[ Jack doesn't look at Rhys as he listens, but instead the ring in his hand, even as Rhys touches him. At least unlike in the Vault, there's no pulling away, no shift in expression that implies that this is uncomfortable or new, because this is familiar now. But still, Jack doesn't look at him. He rolls the ring over his fingers like a coin as if he's considering throwing it away, but it's probably clear that he didn't plan to. Beyond that one moment where he'd angrily considered getting rid of the ring, it hadn't seriously occurred to him since. He'd questioned whether he would be putting it back on again or not, but he knew that if he got rid of it completely, he would regret it.
Because once he'd started to come down from his anger and think about whatever life was ahead of him now, Jack knew he couldn't do that alone.
He'd always been a lonely person, and he'd lost girlfriends over his clinginess before, but that's why he loved Rhys. He's reminded of that when Rhys speaks, though the sentiment is tinged with some bitterness now. He's really not sure if he forgives Rhys for what he's done and the fact that they're both here now, but... He doesn't want to lose this. The way that Rhys always supported him and was so unquestioningly devoted was the sort of thing Jack truly felt he needed. It's what Rhys's friends hated about him, about them, because they thought that Jack was selfish in that. He'd always denied it, but in this moment? He feels like he sees their point for the first time.
Maybe his love is selfish. Maybe he just loves to be loved, and Rhys himself doesn't actually matter so much as that.
Jack stops with the idle gesture, and he takes the ring between his fingers. He sighs, and there's a sort of heavy, tired, and emotional exhaustion in that noise, but Jack's response comes in slipping the ring back on his finger.
Because really, even if it's selfish, isn't that better than being alone? ]
Okay. Just-- Okay.
[ He looks back to Rhys as he puts his hands on his hips, then shakes his head. ]
Now, to be clear here, I'm still pretty angry, and it's- Well, that's gonna take time for me to be less pissed. But apology accepted. Ish. Enough for me to not kick you out of our, uh, new house or whatever.
[ A shrug follows, and this time it's Jack stepping forward, though not anywhere close to that dangerous, threatening way of a minute ago. If this were a romantic movie, this would be the point where Jack would give Rhys a kiss, say it's forgiven, and they would live happily ever after. This is probably what Rhys is hoping for. Unfortunately, this is Jack, so he just ends up placing a hand on Rhys's shoulder. It's about the extent of romantic gesture he's capable of at the moment, and his words aren't exactly better. ]
But you're bleeding all over the carpet. So, c'mon, let's get you cleaned up.
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Because once he'd started to come down from his anger and think about whatever life was ahead of him now, Jack knew he couldn't do that alone.
He'd always been a lonely person, and he'd lost girlfriends over his clinginess before, but that's why he loved Rhys. He's reminded of that when Rhys speaks, though the sentiment is tinged with some bitterness now. He's really not sure if he forgives Rhys for what he's done and the fact that they're both here now, but... He doesn't want to lose this. The way that Rhys always supported him and was so unquestioningly devoted was the sort of thing Jack truly felt he needed. It's what Rhys's friends hated about him, about them, because they thought that Jack was selfish in that. He'd always denied it, but in this moment? He feels like he sees their point for the first time.
Maybe his love is selfish. Maybe he just loves to be loved, and Rhys himself doesn't actually matter so much as that.
Jack stops with the idle gesture, and he takes the ring between his fingers. He sighs, and there's a sort of heavy, tired, and emotional exhaustion in that noise, but Jack's response comes in slipping the ring back on his finger.
Because really, even if it's selfish, isn't that better than being alone? ]
Okay. Just-- Okay.
[ He looks back to Rhys as he puts his hands on his hips, then shakes his head. ]
Now, to be clear here, I'm still pretty angry, and it's- Well, that's gonna take time for me to be less pissed. But apology accepted. Ish. Enough for me to not kick you out of our, uh, new house or whatever.
[ A shrug follows, and this time it's Jack stepping forward, though not anywhere close to that dangerous, threatening way of a minute ago. If this were a romantic movie, this would be the point where Jack would give Rhys a kiss, say it's forgiven, and they would live happily ever after. This is probably what Rhys is hoping for. Unfortunately, this is Jack, so he just ends up placing a hand on Rhys's shoulder. It's about the extent of romantic gesture he's capable of at the moment, and his words aren't exactly better. ]
But you're bleeding all over the carpet. So, c'mon, let's get you cleaned up.