[IC] City Comes to the Country (Tyler Night and Whitelily)

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Scrolling through her phone, Ele slouched in her seat as they drove, barely looking up from the messages when they pulled up. Opening her door, Ele didn't take her eyes off the message she was reading,

"Hmm? Whatever you want, babe."

She said absently, dropping down from the truck and going inside. Only once she was in did Ele stop looking at her phone long enough to shove a few outfits and pajamas into her carry on as well as toiletries. As an after thought, Ele also grabbed her sketchbook and pencils, as well as the airbrush kit so she could practice more in the garage.

Putting everything by the front door, Ele went to her room and changed into a clean pair of shorts and t-shirt, leaving her dirty things in a laundry pile.

[Tyler Night]

He decides to wait in the truck while she gathers some of her things. He turns on his radio putting it on a rock station and listens to it while he waits. As he sits there one of his favorite workout songs, Black By Sevendust comes on, smiling he turns it way up and starts singing along.

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Picking up a few other things, Ele grabbed her airbrush kit and took that out to the truck first, then followed it with her carry on and art things. Hauling herself into the truck, Ele buckled up again, her expression distant as she looked out the window. Absently she bit her lip as she thought about the words she had seen on the screen.

[Tyler Night]

When she comes out he is still rocking out to it and continues to rock out until the song ends. He smiles at her and takes off once again.

"Damn I love that song."

He says as they head into town.

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"Mmhmm..."

The reply came a little delayed as Ele stared out the window, and started to bite her thumbnail. Finally, about halfway to town, Ele turned to Tyler,

"My mom messaged me."

She said simply.

[Tyler Night]

"I could tell."

He takes her hand in his and keeps driving to the grocery store.

[DELETED08735]

"She wants to see me again."

Squeezing Tyler's hand, Ele was thankful for his calm demeanor,

"She said she wants to apologize in person."

[Tyler Night]

"Sadly, I have a feeling she just wants to get your money or ask for something. Most people never change their old ways."

He says frankly, continuing to rub her fingers.

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"You're probably right..."

Her voice trailed off as he continued to drive, and Ele's attention went back to thinking of a response to her mother, she didn't let go of Tyler's hand though. The connection felt good and grounding,

"Should I respond?"

She finally asked as they pulled into the parking lot.

[Tyler Night]

"I wouldn't, if my dad tried contacting me I would probably block him but it is up to you."

He parks his truck and looks over at her.

"Alright, lets get some food."

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Ele only nodded in response, going quiet again as she got out of the truck and went to Tyler's side. This time though, she took his hand while they walked into the store.

[Tyler Night]

He walks into the store with her, grabbing a cart.

"Not a lot to choose from here but it is decent."

They enter the store and it is a moderate sized grocery store. He walks to the produce area, grabbing bananas.

"Anything you want?"

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"There are a few things,"

She said, going to pick out some oranges.

"Want to go half and half on the price?"

Ele asked, selecting the best oranges before moving on to grapes.

[Tyler Night]

"You don't need to, I have this in hand."

He says grabbing some egg roll wraps and bean sprouts while she does her shopping.

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"I don't have to, but I want to contribute."

She said, putting her things in the cart then standing on the far end of the cart while Tyler pushed,

"If this is a thing,"

Ele motioned between her and Tyler with one hand,

"It's a 'we' and 'us' now, not just a 'you' or 'me'."

[Tyler Night]

"Well if you want to. But seriously, you don't need to."

Looks at her her and says.

"But a man is meant to provide for a woman."

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Despite the old-fashioned notion, the sincerity in Tyler's voice when he said it made Ele melt. He really was a gentleman, and she adored that about him. Smiling at him, Ele nodded,

"And you are. You've given me so much support and pulled me out of that awful place I've been stuck in, not to mention the fact that you put me up in an amazing resort even before letting me almost move into your house. Providing for someone isn't only what you can give them physically, but how you take care of them mentally and emotionally as well. You are amazing at all of it, and I want to give you as much as you have given me."

Leaning forward on the cart, Ele winked and teased,

"I'll not delve into the fact that I am quite a feminist who doesn't need a man to care for her, because I like that you take care of me. But I want to take care of you too, I want to contribute to the 'us'."

[Tyler Night]

"I love providing for you. I have been a bachelor for 12 years, about time to provide for somebody other than myself."

He walks over to the cabbage and picks up the largest napa cabbage on the shelf in the organic food area.

"Egg rolls tonight."

He says with a smile.

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"Good, then we both agree that we will both contribute to the grocery bill."

Ele said with a conclusive nod and bright smile to Tyler,

"Egg rolls sound great! Oh!"

Hopping off the cart, Ele hurried around the corner and disappeared for a couple minutes as she looked for what she needed. When she came back to the cart, she had a couple bottles of wine in her hands,

"Ta da! To celebrate the car starting!"

[Tyler Night]

He laughs.

"A couple weeks and we will have it done."

Smirking he says.

"Hey, I should break out my still and show you how to make rumshine."