034 - I'm holding out for that teenage feeling

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

[At the beach, because there was no one there and kaldjskjd SHE'S YOUNG. God. She is going to kill Dino. :| ]

Comments

[itsthecoat.livejournal.com]

I have an idea of why it happened this time, and it didn't happen so suddenly. I'm dealing a lot better this time, promise.

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

Good. [Still not entirely reassured. She looks away.]

[itsthecoat.livejournal.com]

[Sighs, crouching down besides her] It won't last, not now, not ever.

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

Jack... [It's amazing the difference a kid's voice and expressions make. Instead of a concerned friend, she's just a worried teen. Never mind the fact that's how she feels most of the time with the people here, helpless to do anything but watch their lives go wrong while she tries to deal with her own--never mind that she would never acknowledge that fact.]

[itsthecoat.livejournal.com]

It's fine Misaki, really. There's no need for you to worry.

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

[Little kid face still worried. Isn't she cute? :I ] ...I wish I could do something.

[itsthecoat.livejournal.com]

[Oh so very cute] Don't we all?

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

[And then, instead of little!Misaki hugging her knees against her chin, it is big!Misaki doing the same. She doesn't seem to notice the change, and the position of vulnerability is, well... strange, to say the least. Even asleep, there's a guardedness there that years of living in a world with the Gates, living in a world whose cops have to be that much harder--especially the women--has ingrained in her.]

[itsthecoat.livejournal.com]

[Jack does notice the change, and for a moment all he feels is a pang of guilt and sadness. It's irrational, but he wants nothing more than to take away all the things that made Misaki as guarded as she is now, and leave behind everything that ever made her smile. Instead, he sits down besides her and wraps an arm around her shoulders, hugging her protectively]

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

[Eh? Lets go of her knees and looks at him in surprise]

Jack, wh--

[And then the fact that he's not a bajillion times taller than her any more registers.]

I'm... [Looking at her hands, digging through her purse to find a mirror-- Relief.] Thank god that's over.

[itsthecoat.livejournal.com]

[He smiles, squeezing her arm softly] See? Back to normal in no time.

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

No need to talk down to me, Jack. I'm not seventeen. [ATTEMPT AT A JOKE? MAYBE.]

[itsthecoat.livejournal.com]

Now. You couldn't say that a minute ago.

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

[Half-hearted shoulder punch]

[itsthecoat.livejournal.com]

[grins] I'm only telling the truth.

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

Amazing how that only seems to happen when it's more convenient for your ego.

[itsthecoat.livejournal.com]

My ego's not that big, you know.

[chasingstars201.livejournal.com]

Oh no, definitely not.

[itsthecoat.livejournal.com]

Not as big as anyone thinks, anyway.