Archive of Our Own ^beta

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★ Jax and Pomni go stargazing about twice a week. Laying on Pomni's red and blue blanket while eating snacks Jax brought. It's one of the few times they don't feel watched. Sometimes they talk. Sometimes they just eat quietly.

★ For weeks, people assumed they were dating. Or that they might have something between them. Sitting close and sneaking off together really didn't help any of the rumors. When someone finally asks? Jax smirks, Pomni chokes on her spit, both are very embarrassed.

★ They bicker like an old married couple. Arguing over the dumbest things. Like who left the door open or whose turn it is to make the bed. Usually Jax started it, or at the very least escalates the situation. "You’re impossible.” “And you’re adorable."

★ Jax would tease Pomni by using really sweet pet names. But only when nobody else is around! Calling her things like "sweetheart" and "love of my life" just to see her blush. She never knows when he'll do this. That’s exactly how he likes it.

★ Pomni is the only one who can get Jax to behave. Though it doesn't always work. Crossing her arms and saying his name in that tone usually does the trick. "You don't need to be nice, but you shouldn't be mean." Not yelling. Just sounding disappointed.

★ Unlike his better half, Jax is confident. A stark contrast to Pomni’s anxiety. When things start to spiral, she panics. He doesn't. If she’s too scared to act then he'll go first. Showing her some things aren't so scary.

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Chinning is something rabbits do.

As the name suggests, it's when they rub their chin against an object. Scent-marking it. Silently saying "This. This is mine."

Strangely enough, Jax does it too. Just because it feels right. Never putting much thought into it. He just does it.

Pomni sat at the side of her bed. Lost in thought while attempting to solve a puzzle cube Caine gave her. It was a nice distraction.

One she needed.

As one side was finally solved, the other side shifted. Scrambling itself all over again.

She sighed. Shoulders slumping over as she practically deflated.

'...Is this really the best use of my time?' She thought to herself.

Pomni didn't hear the door click open. Didn't hear soft footsteps padded by the carpeted floor.

Jax sneaking in. Uninvited, of course. His demeanor seemed playful rather than malicious.

Unaware of his presence in her room, Pomni continued to fiddle with the glorified time waster.

He paused for a moment. Looking Pomni over.

Then, without a word, he leaned in.

A soft brush against her cheek. Against the side of her face. He felt her jump. Startled.

'Jax?"

He responded with a low hum. Casual. Like this was a perfectly normal thing to do.

"Um, okay???"

She was his, apparently.

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★ Jax didn't notice when it happened. When he started feeling this way. Not until it was impossible to ignore. It snuck up on him. Making him feel hopeful. Excited, even! Things felt easy with her around. Maybe, she felt the same?

★ Pomni was nice to him. Always polite. Never ready to say anything mean. Not unless he deserved it. She even played along with jokes that were less mean. In her eyes, humoring him. The small actions misinterpreted on his end.

★ Whenever someone speaks to her with that rude, undermining tone, Pomni would quietly shut down. Struggling with eye contact and simply wanting it to be over. But with Jax? She leans in. Knowing he doesn't really mean it.

★ He tried to confess. But Pomni just blinked, caught off guard. It had to be some weird prank- what else would it be? And, wow. She almost believed him! Laughing as Jax stood there. Blank faced.

★ "Gotcha," he said with a lopsided grin. Voice just a pitch too low. She didn't notice. Unknown to her, the smile was fake. The mask only slipped when he was sure Pomni turned away.

★ Letting out a shakey breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. His hand drifted up to grab at his forearm. Attempting to ground himself. Well, at least she laughed? At him? Or... was it the idea he could ever be genuine?

★ He started pushing her away after that. Hiding his hurt with cruel jokes. The kind that went too far. Before, his teasing was playful. Now his words cut deeper. Knowing what makes her tick.

★ Each little joke they had is turned against her. It stings. And they both know it. It's like he needs her to feel it. The hurt that he has. That hope he had before? Gone. Like it was just another mistake.