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Free. Jack Rose finally felt free. Gods, he had spent so long obsessing over every detail, it felt odd to let himself relax. The best part was that he had friends now. In the past, his mother was the closest thing he had to a friend. Even then, it was far from friendship. It was unforgiving and cold– one mistake and he could be grounded for a fortnight.
That was over, though. There was no reason for him to feel anxious. Why, then, could he still feel her hands around his wrists, around his throat? Why did any mention of her make him freeze? Something was certainly wrong with him.
Wanderlust was his escape. Around him, Jack didn’t feel trapped. He was able to open up and stop pretending. Wander was okay with the fact that Jack wasn’t perfect, hell, he accepted it. That acceptance gave Jack a fluttery feeling in his chest.
At first, he assumed this feeling was just what came from friendship. But when he met Brezziana, Sara, and Mihaly, it felt different. He loved them, of course, but seeing them didn’t make his heart race or his chest flutter. No, that only happened around Wander. Why that was, he had no clue.
He was sitting with Wander, nervously biting his cheek. He was being unreasonable. There was no reason to be nervous around Wander. No matter how much he told himself that, though, he still couldn’t bring himself to stop. Turn it off, turn it off, turn it off, he repeated in his mind. The feeling wasn’t bad, per se, just new.
Wander was chattering about something or another. “I mean, have you seen Sara dance? All of my friends are so amazing,” he said. “I’m so lucky to have you guys, seriously.” He kept talking, but Jack froze. You guys. He considered Jack a friend. His eyes welled up with tears at the thought, but he swallowed the lump in his throat and blinked them back. Friends are normal, nothing to get all emotional over. Everyone had friends.
Wander shoved his shoulder playfully. “And wow, I haven’t even gotten to your skill yet! I swear, your dances put me in a trance. How can you be so incredibly good?” Jack blinked at him and blushed. These compliments were making him so emotional and he still didn’t know why. His mother had complimented him all the time, but those usually felt back-handed.
“Thank you. You’re very good as well,” he managed. Wander smiled at him, making him blush even harder.
“So formal, Mr. Rose,” Wander teased, “but thanks.” He started talking about other things and Jack felt him lean into his shoulder. He tensed up for a moment, but let himself relax. This was a normal, friendly thing. Everyone did this. Even if this funny feeling meant something, Wander surely didn’t reciprocate it.
“Well, I must get going. I promised Mihaly I would look at something with them. Talk to you later, yeah?” Wander said as he stretched and stood up.
Jack smiled slightly. “Goodbye, Wander. See you soon,” he replied.
☆★☆
“Sara, are you free?” Jack Rose asked, walking up to his new friend. He was nervous, but he felt this conversation was necessary. If he didn’t talk about how he felt, he thought that everything inside him might burst.
Sara turned to face him and grinned. “Of course! What’s up, Jack?” she nearly bounced over to him, seemingly happy that he initiated conversation. He was unable to resist smiling back.
“You’re human, right? So I assume you know about… feelings and shit,” he tried. She nodded and he continued. “I don’t know. Ever since I got away from my mother, I’ve been feeling funny. I mean, around Wander specifically. Sorry, I don’t know how to put this. I seem to get nervous around him, more so than around you guys. It’s not quite a bad feeling, but I’m not sure I know what it is.”
Sara paused for a moment before giggling. “Oh my GODS, Jack! You have a crush! This is so cute, oh my goodness. You’re in love, you silly goose!” she exclaimed, wrapping her arms tightly around his torso. He awkwardly returned the hug, not quite sure how to react.
“Really? I suppose that makes sense, I just always thought I would know. I didn’t expect it to be this complicated,” he admitted. “I think you’re right, though. What should I do?”
“Oh, he totally likes you too. You should tell him how you feel! No harm in that, is there?” she suggested, still bouncing from foot to foot.
“If you think so, then I will today. Might as well get it out of the way when we have time,” he decided. She pulled him back into another hug, and he relaxed into her. At the very least, he knew what was going on with him.
☆★☆
Jack took a deep breath. Wander was right beside him, sitting cross-legged on the ground and watching a frog. “They’re just so cute, aren’t they?” he said. Jack smiled. Wander was just so sweet.
“They are indeed. Wander, can I talk to you about something?” Wander looked up from the frog and into Jack’s eyes. Jack swallowed nervously.
“What’s going on? Are you alright?”
Jack tried to smile. “Yeah, I just think… I think I might have… a crush. On you.” He watched Wander, trying to decipher how that made him feel.
Wanderlust lit up. He pulled Jack into a hug. “That’s wonderful! I may or may not have a crush on you too,” he teased. Jack playfully smacked him. “Fine, yes, I do. I like you a lot, Jack Rose.”
Jack felt himself being pulled into a kiss. Before their lips touched, Wander stopped for just a moment. When Jack nodded, their lips gently came together. A feeling of bliss shot through him. It lasted only a few seconds, but it was the best thing he had ever felt. When they pulled back, Jack studied Wander’s eyes. They were a beautiful blue, like a clear sky reflected off of topaz.
“I love you, Jack. Thank you for telling me how you felt,” Wander breathed. He leaned in so their foreheads were touching.
“I love you too, Wander.”