Quickly, you rushed through the door of your house, only to be greeted by a bright smile on JD's face.

"Woah!", he gasped and almost tripped over while carrying the plates he was holding. "You look like the COG is hunting you. Everything alright? Or were you just excited to see me again?"

Gasping, you tried to for, some words but couldn't do anything but gasp. As your eyes fell onto his hands full of your table wear, you had to frown.

"What are you doing?", you asked, trying not to suffocate while standing. "Are those my plates?"

He grinned.

"I'm cleaning."

"Okay..? Why?"

With a gesture he gifted you an expression that said it all.

"This is filthy.", he said and pulled a face. "I wanted to clean up a bit."

Even more confused, you looked around.

"What the hell, JD? Are you turning into a houseman now?"

"I wanted to feel more comfortable."

"Oh, so what? You're actually moving in?"

"I mean... I can't leave Kait and Del hanging but... I'll come by more often now. And am planning to stay for longer. Is- is that too fast for you?"

Squeezing your eyes shut, you shook your head and took a deep breath in. It needed a moment to collect your thoughts.

"JD... I- we need to leave, please.", you stuttered. "Pack some stuff and let's go."

Cheerful, he grinned and placed a kiss on your forehead.

"So you're finally ready to meet my friends? I've never seen you so eager to meet someone."

"Yes- I mean no. Argh, can you please just... pack some stuff and leave with me?"

Now he started to be confused as well. Frowning, he came closer to grab you by the shoulders so you were forced to look him in the eye.

"(Y/N). Full sentences.", he chuckled and eyed you for a moment. "Why are you so... energetic all of a sudden?"

Taking a deep breath in, you forced yourself to calm down. Only when your mind started making sense again, you breathed out and looked at him again.

"I have to tell you something and you won't like it.", you said, grabbing his hand to make sure he wouldn't back away.

His face darkened.

"You visited my dad.", he said in a cold voice.

But he wasn't disappointed. Only a bit sour.

You nodded.

"Jinn didn't want to give me the information I needed so I had to visit Marcus. And he knew what the cave is all about."

"He's too grim and too caught up in the past."

"But he had a point! He knows about the Locust, better than we ever could. And he told me that this crystal means we might be in serious shit, JD. I know you and him have a complicated relationship right now, but don't you think if shit's going down, making up with him would be the least of your problems?"

You didn't want to go at him this harshly. But the fear that his stubbornness could put not only him but you and many others into a bigger kind of mess made you restless. Sure, you didn't expect him to make up with Marcus and everything would go back to normal, but being by his side would mean a better chance of survival.

And if there was one thing you wanted JD to do then it was survive so the two of you could enjoy a bit more time together.

With a hurt shimmer in his eyes he pulled away.

"JD...", you grabbed his face with both hands before he could escape. "I- I'm sorry. I should have yelled at you, but... this is serious. And I know your pride will take a hit. But... dying is worse than that. And I don't want you to get hurt."

With an unsure expression he looked at you. His forehead fell against yours. He was tense underneath your fingers.

"Is it that bad?", he asked in a silent voice. "I can't protect us?"

"I'm not calling you weak. Just... inexperienced. Your father knows a lot about this bullshit."

"And my favourite scientist doesn't?"

You chuckled but had to shake your head.

"I fear not. This is a number too big for me."

For a long, painfully long moment he just started into your eyes. It felt like he was loosing a bit of faith in you, as if the glorious picture he had painted of you had just shattered.

"I- I trust you...", he finally said and pressed a kiss to your lips. "If you think this is the only way, I'll do it. But I'm doing this for us, not him."

Smiling relived, you shook your head.

"It's fine."

"But I need to go and warn the others. Kait and Del could help us out. And the other Outsiders."

"Do you think they'll drop their village and join us?"

"No. But they can prepare themselves for the worse. Come.", he grabbed your hand and wanted to pull you with him.

But you refused.

As he noticed, he stopped and threw a glance over his shoulder.

"What is it?", he asked concerned.

His hands were shaking, not much bit ever so slightly that it was noticeable.

With a sorry expression, you freed yourself from his grip.

"I'm so sorry. I need to get some stuff out of here.", your words made you feel the guiltiest you've ever felt. "JD, I'm so sorry, but I can't leave everything behind. I've worked on this for... all my life. I need to safe at least something."

He looked at you.

The blue of his eyes locked with the (E/C) of yours.

Without saying another word, he rushed forward to trap you in a kiss that felt painfully similar to a goodbye.

Your hands grabbed his face, holding him close.

Breathing heavily, he parted from you again.

"I will see you at dad's house.", he said and made clear that this wasn't up for discussion.

"I will be there."

"Promise me!"

"I promise that I'll always be by your side. James."

He kissed you again.

While kissing, you pushed him towards the door. It felt like time was running out.

"Go, go!", you gasped. "Don't worry, I'll be there."

But before he rushed out, he turned to you again. A worried shimmer lit up in his eyes.

"I love you.", he said.