Work Text:
The sketchbook feels almost fragile in Spy’s hands. The pages are ever so slightly yellowed with age, though the drawings inside are just as vibrant as the day they were made. The cover is worn from years of being bumped around, and the binding is starting to wear thin.
Sloppy, is what Spy would call something like this under any other circumstance. This time he settles for ‘well loved.’
Clearly Scout has owned this for a significant portion of his life.
“Is this supposed to impress me?” Spy asks, his tone pressed into a carefully crafted neutrality.
Scout winces, apparently not pleased by Spy’s reaction. That was /not/ the intended response. Oh dear.
“Uh.” Scout stutters, “Well..”
Usually Scout would double down on how amazing he is, in a tirade that would put even Soldier to shame. Spy’s not used to Scout faltering. It’s.. concerning.
“You should consider yourself successful.”
Scout double, and then triple takes. “What?”
“I am impressed. You have done well.”
Several seconds pass in silence with Scout staring blankly at Spy.
Spy recognizes that this is going to be incredibly uncomfortable if he doesn’t say something else.
“It’s a wonderful drawing. You clearly display a natural talent for art.”
Scout, for all intents and purposes, has completely checked out of the conversation. It would be impolite to just.. leave, however.
“Your use of shapes to exaggerate movement is truly incredible.” Spy clears his throat. He’s barely holding Scout’s focus, no matter how much Scout obviously wants to pay attention. “Are you sure you’ve never gone to art school?”
“Yeah,” Scout’s mouth feels like cotton. Art school where he’d probably be right now, if he could read. He knows his ma could afford it, even if he doesn’t know where she gets the income. “I’m sure.”
“Your art is wonderful.”
Spy hands back the sketchbook, his touch light as if fearing he would upset Scout if he handled it any more firmly.
“I’m looking forward to whatever you create next.” Spy murmurs, his tone warm in a way nobody else would ever hear. He’s proud of Jeremy. So very proud of him.
“Y-yeah, sure.” Scout croaks, before turning on his heel and making a beeline for the door.
He pauses in the doorframe, nodding slightly, his just as awestruck as he was at the first compliment. “Thanks, Spy.”
“You are welcome, Jeremy.”