The apartment was unusually quiet.
The kind that settled after an argument had already started but neither person wanted to admit they were actually upset.
Johnny stood near the kitchen counter with his arms folded tightly across his chest, sunglasses still on despite being indoors.
Which was always a bad sign.
Jack stood across from him, visibly confused.
“…I still do not understand why you are angry.”
Johnny immediately pointed at him.
Jack’s eyebrows pulled together slightly.
Johnny groaned dramatically before turning away for a second, running a hand through his hair.
“This is exactly what I mean, man!”
“You are speaking very loudly.”
“Because I’m frustrated!”
Jack stared at him carefully.
Johnny spun back toward him.
“A conversation I couldn’t understand!”
Then realization slowly crossed his face.
Johnny pointed accusingly again.
“You and that guy were standing there talking in Japanese for like twenty minutes!”
A dangerous silence followed.
Johnny lowered his hand slowly.
“…Okay, wow. That somehow made it worse.”
Jack looked genuinely baffled now.
“There was nothing inappropriate about the conversation.”
“I don’t speak Japanese, Jack!”
Johnny exhaled sharply through his nose.
“You were laughing and talking and I’m just standing there like some idiot trying to figure out if you’re discussing ancient philosophy or planning to dump me.”
Jack’s expression softened slightly at that.
“She was an old classmate.”
Johnny crossed his arms tighter.
“She asked about my travels.”
“And whether you were truly as loud as I described.”
Jack remained perfectly serious.
“And yet you are still here.”
Jack stepped closer carefully.
The frustration in Johnny’s posture remained, but underneath it—
There was something smaller.
“…You felt excluded,” Jack said finally.
Johnny looked away immediately.
Jack watched him silently for a moment.
That was unexpectedly fast.
“I did not realize it would upset you.”
Johnny’s shoulders loosened slightly.
Johnny rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.
“I dunno, man.” His voice dropped quieter. “You looked… comfortable.”
Jack tilted his head slightly.
Johnny frowned immediately.
“Wow. Cool. Awesome. Great—”
“With an old friend,” Jack interrupted gently.
Jack stepped closer again.
“…Not more comfortable than I am with you.”
Jack’s expression remained calm, but softer now.
“…You are important to me,” he said quietly. “In every language.”
Then immediately looked away.
“…Okay, see, now that’s not fair.”
“You can’t just say stuff like that when I’m trying to stay mad at you.”
For the first time that evening—
Johnny pointed at him dramatically.
“Oh, don’t do that little smile thing either. I’m serious.”
“…You are very jealous for someone who claims confidence.”
“…I’m just also emotionally dramatic.”
“…That,” Jack admitted quietly, “is true.”
Johnny narrowed his eyes.
But he still moved closer anyway.
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