MY GREATEST WEAKNESS? OCCASIONALLY I GIVE A DAMN.

“Sure was. Figured the flash would capture the face I was looking for. Mostly shocked, mixed in with a good ol’ helping of what the fuck and discomfort. It’ll be a great shot, I’ll make sure to send you a copy.” The smile she sent his way could be best described as cheeky, easing into something moreso resembling a smirk after a beat or two passed. “You’re a shit stalker then,” she commented as she adjusted the camera strap around her neck to make sure it wouldn’t go crashing to the ground when she let go of the camera. “Didn’t even find where I was staying. Which is disappointing, considering you made some legal-ese comments in regards to my lease. I can give you some pointers, considering following people is kinda what I do for a living. And you clearly need the help.” Leaving the joke there, Jessica shifted closer to lean into his space, attempting to peek into the bag that he had. “Whatcha got?”

“Still one of the top five highlights. Not my finest moment, but definitely memorable. Something I like to look back on. Definitely made an impression in a very Jessica Jones type of way.” With her drink finished, Jessica reached into her jacket pocket for her wallet and the pack of cigarettes inside; from the latter, she pulled a cigarette out and tucked it behind her ear and left her lighter on the bartop for the moment. “They spoke a little bit of English. Enough to get the price across and the sign heres all done and taken care of. Looks like they might be getting used to Americans.” Which Jessica would say might be more of a curse than a blessing, but that could be her own personal bias speaking. “I’m just sticking to a hostel for now, figure I’ll play things by ear on how long I’ll be here and shit, find something more long term if I gotta.” There was a pointed stare there, directed at her friend - her presence in Sokovia was all due to Karen after all, and Jessica was still unsure of how long she’d be in Sokovia. Still confused as to why in the hell she’d actually gotten on the goddamn plane, too. “I’m sure it’s fine. You’ve seen my apartment back home.”

... “Very true, I can used as a bad example. Hey kids, don’t be like Jessica Jones - she drinks vodka for breakfast and once threw up on Thor’s shoes. It’s a bad look.” Jessica tipped her glass in Karen’s direction before taking another drink, finishing it and setting it down. The ...several drinks she’d had were enough to kick off her evening, and she had made sure to find a liquor store once she’d gotten a few other things out of the way. She’d had already made a stop and delivered the good back home. Enough for a few days while Jessica got feeling...some semblance of settled. “Your instincts are just as good as mine when it comes to shit like this, so trust ‘em. You should let me come poke around your apartment too, make sure everything’s good. Well, up to my standards of good. And I’m not saying that as an excuse to crash, I’ve already gotten somewhere set up.” A hostel for now, with plans to secure a short-term apartment down the line. “Which is remarkable, considering I had to nod and smile my way through all of that.”

The flash from the camera was obnoxious and absolutely unnecessary - in fact, she’d turned it on purposefully once she’d spotted him (considering, y’know, having a flash on when one is trying to take photos inconspicuously on job-related-business is a big no no, private investigating 101). But the urge to be cheeky was too strong as she’d filtered her way through the crowds in town once she’d spotted him, firing off three quick photos to have the flash go off in his face. “‘Sup, Lang?” There was a big grin behind the camera as she lowered it, turning off the flash before letting it hang from the strap around her neck. “Are you stalking me now?” Two run ins in just a few weeks, more than she’d seen him in ...well, in a decade. “Only fair considering I definitely internet-stalked you for a few years.” And had stopped right before things had gotten interesting, apparently.

... “Scott Lang: Sokovian expert and...contract expert?” Jessica’s eyebrows furrowed together as she shot him another amused glance. “Is this your subtle way of trying to get to see me again? It totally is. My instincts are never off about shit like this.” Except for when they were, which wasn’t...uncommon. She just wasn’t about to bring that up out loud.  “But either way, yeah sure. Doesn’t really matter to me either way because I’m not even sure of how long I’m going to be in town, anyway. I think it was a three month lease, but it might not even be that long. New York is forever a-callin’, you know how it is.”

