Their love was strong
but timing was wrong,
and love decided
that they didnāt belong
(s.t.)
seen from China
seen from China
seen from Ecuador

seen from Australia
seen from United States
seen from United States

seen from United States

seen from Italy
seen from China

seen from Malaysia
seen from United Kingdom
seen from Sweden
seen from China
seen from Denmark
seen from Brazil
seen from United Kingdom

seen from Belgium
seen from Malaysia

seen from United States

seen from Malaysia
Their love was strong
but timing was wrong,
and love decided
that they didnāt belong
(s.t.)
#this is exactly how i interpreted that scene idk about yāall
out of context great british bake off - 1/?
we were both young when i first saw you
summary: jj and elle are friends, but are too scared to tell each other "i love you". that was until it was too late to even say goodbye
pairing: jennifer jareau x elle greenaway (jelle)
word count: 6k
a/n: inspired by love story (taylor's version)
āć*ćāć
The evening sun slowly went below the horizon as a young blonde girl biked on the dark cobblestone path. A reusable tote bag, filled with organic produce, hung on her right shoulder as she weaved between people, trying to get home before dinnertime. Seeing a small bookstore up ahead, JJ pedaled harder. She parked her mint green bike against the side of the bookstore and entered the small boutique. The bell on top of the door rang, and an elderly man popped out from a room behind the cash register. He looked around to see who came in and smiled when his eyes landed on JJ.
āAhā Miss Jareau. How may I be of your service today?ā Alistair the bookstore owner greeted her, his thick Glaswegian accent rolling off his tongue. JJ smiled as she walked up to the cash register. She pulled out a brown leather-bound book and placed it on the countertop.
āIs there anything new this week?ā JJ asked politely.
āLemme see what I have in the back, lassie.ā The elderly man shuffled back into the storage room, carrying the book JJ gave back. To pass the time waiting, JJ walked between the tall oak shelves, filled with wonderful stories to be read, to see any books she might be interested in. As she slowly walked down the aisle, her curious blue eyes spotted a rather peculiar book. Detailed artwork covered the bookās spine, intriguing JJ. The young teen gently pulled the book out from the shelf and brushed off the dust with her hand. Intricate floral illustrations decorated the hardcover. The burgundy color of the book complimented the floral illustrations. In gold lettering, the title of the book reflected the clementine sunlight coming in from the window. Romeo & Juliet. The blonde girl had heard of the tragedy play, but she never got the chance to read it.
JJ jumped when Alistair called out her name. She quickly put back the book and gathered her things. Coming out of the aisle, the young girl waved for the bookstore ownerās attention.
āAli, Iām right here.ā JJ called out as she approached the front of the store.
āLassie, donāt just go and disappear on me like that.ā Alistair said as he took a seat on the wooden stool.
āSorry,ā JJ apologized sheepishly. As she looked down, the book in Alistairās hands caught JJās eyes. āWhatās that you got?ā
āThis⦠is the new book I recommend you read this week.ā The elderly man handed the rather thick book over to the blonde girl. JJ took her time inspecting her new read. Light scratches adorned the deep brown leather cover. The beautiful spine binding held the book together. Her thumb grazed over the gold title: Wuthering Heights. JJ smiled widely as she was excited to read her new book.
āThank you, Alistair.ā JJ thanked the bookstore owner as she made her way to the front door.
āAnytime, lassie,ā The Scotsman waved goodbye to the blonde girl. āSay āhiā to your mum for me!ā
āI will!ā JJ said with excitement as she walked out of the bookstore. Feeling all giddy, the young girl carefully placed the book in her tote bag, trying not to crush the produce. She put on her helmet and started to make her way back home.
As JJ continued down the road, her ears caught the whispers of the townspeople. Snippets of how two girls were sneaking around, at odd hours of the day. The gossiping never bothered JJ, ever since five years ago. Some things would never change in this old town, JJ thought. However, one piece of gossip caught the young girlās attention. Is Jennifer⦠you know⦠gay? This caused the young girl to gasp in surprise and stop her bike. If it came to light that Jennifer Jareau was gay, the whole town would shun her. The neighbors, everyone at school, her friends, Alistair, her parents. She canāt let that happen.
Taking a deep breath to calm herself down, JJ continued her trip back to her house. Once arriving, JJ parked her bike against the porch railing and entered her home. Her mother greeted her while her father sat silently in the living room, reading the Farmersā Almanac. The blonde girl ignored her father as she took out her book from the tote bag and handed the vegetables to her mother.
