Jasper’s expression shifted from the weight of the revelation to a more genuine appreciation as he saw Brex’s supportive response. He hadn’t expected the hug that followed, but the warmth and understanding in Brex’s gesture provided a sense of comfort, yet at the same time it sparked something beyond comfort. A realisation how much off an emotional connection he felt with Brex, even if he just met him today. As they pulled away, Jasper couldn’t help but offer a grateful smile in return.
“Thanks, Brex,” Jasper replied, touched by the sincerity in Brex’s words. “I appreciate it. And no, they don’t physically hurt me. It’s more about their expectations and the clash between who I am and who they want me to be.” He sighed, trying to downplay the severity of it while still conveying the reality of the situation. “They might not understand everything about me, but it’s not as extreme as that. Your concern means more than you know. As for staying away over breaks, I’ll keep it in mind. It’s just… complicated, you know? But having a mate like you makes things a lot better, honestly. And don’t worry about making a personal trip to Australia, unless you voluntarily wanna see a country filled with poisonous animals.” he found himself joking, even at this vulnerable moment.
Jasper grinned in response to Brex’s giggle, enjoying the light-hearted exchange. “Yeah, that stubborn little kid is still in here somewhere,” he joked, tapping his chest lightly. He appreciated Brex’s offer and flashed a genuine smile. “I might just take you up on that, mate. I’ve picked up a few things over the years, but there’s always room to learn more. And if I’ve got a better teacher than that childhood music ‘guru,’ I’m all for it.” He chuckled, a warmth in his eyes that conveyed his genuine gratitude for Brex’s offer. The idea of learning something new, especially from someone he was growing close to, had an appealing charm to it.
It wasn’t necessarily easy for Jasper to hear that what he had heard about Brex was true, him admitting to have been an addict, it was not nothing. Jasper didn’t want to undermine its seriousness. He found himself to be relieved when Brex told he had been sober for a year, as he had mostly worried about Brex’s well-being, he didn’t care about the dr-gs themselves, that was not a problem. He didn’t feel any blame towards Brex, he was sure the way Brex grew up, with a famous father, it must not have been easy. Jasper also knew all too well that dr-gs sadly were very normalised in that world, by some even seen as a cool thing rather than something that could be really damaging if it became more than a recreational thing. He wasn’t quite sure what to say to it though, it really didn’t change much in how he saw Brex, in a way it was the answer what he had expected to hear. “Must’ve been a real struggle, dealing with all that out in the open, eh?” his gaze focussed on Brex, even if he was looking at the ground, “That’s rough, but I’m stoked to hear you’re sober now. I think we all make our fair share of poor choices, mate. No judgment here. It’s part of life’s learning curve. What matters is how we bounce back and grow from it, and it looks like you’re handling it pretty damn well, I reckon.”
Jasper would replied with a casual and friendly tone, even if he felt more excitement about this idea than he wanted to show, “Yeah, that sounds like a plan. Hopefully, your roommate’s a good fit, but hey, we can always room together next year.” As Brex replied to him about his previous roommate, he realised how silly it had been to feel like he had to clarify it in any way. Jasper responded with a light-hearted and casual tone, appreciating Brex’s open-mindedness, “Cheers. Good to know you’re not jumping to conclusions.” Jasper continued with a playful jest, “But well, you know, some folks might confuse a good bromance for something more, especially with being so unapologetically out and gay here. Although, if anyone does mistake it, I guess I should take it as a compliment, right? Must be my undeniable charm.” He delivered it with a grin and a playful tone to emphasize the joking nature of what he said. In reality, Jasper wasn’t quite that confident about himself, he wanted to be, he often put on a mask and pretend to be, but he didn’t think he was that special of a person.
That’s why it meant even more to Jasper when Brex later said that he believed Jasper had charisma, especially as the compliment was connected to his grandma, someone who seemed important to Brex. Jasper responded with a warm smile and a touch of humor, saying, “Well, I’m honored to share the charisma trait with your grandma. Sounds like she’s quite the character. If we ever meet, I’ll make sure to bring my A-game in the charisma department.” He said it in a lighthearted manner, expressing genuine interest in meeting someone who seemed to hold a special place in Brex’s life. “Legit tho, sounds like those times with your grandma are absolute gems, mate. Sometimes those moments become even more precious when they’re a bit rare, you know? And hey, privacy can be a rare treasure in itself.” he believed it was actually a good decision to keep a bit more privacy, especially with Brex still being in recovery, he didn’t need all that public attention in this time, but he didn’t want to focus too much on that, as he knew it wasn’t easy for Brex to talk about, so he continued, “Keeps things more genuine. Glad you get to have those special times, though.”
Once they were in the music room, Jasper preferred to start off with some freestyling rather than playing a specific song, “Let’s start with something simple and rhythmic on the drums. I’ll set the beat, and you can jump in whenever you feel the vibe. We’ll build from there.” This way, he acknowledged Brex’s skills while also asserting his role as the drummer, he knew the drums were crucial, how much he wanted Brex to take the lead in this, he knew as the drummer he had to carry some of the weight.
Jasper settled onto the drum kit, his hands and feet finding their familiar places. With a somewhat insecure nod to Brex, he began a rhythmic pattern, the steady thump of the bass drum anchoring the beat with a classic resonance. The snare cracked with precision, punctuating the rhythm and adding an edge to the sound. His hands danced effortlessly between the toms, conjuring up a thunderous yet controlled vibe that echoed the spirit of the rock genre.
His feet worked the hi-hat and bass pedal with a force that mirrored the heartbeat of a good rock song, creating a foundation for the music to build upon. As the beats flowed, Jasper’s energy became palpable and he became more confident, each strike resonating with the raw enthusiasm of a true aficionado. He seamlessly transitioned between patterns, showcasing both finesse and power, capturing the essence of a drummer lost in the rhythm.
@bpalmer - Brex. Hope you’ll enjoy 
This took me like 1.5 hours…
We’ll end it soon though, just try and tie up some of the parts and I’ll then get something out that really finishes it!)
