Helene
With everything that was going on, JD felt lost. The whole of the town was antsy, and he was too. It seemed to be the time of month this happened coming around again. After the last time, when the creature had shown itself, and JD had proved to be utterly useless, he was determined to be of some use this time. 

Feeling especially anxious that particular night, knowing what was coming in the next few days, he decided to play his best, and really only friend, a visit. He made his way to Dallas' house, pistol on his hip. Sure, he knew the real danger was a few days out but the recent events had put him on edge most of these days, finding himself sleeping less and relaxing even less so. 

He made his way up to the door, and raised his hand knocking against the door. He waited for the other to answer before he nodded, "Hey uh.. Mind if I come in for a few? This shit goin' around has got me feelin' nervous." He said his eyes shooting around before they landed on Dallas. "Figured I would uh.. Come check on you and your sister." He said with a nod, even if most of the reason for his visit was his own comfort. 

"How is she settlin' back in, by the way?"
Barbara
Things had been settling lately. Sometimes, it almost felt like things were normal again. Almost. The ever-looming threat of the werewolves was right around the corner, and it was enough to scare any brave soldier in this world. It was scary; not knowing when or who or *Why*... 

The knock came as a surprise, and he put his gun down on the table as he'd been cleaning it. He went and opened it, eyebrows raised at JD. "Shoulda known," He mumbled to him and stepped aside to let him in. 

"You ain't gotta knock." He told him. "Yer always welcome. Addie... She's restin' in her room. She's settlin' in alright, I s'pose. As good as somebody can be when you got beasts running around." He shook his head. 

He offered JD a seat. "Do you wanna drink or...?" He was grabbing the water pitcher off the table. "Scary shit about to go down. A few days time," He told him. "You ready to stand guard at the cage?" He asked him. 

"Ain't easy. We could get hurt. But I don't want you worrying about nothin'," He told him. "I ain't gonna let nobody hurt you neither." He said.
Helene
He nodded, "Well, I wasn't raised not ta knock when I get to someone's house. Besides, what if it were just Addie here and I scare her? That is the last thing I want to do." He said as he stepped inside, and looked around before taking a seat at the table where he usually did. 

"Glad to hear she's doin' alright, gotta say, I wouldn't be itchin' to get back ere', gotta be just about the worst time ta do it.. Must be nice havin' her back though, I'll say that. Don't know what I'd do if Joanna went off, probably be much more lonely. Probably be here a hell of a lot more." He said with a snort of laughter. 

"I'll take some, yeah, if ya don't mind." He said as he watched the other pour him a glass before pulling it closer and taking a sip. He took in a deep breath, "Yeah, bout as ready as I'll ever be I spose', I'm determined to actually be of some fuckin' help this time." He said as he shook his head. 

He looked up towards the other as he mentioned JD not worrying about it, and he smiled a bit before he looked back down at his drink and shrugged his shoulders. "Well sure, I guess neither of us got somethin' to worry about then. I got you and you got me, so, we'll be just fine." He said though he really wasn't as sure as he tried to seem. 

"I can't wait till we catch some of these fuckin' things. I'm tired of this.. Fuckin' terrorizing our town stuff. We've lost and almost lost too many good people. It's awful."
Barbara
He took a seat and solemnly nodded along with JD's words. His eyes were focused on his companion's hands, shifting from resting on the table to his thighs and back. He needed something to focus on these days or his mind went off other places. Worrying about things too damn much; he needed to stay focused. Worrying wouldn't do a damn thing right now. 

"If I see a damn werewolf..." He shook his head. "I'll blast it right between the eyes," He said. He looked at JD's face now before it flickered away again. "You ain't gotta worry about all of that, JD, you just bein' somewhere is help enough. Besides, you ain't almost shot your damn leg off like I did." He scowled and rubbed his temple. 

"Shit happens. Guns jam and misfire 'n all that..." He exhaled and glanced down the hall to where Addie's room was. "She's pregnant and all... Which is wild, really. I ain't know that til she wrote me in her letter." He shifted. 

"JD, I need you to promise me that whatever happens that night... If I go, you help Addie." He said. "I ain't want her goin' through this alone." He bit the inside of his cheek.
Helene
He nodded, "I've been practicing my shot, these things are infesting the damn town at this point. We're gonna need just bout' as many hands on deck as we can get." He said as he took in a deep breath and looked over to Dallas. 