TASTE. coffee in the morning. tea in the evening. bubblegum that lost its flavor. alcohol burning the back of your throat. homemade cooking, no matter what’s made. blood in your mouth. stale air. mint. fresh vegetables. that processed taste of citrus candy. the first meal you cook by yourself that tastes good. foreign sweets. fast food. bittersweet. sour. spicy. sweet. bitter. too much salt on fries.

cold drinks after a long day, hiking in the woods just outside the city, swimming in a lake, spontaneous picnics, the warmth of the sun making you drowsy, the buzz of insects flying by,  blooming wildflowers, the scent of bark and leaves, snapping twigs in half, a blade of grass between your teeth, light sunburn on the tip of your nose, barking dogs, rosy cheeks, children laughing in the distance, sunflowers reaching for the sun, fresh ice tea, resting your head on someone’s lap, warm yellow, the sound of waves crashing, cool breezes that feel just right, piles of leaves, rust red, oversized sweaters, knitted blankets, pumpkin spice, the scent of freshly baked goods, open windows letting the fresh air in, cold cheeks and hands, rain boots, carving pumpkins, soft scarves, a comforting embrace from an old friend, the scent right before a storm, wild mushrooms, ripening berries, a cup of hot tea, purring cats, blueberry muffins, braided hair, wearing your partner’s shirts, an alarm pulling you from slumber, burning candles, the crackling of a fireplace, hot chocolate with marshmallows, the smell of fresh cookies, fuzzy socks, beanies pulled over your ears, a strong pot of coffee, dark clouds gathering on the horizon, the sound of wind shaking the house, melting ice, snowflakes in your hair, melancholy afternoons, curling up with a book while the world stands still, cough drops on the nightstand, excitedly giving gifts, long coats with deep pockets, pale blues, flour on the tip of your nose, warm soup, stubble turning into a beard, the scent of leather, the smell after it rains, waking to the sound of birds singing, the crack of thunder, soft pinks, energy drinks or protein shakes, the scent of fabric softener, tidying up, the sweet taste of fresh fruit, competitive spark in eyes, sand beneath your feet, sweat on your brow, catching your breath after running, light green, frosted cupcakes, electricity in the air, forbidden kisses, the sharp hunger after a work out, daring romances, high ponytails, unexpected storms, picking flowers, running barefoot in the grass, iced coffee

a long journey  -  a feeling of raw energy  -  putting a name to something unknown  -  an elaborate patchwork  -  unexpected catastrophes -  unexpected blessings  -  vivid dreams  -  sudden awakenings  -  the feeling of shedding your skin  -  the echoes in holy places  -  bright lights  -  deep shadows  -  feeling the earth move beneath your feet  -  wandering in museums  - the strange clarity of moonlight -  thunder and lightning  -  an unfamiliar road  -  coming back to the place you started as an entirely different person - being overwhelmed by emotion  -  finding something to celebrate every day  -  finding something to mourn every day  -  connecting with others  -  the scent of ocean air  - making food for your friends when they’re stressed  -  the remembrance of something lost  -  sublime confusion  -  cool colours  -  a cozy cafe -  a bustling bar  -  calm waters, hidden depths -  getting tipsy in the afternoon  - summer rain -  comfy sweaters  -  flowing skirts  -  a house by the sea  -  deep conversations after midnight - the scent of spices and dark wood  -  making something just for the sake of creation  -  dry heat -  crackling fire  -  a bolt of inspiration  - refusing to apologize for your passion  -  stubborn optimism  -  taking on more than you can handle  -  hot tea  -  warm colours  -  getting up early -  staying up late  -  bright fire, fast burnout  -  tacky thrift store finds worn with the utmost confidence  -  the thrill of starting a new project  -  spring storms  -  hotel rooms  -  perpetual restlessness - the scent of rich soil after a rain  -  hard and diligent work - solid ground, strong foundations -  the satisfaction of a long-awaited payoff  -  generosity that comes with a catch  -  work boots and heavy jeans  -  silk and jewels  -  resting on your laurels  -  seeing your work through to the end  -  harvest time  -  fresh bread and rich soup  -  earth tones  -  jewel tones  -  a lush garden  -  sunlight through the trees  -  dark chocolate  -  a home in the farmlands  -  a sprawling house in the old part of the city - the scent of fresh air  - focusing on the intellectual at the expense of the emotional - freshly fallen snow  - burying yourself in action  - tending to your own wounds -  a foreseeable disaster -  crisply tailored suits  -  starkly elegant dresses  - refusing to admit defeat -  cold air, clear thoughts -  old hurts -  fresh starts  -  overthinking your overthinking  -  the harsh glow of street lamps  - black coffee -  a cabin in the mountains  -  an apartment downtown  -  the quiet before the dawn.

