rapt contemplation

[snowwhite_chaos]

Now that the holidays have been winding down, it seems like the snow has been piling up. Outside, the wind howls bitterly, and though Kevin would usually prefer to be out there than in here, even he has retreated to the warmth of the library hearth

Comments

Late tag is late.

[hero_of_sabrie]

Jack recognized the form in front of the fire. He had been on his way to cook dinner for himself and Alice, but she wasn't expecting him for some time. It wouldn't hurt to talk to Kevin and do some catching up.

He walked around him and smiled down at him, "May I join you?"

[snowwhite_chaos]

"Of course."

The bandages have com off. His hair does a little to hide the angry eyesocket, but not quite enough.

"Jack."

[hero_of_sabrie]

Jack notices the missing bandages but he does not flinch. He has seen it before when Kevin had first arrived. That had really been so long ago.

"It looks much better. Have you stopped scratching at it?" Jack felt comfortable around Kevin enough to ask. He sat down next to him, not close, but beside him.

[snowwhite_chaos]

"I have."

A real step in the right direction, obviously.

[hero_of_sabrie]

Jack smiled sweetly back at him, genuinely glad to know this.

"That's good. Are you going to wear an eye-patch like a pirate? Or get a creepy glass eye? Or grow out your hair?" Like Break? He is smiling playfully now, clearly teasing.

[snowwhite_chaos]

"I hadn't thought that far ahead," he admits, with a frown.

[hero_of_sabrie]

Jack chuckles. "That's alright, no worries. One step at a time. I'm just glad it's healed up so well." He feels very relieved for Kevin.

[snowwhite_chaos]

"It has, hasn't it? Sometimes I felt as though I'd be bandaged forever."

His head feels light without them.

[hero_of_sabrie]

Jack shook his head, "No, not forever."

Jack stood up and poked at the fire a bit. He was going to add another log.

"Have you been well, Kevin? I don't think I saw you at the Christmas party. Forgive me if I missed you."

[snowwhite_chaos]

"I was there. I danced with Gilbertine."

And had a lovely time.

[hero_of_sabrie]

Jack was smiling widely at the fire, holding back a laugh. He wished he would have seen it.

"That's nice. Again, I'm sorry I didn't welcome you there." That was bad. He had been a bad host. He was supposed to speak with everyone at the party.

"Thank you for contributing the gingerbread cookies. They went really fast. I finally ate mine that night." Yes, it had taken him that long to do so. He hadn't wanted to even then. It was so cute.

[snowwhite_chaos]

"I was glad to help in any way I could."

He smiles. He's glad Jack approves.

[hero_of_sabrie]

Jack carefully put the log on the fire. Kevin seemed to be doing well. That was a nice feeling.

"I'm headed to the kitchen to cook dinner for Alice and I. Would you like to join us? I'm sure there will be plenty of food." Jack still doesn't know any better about portion sizing and always makes too much.

He did not specify which Alice.

[snowwhite_chaos]

"Which Alice?"

It matters. One yells at him, the other doesn't.

[hero_of_sabrie]

He turned around and spoke far too honestly and straightforward than he should have. Perhaps Barma was rubbing off on him, "My Alice."

He needed to correct himself, "Rather, she is from time when I was alive." A very, very long time ago. "I'm sure she'd love the company." If it were Alyss she would, and if it were Alice, he'd force her to meet new people anyway.

[snowwhite_chaos]

"If you think she'd like to."

He still isn't clear on which it is, but how bad can it possibly go? He only has one more eye to lose, and Jack would probably stop her from taking it.

Probably.