[His first instinct is to react with frustration. Frustration that Jack tries changing the topic again, and so obviously on top of that. That his words make it sound like Zelos' concern would be so shallow, and that the implication is he doesn't feel like he's the sort of guy he can talk to.
But he relaxes shortly after as he leans back on the roof of some random city building he happens to be resting atop of. Jack's a good guy; he knows that much. He wouldn't mean it like that. Zelos realizes he has no idea what it would be like to be in his shoes for so many years.
His answer comes a little delayed as well.]
That's not what I meant. I meant are you okay with not being human anymore.
[Blatantly ignoring that subject change, because honestly, Jack. Everything back to normal means everything back to normal!!]
[Had he been trying to change the subject? Yeah, probably so, for all that it really is only partially intentional--Jack is fairly interested in making sure Zelos is properly back in order too, after all, especially with how anxious he’d apparently been about the idea of somebody else having his crystal.]
[But it’s also true that--he might have been trying to steer away a bit, yes…it’s been a day since Jack’s spoken with North, and he’s honestly a lot better off now with the idea of everything that had just happened than he’s been yesterday--small blessings that Zelos would call in a bit later like this, really. But it’s still food for thought, and thinking about it still sits sort of--mildly uneasy anyway, all the same--and of course the guy would press it like that….]
[Jack frowns when he gets the text, and the pause between replies is longer this time; he takes the moment to alight down properly on a rooftop of his own, having been texting between leaps up until now, switching the pocketwatch back and forth between hands and frowning at the little screen. …That Zelos is pressing it like this is a bit startling, actually. Jack had expected some sort of check-in eventually, but…]
[Why?]
[…No use trying to lob another subject-change though, obviously--ah, but he kind of sucks at those anyway, so it’s probably for the better…]
[Still.]
well thats a bit of a moot point anyway isnt it ? i havent been human in a long time in the first place
jeans human again and thats the important thing so everythings as it should be now im fine
[It’s a bit terse, but that’s not really intentional either--it’s just difficult, trying to figure out how to put the right words together to really convey this…]
[Zelos can't help but frown further at that message, closing his eyes for a minute as he scrubs at the space between them. Gosh. This was really hard. He knew he was terrible at wording things and being taken serious, let alone being there for someone... But he'd decided he'd stop taking easy routes, right?]
But you were before, huh?
Jack, your face is way too expressive for a guy who tries to play things off about himself as much as you do. I can deal with it if I'm not the kind of guy you want to talk to, but don't expect me to believe it's as simple as 'I'm fine' and drop it.
It's not just moot, is it? There's got to be a lot going through your mind right now.
[Of all the sorts of replies that he'd been sort of expecting, the one that eventually pings in still manages to surprise him, for some reason. Maybe it's the sheer bluntness of it, more than anything else, so uncharacteristic from the usual half-joking circles Zelos tends to gravitate towards. The sheer directness simultaneously makes things easier and harder, so much harder.]
[Jack's still working on just getting used to sincerity, let alone--well, concern directed at him--]
[And there's actually a surge of appreciation for it, sudden and seemingly out of nowhere and almost as surprising as the message itself had been. But figuring out how to convey that--or, well, how to respond to this, for that matter...]
[It's a couple of long minutes before the response comes in at length.]
but you cant even see my face right now [--Really...] i mean
do you want to talk about it ?
[It's a pretty important question, actually. A sort of...double-check, for confirmation, or something like that. It almost feels a bit silly to ask, really, but all the same...]
[Oh please Jack, your typing isn't much better at hiding your thoughts and feelings. Zelos briefly considers replying in kind, but he's been shooing away his desire to joke this off the whole time, and it seems to be working, so he's not about to just throw it all out the window in some mistake where he accidentally is incredibly insulting or something equally horrible.
Instead, he sits up on his rooftop with a sigh and types out a reply.]
Of course I do! You're my friend. Did you think I wanted you to keep quiet?
...Everything's been getting worse and you haven't been catching a break lately. I'm not heartless you know.
[He is so bad at this. How do you express concern, anyway...]
[It's one thing when you surround yourself in friends that don't like you talking, and another thing entirely when you've never had friends to talk to in the first place anyway...Jack's been stuck in the latter situation for a few centuries too long, really, and he's not entirely sure he'll ever be able to adjust properly. You have to learn to pent things up in his situation, after all--when venting means talking at ears that won't hear you anyway, or hurting people by proxy of the weather...]
[The idea of doing it freely now? At the drop of a hat, like this? It's strange, more than a little uncertain. But Zelos still hasn't tried to crack any jokes yet, and the texts continue to be almost jarringly serious, and somehow that helps cut down on the temptation to evade the whole prospect entirely. And being able to have talked it out with North does help things, too, and so...]
[Well. But it seems they're both pretty bad at this, which lends to a mutual sort of awkwardness only exemplified through text somehow, and honestly?]
catching a break ? i dont know , wouldnt want to jinx it but it could always be worse too yknow
no i get where youre coming from though i maybe [uuuugh words] but should we keep texting like this ? i mean
[Oh... habit. That does make sense, and he fiddles with the chain on the watch for a minute before typing out a reply to all of that. Texting... Probably not, huh.
He's even worse in person, but this sort of thing counts.]
Yeah, I guess the whole no voice or faces thing makes it kind of hard to talk, huh?
