Chapter Text
After everyone left the Hall, Radar still continued on his plan for Beacon town, discussing with Jesse about building more homes for the residents, or maybe decorating the town for the upcoming Red Stone Festival. Jesse looked over to Lukas, she saw his awkward smile, seemingly signalling Jesse to tell Radar to slow down a little. Jesse gave a wry smile and walked over to the ecstatic Radar almost hitting a beam while he was walking.
"Okay Radar, I think that's enough for today, we can start off something simple actually." Jesse walked over to Radar and placed her hand on his back, trying to calm the excited town planner. Lukas let out a sigh as he smiled at Jesse with relief.
" Alright but still I think we can start on something first, we can't waste a perfect sunny day like this!" Radar was still eager to start on something. Jesse thought about it for a while. She wasn't really looking forward to doing something today. She just wanted to walk around Beacon Town to enjoy the quiet life after all the adventures they had gone through. However, Jesse didn't really want to let Radar down, since he has such a passion for building this town.
"Maybe we can check out the fish farm in the west. I heard they need some help in expanding their lakes." Lukas swooped over to Radar, seemingly telling Jesse he has Radar under good hands. Radar agreed excitedly as he grabbed Lukas, ready to rush over there to lend a helping hand. Lukas waved back at Jesse before leaving with Radar to the fish farm.
Jesse just smiled as she let out a breath. Atlas she can finally rest for the day. She walked along the calm neighbourhood, gazing at the new and amazing builds by the people, there were new shops along the road and the gardens were bursting with colourful flowers. Jesse smiled as she took in everything the people had accomplished over these past few years, she was proud of her friends for building such a passionate community in Beacon Town.
“Hey Jesse! Glad to see the legendary Jesse choose to stay in town.” Jack waved at Jesse excitedly with Nurm outside the map shop.
“Hey Jack, I see you’ve been getting some renovations huh,” Jesse inspected the front door of the shop, it was replaced with new dark oakwood and some limestone. A few new banners were placed right beside the door with some weird design, supposingly designed by Jack,
“It’s nothing much, I thought my safe space could use some sprucing up a bit since Romeo destroyed everything!” Jack yelled in annoyance as he led Jesse into the new shop. Jesse was a little surprised by the new walls, it was less grim than before. Although it was still very mysterious and ominous like before, I think it was Nurm’s idea to put up more lanterns.
“And Ivor saw everything in a mess! How could the Velvet Tornado live with that shame for his lifetime!” Jack groaned once again.
“So happy to see your shop back in business. I was hoping to see some new maps,” said Jesse as she walked past some scaffolding blocks around the area. Jack just continued to ramble about Romeo destroying every single corner of his shop and embarrassed himself in front of Ivor.
“ The maps are surely coming its way, I haven’t recorded my adventures at the Taiga forest where I fought the most beastly foxes I’ve ever seen, or even the Dunes, you never want to know what happened there…” Jack squinted his eyes like he was recollecting his past adventures full of dangers. Jesse raised her eyebrows, wondering if anything was true, it could be a truth mixed with a lie. Nurm who was beside Jesse just rolled his eyes, which made Jesse laugh a little.
Nurm continued to place more dark oak planks around the place while Jack brought her to the back of the shop.
“My time with you was surely an extraordinary one, Jesse… it was like the light in the dark, waiting to pull me out from the darkness and once again experiencing the life of adventure.” Jack said in a touching tone yet Jesse was a little perplexed.
“Glad I’ve changed your life.” Jesse awkwardly smiled at Jack but he was not amused.
“Anyways, I’ve been wanting to show you something since we got back from that crazy Admin adventure.” Jack closely inspected the wall to find a stone button camouflaged on the wall.
“Only the bravest and toughest people had seen this, it's not made for ordinary eyes, only my eyes, or maybe eye.. Since you know.. My eyepatch.” Jack said in a grandiose way, making it more mysterious than it should have been. Jesse’s kind of used to these deep and mysterious stuff Jack says all the time, yet she doesn’t really get all of them. Jesse just shrugged at the comment.
Jack finally pushed the button and the walls slowly pulled apart, revealing a secret room. Jesse admired all the displays of treasures in the room. Walls full of item frames with different objects. It wasn’t as grand as the Treasure Hall but it was worth marvelling at.
“ Woah, this is so awesome! I thought you were just bluffing on those adventures,” said Jesse as she paced around the room, finding eyes of enders, wither skulls, shulker shells and even an enchanted golden apple.
“Not bad ey… the Fearless Dagger always has tricks up his sleeves.” said Jack with a proud smile. Jesse just nodded back at him.
