Chapter Text
The first few days of trying to get to know Jake was...well, hard to say the least. He consistently moved around their headspace, his door usually closed. When Jake made himself known initially, he did his best to keep out of Steven and Marc's way.
He maybe said about two words to each of them the day they found him, and consistently ignored them as he did his best to blend back into the background.
Marc felt, although, incredibly annoyed, did his best to respect Jake's wishes.
Steven, on the other hand, did not.
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"I just want to talk to you mate, try to get to know you a little? Maybe?" Steven asked, again, for maybe the fifth time their first week as he wrapped against Jake's door.
Steven listened intently, finding silence as usual. As Marc controlled the body for the day, Steven did his best to try to reach out to Jake.
Again, Jake refused to acknowledge it.
He wasn't necessarily mean, but definitely not up for conversation. Steven felt they all needed to speak to each other, but Marc disagreed. He let Steven know he would happily talk to him, but if Jake wanted to be left alone, then that should be it.
Steven, not usually enjoying such an idea, continously went behind Marc's back during that first week.
Every day, he found himself in front of Jake's door, leaning against it, and simply began talking.
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"..Then Marc said tomatoes are a fruit, but I bloody disagreed. I mean..are they? Couldn't say, but I'm a bit chuffed to say I definitely stumped him by telling him pants were something else entirely in British." Steven snickered, leaning against Jake's door.
Steven never heard movement, but he also never heard Jake snap at him to leave, so he did his best to keep that as a good sign.
Steven hummed quietly to himself, before continuing to speak.
"Can't say he knows much in british slang, but I do my best to keep him updated. It's pretty fun to let him know the different versions of what Americans say, absolutely gobsmacked from it, he was! Wish you could've seen it Jake, I hope you do soon!"
"Anyway, that was my day. It's always interesting to talk to you Jake, cheers mate!" Steven said happily, tapping his finger onto the door as he headed back down to his room.
And as usual, in moments like these, he never noticed Jake open the door slightly, watching Steven go in silence.
-
The first two weeks passed, with not much luck on Steven's side, but he still ended up at Jake's door every day when Marc fronted. He'd tell silly jokes, interesting stories, or eventually started saying Egytpian facts.
"..And that was how the Egyptians invented the three-hundred and sixty five day calendar, isn't that brilliant Jake? Back then, most would think they were lost in the plot, but the Egyptians had a fascinating head on their shoulders. Well, for inventions for sure! Now that we're basically a superhero, we should know this stuff, huh? 'Course, you do most of the superhero stuff now. I mean, as that silly old bird has you do most of the silly things, the culture is still wonderful to know. I'm glad I get to talk to you every day, its been really nice when Marc leaves.." Steven trailed off, tapping his fingers lightly against the wood.
Again, Steven heard nothing, but for once he almost felt like someone may have been listening from the other side.
Steven tilted his head, before smiling.
"Oh! I got a silly one eh, knock knock?" Steven snickered, tapping twice against the woodgrain of the door.
Although, no answer as usual, Steven hummed.
"Lettuce!" Steven grinned.
Again, nothing, but it not once deterred Steven.
"So you say "whose there?" Then I say, Lettuce In!" Steven laughed, throwing his head back and knocking it against the door lightly.
"Ouch." Steven muttered, reaching up to rub his head in irritation.
As he did so, he heard a very small low chuckle from the other side of the door, his heart racing as he leaned his head against it, straining to listen. The laughter, though quiet, was enough.
Steven smiled, feeling content.
"Well, I'm glad you liked that one. I know, awfully silly it is, but at least you think it's funny. I think Marc tolerates it, the poor bloke. He gets the brunt end of my jokes all the time, 'course, I think he secretly endures it, don't you?" Steven giggled, tracing the wood grain affectionately.
Steven listened, waiting, before he heard the slightest bit of a creak within the room. He felt the door move slightly, as if something, or someone, was leaning against the other side too.
Steven pressed a hand against it, smiling.
"Come out soon, love. But take your time, we'll be waiting patiently." Steven smiled, before turning away back to his room.
Jake opened the door slightly, his eyes glistening. He watched Steven go in adoration.
"Lo haré querido." Jake whispered affectionately to himself, watching Steven humming merrily down the hallway to his room.