I'm on the roof of the library. You gonna drop by?
something like that maybe just these pocketwatches arent ours so
the library ? okay ill be there in a bit
[And with that Jack snaps the pocketwatch shut, puffing out a sigh as he slips it back into his pocket and then pulling himself up on the rooftop. ...Hm. Texting might have almost been easier, actually--no voices, or faces...it's a bit more difficult to tell what the feelings quite are, then. Zelos' earlier remark brings up an awareness that's been niggling around in the back of Jack's thoughts for a long time--that apparently he reads almost too well, for other people. He's terrible at lying, terrible at hiding things--lack of practice. And he knows it. But...Zelos is a friend, it's true. And you don't hide things from friends. And he's already talked about it with North too, and it wouldn't be right just to leave Zelos hanging about it, if the guy's actually worried enough to bring it up so outright like this--]
[And it's true that Jack still doesn't really trust the watches. Not really, not any more than he had the compasses when they'd been on the ship. Technology all belonging to the same people, after all...]
[He absently swings up onto the rooftop ledge, sucks in a deep breath, stares absently over rooftops and takes in the air. It's still fairly cool, this early in the morning, and the relative clearness of thought that it comes with is nice. --Still dry, though, so dry...and it's probably going to get pretty warm again.]
[There isn't going to be a better time for this later.]
[He calls over a strand of wind, and he's off.]
[Zelos doesn't have to wait too long, at least, and for Jack the guy isn't very hard to spot at all--not a lot of people take to rooftops around here anyway. Jack alights a few yards away fairly soon, dropping down as if he'd just taken a moderate drop and bringing down a cooler breeze alongside him; entirely normal, for once, at long last. Straightening, he shoulders his staff.]
Hey. ...Actually, how long have you even been up here? [Relevant questions first, of course.]
[By the time Jack shows up, Zelos has shifted to a casual enough position. But it is a strange spot in itself, and he seems to realize it enough with a laugh at the question and a brief wave in greeting.]
About an hour. I thought I'd try to relax a bit. [Or sort his thoughts... A little bit of both, honestly. He watches Jack for a moment, though, briefly considering patting the spot next to him in invitation before he passes on the idea. There's no way the guy could sit still and be comfortable, right?
So instead, Zelos pushes himself up to his feet, spending a few moments dusting off his pants with his eyes cast downwards.]
So. [He's really bad at this, if it hasn't been stressed enough in every action and word that's come from him at this point. As soon as his pants are fine, one hand shifts to rub at the back of his neck in a rare show of nervousness as he places the other on his hip.] I guess I should ask you again. How are you doing?
Hm. Could be a worse way to do it, I guess... [Most people don't usually consider rooftops and relaxing in the same sentence, after all--but it's nice to find a kindred spirit every now and then, and Zelos manages to earn a wry smile for his laugh. He drifts forward slowly, toes curling into the slats of the rooftop until they're both within decent enough conversational distance, Zelos rising to his feet.]
[...And man, but there's still a vague air of awkwardness here, isn't there? Then again, had he really expected it to be less so outside of text? Or maybe it's just the fact that it's Zelos, with the odd pauses and ginger picking through words that honestly ought to be Jack's thing. He's still so used to seeing the guy more confident and careless than not, and so it's jarring, same as the texts had been...]
[Jack shifts a bit on his heels, shrugs, smile lessening but still no less wry.]
But yeah. I'm--better now. Better than yesterday, anyway...there's just--been a lot of thinking going around? I guess.
[Wow, and that was...no less awkward either. Man. Jack finally puffs out a short laugh of his own, hands jamming into pockets.]
I'm kind of used to dealing with stuff like this, I don't know. But it's good to see you all back in order, at least... [Not so much trying for deflection this time, again, because Jack can see the crystal back in its proper place over there now. It's worth noting.]
[It's strange for Zelos, even now, to openly show care for someone. It's a learning process the more he tries, and even his later conversations with Lloyd have been more than a little awkward. But just like those times, it takes a bit and he's gradually settling into the mood more.
He's got that smirk back, for one, and his hand drops away from his neck to tap at the crystal on his chest thoughtfully in response.]
Used to dealing with crappy times on your own? [It's a question and a guess in response to Jack's words.] I know how that is. Kinda.
[Kinda, he says, lowering his hand again so both are on his hips now as he leans back on his heels a bit.] But yeah, as long as this thing isn't on anyone else causing any problems, it's good enough for me.
[Regarding Jack once more, he tilts his head the slightest.] How's your buddy doing? I gotta say, I wasn't expecting the beard.
[It definitely feels like the both of them are treading delicate, slightly strange ground here--but the usual smirk is slipping back in place on Zelos' part, and somehow that adds to a general sense of incremental relaxing. A bit less awkwardness, anyway, and it loosens something tight and anxious in the back of thoughts--a tightness Jack hadn't even realized was there.]
[Talking to friends is so different.]
[Which is an odd thought in itself, considering it's taken all this time for it to actually crop up like that--but that doesn't matter anyway, at the moment.]
[It's easier to smile back for it, one way or the other.]
--Yeah, guess you might, huh? Then again, everybody's had to deal with their fair share around here... [Jack ducks his head and shrugs slightly; but the question has him glancing back up again, smile actually widening incrementally at the question.] And what d'you mean, you weren't expecting the beard? Everybody knows North by the beard back home. Wouldn't be him without it.
