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Wander || Chapter 15

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He glanced down at her every so often, trying to keep a balance between her and where he was stepping. She had a way of doing things that struck him as both innocently sweet as well as perhaps something more suggestive. He knew it probably wasn't the latter, and hence, he tried to limit that train of thought. But the more time they spent together, the harder that got; He wanted to know her inside and out.

It didn't take him long to find the university, a stately looking building with high brick walls and a shiny gold crest marking their mascot. Over the walls, he could see a swarm of students dashing to and from classes and events. Jude began looking around the other buildings in the area, stopping on the side of the road. A man walking near his feet made an irritated noise that he had stopped, now having to walk around him. 

Pen rolled onto her front, scrunching up her face at the tightness of the bodice. God, she hated having breasts sometimes. At least they made convenient pillows and cushions when lying down. 

"I haven't been here in ages. Looks like not much has changed, though." She smiled, watching a few rabbits dart about in a large fielded area that a few students used to study, tall trees speckling the campus. "Just as pretty as I remember."

He turned over his shoulder to give it a second look-over. "It is really nice. Seems like a good school." 


Jude couldn't ignore the fact that her breasts were pressing against his palm. They were so supple compared the other parts of her he had touched. Biting his lip, he pushed the thought from his mind. Library. Right.

He made a decision to head for a multistory tan building to the right. 

"Ah-hah!" He exclaimed under his breath. 

A tiny wooden sign with golden lettering read "Library of Bergen". The human entrance was the main one, but he didn't see one for him anywhere inside. He stepped to the side, trying the back of the building perhaps. Students in the university area were busy, and not always looking where they were going. He had to stop short more than a few times for young adults running late. It seemed that things were just as busy as she'd recalled as well. She felt a little sorry for Jude, that he'd have to be on constant guard around humans. He always seemed so gentle, so careful. Jude truly was a genuinely kind man.

"Where's that damned entrance for you? Gah. I know they said they'd be putting one, I'm certain of it." She gnawed at her lower lip, brows furrowed.

"It's fine.." Jude assured her, giving her back a quick rub. He hated for her to get worked up about this. It wasn't her fault he was a giant, after all. He grinned upon turning the corner and finding an incline to a second entrance. After waiting for the road to clear, he stepped over the remaining pedestrians and entered the cool building. 


The accumulated smell of parchment, ink, and ancient carpeting immediately filled his nostrils. He loved it. 

There were three other giants in the wing, a couple wandering around, and the other sitting at the only table, poring over a volume. He looked around him with bright eyes. The walls were lined with bookshelves, carrying volumes of all sizes. 

To giants, their portion of the library was quite small, even though the ceiling was as high as the eight-story section next door. 

Jude rarely got the opportunity to get his hands on a good book. The potential knowledge was buzzing in the air.

The wing had balconies in a section of the wall for each of the eight stories. Pen pushed up into a crouch with her hands before standing up in Jude's hand. She turned around with a brilliant smile that suggested she was indeed in her own element. After slipping her glasses on, she spoke.

"Mind setting me down on the fourth floor balcony? That's where the spell books are, I'd reckon."

"Mm. Good luck finding your book. I'll be in here if you need me." He bent down and set her where she had requested, uncurling his fingers from around her and standing back. With a smile, Pen waved and dashed off into a labyrinth of books. She cook still hear the giants move around but it was nothing disruptive.

"Protection spells, protection spells..."

She slid her fingertips along the spines of books before her eyes lit up. She'd found the book she wanted. Pen withdrew it and began to pour over it before a familiar voice spoke:

"...Hobbit? Is that you?"


Pen snapped her eyes up to meet a dashingly exotic man with caramel eyes, jet black hair and light mocha skin. 

"Amir! I haven't seen you in ages." Pen dashed over and gave her school friend a hug. 

"I didn't even see you come in, Pen." Amir carried an armload of books and wore a librarian's attire-- elegant waistcoat, lovely cravat at his throat. She could see he was still working here and even had likely gotten a promotion. Pen wore a grin. "I went in the other entrance."

Amir's eyes widened.

"The giant's entrance? Weren't you worried about getting stepped on?" Pen waved a dismissive hand.

"Well, the guy I'm with could only really take that entrance."

Amir turned to the nearest bookshelf and started organizing things. "...The guy you're with? As in...?"

"He's my boyfriend."

Amir paused. "...You're dating a giant." 

Pen nodded and arched a brow.

"He's a really nice guy, screw height differences and prejudices. You've got to meet him, come on!"

The librarian rubbed his temples. Why wasn't he surprised? He had nothing wrong with the tall folk but dating a giant seemed like one hell of a challenge.

Amir let out a sharp yelp as she grabbed his hand and yanked, tugging him along with her newest spell book under her arm. She scaled a set of stairs until she'd reached the highest balcony, figuring she'd be roughly on eye level with Jude.

"Jude!" Her voice would be mostly quiet to the other giants but enough for him to hear. 

Jude looked up from the botany book he was flipping through. His face lit up when he spotted her on the fifth floor balcony, waiting for him to notice her. He set down his book and immediately stood, coming over to see her. 