āIāll help once I put this book away.ā JJ said, walking up the creaky staircase. Her mother nodded her head and went into the kitchen. JJ continued her way up until she entered her bedroom. A mahogany tall bookcase in the far right corner was showered in all the medals and participation trophies JJ won since playing soccer as a child. Coffee mugs cluttered her working desk. Pillows of different sizes piled on her medium-sized bed. CDs of various musical artists surrounded the small stereo system beside the bed. A large N*SYNC poster plastered on her wardrobeās open door. Decorated simply, with a few more posters scattered sporadically, the bedroom was fit for a small-town girl.
JJ placed her new addition on her messy bed and proceeded to change into cleaner clothes for the evening. After changing, the blonde girl went to the window that was closest to the house beside hers. Moving the sheer white curtain and looking through the window, she hoped to see someone special in the house. But, alas, she wasnāt there. Maybe sheās busy, JJ thought. The sad girl exited her room, went down the wooden stairs, and into the kitchen to help her mother with preparing dinner.
Dinner went quietly as usual. The Jareaus werenāt the type to strike a conversation over dinner, not once since the tragic event that shook the family apart. JJ took away the dirty dishes and started to wash them, as it was her turn to do her chore. After washing the dishes, JJ headed up to her room for the night. She said āgoodnightā to both of her parents before skipping up the stairs in excitement.
Closing the door gently, the blonde teen placed her back against the door and slowly let herself sink to the ground in a crouching position. She was glad that the day went all right. Her parents hadnāt argued, yet, so JJ was feeling content at this moment. Wanting to keep this mood going, JJ got up and went to her bed, grabbing the new book she got earlier in the evening. She laid on her bed, feeling comfortable, and cracked her book open.
A few hours went by and it was nearing midnight. The whole house was quiet, except for one room. Hey There Delilah softly played in the background as JJ was reading chapter four of Wuthering Heights. The blonde girl was enjoying her silence until she heard a small bang on her window. She sat up scared, her heart racing due to anxiety. Then, another bang on the window was heard. JJ got up from her bed and slowly walked to the window. She cracked the window open and stuck her head out, searching for the perpetrator. The warm summer air gently blew onto JJās face as the blonde girl squinted her baby blues. Just as she was leaving the window, her eyes caught a tall silhouette standing in the middle of the pathway between the houses.
Her dark chocolate locks gently swayed along with the summer wind. A Guns nā Roses t-shirt hung loose on her lean frame. Dirty shoelaces left untied, lying on the dry clay soil. She was tossing a pebble into the air and catching it.
The girl waved a hand up in the air with excitement, calling out JJās name.
āJJ.ā The girl yelled, the sound ringing into the night.
āShushā our parents will hear you.ā JJ hissed at her. The girl softly chuckled at the blonde.
āMeet me at our spot.ā This was the last thing the mysterious girl said before disappearing into the darkness.
JJ smiled when the girl mentioned āour spotā. She was waiting all night to escape her house to spend some time with her favorite person. Closing the window, JJ turned off the music and lights. She hid some pillows to create a silhouette of a body under the comforter, making her cover for the night. The blonde girl grabbed her denim jacket and slowly opened her door, hoping that it wouldnāt creek into the pin-drop silence. She quietly tip-toed her way down the stairs, entering the kitchen. Opening the mint green door that led to the backyard, JJ stopped for a moment to make sure no one was awake. When it was clear, the blonde girl stepped out into the backyard, closing the door behind her.
A wide grin appeared on her face as JJ jogged into the woods. She made her way through the dark forest swiftly, as if she knew the land like that back of her hand. Seeing a sliver of moonlight ahead, JJ quickened her step while swatting away at any tree branches. Exiting the forest, the blonde made her way into a secret garden. This place was discovered one night by JJ and her best friend, when they were looking for a place to be alone together.
Making her way into the garden, JJ picked off a light pink rose from one of the bushes. Trying her best not to prick her fingers from the thorns, the blonde girl continued her way to search for her friend. And soon enough, JJ saw her, eyes closed while patiently waiting and leaning against the tall oak. Taking a small breath, the blonde girl walked up to her and laid her head on the mysterious girlās lap.
Feeling a heavy pressure on her legs, the sleepy girl woke up in surprise, but calmed down when she saw JJ laying her lap.
āJJ.ā A soft smile appeared on the brunetteās face.
āElle,ā JJ softly said. āHere, a flower for you.ā The blonde girl lifted a beautiful pink flower in the air. Wanting to give the rose, she tried to pick off the thorns to make it safe to handle, while trying her best not to prick her fingers. Once done, JJ tucked some hair behind Elleās ear while placing the pink rose there.
