FICLET FRIDAY THE EIGHTY-THIRD: STILLXMYXHEART
field trip (Jackie, Rose), G
Rose smiles as she watches Jackie move through the rooms at the museum, his expression keen as he intently studies each exhibit.
When she'd suggested they spend the day at the museums, she'd expected him to balk at the idea, but instead he jumped at it, explaining that he'd never been to any of them, but always wanted to.
"You've lived here all your life," Rose had said, surprised. "You've never been to any of the museums in DC?"
"No. Well, I think I did when I was in like, elementary school, but who remembers elementary school field trips? When I got older, there were other trips, but none of my foster parents wanted to pay the fees, and then money was so tight after I was living with Eddie, any kind of extra money went to Luke's field trips, and not mine."
Rose likes how eager Jackie is to learn, loves the way he devours books, how much he likes it when she starts talking about sociology and psychology, how he's always asking her questions about college and her classes. It's clear how much he wants to put his past behind him, and it's one of the things that endear him to her.
It's also pretty obvious how much he likes her. She catches him looking at her sometimes, his ears always reddening as he quickly averts his gaze. She can tell that he likes her body, and it makes her feel good, considering how much her ex-husband tried to bring her down about the way she looked.
She knows he doesn't just like her for her body, though, knows that he thinks she's smart, knows the way he laughs at her jokes is genuine, sees the way he lights up when he sees her.
And she likes him a lot too. He's definitely cute, with his hazel eyes and brown hair that's just a little shaggy, and a smile that brightens his whole face. He's awkward, though that's lessened since they've gotten to know each other and he's become more comfortable around her; she can tell he gets uncomfortable in social situations, but as long as he knows at least one person, he seems to be okay, and she tries to stay close to him in crowded areas.
He's also so adorable, seeming more like a kid sometimes than a man in his 40's, and while Rose has a feeling that comes from his upbringing more than anything else, she still loves how excited he gets over things. It doesn't happen too often, but his unrestrained glee when he gets really happy over something is a sight to behold, and something that warms her heart, the fact that even with his past, he can still find happiness in the world.
She's been on a few dates since deciding she was ready, including a brief relationship with a chemistry professor at the university, set up by another coworker, that didn't really pan out, but she hasn't seen anybody since she and Jackie started hanging out, even though it's been a few months since they met and became friends. She wants to ask him out on a real date, but she can tell that it's something he's uncertain and hesitant about, so she figures it's best to wait until he seems comfortable with the idea. Part of her hopes that when that happens, he'll be the one to ask her out, but she's okay with doing it herself if necessary.
Rose moves to stand next to him, smiling when he glances up at her.
"Having fun?" she asks.
"Yeah, definitely. Look at this sword, it's incredible. All of this stuff is incredible."
"I'm glad you're enjoying yourself."
"I really am, thank you for bringing me here, and to the other museums too."
"There's definitely more to see, but how about we take a break and grab some lunch, I'm sort of starving."
Jackie laughs and nods. "Yeah, I am too."
"Whose turn is it to pay this time?" she asks as they start for the exit.
"Um... yours, I think."
"Yeah, you're right. Then I know exactly where we can go."
Jackie grins. "Lead the way."
nerve (Jackie, Rose), G
Jackie frowns, annoyed with himself. He's spent the entire day with Rose, and hasn't yet gotten up the nerve to actually ask her out, even though he promised himself he would do it today.
As much time as they've spent together over the past few months, and as sure as he is that Rose likes him in that way, there's a small part of him that's afraid she'll say no, that's afraid he misread everything and that she isn't interested in him like that at all.
Just do it, you idiot, he inwardly chastises himself.
Heart pounding, he turns to find Rose in the crowd, and sees her hurrying towards him, a bright smile on her face and a cup of frozen yogurt in her hand.
"I got two spoons, here," she says, turning the cup towards him so he can take his spoon.
"Let's go sit down somewhere," he murmurs, turning around and searching for an empty table or bench. He spots a free bench and makes a beeline for it, Rose close behind, her hand lightly gripping his shirt so she doesn't lose him in the crowd.
They sit down triumphantly, and Jackie blows out a breath. "This place is a madhouse."
"I know, we'll leave soon."
"All of this for a new strip mall."
"I know, but free frozen yogurt," Rose says in a sing song, holding the cup towards him again and wiggling it a little.
Jackie laughs and accepts his spoon so he can take a bite.
"Mmm," Rose hums as she takes a spoonful. "At least it was worth the wait."
"Yeah, it's really good."
They eat in silence, the noise of the crowd too much for them to really talk, and once they're finished, Jackie stands to throw the cup away.
"Can we get out of here now? This place is driving me crazy."
Rose laughs as she nods. "Yeah, sure."
"Let's go to the botanical gardens," Jackie says impulsively.
"Okay," Rose says happily, smiling as they start for her car.
Once they're at the gardens, they walk along the inside paths as Jackie tries to ready himself to just ask her for a damn date, and then Rose looks at him and says, "Are you okay?"
He looks at her, wide-eyed, and then takes a breath. "Let's go out to the rose garden."
"Okay," she replies, bemused, and they head outside.
There aren't as many people out here, and Jackie takes a relieved breath.
"Jackie, what's going on?" Rose asks, a hint of laughter in her voice. "You're acting so weird all of a sudden."
"I know, I'm sorry, I just - um - I wanted to ask you - it's okay if you don't want to, you can say no, but um - do you want to go out with me? Like - like a date?"
His face is on fire, his heart pounding somewhere in the vicinity of his throat, and Rose just smiles up at him.
"Yeah," she says softly. "Yeah, I'll go out with you." Her smile widens into a grin. "About time you asked me."
Jackie lets out the breath he was holding in a loud laugh, and Rose giggles.
"When do you want to go?" she asks.
"Let me talk to my boss on Monday to make sure I'm not on next Saturday, but I'll call you when I know, okay?"
She smiles and nods. "Okay. Great. I can't wait."
"Me neither," he murmurs, smiling broadly, feeling like he could just float away.