Chapter Text
Chapter 1
🟨 Realization 🟨
Pomni was sitting on top of a piano, eyes closed while enjoying the soft melody that was being played, faintly hearing Jax humming the lyrics.
As the song wrapped up, he looked up at her, she had her knees pressed against her chest, a small smile on her face, he would say he's surprised she doesn't find this lame or something, but he has learnt, although reluctantly, that she isn't like that, she's understanding, kind, and patient, er, as patient as one can be.
It's been a couple of weeks since the Lighting Round adventure, they've become close, to the point where Jax tried to play dumb, ignoring her existence, he was scared to get close to someone again, but that was unsuccessful. And honestly, looking at it now, he doesn't mind this closeness.
Are they friends? They kind of are, aren't they? But the same could've been said about him and Ribbit, and that didn't end well…
But no, she isn't her, maybe there are some similarities but she is her own person, and what a person she is.
“Liar." Pomni's voice brought him back from his thoughts, just now she opened her eyes, looking at him with a kind smile, "Didn't you say you only knew like 2 songs? That's the fourth you've shown me, and it's really good too.”
Jax already felt flustered, looking away once he felt his face getting pink, "W-well,” he cleared his throat, hating his stutter, "I've been here for years, so.”
Pomni climbed down the piano, sitting beside him on the seat, she placed a hand on his arm, "Wanna do something else?”
He looked back at her, then back at the piano. She wasn't forcing him to do anything, wasn't insisting on anything, she was giving him options. He can't believe something this simple can mean so much to him, it's not the first time she does something like this, but it still kind of freaks him out.
Jax let out a breath, standing up, "Let's see what the losers are up to," he extended his hand to her, "shall we?” asked the rabbit with a smug smile. He could swear he saw the blushes on her face get redder, but that must've been his imagination.
On their way back, Jax couldn't help but notice how late she let go of his hand, but didn't comment on it.
✰ ✰ ✰ - ✰ ✰ ✰
When they arrived at the main area, the others were around Caine on stage, he was presenting the next adventure.
"𝕋𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕒𝕣𝕖 𝕞𝕪 𝕗𝕦𝕟𝕟𝕪 𝕓𝕦𝕟𝕟𝕚𝕖𝕤!” Caine exclaimed upon seeing them, gesturing them to come closer, Kinger replicating said gesture, at the same time, weird.
Pomni blinked, exchanging looks with Jax, "Does he mean me too?” she whispered to him, his only response was shrugging with an unbothered smirk. Great.
As they got closer, Caine continued, “𝔸𝕤 𝕀 𝕨𝕒𝕤 𝕤𝕒𝕪𝕚𝕟𝕘! 𝕋𝕠𝕕𝕒𝕪'𝕤 𝕒𝕕𝕧𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕦𝕣𝕖 𝕚𝕤 𝕒𝕝𝕝 𝕒𝕓𝕠𝕦𝕥 𝕤𝕙𝕠𝕨𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕨𝕠𝕣𝕝𝕕 𝕙𝕠𝕨 𝕒𝕘𝕚𝕝𝕖, 𝕙𝕠𝕨 𝕢𝕦𝕚𝕔𝕜, 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕡𝕖𝕣𝕔𝕖𝕡𝕥𝕚𝕧𝕖 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕥𝕣𝕦𝕝𝕪 𝕒𝕣𝕖!” he emphasized each attribute with an exaggerated pose, as he finished, an orange portal opened behind him, “𝔸𝕟𝕪𝕨𝕒𝕪𝕤, 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕗𝕦𝕟 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕕𝕠𝕟'𝕥 𝕗𝕒𝕝𝕝!" he waved at them as they entered.
Suddenly, Pomni's vision darkened, Jax covered her face by pulling down her hat. She heard him snicker, after adjusting her hat, she chased after him, also laughing.
The others watched, amused at their shenanigans.
✰ ✰ ✰ - ✰ ✰ ✰
The adventure wasn't anything extraordinary, the jumps weren't particularly difficult. What was difficult though was Jax. While he didn't knock anyone off, something Pomni noticed, it's still true that he spent his time bumping, scaring, or pressuring others almost the whole time. Other than that, it wasn't the worst. Good thing Zooble wasn't here tho, they would've thrown him off at the first bump.
Another thing Pomni couldn't help but notice was how he would prevent her from falling, grabbing her by the arms, stopping her just before falling or catching her. Everyone noticed actually, but didn't comment on it. While it's true Jax is still pretty much an annoying asshole, he has subtly changed, or maybe not so subtly.
“Thanks." she muttered when he, once again, grabbed just before falling.