āThere. Beautiful as always.ā The blonde girl smiled widely as Elle looked away, a peachy blush forming on her cheeks.
āAnyways, how was your day? I missed you.ā JJ said while twiddling with her thumbs.
āThe usual. Fixing cars at my dadās garage shop.ā Elle said nonchalantly, folding her arms behind her head.
āOoo what a tough guy.ā JJ teased the brunette. Elle rolled her eyes at the cheesy line.
āHow was your day, by the way?ā Elle asked as she gently brushed JJās soft golden locks.
āI got a new book from Alistair!ā JJ cheerfully said.
āWhich one?ā Elle asked.
āWuthering Heights.ā JJ stated. Elle chuckled when she heard the blonde girlās answer.
āYou do love your classics.ā the brunette said lovingly.
āSaid from the girl who thinks reading is boring.ā JJ retorted back, sticking her tongue out to say I told you so.
āIt is!ā Elle exclaimed. āBut I would only be interested in books if you read them to me.ā
JJ raised her left eyebrow quizzically. Does this mean she likes my voice?, JJ thought.
āWould you?ā JJ said, feeling amused.
āCross my heart and hope to die.ā Elle stated as she did the crossing motion over her heart.
The two girls continued their conversation for a while longer. They went from talking about literature to what they should do together next week. As JJ rattled on making a trip to Lake Erie, an idea popped into Elleās mind. The brunette wiggled underneath the blonde girlās head and made her way over to a few bushes, blooming with flowers.
Elle grabbed a couple of flowers from the bushes and some ivy from the iron gate next to them. After gathering her materials, the brunette girl walked back to her spot next to JJ. She started to make something out of them, knotting and tying them together with such skill. JJ sat up from her previous position and looked at her friend curiously, watching her hands working diligently. White gardenias and yellow stargazer lilies were tied together with strings of ivy, forming a flower crown. Elle smiled softly at her creation and gently placed it on JJās head.
āThere. Fit for a princess.ā Elle stated. She smiled softly at the sight in front of her.
āElleā¦ā JJ said with so much adoration in her voice. A deep peachy blush formed on Elleās cheeks, not from embarrassment, but the fact that her best friend and crush liked what she made.
āI made it because itās fun and I know you look good with flowers.ā Elle explained. JJ brought Elle into a warm embrace, their blonde and brunette locks getting tangled together. The two girls stayed in the embrace for a while. The brunette girlās nose got stuck in the tangles of champagne blonde locks. Taking a quick sniff, Elle caught the scent of peaches, recognizing that it was JJās favorite shampoo.
āNow Itās my turn to make you one.ā JJ said with excitement, pulling away from the hug.
āNo.ā Elle deadpanned. The brunette was not the one for flowers. She only made the flower crown for her friend.
āCome on! Let me make you one!ā The blonde pouted.
āOkay,ā Elle said as she had her hands up as a joke, pretending she got caught for a crime she committed. ā Surprise me.ā
JJ huffed and got up from the ground, dusting away at any grass that clung to her muscular legs. She walked over to a few bushes far away from Elle, thinking and deciding which flowers to choose. Once she picked her choices, JJ happily walked back to where Elle was. The blonde girl sat down and got to work, hoping to make her friend the best for crown ever. She tried to sow cornflowers and dwarf sunflowers together with strings of ivy that got leftover. Getting frustrated, JJ tried her best attempt at making a flower crown.
Elle was amused by JJās attempt at a flower crown, but not wanting to upset her, the brunette kept her mouth shut. JJ bit on her lip to keep herself from swearing as she was having trouble tying the ivy close, to make a circle. After a few attempted tries, the blonde finally got the final knot tied.
āTada!ā JJ exclaimed as she lifted the flower crown in the air. Feeling proud of herself, she gently placed the headdress onto Elleās head. āNow we can be princesses together.ā
āYou know Iām only doing this for you, right?ā Elle stated.
āI know.ā JJ said as she stuck her tongue out, just to be silly. Elle laughed at the silly attitude JJ put on. The laughter slowly died as Elle leaned back against the tall oak tree. JJ sat across from the brunette as the two of them chatted the hour away. As it neared 2:30 am, a twinkling light shot through the night sky caught JJās eye.
āElle! Lookup!ā JJ excitedly said as she pointed at the dark abyss. The brunette girl squinted her eyes as she searched for what JJ was talking about. Just then, another twinkling light darted across the sky. Elle puffed some air out in surprise.
