Your hair wants cutting

“I hope he’s out of town or in the hospital… or dead preferably.”

【♣】——— ❝Outta’ town or takin’ the night off I can handle but literally dead I can’t. He keeps me busy, makes my life fun! I mean, I’m sure when it comes ta’ our honeymoon and any time afta’ that you can make my life fun too but not like him. You ain’t gonna punch me in the face and push me against a wall or beat me up or somethin ta’ get information outta’ me.❞

“If he harms you I’ll slice his throat!” Jervis hissed, his protective side showing itself.

Me be careful?! Jervis thought as the other teen picked up his things without even apologizing. But, considering how timing the teen was, as usual he let it pass. 

Jervis finally realized the only thing he could do. Move seats! He stood up and decided to take a seat closer to the window. At least then he could claim that the lighting was easier for him to read.

Bernard smiled back wagging his tail “ it’s nice to know somevon who loves animals as much as I do ~ ”

“Rabbit’s especially.” Jervis smiled.

“Hopefully not just when you’re sick.” Jervis teased, caressing his hand with his thumb.

“Hopefully yeah…!” he smiled as he looked at their hands, linking together their fingers.

Jervis’s smile grew. He kept close to Victor and started rubbing his back with his free hand to sooth him.

As he went about his usual business, Jonathan put all of his care and consideration into appearing as though he’d lost interest in yesterday’s misfortune. Because there was no point, of course, in fretting over something that had happened so very long ago. It was only the confession that was new, making their troubles seem closer than they actually were. Jonathan had no right– no reason– to be upset. It didn’t stop him from being that way, of course, but at least he could control his own behavior. Maybe the issue would just die, and he would cease dwelling over it naturally. 

Jervis couldn’t help but feel tense. His stomach was in knots, his neck was sore, and he just wanted to collapse and lay around all day to forget his troubles. Oh how he hated it when Jonathan was mad at him.

Both men went bout their business solitarily for the remainder of the daylight hours, more for Jonathan’s sake than anything, but at least Jervis wasn’t getting underfoot anymore. 

Jervis did as he felt. He pretty much just lazed around on the sofa. He had no motivation to do anything. He hated feeling this way, he preferred moving around and doing chores but... it just wasn’t in him.

“I think it’d be lovely~” Jervis cooed, already designing the rings in his head.

“Then we’ll do what we can.” While they weren’t in dire straits, so to speak, money wasn’t all that plentiful, especially now that they’d graduated from Arkham’s halfway program and into a world of expenses they were now fully responsible for. Little tokens and trifles were easy to rationalize, but wedding rings and all the trappings associated would eat a bigger hole than the couple were able to accommodate. Jonathan focused solely on the rings for now, however. The rest of it would come later.

Jervis placed his free hand onto Jonathan’s and gave it a small squeeze. “Is there anything in particular you have in mind for the rings?” He decided to ask. It was Jonathan’s wedding too, he should have some input as well.

“Cuddly~” Jervis whined as he started nuzzling him.

Jonathan wraps his arms around the small hatter. He gently rubs his back soothingly. “I’ve noticed, dear,” he comments, “Make yourself comfortable then.”

Jervis smiled and let out a happy purr from the nice back rub.

“What has got you in such a good mood today?” Jonathan asks. He uses his other hand to play with Jervis’ hair soothingly.

Jervis nuzzled against Jonathan’s hand affectionately. “I simply wanted some attention~” He cooed.

“Is that so?” Crane questions, wrapping his arms around Jervis tightly and giving him a small squeeze.

“Yes, and now I got it~” Jervis cooed, nuzzling against him.

Jervis sat beside him, lifted his hand to his lips, and planted a gentle kiss onto it. “I like it when you’re gentle.”

“Not really in my personality but i have my moments.” he sighs with a light smile when Jervis’ kissed his hand.

“Hopefully not just when you’re sick.” Jervis teased, caressing his hand with his thumb.

“Don’t apologize if you haven’t done anything wrong. You’re fine. I’d… I would miss you too, if something unfortunate were to happen,” Jonathan admitted.

Jervis’s eyes widened. He was astonished. Did Jonathan actually admit to… caring about him? “R-Really?” He asked, leaning in close again since he lacked a sense of personal space.

Jervis couldn’t help but grin at his words. “Oh, Marchie~” He giggled, wrapping his arms around him to hug him again.

