She shook her head in vehement denial against his shoulder, her hair most likely tickling him as she let out another soft breath against his shoulder, trying to soak up his warmth and understanding and glad for it. Still she couldn’t get rid of the stone of guilt that had settled in her stomach. “No..I didn’t..b-but I should have been careful..worn the holo-watch..I should have..”
And she realized then why she felt guilty, her old thoughts of being nothing but a problem for Jack springing forth in her mind. How much she hated being a burden. She had tried to be stronger in the past but the past month had made her take steps back. But she was still determined to try harder again. She didn’t want to be a quitter.
Returning the hug, she tried settling down and letting go of the plaguing feelings. It almost had her letting out a nervous giggle. “S-Sorry I tried..making this a nice dinner..relaxing and..I just couldn’t lie to you again..” As she had done it before when Psycho had attacked her. She had done it to protect him but it had ended up backfiring. “T-Thank you for understanding though..”
He hugged her tighter, for his own comfort just as much as hers. In the back of his mind, he agreed that she should have been more careful and worn the watch, but he wasn’t going to say so. She clearly felt terrible enough as it was.
“N-no, it’s all right. I’m glad you told me.” He tilted her head up so he could look her in the eyes. “W-when you used to hide things, and go out to dangerous places without telling me … Katelynn, I hated that. But this I can h-handle. I’d r-rather have the truth, always, even if it’s n-not nice.” Unable to stand it any longer, he kissed her forehead. “It wasn’t your fault. It wasn’t your fault, and it’s over n-now.”
“You’re so wonderful Jack..” she whispered before she could stop herself, feeling her cheeks grow brightly when she realized what she said. All these months together and she still couldn’t stop blushing around him – he would always have that affect on her for as long as she held that warm love for him in her heart.
And she knew she always would.
Trying to give him a thankful smile as she held his gaze, she cuddled into his chest and said, “Y-You know..now that you’re back..maybe we could take a day off and just be together? Go somewhere fun or just r-relax all day and watch movies? If you want I mean..”
She was pretty much up for anything as long as it was with him and figured they deserved a little time off together though she wouldn’t push it if he didn’t want to.
As she cuddled against him, he rested his cheek on the top of her head. “I’d love that. I really would. I’ve missed you so much, Katelynn.”
He swallowed. “I think I like the idea of spending a day in, if it’s all the same. I n-need some time to r-recuperate after the trip, and I’d much rather do it with you. Just a quiet day at home.” He wasn’t as afraid of venturing out as he’d once been, but Jack was still a shy, introverted man, and probably always would be. He didn’t add that staying home also meant they were much less likely to run into trouble with some villain.
Jack Maple 