[and it's only a few minutes before jack shows up. despite his earlier ideas, he brought a gift that he hopes kieren really can appreciate - a plant, already flowering.
he knocks at the door, speaking up a moment after.]
[Kieren is wearing a pair of jeans and a shirt and a hoodie. Not really anything special, but it's comfortable. Besides, they aren't going out, right? He's turned the heat on, too, so it isn't cold in the apartment--at least, for Jack.
Opening the door, he blinks at the plant, smiling softly.]
Well, I hope you aren't going to eat that.
[A little tease. Still.]
Thanks for comin'. It looks really pretty. [No comment on smell, because, well, he can't smell it.]
[Jack has learned to dress more casually himself - no suits, no uniform, no clothes tailored just for him. He saw a guy wearing the same shirt that he was wearing the other day - it was an experience.]
No, I think it's one of those carnivorous plants. [It looks pretty, and it smells pretty too. All the better to attract tiny little victims. Jack steps across the threshold with a smile.] Thanks for inviting me. How's everything in the city treating you so far?
Really? [Kieren smiles softly at that.] I think I like it even better then. Not that--that sounds bad. But I think plants that can do more than just be beautiful are really interesting.
[He shakes his head, worrying he's already putting his foot in his mouth. Still, he closes the door, and gestures towards the couch as he goes to put the plant in his bedroom.]
It's good? I've really only had one negative experience so far. I'm really surprised how welcoming everyone is. [He comes back in the living room, smiling nervously.]
[About the plant. And it's the truth. A plant with teeth is Jack's kind of plant.]
What kind of negative experience? [Jack frowns, a little surprised. He can't say that he's had that happen and he's, well, he can be a bit of a smartass. Which is why Kieren's last statement surprises him in its own way too, softening his expression.] You've made it easy.
It doesn't matter. I told him off, so he knows what he did that was wrong. [Kieren puts up with a lot--he always has. But the guy poking fun at emasculation and the fact he can't physically perform upset him.]
Have I?
[He glances over at Jack, flushing.] I dunno about that. I mean--I don't want to be difficult, but I didn't know I was easy.
[Sometimes Jack likes to fight, but cuddle city doesn't offer a lot of opportunities so far. He laughs, wondering if Kieren really meant that the way that it sounds. Either way, it was funny.]
There are very few people like you where I'm from. Honest. Trusting. For a long time I didn't even believe that those kinds of people really existed.
[Kieren's brow pulls down over his eyes, a little bemused look hitting his face as he looks up at Jack.]
You're serious.
[But it's clear that he is. Letting out a breath he didn't need, Kieren stands up and steps forward, holding himself a little awkwardly. Luckily there isn't really any need to move anything--he has a coffee table, but besides that and the couch, there isn't really anything else in the living room.
[He quirks the little joke, squeezing Jack's shoulder gently and struggles to find to do with the other one, but then settles his cold hand in Jack's, because hey, that'show they do it in the movies. Kieren steps forward, trying to ignore the hobble in his step from his bowed leg, which will never heal.]
Probably should have put on some music. Why did you have to learn to dance, anyways?
[jack isn't always the nicest person, so spending time with a guy he can't sleep with should feel more like a waste of time. but there's something vulnerable about kieren that he can't help but like, and there's no pressure when he's in his company.]
My mother was always arranging celebrations, banquets. She did it because she knew all eye would be on us, and it wouldn't do for a prince to be a poor dancer.
[Kieren really worries that people are hanging out with him because of pity, or morbid curiosity. The 'sex' thing, despite being told here that cuddling is fine, is a hang up--because he isn't an idiot. He knows that's the end game for most people, and he can't do that.
He is learning to have more self worth--and he had that, before coming here. Now, he's just questioning it, slightly.]
Wait--you're a prince?
[Kieren is surprised by that and trips over his feet, and almost crashes them both to the ground. Damn it.]
[jack's about to say something else, but then kieren stumbles, and he braces himself to keep them both upright. he gives his hand a squeeze.]
I'm not anything.
[not now, not anymore, and certainly not here. a part of him still hates that fact. it's heartbreaking and terrifying and makes jack question his own value more often than anyone will ever know. his entire life feels like a waste, all his work and sacrifice for nothing. once, not so long ago, he was sure that the only thing left for him was to die.
but it can also feel refreshing, if he lets it in. because here people spend time in his company, they talk to and dance with him, and it isn't because they think he can do something for them. jack lowers his head and takes a heavy breath.]
[it's the squeeze of kieren's hand that helps, that cracks jack's moment of self-pity enough to let his words get in. it does sound like something he would say, jack recognizes that already. so he also believes kieren when he says he knows how it feels, maybe the most out of everyone that jack's met so far.
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he knocks at the door, speaking up a moment after.]
It's me.
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Opening the door, he blinks at the plant, smiling softly.]
Well, I hope you aren't going to eat that.
[A little tease. Still.]
Thanks for comin'. It looks really pretty. [No comment on smell, because, well, he can't smell it.]
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No, I think it's one of those carnivorous plants. [It looks pretty, and it smells pretty too. All the better to attract tiny little victims. Jack steps across the threshold with a smile.] Thanks for inviting me. How's everything in the city treating you so far?
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[He shakes his head, worrying he's already putting his foot in his mouth. Still, he closes the door, and gestures towards the couch as he goes to put the plant in his bedroom.]