[And there's definitely a fondness there, even as Jack shakes his head a bit with another slight laugh.]
He's doing pretty good though, now that you mentioned it. --He's pretty happy to be back to normal again. Guess when you get to be as old as he is that makes sense, though...but I'm not surprised.
Haha, I don't know... All that talk of wonder and whatnot, I couldn't help but imagine him as a kid.
[That's his honest answer in response to the beard thing, a small laugh bracketing the thought as he shrugs. Known for the beard though, huh? He's used to the fact that spirits and the like could take many different appearances, but that didn't stop the human part of him from making assumptions on what he already knew.
He wondered how old that guy was.
And his thoughts on North's relief automatically bring up a few thoughts of his own, but he decides against sharing them and laughs a bit himself, arms stretching before settling behind his head casually.]
Well, I gotta say, it's nice to be back, myself. I'm not sure I could've handled it if I accidentally animated something else one more time... [Seriously weird stuff. He pauses, arms dropping again in his slow but noticeable constant shift in motions.]
It's not always that easy, though. [Just being happy to be back.]
[A kid? Oh, man--North without a beard is one thing, but the idea of North as a child is actually enough to have Jack laughing outright, genuinely, possibly for the first time in a little while; he shakes his head as it gets out of his system, glancing back up with a smile that's more wry at length.]
A kid, man...I never could. But I guess the wonder thing kinda does do that, I keep forgetting--s'why he's so great with kids in general, I think. But no, he's been a Guardian for a really long time...
[Jack settles back on his heels with a sigh, tilting his head a bit. Animating...he's seen North do it a few times, and can't really imagine how anyone would not like being able to do that. Seems dead useful, if anything. But the package comes with so many other things, of course...and imagining Zelos taking on the role of Father Christmas is still a stretch his mind almost refuses to adjust to. No, that still makes sense.]
[But now they're seguing back to...the original topic, again, but in such a soft transition Jack finds he doesn't mind it quite so much. Rolls his shoulders in a bit of a shrug, with a slight nod of agreement to accompany.]
--Yeah. Not easy at all for a lot of people, probably. ...S'just--especially, ending up as something you never thought would happen again....
[And he glances away, because even getting that much out is difficult, but--progress. Slowly. (He owes Zelos this much, after all, even if it's terribly difficult finding the right words...)]
[It is progress indeed. Progress Zelos appreciates as he glances over, keeping it casual and his expression neutral. Pity doesn't help anyone. It doesn't make anyone feel comfortable or aid the situation-- it just gets in the way, so he doesn't waste time with expressing it.
He's more logically thinking on how he can help. The answer that comes to mind? Not really talking so much as far as the words go, but the casualty of it all. The sincerity and the attempts. Those seem to mean something.
And so he rolls his shoulders in a bit of a shrug as he goes on.]
Yeah. I mean, coming back to life, having a living body again... Those sorts of things have hit more than a few people around here. [Okay, in fact, the things he says are kind of depressing. But.]
But they don't take a lot into account here. You can put people through all sorts of hell, break them down to the bottom, but things like that... when they have people who count on them or believe in them, it only makes them stronger.
[Jack finds himself glancing back over to Zelos again, as he speaks...and at length he turns away again, shaking his head slightly. --At that first bit there, anyway, and he shifts his attention more to the stretch of city rooftops off to the side of them as he draws back a pace and then sinks down into a crouch. Elbows prop on knees, staff stays planted on the rooftop but propped against his shoulder, and it's--a sort of quiet invitation for Zelos to sit down again, if he wants to. It's about as close as Jack's going to get to sitting down, but for now...]
[He stares across the rooftops, all the way to where the sky touches down on the horizon impossibly far away, and he sighs.]
Well. No, it's not so much--the living part, I don't think. I'm still alive right now. I never left. [Some part of Jackson Overland had fallen away in that lake, with only fragments preserved in a tiny gold box in his pocket, that's true. But what he stood for, who he was--Death had never quite gotten hold of that, Jack doesn't think. (That's what makes a ghost a ghost, or a spirit a spirit...) Fingertips worry absently at a patch on one of his knees.] But--being there, y'know? Just like that. ...Not having to fight just to be around anymore.
[It's still almost a bit funny, really. The countless decades he'd spent watching and wondering and dreaming about what it must be like, to do what humans could--to exist so easily. To never have to bank on the attention of others, just to keep two feet on the world at all. And in the end, when it actually happened, there'd been--nothing particularly special about it, the most natural thing in the world...]
[But Jack already crossed that bridge with North a little while ago, now, well and properly. And he shakes his head again even as he speaks, a slight smile slipping back onto his features as he shifts his head around to look over to Zelos again.]
But--that's not why I didn't leave in the first place. And you're right. Like--stuff about learning from the worst kind of experience? ...Something like that... [Alas, Jack can't quite pull of Zelos' brand of smoothly corny sayings, but well. Close enough. His eyes shift back forward to the cityscape ahead, again.] ...It shouldn't have happened at all, but--I guess, that I can be happy it did. Might as well make something out of it, right?
[The crouch speaks enough, and as hesitant as he is about it, Zelos steps over to have a seat himself. One knee stays up for him to lean on while the other leg dangles over the side of the roof. As Jack opens up and speaks for a bit, his position slowly shifts so that both legs dangle over instead.