Dallas was his best friend, and one of his only friends. It felt like a weird confession almost, to say- best friend. He was a grown man, he didn't need best friends, like some school boy, but the thought passed anyway. Besides, Dallas was his boss, he doubted that Dallas would have much connection to him otherwise. 

He let out a small huff of laughter, "Yeah.. That was terrible to watch." He said shaking hos head. "Glad you got your leg intact and all, you might need that." He said as he took a sip of his water. 

As the other went on about his sister, he nodded along. He understood it, Addie was pregnant, he would be worried about Joanna too, if it were him. Hell, he already was. The idea of never coming home, her knowing the moment he didn't return what had happened to him made shivers run up his spine. 

"Course'," He said with a nod. "Ain't nothin' gonna happen to you Dallas, You're a good shot, strong guy, but if it does, God Forbid.. I will make sure she's taken care of. I promise." He said as he placed a hand on Dallas' arm for a moment, looking at him before glancing back down at his cup. 

"I'd hope you'd do the same for Joanna, you're my closest friend after all." He said with a nod. That sounded remarkably less cheesey, saying closest as opposed to *Best* Friend.
Barbara
"Ain't like we even know how many there are, neither," He said. "There could be dozens out there in the woods, we just ain't know about em yet." The thought made his stomach turn. 

"Course I would do the same for Joanna." He assured JD, giving a solemn nod. While he wasn't close with her by any stretch, he knew her and would hope she would be able to stay with them if the need arose. He could treat her well and kindly. 

When JD's hand was on his arm, he felt like his palms were sweaty. The warm contact, his eyes flickering up and meeting his— 

His mind went to *Dreail's words* And he snapped back to reality, a sick coil in his stomach as he ripped his eyes away and pulled his arm slowly away, busying himself with grasping the gun and continuing to clean it. He didn't need to be unpacking all that nonsense. Not right now. Probably never. 

"Yer my closest friend too," He said to him. "Bout the only one I got 'sides Max, I guess, but..." 

But Max and Dallas were friends in a very different way. He thought the other was definitely taking pity on him for being kind of pathetically bad at cooking and basic human things like that— charity work. Then again, wasn't JD his friend because he paid him? 

"We just been friends so long, yknow, yer basically almost family."
Helene
He nodded, "That's what I'm 'fraid of too. I mean, damn.. There's a few we know about but how do we know there's not more lurkin? Just gon' have to hunt them down one by one, huh?" He asked arching a brow. "Figure out how many there are on our own." 

He was glad to know that Dallas would do the same for Joanna, though he had really not had a doubt in his mind. His throughts were interrupted when Dallas pulled his arm away, and JD cleared his throat. That had been wrong to do it, and he wasn't completely sure why he had felt the need to do it in the first place because he knew that well.. It was a dangerous territory to be slipping into, intentional or not. 

He closed his fist as the arm was pulled away and moved both of his arms closer to him, resting in front of his glass, and toying with it between his hands, trying to force some words out. 

He cleared his throat again and nodded, "Yeah, I agree.. I mean, you go, and I'm kinda shit outta luck. 'Bout the only person I see these days." He paused for a moment as he shook his head, not wanting to come off like he was just *Stuck* With the other when that was not the case. 

"I mean.. It's by choice though, I really like your company. I just don't like.. Other's.. As much as yours so." He nodded and took a sip. "So I am uh.. Glad we are uh.. Both very close.. To each other."
Barbara
There was a long pause where he was focusing on cleaning the gun. He had to think everything over, had to deliberate carefully... On exactly what he wanted to say. 

"I'm glad too," He said after a second. "Prolly my best friend, JD. Think you understand my soul." He cleared his throat. "I ain't gotta make conversation none. Just sit here in the quiet..." He chewed his cheek a little as he thought. "It's nice. I ain't never had a friend like you before I came here." 

He bounced his leg a little. "Yer a good man, JD." His eyes flickered over to him. "I'm grateful I get to be yer friend." 