“But still I wanted to give you this.” Jack walked to the corner of the room and pulled out an amethyst crystal, glowing lavender light in his hand. It was sparkling like stars except it’s purple.
“An amethyst crystal! Where did you get that?” Jesse screamed in amazement as she saw the amethyst crystal. She hasn't seen amethyst crystals for a long time. She grabbed the crystal as Jack handed to her, inspecting the hard and smooth surface of the rock.
“It's from the caves, you never knew what kind of large caves are down there.” Jack explained as he walked over to the other side of the room, inspecting the other treasures he had.
Jesse was about to thank him yet she saw Jack staring at the wall on the other side of the room. She noticed Jack was a little quiet now.
“Are you okay?” Jesse asked Jack as she walked towards him. She looked up at the items frames, it was a lot of random tools and items such as fishing rods, buckets and sticks. At the bottom of the item frames were signs with the name Vos and Sammy on it.
“ Just thinking about the old times. You never knew when this feeling of losing your friend would creep up.” Jack’s eyes were looking at the floor, trying to avoid looking at the item frames which brought so much sentiment to him.
“I've lost a friend too before, he was a brave friend.” Jesse thought about Reuben, his monument outside of Beacon Town. The sadness still lingered around her every time she saw pork chops. She was especially devastated to see pork chops when Romeo was around. Jack looked at Jesse but his once brave face turned into a sad one.
“ I'm just worried about Petra, her being the adventurous one. I know she knows her way around, I believe in her, yet I'm still worried about her.” Jack wiped his sweat off his forehead. His body was a little stiff and couldn't move an inch. Jesse very much felt the grief Jack was going through.
“ She will be back, I'm certain. After all, it's Petra.” Jesse tried to smile, comforting Jack who was grieving. Jack was a little confused at first but his brightened up a little.
“You're right, Petra's one of the best adventurous I've seen in a while, kinda of like me back in the day.” Jack felt proud as he said that which cheered Jesse up a little. Just then, Nurm was calling Jack over, there was a customer. Jack walked out of the room to attend to the customer while Jesse decided to stay in the treasure room for a while.
Nurm greeted the customer as Jack walked over.
“ Good day, you seemed like a mighty adventurer, what can we get for you?” Jack smiled as he talked to the customer. The customer pondered a little before he said anything.
“Ah yes, I'd like a map to Blossom City. I've heard they have really colourful flower fields.” The customer requested.
“ I see, you're the nature-loving kind. What brings you there?” Jack signalled Nurm to get the map from the chest.
“ I've been meaning to leave this town for a while after what Jesse did. It's scary and I couldn't live like this anymore.” The customer complained in distaste. Jesse was listening closely to the conversation, she figured her reputation hasn't been excellent since Romeo came and took over the city. She's a little disheartened to hear that.
“ That's not the real Jesse for your information bud… the real Jesse has returned. She ain't a tyrant like Romeo.” Jack held tighter at the map when he passed the map over to the customer. Jack squinted his eyes at him, frowning a little.
The customer was a little startled yet he still paid the money.
“I know that yet I wouldn't want to risk my life here again, who knows that Jesse might become a tyrant. Better safe than sorry.” The customer shrugged, disregarding Jack's frown.
“ Yeah, better leave the emporium…wouldn't want a whinny dolphin in town.” Jack sent off the customer to the front door, which he might have scared off. Jesse walked from the room after the conversation ended.
“I'm starting to second guess my stay here is the right choice.” Jesse looked at Nurm with a disappointed face. Nurm just agreed in Villagresse.
“ Don't let them get to ya, Jesse…I've had a fair share of jealous competitions back in my day as the legendary Stab-Walker.” Jack patted Jesse on the back, trying to reassure her.
“ Thanks, Jack,” said Jesse.
“Oh yeah, remember to keep the amethyst crystal or if you want to you can put it in the treasure hall as a display.” Jack reminded Jesse about the crystal. At that moment, Jesse thought maybe Lukas would like this crystal in his house, since he was decorating it.
“ No problem. I'll see what can I do with it,” said Jesse as she pulled out the amethyst crystal and continued to examine it.
***
Jesse waved goodbye to Jack and Nurm as she walked away from the map shop. She was contemplating whether to meet up with Lukas at the fish farm. She thought they might need some help after all. However, the sun was setting, the roads were already basking in the golden light.
Just then, Radar and Lukas appeared right before her eyes. Radar as usual was still excited while Lukas was looking a bit more exhausted. Radar rushed over to Jesse with his usual smile. Radar went off with his new expansion at the fish farms, with new docks built and more fishing rods crafted,the production of fish should be higher in no time. Jesse stared behind Radar, looking at the exhausted Lukas, seemingly he was drained from all the work she assumed.
