#*cl3

[sarahjsims]

when leif pulls back, they know their hesitation and concern are showing. they can’t help it.

leif: please tell me my hypothesis was correct...

rather than responding, jace spins them around and kisses them again.

[sarahjsims]

[sarahjsims]

[sarahjsims]

leif: the favour you need has something to do with... out here? i’m afraid i don’t understand.

jace doesn’t seem to know where to look, gaze moving from anywhere but leif’s face. he doesn’t answer, doesn’t dare speak, and leif frowns at the unusual behaviour.

leif: jace? are you alright?

[sarahjsims]

scout: i mean that leif obviously isn’t interested in you, never has been, never will be.

gwen: ( sighs ) why is everyone so obsessed with me and leif lately?

scout: uh, because you’re obsessed with you and leif? did you just conveniently forget that you chase them around all the time?

ricky: well, i haven’t seen her do it for a long while...

scout: even so, you get my point, right?

[sarahjsims]

jace lets out a shaky breath and leif shifts closer.

leif: can i ask... were you jealous?

jace: ...you can’t prove anything.

leif can’t help but let a small laugh bubble out of them. they don’t think they have ever seen jace pout like that before.

leif: maybe not. but... there are other things i can do.

[sarahjsims]

jace: then again, i should probably go, too, it looks like it’s gonna rain soon —

leif: — jace.

jace only stops when leif takes his hand and squeezes it. he looks between leif’s face and their joined hands in surprise.

leif: jace. why did you pull me away from gwen?

their voice is calm, but they don’t feel at all collected.

[sarahjsims]

oskar: first mclean boy, look at these photos from back home! my great-grandmother sent them to me.

lex: ooh, i love — ( gasps ) are those chickens? i love chickens!