He could say a lot of thoughtful things. But Jack seems pretty resolved with the whole issue after all, so Zelos is sure he was able to speak to someone about it. Maybe that North guy? Who knows. Even still, being able to hear him talk about what was on his mind himself was nice. He hoped it was nice to get out, too. It always was an awkward, freeing feeling when he managed to do so himself...
His reaction probably isn't what's expected, though. Even in a serious situation, Zelos is still Zelos. And Zelos will do whatever he damn well wants to if it means fun times and laughs. So he doesn't feel strange at all leaning over just enough to loop his arms around Jack's shoulders and pull him into a hair-ruffle that's borderlining on a noogie.]
Exactly, exactly! That's the spirit, Jack! Besides, the way you are right now... I think a lot of people would value relationships a lot more if they had to go through that. It gives you a perspective on things.
[It...is sort of nice to get out. Or maybe it would be, if the novelty of being able to ever wore off. (It hasn't quite yet.) Unfolding to North had been the hardest part, but afterwards it was as if a gaping uncertainty had finally been filled, and after that...it's a bit easier. Hashing over it again. Being more certain as to why and how, and with friends that he can actually maybe sound off against for once...]
[Figuring out how the normal back-and-forth usually goes after that is still kind of tricky, though, and things might have actually gotten pretty awkward if Zelos hadn't taken the course of action he does now. After this long, Jack should be used to it--really--but it still manages to catch him completely off-guard anyway. Doesn't see it coming, looking the other way as he is, until there's warm arms wrapping around and a hand in his hair--]
--Hey, what the--! [Jack splutters, immediately struggling (somewhat ineffectually) against the grip, staff tipping to one side as he tries to swat Zelos' hand away. Or at least get an elbow properly lodged in the guy's ribs, because really...] That'd better not be a noogie, 'cause that's just asking for payback, y'know--
[GOD DUDE WHY MUST YOU ALWAYS RUIN NICE MOMENTS but it's for the better, because otherwise Jack's not entirely sure how he would have responded to what Zelos actually did say, even with the ridiculous gestures to accompany. He had heard it, though. And he appreciates it--the understanding there.]
[The staff does little to pry Zelos away, but the jab to his ribs lodges in just enough for a loud, exaggerated whine as he pulls away his hands, letting them hover in the air just above where they'd been before.]
Oww, hey, hey, those twiggy elbows are payback enough! Come on!
[The elbow was enough to stop him from leaning on Jack, but he's moving forward again to pinch at his cheeks from behind, stretching them out a bit. His sing-song voice is quick to follow.]
Don't be so cooooold hu~n~ny!
[And then he promptly releases Jack's cheeks and erupts in laughter. (You can bet he's scrambling to his feet and away if he needs to dodge staff swings or slaps, too.) This conversation has gone out the metaphorical window. But then, they'd gotten out what they'd needed to, hadn't they? Wallowing in it wasn't going to help. His main reason for calling Jack out here was a desire to cheer him up and distract from things, anyway. Remind him of his friends here and now.]
[It's the little things that still manage to strike as the strangest, really. If Jack even knew the thoughts at hand on Zelos' end, there, he might have been objecting a bit--he should have been the one trying to make others happy, and that's a point of insecurity that's been eating away at him for awhile now, around here. If he actually allowed himself to think about it enough (something he hasn't yet), there was something rather selfish about it--being so preoccupied about his own problems that he couldn't even spend the time to try helping the problems of others better.]
[Even centuries of isolation aside, Jack's never actually--engaged in stuff like this, very often. Being on the receiving end of joking and cajoling that he usually tries to be the one doling out.]
[But Zelos doesn't give him any time to consider that, and it's good. Because it's nice. Even as it is completely embarrassing; just when he'd almost thought he was free of the hands, there's a pair pinching his cheeks and--puns now, really--?]
Oh, that's it-- [Zelos lets go, and Jack twists around; it's a good thing he's already scrambling up and away indeed, as Jack does very nearly clock him over the head with his staff, misses barely. Quickly enough he's on his own feet too, though, and he's most certainly not letting Zelos get away with all of that if he can help it--! To the point that he actually drops his staff, just for a bit, letting it clatter and settle on the rooftop tiles in favor of lunging forward and snatching at the nearest snatchable article on Zelos' person with both hands. Incidentally, this happens to be the front of his vest.]
[Don't mind Jack while he attempts to haul you down at least to eye-level, the better to try wrapping one arm around your neck and put his free hand to good use mussing that great head of hair you've got there, yes. ...Admittedly Jack hasn't actually had the chance to put anyone in a headlock before, and this one's a bit wanting, but hopefully the discomfort of an icecube administering a noogie will help override that. Which is the main point here. ...Though even despite vindictive words and gestures, Jack finds himself laughing all the while.]
[In his taunting with his run, he's clumsy and his vest is caught. Being dragged down to eye-level is a startling enough motion in itself, especially when his thoughts were so properly interrupted.
Because this? This was fun. This was the sort of messing around he loved to do but never expected to get to do so genuinely. Always tried for even between the sadness and the lies, but didn't always manage to quite get there— but now he seemed better at it. Opening himself up more meant experiencing this more, and this was something he really, really liked. Just laughing and goofing off no matter what was going on around them because they had their friendship and enough hope to face what was coming.