"Hey…" Jude’s smile faltered somewhat when he saw she was not alone, but joined by a very suave-looking man. 

"Who's this?" He asked, scrutinizing him head to toe. Amir looked about ready to crap his pants. Pen, in contrast, looked entirely comfortable

"This Amir. He's an old school friend of mine. Amir, this is Jude." 

Amir gulped, wide eyed as he extended a shaky hand. "U-uh, pleasure.."

Jude pinched the offered hand between a finger and thumb and shook it once. "It's nice to meet you.." 

He nodded a tight smile, who looked only too pleased to have his hand back. Amir gulped and stepped behind his friend. Pen blinked in confusion at her school chum's obvious nervousness but smiled up at Jude. 

"So you found your book then?" he asked. 

"Yeeup. I'll be practicing protection spells a lot, methinks. Looks like you had some success yourself. You looked pretty happy with those books in your hands."

"Caught me red-handed." He shurgged. His eyes darted briefly behind her at the anxious Amir. Honestly, you would think living in an integrated city would make one used to interacting with giants. But some people found a way around it regardless. 

"Yeah, I was brushing up on some recipes and plant life. Useful stuff, y'know.." 

The girl sitting at the table behind him turned around to give him a stern 'shhhh!' and a glare. Jude looked back at Pen with a silly, sheepish expression on his face. 


Jude raised an eyebrow at Amir, who had not spoken since their meeting, and was still standing behind his petite friend. 

"…Are you alright, man?"

Amir jolted a bit and rubbed the back of his head.  

"Ah..umm...Fine." Amir gave a voice crack. Though he'd seen enough giants around, he apparently hadn't been in conversation with enough to be totally comfortable. Pen nudged her friend's shoulder.

"Jude's a softy of epic proportions. Calm down."

Amir shook his head and mumbled something before slinking off to head back to work. Once he was out of earshot Pen spoke up.

"Sorry. He gets nervous around attractive men."

The dark skinned fellow stuck his head around the corner and made a face at Penelope, mouthing the words 'red rum' then pointing his finger at her. Pen stifled a giggle as he turned and left. 

"Oh. I thought..." Jude trailed off. He rubbed the back of his neck. He couldn't resist the wave of relief that he wouldn't be competing with that handsome man.

"I'm not sure whether to take that compliment from him or you." He cleared his throat and managed to smirk in spite of his blush.

Pen wore a cheeky grin and leaned over the railing, sorely tempted to tale a flying leap off just to see what Jude would do. Indeed, he nearly shot up a hand, worried her daring side was going to get the better of her.

She traced designs over the cover of the book she bore, the gold inlaid text reading 'A Practical Guide of Defensive Magic'. 

"You are an attractive man."

From the balcony, speaking to Jude face to face was far easier. He leaned down to hear her better, bringing his huge face quite close to the balcony. At this point, he wasn’t worried about scaring her away. Lifting her free hand, Pen ran her palm across his lips. He pursed his lips, pressing them together over the tiny hand for a split second. Raising his head, his smile solidified upon spotting her blush. She was leaning over the railing, and Jude started to raise his hands under the open space- just in case.

"Careful. Will your friend mind if I borrow you for a while?" He ran his knuckles across the spokes of the balcony, making a wooden noise reminiscent of a wind chime in a forceful gust. 

Pen leaned further against the railing and wore a positively devilish grin upon her face as she climbed up onto the railing the railing.

"Amir won't mind." She winked and leaped off the railing toward Jude's chest, fighting the urge to let out an excited utterance as she fell. He knew what she was about to do, so he was ready. But his heart still skipped a beat when her feet left the railing. She landed on his upper chest with a small thump, and he covered her with his hand immediately after. Jude felt a corner of the book protruding into his chest, but hardly cared. Turning from the balcony, he returned to the reading table. Once seated, Jude tilted his hand back, watching his tiny girlfriend plop into his palm. 

"You're a little spitfire." He whispered, clearly getting a kick out of her spirit. 

Pen stifled a minute giggle with her hand and stood back up again in Jude's palm, grasping one of his fingers for a kiss. She put her spell book under her arm and grabbed onto the fabric of Jude's shirt and managed to slide down onto his left leg. There, she took a seat and leaned back against his stomach before opening up her book, a mess of smiles and quiet pixie giggles.

He laughed quietly as she settled against him. She was really cute. He ripped his gaze from her and picked up own book, giving the adventure novel a crack. As he did, he caught the irritable giantess arching a brow at him. They locked eyes, his bright teal ones daring her to say something about it. She politely looked down again, a disapproving look on her face. Satisfied, Jude opened up the book and soon lost himself in an imaginary world of knights and quests, fairies and chivalry. The looks from the giantess did not escape Pen and she was a hair's width away from chewing the large woman out for being so damned uptight. She settled for making dorky faces at her behind her back and rubbing Jude's leg with her palm before continuing to scan over rubes and techniques.


