will-never-be-a-swan:

wrapped-in-shadows:

uh? n-no you’re not…! i’ve got all my work caught up, really. i may get some last second things b-but i’m not a miracle worker… i can’t paint a whole photograph onto a canvas in a night, no matter how much these people think i can…

I guess I’m guilty of thinking you’re superman since I sort of thought you could. *Smiles faintly* But it sounds a lot like how my job is and shooting and editing a video. Sometimes we only get max 30 minutes to get it all done so it can air. I’m starting to wish I could just make photography as my profession. It’s a lot calmer and I always get appreciated more doing it.

*he laughs awkwardly, and squeezes a forearm* i’m no superman, sorry… or metro man. i’m just me. *he puts his hands into his pockets and leans back and forth slowly* why don’t you? make photography your profession? then you… you’d love what you do.

will-never-be-a-swan:

wrapped-in-shadows:

*he talks to a phone; a woman wanting to know how the painting of her son an daughter-in-law’s wedding photograph is coming. he insists it’s almost done, yes, it will be done in time for Christmas and she doesn’t have to worry. he nods his head, mumbling things like ‘i understand’ and ‘of course’ before saying goodbye and hangs up*

…

*what was he doing? oh yes. admitting to liking a woman and being shot down entirely. he turns around to look at her and smiles faintly*

people get so crazy this time of year… they want their painting now, like, a day after they commission me.. *yes. topic change. good. safe.*

I can imagine. That’s why the people at the post office are so frazzled… *Her butterflies disappear and she feels lighter, realizing the call wasn’t going to pull him away. She didn’t understand the strange feeling and wrapped her arms around her stomach* People are just worried their gifts won’t arrive on time.

*Her eyes widen at the realization* Oh! I’m so sorry Jack, I’m keeping you from work, aren’t I?

uh? n-no you’re not…! i’ve got all my work caught up, really. i may get some last second things b-but i’m not a miracle worker… i can’t paint a whole photograph onto a canvas in a night, no matter how much these people think i can…

will-never-be-a-swan:

wrapped-in-shadows:

*he’s about to speak when his phone suddenly rings. for a while it looks like he doesn’t hear it but, slowly, he lets go of her and pulls his phone out of his pocket* sorry… *jack turns away as he answers it, eyes shutting on a tired, defeated sigh before he talks*

*It was like slight deja-vu to her; this scene playing out to her before but in a fancy hotel bar with a charismatic man. Katelynn shakes her head at the thought, pushing him out of her thoughts.* ‘Stop it.’ *She merely stands there, waiting patiently for him. She had a feeling though and pressed a hand to her stomach to stop the butterflies*

*he talks to a phone; a woman wanting to know how the painting of her son an daughter-in-law’s wedding photograph is coming. he insists it’s almost done, yes, it will be done in time for Christmas and she doesn’t have to worry. he nods his head, mumbling things like ‘i understand’ and ‘of course’ before saying goodbye and hangs up*

…

*what was he doing? oh yes. admitting to liking a woman and being shot down entirely. he turns around to look at her and smiles faintly*

people get so crazy this time of year… they want their painting now, like, a day after they commission me.. *yes. topic change. good. safe.*

will-never-be-a-swan:

wrapped-in-shadows:

*and there goes the fuel powering the flame. it goes out like a candle. he looks at her and swallows, slowly, before he nods and manages to put a smile onto his face* y-yeah. i do.

And I really hope I can continue to help you see the wonderful person you are. *Gently squeezes his hands, her thumb making stroking motions along his skin* Because I really wish you wouldn’t think so negatively of yourself.

*he’s about to speak when his phone suddenly rings. for a while it looks like he doesn’t hear it but, slowly, he lets go of her and pulls his phone out of his pocket* sorry… *jack turns away as he answers it, eyes shutting on a tired, defeated sigh before he talks*

will-never-be-a-swan:

wrapped-in-shadows:

*he shuts his eyes and mumbles, just audible now* its crazy since i haven’t known you so long but i feel that i do and i look forward to seeing you and, and when i do it makes me feel like i’m all right, that, that i’m not a shut in or a weird looking guy who others have dismissed. you make me happy. h-happier than i’ve felt in ages and i…. i just…. *his voice shakes as he opens his eyes finally and looks at her* …i like you.

*She smiles at him happily* I like you too Jack. You know that already.

*and there goes the fuel powering the flame. it goes out like a candle. he looks at her and swallows, slowly, before he nods and manages to put a smile onto his face* y-yeah. i do.

will-never-be-a-swan:

wrapped-in-shadows:

*he just stands there. before taking her hands into his and stares down at the blue and peach skin differences* …i just…

*She waited patiently, allowing him to gather the courage to talk. He had been doing so well opening up and it seemed he hit a snag. But she understood; she had been the same way before moving here. With his hands holding hers, she moves them upward toward her cheek to rub against them softly, hoping it would give him courage*

*he shuts his eyes and mumbles, just audible now* its crazy since i haven’t known you so long but i feel that i do and i look forward to seeing you and, and when i do it makes me feel like i’m all right, that, that i’m not a shut in or a weird looking guy who others have dismissed. you make me happy. h-happier than i’ve felt in ages and i…. i just…. *his voice shakes as he opens his eyes finally and looks at her* …i like you.

will-never-be-a-swan:

wrapped-in-shadows:

… *he nods his head, understanding. clicking. he’d heard of it, but he never thought he’d ever get it. he smiles again* it’s not naive to want friends… i just figured i’d never have any besides my family and then you show up and… and i don’t… *he trails off and mumbles*

You don’t…? *She pressed, tilting her head in confusion*

*he just stands there. before taking her hands into his and stares down at the blue and peach skin differences* …i just…

will-never-be-a-swan:

wrapped-in-shadows:

i-i wouldn’t say it if it wasn’t true, katelynn. you. you mean a lot to me and i know it’s… pretty. um. forward since i haven’t known you too long but you are.

*She blushed a bit, trying to hide the pleased smile on her face* If it had been forward, I doubt I would have said it as well. Though people tell me I always try to be everyone’s friend or that I’m naive or too trusting and I give my feelings away so easily..but truthfully..you’re actually the first guy friend who mattered so much so soon. We just..click, you know?

… *he nods his head, understanding. clicking. he’d heard of it, but he never thought he’d ever get it. he smiles again* it’s not naive to want friends… i just figured i’d never have any besides my family and then you show up and… and i don’t… *he trails off and mumbles*

will-never-be-a-swan:

wrapped-in-shadows:

hey i care about you…! i care about you a lot already.

Really? *couldn’t keep the shock from her voice*

i-i wouldn’t say it if it wasn’t true, katelynn. you. you mean a lot to me and i know it’s… pretty. um. forward since i haven’t known you too long but you are.

will-never-be-a-swan:

wrapped-in-shadows:

*and again. friend. he wishes to admit to liking her. that he wants to take her somewhere. but his fears keep him back. he can’t say that to her; she’s had something happen. he seen it in her eyes sometimes. but he dare not ask what. it isn’t his business. instead he lifts his hand and gently rubs her back for a moment* w-well i’m glad.. t-to be worth remembering like this.

*Why had that sounded like some sort of hidden goodbye?* It’s more than that, silly. *She leaned back to look up at him* Hopefully you’ll end up caring about me the same way *She smiles*

hey i care about you…! i care about you a lot already.