It was a bit mushy, perhaps, but he wanted him to know... He genuinely appreciated his friendship. "And we are gonna get those Fuckin' werewolves and blast em to hell. Together."
Helene
As the other continued, JD felt himself relax and his shoulders slouched a bit. That was good to hear, that Dallas felt the exact same way he did, well, about the friend matter anyway. He nodded, "I feel the same.. I enjoy.. Just bein' around you. Ain't got that with a whole lot of people.. So you're mine too.. Glad I could meet ya, glad you're here.. Now.. Maybe that's a bit selfish considering all that's goin' on but.. I am." 

He looked up at him as he spoke again, and he nodded. "Thank you.. I am too. Ain't no one I'd rather be blastin werewolves with." He said with a small grin, though his cheeks were painted pink. 

"I like ta' think of us as a team, you know? I mean not just.. At work but like uh.." He took a deep breath, "I mean.. I think that you know.. If I'm in a situation where.. I need a teammate, you're always my first choice so.." He took in a deep breath. 

"Maybe I'm gettin' a little bit too sappy there. But.." He shook his head and took a sip of his water. "I've never been very good with words."
Barbara
He couldn't help but chuckle just a little bit. They were very similar, weren't they? A little awkward, a little... Well, rough around the edges in their own ways. JD was softer than him but just as rugged in others. They both liked hunting and fishing and working with their hands. They were incredibly similar in those regards— and that's what Dallas liked. They always had something to talk about if they wanted to, but both seemed completely fine with sitting in complete and utter silence for hours if they needed to. And when JD felt the need, he could fill the gaps and asked very little of Dallas in response. He felt comfortable around him. 

"Helluva lot better than me," He pointed out to him. He glanced over at him as they sat there, and he cleared his throat a moment before he shifted towards him slightly. "You know I ain't got a lot of friends," He said after a minute. "So the ones I got... Are like family to me," He said. He left it at that. JD was more than a friend. He wouldn't exactly call him a brother either. It was just... Different.
Helene
He felt a small smile spread across his face and he nodded, "I know what ya' mean.." He said as he ran a hand through his hair. "You know.. When I moved here.." He said as he leaned back a bit. "I didn't much.. Expect to meet mucha' anyone." He said as he thought for a moment on how to formulate what he was trying to say. 

"Me and Joanna, we ain't never really know most anyone cept' each other and our ma and pa, so.. Kinda always figured it would be that way." He said as he glanced over at him, "And I didn't mind it so much.. You know, once we got away from our parents, it was nice, just us but.." He took in a deep breath. 

"Excuse my.. Lack of better words but uh meetin' you.. Made me realize I was missin' something. Made me realize there is more ta life and uh.. I guess I just really appreciate that Dallas.. I really appreciate what you.. Have done.. For my life."
Barbara
There was something odd happening in him that didn't come around all that often. It had been happening more often as of late, and he never knew *Why*. Maybe he needed to go to the doctor, cuz his chest was hurtin' him something fierce. Like a tightness, like he'd been dunked in the icy lake and it was gripping him like a vice. He cleared his throat in hopes of dislodging the feeling, to no avail. 

"Likewise," He said, because he couldn't quite formulate something more articulate than that. He bit the inside of his cheek and glanced across at JD. "You been a good companion. Always reliable to work, too." He shifted in his seat a little and angled himself to face JD more. 

"You know... I ain't ever asked what JD stands for," He realized after a moment. "Even though we been... Friends for a real long time now." He raised an eyebrow.
Helene
As the other spoke, he grinned a bit and glanced around the room, basically everywhere but the other's face. The feelings he got around Dallas were ones that he knew, and knew well, but one's that so far he had done a good job to ignore. He knew that was the case yet again. He couldn't share them because well.. 

His friendship with Dallas was worth more than anything those feelings could provide. 

"I try.. I like the job a lot. Makes me feel like I'm doin' something.." He said as he leaned back. 

As the other brought up his name, he let out a small groan though his face was painted with a smile. "Gosh.. I uh.. Well.." He ran a hand over his face. "Don't tell this to many people because it's uh.. Pretty.. Embarassing but uh.." 

He rolled his shoulders back, "My dad was uh.. He was real weird, you know.. Kinda off and what not and uh.. He thought I was gonna be a prophet and uh.. So he named me.. Uh.. Jesus.. Jesus David." He said cringing at his words. 