Jax puffed out his chest, looking at her smugly, "Well, that's what friends are for, right? Although I'm expecting a reward for how much I've been saving your butt, y'know?”
He felt a little pride for hearing her giggle, he hated to admit it, but he really likes her laugh, it's cute- NOPE, BLOCKING THAT THOUGHT.
“Oh? So we are friends?" she teased, her hands on her hips.
Jax's eyes widened at that, pupils being nothing but small squares, he looked to the side, averting his gaze, "U-uh, pff of course- NOT! I-I mean- Of course we- I- UUUUGH!” he pulled on his ears, frustrated at his stutter and own stupidity, he sighed as he slumped down, arms dropped too, "yeah we are friends, stupid.” he spoke above a whisper, but she heard.
She snorted, slowly approaching him, he looked up at her, and froze as she held his face and kissed him on the cheek. He quickly straightened and looked at her with a shocked expression.
"W-What are you-?!” he couldn't speak properly, so he opted to just stare, baffled.
It seems that she realized what she did just now, her expression similar to his, "I-I, U-um, you said you were expecting a r-reward for helping me, I just thought…" she looked down at her feet, now it was clear her blush was intensifying. Although Jax wasn't any better, almost his whole face was pink. It was a good thing the others were left behind because of them competing eachother and basically racing through the course.
Jax huffed, looking behind, seeing the Nutcase and Ribbons getting closer, Ragatha being carried by the former.
“It's whatever," he looked back at her, she already had a sheepish smile on her face, "C'mon! We still have an adventure to finish!” she nodded, waving at the girls and Kinger as they landed on the same platform as them.
After a few jumps, they kept on joking around, up until Pomni accidentally bumped into him, making him fall.
In a swift motion she grabbed his hand, and boy is he heavy, she snapped her eyes shut due to the struggle, once she opened them she saw his confused expression, “What? J-just-" she made a sound, another effort to snatch him up, but failed, "just returning the favor, y'know?” she tried her best to give him a smile, but small sweat droplets started appearing on her temple.
Jax's grin slowly widened, an idea appearing on his head, he raised his voice, “Scar! Brother help me!" he faked his panic and desperation.
Pomni jumped at his sudden shout, but eventually, realization came to her, and slowly, an evil, sharp grin appeared on her face, uh oh.
She inched her face closer to his, and in a smooth and low voice she spoke, "Long live the King.”
Jax blinked, noticing how she was loosening her hold, "Ah, darn. I brought this to myself didn't I?” he was smiling too tho.
"Yep.” she said with the smuggest possible look on her face, finally letting him go. Listening as his screams slowly faded.
꩜ ꩜ ꩜ - ꩜ ꩜ ꩜
She giggled as she stood up, turning to see the others. Kinger is looking at the next platforms, muttering about air resistance or something…
Gangle and Ragatha are looking at her, while the former has a ribbon hand on her mouth, probably holding her laughter, the latter is looking at her with a raised eyebrow, "You guys didn't fight again, did you?”
Pomni blinked, then she snorted, "No, no, just messing around." she chuckled.
Ragatha slowly smiled, “Oh! Ok, just making sure." not even she could help laughing a bit about what just happened.
Ragatha was a bit skeptical about her relationship with Jax. That led to some arguments, and it didn't help when Jax tried to push her away, It was as if the universe was proving her right.
Eventually things worked out between them, even if he still struggles with stuff like honesty and vulnerability. As for Ragatha, she learnt to trust Pomni's judgment. So they're cool.
Jax didn't respawn, so he either went back at the beginning, or is at the losers’ corner. In any case, they kept going, they are close to finishing anyways.
As they reached the goal Pomni started thinking.
I hope he isn't mad at me, I mean, he surely isn't, he was smiling the whole time. It's just… she couldn't help but doubt, after that damn kiss she wouldn't be surprised if things were weird between them.
She mentally groaned, and held herself back from rubbing her face in embarrassment. Why did she kiss him?! Who does that?! She thought it was fine, but why??
It couldn't be that she… NOPE, BLOCKING THAT THOUGHT.
Like, they're friends, that's it, Jax himself said it. Friends.
Just Friends…
She hates the small emptiness she feels in her heart after that statement.
It doesn't make sense, they just became friends. Well, officially.
They've been talking since the Spudsy's adventure, even more after the Lighting Round. And ever since then he has helped her with letting loose, being more confident, showing her around the circus, teaching her many things about it. And recently he even started telling her things about himself, like the piano… he plays such beautiful music… beautiful just like- NO!
