#*cl3

when leif pulls back, they know their hesitation and concern are showing. they can’t help it.

leif: please tell me my hypothesis was correct...

leif: the favour you need has something to do with... out here? i’m afraid i don’t understand.

jace doesn’t seem to know where to look, gaze moving from anywhere but leif’s face. he doesn’t answer, doesn’t dare speak, and leif frowns at the unusual behaviour.

scout: i mean that leif obviously isn’t interested in you, never has been, never will be.

gwen: ( sighs ) why is everyone so obsessed with me and leif lately?

scout: uh, because you’re obsessed with you and leif? did you just conveniently forget that you chase them around all the time?

ricky: well, i haven’t seen her do it for a long while...

jace lets out a shaky breath and leif shifts closer.

leif: can i ask... were you jealous?

jace: ...you can’t prove anything.

leif can’t help but let a small laugh bubble out of them. they don’t think they have ever seen jace pout like that before.

jace: then again, i should probably go, too, it looks like it’s gonna rain soon —

leif: — jace.

jace only stops when leif takes his hand and squeezes it. he looks between leif’s face and their joined hands in surprise.

leif: jace. why did you pull me away from gwen?

oskar: first mclean boy, look at these photos from back home! my great-grandmother sent them to me.