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

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

She buried her face in his neck and chuckled a little. "No, you must have forgotten."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"I knew I forgot something important." Jack kissed the top of her head, stroking his hand slowly down her back. "And I promsie not to make a mess. But blueberry flavoured Sam is something I can't resist," he whispered in her ear.

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

She blushed. "We're using your sheets."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Deal." Jack couldn't help hugging her tighter, nuzzling his nose against her neck. "I was having such a good day, and then you appeared and it got so much better."

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

"I was just as glad to see you, you know. You definitely brighten my day."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Oh, well, that goes without saying," he said with a laugh. "You okay now?"

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

"Yeah." Hopefully she wouldn't wake the entire cabin with nightmares.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack pulled away enough to see her face, and frowned slightly. "My bed's big enough for two, if you want," he offered. "And I sleep better when you're there."

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

"Are you sure?" Sam asked seriously. "I don't know how good a sleeping companion I'm going to be tonight. I might not sleep at all."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"In that case, I insist." He patted the ground behind him until he found his book. "I can read this to you."

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

She smiled when she saw the cover. "The Little Prince, huh?"

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"You had a copy, that was enough of a recommendation for me. And I'm kind of enjoying it," he said, sounding surprised.

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

"Oh yeah? What's your favorite part?" She leaned up against him.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Actually, the bit I was reading when you got here kind of appeals to me right at the moment." He shifted so he could open the book, keeping one arm around her. "Want me to read it to you?"

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

"Yes." It had been years since she'd been read to.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack cleared his throat. He'd never read to anyone before.

""If some one loves a flower, of which just one single blossom grows in all the millions and millions of stars, it is enough to make him happy just to look at the stars. He can say to himself, 'Somewhere, my flower is there . . .' But if the sheep eats the flower, in one moment all his stars will be darkened . . . And you think that is not important!"

He could not say anything more. His words were choked by sobbing.

The night had fallen. I had let my tools drop from my hands. Of what moment now was my hammer, my bolt, or thirst, or death? On one star, one planet, my planet, the Earth, there was a little prince to be comforted. I took him in my arms, and rocked him. I said to him:

"The flower that you love is not in danger. I will draw you a muzzle for your sheep. I will draw you a railing to put around your flower. I will--"

I did not know what to say to him. I felt awkward and blundering. I did not know how I could reach him, where I could overtake him and go on hand in hand with him once more."

Jack trailed away into silence.

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

Sam took his hand. "And why do you like that so much?" She knew why she liked it, but this was about Jack.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Closing his fingers around hers, he stared at the book. "I'm not sure. I like that he just forgot about everything when he was confronted with someone else's pain. I had let my tools drop from my hands. Of what moment now was my hammer, my bolt, or thirst, or death? On one star, one planet, my planet, the Earth, there was a little prince to be comforted. He felt like he had to to help, just because he saw the problem, just because he was needed." Glancing sideways, he added, "And I feel for him, trying to comfort someone and not knowing how, but trying anyway."

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

Sam's heart ached a little. "For me, it's about wanting to keep something safe and protected, and trying desperately to make that happen."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Yeah. I can see that." He tipped his head sideways, resting it against hers feeling suddenly sad. "That's very you. The protector, no matter what it costs you."

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

She gave a watery chuckle.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack dropped the book and put both arms around her, kissing her temple and then her lips. "Maybe I should find something else to read to you. A comedy, maybe."

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

"Weren't you reading a book about hammocks?" Sam asked, trying to cheer up. It was too gorgeous a day to be stuck in memories.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Not about hammocks, about things you can do in hammocks," he corrected with a teasing smile. "And I still haven't managed to track down a private place to hang one."

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

"Hmmmm..." Sam began to ponder.