Even in the moments when his head is locked into a hold like that, he's still laughing and it's as genuine as ever.]
He has to fight to stop laughing, even still, but his whining comes out loudly as he swats and struggles against Jack, grabbing his arms and turning in an attempt to wrestle himself free.
He probably only manages to get them to fall over in the process.]
[Either way, he's laughing more and eventually giving in to his hair being a loss in this battle. In revenge, he slumps, putting all of his weight on Jack in whatever position they've landed themselves in.]
Okay, okay, come on, you're freezing—! [Not that he minds, clearly, with all this extra physical contact.] Let go!
[Honestly, Jack was half-expecting to get thrown off or something, and so it's actually a pleasant surprise when he realizes he can get a noogie in.]
[(It's something he's never done before...)]
[The feeling of victory's still fairly short-lived, though. Jack realizes Zelos' attempts to shake him off have resulted in actual loss of balance a bit too late, yelps a bit when they both hit the rooftop tile, but somehow he still stubbornly manages to keep one hand planted on the guy's head, which is a high success as far as Jack's concerned.]
No, never! Not 'til you say Uncle, and that definitely didn't sound like--ah-- [Wait what why are you flopping on top of him no what are you doing--Jack wheezes a bit, grip around Zelos' neck loosening in favor of attempts towards pushing him off, but it's not particularly successful. Puffing out a huff, Jack settles with trying to wriggle his way out instead, keeping one fist firmly planted in Zelos' hair all the while and adding a bit of extra ruffling just for the principle of the thing.] --Hey, this is cheating! Don't make me add ice to this too!
[Insulted by the thought of ice becoming involved, Zelos recoils more than he had with the light pushes and shoves. He retorts by snagging Jack's hoodie that had so perfectly fallen beneath his head and tugging it over his forehead further as he pushes off. Falling back out of Jack's grip, he brings his own hands to his head as he falls on his back on the roof tiles, sighing in exaggerated exasperation.]
Ahhhh! My hair's all messed up thanks to you! [Hardly, honestly. Just a little crazy at the top and now his headband's lopsided.] Let's call it a tie! A tie!
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
huff!! well then, sits on you tbh
But he relaxes shortly after as he leans back on the roof of some random city building he happens to be resting atop of. Jack's a good guy; he knows that much. He wouldn't mean it like that. Zelos realizes he has no idea what it would be like to be in his shoes for so many years.
His answer comes a little delayed as well.]
That's not what I meant. I meant are you okay with not being human anymore.
[Blatantly ignoring that subject change, because honestly, Jack. Everything back to normal means everything back to normal!!]
smothered screeching tbh
[But it’s also true that--he might have been trying to steer away a bit, yes…it’s been a day since Jack’s spoken with North, and he’s honestly a lot better off now with the idea of everything that had just happened than he’s been yesterday--small blessings that Zelos would call in a bit later like this, really. But it’s still food for thought, and thinking about it still sits sort of--mildly uneasy anyway, all the same--and of course the guy would press it like that….]
[Jack frowns when he gets the text, and the pause between replies is longer this time; he takes the moment to alight down properly on a rooftop of his own, having been texting between leaps up until now, switching the pocketwatch back and forth between hands and frowning at the little screen. …That Zelos is pressing it like this is a bit startling, actually. Jack had expected some sort of check-in eventually, but…]
[Why?]
[…No use trying to lob another subject-change though, obviously--ah, but he kind of sucks at those anyway, so it’s probably for the better…]
[Still.]
well
thats a bit of a moot point anyway isnt it ?
i havent been human in a long time in the first place
jeans human again and thats the important thing
so everythings as it should be now
im fine
[It’s a bit terse, but that’s not really intentional either--it’s just difficult, trying to figure out how to put the right words together to really convey this…]
no subject
But you were before, huh?
Jack, your face is way too expressive for a guy who tries to play things off about himself as much as you do. I can deal with it if I'm not the kind of guy you want to talk to, but don't expect me to believe it's as simple as 'I'm fine' and drop it.
It's not just moot, is it? There's got to be a lot going through your mind right now.
no subject
[Of all the sorts of replies that he'd been sort of expecting, the one that eventually pings in still manages to surprise him, for some reason. Maybe it's the sheer bluntness of it, more than anything else, so uncharacteristic from the usual half-joking circles Zelos tends to gravitate towards. The sheer directness simultaneously makes things easier and harder, so much harder.]
[Jack's still working on just getting used to sincerity, let alone--well, concern directed at him--]
[And there's actually a surge of appreciation for it, sudden and seemingly out of nowhere and almost as surprising as the message itself had been. But figuring out how to convey that--or, well, how to respond to this, for that matter...]
[It's a couple of long minutes before the response comes in at length.]
but you cant even see my face right now
[--Really...]
i mean
do you want to talk about it ?
[It's a pretty important question, actually. A sort of...double-check, for confirmation, or something like that. It almost feels a bit silly to ask, really, but all the same...]
no subject
Instead, he sits up on his rooftop with a sigh and types out a reply.]
Of course I do! You're my friend. Did you think I wanted you to keep quiet?
...Everything's been getting worse and you haven't been catching a break lately. I'm not heartless you know.