“Er… you’re welcome?” Crane hazarded, awkwardly patting Jervis on the back with one hand.

Jervis pulled away and giggled. “Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.”

“So I’ve noticed.” Jonathan closed his eyes, allowing himself to relax on the bed. 

Jervis smiled and gave Jonathan a gentle pat on the head. “Anything else you need?”

“Personal space,” he mumbled, but without the acidic tone he would have used before.

“Beside that,” Jervis chuckled, not letting Jonathan’s tone get to him.

Jonathan had taken to a nearby book as he waited, but he willingly set it aside when he was prompted. His companion was a fine cook, and his skill only seemed to improve in retirement. There was more time to practice and better access to whatever fixings he might need. This penchant for baking and cooking worked out quite nicely for Jervis, as his partner was easily swayed by his stomach, who meanwhile didn’t bother to migrate into the dining room. He did wait for Jervis to join him before tucking in.

“Hm. I was thinking the same… I– I mean I was thinking of spending time with– not. Myself.” He knew he’d been understood without the addendum, but here he was just the same, babbling like an ignoramus. He pushed past it and tried to save face and clarify his intentions. “I… I imagined we might step out and find you that ring you wanted.”

Jervis couldn’t help but giggle at Jonathan’s babbling. It was always amusing to see him even the tiniest bit flustered. But then at the mention of the ring, Jervis’s eyes widened in shock. “Really?” He gasped, getting excited all over again.

“Well,” Jonathan set his fork down, trying to seem offhanded “I don’t see why not. So long as we stay inside of our budget. Rings are… customary, aren’t they?” Jervis seemed to be keen on marital custom. He wanted all of the frills and pretty baubles and centerpieces that came attached to the unifying paperwork. Or at least, that’s how it seemed. 

“Mmhm, that they are~” Jervis nodded, happy to see Jonathan’s involvement with their wedding. He couldn’t help smiled up at his fiancee, it was going to be fun planning their wedding. “They also tend to match.”

“I think it’d be lovely~” Jervis cooed, already designing the rings in his head.

“Cuddly~” Jervis whined as he started nuzzling him.

Jonathan wraps his arms around the small hatter. He gently rubs his back soothingly. “I’ve noticed, dear,” he comments, “Make yourself comfortable then.”

Jervis smiled and let out a happy purr from the nice back rub.

“What has got you in such a good mood today?” Jonathan asks. He uses his other hand to play with Jervis’ hair soothingly.

Jervis nuzzled against Jonathan’s hand affectionately. “I simply wanted some attention~” He cooed.

“Cuddly~” Jervis whined as he started nuzzling him.

Jonathan wraps his arms around the small hatter. He gently rubs his back soothingly. “I’ve noticed, dear,” he comments, “Make yourself comfortable then.”

Jervis smiled and let out a happy purr from the nice back rub.

Jonathan had taken to a nearby book as he waited, but he willingly set it aside when he was prompted. His companion was a fine cook, and his skill only seemed to improve in retirement. There was more time to practice and better access to whatever fixings he might need. This penchant for baking and cooking worked out quite nicely for Jervis, as his partner was easily swayed by his stomach, who meanwhile didn’t bother to migrate into the dining room. He did wait for Jervis to join him before tucking in.

“Hm. I was thinking the same… I– I mean I was thinking of spending time with– not. Myself.” He knew he’d been understood without the addendum, but here he was just the same, babbling like an ignoramus. He pushed past it and tried to save face and clarify his intentions. “I… I imagined we might step out and find you that ring you wanted.”

Jervis couldn’t help but giggle at Jonathan’s babbling. It was always amusing to see him even the tiniest bit flustered. But then at the mention of the ring, Jervis’s eyes widened in shock. “Really?” He gasped, getting excited all over again.

“Well,” Jonathan set his fork down, trying to seem offhanded “I don’t see why not. So long as we stay inside of our budget. Rings are… customary, aren’t they?” Jervis seemed to be keen on marital custom. He wanted all of the frills and pretty baubles and centerpieces that came attached to the unifying paperwork. Or at least, that’s how it seemed. 

“Mmhm, that they are~” Jervis nodded, happy to see Jonathan’s involvement with their wedding. He couldn’t help smiled up at his fiancee, it was going to be fun planning their wedding. “They also tend to match.”