He stirred slightly from her touch, but he didn't awaken immediately. Instead, his hand closed around hers instinctually, and he turned his head from the inside of his arm. The movement was enough to rouse him entirely, and one eye fluttered open sleepily. He regarded Avice, his head cocked slightly. "You're awake. How are you feeling?"
"Yeah, I think it's almost over though," Jack said. He noticed their hands, and hastily let go, standing up. "Your head hurts? I'm sure they have some painkillers around here somewhere."
Avice looked up at him. "Oh... Okay." She tilted her head and searched the room. "I want to help fight. I know I can," she said, starting to get up but struggling slightly.
"No, no, no," he said sternly, returning to her bedside with a few painkillers and a glass of water. "You are to stay in bed. You have a concussion, and you are in no condition to fight." He set down the water and the pills and turned to her, paused and bit his lip. "I thought you were gone," he said finally, and he looked down at the floor, his brow furrowed. "For a moment there, I thought I had lost you."
"Hey... You don't have to worry about that. You're probably gonna have to deal with me for a long time," she said, relaxing and giving him a joking yet sympathetic smile. She took the painkillers, along with the water, staring at the floor.
He laughed softly and shook his head. "That's the thing, though," he said, pushing back his hair as he looked up to the ceiling. He seemed to be struggling with looking into her eyes. "We lead very dangerous lives. I do have to worry about that."
Avice was silent, tilting her head. "Yeah, but.. it'll just be alright. Okay?" She settled back, letting out a heavy sigh.
He laughed again, although it sounded more amused this time. It was clear that he was still worried, but he was able to push past it. "Is that how you reconcile with worry? Claiming that it will all be fine?" he asked, his tone good-natured. "It seems quite fool-proof."
"Well, that's how I reassure myself. It's kinda calming to hear those words, in my opinion." Tapping on the bed in messed up rhythm, she looked at him. "There are some words that just calm me."
He nodded and grinned at her. "You're right, it is reassuring. Thank you." A loud shot came from outside, along with the shouted commands of Natalia. Jack looked over his shoulder at the door, and then back to Avice. "Don't even think about it." (oooohhhhh i just got a really cute idea. will be initiating in a in game day or so. it's going to be good, i think. prepare yourself)
(Oh boy!) Avice stared at him, anguish in her eyes. "Please? Just this once? It physically hurts!" Her hands clasped together in desperation.
"That's your concussion that hurts," he said wryly. "I'm pretty sure they're fighting dog like creatures out there, or something, so you're not missing much."
"Ugh. At least it's something." Avice looked up at the ceiling in thought, her arms crossed. "Why aren't you out there?"
"Well, someone had to take your concussed self here, "Jack said. He shrugged, evidently trying to play it casually. "And I figured that you would probably not like to wake up to a stranger, although in retrospect, I may be wrong about that. Plus, I was worried."
"You were worried? Besides, when I woke up you were asleep. I felt bad for waking you up because you looked so peaceful. Then you were holding my.. I'm sure you know, since it just happened." She shut her eyes for a moment.
He rubbed the back of his neck uncomfortably. "Of course I was worried. I care about you." He shrugged and considered the rest of her words. "It wasn't a deep sleep, don't worry about that. I was just waiting for you to wake up. And about the hands..." He paused and considered it for a moment. "Well, I did have to hold your hand while the medics were tending to you. You wouldn't stop hitting them, and when I took your hand, you licked me, and then settled down. Maybe it was residual, or something like that." Avice would be intuitive enough to tell that Jack didn't really believe that theory.
