“This was awful, thank you for sharing.” [for jay ofc !!]
❛ Always. I gotta keep my skills sharp, y’know ? ❜
Jay leans back against the heels of his palms, the insouciant grin at his lips closer to genuine than most of his more wicked grins have been in a long time. The voice in the back of his mind hasn’t silenced itself -- it persists, the quiet but almost desperate need to keep the line in sight at all times. To know what crosses it and what doesn’t and keep himself and all of that roiling, restless energy dutifully behind it. After all, it’s a practical thing, to understand the rules of the game you’re playing. Particularly when surviving means abiding by them.
But he sees Mal from his periphery and that small voice grows smaller, retreats for a moment to open up a world of possibility in front of him that never seems closer or more feasible than when they are together. As if it’s this moment, just this one, where they’re untouchable. Enough to indulge in something that skirts the line of proper and good.
Like a little gossip at others’ expense.
His laugh is sharp, too, buoyed by the fact that he totally recognizes the tone of Mal’s voice -- that, too, more familiar and more genuine than he’s heard in so long. The difference is striking, and these newly soft parts of himself that he doesn’t quite know what to do with stir with something like -- empathy or care or something like that. But for now, all he does is let himself fall into her sharp edges and dry wit.
❛ Hang onto your horses, because there’s a sequel -- ❜
// try guys meme time & accepting & @bornefae
