The front lawns, outside the dorms: Monday afternoon

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack had gone for a run. A very long run, down to the beach and back, though about half way through he'd decided he was insane, because it was too damn hot, which was bad timing, because he still had to run back.

Luckily there was a hose he could soak his head with and a nice bit of lawn to stretch out on. Which was what he was doing right now, wearing nothing but a pair of very short shorts, lying on his back while he worked on his tan.

[ooc: and lo, the post was open!]

Comments

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

There were some things even Jack couldn't resist. This, as it turned out, was one of them. "Stay here," he said, stretching to his feet. "Okay? I'll be back in a minute."

Without waiting for a respone, he turned and headed into the dorms.

[chasingsnitches.livejournal.com]

For a moment, he thought Jack had just left again but every previous time he'd said he was leaving. This time, he hadn't.

So, Cedric stuck his arms out behind him and leaned back, closing his eyes and tilting his face up towards the sun.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack returned, walking very quietly, approaching from an angle where his shadow wouldn't fall across Cedric, just watching him. "Here," he said quietly, crouching in front of him and offering the bottle. "Sunscreen."

[chasingsnitches.livejournal.com]

"Thank you," he said, taking the sunscreen and popping open the bottle. He poured a small amount in his hands and started rubbing at his shoulders and chest.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

He stayed where he was, watching. "Now you'll be safe," he said, and anyone looking closely might see his fingers curling into the grass. "You can stay shirtless as long as you like."

[chasingsnitches.livejournal.com]

He grinned shyly before rubbing some more of the sunscreen against his sides and stomach. "Yes, I suppose I could, couldn't I?"

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, you could." His voice was much lower than he meant it to be, and he made himself sit back, move so he was next to him again. Not watching. "If you wanted, you could stay out here for awhile."

[chasingsnitches.livejournal.com]

"Maybe," Cedric said, dropping the bottle next to him. "Englishmen aren't used to this much fun. I might fall asleep."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"That would be okay, too," he said after a bit. "I could keep an eye on you."

[chasingsnitches.livejournal.com]

"You wouldn't just leave then?" Cedric asked, unable to stop himself.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

His expression closed down. "If you were trusting me to watch over you?" he replied, voice flat. "No."

[chasingsnitches.livejournal.com]

"Hm." He didn't apologize because he was being honest. "I don't think I'm quite tired enough to really sleep in this heat. Perhaps another time."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Whatever makes you happy, Cedric." He lay back down on the grass, one arm folded under his head, his other lying across his stomach, and stared up into the sky.

[chasingsnitches.livejournal.com]

"I should go," Cedric said after a moment. "I don't want to get sunburnt."

Yes, he knew that he had sunblock on and he didn't have anything else to do but he felt awkward and tense now.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

He almost reached out to stop him. Almost. "Whatever you want," he replied instead and closed his eyes.

[chasingsnitches.livejournal.com]

"Right," he said gruffly, snatching his shirt and disappearing inside the dorms.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack opened his eyes in time to see him disappear, and he sighed and rubbed his head, wondering if--

No. It was easier not to think, and he closed his eyes again, basking in the sun and let his mind go still.