[He is so bad at this. How do you express concern, anyway...]
no subject
no i
not that you wanted me to no
just habit i guess
[It's one thing when you surround yourself in friends that don't like you talking, and another thing entirely when you've never had friends to talk to in the first place anyway...Jack's been stuck in the latter situation for a few centuries too long, really, and he's not entirely sure he'll ever be able to adjust properly. You have to learn to pent things up in his situation, after all--when venting means talking at ears that won't hear you anyway, or hurting people by proxy of the weather...]
[The idea of doing it freely now? At the drop of a hat, like this? It's strange, more than a little uncertain. But Zelos still hasn't tried to crack any jokes yet, and the texts continue to be almost jarringly serious, and somehow that helps cut down on the temptation to evade the whole prospect entirely. And being able to have talked it out with North does help things, too, and so...]
[Well. But it seems they're both pretty bad at this, which lends to a mutual sort of awkwardness only exemplified through text somehow, and honestly?]
catching a break ?
i dont know , wouldnt want to jinx it
but it could always be worse too yknow
no i get where youre coming from though
imaybe
[uuuugh words]
but should we keep texting like this ?
i mean
where are you right now ?
no subject
He's even worse in person, but this sort of thing counts.]
Yeah, I guess the whole no voice or faces thing makes it kind of hard to talk, huh?
I'm on the roof of the library. You gonna drop by?
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just
these pocketwatches arent ours so
the library ? okay
ill be there in a bit
[And with that Jack snaps the pocketwatch shut, puffing out a sigh as he slips it back into his pocket and then pulling himself up on the rooftop. ...Hm. Texting might have almost been easier, actually--no voices, or faces...it's a bit more difficult to tell what the feelings quite are, then. Zelos' earlier remark brings up an awareness that's been niggling around in the back of Jack's thoughts for a long time--that apparently he reads almost too well, for other people. He's terrible at lying, terrible at hiding things--lack of practice. And he knows it. But...Zelos is a friend, it's true. And you don't hide things from friends. And he's already talked about it with North too, and it wouldn't be right just to leave Zelos hanging about it, if the guy's actually worried enough to bring it up so outright like this--]
[And it's true that Jack still doesn't really trust the watches. Not really, not any more than he had the compasses when they'd been on the ship. Technology all belonging to the same people, after all...]
[He absently swings up onto the rooftop ledge, sucks in a deep breath, stares absently over rooftops and takes in the air. It's still fairly cool, this early in the morning, and the relative clearness of thought that it comes with is nice. --Still dry, though, so dry...and it's probably going to get pretty warm again.]
[There isn't going to be a better time for this later.]
[He calls over a strand of wind, and he's off.]
[Zelos doesn't have to wait too long, at least, and for Jack the guy isn't very hard to spot at all--not a lot of people take to rooftops around here anyway. Jack alights a few yards away fairly soon, dropping down as if he'd just taken a moderate drop and bringing down a cooler breeze alongside him; entirely normal, for once, at long last. Straightening, he shoulders his staff.]
Hey. ...Actually, how long have you even been up here? [Relevant questions first, of course.]
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About an hour. I thought I'd try to relax a bit. [Or sort his thoughts... A little bit of both, honestly. He watches Jack for a moment, though, briefly considering patting the spot next to him in invitation before he passes on the idea. There's no way the guy could sit still and be comfortable, right?
So instead, Zelos pushes himself up to his feet, spending a few moments dusting off his pants with his eyes cast downwards.]
So. [He's really bad at this, if it hasn't been stressed enough in every action and word that's come from him at this point. As soon as his pants are fine, one hand shifts to rub at the back of his neck in a rare show of nervousness as he places the other on his hip.] I guess I should ask you again. How are you doing?
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[...And man, but there's still a vague air of awkwardness here, isn't there? Then again, had he really expected it to be less so outside of text? Or maybe it's just the fact that it's Zelos, with the odd pauses and ginger picking through words that honestly ought to be Jack's thing. He's still so used to seeing the guy more confident and careless than not, and so it's jarring, same as the texts had been...]
[Jack shifts a bit on his heels, shrugs, smile lessening but still no less wry.]
But yeah. I'm--better now. Better than yesterday, anyway...there's just--been a lot of thinking going around? I guess.
[Wow, and that was...no less awkward either. Man. Jack finally puffs out a short laugh of his own, hands jamming into pockets.]
I'm kind of used to dealing with stuff like this, I don't know. But it's good to see you all back in order, at least... [Not so much trying for deflection this time, again, because Jack can see the crystal back in its proper place over there now. It's worth noting.]
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He's got that smirk back, for one, and his hand drops away from his neck to tap at the crystal on his chest thoughtfully in response.]
Used to dealing with crappy times on your own? [It's a question and a guess in response to Jack's words.] I know how that is. Kinda.
[Kinda, he says, lowering his hand again so both are on his hips now as he leans back on his heels a bit.] But yeah, as long as this thing isn't on anyone else causing any problems, it's good enough for me.
[Regarding Jack once more, he tilts his head the slightest.] How's your buddy doing? I gotta say, I wasn't expecting the beard.
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[Talking to friends is so different.]
[Which is an odd thought in itself, considering it's taken all this time for it to actually crop up like that--but that doesn't matter anyway, at the moment.]
[It's easier to smile back for it, one way or the other.]
