Chapter 0010

Standing beside Lola’s jeep, Puca looked over at Merrow with a raised eyebrow. This had to be a trick.

“Aye, you’ve got to get in.” Merrow said with a chuckle as he opened the door and slipped inside.

“If you say so.”

“I do,” Merrow said as he climbed into the back seat. Leaning forward, he smiled at his lover, “Just get in.”

“I will wait.” Puca said, pressing his lips together as he rested his hand on the door.

“Lola’s coming down.” Lu said as he slipped past Puca and sat beside Merrow. His cheeks glowing with pinpricks of warmth as the other man rested his hand on his thigh.

“Really?” Puca asked, his lips twitching into a smile as he looked at Merrow and Lu.

“Aye.” Merrow said with a chuckle, watching the blush spread over Lu’s cheeks. Puca was glad that the two men had reconnected. It would good for both of them.

“Just one happy family?” Bodach grumbled as he came down the steps, a basket tucked under one arm and a quilt in the other.

Frowning, he looked at the others and then backed up to look at the jeep.

“An aon smuaintean, a charaid.”

“I guess you should get in.” Puca said as he stepped back, Bodach looked from him to Merrow one last time.

“I don’t know how we shall all fit.”

“You’ll fit just fine, it’ll be cramped. What are you guys waiting for?” Lola asked as she walked forward. She opened the driver’s side door and slipped inside. Closing the door as she put the keys into the ignition. She looked over at Merrow and Bodach with a raised eyebrow. “Would you rather stay home?”

“Nay,” Bodach said before passing the wicker basket to Puca and climbing into the back seat. His lip snarling as he folded himself into the tight space in between Lu and Merrow. Puca gulped as Lola smiled at him.

“Okay.” He said, sliding into the seat and closing the door before he looked at Lola. A nervous smile on his lips as he clutched the picnic basket closer.

“You’ve got to buckle the belt.” Merrow said cheerfully, making Puca frown. As he looked for the belt.

With a smile, Lola leaned over, placing her hand on his thigh as she grabbed the seatbelt and dragged it over. Clicking into place.

“Now, we’re ready.” She said, before leaning back into her seat and buckling her own belt. She turned the radio on as she rolled the windows down and pulled out of the parking spot.

Lola navigated the quiet highway with ease, guiding the jeep towards one of her favorite walking trails. The drive didn’t take long, and soon she pulled the jeep into the parking lot and turned off the car.

“We’re here.” She chimed, looking over at Puca with a smile.

“Where is here?” Bodach asked as he leaned forward.

“It’s a walking trail, I want to take you guys on a date.” Lola said, her cheeks heating up with a blush as she thought about what she’d like to happen after the date. Or during, her fingers gripped the steering wheel tighter as her heart beat quicker.

Merrow leaned forward and pressed the button on the seatbelt. Making Puca jump and try to scramble out the open window.

“Merrow.” Lola chided as she rested her hand on Puca’s forearm.

“Just a bit of fun.” He said, a smirk playing across his lips as he winked at Lola.

Frowning, she got out of the car. This wasn’t how she had wanted to start things. With Puca being afraid, she walked around to the passenger side. Opening the door and Puca uncurled his legs, moving to stand beside her.

“Was it really that bad?” She asked, worrying her lower lip.

“It was, it was faster than I’m used to moving. Unless I shift.” He said, clutching the basket to his chest.

“Huh?” Lola asked as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

“I’m a trickster fae, go halainn.”

“So, like how Annwn was able to look old and young?” Lola asked.

“I have an animal form, I’m not the same as the wolves you met. I lure travelers on adventures.” Puca said with a chuckle as he tried to force himself to relax.

“He’s a horse, well sometimes he is.” Lu said as he got out through the driver side. Looking up into the sky, he smiled and stretched his arms. “It wasn’t that bad.”

“Says you.” Bodach grumbled, pushing the other man out of his way.

Lola bit her lip, looking at both Bodach and Puca. She didn’t like that neither of them had liked the drive over. She watched as both men stalk towards the trails.

“Don’t mind them, ghra.” Merrow said as he looped an arm around her shoulders, planting a kiss on her cheek. “They’ll get over it.”

“Are you sure?” She asked, looking up at Merrow as Lu came over to them.

“Aye, let them sulk for a bit. They’ll be fine.” Lu said as he linked his fingers with hers. Pulling her towards the trails. “You wanted to show us your favorite place?”

“I did, I hope you guys like it.” Lola said as they made their way into the wooded area. The paved concrete felt odd to Merrow as he stepped into the treeline.

“Is it all like this?”

“What do you mean?” Lola asked as they walked at a comfortable pace.

“The ground?” Merrow said, “It seems like everywhere we go it’s smooth.”

“The beach wasn’t like this.” Lola answered.

“I know but it seems like man has made the woods his own.” Merrow said as he let his arm slip from around Lola’s shoulders.

“I guess it does feel that way, but we won’t be staying on the trail for long.” Lola replied. “I wonder where Puca and Bodach went.”

“They’ll find us.” Lu said as Lola pulled him along the trail, his thumb brushing over her knuckles.

“They won’t get lost, looking for us?”

“Nay, both of them are excellent trackers.” Merrow said as he Lola stepped off the trail, guiding them further into the trees.

Letting her hand slip from Lu’s she raced forward with a giggle. Her hair streaming behind her.

“I think our girl wants to play.” Lu said, looking back at Merrow.

“As our lady wished.” Merrow said with a chuckle before he darted off after her.

Lu smiled as he watched Merrow. Knowing that the seeing his sister had helped settle things between them.  

Author's Note:  I hope you guys are having an amazing week <3 I setup a Ko-fi page for anyone who would like to support me you can at https://ko-fi.com/janeknight0471 

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