āWell, what do you know? We get a show tonight.ā Elle joked as she slowly got up from her position. Brushing the grass clippings off her shorts, Elle held out her hand for JJ to take.
āCome on, letās watch the sky.ā JJ smiled as she took Elleās hand. The girls walked onto the open grass patch, trying to take their seats to watch the surprise meteor shower.
Both the girls laid on the soft dewy grass as they watched the twinkling night sky. The moonlight shined brightly down upon them, acting as a spotlight.
As Elle looked at the sky, JJ was looking at the brunette. The bright moonlight illuminated the brunetteās face, showing off the little freckles that painted her soft face. Her chocolate locks swayed along with the warm August air. She smelt like lemongrass and sleep. To JJ, it was like she was admiring her from afar, like a polaroid picture hanging on her bedroom wall.
Slowly but surely, the blonde girl moved her hand towards Elleās, gently grabbing the brunetteās open hand. JJās cold left hand held onto Elleās warm palm as a smile appeared on the brunetteās face, her head turning to face the blonde. JJ felt so lucky to call Elle her best friend, but she wanted something more. But she doesnāt want to break the friendship they currently have. Her heart ached every second when Elle wasnāt hers.
JJās baby blue eyes stared into Elleās own deep russet eyes. They observed each otherās eyes for a few moments before tearing their gazes apart to look up at the twinkling night sky. Both the girls continued to stargaze in silence, the crickets in the grass playing their nightly song.
āI wish we could escape this town for a little while. Just you and I.ā Elle stated as she stared at the night sky. She wasnāt looking for an answer, as she knew that JJ wanted that too.
āIf we were to get out of this old town, how would you imagine our lives together?ā JJ asked as Elleās statement piqued her interest.
āPerhaps an apartment in a city of our choosing. Preferably in Manhattan. I come home, bringing you flowers while you are baking cookies.ā Elle explained. A soft pink blush formed on JJās cheeks, feeling warm as she heard Elleās plans about their future together. She too hoped that one day they get to leave Pennsylvania together and live happily ever after.
āWhat about a pet?ā JJ asked.
āWhat about it?ā Elle asked, feeling indifferent about having a pet.
āMaybe⦠a turtle?ā
āWhy a turtle?ā
āBecause they are cute, duh.ā
āAnd if we were to get one, what would you name it?ā
āHenry,ā JJ stated. Elle laughed quietly, hoping not to alert anyone. āWhat? I think itās a cute name.ā the blonde huffed, pretending to feel offended.
āIām sorry.ā Elle said as her laughs died out.
āYouāre let off the hook for this one, Greenaway.ā JJ jokingly said. The two girls continued their stargazing ādateā with little blips of conversations here and there. JJ felt content being with Elle and she hoped that nothing would tear them apart.
JJ yawned softly as it was getting very late. She let go of Elleās hand and slowly got up from the ground, dusting off any grass that clung to her legs. Elle softly smiled at the cute yawn that JJ just had as she stared up at the blonde girl.
āWhat?ā JJ asked.
āOhā uh nothing,ā Elle said passively. The brunette girl also got up from the ground, making herself neat so she wouldnāt track grass and dirt into her house.
āLetās go home.ā Elle held out her hand, hoping that JJ would take it. Indeed did JJ take it because she may never know when she would see Elle last. The two girls took their time walking through the garden, almost acting like a couple. They got out of the garden, carefully closing the wrought iron gate, hoping the creaking metal wouldnāt wake anyone. Making their way through the dark woods, Elle and JJ continued to hold their hands to feel more connected. And it was also not to lose each other.
They reached the backyard of the Jareaus and had to part ways for the night.
āNight, JJ.ā Elle said as she released her hand from JJās. The brunette girl turned her heels and headed to her houseās patio door.
āNight, Elle.ā JJ smiled as she quietly made her way to the kitchen backdoor. Gently opening the mint green door, JJ tip-toed into the kitchen and prayed that no one heard her enter. Once the coast was clear, the blonde girl gently closed the door and locked it. She gently took each step one by one, not making a sound, as she made her way up the stairs and into her room. JJ opened her door slowly, as the metal hinges tended to creak when not oiled properly. She entered her room and closed the door in the same fashion. When locking the door, JJ let out a breath that she didnāt even know she was holding. Feeling content for the night, JJ took off the flower crown that Elle made off her head and placed it gently on her nightstand. She took one of the polaroid pictures off of her wall and flopped onto her bed, letting her muscles relax.
