AU - Val

[rockabillyboy]

He's honestly not sure if this is supposed to be a date or not. They've sort of edged around the idea, and he's got permission to stay out as late as he needs to, so he supposes he'll see how things go. He's waiting for her on a corner downtown, loosely knotted tie and a vest, his shirt-sleeves rolled up to his elbows. Idly, he plays on his phone, killing him time.

He's nervous, a little. He supposes that it's more anticipation than anything.

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[rockabillyboy]

He waits until Val settles herself and then he sprawls next to her, pillowing his head on her lap. He lifts one of the bottles, offering it to her, lifting his head enough so he can sip from his own.

"I'll make my peace with coming in second place," he says.

[scion_of_ancients]

Her hand closes around the offered bottle, though she sets it down for the time being. Instead, her fingers start running through his hair in gentle movements.

"Wait, who said anything about second place? This just means you have to give things a bit of extra flair for me. You and the skeleton are way different sets of my life."

[rockabillyboy]

Jack's eyes drift close, the double line of his eyelashes a smudge against his skin in the dark.

"I'm starting to think I'd give you anything you want, Val," he says, his voice barely louder than murmur in his chest.

[scion_of_ancients]

"For the time being, I'm happy enough with just this," she reassures him, "and if I start to want anything more, I'll let you know."

She can feel her body slowly relaxing, the tenseness in her muscles washing away and ebbing more with every breath, every rise and fall of her chest with the weight of his head resting against it.

[rockabillyboy]

Jack's fingers stroke idly against Val's leg, tracing the shape of her knee cap. He opens his eyes and looks up at her.

"What're you thinking about?"

[scion_of_ancients]

The answer's clear, and yet, she's still got to push herself to say it, worried that actually airing her thoughts will just lead to things being shattered.

"Nothing. For the first time in a hell of a long time - nothing at all. And you know what?" she asks, not even as a proper question, but more as a statement. "It sure as hell's nice."

[rockabillyboy]

Jack grins, broad and bright, an utterly genuine smile.

"Good," he says. "I'm glad. I'm glad I could be a part of that."

[scion_of_ancients]

"Honestly, Jack, I don't know if I could have gotten this far without you. You're a very calming presence. Like a nice relaxing tea, but in a person body." Her face screws up a bit, then she starts to laugh. "I have a great way to express myself, don't I?"

[rockabillyboy]

"I don't know how flattering that is," he says, grinning. "Sort of like calling a person nice. It's sort of damning with faint praise, isn't it? Hey, Jack, you make me feel like tea does. Don't get me wrong, I really love tea, but..."

[scion_of_ancients]

She smacks him in the arm for that, gently enough to make sure it doesn't hurt. "I'm trying to compliment you here, give me a break. There's only so much sappy sentimentalism I can do in one day."