So why wait for me? // Jax x reader oneshot !!
You woke up and stumbled out of bed. Your last adventure had been excessive, especially when Ragatha had said that awful thing to Jax in a fit of anger. He may have deserved it for constantly teasing the others, particularly Gangle, but what Ragatha said really began to affect him. Even throughout the rest of the adventures they had after that one, what she had said didn't leave his mind for a second. Despite it looking like he'd just brushed it over with Pomni.
"Also, she's dumb, and she looks weird."
He says as he sits up from lying on the grass below, smiling smugly, despite still feeling as if Ragatha had practically shot a dagger through his heart with what she had said.
His face practically splits into an even bigger grin when you awakened. No doubt that was what he was waiting for. Basically, all morning, really, but he would never tell you that.
“Well, look who finally decided to show. Thought you’d been snagged by ‘ol scary eyes or somethin’ by now.”
Jax remarks casually, referring to Caine, though with an obvious note of amusement. His eyes lingered on you a little longer, the corner of his lips ticked up just a smidge.
You blink twice, simply being too tired to even process how he was looking at you, let alone what he was saying.
"What?.." You murmur softly, rubbing your right eye. Jax’s smirk just widens a tad further at this.
“Oh, nothin’. Was just curious how long you’d choose to hibernate the day away.”
Jax leans back against whatever surface happens to be behind him, folding his arms nonchalantly. His eyes keep a steady gaze on you, observing your every movement.
You give a slight nod, realising you'd slept in a little longer than usual. Guess yesterday's adventures took a bigger toll on you than you originally thought. You put your own gaze on him as you reply groggily,
"Sorry about that.''
Jax’s own remains on you for a few more moments, then he finally pushes off from the surface he was leaning up against. He takes a few steps towards you.
“Mm, no you’re not.”
He states bluntly, though there’s no harshness behind it. He stops in front of you now, towering over you by several inches. You don't immediately deny him, as you just respond with a slight shrug of your shoulders.
"Is it so bad that I prioritise my sleep? It's the best part of the day I get in this circus.. I like my sleep."
Jax can’t help but snort at you. An amused glint dancing in his eyes now as his smirk shifts to a cocky half-grin.
“No kidding. Didn’t take you for the kind of person that needed 12 hours to function.”
"Well, how else am I supposed to be prepared to fight or attack for the next adventure? Or even here right now in the hall, something could pop up right in front of us..-"
Jax raises an eyebrow at you, and he puts a hand up to his chin, giving a mocking, thoughtful look for a moment.
“Mm. Yes, because there’s so many things to hunt here.”
He remarks dryly, gesturing around the circus. Clearly, there were no threats around both of you, and Kaufmo had been put into the cellar by Caine when his abstracted self escaped, so there were no threats- at least to you and Jax's knowledge.
You roll your eyes and begin to smile slyly at Jax, thinking of an idea.
"Yeah.. In fact, I see one in front of me!"
Before Jax can even process what you meant, you knock him down onto the floor and begin tickling him repeatedly, beginning to giggle to yourself at his reactions to your touch. He was squirming underneath you like a feral cat.
Jax, in his defence, did not expect that - and it shows. When you jump on him and start trying to tickle him, he lets out a noise he’d vehemently claim later was not a yelp. Though he’s clearly trying very hard not to laugh. He does get his hands on your wrists to try and stop you, with only a little effort, though.
“H-Hey, hold on there—!”
You don't stop yet, as you want to spend this moment with Jax as long as you can. When he's not causing chaos to those around him and is in a situation as harmless as this.. It's oddly endearing to you. Your smile grows as you reply to him.
"Got youuu."
Jax can hardly catch his breath from nearly laughing so hard. He’s still trying to fend you off, but it’s definitely getting harder with each second.
“Okay- h-hey, enough! C’mon!”
He pleads now between giggles and wheezes, which finally makes your tickling come to a stop. You rest your hands as you look down at him with a cheeky expression of your own.
"Got you so good."
Jax is still panting by this point, and a stubborn grin is present on his face. In fact, when you stop, he just lies there for a moment. Looking up at you, taking in your frame sitting atop him.
“You’re annoying as hell, you know that?”
He deadpans. His gloved hands linger at your wrists still. And although you’ve finally stopped tickling him, he’s yet to move them.
"I'm getting my revenge on you."
Jax snickers at this with a small eye roll at your words.
