Chapter Fifteen: Out There

Another week has passed, and still, there's no sign of Jake returning. More and more people are coming back and new buildings are under construction. You spend most of the days helping the people rebuild the town. It's definitely a great distraction from thinking about Jake too much.

Right now you're helping the volunteers with decorating the new mayor's building. With the old mayor gone, election day for a new mayor is coming up. You and Beans are putting the finishing touches in the soon-to-be new mayor's office, and while you're doing that, you two have a chat.

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Y/n: You think Rango would make a good mayor?

Beans: He's a great sheriff, but I don't know about being mayor. Besides, his eyes light up every morning when he wears the badge. I don't think that's going to change anytime soon.

Y/n: Then being the sheriff is his calling.

Beans: His calling for what?

Y/n: Oh, it means it's his passion job. A job he enjoys doing. That's just something my human used to say all the time.

Beans: Ooh, then farming is my calling. I love getting up real early in the morning and doing whatever needs to be done around there. Ain't nothing like the smell of the fields growing every day and sipping coffee in the morning and tea at night. With the water filling up the old rivers and ponds, my crops are growing beautifully.

Y/n: I'm so glad to hear that.

Beans: What about you? What's your calling?

Y/n: Ooh uh... I don't know. I mean... I really haven't thought of anything.

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You stare out the window, watching the people below. Children running around, couples walking together, and neighbors sharing a good laugh. You haven't really been thinking about yourself since...

Beans sees you frown as you stare at the window and she walks up next to you. Placing her hand on your shoulder, you slightly turn your head to her for a second before looking back outside.

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Beans: Hey, it'll be alright.

Y/n: Will it?... I didn't even get the chance to tell him I love him.

Beans: I'm sure he knows.

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You lean your forehead against the window as you let out a small sigh. In addition to seeing the pain in your eyes, she can also sense your broken heart. How it's been eating at you since Jake left. And Beans knows that pain all too well since she was just like that not too long ago.

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Y/n: I don't understand why he hasn't come back... Did he purposely forget about me?...

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You cover your face with your hands as you begin to sob. Beans wishes that there's something she can do, let alone say something to help make you feel better. But one thing does come to mind if he doesn't come back. She honestly kind of hopes that he doesn't, solely because she's worried about Jake killing and eating you.

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Beans: I know you're going through a hard time but... have you thought about what will happen if he doesn't come back?

Y/n: You mean like finding another man? I honestly don't want to think about that. I literally can't see myself with another man. I can wait as long as it takes.

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...Night Comes...

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You do mean those words, about waiting as long as it takes for him to come back. You now enter your bedroom and get ready for bed. You usually stand on the balcony for a bit, but this time you just want to get some sleep.

After putting on your pajamas, you lay in bed and fall asleep. Of course, your last thought before going to sleep... is Jake.

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...Two Hours Later...

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You wake up to the sound of knocking at your balcony door. Quickly getting out of bed, you hurry over to the balcony and open the door. Hovering in front of your balcony is the snake you love.

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Y/n: Jake!

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You didn't let another second go by as you run to him and give him a hug. Leaning most of your body over him, he smiles. Please don't let this be a dream. Please, please don't let this all be a dream.

While hugging him, you also shed a few tears. He then wraps your body with the lower half of his body before taking you away into the desert. He's taking you to the spot where it'll just be you and him. The same spot where you two would hang out without anyone else around. There's something he needs to tell you, and he's taking you there.

Once you get there, you sit on the lower half of his body. You lean your body towards him, not wanting to be far from him again. But you have to ask him...

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Y/n: Where were you?

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Looking up at him, he lowers his head to be in front of you.

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Rattlesnake Jake: I left to get some things done for the both of us.

Y/n: You had me thinking the worst. That you left me...

Rattlesnake Jake: That ain't never going to happen. I'm sorry for being away for too long. And while I have you here, I want you to know you mean everything to me.

Y/n: You mean everything to me too Jake... and I love you.

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Despite not being the lovey-dovey kind of guy, he's happy to declare his love for you when there are just the two of you here.

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Rattlesnake Jake: I love you too Y/n.

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There is a brighter smile on both of your faces before you both lean in and kiss. Now, this has to be the best moment of your life. You now know that he feels completely the same way about you as you feel about him. After a few seconds, Jake pulls away, but close enough and says,

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Rattlesnake Jake: Now there's something I wanna tell ya Y/n. I'm working for a mafia boss in another town. It's a bigger town than this place, and I want us to live together in that town.

Y/n: L-Live together?

Rattlesnake Jake: Yes, what do you say?

Y/n: Yes!

Rattlesnake Jake: (Smiles) Good, cause we'll leave two hours before sunrise.

Y/n: But wait... I want to say goodbye to my friends. And who will take care of the building if I'm gone? I could ask Beans if she wants it. Do we have to leave this morning?

Rattlesnake Jake: No, but it'll save us the trouble of seeing a hawk on the way there.

Y/n: Oh...

Rattlesnake Jake: Unless we take the underground route, then it'll be just alright.

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After being out there for a while, he takes you back, but this time, he enters the building. Though he insisted he can stay outside, you convinced him to come inside instead. Just in case someone sees him and/or someone tries to harm him.

He slithers himself around the entire living room, making himself comfortable while you help make some more room for him by moving all the furniture around.

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Y/n: Well, I'll see ya in the morning Jake.

Rattlesnake Jake: Where are you going?

Y/n: To bed, why? Do you need anything?

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He doesn't say anything, but the next thing you know is that he moves his tail to gently push you towards him. Enough for him to coil himself around you. Understanding what he wants, you just smile as you make yourself comfortable. It kind of feels it being in a warm cacoon. Almost every part of you is covered, making you feel completely safe and secure.

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Rattlesnake Jake: Ain't this better?

Y/n: (Blush) Yeah. Looks like I don't even need a bed once we move over there.

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The two of you share a kiss goodnight before falling asleep, still in his loving embrace.