search for anyway to call out to warn Jesse.

CRASH!

I tumble in the room. Unable to stop myself, I flail and hit the ground. The quick change leaving me behind in a daze and briefly stunned.

"Woah dude, chill out. I was gonna get the door."

I look up and see Nell slightly recoiled, so close to the door I would've fallen into her if she didn't take a step back. She doesn't look angry though, even considering I just broke her door down.

"Oh-hey Nell. Sorry about your door...." I stand back up and rub the back of neck, still expecting her to mad although Nell has never been anything but relaxed.

"Don't worry about it dude! Mistakes happen, and you my man are sending a totally stressed out vibe."

"Yeah... but I need you to do a favor for Jesse. It's really important." I pull out the paper and hand it to Nell. "I need you to get that to Stella in Champion City. I don't care how you do it, but Stella needs to get this before sundown."

"I'm happy help blonde, anything for Jesse-dude."

"Thanks Nell, you're a lifesaver."

Sooo, do I leave now? I really need to get back to Jesse asap. Yet it might seem really rude just to break in, ask for help, and bolt out.

"I'm gonna get on that, and you dude should chill out. You still look suuuuuuuper wound up."

"Well-uh yeah, perhaps I will..." I walk out the hole behind Nell. Although I currently want to sprint to Jesse under a potion of speed, I turn towards Nell and wave good-bye.

"Thanks again Nell, and remember, it HAS to get to Stella today."

She turns around, walking backwards. Nell gives me the finger guns, a smile dangling on her face.

"Don't worry so much blonde! I'll get it done."

She whips back around, and I break out sprinting to Jesse. The beast stalking Jesse finally has decided to go for the kill. The tension in my body explodes, and I swear not even a horse can run faster than me at this moment.

I can't even see what's around me, everything just a blur of colors. It isn't important, I HAVE to get to Jesse. Why did I ever leave him? I should've just waited until he woke up and then go with him to Nell.

My thoughts falter and die away, the only thing left is the need to run. To run as fast as humanly possible and get to Jesse. To chase away the creature that's about to pounce on him. I'm so close, I just have to go a little... farther...

I burst into the office bedroom, breaking yet another door. I instantly stop, forcing my joints and muscles to absorb all of my momentum. Very similar to getting hit by a horse.

I see Jesse peacefully laying there, no change from when I left. However I can feel there's more to it than that. A darkness emitting from him, leeching any light and infecting the room with cold dread.

I scramble over to Jesse, and grab his hand. Instantly, his fingers intertwine with mine, desperately clutching onto my hand like a lifeline. His palm is calmly and cool, and his hand twitches and quivers even though there is barely any room for movement.

Although I cannot see any changes happening to Jesse, I can feel so much happening.

A beautiful bliss only hangs in the air as the darkness withers away.

The beast is scared away, and safety blankets us.

The desire to run, the panic, dwindles down and gratitude rises up.

The eerie cold is swept away by a loving warmth. The kind that you never want to leave.

My own body finally relaxes again. My fear dwelling in me only moments ago slips away as my heart slows down into a comfortable rhythm. My lungs letting out a great big sigh of relief.

I kneel down and look over at Jesse. I notice the much too dark and much too big bags that chronic insomnia inflicts. And how unkempt and dirty Jesse's hair is, days of neglecting it since he has constantly been under stress.

Yet I remember what his face looked like in the past. Because Jesse had bags under his eyes during the Wither Adventure. He never cleaned his hair when we were in the portal network, unless a squid cleaning it counts. Jesse has gotten his face dirty, cut, hit, and punched in the past.

No matter what though, it doesn't change. Sure, the skin might change, but that's it. Jesse's eyes will always have crinkles due to how many times he has smiled and laughed with his friends. The laugh lines around his mouth will never go away despite any stress that tries to wear him down.

Although I can't see them now, I know Jesse's eyes will always shine with adventure and excitement. Even when they get dull, his eyes harden with a determined spirit to accomplish any impossible task.

Plus, you can't deny that Jesse has a beautiful face in general.

