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 Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2021 5:27 am
Jace just huffed, and his face felt warm but he wasn't sure why. Maybe because he'd been oblivious to the affection between the two both before and after they became a thing.
He didn't want to tell Q that he couldn't remember the last time he'd actually taken an extended break, or did more than just stand in a steaming shower and pretend like that was self-care. He hadn't even been crocheting anything, not that they knew anything about that.
His eyes trailed to his bed, where there was a box of supplies neatly, perfectly, hidden. Nothing to worry about.
"I won't complain about the spa," he relented. Nor would he complain about not having to watch his brother get all kissy with Nelson, which was something he was trying to come to terms with without actually imagining it or, God forbid, actually see it.
Wouldn't complain about spending time with Holden, either. A pang of guilt settled in the pit of his stomach and he leaned back. He'd been chewing on the sandwich, both to appease her and settle his appetite. "...Holden is taking it easy, right? When you say he didn't come because 'something came up', you don't mean something bad, right? Does he need help, or rescue, or something?"
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Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2021 10:44 am
“He is… I’ve checked in, I figured you might ask.” She arched an eyebrow at him like maybe he might read more into that than he was. “Just check-ups, minimize any scars, see if everything is doing what it should.” she nodded. ‘I think his brother would have him tied up in bubble wrap if he thought he wasn’t being careful enough.” She added. “When I stopped by, there were enough books on the subject to stock a small library. He might start giving lectures with some authority if people say anything negative about the topic.” She smirked at the thought. “I almost hope someone does. I imagine there might even be a headlock involved with the lecture.”
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Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2021 6:15 pm
Q knew him will, of course, because now that Jace had seen his brother paired off with someone from their group it meant that the rest of them were bound to want to test the waters.
Callan wasn't Q's type, probably, but Jace wasn't stupid enough to think that he understood her or her preferences. They had enough in common--health things, at least. And they were overprotective of their siblings. But Callan was big and loud and didn't have enough spikes or eyeliner.
...And Holden was the perfect mixture of clever and creative and compassionate, small enough to hold and fit in your arms, but big enough to have your back if you needed it. Sweet, and silly, and a breath of fresh air. And a little cowardly, easily spooked enough that you knew how much it meant to him when you wrapped your arms around him to let him know it was okay. Beautiful and handsome, put together, determined. So likeable. Sneaky, because sometimes he said something that seemed just a little too deep.
And his heart was so big.
...Of course Q would check in. Of course Holden would trust her with those things. Q was sharp and clever and hid her emotions behind a stony mask, but he knew how deep she cared. She was fearless and driven and hid her kindness behind a callous mask.
...They always knew what they were doing. Q knew what Holden was up to just as much as Holden seemed keenly aware of what she was doing.
And Q had already mentioned people being oblivious before. Was she rubbing it in that he couldn't see that it was more than just Nelson and Xander? ...No, she wasn't cruel. Was she trying to let him know softly? --Was this a bribe?
He was gripping the sandwich tightly; it might as well have been a death grip and the bread crumbled under his grip. His lungs burned and he realized he hadn't taken a breath. His heart was pounding and suddenly he just felt dizzy. His face was a mask, hard to read except for the furrowed brow and faraway look.
The silence had spread for some time, and he managed an underwhelming, "Maybe."
He didn't feel much like eating, because what was he going to do with his two best friends and his brother already moved on? --Was he supposed to start dating Callan to stay relevant?
He turned to the side and very nearly threw up.
His stomach was suddenly in knots and acting sick was the last thing he wanted Q to see--although, if she thought he was contagious, maybe he could buy himself some time to compose himself and move this conversation to text messages.
"Sorry," he said, muffled beneath the hand he'd shoved over his mouth like that would stop whatever upheaval threatening him. Callan wasn't bad, he could make that wo--nope, another dry heave.
Callan wasn't the problem.
Losing everything else was.
"--Ate too fast, my bad," he said dismissively and focused on breathing. "--I'm glad he's got you to look after him. He's in good hands."