She froze, one last jump before the goal. She can't have a crush on him, can she? It's wrong! Why would it be wrong? He's a jerk! He can be so kind, and it's like it's just to me… But the others- I don't care.
…
“Pomni?" Ragatha looked back at her, Throughout the entire adventure, Pomni was always the first to jump, which puzzled the doll, seeing as she stopped moving, "You good?”
She shaked her head, “Y-yeah, sorry, just-" she inhaled, looking up at her friend, “Sorry, just zoning out." she chuckled, but it wasn't that convincing.
The taller woman nodded, although she seemed uneasy at her reply, not that she can blame her…
With one final jump, she made it, turning around to see the others doing the same.
Gangle groaned, her ribbon legs wobbling a bit, “I'm exhausted, I can't wait to go back and sleep for a millennia!" she stomped, but it was soundless.
They all laughed together, even Kinger, though he probably doesn't know what about.
As they entered the white portal, they were back at the circus.
꩜ ꩜ ꩜ - ꩜ ꩜ ꩜
As he fell, the rabbit suddenly appeared in a dark room, the only light coming from a small aquarium, oh, he's here. It's not often that he's in this place, ‘The Losers' Corner’.
Honestly, it's not so bad, he hopes the others don't come here, he could use some peace.
Jax snorted at what happened moments prior, that silly jester…
…
Jax stood up, walking towards the aquarium, his eyes quickly caught two fishes swimming closely together, one purple, the other blue with red lines. Looking around he saw other fishes with his castmates' color palette, typical Caine. He even saw a green one with red dots, alongside a yellow one with blue and white tones… Fuck…
His forehead hit the glass, scaring nearby fishes.
Friends, he thought bitterly, is he willing to take the risk?
What exactly failed with… her…?
…
He ignored her, and when she tried to confront him, he said things he can never take back. And then she… gave up…
He tried the same with Pomni, but it didn't work out, idiot.
Jax punched the glass hardly, but it didn't crack, fucking idiot, useless! What if it worked, what then?! Another abstracted pal goes underground! Because of YOU!
His knees crashed against the floor harshly, he took deep breaths, turning around and facing away from the tank, he closed his eyes and focused on the sound of the water.
As he calmed, he started rummaging through his thoughts.
Is it worth it? It will certainly be something new, and he hates new, he hates change… but whenever he refused to change that only got people hurt, really hurt.
Ha! Thought you didn't care about hurting others, make up your mind Bunnyboy!
…
Make up his mind…
…
Pomni…
What is she to him?
‘That’s what friends are for…’
He said that, didn't he?
Is it true?
…
He stood up, supporting himself with the glass behind him, looking back at the fishes, he sees that curious pair again.
Against his will, a small, soft smile forms on his face.
Friends.
Yeah, maybe it's worth it.
He sighed deeply at the implications. Guess he has to put in some effort. But he’ll do it.
They're friends, that's what they are now, that's what they will always be from now on if he has something to say about it.
And for once, he doesn't hate the idea.
And knowing Pomni, she won't hate the idea either…
Right…?
✰ ✰ ✰ - ✰ ✰ ✰
Once they got in the circus Jax was instantly teleported at the main area. Looking around, everyone started going to their rooms. That left Jax and Pomni alone.
He pointed at her, "Traitor!"
She scoffed, crossing her arm, making her way to stand in front of him, "Please, that adventure was boring enough already, last thing I want is hear your whining!" she chuckled as he gasped dramatically.
"How dare you!" he placed a hand on his forehead, and made a fake sob sound, drama queen.
She waved him off, making her way to her room. Jax followed shortly after.
As they arrived at their doors, they turned to eachother.
"Y'know, I didn't know you thought so highly of me." he said, a smug grin already appearing on his face.
She raised an eyebrow, "Now where did you get that?" she also had a smirk on her face.
He leaned down, his face dangerously close to hers, "You called me a King silly, remember?" before she could reply, he placed a hand on her cheek, frozen, she could only stare wide-eyed, "Does that make you my fool?" he asked with a stupidly and unfairly sexy, low voice.
She could swear he was closing the gap until he backed away, he winked at her as he went to his door, "Sleep tight or bed bugs will eat ya' butt, or something..." he narrowed his eyes at his own comment, but shrugged, closing the door.
Pomni stood there for many seconds, unable to process what just happened. Quickly, she went to her room, jumping to her bed. She grabbed a pillow and screamed as loud as possible.
Her face was burning, her heart beating faster than ever, and her mind was a hurricane. Eventually, she fell asleep. Wondering what tomorrow will bring.
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