It's good? I've really only had one negative experience so far. I'm really surprised how welcoming everyone is. [He comes back in the living room, smiling nervously.]
I mean, you've been really great, so far.
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[About the plant. And it's the truth. A plant with teeth is Jack's kind of plant.]
What kind of negative experience? [Jack frowns, a little surprised. He can't say that he's had that happen and he's, well, he can be a bit of a smartass. Which is why Kieren's last statement surprises him in its own way too, softening his expression.] You've made it easy.
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It doesn't matter. I told him off, so he knows what he did that was wrong. [Kieren puts up with a lot--he always has. But the guy poking fun at emasculation and the fact he can't physically perform upset him.]
Have I?
[He glances over at Jack, flushing.] I dunno about that. I mean--I don't want to be difficult, but I didn't know I was easy.
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[Sometimes Jack likes to fight, but cuddle city doesn't offer a lot of opportunities so far. He laughs, wondering if Kieren really meant that the way that it sounds. Either way, it was funny.]
There are very few people like you where I'm from. Honest. Trusting. For a long time I didn't even believe that those kinds of people really existed.
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[He says it flippantly, like he is pretty sure that Jack is joking.]
Yeah well--I don't trust like I used to. But I still try. And technically I didn't exist for a while, so you can claim a half victory?
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[Jack purses his lips thoughtfully before shaking his head.]
No, I'm still counting it as a win.
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[That's a serious broad scope. And there has to be a reason behind it, but he isn't one to push on that.
Still, he smirks a little, white eyes soft.]
I have a feeling you'd take one ounce of anything and count it as a win.
[Not necessarily a bad thing.]
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[jack ticks them off on his fingers. that's probably not all that life's made up of, but it made up a big part of jack's.]
I like taking all of something and counting it as a win.
[he smiles and studies kieran for a moment.]
I have the feeling that you don't take enough.
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[He scrunches up his nose, shaking his head. Yeah he doesn't need to say which is which.
At the observation, though, he runs a hand through his hair, shrugging.]
Never been in my nature. Always just watched other people take and observed it all.
I mean--I did get to take a second life; that's enough, isn't it?
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[deliberately obtuse. jack remembers which one he can't do.]
I can't argue with that. [he smiles faintly at him.] But then I was given the same, without the pain of dying.
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[He gives Jack a little self-deprecating smile. He genuinely feels so bad at all of this.
He shrugs.]
Dying isn't always that painful. I felt relief, to be honest.
But if you look at his place as a second chance, I guess I'm being given a third.
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[and that gives him an idea.]
Come dancing with me. I was trained by the best, my mother saw to it.
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I'm planning on it.
[He quirks an eyebrow, but smiles. He would blush if he could but, well, dead.]
You sure? I mean, I really am bad. [He isn't saying no, though. Jack is interesting.]
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You're serious.
[But it's clear that he is. Letting out a breath he didn't need, Kieren stands up and steps forward, holding himself a little awkwardly. Luckily there isn't really any need to move anything--he has a coffee table, but besides that and the couch, there isn't really anything else in the living room.
He shakes his head, and lets out a light laugh.]
...sure. Okay. Okay.
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[it's more gentle advice than a command. he reaches for one of kieren's hands and guides it to his shoulder, his own going to the small of his back.]
You don't even have to enjoy the music, only your partner. Move with them and you'll be fine.
[jack takes a step back, guiding him along with him.]
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[He quirks the little joke, squeezing Jack's shoulder gently and struggles to find to do with the other one, but then settles his cold hand in Jack's, because hey, that'show they do it in the movies. Kieren steps forward, trying to ignore the hobble in his step from his bowed leg, which will never heal.]
Probably should have put on some music. Why did you have to learn to dance, anyways?
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[jack isn't always the nicest person, so spending time with a guy he can't sleep with should feel more like a waste of time. but there's something vulnerable about kieren that he can't help but like, and there's no pressure when he's in his company.]
My mother was always arranging celebrations, banquets. She did it because she knew all eye would be on us, and it wouldn't do for a prince to be a poor dancer.
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[Kieren really worries that people are hanging out with him because of pity, or morbid curiosity. The 'sex' thing, despite being told here that cuddling is fine, is a hang up--because he isn't an idiot. He knows that's the end game for most people, and he can't do that.
He is learning to have more self worth--and he had that, before coming here. Now, he's just questioning it, slightly.]
Wait--you're a prince?
[Kieren is surprised by that and trips over his feet, and almost crashes them both to the ground. Damn it.]
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I'm not anything.
[not now, not anymore, and certainly not here. a part of him still hates that fact. it's heartbreaking and terrifying and makes jack question his own value more often than anyone will ever know. his entire life feels like a waste, all his work and sacrifice for nothing. once, not so long ago, he was sure that the only thing left for him was to die.
but it can also feel refreshing, if he lets it in. because here people spend time in his company, they talk to and dance with him, and it isn't because they think he can do something for them. jack lowers his head and takes a heavy breath.]
I'm still trying to figure out who and what I am.
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I doubt--I doubt you're not anything. ...that sounds like something I would say, frankly.
[He smiles softly, and squeezes Jack's hand, hard enough that he can feel the pressure himself.]
I know how that feels. It's--sometimes hard, to determine who you are, between what other people think you should be, or how they see you.
You're something--I'm something. It just takes time to find out what.
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he manages a smile, a silent thank you.]
This is the point where I dip you.
[so he's going to try.]
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