--Yeah, guess you might, huh? Then again, everybody's had to deal with their fair share around here... [Jack ducks his head and shrugs slightly; but the question has him glancing back up again, smile actually widening incrementally at the question.] And what d'you mean, you weren't expecting the beard? Everybody knows North by the beard back home. Wouldn't be him without it.
[And there's definitely a fondness there, even as Jack shakes his head a bit with another slight laugh.]
He's doing pretty good though, now that you mentioned it. --He's pretty happy to be back to normal again. Guess when you get to be as old as he is that makes sense, though...but I'm not surprised.
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[That's his honest answer in response to the beard thing, a small laugh bracketing the thought as he shrugs. Known for the beard though, huh? He's used to the fact that spirits and the like could take many different appearances, but that didn't stop the human part of him from making assumptions on what he already knew.
He wondered how old that guy was.
And his thoughts on North's relief automatically bring up a few thoughts of his own, but he decides against sharing them and laughs a bit himself, arms stretching before settling behind his head casually.]
Well, I gotta say, it's nice to be back, myself. I'm not sure I could've handled it if I accidentally animated something else one more time... [Seriously weird stuff. He pauses, arms dropping again in his slow but noticeable constant shift in motions.]
It's not always that easy, though. [Just being happy to be back.]
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A kid, man...I never could. But I guess the wonder thing kinda does do that, I keep forgetting--s'why he's so great with kids in general, I think. But no, he's been a Guardian for a really long time...
[Jack settles back on his heels with a sigh, tilting his head a bit. Animating...he's seen North do it a few times, and can't really imagine how anyone would not like being able to do that. Seems dead useful, if anything. But the package comes with so many other things, of course...and imagining Zelos taking on the role of Father Christmas is still a stretch his mind almost refuses to adjust to. No, that still makes sense.]
[But now they're seguing back to...the original topic, again, but in such a soft transition Jack finds he doesn't mind it quite so much. Rolls his shoulders in a bit of a shrug, with a slight nod of agreement to accompany.]
--Yeah. Not easy at all for a lot of people, probably. ...S'just--especially, ending up as something you never thought would happen again....
[And he glances away, because even getting that much out is difficult, but--progress. Slowly. (He owes Zelos this much, after all, even if it's terribly difficult finding the right words...)]
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He's more logically thinking on how he can help. The answer that comes to mind? Not really talking so much as far as the words go, but the casualty of it all. The sincerity and the attempts. Those seem to mean something.
And so he rolls his shoulders in a bit of a shrug as he goes on.]
Yeah. I mean, coming back to life, having a living body again... Those sorts of things have hit more than a few people around here. [Okay, in fact, the things he says are kind of depressing. But.]
But they don't take a lot into account here. You can put people through all sorts of hell, break them down to the bottom, but things like that... when they have people who count on them or believe in them, it only makes them stronger.
[corny]
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[He stares across the rooftops, all the way to where the sky touches down on the horizon impossibly far away, and he sighs.]
Well. No, it's not so much--the living part, I don't think. I'm still alive right now. I never left. [Some part of Jackson Overland had fallen away in that lake, with only fragments preserved in a tiny gold box in his pocket, that's true. But what he stood for, who he was--Death had never quite gotten hold of that, Jack doesn't think. (That's what makes a ghost a ghost, or a spirit a spirit...) Fingertips worry absently at a patch on one of his knees.] But--being there, y'know? Just like that. ...Not having to fight just to be around anymore.
[It's still almost a bit funny, really. The countless decades he'd spent watching and wondering and dreaming about what it must be like, to do what humans could--to exist so easily. To never have to bank on the attention of others, just to keep two feet on the world at all. And in the end, when it actually happened, there'd been--nothing particularly special about it, the most natural thing in the world...]
[But Jack already crossed that bridge with North a little while ago, now, well and properly. And he shakes his head again even as he speaks, a slight smile slipping back onto his features as he shifts his head around to look over to Zelos again.]
But--that's not why I didn't leave in the first place. And you're right. Like--stuff about learning from the worst kind of experience? ...Something like that... [Alas, Jack can't quite pull of Zelos' brand of smoothly corny sayings, but well. Close enough. His eyes shift back forward to the cityscape ahead, again.] ...It shouldn't have happened at all, but--I guess, that I can be happy it did. Might as well make something out of it, right?
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He could say a lot of thoughtful things. But Jack seems pretty resolved with the whole issue after all, so Zelos is sure he was able to speak to someone about it. Maybe that North guy? Who knows. Even still, being able to hear him talk about what was on his mind himself was nice. He hoped it was nice to get out, too. It always was an awkward, freeing feeling when he managed to do so himself...
His reaction probably isn't what's expected, though. Even in a serious situation, Zelos is still Zelos. And Zelos will do whatever he damn well wants to if it means fun times and laughs. So he doesn't feel strange at all leaning over just enough to loop his arms around Jack's shoulders and pull him into a hair-ruffle that's borderlining on a noogie.]
Exactly, exactly! That's the spirit, Jack! Besides, the way you are right now... I think a lot of people would value relationships a lot more if they had to go through that. It gives you a perspective on things.
