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One day, Pomni decided to take a stroll around the circus. She didn’t have anything else to do and she felt restless. The sun was going down, but she wasn’t tired at all. Her mind wouldn’t shut down. So she figured it’d help put her at ease.
As she walked around, she came across a set of doors. She opened them one by one. Suddenly when she opened one, she spotted Jax inside. “Jax? What are you doing here?” She saw him sitting on a couch, cross legged.
He looked at her and then smirked. “Hey Pom. I was bored and didn’t have anything else to do.”
Pomni walked up to him and noticed the tv in front of him. He seemed to be watching a movie. “Are you watching a thriller?” The atmosphere of the movie seemed dark and spooky.
“There was nothing better to put on. All the other movies looked boring.” He said nonchalantly.
Pomni glanced at the screen then quickly turned away. She wasn’t a fan of anything horror related and would rather not have nightmares. “Do you mind if I look?”
Jax shrugged. “Sure, do whatever you want.”
Pomni grabbed the box of VHS tapes and searched through them. She came across an action comedy that might be of interest to Jax. She grabbed it and showed it to him. “What about this one?”
Jax looked at it and chuckled. “I guess if that’s what you’re into.”
She ejected the current movie and put in the new one. After pushing play, she took a seat next to Jax.
It took him a bit, but Jax got more invested in the movie. The two began laughing and pointing things out. Jax said most of the jokes were cringe, but laughed anyway.
They spent most of the night binging the movies available. Laughing and chatting together. It was the most fun either of them have had in a while.
They started running out of steam as they came across a slower paced movie. It quickly got quiet. A bit too quiet. Their energy was getting pretty drained so they settled down and relaxed. Pomni finally started feeling tired as she fought to stay awake. Her eyelids were feeling heavy. She let out a yawn and looked over at Jax. “I’m probably gonna fall asleep here-”
Before she could finish, she noticed Jax had beaten her to the punch as he already fell asleep with his head and ears drooping down. He could also be heard snoring. Pomni lightly chuckled.
To make them more comfortable, she decided to leave for a second to find a big blanket to wrap both of them in. She ended up having to go back to her room. When she found one, she walked back to the room and turned off the movie.
Taking a seat back on the couch, Pomni draped the blanket over them and curled up next to Jax, resting her head on his arm. It didn’t take long for her to fall asleep.
As the sun rose on the next morning, Jax stirred and slowly opened his eyes. He raised his head and rubbed his neck. “Ugh, that hurts.” He groaned as he wiped the drool from his mouth. He then looked over and noticed Pomni still asleep next to him.
Jax gently nudged her off him and put more of the blanket on her while also putting a small pillow under her head. He carefully stood up and just stared at her. “Stupid mini jester.” He grumbled to himself.
Before leaving, he petted her head a bit. She had the smallest smile on her face, making him blush slightly. He sighed as he walked out the door.
Jax felt a bit off so he went straight back to his room. He didn’t feel like interacting with anyone else.
He walked in and immediately shut the door behind him and locked it. It seemed like he’ll be having a depressive episode today.
Jax layed down on his bed and turned towards all the pictures on the wall. He merely stared at them with a blank expression. As he stared at them, a few stray tears fell down onto the pillow. His mouth started to quiver, trying to hold back more tears. He soon lost the fight and broke down crying quietly. He buried his face in the pillow as he continued crying.
Meanwhile, Pomni finally woke up a bit later to find Jax gone. She sat up as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes. “Jax?” She looked around but he was nowhere to be seen.
She decided to just meet up with everyone for breakfast and check on Jax later.
She sat down and chatted while they all ate together. Afterwards, she made her way to Jax’s room. She walked up and gently knocked on the door. “Jax? Are you there?” There was no response. “I just wanted to make sure you were okay.” Suddenly there was movement heard. Footsteps approached.
“Can you leave me alone?” Jax said on the other side of the door.
Pomni placed a hand on the door. “I will. Just tell me you’re okay.”
“I’m fine.” He said flatly.
Obviously it wasn’t convincing at all. Not even Jax himself believed it. He just wanted her to go away. “You’re clearly not. Do you need to talk about it?”
“Pomni, I said I’m fine. I don’t need to talk about anything. Just go.” His temper started rising.