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Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2021 6:42 pm
Q arched an eyebrow at him, the sort of ‘pointed look’ that might as well have been one of her needles. She was very clearly not buying the idea that he’d eaten too fast. “… Uh-huh.” She said dryly. “Men…” She huffed with a roll of her eyes. She reached out and poked him, one manicured finger pressing against him like the ominous threat of one of her pointier and preferred weapons of choice. “You can speak your mind without me killing you, you know that right?” She said. “Throwing up in front of me, that’s a whole different ballgame though. “ She squinted at him, trying to pin down whatever terrible thought he was currently battling with. She could throw ideas into that murky depth all she wanted but it wouldn’t help if she just added to the mess. “The food can keep too…” She added still frowning.
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Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2021 8:08 am
Jace was immediately defensive and muttered, "I didn't throw up."
He lowered the sandwich again, forcefully, and tried to will the knots in his stomach to loosen.
"The food is fine. Don't poke me." He wanted to threaten that if she did, he might throw up on her, but he doubted she would appreciate or respect the threat in the same way Xander might have.
He also did not want to embarrass himself in such a way; he respected her too much to want to give her any reason to judge him.
"I ate too quickly," he repeated, with the same insistence, like that would dismiss any concerns she had. "I've got it. I'll pace myself."
He didn't try to take another bite, though, and kept his gaze trained across the room.
"I'm glad Holden's doing all right. I hated you all being gone. Felt like I never left the house."
Not unlike what he was doing now, but just knowing they were in town and reachable brought him some level of comfort.
He wondered if they'd get married first or Xander and Nelson would beat them to it, and the thought hit him so hard that he wondered if he'd just given himself a migraine. He knew it was stupid. He knew it. He needed an 'off' switch for stupid thoughts. Or, maybe his mother was right; he could suddenly see why she was always telling him to focus on studying and stop giving so much time to the other people in his life.
For all he knew, she was brokering some engagement with some prominent lawyer for him already, but that thought made him feel sicker than marrying Callan.
He wanted to swear but instead just grumbled and rubbed at his eyes with his free hand. "--Just. Don't move on without me, okay?" he blurted. "I get that I'm not around right now, but just give me another month. Okay? Just. That's all I need, and then we can all go back to the way things were, right?"
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Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2021 8:22 am
“Right, you caught on to my plans to move to Hawaii and start an acupuncture and massage clinic. I was going to leave without telling anyone to get away from all this smooching nonsense.” She intoned with such dripping sarcasm that it needed a ‘wet floor’ sign. He was such a bad liar when it came to his own feelings, sometimes she really did wonder how he was going to survive in court. Or maybe it was just that she knew him so well. “Pick a day,” She said abruptly. “A day you know it would be safe for Holden to visit. He’d love to and you probably could use a mental break again. Even if it’s a short one. I’m quite sure you can do that… S’mores thing through the window or something if you had to.” She waved her hand making a face again.
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Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2021 1:50 pm
Jace gave her an exasperated look when she talked about moving, because even if it was a joke, he was sore with the idea.
He rolled his eyes halfheartedly and let them settle on the marshmallows he'd place on the desk. He considered his options for a moment before his eyes returned to her face. "I don't know. Tuesday. Sometime after breakfast and before dinner. Mom and dad both have court that day, and I don't have any assignments due on Tuesday or Wednesday. So. I could even go to bed at a semi-normal time on Monday and, you know."
He fussed with his too-tightly tied up hair and tried to muss it up a bit. "I could even be presentable by then, I guess. But if he's busy, it's fine. Don't bully him into it."
It was far enough away that he could get some work done, but close enough that he couldn't be blamed for putting it off or making excuses. And he wanted to see Holden, even if he was obviously dating Q and they were madly in love, and it was only a matter of time before they really did move to Hawaii so she could start her acupuncture and massage clinic.
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Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2021 5:48 pm
I won’t have to bully him at all. I’d be amazed if he doesn’t grow wings and fly here.” She replied with a shake of the head. “It’s not as though he’s ever needed more reason than you being home to come to visit.” She shook her head and eyed him. It was a very good thing she didn’t know what he was thinking. Otherwise, she’d have very likely sought out something to smack sense into him with.
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Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2021 6:20 am
Jace just shrugged, an almost childlike gesture, but his face was too grouchy to ever pass for something so innocent.
"I guess," he huffed, and finally managed to settle himself for long enough to take another bite of his sandwich. He sighed and leaned back, propping his back against his desk.
"I'm just worried about things being different, I guess." He didn't like admitting that he was worried, but. This was Q. She'd figure it out. He didn't know how, but she'd know, eventually, and it was easier to just get that out now.