JJ brought the polaroid up to her face to see the captured moment. It was Elle, all dirty from car grease, smiling and posing like Rosie the Riveter. JJ kissed the picture and proceeded to close her eyes, holding onto the polaroid picture like a dream catcher.
āāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāā
A few days passed by and the warm summer sun shone onto the garden as JJ and Elle were giggling and having fun, having no care in the world. Like it was only them on their paradise island. That was until they heard some bustling and a shout behind a hedge.
āJennifer, where are you?ā The angry voice of JJās father rang in the afternoon sky. The blonde girlās head never turned so fast in fear to face her father. Salty tears pricked her azure eyes as her father marched towards the two girls. Right behind him was Elleās father, also raging in anger. Both the girls yelled as they were grabbed by their fathers, separating them apart. Shouts filled the air and the girls tried to kick their way out of the menās arms.
āHow did you find us?ā Elle yelled as she tried to squirm her way out.
āMicheal saw her sneaking through the back kitchen door and called me over to investigate. We followed behind JJ as she went through the woods.ā Robert explained, trying his best to use his strength to hold onto his daughter. JJ gasped in shock as she didnāt know that her father kept an eye on her.
āI didnāt know anything about this Elle! I swear!ā JJ shouted. The blonde girl grunted as she tried to get out of her fatherās tight grip on her arms.
āI knew you two were friends since a young age, but this? This is unacceptable. We heard the rumors circulating town so we had our suspicions.ā Micheal said through his teeth, clenching his jaw to prevent himself from shouting more.
āBut I love her!ā Elle yelled out as her deep russet brown eyes caught JJās baby blue ones. The blonde gasped softly at Elleās confession, trying to understand what she heard with her own two ears. I love you. She loves me! I have to tell her back!. JJ thought. Just as JJ was opening her mouth to say āI love youā back to Elle, her father interrupted her.
āStay away from JJ!ā Michael shouted at Elle, hoping that he wouldnāt have to see the brunette with his daughter again. Elleās dad dragged her away from the Jareaus as Elle continued to shout, her voice fading away.
When the Greenaways were gone from the premise, Micheal Jareau let go of JJ and the blonde girl was exasperated, holding onto her arms.
āWhat the hell was that?ā JJ said as she tried to catch her breath.
āWhat the hell? I should be the one asking you, JJ. I canāt believe you went behind my back for this. I know you and Elle are friends but it very well seems to be more than that.ā Michael said in his normal voice, still keeping the anger in his tone.
āAnd so what? You would throw me out of the house?ā JJ challenged him. JJās father scoffed at her.
āI donāt need another Roslyn situation,ā Micheal yelled at JJ. āYou better get your head straight.ā
āDonāt you dare bring up Ros!ā JJ shouted back, her voice quivering and angry tears forming in her eyes. She couldnāt believe that her father had the guts to say her dead sisterās name. If she were alive, JJ would have been living with her, away from her fatherās wrath.
JJ pivoted on her heels and ran away as fast as she could from her father. She needed to get away from the situation, but especially away from him.
āI expect you back home in the next fifteen minutes!ā Michael shouted as he turned his back to head home. JJ didnāt hear him. Her thoughts were muddled from all the rushing emotions. The blonde girl ran for as long as she could because she would have to think about what had happened if she stopped. JJ ran into an open clearing and a beautiful meadow presented itself as a sanctuary, a place where JJ could calm down and gather her thoughts. Wildflowers and dandelions flourished all over the bright green grass. A family of white-tailed deer hid behind the tall maple and oak trees from afar. Small bumblebees danced in the air as a chipmunk was gathering seeds near the ground to stockpile for the winter.
JJ tried her best to slowly catch her breath as she walked further into the meadow, trying to find a place to sit. She laid down once she reached the middle of the meadow and everything came rushing back. All the shouting, crying, and fading of Elleās voice played loudly in her mind. JJ needed to get away from that but it followed her to the meadow, almost haunting her. Tears started to form and slowly dropped to the soft earth.
Why? Just why did all this have to happen? JJ thought. Why couldnāt I have my happily ever after like the other girls?
JJ covered her face with her hands as the tears fell harder. Her crying screams rang loud within the quiet meadow. At this moment, the blonde girl didnāt care if someone heard her. She got separated from the love of her life and she didnāt know how to cope with the loss.
After crying out for a few minutes, JJās voice started to grow hoarse. Her eyes dried up, no longer being able to produce tears. But her heart still longed and ached for Elle. Taking a big sniffle, JJ rubbed her face to get rid of the dried tears on her cheeks with the hem of her t-shirt. She got up tiredly from the ground and felt the wind passing through the meadow. Goosebumps formed from the chill summer evening air and JJ had to hug her torso to keep herself warm. Deciding to face her fatherās wrath for the second time of the day, JJ slowly walked out of the meadow and into the forest, squinting her eyes as the sun was going down the horizon.
