Seahorse steps: Wednesday Late Afternoon (after workshops)

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack was stretched out on the grass near the steps, basking in the afternoon heat -- shirtless, of course - he was back in Seawhorse, after all.

Oddly enough, he was also reading a book he'd handwavily picked up after his workshop. It wasn't as battered as Sam's copy, but the cover was the same.

There was a box of J,Gob's savoury muffins near his elbow, which he'd happily share, and a bottle of sunscreen, which he'd more than happily rub on share with anyone who wanted to join him in shirtlessness.

[As open as a thing that it is bounded neither by time nor space!]

Comments

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"You make it sound like a hardship. I think having my own personal swooning Rory would be wonderful. I admit it might make some things a bit challenging, and you'd find it hard to study if you kept swooning."

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"That'd be very bad, yes," Rory said, giggling a little. "I wouldn't be able to read at all! Though, admittedly, if I were swooning, I probably wouldn't have my mind on books."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"I should hope not," Jack grumbled, feigning offense. "If I'm carrying you around, and you're thinking about books, I'd think I was losing my touch!"

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"Well, I am quite the nerd," Rory said seriously. "So if ever I find myself thinking of books mid-swoon, it's nothing personal."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Any time I get to spend with you, swooning or otherwise, is wonderful," Jack said seriously. "So if you want to think of books, or anything else, that's fine with me."

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"Aww, Jack," Rory said, reaching over to give him a hug. "You're so sweet."

And then she blushed, because she was hugging a shirtless boy.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack laughed as he returned her hug. "Sweet, huh? Don't go spreading that around." As he let go, he noticed her blush and couldn't resist kissing her on the cheek. "You are so cute when you blush."

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

Which, naturally, just made her blush darker. "Your secret sweetness is safe with me, and wow, that is way too much alliteration. And thanks. If I could control my complexion, I would, but people seem to like the blushing even if I hate it."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"I think people like it because it's an honest reaction - they can be pretty rare, sometimes." He shrugged. "That's why I like it - I mean, besides the cuteness factor."

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"Well, I'm learning to lie, at least," she said happily. "So I won't be quite so transparent. It might be cute but it's horribly inconvenient."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"But if you can learn to lie well, maybe you can master the blushing. If you can figure out how to do it on command, you'll be able to fool anyone."

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"True, but I don't really want to be a con artist," Rory decided. "I mostly just want to be able to play poker effectively."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"I'm relieved to hear that. If you decided to become a con artist no one in the world would be safe! What with your brains and your beauty, people would be falling all over themselves to give you anything you wanted." He cocked an eyebrow at her. "I'm considered a pretty good poker player, if you want someone to practice with?"

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

She smiled. "That'd be nice, since my favorite poker player left town at the beginning of summer. I'm just a horrible, horrible liar, and it'd be nice to be able to not stutter my way through every bluff."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Anytime you want, just grab me and a deck of cards, and we'll see what we can do to get you bluffing like a pro."

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

Rory gave her watch a thoughtful look, and frowned. "And...sadly I probably ought to get going, as I have a puppy who'll be waking up hungry soon." She smiled as she stood. "Enjoy the book, seriously."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"I will. You can explain the bits I don't understand to me sometime," he said, shading his eyes as he looked up at her. "Pat Vladdie for me?"

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"I will," she said with a grin. "See you, Jack." She tossed a wave over her shoulder as she headed off towards Meerkat.