That was, at least, one of the easier things to get off his chest.
"...And secrets. Xander wasn't even going to tell me about him and Nelson until after my test, but that's a month away. What if the rest of you start hiding things because you think I can't handle it? Because, I can," he said pointedly, as if challenging her to reveal her hidden relationship too.
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Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2021 8:03 am
“I can at least promise that I am not hiding anything. I mean, other than my needles.” She added and shook her head. “As far as I know, Holden isn’t either. So if he’s got a secret he’s hidden it from us both. I know you can handle things. Xander is just your brother. He keeps in worries the same way you do. It’s not till you poke at them that you push them into the light.”
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Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2021 1:47 pm
Jace huffed but found it difficult to raise his eyes to meet hers again. He didn't like being wrong, didn't like feeling like he was on a moving platform that was spinning too fast to control. He forced a shrug and leaned back, hoping that if he went through the movements, he could force a new reality.
"Holden's probably really good at hiding secrets though. Bet you are, too. But. I also trust you, so." He also didn't want to see those needles make an appearance. "Don't poke me, any problems I have aren't even important enough. I've just got a lot on my plate and," he shrugged. "...It'll pass."
He sounded determined then, because he had to be. Because they had to pass.
"And in a few months, it'll be just me, nagging you, and I'll be the one dragging you out for food, or dropping things off to make sure you're not working too hard. So, you'll get what you give, just remember that. And I really don't want to be the one that has to drop by your place with ominous threats about taking care of yourself. I think you might take them worse than I do."
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Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2021 12:13 pm
“UUuuugh Do not remind me.” She groaned and rubbed at her face. “Also you should share your problems anyhow, you’d think an amputated LIMB wasn’t problem enough because you’re tough and stubborn.” She scolded. She wouldn’t deny that she too had a similar disposition if confronted either. She took a breath and let it out. “How’s your sister doing? It’s been a while since I saw her.” She glanced away, trying to sound casual.
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Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2021 5:42 pm
Jace just huffed, because he was stubborn, and he was tough, and he wasn't going to bring any more trouble into someone's life if he could help it. He wouldn't voice it, but he expected to be strong for himself and for them, because even if he didn't know how to ask for help, he knew how to help. Even if he didn't always act like it.
If he was missing a limb, he suspected everyone would already be worried so the only logical thing to do would have been to pretend like it was fine, anyway.
"Eh?" he scratched at his chin contemplatively. "It has been a while, hasn't it? She hasn't been home in a while."
Lucky.
"You should FaceTime her. I know there's a time zone difference but," he shrugged, "She's doing well." He didn't seem to think it was anything more than normal conversation and even relaxed a bit, taking another bite before continuing, "Might be back in town for a bit, soon. Not sure. You've got her number, do you two text? She'd probably love to hear from you. You know how sentimental she is."
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Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2021 6:06 pm
“I wouldn’t want to bother her.” She said, still glancing away. “I’m glad she’s doing well though.” She added hastily. She reached back to push a strand of hair behind her ear. “I’d probably text her at some…really awful hour. Does she like Spas? Maybe we could include her in those plans.” She pulled at one of the many piercings in her ears. Probably… eventually… One of the secrets she’d have to share was a crush on his sister. But it was just a crush, so… it wasn’t like it was -real- right? ugh, she really should tell him, especially after Xander and Nelson. She huffed out a soft sigh and tried not to meet his gaze. "So... Hypothetically..." She started cautiously.
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Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2021 6:22 pm
Jace chewed suspiciously on his sandwich, only now actually feeling full. He wrapped the rest of it up to save for later.
"Don't think that would be a bother, she'd probably like the attention," he said slowly, one brow raised. Q wasn't usually so...
What was this emotion, shy?
"If it was a really late hour, she'll just sleep through it and get back to you whenever she can. I mean, she might like the spa? She's hard on herself, so anything that could pamper her would probably be appreciated." He didn't know, it's not like he planned spa dates with his sister or sat around talking about moisturizing or letting strangers rub their hands over them, or sit under rocks, or whatever the whole spa thing entailed.
"So, hypothetically," he repeated, something of a question, despite him trying to put it all together. "She'd probably enjoy some girl time. Or," he gestured vaguely, almost helplessly. "I don't know what that's called. But she'd be happy to be included, I'm sure."
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