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 Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2021 5:02 am
“Hell yeah, we. You’re going to be going with me if we go to one of the nerd fests. I’ll make you dress up too. We’ll go all the way.” Jaina cackled suddenly, picturing Jett in the classic slave Leia costume, and the thought was both hilarious and a little disturbing.
“Ah, I mean...isn’t it a ton of money to rent out a theater? I’m really not worth all of that...but I really do appreciate the thought, Jett, seriously…”
Jaina closed her eyes and seemed to deflate slightly. “You know...I don’t think I would have...survived this without you...I know I’ve been super moody but...I really…” She swallowed. “I’m pretty sure that the fact that you found me is what kept me going. Like. Living...if we’re going to be honest. It really sucked. But...I’ll try to find some friends...I don’t...want you to have to worry about me. You have enough on your plate…”
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Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2021 6:48 am
Jett didn’t have enough time to appreciate her cackle, though he was a bit concerned that he actually didn’t want to know whatever it was that she thought was so funny. Her mood shifted, but it didn’t drive him away.
He was a little better at consoling people, maybe, than he was a few years ago. His wife hadn’t walked out on him, and he was pretty okay at getting the girl’s to calm down when they were upset.
He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and gave her a squeeze.
“I’m always going to worry about you. Can’t help it, you’re family. I’ve noticed you not feeling so well but I’m not the best with, you know. Emotion things. But I wanted you to know that you were wanted here,” he said, glancing at the basket. “I wanted to cheer you up. If that means going to a nerd fest with you, or dropping a few dollars to rent out a theater--those things don’t matter to me. You do. So I don’t want you to think that you’re bothering me, or that I have ‘enough on my plate’. I don’t care if it’s the middle of the night. If you’re having a bad time and don’t want to be alone, come get me. We can get ice cream, sit on the roof, talk. Whatever it is, I’m here for you. And if you need help, we’ll get it. I’m proud of you for talking about it. I know it’s hard.”
He couldn’t even talk about normal emotions, usually he just dealt with them himself--usually by going off and punching something.
“You’re not alone though, Jaina. I’ll always have time for you. No matter how many friends you make.”
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Posted: Sat May 01, 2021 8:22 am
His words made her feel really warm, and Jaina nodded, resting against Jett for a long moment. “...You make me feel like a family...and honestly. You’re the biggest reason I don’t leave...that I don’t go back...I’m not...not sure I could stand losing you. And Raven and the kids…? I...I know I’m miserable sometimes now but...I’d be a whole other kind of mess if I didn’t have you in my life. You’re the best older brother anyone could ever have…”
She meant it too, and she didn’t want to keep making him worry...that was the very last thing in the world that she wanted.
“I’ll...think about the getting help thing...and I’ll work on making friends...maybe...I’ll try and start patrolling...see what mischief I can get up to...just like...old times or whatever…”
Jaina paused and gave him a sly smile. “...Or I could always just use you for practice. Just like old times. Encase you in a watermelon? Wouldn’t that be fun?”
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Posted: Sat May 01, 2021 10:31 am
Jett paused, and something about the way she had worded it really registered with him. Really registered. Big Brother hit him, hard, in a way he didn’t really even understand. He gave her a tighter hug even as he scoffed.
“Encase me in a watermelon if you could catch me. You should come with me into Mirrorspace sometime,” he suggested. “You don’t have to go out and patrol alone if you don’t want, I can go with you to get you back into things. But Mirrorspace,” he tilted his head. “There’s a lot in there that’s unexplored. We could probably get into some mischief together. I’ve been looking for a good partner. Raven and I don’t get to go out together with the kids, but to be honest, I know she’d rather be home anyway. And I trust you, I know you’ve got a good heart. We should see what we could find? And who, too. Might make some extra friends along the way.”
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Posted: Sat May 01, 2021 10:46 am
“And the real treasure was the friendships made along the way~” Jaina snorted and nodded, reaching to take some more food, a little surprised to find that she was actually hungry for once...even if it was just a little bit. “Yeah, that sounds like a plan. We can go exploring...I think you’re right about Raven though, she’s such a good mom, I’ll tell you that much. I think she’d be more than happy to leave all of this powered stuff behind…”
In some ways, Jaina couldn’t blame her. It would make it easier...just building a new life as a civilian. She could do it...it would suck, but she could do it...but.
“I’d really like going out with you. Tell me when we’ll go and I’ll be there. And if I’m not….it’s not like you don’t know where to find me. Since you know….”
Jaina smirked, taking another bite. “...I live here.”
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Posted: Sat May 01, 2021 1:23 pm
Jett cracked a grin. “That, you do. And you’re welcome to more of the house than just your room, you know,” he said, reaching over to steal a french fry. He opened his own burger finally, and took a bite.
“The same goes to you, you know. You know where to find me. So if you ever want to go out, if anything ever strikes your fancy and you want company, just let me know. I mean, don’t wake me up at three in the morning,” he said, squinting at her. “...Unless it’s a really good idea”
He grinned though, because to be honest--even if she’d just wanted burgers and a milkshake, he’d still drag himself out of bed. “You and me will set something up soon, we’ll go power up and see what we can find. And even if we don’t find anything, we’ll at least have good company, fair?”
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Posted: Sat May 01, 2021 2:41 pm
Jaina nodded and grabbed a burger herself, grinning and gnawing on it. “Yeah. No, I like that. Thank you, Jett. I needed this today...I...seriously. Thank you for all of it.”
She was quiet for a moment and then stuffed more burger into her mouth than would fit, fully intending to just drown out this…emotional talk with eating. Eating was easy.
And maybe...sometime soon...being happy would become easy again too.
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