Party
Jasper noticed Brex’s furrowed brow and the hint of worry in his eyes, and it tugged at his heartstrings. He hated the thought that Brex might be feeling uneasy because of something he did or said. Jasper’s mind raced, trying to figure out how to ease the tension without revealing too much of his own inner turmoil.
“Yeah, mate, I get it. We all have those precious items we gotta keep safe,” Jasper replied with a reassuring smile, though he knew his words didn’t quite match the weight of the atmosphere between them. He could sense Brex’s concern lingering in the air like a heavy fog, and he wished he had the words to dispel it.
As Brex mentioned his aversion to “weird stuff” on pizza, Jasper couldn’t help but chuckle softly, the tension from their earlier exchange dissipating slightly. He appreciated Brex’s lightheartedness, especially in moments of uncertainty. “Fair call, mate,” Jasper replied with a wry grin, his tone light but genuine. “No pineapple on pizza, duly noted. Wouldn’t want to risk a culinary disaster, now would we?”
As Brex opened up about his songwriting process and the personal nature of his music, Jasper would listen attentively, his expression softening with empathy. He would appreciate the effort Brex made to share this part of himself, especially considering Brex’s admission of discomfort with singing.
“Hey, thanks for sharing that with me, Brex,” Jasper responded, his tone gentle and sincere. “I get it, mate. Music can be a pretty personal thing, and it takes a lot to share that side of yourself with someone else. I’m honored that you feel comfortable enough to share that with me and involve me in it.” As he said that, Jasper almost felt somewhat guilty that he was unable to just speak his feelings, be honest with Brex about what weighing so heavily on his mind. Brex had been so vulnerable with him, at multiple moments. “I think it’s going be a blast to get to know each other better, working on that and outside of music!” he added.
Next day meeting
When Brex mentioned his excitement and the effect Jasper had on him, a warm feeling spread through Jasper. He chuckled, a mix of amusement and affection. “Stupid stomach butterflies, huh?” he repeated, teasingly nudging Brex. “Well, I hope they’re the good kind. Trust me, I feel them too, that’s what lead me to act a bit off yesterday.” he explained, “It’s a two-way street. And for the record, I’m excited too. Can’t wait for our coffee date, Brex.” He grinned, his genuine enthusiasm shining through.
Jasper’s expression softened as he listened to Brex’s honest confession. He appreciated the vulnerability and openness in Brex’s words. “Mate, we’ve all got a bit of the past we’re not proud of. What matters is that you’re trying to be better, and that’s commendable. We’re all a work in progress, and as long as we’re willing to learn and grow, that’s what counts,” Jasper replied with a reassuring smile. He reached out to give Brex a supportive pat on the back. “I appreciate you being upfront with me. It takes guts to acknowledge mistakes and work on yourself. But no need to be too hard on yourself, Brex.”
When Brex said that physical clinginess wasn’t everyone’s thing, Jasper understood what he was saying. It was something that hadn’t been easy for Jasper in the past, and he hadn’t actually always enjoyed to be touched. However, looking at Brex, he felt like he really genuinely wouldn’t mind it coming from Brex. Actually, Jasper wanted to be touched by Brex. “I get what you’re saying. Physical closeness isn’t always everyone’s cup of tea, but I want you to know something,” Jasper said, his tone earnest. “With you, it’s different. I mean, I’ve had my moments with physical touch in the past, but with you, it’s like… I actually want it. Your touch, it feels right, you know?” He offered a genuine smile, hoping Brex understood the depth of his feelings. “So don’t worry about being clingy. It’s more than welcome.” He wanted what they were building together to be build on honesty, “And if it ever is too much, we’ll communicate and figure it out.” he gave Brex a small smile. Hoping that his honesty would be appreciated, rather than it scaring Brex off he had problems with that in the past.
As Brex promised him he wouldn’t be alone this year, Jasper replied softly, “Thanks,” his voice tinged with sincerity. He felt the gentle squeeze of Brex’s hand and the comforting touch on his cheek, and it brought a sense of reassurance. “It means a lot, you know? Knowing you’ve got my back, especially after last year… it’s a weight off my shoulders.” Jasper managed a small smile, touched by Brex’s offer of support. “And I’ve got your back too. I’m glad we have each other, to make this year better, for both of us.”
“Brex,” he said in reply to asking him if he was okay health wise now, his voice barely a whisper, “there’s something I haven’t told many people.” He paused, struggling to find the strength to continue, his chest tightening with the weight of unspoken pain. “Last year,” Jasper began again, his voice cracking with the weight of suppressed emotions, “I was… I was fighting an autoimmune disease.” The words hung in the air, heavy and suffocating, as Jasper relived the darkest moments of his battle. It was something he had mostly gone through alone. No one truly was there for him. No one truly had known the amount he had suffered. Not even his parents…
His eyes glistened with unshed tears, each one a testament to the pain he had endured. “It… it was hell, Brex,” he choked out, the floodgates of his emotions opening wide. “There were days when I didn’t think I could go on. Days when the pain was so unbearable, I just wanted to give up.” Tears spilled down his cheeks, each one a silent echo of the suffering he had endured. “But I fought,” he continued, his voice trembling with the weight of his confession. “I fought with everything I had, even when it felt like the world was crashing down around me.” A sob escaped his lips, raw and unfiltered, as Jasper bared his soul to Brex, the weight of his past year crashing over him like a tidal wave. “I’m okay now,” he whispered, though the words felt hollow against the backdrop of his pain. “But it… it’s been hard, Brex. So d*mn hard.”
@bpalmer - I’m sorry I really didn’t get it to work to reply to everything Brex said in here…