With eyes that sometimes have a greater luster than any emeralds and radiate with a confident gaze. Or swirl with the alluring colors of the forest, so relaxing and peaceful that any worries fade away when looking in them.

Then his messy brown hair, that somehow always looks perfect on him despite whatever condition it's in. It always settles perfectly on Jesse, hair that swishes and sways in numerous battles, still ends up being absolutely stunning.

Not too mention the structure of Jesse's face as well. His cheekbones and jaw both perfectly defined. Then Jesse has the cutest button that will ever exist in all of the known worlds.

Then there's his lips...

I jerk upright, and my gaze quickly shoots away. I can feel my face turning redder than a rose, the heat even spreading to my ears and neck too. Thankfully Jesse wasn't awake to catch me starring at him. Yet despite being embarrassed by my actions, I still want to keep studying his flawless face for at least a few more moments...

My eyes, without my consent, dart back to Jesse's face. Although I know I shouldn't be starring at my best friend in such a way... I just couldn't help it. He really is spectacular and magnificent.  

But starring has its costs, as I now wanted to actually reach out and touch Jesse's face and feel how soft his hair is.

I can immediately think of several consequences off the top of my head of what might happen if I did that. And since I really shouldn't be doing that, maybe I just need to distract myself from Jesse.

I take a deep breath, and choose to leave Jesse instead of constantly starring at him. There is probably some new paperwork I could take care of since I last worked on it.

I stand back up and start to walk over to the desk, when my arm doesn't come with me. My hand, trapped in an iron cage, probably won't be released by Jesse any time soon.

I tug a little, hoping his fingers will relax the current death-grip. They don't budge, if anything it I feel them tightening their grasp.

I start to yank on my hand, determined not to let someone sleeping and laying down end up stronger than me. While I do drag Jesse's body off the bed a bit, his hand is nowhere closer to getting pried off.

That gives me an idea. I tug again on his limb, and I use my other hand to try and pry off the fingers of Jesse's hand. It doesn't work though, and I start pulling harder as if that would release me from Jesse's clutches.

Jesse grunts, the small noise intriguing me and I focus to the rest of Jesse. His entire upper half is suspended in air and his-

I yelp, kind of embarrassingly, when suddenly the arm I've been yanking violently thrusts back towards Jesse, as he gets himself back onto the bed and on his side. Staggering back, I trip on the bed and fall onto Jesse.

There is an attempt to leave, but that fails. My arm is currently stuck in an awkward position. Being above my head and being hugged by Jesse. So I start to tug at it again, not really sure what else to do anyway.

Jesse grunts again, and I freeze waiting to see if this grunt also meant he was about to do something again.

Jesse, drunk-like, reaches with his free hand and grabs my shoulder. Then hoists me over him and onto the other side of the bed. I plump down, and Jesse soon shuffles himself to where his head rests upon my shoulder.

To say I'm blushing is an understatement. To say that my face has turned into apple is accurate. I look over and try to determine whether or not Jesse's awake. Although he looks and is kind of acting awake, I feel grogginess and confusion coming off of him. So perhaps he's partly awake? Hopefully that means he still can't tell how flustered I am right now.

I briefly think of what I should do to get out of this, but I soon stop. It might be uncomfortable in this position, yet Jesse can't get any nightmares or anything. And all my pervious have undeniably failed.

I let out a lion yawn, and can no longer can feel any blood pound in my veins as my heart slows down. Although if I quiet my thoughts, I can hear the soft thumping of Jesse's heartbeat.

tha-thump... tha-thump... tha-thump...

It's a very relaxing rhythm, probably the most soothing sound I've ever heard.

tha-thump... tha-thump... tha-thump...

It's been a pretty hectic day hasn't it? Maybe it's time to relax... let out all the built up stress.

tha-thump... tha-thump... tha-thump...

My thoughts slow down until I'm left with a quiet abyss in my head. Slowly pressing my eyelids further and further down... and I finally drift into the void called sleep.

tha-thump... tha-thump.....