"Alright Radar, let's call it a day. Tomorrow we have bigger plans. A good rest is what you need." Jesse gave a pat on Radar's back, complimenting his achievements at the fish farm today. Lukas walked over to Jesse's side, seemingly eager to talk to Jesse. Radar bid goodbye to Lukas and Jesse and was on his way home.
"So, a tough day huh." Jesse asked the exhausted Lukas, he was basically panting when he came back. He looked a little bit less exhausted now.
"Yeah, they had to dig a lot of holes for the new fishes. There were also new turtles and sea turtle eggs that were about to hatch. The kids keep stealing them which makes our job harder." Lukas let out a breath as both of them walked along the dimly lit path back to Jesse's house.
"I suppose you could put up some warning signs, maybe I can take a look at it tomorrow." Jesse scratched her hair as she looked over to Lukas.
"I suppose so." Lukas replied with a yawn. Both of them made their way into Jesse's house. As soon as Jesse opened the door, Lukas immediately laid down on the couch, he was really tired from chasing kids at the farm.
" Those kids must have drained you much." Jesse laughed as she took two pieces of cookies out from her chest. She walked to Lukas and stood in front of him. Lukas' body slumped over her couch which she didn't mind, she couldn't really keep up with Radar's pace. Lukas should be extremely tired being with kids and the energetic Radar.
"Yeah but they were fun. They had apologised and even agreed to help out tomorrow to fence up the area tomorrow. That's kind of sweet don't you think?" Lukas' tired face turned into a smile as he saw the cookie right in front of him. Jesse casually gave him the cookie which made Lukas’ smile even wider. People always say he's kind of charming and Jesse definitely would agree with that.
" Come on, I have something to show you." Jesse invited Lukas, she was hoping to show him the stars today. Lukas was a little hesitant to get up but he dusted his jacket and finally got up from the couch. Both of them climbed up the ladder and they were on the rooftop.
" Look at this, I've been wanting to show you since we got back from town. I thought it might be special to you." Jesse scratched her hair as she tried to look at Lukas for a reaction. As usual, his smile was still as bright as ever which made Jesse smile a little.
" Woah, I never knew the sky looked so good from up here." Lukas' face lit up once he saw the starry night that complimented the large moon. Jesse sat down followed by Lukas, both of them were silent for a while, listening to the crickets chirping under the moonlight. Jesse tried to read Lukas' face but she felt a little embarrassed when looking at him lately, she wasn't sure what this feeling was but it made her a little jittery when she was around Lukas.
" So... Tell me about your day." Jesse tried to break up the silence or else the atmosphere would be awkward soon.
" Oh, it was such a mess, we were supposed to dig a few holes for a new lake but there was a spider spawner underneath us. Tons of spiders crawled up from beneath and Radar was panicking so bad he fell down the hole..." Lukas continued on his chaotic story as his hands moved all around the place, seemingly mimicking the movements of the spiders.
Jesse just couldn't help but faze out a little, seeing Lukas' face makes her a little warm, she doesn't really like it nor hate it, it's just there for some reason.
"Heyy....hey Jesse, are you still here?" Lukas' voice suddenly snapped Jesse out of her daze.
'Oh, sorry I was a little "entranced" by the story, spiders are sure scary.' Jesse awkwardly tried to reassure everything was alright. Yet, Lukas gave her a frown.
" The hero who saves the town and THE WORLD is scared of spiders? Hah... Not likely. What's going on?" Lukas' face was a little concerned which made Jesse a little startled, she doesn't really want to explain this feeling she has.
" It's nothing really. I just really like the stars, that's all." Jesse tried to smile but it was a little stiff. Lukas wasn't really buying her answer.
"Sure they are." Lukas sighed a little, seemingly a little disappointed with Jesse's answer. They were silent for a while, the chirping of crickets filled the silence. Jesse tried to check on Lukas, making sure he wasn't annoyed by her answer. However, Lukas quickly turned his head away when she looked at him which made Jesse a little confused.
" Hey, thanks for covering for me. How did you know I wanted to you know...rest a little?" Jesse said, trying to break the silence.
" Oh right, I thought you might need some, after what you went through. A little rest wouldn't hurt, right? You just came back for a month and you've already been working so late in…well… basically everything. You haven't had a break since coming back, so I thought I might help out.Plus Radar was eager to help out the town, he was so enthusiastic, couldn't let him down." said Lukas as he looked over to Jesse, his eyes were a little tired nonetheless but he still smiled.
" Well, now you should rest, you had a very long day and I owe that to you." Jesse laid back on the roof as she gazed upon the stars. Lukas followed suit and let out a laugh.
