Jasper’s smile widened at Brex’s words, relieved that the tension had dissipated. “Well, I’m glad I could make up for it,” he teased, enjoying the gentle touch as Brex pushed a stray curl from his face. He smiled back, genuinely happy about the upcoming date. “Bloody excited sounds like the perfect level of excitement for this,” Jasper replied, a gleam of enthusiasm in his eyes.
As Brex talked about being a good guy and finding motivation in Jasper, Jasper’s smile softened. “You’re already a good guy, Brex. And you make it easy to be one too.” The mutual understanding about talking through any mess-ups seemed to reassure both of them.
Brex’s warning about his tendency for physical affection made Jasper chuckle. “Well, I’ll be sure to brace myself for all the hand-holding and cuddles. Not complaining, though.” His playful nudge and Brex’s blushing only added to the lightness of the moment. Feeling Brex’s hand in his, Jasper found comfort and happiness in the simple act. As Brex leaned his head on Jasper’s shoulder, Jasper smiled. “You make me happy too, Brex. I’m excited too, mate.”
Jasper’s expression turned more serious as they talked about the past year. “Yeah, last year was a bit of a rollercoaster, you know? There were some personal challenges I had to face, the complicated dynamic with my parents, relationships that went south, and I struggled with some decisions. It felt like I was caught in a whirlwind, just trying to find my footing. But the worst part was feeling kind of lost, like I didn’t really know who I was anymore.”
Jasper hesitated for a moment, his gaze drifting away before he spoke, “And, well, I wasn’t feeling the best physically either. There was some health stuff going on that I hadn’t really shared with many people. It’s not something I like to dwell on, but it definitely added another layer of challenge to the whole mess.”
He paused for a moment, then continued with a hint of gratitude in his voice, “Coming back here, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But meeting you, Brex, and having the chance to start fresh this year, it’s been a welcome change. You’ve made a difference, more than you probably realize. I’m looking forward to making this year way better than the last one.”
As he spoke, Jasper’s body language shifted, his shoulders relaxing and his posture becoming more open, signaling a sense of relief and comfort in sharing this part of himself. “And hey, it feels good to share all this and be open with each other, doesn’t it?” he added, a small, genuine smile playing on his lips, acknowledging the newfound freedom in their openness.
@bpalmer - Brex