Taking it Slow (g/t)
A super quick peek into what the recovery house and Jonah’s role looks like. Years before Clover.
———
The house was buzzing with voices and the sound of flitting wings.
Jonah was sprawled out on the couch, with Jelissa curled up on top of his chest. His fingers gave gentle strokes along her hair and back, patiently waiting as she got each of her sentences out.
She was much better at getting past the blocks when she was with him. With the volunteers, it was tough, but with Jonah, her fight or flight instinct completely shut down.
Occasionally, another fairy would swoop over to come say hi or give him a quick hug against the cheek, but they could tell Jelissa needed her one-on-one time for a bit. So, unnaturally, Jonah wasn’t entirely swarmed this afternoon.
Jelissa’s lips part and close a few times before she releases a breath and tries again. Jonah doesn’t stop his rhythmic touch as he waits, eyes soft and locked onto her.
“A—are… you…” She clears her throat. “Gonna stay the night this t—time? S…sorry. Sorry. I almost had it.”
“It’s okay, Jels. You’re doing so well.” Jonah strokes her wings against her back. “And no, probably not. I’ve gotta head back to the office and sort some things out for that interview tomorrow.”
It was Jelissa’s first week at the recovery house, and she was unable to connect with anyone. The other fae were either too loud for her taste, or too shy to hold up a solid conversation, especially with someone like her. Jonah was sweet and patient and familiar, so she’d hang out with him whenever he was around in the last couple of days.
Everyone loved Jonah. There was a collective agreement that no one ever picked him as their favourite, but everyone favoured him deep down. Thinking of her own experience, Jelissa wondered how many panic attacks he had soothed, how many fairies had gotten their first impression of a human from him.
The second he’d walk into the room, he’d be immediately met with at least twenty fae. She had no clue how he managed it, somehow able to give everyone a smidge of his attention. No one ever complained, no one ever felt left out. Not even her. He’d carefully move three over to his shoulder, one to his pocket, another on top of his head before settling into the couch and touching base with every single one. It was a talent, really.
He’d never look at her awkwardly, he’d never push her to talk, he’d just hold her. He never asked questions if she came to him sobbing, frustrated at the inability to string together a few words, he’d just meet her halfway and cuddle her until the tension oozed out of her shoulders.
The volunteers were lovely in their own right. Not as experienced and grounded as Jonah, for sure, but they had their charms. Eli and Misty were stuck together at the hip, most of them were really good at watching their step for the flight-impaired fae, and then… there was Shawn.
No other boy in that house could knot Jelissa’s tongue the way Shawn did.
He was across the living room from her then, with one of the fairies perched on his hooked finger. He had a big grin plastered to his face, bright eyes locked onto them as they spoke animatedly. Another one was nestled in the crook of his neck, dosing off. It wasn’t uncommon to have at least two fae at a time hanging out with you, but Jelissa didn’t care about anyone else. That pang of jealousy and curiosity only came from Shawn.
Noticing where her gaze had settled, Jonah chuckles softly.
“You should talk to him.”
Jelissa’s face goes beet red. “What?”
Jonah lowers his voice in an effort not to embarrass her. “Shawn. You should talk to him, Jelly, I’m sure he’d wanna hang out. He’s a keeper.”
She wriggles uncomfortably under Jonah’s palm, burrying her face in her hands.
“Jonahhh,” she groans.
Another light laugh. She feels the surface below her contract and expand. “I’m just saying. That’s kinda the whole point of you being here, you know? To have people to support you. If you’ve got your eye on Shawn, I’m sure he’d be super helpful with your blocks and all. Especially since I can’t be here all the time.”
She peeks through her fingers to take a look up at Jonah, who had a gentle smirk on his face.
“I… can’t even, get… a sentence out. I can’t even get one out when… I’m around him, Jonah. It’s so embarass…ing. Ugh!”
He smooths down her ash blonde hair with the tip of his finger. “It’s okay, take your time. You’re already getting way more words out than you were a few days ago. And you’re just nervous, you’ve done even better than that just today.”
“Please don’t tell him,” she mutters.
“I’d never. You can go up to him at your own pace, I’m not here to humiliate you, baby.”
He turns onto his side on the couch, scooping Jelissa up and setting her down on the armrest so she can be at level with his face.
“What do you like about him?” he whispers, soft breaths ruffling her hair.
“I like his eyes.”
“Mhm? And what else?”
“He’s…”
Jonah holds her hand between his fingers, squeezing gently as he waits. It was dizzying, being this close to a person so large. She was more than comfortable around Jonah, but every once in a while she’d be reminded of just how big he was. She could see every ridge and curve of his face from where she was settled.
“He… he’s, r…. really sweet. And friendly.”
“Right, so this isn’t about being afraid of him. You’re just worried he’ll think of you differently?”
She nods.
“You’re a gem, Jelly. Shawn’s been here a long time, he’s seen a lot. A little stutter won’t scare him away, I promise you.”
She pouts playfully, cheeks burning up. “That was really sweet, Jonah.”
“I try,” he smiles softly, poking her cheek with the knuckle of his other hand.
“Jonah!”
His eyes dart over to the direction of the voice, landing on Parker. He gives a final sharp flick of his wings before landing beside Jelissa on the armrest.
“Hey, Park,” Jonah smiles, cupping his hand behind the boy to bring him closer. “How’s the leg?”
“Spiffy. The joint mechanism’s working pretty well, too. Good one, Jonesie.” He gestures to the prosthetic that replaced his left leg. “Hey, Jels.”
“Hi, Parker,” she says, curling into herself further. Parker had a mouth on him, and a confidence that signalled her time with Jonah was up.
Simultaneously picking up on the memo, Jonah gives Jelissa’s hand a final squeeze before she lets go, fluttering over to Jonah’s face to give him a quick peck on the cheek.
“Cya, Jelly,” he says, eyes crinkling. “I’ll come again tomorrow to check up on ya, okay?”
She nods. “Bye Jonah,” she opens her mouth to speak again.
“B…”
Parker’s eyes meet hers, pooling with understanding as he settles close to Jonah’s face.
“Bye, P—Park… Parker.”
“Bye, Jelly. Say hi to Shawn for me, will you?” he grins, being met with a glare on Jonah’s end.
“Don’t tease her.”
“Right. Sorry. Bye, Jels.”
“Bye,” she laughs, fluttering off in Shawn’s general direction.
