Room 420 [Monday - Before Workshops]

[chasingsnitches]

With his only workshop later in the day, Cedric's decided to just sleep. He'd avoided the dinosaurs, avoided just about everything really in favor of spellcasting and textbook reading.

He led an exciting life, all right?

He's halfway awake, still dozing, and very nearly comfortable.

[For someone omg]

Comments

[anextimeagent]

Unlike his trip to the Sam's, the one home saw him deposited gently - and right side up - outside the dorms. A quick stop at his room to dump his stuff, and he was jogging up the stairs to the fourth floor and down the hall.

Of course, once he got where he was going, he stopped. And stared at the door.

He was going to knock. He really was.

After about five minutes of standing outside Cedric's door like an idiot, he rolled his eyes at himself and knocked.

[chasingsnitches]

The knock woke him up and he stumbled out of his bed, rubbing at his eyes a few times to make himself look more awake.

"One moment," he called, working a hand through his hair that was largely unsuccessful. "One second."

He pulled open the door, not sure who he thought it was but the person on the other side made him pull up short. "Hello."

[anextimeagent]

Jack smiled hesitantly, when he didn't do anything hesitantly. "Hey," he replied and ran a hand through his hair. "I woke you up, didn't I?"

[chasingsnitches]

"Yes, but that's all right," he said quietly. "I wasn't completely sleep anyway. Just dozing. How are you?"

[anextimeagent]

"I'm," he rubbed a hand across his mouth, "I'm better than I was. Cedric--" He looked at the ground, then glanced up at him. "Mind if I come in? I won't stay if you don't want me to."

[chasingsnitches]

"Oh, right! Inside." He hadn't even thought of that for some reason. "Yes, come inside. It's a bit of mess. I've been haphazard with cleaning it."

He went inside, leaving the door open for Jack and trying to pick up the belongings scattered across the floor and on his desk.

[anextimeagent]

"Thanks and don't worry about." Jack followed him inside, and shut the door behind him, looking around the room. He'd never thought he'd ever be back here. "Not on your own any more, I see."

Small talk. That was a good start. He could hear Sam's voice, calling him an idiot.

[chasingsnitches]

"Yes, that was rather unexpected," he said, still trying to brush his hair with his fingers subtly. "She's quite nice though if a little overwhelmed, I expect. I miss the bigger bed, though."

[anextimeagent]

"Yeah, it was nice." Jack took a deep breath and moved closer, reaching out to touch him, but he stopped, pulling his hand back. Idiot. "I'm sorry," he said quietly.

[chasingsnitches]

He frowned briefly, softly before saying, "Sorry for what?"

He wasn't going to hope or make assumptions about this. Not now.

[anextimeagent]

"For everything. For running away from you, for not talking to you." He had to get this right. "For forgetting you were Cedric," he finished, watching him intently. "I treated you badly."

[chasingsnitches]

For a long moment, he stared. Because, really, after the last week, he hadn't expected something like this. Just thought it would be awkward and tense forever.

But, Jack was apologizing and he was standing there silent. He had to say something.

"Oh," he breathed. "Yes, you did. I was going to throw a radio at you. Can I...can I ask why? I mean, did I do something?"

[anextimeagent]

"No!" Not thinking, just reacting, he cupped Cedric's cheek, thumb brushing his skin. "No, no you didn't do anything wrong. You can still throw a radio at me," he said softly. "Sam said you might. And I'll try and explain, but it's complicated."

[chasingsnitches]

It was instinct to lean into the touch, enjoy that feeling. Even when he realized what he was doing, he didn't pull away.

"You talked to Sam," he said, relieved. "Good. I'd hoped you would. And, really, when aren't things complicated?"

[anextimeagent]

He wasn't pulling away, that was a good start. Jack shifted closer. "This weekend, that's where I was, with Sam." Don't be an idiot. "Can I ask you something?"

[chasingsnitches]

"Good," he said again. "And yes."