(no subject)

[http://users.livejournal.com/_to_the_bone/]

Jack is perched anxiously on a chair, rocking it back on two legs, one hand holding the edge of the table, the other fiddling awkwardly in spare fabric.

And also watching the door.

Comments

[bright-burning.livejournal.com]

"Well. So long as he's happy. Although I must say that the teeth give him an advantage."

She liked it better when he was Jack.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_to_the_bone/]

Jack didn't.

"He isn't planning on coming and finding you."

[bright-burning.livejournal.com]

"Good."

That's an expected bonus. "I thought he wouldn't."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_to_the_bone/]

"It's tiring."

Jack has to look away.

[bright-burning.livejournal.com]

"It would be."

There's a moment and then Fire reaches to rest a hand quietly on Jack's shoulder.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_to_the_bone/]

He turns his head, dropping it, so his cheek brushes her fingers.

[bright-burning.livejournal.com]

"Jack," she says, soft and almost rebuking.

"What's happened?"

[http://users.livejournal.com/_to_the_bone/]

"I've just felt bad recently."

Anxious. He's ruined everything.

[bright-burning.livejournal.com]

She raises an eyebrow.

Go on, it says.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_to_the_bone/]

"I don't have words for it."

He's very sorry, says his voice.

[bright-burning.livejournal.com]

"Ah."

She turns her fingers upward and - for lack of a better word - pets his cheek, gently, before taking her hand back.

"Well."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_to_the_bone/]

"It'll be alright," he reassures her.

"It'll all settle down soon."

[bright-burning.livejournal.com]

"Good," she says, and gives him a quick smile.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_to_the_bone/]

"Tell me about your Easter?"

He's curious.

[bright-burning.livejournal.com]

"What about it, then?"

She leans back in her chair, playing with a strand of hair.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_to_the_bone/]

"Are you going to have chocolate? Go to church? Stay at home?"

Jack will be in church.

[bright-burning.livejournal.com]

"Stay, I think, unless Andrei has plans."

If he wants her to get up in the morning, though, he'd better think again.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_to_the_bone/]

"He'll probably want to go see Pavel, Wonka and Jamie. Jamie likes the Easter Bunny still."

Jack knows.

[bright-burning.livejournal.com]

She shrugs.

"Then I suppose I'll go with him."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_to_the_bone/]

"I hope you have a nice time," says Jack, nobly.

[bright-burning.livejournal.com]

"I hope so as well."

Dryly, but she really does mean it.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_to_the_bone/]

"Alright."


Jack nods, and doesn't know what to say.

[bright-burning.livejournal.com]

"I suppose," she says, rather abruptly, "if you didn't have plans - well. Andrei rather enjoys your company."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_to_the_bone/]

"I won't impose."

He shakes his head, sorry.

[bright-burning.livejournal.com]

"I wouldn't mind."

She's only doing this for him, really.

But.