Who: Jasper and Crysta
What: discussing Beowulf in class
When: ...you know, I'm not actually sure
Where: a university classroom in Chicago
Info:
In which Crysta is nearly late to class and, Jasper is a grumpbucket, but he could be worse. Who: Jasper, Crysta, and a very foolish mugger
What: a mugger has a very bad night
When: later that night,
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"Hi there." He quickly tossed her the keys she'd given him as he approached, careful to keep things at a normal speed, but equally careful not to let his hand catch the sun too obviously. Most of his concentration, though, was focused on keeping his grin under control; he didn't want her to get the wrong message, but he was proud of the work he'd done on this car.
"She's good as new, should last you quite a while. But it'd still be a good idea to get her checked out every now and then, just to keep up with the regular wear and tear so it doesn't team up and take you by surprise again."
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Crysta supposed he wouldn't like being hugged very much, but she had the strong urge to. She hesitated, eyes flickering back to her car before she stepped over and wrapped her arms around him. It lasted only a second because she pulled away quickly, afraid of his reaction, and circling to the front of the car. But though it had been so quick, it at the same time felt like time had slowed when she did so. "So let me guess, this car probably cost you more than it was worth." She started, opening the hood to look in and pretend what had just happened hadn't. Even though the memory of pressing against him, if just for a moment, was now stuck in her brain.
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She'd been warm. She'd been soft. Jasper tried not to think about it as he turned to catch up to what she was saying, though it took a moment to process the words. "Well. Yes." He stepped up to the hood beside her and shrugged, as if all that gleaming metal was nothing new. "Don't worry about it. I enjoy cars."
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He reached up to tug his hood further out over his face with an absent glance up at the sun; he was pressing his luck out here, without even a little bit of cloud cover to help out. Still, he found himself looking back to Crysta again, curious despite himself.
"What are you doing today?"
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It was late in the day, too late to go out and enjoy Jasper's usual daytime haunts in a city. The museums would be closing soon, as would the libraries and any other indoor attractions. He would probably end up walking back to his apartment and spending the last hour or two of daylight curled up with a book himself, and then find something else to entertain him for the rest of the night. He wished he could sleep. That would help fill so many of the empty hours in his days.
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"All right. Were you walking or driving?"
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"Let me know how she feels. I don't know what's changed, but if something feels off I might be able to rig it up how it was before."
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As she drove she pushed the buttons down for the windows, rolling them down and letting a breeze float through, remembering distinctly their last car ride. She propped her free arm in the open window, relaxed as she drove, feeling more at ease than she had in days.
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"That might've been cheaper," he drawled in response to her comment, allowing a brief glance and a small smile. "But money wasn't an issue. I'm glad you like it."
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She tilted her head. "Jas," She started. "Are you from the south?" The thought of him in any southern state drew a picture of him oddly dressed like a cowboy. It made her lips twitch the slightest with a smile, though she hid it.
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"Texas," he allowed honestly. "Central. Small town. You wouldn't have heard of it."
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