Once she reached her family home, JJ entered the house through the back kitchen door and saw her father at the dining table, reading the local newspaper. Her head hanging low, JJ shuffled to her room, without saying a word to her father.
As she entered her bedroom, a new emotion set in JJās heart: anger. Angry at her father, at Elleās father, at the whole town. To JJ, there was nothing wrong with loving whoever you felt attracted to, but a small town in rural Pennsylvania thought otherwise. In a blaze of anger, the blonde girl grabbed all the polaroids that hung on the wall and threw them onto the carpeted floor with lots of force. She aggressively took the flower crown that Elle made for her and threw it out of the open window, wanting to get rid of any evidence that reminded JJ of the brunette.
Angry tears pricked JJās sad baby blue eyes and the blonde girl clenched her fists, trying her best to not scream. She felt life was being unfair to her. Everything that happened today was unforgivable to JJ. She hoped that her father goes to hell when he dies. Tears fell harder as JJ started to weep, hiccups coming and going.
Feeling hollow from her outburst a few minutes ago, JJ sat at the edge of her bed while staring at the floor. Her limbs felt exhausted as she laid down on the comforter. Her muscles ached from all the running she did earlier today. JJ let her eyes slowly close and Mr. Sandman did his job sprinkling his golden dust over the tired girl, hoping she gets good dreams that would distract her from the swirling emotions in her heart.
āāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāā
A few weeks went by, and JJ hadnāt received anything from Elle. No phone call. No email. Not even a letter. Hope was slowly drained out of JJās heart as the days of August slipped into a moment in time.
Everything that JJ did or said reminded her of Elle. The blonde girl cursed herself as she wanted to get over the hurt quickly, but her heart did not allow it.
Monday. The overwhelming feeling of emptiness consumed the blonde girl as she stared at the ceiling. Her eyes trained onto a singular spot on the plaster as the golden rays of the summer evening cast down upon JJās face. Hurt by Christina Aguilera softly played in the background as JJ wallowed in her thoughts. Why did she have to leave? Was it because of me? It was totally because of me. Ughā we should have run away together when we had the chance.
JJ wondered what it was like to be loved by Elle. She wondered if someday Elle would be by her side. A small headache slowly formed as JJ kept living inside her mind. Sighs filled the air and JJ closed her eyes as a way to escape the tornado of emotions that was swimming in her heart.
Tuesday. As the blonde girl was riding her bike back from the townās bookstore, JJ decided to take a long detour. Taking the nearest alleyway, JJ changed course to head in a different direction. As each second passed, JJ pedaled faster, almost like she had an appointment somewhere.
A red building was approaching fast and JJ had to hit her breaks, almost falling off her bike. The blonde girl tried to catch her breath as she looked over at the empty building. People were not bustling about and fixing cars. The scent of grease was no longer present in the late summer air. All the spare cars were taken back to the local junkyard, ready to be rusting the days away. And most importantly, Elle wasnāt there. A white picket was staked in the front, saying āFor Saleā.
With a sliver of hope, JJ prayed that Elle came back as the blonde girl started to pedal back her way home.
Wednesday. Grey clouds took over the typically light blue Erie sky. The warm summer rain danced rapidly across the black asphalt as JJ solemnly sat by her window. Hoping that Elle would tear the curtains open, JJ fixated her gaze at the empty room with glassy eyes. No one had bought the now empty house in the past few weeks, the āFor Saleā sign gently swaying along with the wind. The blonde girl hadnāt moved her position in a few hours, also like a skeleton hanging on a hook. All empty inside and the only thing that filled the void was her hurt and longing for a certain brunette. It was like JJās soul was taken away when Elle left.
JJ sat with her knees up to her chest, with her chin resting on the kneecaps. The pain in her heart was far greater than the aching pain in her muscles and joints. The wind changed direction and the rain splattered into JJās room. JJ was unbothered by this as her clothes slowly started to get wet and her skin got chills from the rain. She sat in this position for another fourteen minutes before getting up from the ornate chair. The girl grumbled as she moved the chair back to where it was with the desk. She went back to the window and shut it with ease.
Feeling tired, JJ slowly changed out of her wet clothes into a cotton pajama set, designed with blue butterflies. She rolled up her wet clothes into a ball and threw it like a basketball into the hamper, scoring it inside. A tiny smile formed, but as quickly it came, it disappeared just as fast.