“Never met someone that turns down a free drink but hey, whatever you say.” Cigarette lit between her lips, she stuffed her free hand into the pocket of her jacket as the other came up to snag the cigarette and pull it out of her mouth for an exhale. “I don’t get in the habit of making friends, let alone doing favors for them. This is definitely a first.” Not necessarily true. Jessica gave a damn each and every time something pulled on her stupid fucking heartstrings, but sometimes it was easy to drown that urge away. It wasn’t easy to do that when it came to Karen. Her list of friends was short, just how she liked it, and that made it even harder to say no when friendship called. “Could’ve been better, too. Could’ve been Hawaii.” Cigarette back in her mouth, Jessica shrugged at his question and pondered it over for a minute before speaking again, exhaling smoke as she did. “I try to stay out of the supershit. Not really my scene, way above my paygrade.” 

“You definitely did catch me off guard, which definitely earns you kudos on its own. I like to pride myself on being on my A-game at all times.” She might be a little off and for a few reasons - jet lag, being out of her element, running into Scott Lang. A lot to happen in a short amount of time when she was so used to her consistent routine back in New York. “Snagged myself a crappy apartment in town. Not quite as crappy as the one I’ve become very attached to back in Hell’s Kitchen, which was a pleasant surprise. Signed what I think is a three month lease, but I’ll be honest and admit I don’t speak a single fuckin’ word of Sokovian and have no idea. Either way, don’t even know if I’ll be here that long but it’ll get the job done.”

“I am absolutely self-aware. Part of my charm. Might be the only good thing about me most days, and I am self aware enough to realize this.” Jessica raised her glass in mock toast to that, finishing the contents in one slightly-too-large-gulp before flagging down the bartender for a refill. She rolled her eyes once at the comment on how her behaviors may not be good for Karen’s heart, waving a hand. “I’ve slept worse places. You’d be terrified to hear about my very brief college days. I’ll save those stories.” Idly trailing a finger around the damp edge of her glass as she listened to Karen, Jessica was already planning at least one visit to Karen’s place of work for an assortment of reasons. Her friend’s story made her nervous at the very least, absolutely suspicious (well, more suspicious than usual anyway) and she was going to make sure that her friend was safe. Some poking around definitely wouldn’t hurt. “Yeah, plan on it. Not like I have anything else to do, considering I flew across the world for you.”

bonfires, competitiveness, hand veins, loud laughs, messy hair, sneaking out at 2am, abandoned beaches, stray dogs, candle lights, body language, creaking floorboards, ouija boards, having no regrets, karaoke nights out. house plants, oversized sweaters, soft hands, fuzzy socks, visiting big cities, snoozing your alarm clock, the colour yellow, vanilla-scented candles, aloe vera, fruit smoothies, baking cookies, the mom friend, loves the ukulele. femme fatale movies, in love with female villains, sharp eyeliner, quick-witted, does things out of spite, do no harm but take no shit, in love with dogs, probably cries during sad movies but won’t admit it, easily excited, ripped jeans. mermaids, easily infatuated by love, smelling flowers, picnics in open fields, gets sad when thinking about the past, impressed easily, daydreaming, plucking fresh fruit, loves fashion, would die for their friends. confident in what they do, kill them with kindness, high ponytails, probably wants to visit paris once, not afraid to tell the truth, in love with cute animals, the one to lift others up, good at teamwork, the warm feeling of summer, dragons. pastel markers, the smell of lavender, has a welcoming vibe around them, actually organized, scrunchies, neat notes, love going to museums, probably into photography, neutral colors, handwritten letters, stardust. soft blankets, cuddling the ones you love, always standing up for your friends, hopeless romantic, can be very distant, can be a little dramatic, pretty hair, dresses nicely, tries to be popular on social media, optimistic, humorous. cottages in the woods, in love with greek mythology, vintage t-shirts, really emotional but doesn’t want anyone to know, determined, moonlight, pretty handwriting, into the retro aesthetic, rainy days, doesn’t judge people, cats. always ready for an adventure, street smart, wants to travel the world someday, doesn’t easily trust people, alcohol, paintbrushes, can’t sit still, untied shoelaces, tangled up earphones, blasting music at midnight, eye-gazing. cold aura, coffee is what keeps them going, probably hasn’t slept in two days, actually a big softie, high-waisted jeans, cute pet videos, small apartments, has too many notebooks, often goes to the library, writing essays. loves to paint or do any kind of art, wants to live at the seaside, knows a lot of random facts, shares food, messy notes, bullshits an entire essay, graffiti, has their own distinct style, wants to live their life like they want to. old teddy bears, unsent love letters, mom-jeans, loves to sing, feels at home by the ocean, writes poetry, hard-workers, always up for deep conversations, probably did the stupid thing, open curtains, a soft breeze.