Jude, although absorbed in his novel, remained vaguely aware of Pen on his leg. He reached down, running a leisurely finger up and down her leg while they read together. It was quiet, neither of them talking to each other. But it was very nice. A peaceful feeling settled into him knowing that they could just be happy soaking in comfort from each other's presence.


After finishing off the first section of reading, the important piece came into play. Since she was small, she doubted any light from her spell would bother anyone. Pen set her open book down and chanted a phew phrases in her head, eyes closed as a soft blue light surrounded her body. She took in deep breaths and tried extending her barrier away, managing a foot. No one else in the room spotted the glow, but Jude did immediately. He dropped his gaze to his lap and stayed perfectly still, not wanting to disturb her in the middle of her spell. It was incredible, watching her conjure magic out of nothing. He strayed from his book to watch her practice for a bit. 

Taking deep breaths, she worked on expanding and contracting the barrier, eventually cutting off the spell, the shield morphing into a flock of glowing blue butterflies. They flew into the air before fading into bubbles which drifted until they popped one by one. His eyes widened.


"Whoa…" Magic, at least the way she performed it, was truly awe-inspiring. It was beautiful and unpredictable…. Kind of like her. Jude caught her eye and smiled, mouth still partially agape.

"My instructors gave me crap for being 'too flashy' with my magic...But honestly?" She snuggled up against Jude's middle with a smile on her face. "I prefer being able to express myself. It feels so natural to do my spells like that."

"I say keep doing what you're doing. It's real amazing." He rubbed her side, pushing her slightly more into him briefly.


The giantess stared wide-eyed at this exchange and glanced around to see if anyone else was seeing this. 

"Have you never seen a human being?" Jude addressed her sarcastically, raising his voice from a whisper. She was really getting on his nerves, and bordering on outright rude now. She gave him an insulted look. 

"Of course I have. This isn't the dark ages." She rolled her eyes, closing her book. "I just haven't seen one being fondled like a pet..." She muttered scathingly. He wrapped his hand a little tighter around Pen, eyes flashing dangerously.


"She's not a-" But the woman left before he could finish replying, and he watched her raise her eyebrows as if to say 'I could care less what you have to say.' He clenched his jaw. Why did he feel such a strong need to defend himself?


"What the hell.." He muttered.

"Get up and go after her right now." Pen's voice was dangerously calm, her face set in a cold scowl.

"I am going to kick her over-sized ass for even insinuating that sort of ignorant bullshit." She growled. "Stupid bitch!"

Jude put her down on the table and shook his head. 

"It's not worth it, Pen." He sighed heavily, shifting his eyes from her down to his lap. "It's just bloody irritating…"

"No, that's not alright that she thinks she can just say that. What, am I just some tiny little thing she thinks she can talk down to? Some little pet? What an ignorant, self-entitled, prudish, slimey, uppity, snotty bitchwad. She needs someone to take her down a peg, teach her that she needs to respect people and not act like a shithead just because she's all big and can read books! Gods, I would take a goddamn round outta her!"

Pen fumed, her entire face red, brows furrowed and lips snarled. Her fisted hands clenched.

"It's not such a big deal if a goddamn human and giant want to be around each other! It's none of her freaking concern what other people do! IF she doesn't like it she can take her opinions and shove them so far up her ass they reach what little of a hard-assed brain she has left! I'm not some fucking pet and you aren't someone who she can just mistreat and get away with it! I am so SICK of people being so ignorant! That's why there's so much ignorance in this damn world! It's goddamn, stupid quims like her!"


Jude was aware that her rant had earned glances from the other giants looking around for reading material, but this time they were politely subdued. He raised a hand to gingerly touch her quivering arm.

"I know." He said evenly. "Look, she's just a moron. A thousand ignorant sluts wouldn't stop me from seeing you. Don't let it get to you." He tried to pacify her, but he was still pretty pissed himself, so he wasn't sure how well he succeeded in that. 

"I need some fresh air." Jude stood up.

"I need some time for a breather. Go ahead." Her tone was clipped and clearly angry still but it was not directed at Jude in the slightest. She remained on the table, livid eyes fixed the wall across from her. Were she able to naturally a pyro-kinetic, there was no doubt there would be a hole burning into the wall.


Jude gave a slight nod before turning on his heels and leaving the establishment. He inhaled deeply and let it out in a frustrated sigh. Leaning against the library, he stared out at the passing crowd. Watching the giants and humans interact along the shops and stands, a thought finally became clear: inter-species mingling was nothing new, but it was for business, not pleasure, the vast majority of the time. He didn't give a rat's ass what anyone thought about them as a couple; that wouldn't have any more affect on his decision than throwing a pebble at a mountain would make it move. 

He was angry. Angry that people made it seem like they were breaking some unwritten law. Angry that bitch had said something like that in front of Penelope. 

He really liked Pen, but would this really work out for either of them? Maybe it would be best to cut his losses and just remain friends.

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PL1's avatar
Goodness .... :<  Pen really is fiery!  It's amazing she doesn't use pyromancy at all!
That sounds like quite a misunderstanding.  XP  That lady should probably be a little more tactful when she's in a building FULL of humans, no?