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[Figuring out how the normal back-and-forth usually goes after that is still kind of tricky, though, and things might have actually gotten pretty awkward if Zelos hadn't taken the course of action he does now. After this long, Jack should be used to it--really--but it still manages to catch him completely off-guard anyway. Doesn't see it coming, looking the other way as he is, until there's warm arms wrapping around and a hand in his hair--]
--Hey, what the--! [Jack splutters, immediately struggling (somewhat ineffectually) against the grip, staff tipping to one side as he tries to swat Zelos' hand away. Or at least get an elbow properly lodged in the guy's ribs, because really...] That'd better not be a noogie, 'cause that's just asking for payback, y'know--
[GOD DUDE WHY MUST YOU ALWAYS RUIN NICE MOMENTS but it's for the better, because otherwise Jack's not entirely sure how he would have responded to what Zelos actually did say, even with the ridiculous gestures to accompany. He had heard it, though. And he appreciates it--the understanding there.]
[Noogies are easier to put into words, though.]
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Oww, hey, hey, those twiggy elbows are payback enough! Come on!
[The elbow was enough to stop him from leaning on Jack, but he's moving forward again to pinch at his cheeks from behind, stretching them out a bit. His sing-song voice is quick to follow.]
Don't be so cooooold hu~n~ny!
[And then he promptly releases Jack's cheeks and erupts in laughter. (You can bet he's scrambling to his feet and away if he needs to dodge staff swings or slaps, too.) This conversation has gone out the metaphorical window. But then, they'd gotten out what they'd needed to, hadn't they? Wallowing in it wasn't going to help. His main reason for calling Jack out here was a desire to cheer him up and distract from things, anyway. Remind him of his friends here and now.]
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[Even centuries of isolation aside, Jack's never actually--engaged in stuff like this, very often. Being on the receiving end of joking and cajoling that he usually tries to be the one doling out.]
[But Zelos doesn't give him any time to consider that, and it's good. Because it's nice. Even as it is completely embarrassing; just when he'd almost thought he was free of the hands, there's a pair pinching his cheeks and--puns now, really--?]
Oh, that's it-- [Zelos lets go, and Jack twists around; it's a good thing he's already scrambling up and away indeed, as Jack does very nearly clock him over the head with his staff, misses barely. Quickly enough he's on his own feet too, though, and he's most certainly not letting Zelos get away with all of that if he can help it--! To the point that he actually drops his staff, just for a bit, letting it clatter and settle on the rooftop tiles in favor of lunging forward and snatching at the nearest snatchable article on Zelos' person with both hands. Incidentally, this happens to be the front of his vest.]
[Don't mind Jack while he attempts to haul you down at least to eye-level, the better to try wrapping one arm around your neck and put his free hand to good use mussing that great head of hair you've got there, yes. ...Admittedly Jack hasn't actually had the chance to put anyone in a headlock before, and this one's a bit wanting, but hopefully the discomfort of an icecube administering a noogie will help override that. Which is the main point here. ...Though even despite vindictive words and gestures, Jack finds himself laughing all the while.]
1/3 gay tags
[In his taunting with his run, he's clumsy and his vest is caught. Being dragged down to eye-level is a startling enough motion in itself, especially when his thoughts were so properly interrupted.
Because this? This was fun. This was the sort of messing around he loved to do but never expected to get to do so genuinely. Always tried for even between the sadness and the lies, but didn't always manage to quite get there— but now he seemed better at it. Opening himself up more meant experiencing this more, and this was something he really, really liked. Just laughing and goofing off no matter what was going on around them because they had their friendship and enough hope to face what was coming.
Even in the moments when his head is locked into a hold like that, he's still laughing and it's as genuine as ever.]
2/3
He has to fight to stop laughing, even still, but his whining comes out loudly as he swats and struggles against Jack, grabbing his arms and turning in an attempt to wrestle himself free.
He probably only manages to get them to fall over in the process.]
Hey, hey, hey, not the hair—! Jaaaaaack!
ok done jesus this is gay
Okay, okay, come on, you're freezing—! [Not that he minds, clearly, with all this extra physical contact.] Let go!
off the charts tbh, slowly shakes head
[(It's something he's never done before...)]
[The feeling of victory's still fairly short-lived, though. Jack realizes Zelos' attempts to shake him off have resulted in actual loss of balance a bit too late, yelps a bit when they both hit the rooftop tile, but somehow he still stubbornly manages to keep one hand planted on the guy's head, which is a high success as far as Jack's concerned.]
No, never! Not 'til you say Uncle, and that definitely didn't sound like--ah-- [Wait what why are you flopping on top of him no what are you doing--Jack wheezes a bit, grip around Zelos' neck loosening in favor of attempts towards pushing him off, but it's not particularly successful. Puffing out a huff, Jack settles with trying to wriggle his way out instead, keeping one fist firmly planted in Zelos' hair all the while and adding a bit of extra ruffling just for the principle of the thing.] --Hey, this is cheating! Don't make me add ice to this too!
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[Insulted by the thought of ice becoming involved, Zelos recoils more than he had with the light pushes and shoves. He retorts by snagging Jack's hoodie that had so perfectly fallen beneath his head and tugging it over his forehead further as he pushes off. Falling back out of Jack's grip, he brings his own hands to his head as he falls on his back on the roof tiles, sighing in exaggerated exasperation.]
Ahhhh! My hair's all messed up thanks to you! [Hardly, honestly. Just a little crazy at the top and now his headband's lopsided.] Let's call it a tie! A tie!