The blonde girl slowly climbed into her bed, covering herself with the comforter. Her eyes drooped with tiredness as JJ tried to relax her aching limbs.
I will spend my whole life loving you, was the last thought JJ had before she dozed off into a dreamless sleep.
Thursday. JJ took a walk after eating dinner with her family. She needed to get away from them, as tension was building up in the Jareau house. The blonde girl walked past the entrance to the secret garden that she and Elle frequented. She paused in the middle of the sidewalk. Tempted to enter, JJ held out her hand to hover over the rusted iron handle, only to hesitate. Memories rushed into her mind, reminding her of that fateful day. But a little sliver of hope was felt in her heart and JJ proceeded to enter the secret garden. Weaving her way through the tall hedges, JJ speed-walked towards a certain place and passed by some bushes blooming with pink roses. She was able to find the special spot that was herās and Elleās. Feeling blue, JJ walked up to the same tall oak tree from weeks ago and sat by the overgrown roots, curling up to a fetal position. She wanted to feel something, anything, as the scent of lemongrass wafted into the air. JJ looked up, hoping that it was Elle, but all she was greeted to was a blank space.
Friday. JJ was spending her night wallowing in her heartache. She slowly strummed her acoustic guitar, the dissonant chords rang into the silent air. A knock was heard at her bedroom door, signaling that someone was there, waiting to enter the somber room.
āJJā¦.ā the blonde girlās mother gently called out her name.
ā....Come in.ā JJ croaked out, her voice hoarse from the lack of talking from the past few weeks. Mrs. Jareau opened the door and entered JJās room with a peculiar package in her hands. She gently placed the package on the messily made bed.
āThis package came from someone special.ā Once those words came out of Mrs. Jareauās mouth, JJ snapped her head up to look at her mother.
Knowing her daughterās answer, Mrs. Jareau exited out of the bedroom, hoping the package would bring JJ out of her heartache. When her mother left, JJ stared at the package on the edge of her bed, the package taunting her to open it. The blonde placed her guitar by her bedside and grabbed the oddly-shaped package.
JJ carefully pulled the transparent ribbon off and peeled off the brown paper wrapping. Inside was a royal blue cotton blanket, with a scarlet letter laid on top of it. In messy handwriting, the letter was addressed to JJ. The blonde girl slowly opened the letter, unfolding the paper in her hands. Her tired eyes began to read the scribbled content of the letter.
Dear JJ,
Iām sorry for what happened. Everything was all my fault. I knew the consequences if we were discovered together, but I didnāt care. I only ever cared about you. This letter and the gifted blanket are a way for you to remember me.
Weāll see each other again ā I promise.
Love, Elle
The blonde girl picked up the soft blue blanket and brought it close to her chest, to feel close to her lost love. A teardrop slowly fell down JJās solemn face. One by one, more tears fell, dripping onto the paper wrapping.
āI love you, please donāt go.ā
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aspectabund
summary: An insight to Derekās thoughts during 3x09
word count: 1.2k
content warning: mentions of bullets and the Battle arc. also embarrassingly heavy with the pining. Perhaps angst but not pain as much as contemplation.
āāāāāāāāā
Derek wondered where Penelope got it from
Her faith, her devotion to the good in the world. Her ability to believe when all seems lost.
He thinks about her, laying on that cold table in an O.R. How dark her last moments wouldāve been, the last face her eyes would ever glance upon being the vile man who decided to steal her life. Doctors probing into her chest, as she slowly bleeds out to death in the cold room. His own mind miles away, his body in a church of all places - the irony isnāt lost on him- as sheās clinging to this world. It springs into his head randomly, his own self punishing him by demanding that he remember how close he came to losing the most important person in his world.
A small part of him wants to think he saved her. This minuscule sliver of his soul wants to believe that his praying kept her alive, kept that bullet from piercing through the biggest heart heās ever encountered in his life.
Only that would be impossible for a plethora of reasons, many of which Derek doesnāt care to rehash.
The most important being that he didnāt know. When he was sitting in that church, revisiting the painful and broken relationship he once had with a God that heās long since denounced, he didnāt know. Didnāt know that when she needed him most, was at her most vulnerable, Derek wasnāt there.
The knowledge that he probably pushed her into the arms of that man only sweetens the entire package. That his juvenile jealousy was misconstrued as thinking she was somehow unworthy of a man Derek had never even laid eyes on.
