To put it simply, it sucked seeing Tohru sad. On any given day.
Jack had put enough together even with her earlier explanations that she had it rough—her mother gone, having to move in with her grandfather but was ‘booted’ out for renovations due to no space – just hearing it he could only imagine how it would feel to go through something like that. And yet she still found time to smile and to deflect worry from herself, even when it was deserved. She had a kind, gentle soul – the kind of spirit that didn’t deserve to frown.
So, he’d kissed at her nose in hopes that it would snap her out of it, if only for a moment or so. Maybe it would be worthy of a laugh or giggle; after all, it was something that he’d grown famous for. ( ‘Jack Frost nipping at your nose?’ ) When those doe eyes looked at him in surprise and mild confusion, all he did was smile back widely; his lips stretching just short of a grin. He’s never been the best at comfort – little to no practice – but he wanted to try to at least make her smile.
He was rewarded with one soon enough, and Jack feels his shoulders relax faintly with relief, before blue eyes are widening with faint confusion as she’s leaning closer into him; arms wrapping around him in a comfortable hug. He’s tense then, his eyes wide with… shock? Surprise? He doesn’t even know. The sensation is foreign and still oh so new, and he’s unsure how to reaction for a good couple of seconds…
But soon, he’s relaxing in the embrace, the faintest twinges of blue dusting deathly pale cheeks as he lowers his arms again – hesitantly – around her to return the embrace. It wasn’t easy having been alone so long… he’d never go into the dark details with her of all people, but with this embrace it felt like she knew. It felt like she was trying to make up for that with the now, like she was reminding him that in the present he finally had a companion.
Or… maybe he was conceited to think so.
“You’re… gonna catch a cold if you keep hugging me.” He breaks the silent with an almost awkward chuckle, his cheek resting comfortably near the top of her head despite his words.