I read a lot of books. There's not much to do besides order everyone around when you're captain on a ship (other options include drinking, gambling, and drinking) so I had to resort to reading. Reading and reading and reading and actually memorizing Hamlet. I now hate Hamlet, but I can recite the entire goddamn thing to you.

And I've discovered, while reading sappy romance novels -- because yes, I am a sap. I enjoy a good romance novel -- that kisses are described in extreme detail. They are described as mind-blowing, earth-shattering, life-changing events.

That I can agree with, certainly. This kiss is definitely all of those things.

But another thing books do is elaborate on the thoughts of the kisser. Like how she's marveling at how soft her partner's lips are or some crap like that.

I discovered, as I kissed Eric Kendrick, that there wasn't much time for that. There wasn't much time to think about how he tasted or how his soft touch burned pleasantly across my skin. Really, there wasn't much thinking at all. There was just feeling. Feeling the warmth fill me from top to bottom, and realize it was for Eric -- because of Eric. Eric made me happy.

Love. Did I love Eric? Maybe I did. I'd never thought about it.

We broke away from each other after a few seconds, maybe minutes maybe days, I don't know, and stared at each other.

"That was nice," I commented lightly.

He smiled. Really smiled. Eric didn't smile too often. "I've been wanting to do that."

I flushed. "Really, you should have just asked."

He raised an eyebrow.

"Ok, you shouldn't have," I laughed and pulled him close, basking in his warmth. "I love you."

He was stiffened slightly and then relaxed, returning my embrace. "I love you too."

"I haven't said those words in years." I said after a pause.

"I'm honored."

I remembered, suddenly, where we were and what we were doing. "Eric, we should probably get going."

He nodded -- his chin brushed the top of my head -- and stood, pulling me with him.

"Can I still..." I took his hand, tracing the lines across his palm. "I like holding your hand."

His answer came in the form of wrapping his fingers around mine. I smiled.

When I turned, I nearly collided heads with Shima.

"Shima!" I exclaimed, reddening.

He covered his mouth and giggled, staring at our interlocked fingers. "I ship it so-so-so-so hard!"

I rolled my eyes and yanked Eric along, passing the Shinigami easily. "Don't combust, Shima. Jesus."

He let out another girly laugh and followed us, hands in his pockets. "So? What happened?" He sang.

I banished the ache that formed in my chest at the thoughts of the two crystal balls. "Nothing I'm telling you about," I said mysteriously, "But I know how to kill a Shinigami without a Death Note, and I know that Sutcliffe is an even bigger asshole, and I know that Eric is quite possibly my favorite person currently," I swung our hands, which remained entwined.

"Oh, your boyfriend's blushing," Shima crooned, suddenly appearing in front of me and placing his hands on my shoulders. In an instant, his teasing expression was gone and replaced by one of dead seriousness -- something odd to see in his gem-like eyes, which were usually so alight with mischief. "Jacqueline, are you going to chop my head off?" He quirked an eyebrow.

I blinked. "Um -- no? Should I?"

"Ha! No," He backed away slightly, releasing me. "Wanted to make sure. I wanna watch my boyfriend grow up, and stuff -- I can watch from here, watch the human world."

"You have a boyfriend?" He was admitting so openly? In my world, that sort of thing is frowned against. "Is that sort of thing ok in your world?"

He scowled, looking away. "It's supposed to be. The fact that they debate about how homosexual people deserve to be treated like straight people is evidence that it isn't." He paused. "I feel bad for you. Not just you, really. But your world in general. You're missing out."

I hummed, wistful. "I guess I am."

"But you should chop someone's head off," Shima added darkly. "Not just Sutcliffe's."

"Oh?" I raised my eyebrows, almost amused by his mood swings. "Who's...movement should I end?"

He smirked. "Nice way of putting it." He rolled his eyes then, as if the answer was obvious. "First's. Go freaking kill him."

My eyes widened, and I felt a tad offended. "Him? Why the hell should I do that?"

He gestured at me, waving his hands up and down. "Honey. If you kill him, the order for me to reap you tomorrow at seven pm will be canceled."