chipped nail polish. glitter highlights. tall trees with smooth bark. tangled hair. cinnamon sugar. talking too loud and too fast. overgrown flowers in your hair. crumbling buildings reclaimed by nature. flirting. walking home at three am with no coat. platonic hand holding. blowing smoke out of your nose. dragonfly wings. chaotic good. freckles. fairy rings. secret meetings. gender nonconformity. leather. smudged eyeliner. forbidden fruit. computer errors. a shiver down your spine. haunting beauty. hard liquor. crowns of thorns. shadowed alleyways. decaying plant matter. shattered mirrors and broken glass. corrupted memories. stopped clocks. the scent of stale cigarettes. tattered black hoodies. walking your friends home. the crescent moon. the sea. a graveyard on a foggy day. cold rings on cold fingers. absolution. looking out the window of an airplane. soft kisses. graffiti. pretending to know what you’re doing. worn paperback books. growing up too fast. parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme. lace and combat boots. moth wings. candles on every surface. a weathered deck of cards. turning the music up. fireflies in jars. calloused fingers. drawing on your skin. sunlight filtering through clouds. petrichor. a dying rose in a jar. wearing a crystal pendant. illusions of spells. black cats. mint gum. chapped lips. dirt under your fingernails. the cycle of life and death. murders of crows. frostbitten leaves. wolves howling at midnight. knocking on your door. leaving food out for stray animals. the twang of an acoustic guitar. honey. tiny red buds on trees. claw marks on the walls. golden eyes. slightly too-long stubble. knitted fingerless gloves. sleeping on the forest floor. always finding your way back home.

“My judgement is impeccable, thank you. My job,” and sometimes life, “depends on it. I tend to dish out more than I receive, though. Sarcasm is my first language most days.” Shrugging on her jacket, Jessica raised an eyebrow as he left the money on the counter for their drinks. “Thanks. Guess I owe you own.” Owing someone was not something she tended to enjoy, but his company had been fine enough that she wouldn’t hate buying him another drink sometime. Jessica laughed out loud at the mere suggestion of working for the government, and shook her head. “Sure as shit don’t. Couldn’t pay me enough to work for any government. Privately owned, one-woman business here. Most of my work is tracking down cheating husbands and runaway teenagers and I am totally fine with that.” It paid the bills, kept her mind busy, wasn’t too serious. “Nah, I’m here on favor to a friend.” She’d like to say she was just passing through, but she wasn’t sure about that yet. She huffed out another laugh as she pulled that carton of cigarettes out of her pocket, tucking one between her lips. “It’s gonna be a fight between the booze and the cigarettes on what takes me out first. Aliens would definitely be a surprise.”

There was a slight heat to her cheeks that she couldn’t quite blame on the alcohol. (She’d try, though. She would definitely try, even if she was pretty sure she hadn’t flushed from drinking in something like a decade.) She felt it rise, high in her face, as she leaned into the touch of his hand on her face. It was difficult to wrap her head around just how this had happened; running into Scott at all would have been surprising, let alone in another country. Adding kissing him to the list made it all feel like some fever dream, and shit, maybe it was. Maybe the rye liquor was stronger than she’d given it credit for. She had unconsciously leaned forward as though to chase another kiss when he’d pulled away, but she forced composure as he spoke again. She huffed out a bit of a laugh, tongue darting out to moisten her lower lip. “No fuss kicked up here,” she admitted after a moment. “I’ve definitely had worse kisses from worse guys in somehow worse bars.”