‍ ‍ ‍‍ jackson‍‍ ‍‍

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ's⠀⠀ᴀ⠀⠀ʀɪᴠᴇʀ⠀⠀ʀᴜɴɴɪɴɢ⠀⠀ᴡɪʟᴅ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ᴛʜᴀᴛ⠀⠀ᴡɪʟʟ⠀⠀ᴄʀᴇᴀᴛᴇ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

[‍ ‍ ‍‍ jackson‍‍ ‍‍ @ticlals]

https://t.co/TmFZa22N6f

[‍ ‍ ‍‍ jackson‍‍ ‍‍ @ticlals]

iron gate, leaving the key in the lock as he follows the path past old stone statues of praying angels and weathered headstones. from high above, a church bell rings.

[‍ ‍ ‍‍ jackson‍‍ ‍‍ @ticlals]

huh.
he pockets the idea, having expected her to say, '𝘬𝘪𝘤𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘴.'

his head turns, and he's holding a key betwixt scraped up fingers.

"'cause, I've been bad about visiting."

( ᴄʟɪᴄᴋ! 𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒂𝒂𝒌. ) he leads the way through the wrought

[𝘼𝙨𝙡𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙤𝙧 𝘿𝙚𝙖𝙙? @buriedProphecy]

Liar, but he didn't have to know that.
Hm.
"Why are we out this way? I mean, it's gorgeous and you know I love these old buildings, but..? Why?"

[‍ ‍ ‍‍ jackson‍‍ ‍‍ @ticlals]

gonna do for my birthday?"

credit due: he usually always forgets his own birthday. jackson turns them down the block, his sights on the tall dark steeples at the end of the street.

[‍ ‍ ‍‍ jackson‍‍ ‍‍ @ticlals]

he throws a wayward grin at her, his only hint that he just might agree with her, legs leading him into the city within minutes, walking slow enough that she wouldn't have to jog to stay at his side.

he has a destination in mind. she would realize it soon enough.

"what are you

[𝘼𝙨𝙡𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙤𝙧 𝘿𝙚𝙖𝙙? @buriedProphecy]

She laughs, because that may be the funniest thing she's ever heard.

She would though. She would follow him to the end at this point, and she's pretty sure she has.
So, she does, not a clue where they're going.

"Unfortunately, you are a walking reason to worry."

[‍ ‍ ‍‍ jackson‍‍ ‍‍ @ticlals]

"when have I ever given you a reason to worry?"

opening the door, meanwhile, looking at her like he already expects she'll follow him to gods-know-where he's going.

[𝘼𝙨𝙡𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙤𝙧 𝘿𝙚𝙖𝙙? @buriedProphecy]

Much better :^). His stress makes her stress and it's a gross feeling to have THAT much empathy for someone; even though she loves the goober.

"See? And I'm usually the one worrying about you."

[‍ ‍ ‍‍ jackson‍‍ ‍‍ @ticlals]

yeah, yeah. drops his hand. crooked lil smile.

"you're right, the hell am I worrying about you for?"

[𝘼𝙨𝙡𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙤𝙧 𝘿𝙚𝙖𝙙? @buriedProphecy]

Uhh..as far as SHE knew, there weren't any daggers near her face in the last 24 hours, so..right?

That's concerning.
Tiny assassins, probably.

"Why are you staring? It's just a little cut, I'll survive I promise."

[‍ ‍ ‍‍ jackson‍‍ ‍‍ @ticlals]

"I have extra rat traps if you need 'em."

jesting tone aside, the look in his eyes is serious, his thumb still gently inspecting the injury. this was done by a blade. she wouldn't keep anything from him,

—— 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵?

[𝘼𝙨𝙡𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙤𝙧 𝘿𝙚𝙖𝙙? @buriedProphecy]

A sly smile fades just as quickly as it had appeared, brows furrowing.
?
"Huh?" She flinches,
"Jeez..I must've scratched myself in my sleep..or gotten into a knife fight with a ghost."
Weird. It'd been years since she'd woken up with scratches; must come with the nightmares.