It wasnāt farther from the truth, considering Penelope was better than any person he had ever encountered. She managed to crawl under his skin and settle into his bones, becoming an integral part of his being. He just has this intense want to be with her and enjoy the sacred moments when he can just be. When heās not on edge, on the defensive, calculating every single word that comes out of his mouth as to not let anybody in too close. When the rigid barrier heās erected around himself doesnāt need to be in place.
Heās only ever felt that with Penelope.
A piece of him is scaredā no, terrifiedā heāll never feel that way again if she ever leaves. If there were ever a day she wasnāt here anymore.
Thatās when the over protectiveness kicks in. Itās like a feeling, an instinct to shield her from anything that could ever hurt her. If he were a better guy, he might feel embarrassed about it.
But he wasnāt, and he isnāt. Itās plain as day on Hotchās face, surprised by Derekās pushback, that he isnāt being as careful with his feelings as heād hoped. The sudden agitation from his best agent wasnāt one Aaron was expecting.
Guilt festers in Derekās stomach, and he thinks about going to apologize to the unit chief when suddenly sheās ripping out her IV, the devastation clear in her eyes. The sadness in her face curling around his heart and squeezing it.
Without even realizing it, his hands are pushing through her soft blonde hair, leaning her shoulders back and focusing her eyes on him.
He means every word. It was going to be one hell of a fight to get him to do anything but catch the asshole who did this, IA be damned. Who was he if he wasnāt protecting her?
Finally getting her to sit back in her bed, he slumps into the seat next to her. A sharp downstroke of his hands over his face, and he looks up.
And sheās on her side, her eyes still shining with tears, staring right into him.
āThank you,ā her hand reaches for his. Smoothing over the course hair of his knuckles with her thumb.
He shakes his head lightly, āGo to sleep Baby, itās your last night here.ā
Her hands are interlaced with his when she dozes off.
āāāāā-
Heās out of his element. And tired. And stressed as all heck because itās been days and they still havenāt caught this guy.
And mostly because heās standing in her apartment, her perfect little space that reflects everything she is, and he hadnāt believed he could be more in love with her until he was here.
Even after being shot by someone, someone who was still on the loose, she was thinking about his comfort. As if being with her was a chore he was tiring of doing. Like he had more important things to attend to.
The idea of anybody but her being his first priority was so foreign to him.
There wasnāt anybody he thought about more, anybody who managed to make him feel so incredibly enamored that it stole his breath. Such a unique feeling that only Penelope Garcia could evoke from Derek.
Cause he loves her. Because heās in love with her. So painfully in love with her. And everything about Penelope had entranced him from the moment they met and Derek knew it was only a matter of time before he couldnāt store away his feelings for her any longer.
He just thought he had more time. More time to get ready, to be a man deserving of such a perfect woman. More time to know, to be absolutely sure that heās what she wants before he drops a bomb on their relationship.
He canāt risk losing her. It doesnāt matter in what way she wants him, Derek couldnāt return to a life where sheās not in it. He almost had to unwillingly, and it terrified him. Him and her was something he wasnāt ever going to mess with.
But then sheās turning away and heading to bed and heās telling her āI love youā before he can even stop himself.
And Penelope, perfect Penelope who always manages to exceed every expectation he could have about her, looks at him. Her lips press together tightly before pushing out into a soft smile. He could see her eyes glisten behind her frames, and when she doesnāt say anything back for a beat he worries that heās ruined them.
āI love you too.ā And itās the only sound in the room as they look at each other, the bashful look on her face mirrored in his own. It hangs in the air, those three words he hasnāt said to anybody outside of his family, the words that have been resting on the tip of his tongue for months now, were reciprocated in a way better than Derek couldāve ever dreamed of.
He canāt even move, utterly transfixed on the love of his life before him. It isnāt until she shuffled slightly on her feet, her fingers shoving against each other when he comes to.
Sheās hurt, scared, and vulnerable. Just this week they were fighting, and the last guy to show interest in her ended up putting a bullet less than an inch away from her heart. Now is not the time for him to spring his wants to be with her, to be her boyfriend and eventually her husband, onto her when sheās still recovering.
So he backs off, smiling at her and quietly commanding she go to bed.
Penelopeās turning around, a small wave and a serene look in her blushed face.
Derekās climbing into the blankets on her couch, dreaming of a future where theyāre together.
āāāāā-
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me every time Layla posts anything
JENNIFER JAREAU in "THE POPULAR KIDS" (1x10)
āSometimes walking out is the one thing That will find you the right thing And you know in your soul When itās time to go So then you go You just go.ā