I was even more surprised at that, if not more. "You? Reap?" I swallowed. The thought of Shima reaping me was suddenly very sickening. "...me?"

"Are you deaf?" He asked dryly. "It's a favor to him, and you'll be saving yourself." He scanned me, and I felt oddly naked. "You've killed before."

That was true. The blood of many people was on my hands. I didn't call it murder. I called it self defense or justice, depending on the circumstance. "I don't want to kill him..."

I could feel Eric incredulous stare on the side of my head. "Why wouldn't you?"

I looked away. "Mom knew him, and she liked him," I muttered defensively. "And...he didn't mean it, the whole death thing --"

"Jacqueline," Eric's tone was as dry as I have ever heard it. "I can't decide whether or not to hit you."

"I wouldn't hit me, if I were you," I said, chuckling at the fact he actually was teasing me. "Hit on me, though, if you want." I winked.

His cheeks reddened and he stared determinedly at the floor.

Shima rolled his eyes, grinning. "Oh my god, you guys are adorable. OTP, OTP!" He giggled and spun around. "Come on. We need to get you back to wherever the hell you came from."

"What's OTP?" I asked curiously.

"It's like...I really think you two should have children."

"What the hell, Shima?"

I hadn't expected Shima to take us all the way back to First. I'd automatically assumed that there was some freaky gateway somewhere that we needed to step through, and be magically transported to the human world or whatever, but I was wrong. We were back in First's office a few minutes later, standing before the silver-haired Shinigami.

Shima's nerves were on end, I could tell, though I wasn't exactly sure why. "First, sir, I'd like to know how we send these two back."

First was sitting upside down in his high-backed chair, and idly making little wooden cubes float above his head with a few flicks of his fingers. "Mm, if only I knew."

"What?" I snapped. "We're stuck here?"

A smile played on First's lips, his eyes forever hidden behind a curtain of graying hair. "I suppose so."

"This isn't funny." Shima's voice, usually casual and light, hardened. "I want him dead as much as she does, and you know I can't do it."

First giggled. "That you can't. There's a reason you're on cleanup duty, isn't there?"

Shima's green eyes flashed behind his thick lenses, and I stepped forward before he blew his top. "First, I need to get home. Mom didn't tell me how to do that."

He hummed under his breath. "Yes, I'd forgotten. What did Adeena say in the five minutes you saw her?"

My throat burned, and I swallowed. "She said that she thought you were crazy -- in a good way, of course."

"Did she?" He cackled. "Heh, I liked her. Does she know you're going to die tomorrow?"

What was he playing at? "...yes. They do."

He giggled and left it at that.

"First." I snapped, fed up. "I wanna go home."

"Did you figure out how to solve your rather obtrusive problem?" He asked curiously. I felt his eyes burn into mine, even if I couldn't see them behind his fringe.

"I did." I said in an even voice.

"More than one problem," He giggled. "Hm." He flipped over and stood, tapping his chin mockingly. "If only I knew how to get you back."

Shima spoke. "This is ridiculous. What do you want?"

First sighed and ran a hand through his hair, pushing his bangs away from his eyes. I got a good look at his face -- he would be quite handsome, if it weren't for the disfiguring scar that ran from his chin and over his left eye. "It's up to you two, actually. I can't do anything. You have to will yourselves back."

I blinked. "Um."

"So, obviously, if you aren't gone yet," That smirk flickered across his face again, "You have unfinished business here."

"Jacqueline, close your eyes."

Eric had disappeared, I realized.

That was his voice. I realized what he was about to do a second before he did it.

With a shriek and I grabbed Shima and jerked him my direction, covering his eyes and turning us away as there was a spray of crimson red.

***

Sorry for the wait! Been at my grandma's where there is no wifi.

I think next chapter we return to earth. Yay! I miss the Pearl.

I also went to Cedar Point this week~~~~ What's your favorite ride? I like the Gatekeeper.

(Which was my first real roller coaster. I nearly shit myself)

Shima is like my new favorite. He's hilarious. I laugh as I write him. Which is stupid since he's my own character.

I'll see y'all next time! Love you~~~