"It's ridiculous I know but.. It's mine."
Barbara
Dallas couldn't quite believe what JD told him— it almost made him wanna laugh. In fact— he had to cover his mouth to hold in a surprised laugh. "I'm sorry," He said quickly. "I ain't mean to laugh, it's just... I ain't really thought that'd be in. I thought, yknow, Jacob or... John, James even. Not... Jesus David." He dropped his hand, cracked a grin and shook his head. 

"I get why you prefer yer nickname. But... It's unique, I'll give ya that." He leaned forward and clapped him on the shoulder. "I won't tell nobody," He promised him. 

JD was interesting. He had so much about him that he didn't know. He found himself really wanting to know more. "Anyhow. Ya do a good job," Dallas said, not wanting to think about all the roiling emotions in his belly. "Don't know what I'd do without ya at the yard. Prolly be swimmin' in work," He chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck before exhaling.
Helene
He rolled his eyes, and shook his head. "No it's ah.. It's alright, I gotta say I would laugh to if someone sat across from me and told me their name was Jesus." He said as he glanced over at him and took in a deep breath. 

"If anyone else ever asks.. I will probably just tell them it's John David, but uh.. You can know the truth I spose'." He said with a nod. "I appreciate the discretion. Ain't something I like to walk around tellin' people." He said as he took a sip of his water. 

He shrugged his shoulders as the other went on about how he was good to have around at work and he shrugged his shoulders, "Well, it's good work, I like the work.. And I like workin with you so uh.. Works out for me,.." He said running a hand through his hair. "You make it real easy to work for you. Good company and good work.." He said as he looked over at him.
Barbara
Thankfully, Dallas usually didn't have to worry about maintaining steady conversation with JD. That's what he liked about him so much. Things could be so pleasant between them, and he felt no pressure to formulate fake conversations or to become nervous over things like that. He heaved a sigh and fell into silence a moment, glancing to the window and out into the yard. The leaves on the ground, the chill that came through the window... It was fall, alright. He'd have to start chopping more firewood to bring around to the locals. 

He glanced to JD and rested an elbow on the table. "You gonna help me deliver firewood to folks again this winter?" He asked him, eyebrow raised. "You know I'll pay ya." He gave him a nod. "Ain't askin' you t'work for free."
Helene
As they sat there, JD felt a sense of peace about him. He liked their silent comfort, the fact that he felt never more himself than he was there with the other. When Dallas finally spoke again, he arched his brows and nodded. 

"Course, I'd do it even if you were." He said with a snicker. "Not much I wouldn't do if ya just asked." He said giving the other a nudge before he took another sip of his water. 

"I can help ya chop it too, if ya need. Might help get it done faster, yeah?" He asked as he leaned back, relaxing a bit into the chair.
Barbara
What JD said caught him off guard a moment. He trusted Dallas that much to not steer him wrong? That he'd just about blindly go and do whatever Dallas asked of him, simply because he asked? 

"Yer a good friend, JD," He said to him after a second and cleared his throat. "Couldn't ask for a better one, actually." He clapped the man on his knee before leaning back again. He hefted himself up out of his seat and stretched, his back cracking as he moved. "I sit still too long and it feels like my bones wanna lock up on me," He told him. "You wanna come on our back and help me move some of that firewood inside?" He asked JD, going to the door. "Welcome to take some home yourself, too, if you're wanting it. I bet you and Joanna are cold as all get out in that little house of yours." He raised his eyebrows. 

"How's she doin', anyhow?"
Helene
He smiled when the other called him a good friend, but didn't say anything. Dallas knew he cared about him, and while he could go back and fourth all day with the other, having a competition for who could call the other a good friend most.. He decided against it. 

He shrugged his shoulders and nodded at the question with a grin, "Sure do.. That would be good. It is startin' ta be real cold.. I swear, seems like the walls are made a' ice sometimes in there." He said as he followed him out. 

He shrugged his shoulders, "Doin' better than when we first moved here I mean.." He took in a deep breath. "Life back home was just.. It was somethin', very uh.. Different. Now bein' here, bein' around other people it.." He took in a deep breath and made a tsk noise. "It takes some gettin' used ta."