“As if I deserved this.”
He drawls out sarcastically, still holding your wrists captive. You don't hold back, and you keep your eyes on his, not looking away.
"You did. You did and do deserve all of these attacks."
Jax locks eyes with you, too. His gaze was unwavering and intense. He’s still a bit winded from all the laughing prior, and his chest still heaves slightly. You pipe up after a moment to remind him.
"Do you not remember all the things you did yesterday, or even the day before that?"
Jax pretends to look deep in thought, then just shrugs, though he maintains his grip.
“Not ringing any bells, no.”
He remarks back with feigned innocence in his tone. You eventually groan and lie on top of him out of exhaustion. Yesterday's adventures are still taking a hit on you, even if you had gotten 12 hours of sleep.
"Maybe that's why I slept for so long.."
You mumble to yourself as you rest your eyes yet again, but instead of being in your bed, loafed and drowning in comfy blankets and covers, you lie on top of your smug purple rabbit friend.
Jax’s hands finally relax their grip on your wrists, but he still keeps them on you, running his thumb over the back of your hands in small patterns.
“Mm, is that so?”
He asks in a low tone. Jax’s hands slide just a bit down one of your arms, and he starts idly feeling the fabric of the sleeve for a minute, feeling it between the two of his fingers. One of his hands slides over to your forearm. He runs his finger up your arm agonizingly slow now.
“You sure it wasn’t just ‘cause you wanted to keep me waiting?”
He asks in a mock-accusing tone, which causes you to sit up from him and look down at him yet again.
"What do you mean? I'm not the only one here either."
Jax’s hands continue to wander over the fabric of your sleeve. He lets his fingers explore the rest of your arm. All the way down to your hand. His hand leaves your arm, coming up to your chin. He lightly grabs it to keep you from turning back away from him.
“No.. You’re not.”
He agrees softly, tilting your face up slightly more to meet his eyes again.
"All the others are here for you to tease and pry on,"
You go quiet for a moment before continuing your sentence, looking into his eyes with a deeper look this time.
"So why wait for me?"
Jax doesn’t give a verbal answer. He just holds your chin a bit tighter. And then leans in, closing the distance between you very quickly. His lips immediately find yours. A gloved hand comes up to cup your cheek, holding you there, keeping you from moving away.
You felt a heat of flush burn your face as you closed your eyes and kissed him back softly. You could feel how surprisingly delicate he was with you as his lips almost moved with grace against yours. This was a side to Jax you've never really seen before. He was normally so closed off and careless? Why was he suddenly so caring- kissing you like you'd both been married for years, embracing you like a weighted heat blanket? You couldn't even process why he had kissed you like that in the first place before he had pulled away to let you breathe.
He stays close to you as his eyes open again to look at you, lids half-lidded and eyes glinting.
“You want to know why? Because despite everything, you're still here with me.”
You look at him, slightly confused. What did he mean by that?
"What do you mean?"
You tilted your head slightly in confusion.
Jax’s grip on you tightens a little at your words. He leans in close again, keeping your face tilted ever so slightly up towards his. His eyes are locked on yours with a burning intensity you've never really seen on someone as unserious as him before.
“You're the closest to me, _______. The last person who I was ever this close with abstracted. I can't let that happen to you.”
Jax’s hold on you never waivers throughout his admission. Even his face has shifted into a much more serious expression compared to his usual aloof demeanour.
“I won’t lose you.”
His voice is just above a whisper, barely reaching your ears, but it's dripping with emotion. He presses his forehead up against yours. The reminder of what Ragatha had said spiralled through his mind again, almost like a repeated taunt he couldn't get out of his head.
"Jax.. please don't blame yourself for that. It was out of your control and not your fault.-"
Jax’s grip on you tightens a fraction more. He’s still got you close, both hands still placed on you and holding you securely in place. He’s not holding you roughly, but he doesn’t seem to want to let go anytime soon either. Before you can add another word, he shuts you down.
“It doesn’t matter.”
His voice is still soft, but it’s now tinged with a very evident strain in his tone.
“I couldn’t stop it from happening then. I could’ve saved him. I won’t let that happen to you.”
THIS ONE IS ANGSTYY AAA also i apologise if my writing is kind of sloppy or anything since I've been writing this at night RIP but lmk if you have any requests !! i really enjoy making these :3 also lmk if you want pt 2 !!