if you havenât yet, you should read my jackrans fic, fade to blue. this is a little piece of what i always imagined happened next. enjoy!
Breaking up with Jack was the hardest thing Ransomâs ever done. He wanted to hold onto him, convince him that the love he had was worth it too, that Jack could have dark skin and half moon eyes in tandem with fair hair and flour covered hands.
He knew at graduation. He saw the way Jackâs eyes lingered on Bitty the same way they lingered on him. He saw the way Bittyâs eyes narrowed when he saw him and Jack together, the way his smiles got tight when Ransom walked into the room. Ransom saw and he knew that he was no match to 5â6 southern charm, he didnât want the pain of making Jack choose.
Ransom wanted to try and make it work, all three of them. There was no doubt that Jack still loved him even with his desire for Bitty growing everyday, but Bittyâs possessive streak was a mile wide and hotter than July summers, and Ransom didnât have it in him to compete.
He hasnât regretted that decision much; watching Jack fall in love with Bitty is just as gorgeous and heart wrenching as falling in love himself. But itâs been months and Jack still hasnât made a move, and Ransom didnât give him up just for him to not have anyone by his side. Watching from afar doesnât seem to be working, so Ransom decides to confront him.
Jack is in the gym when Ransom finds him, one of the few places he can ever be found without someone else. Heâs lifting way less than heâs capable of, and Ransom knows itâs due to the rough hit his right shoulder took in their last game. Sweat glistens in the creases between his muscles and slides silky down his jaw as he lays the bar down and sits up gingerly. He stands and stretches and his eyes find Ransomâs, and the urge to kiss him is clawing up his throat before he has time to blink.
Ransom steps up into his space, breathing in the smell of old spice deodorant, sweat, and a scent thatâs all Jack. He puts his hands light on Jackâs hips, giving him ample time to pull away. Jack doesnât move, just breathes deeply and lets this play out however Ransom wants it. His eyes are bright and gleaming, the ice blue piercing Ransom deeper than cold, Canadian winters ever have.
He misses him. He misses him the way you miss air when youâve been underwater too long, the way you miss summer in the dead of winter, when your bones have forgotten what itâs like to stay warm.
He misses him deep and long and heavy, and when he has him this close, even though he knows he shouldnât, what other option is there?
His grip tightens, a decision.
âJack,â he whispers.
Jack doesnât respond but Ransom feels his breath hitch and his initial plan to talk about Bitty flies out of the window.
âJack, I miss you. This is stupid and bad and Iâm sorry bro, but I missââ Ransom starts, but Jack cuts him off with a kiss.
He kisses like heâs searching for answers in the taste of Ransomâs lips and Ransom hopes he finds what heâs looking for. Ransom keeps his grip light, but Jack clenches his fingers in Ransomâs shirt like heâs terrified heâll pull away. Itâs a give and take, this kiss, and they donât pull back until theyâve both forgotten how to breathe.
They pull away and rest their foreheads together, breathing each otherâs air.
âI miss you, too,â Jack says.
âIâm sorry,â Ransom answers. âI thought I was doing the right thing.â
âBy leaving?â Jack whispers.
Brown eyes look into blue and Ransom steals another kiss while he has the chance. Jack gives it freely.
âWhy havenât you asked him out?â Ransom says, finally getting to his reason for showing up. Heâs surprised at the frustration in Jackâs eyes.
âWhy canât I have both?â He fires back. âWhy did you take that choice from me?â
âI knew Bitty would make you choose between us,â Ransom says, sighing and pulling away. âI didnât want you to have to.â
Jack tightens his grip before Ransom can get too far and pulls him back in. Jack kisses him again and itâs longing, frustration, and anger wrapped into heady breathlessness. He steps back and reaches down to grab his bag and bottle before Ransom can get his bearings.
âI would have picked you,â Jack says.
He leaves Ransom standing alone, with lips kiss swollen and eyes full of tears.