" We should have done this a while ago, gosh I'm so tired I could sleep up here." Lukas let out a yawn as he continued to look up into the sky full of stars and the giant moon.
“Tell me about your day.” Lukas looked over to Jesse, both of them laying on the roof made out of wooden planks. Jesse instantly thought about the treasure room in Jack's shop, and the amethyst in her Inventory.
“Oh right!” Jesse quickly sprung up from her position and pulled the amethyst out from her Inventory. The amethyst continued to glow in ominous lavender light under the moonlight, which made Lukas get up to see it.
“Cool amethyst right there! Where did you get that?” Lukas looked at it for a while, the purple light reflected on his face and his eyes shining in a faint purple glow. Jesse was happy to see his face gleaming with excitement.
“Jack gave me this from one of his adventures, he said he found it during one of his adventures. ” Jesse placed her hand at the back of her head, seemingly a little embarrassed.
“And I thought about how you would love it. You said you would like something to display in your house.” Jesse placed the amethyst onto Lukas' palm. It still continued to sparkle under the moonlight, dimly illuminating Lukas' face with the soft purple glow.
“Oh wow…thanks Jesse, I'm really flattered you got me this.” Lukas stuttered a little seeing the amethyst in his hands, but a smile always remained on his face. One thing Jesse always liked about him was his smile never disappears throughout the day. Lukas carefully put the amethyst in his inventory and got out his book and quill.
Jesse felt a weird feeling crawling up her chest, she glanced at Lukas who was writing down so quickly she couldn’t catch a word on his page. She saw that book and thought about all the times they went on adventures, the Wither storm, the Far Lands, the chaos at Sky city and lastly the admin. She let out a little chuckle. After all this time, Lukas was still here with her which was a little baffling. Her once so-called enemy was one of her closest allies. What a strange world they live in. With Lukas being Lukas, all their stories are always remembered in his book.
“Are you writing about my tyrant rampage? Or should I say Romeo?” Jesse chuckled a little, but she's still a little uncomfortable thinking about that incident. She still remembered how angry Lukas was when she escaped from the Admin’s prison. Lukas looked over to Jesse a little surprised but he laughed it off.
“Not really, that's in another book, and it wasn't pretty when Romeo was here…” Lukas frowned a little when he said that but he quickly regained his smile once again.
“ I was actually recording this lovely moment on this roof. The stars are beautiful…and I would love to remember tonight with you…” Lukas looked down at his book a little while before hastily trying to continue writing again.
Jesse’s eyes widened as she heard what Lukas said, a sudden rush of anxiousness crawled up her chest, her body felt a little warmer than usual.
“ Cool,” said Jesse, trying to not get overwhelmed by her feelings.
“ Cool,” said Lukas, who was still writing down some more but it was slower than before and his hands were a little shaky.
“Coolio.” Jesse laughed as she tried to break the tension between them. Somehow that word made Lukas laugh a little.
“ You still remember that at Endercon?” Lukas put down his book and quill and laughed at that word. Jesse thought it was a cool word but it ended their conversation kinda awkwardly back at Endercon.
“How would I forget? It was Endercon.” Jesse smiled as she looked at Lukas still laughing at the word. Lukas took a few breaths before calming down. He glanced over with a smile on his face, seemingly content with Jesse's answer.
"Thanks for staying in town with me. It's nice having you here and I would miss that." Lukas said as he let out another yawn. Jesse was a little taken back but it felt good hearing those words from him.
“And thanks for not leaving me,” said Jesse as she let the crickets fill up the silence between them. She wouldn't normally say these words but she felt safe around Lukas, knowing that he would always be here in Beacon Town with her.
Lukas didn't reply. Only the soft scratches of the quill on the paper could be heard. However, a yawn from Lukas soon broke the silence.
" Alright sleepy head, let's get you back home." Jesse got up from her spot and she tried to pull the sleepy Lukas up from his spot.
" Can I stay up here for tonight, sorry if I'm bothering, I could leave if you want." Lukas yawned as he rubbed his eyes, clearly very tired from today's work. It would be a hassle to walk all the way back to his house from here. Jesse just let out a sigh and agreed to let him stay here up on the roof.
" Hope it doesn't rain tonight." Jesse looked up into the clear night sky once again before going back down to get a bed for Lukas. As she climbed down the ladder, she thought about how she felt back there, when Lukas thanked her for not leaving town. She let out a sigh and realised that those feelings weren't going away anytime soon.
When she got back up to the roof, Lukas was already half asleep on the roof. She rolled her eyes in amusement as she sat down beside the sleepy Lukas. She placed the bed right beside him and sat on it. Jesse looked down at the sleeping Lukas then continued to gaze at the stars, wondering what their futures hold in Beacon Town.