[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.
[Kieren blinks, then lets out a bright laugh, not expecting the dip at all. He has to grip onto Jack, and he is very thankful he can't flush right now.]
Is it? I didn't know there was a certain time to do it.
Yeah I guess I am. Though I think it will take a few more times to get timing right.
Never been something I've been the best at.
[A little smirk; because really, he's always been right shit at timing. He is happy to see that smile on Jack's face--it seems genuine, too. For some reason he thinks that Jack isn't always the best at showing his real emotions.]
[kieren would be right about that; but it's getting harder to keep up those appearances here. there isn't a team of people working to show him at his and hide the evidence of his worst. but most of the credit goes to the friends that he's made, to kieren. so even after his line, jack returns to something more relaxed and natural.]
We can practice as much as you need. I'm personally looking forward to your public debut.
[Kieren tends to believe he hasn't; he knows that his sister is doing her best, but knowing that he was here once before, and that that Kieren already got what he wanted...it makes him feel like an impostor.
But Jack doesn't know that; he doesn't need to burden the other man with those feelings. He instead just shakes his head, laughing softly.]
I don't think I could ever dance in public like this. But--I don't mind more practice. I appreciate you wanting to waste time on it.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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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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Is it? I didn't know there was a certain time to do it.
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[Jack smiles at him before standing them both straight again. He's full of it, of course. It just seemed like a good moment for it.]
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Never been something I've been the best at.
[A little smirk; because really, he's always been right shit at timing. He is happy to see that smile on Jack's face--it seems genuine, too. For some reason he thinks that Jack isn't always the best at showing his real emotions.]
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[kieren would be right about that; but it's getting harder to keep up those appearances here. there isn't a team of people working to show him at his and hide the evidence of his worst. but most of the credit goes to the friends that he's made, to kieren. so even after his line, jack returns to something more relaxed and natural.]
We can practice as much as you need. I'm personally looking forward to your public debut.
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[Kieren tends to believe he hasn't; he knows that his sister is doing her best, but knowing that he was here once before, and that that Kieren already got what he wanted...it makes him feel like an impostor.
But Jack doesn't know that; he doesn't need to burden the other man with those feelings. He instead just shakes his head, laughing softly.]
I don't think I could ever dance in public like this. But--I don't mind more practice. I appreciate you wanting to waste time on it.