Chef in the Apocalypse

Chapter 39: Preparation

With a determined resolve, Colin sought out Jackie, finding her sitting alone in a quieter corner of the shelter. He approached her, his footsteps soft against the ground, and slid onto the seat beside her. She glanced up at him, her expression a mix of curiosity and caution.

“Hey, Jacks,” he began, his voice gentle yet serious. “Got something important to talk to you about.”

Jackie raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a small smile. “Oh? Is this your attempt at being all mysterious and dramatic?”

Colin chuckled, scratching his head. “Well, maybe a little.” He paused for a moment, finding the right words, before continuing. “I had a little chat with Jayce, he’s thinking about leading a scouting party into the forested area outside the city. Wants to get stronger, you know?”

Jackie’s smile faded slightly as she listened, her blue eyes growing contemplative. Colin noticed her hesitation and leaned in closer, his warm breath brushing against her ear as he whispered, “You can trust Jayce, you know that. He wouldn’t suggest something unless he thought it was necessary.”

Jackie nodded, her gaze dropping to her hands in her lap. “I know, it’s just… Colin, there are people here who are counting on us. What if something happens while we’re away? What if they need us?”

Colin’s expression softened, and he lifted a hand to gently cup her cheek. “That’s why I married you, Jackie. You always care and think about others before yourself.”

He reached over and gently tugged a strand of hair behind her ear, his eyes unwavering as he continued, “But think about it. These people aren’t just civilians anymore. We’ve seen them fight, seen them survive. They’re strong, and they’re capable. They’ll look out for each other, just like we do.”

Jackie’s lips parted as if she wanted to say something, but Colin wasn’t done. He flashed his signature smile, his eyes dancing with warmth. “And besides, we need you with us. You’re the strongest mage in our squad, the firepower we can’t afford to leave behind.”

She rolled her eyes playfully, but Colin could see the softening of her gaze. “You’re shameless, you know that?”

Colin laughed heartily. “Guilty as charged. But seriously, Jacks, I’ll miss you like crazy out there.”

Jackie’s expression shifted, her eyes softening even more. She flicked her hair with a playful gesture before responding, “Well, I guess someone needs to come along and keep you out of trouble.”

Colin grinned, his heart feeling lighter. “Exactly! So, you’re in?”

Jackie let out a melodramatic sigh before nodding. “Alright, fine. I’m in. But only because you’re going too.”

Colin’s laughter was infectious, filling the air around them. He leaned in and planted a kiss on her forehead. “Thanks, Jacks. You’re the best.”

As he began to get up, ready to go and break the news to Jayce, Jackie grabbed his shoulders and pulled him back, her lips capturing his in a longer and more passionate kiss. After a moment, they pulled apart, their eyes meeting in silent understanding and love.

Jayce had turned to leave the corner where Colin and Jackie shared their intimate moment, his mind racing in an attempt to forget what he had just accidentally witnessed. His steps were hurried, his heart pounding, and his face still flushed. He needed to find Lianna and ask her to join his scouting party.

His search for Lianna led him through the bustling shelter, his thoughts strangely focused on the passionate kiss that the husband and wife shared. ’Would kissing Lianna be like that?’ he thought, his mind exploring the possibility. As he rounded a corner, he almost collided with Lianna herself, her surprised gasp echoing in the narrow corridor.

“Jayce, are you okay?” she asked, concern lacing her voice.

Jayce stumbled over his words, his face turning even redder as he stammered, “Y-Yeah, I’m fine. Just… um… looking for you.”

Lianna’s brow furrowed in confusion, but before she could ask any further questions, Jayce cleared his throat and composed himself. “Actually, Lianna, I need to talk to you. In private.”

Her mind began to race with all sorts of possibilities, her cheeks starting to match Jayce’s red hue. “Uh, sure,” she managed to say, her voice slightly shaky.

They found themselves in the kitchen, the place where Jayce often worked his culinary magic. Alone at last, Jayce took a deep breath, his blue eyes locking onto Lianna’s striking green gaze. The silence between them seemed to stretch, each second feeling like an eternity.

And then, in a voice that carried more weight than he intended, Jayce spoke. “Lianna, I want you by my side.”

Lianna’s heart skipped a beat, her mind leaping to conclusions fueled by her own fantasies. Her lips parted, her expression a mix of surprise and flustered excitement. “You… you do?”

Jayce’s face contorted into a look of confusion, his mind racing to catch up with the rapid development of the situation. “Yeah,” he replied, his tone somewhat relieved, “I could really use your skills on our scouting mission outside the city.”

Lianna blinked, her fantasy bubble abruptly bursting as she realized Jayce’s true intention. Her cheeks turned a shade of crimson that rivaled the brightest sunset, and she nodded quickly. “O-Of course! I mean, yes, I’m in. I’ll be there.”

Jayce let out an audible sigh of relief, his shoulders relaxing as he managed a smile. “Thank goodness. I knew I could count on you.”

Lianna’s embarrassment seemed to reach new heights, and she nodded again, her words tumbling out in a hurried rush. “Okay, great! I… um, I gotta go now. See you later!” And with that, she turned on her heel and practically fled from the kitchen, leaving Jayce alone with his thoughts once more.

The next moment, Colin’s massive frame entered the kitchen, with an exasperated expression painted on his face. He shook his head in defeat, “Dude, you really suck you know?”

Jayce tilted his head in confusion, before a flash of realization hit him. “Ah crap.” His request for a private meeting, his unusual choice of words while asking her to join the scouting party. He slapped his forehead, and questioned his intelligence.

He quickly checked his status window to ensure he hadn’t lost a few points of intelligence by accident, however he could not blame his own density on the system.

Colin chuckled, seeing the young man go through the stages of grief. “Why don’t you just ask her out?” He said, with his trademark smile.

“Easy for you to say,” Jayce replied, his voice tinged with a hint of vulnerability. His normally confident demeanor seemed to falter for a moment, revealing a crack in his facade. It was as if Colin’s words had touched upon a sensitive nerve, exposing a side of Jayce that he usually kept hidden beneath his strong leadership.

Colin, the big man with a heart as vast as his frame, could sense that there was more to Jayce’s burdens than met the eye. The weight of responsibility sat heavily on the young leader’s shoulders, the safety of nearly 30 lives resting on his decisions. And unknown to anyone else, there was the looming specter of the World Quests, a monumental task that, if failed, could plunge humanity into oblivion.

Letting out a deep sigh that seemed to carry the weight of his understanding, Colin spoke with a mix of sympathy and encouragement. “I know you’re shouldering a lot, Jayce. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find some joy in life too. After all, what’s the point of fighting for survival if you don’t take a moment to actually live?”

With those words hanging in the air, Colin left the kitchen, his departing footsteps echoing softly. Left alone with his thoughts, Jayce stared at the ground, his mind a swirl of contemplation. Colin’s words had struck a chord, causing Jayce to reassess his priorities.

For a brief moment, Jayce found himself grappling with a question that had been lurking in the corners of his mind: what was the purpose of his second chance at life? Did he exist only to lead his faction to survival, to complete the World Quest and nothing more? Was that enough?

Shaking his head as if to dispel the spiraling thoughts, Jayce drew a deep breath. No, now wasn’t the time for philosophical ponderings. Their immediate goal was to grow stronger, to become a force that could weather any storm. And he had to lead the charge, to be an example for his faction.

He pushed the deeper musings aside, focusing on the present. There would be time to contemplate life’s larger questions later, once they were no longer at the mercy of the apocalypse. And yet, despite his attempt to brush off those thoughts, a small ache nestled in his chest, a whisper of doubt that he couldn’t entirely ignore.

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