But Pomni wasn’t going to let up. “No, I’m not leaving. Stop trying to push me away. Can you just talk to me?”
Jax huffed angrily. “Pomni, leave. Now.” His temper rose higher.
“No! Why don’t you talk to me?!” Pomni yelled.
Suddenly Jax kicked the door. “Leave me alone!!! How much do I need to push you away for you to realize I’m not worth it?!”
Startled, Pomni backed away from the door.
He kept repeatedly kicking the door as he yelled. “I’m not worth it!!! I’m a villain!!! I don’t need anyone!! I… don’t… need…” His kicking gradually stopped.
Pomni waited a moment before walking up to the door again. She soon heard Jax crying on the other side. “Jax. Can you please open the door?” No response. He seemed too hysterical right now.
She decided to try and pick the lock. She pulled out some thin needles and inserted them into the lock. Soon there was a click and she opened the door.
When she opened it, she saw Jax collapsed on the floor and crying uncontrollably. Pomni felt her heart aching at the sight. “Oh Jax…” She got down on her knees as well and wrapped him in a tight hug.
It took a bit, but Jax eventually calmed down enough to where he wasn’t hysterical. “Pom, why do you even care about me?” He asked, his voice wavering a bit.
Pomni smiled. “Well, Kinger told me something once. In this world, the worst thing you can do is make someone feel like they’re not wanted or loved. I don’t want anyone to feel that way. And that includes you.”
“Even though I’ve been nothing but a jerk?”
“It doesn’t matter what you’ve done. I know you still care deep down. So yeah, I’m not leaving.”
Jax sniffed and smiled softly. “Thanks Pomni.”
“Anytime Jax.” They finally let go of each other. “You can talk to me whenever you’re ready.”
Jax nodded. He paused then stood up and grabbed her arm. “C’mere. I want to show you something.”
She let him guide her into the room and flipped a light switch. Suddenly lights in the shape of stars lit up on the ceiling. Pomni looked up in awe. The stars shone brightly in the dark room. Almost as bright as the actual stars in the sky. “They’re beautiful. Where’d you get these?”
Jax rubbed his neck and chuckled. “I asked Caine a long time ago. Now I don’t have to go outside to stargaze. Besides, my room was too dull anyway.
Pomni giggled. “It’s fitting for you.” She took a seat on the edge of the bed and patted the space next to her. Jax smiled and sat next to her. The two stared up at the stars for a bit. “I’m sorry if I pushed you too much. I just wanted to help you.”
Jax shook his head. “Don’t apologize. I probably needed a good kick in the butt anyway.”
Pomni chuckled. “Well I’m glad I could give you one.” More silence between them for a bit. Then Pomni grabbed his hand. “Lay down. I’m sure you’re tired.”
He scoffed. “I’d rather not lay down by myself right now.”
“Then I’ll lay down with you.”
A look of surprise crossed Jax’s face and his ears perked up. He looked over in disbelief. “Seriously?”
“Yeah. Unless you’re not comfortable with that.” She blushed slightly.
Jax started blushing as well and smiled. He chuckled. “I don’t mind.”
With that agreement, the two layed down next to each other. They each rolled over to face each other.
For a moment, they merely stared at one another. Pomni giggled lightly. “Jax, get some rest. Don’t just stare at me like a weirdo.”
“Hey, you’re a weirdo too. You’re staring at me too.”
She scooted closer and held his hand. “Will this help?” He nodded. His expression wavered a bit as he averted his eyes. “Hey.” He looked back up. “I'm not going anywhere. I'll be right here when you wake up. I promise.”
He sighed. “Okay.”
“We can just talk until you fall asleep.” She suggested.
The two chatted together for the rest of the day. They gradually got more comfortable next to each other and got closer to the point where they were practically huddled together.
Finally Jax grew tired and his eyelids felt heavy. His eyes would start to close then he'd force them back open. This went on a couple more times.
Pomni caressed his cheek. “It's okay. Don't fight it. Get some rest.” She said softly.
Jax let out a slight moan before finally letting his eyes close. A few seconds later, he was softly snoring.
Pomni wrapped her arms around him and held him for a bit. “I'm here.”