[‍ ‍ ‍‍ jackson‍‍ ‍‍ @ticlals]

frown. reaches for her cheek, thumb tracing a fresh red cut.

"who owed 𝘆𝗼𝘂 rent?"

[‍ ‍ ‍‍ jackson‍‍ ‍‍ @ticlals]

aye boss.

[𝘼𝙨𝙡𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙤𝙧 𝘿𝙚𝙖𝙙? @buriedProphecy]

I've seen you do more for less.
Get that rat and tell it that rent is due early >:)

[‍ ‍ ‍‍ jackson‍‍ ‍‍ @ticlals]

⠀⠀⠀[ @buriedProphecy ]

[darling、 dearest . @rebloomng]

' i used to think of you as my soulmate. '
' i still am. '

[‍ ‍ ‍‍ jackson‍‍ ‍‍ @ticlals]

if I told you a rat stole my wallet and I was seeking revenge, would you look at me differently?

[𝘼𝙨𝙡𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙤𝙧 𝘿𝙚𝙖𝙙? @buriedProphecy]

🥰
That was fast!
Were you....under the couch?
Where did you just come from??

[ᅟᅟgibson girl, @sainticide]

which god should she pray to, if her god let things like this happen?

[‍ ‍ ‍‍ jackson‍‍ ‍‍ @ticlals]

hey Bee

[‍ ‍ ‍‍ jackson‍‍ ‍‍ @ticlals]

rises from the floor like a zombie

[𝘼𝙨𝙡𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙤𝙧 𝘿𝙚𝙖𝙙? @buriedProphecy]

@ticlals 🥺

[‍ ‍ ‍‍ jackson‍‍ ‍‍ @ticlals]

ok go go gO that thing looks evil.

[𝘼𝙨𝙡𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙤𝙧 𝘿𝙚𝙖𝙙? @buriedProphecy]

Fire escape.

Yes please.

[‍ ‍ ‍‍ jackson‍‍ ‍‍ @ticlals]

.....fire escape?

[‍ ‍ ‍‍ jackson‍‍ ‍‍ @ticlals]

come on, it's not like it's going to attack yo—OH MY GOD.

that's not a possum that's godzilla's firstborn.

[𝘼𝙨𝙡𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙤𝙧 𝘿𝙚𝙖𝙙? @buriedProphecy]

>:(
It's not ACTUALLY dead, dummy. I can't do anything with it.

It's... right in front of the door. I'm stuck.

[‍ ‍ ‍‍ jackson‍‍ ‍‍ @ticlals]

also I did lose my keys. please let me in

[‍ ‍ ‍‍ jackson‍‍ ‍‍ @ticlals]

those things play dead, right? try communicating with it

[𝘼𝙨𝙡𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙤𝙧 𝘿𝙚𝙖𝙙? @buriedProphecy]

Thought Percy just lost his keys again,
turns out a POSSUM. HAS BROKEN IN. Literally what do I do???

[‍ ‍ ‍‍ jackson‍‍ ‍‍ @ticlals]

( ends up giving her the rest of the noodles. there's this other thing still poking at his mind, but one struggle at a time, yeah? )

what'd you mean by that? '𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘸'?

[‍ ‍ ‍‍ jackson‍‍ ‍‍ @ticlals]

( long, lung-deflating sigh. he shakes his head. if she's still watching, maybe she'll catch wind of the crooked smile betraying his brooding. )

see? I can never win.

[𝘼𝙨𝙡𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙤𝙧 𝘿𝙚𝙖𝙙? @buriedProphecy]

[ Finally, her eye catches his, and she scoffs. Nonchalant. ]

Uh yeah, you do.
You've saved my life a couple of times, the least you deserve is reciprocation, and the most you deserve is...a lot more.