"Are you okay?"

Those string of words tied into a question. Lukas always pushed that aside. And it happened ever so often that he had gotten used to it, so used to it that is seemingly meant nothing at all. A simple "yeah, I'm fine" and the question was dismissed swiftly, like a fly that was swatted away.

He looked up dimly from the blank pages of his journal, used quill still in hand, the ink dry from sitting in the air for too long.

"I'm fine. Just a bit of writers' block." He exclaimed steadily, tiredness edging at his voice. "You?"

Jesse took a seat next to him on his rickety wooden porch, the sun starting to set over the trees, creating a blend of colors in the sky. She tapped her fingers rhythmically at her sides, blowing a strand of hair out of her face. She could see why he wanted to live here. One of the reasons anyway. The view was absolutely stunning, and it provided a sense of calmness in the area. It was seemingly quiet. And alone.

"Yeah."

The two sat in complete silence, all except for the bustling wind and Lukas hitting his dry quill on the journal's pages.

"We're both lying, aren't we?" Jesse asked playfully, slanting her head to turn to him. The exhaustion in her voice was clear, as well as the sleep lying heavy under her eyes.

Lukas looked at her for a good, long second before letting out a small chuckle, not exactly answering. He didn't deny it.

"How are things back in Beacontown? I heard you've been pretty busy once we got back from the portals." He exclaimed, shrugging simply. "You've become quite the star. Well, even more so after the Witherstorm anyway."

She brushed a strand of hair out of her face, letting out a quiet sigh.

"As you said, busy." She replied steadily, face scrunching. "Just a lot of things to do. Paperwork, helping the citizens with their needs-stuff like that. I haven't really had time for anything, really. If I'm lucky, I can get in a few hours of sleep before something is brought to my attention."

Lukas fiddled with the corner of his pages, and was about to ask a question when Jesse answered it for him.

"The others aren't here. Axel's got a new job helping Magnus in Boomtown, and Olivia's been called to Redstonia for some important matter. Petra...I haven't seen her in days. Last she told me she was going on an adventure. I've just been...so busy.

"I really appreciate you letting me come over Lukas. I haven't had a break in a while." She turned to face him again, smiling softly. Lukas seemed to snap out of his trance, shaking his head and then facing her as well. But only for a brief moment before staring back to his book again.

"Hm? Oh yeah, it's no problem. I'll always be here if you need anything." He forced those last words into a sentence, hoping it didn't sound too bland. He tried so hard to concentrate, but thoughts roamed his head, making him distracted. Distant.

Jesse raised an eyebrow. She could sense something was off, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.

"Are you sure you're okay Lukas? You seem...out of it."

"I'm fine. Just a lot of things to think about after the whole 'portal adventure,' and my book, writing...you know, stuff."

"Are you absolutely sure?"

Lukas let out a stream of air through his nose and smiled weakly.

"You worry too much."

Jesse chuckled and shook her head.

"Fine. I trust you. But Beacontown is just a hop, skip, and jump away if you need me." She stood up and dusted off her overalls. "I should be getting back. It's almost dark."

He nodded simply in reply.

"Be careful."

"Aren't I always?" She asked, a mischievous grin lighting up her face for a moment before she laughed. "Goodbye Lukas. I'll see you around."

"Bye Jesse."

He waved at her as her figure became smaller and smaller, finally disappearing over the tall grass. Lukas let out a breath and closed his journal, picking up his quill and heading back inside. The sun was finally setting, making the sky darker and the stars beginning to show.

Then he headed into bed, watching the moonlight stream through his window until his eyelids felt heavy, and he drifted into a sleep.