logah | Heart Don't Fail Me Now, Courage Don't Desert Me

When we last left our heroes, Jane and Jake's date had been abruptly interrupted by a series of confusing texts from Sollux, requesting that Jane heal Tavros in exchange for his eternal servitude. Distressed by what this could possibly mean in concordance with her already-present suspicions regarding her mother's true nature, Jane resolved to venture to her childhood home, a place she had refused to revisit since finding her father's body there years before, in search of clues. Jake, seeing her obvious apprehension and distress, resolutely deigned to join her, and so they set off together, tension high.

Jane had only taken the time to change clothes and grab some gear before hopping in her truck alongside Jake, her trusty fedora (a gift from her father) tilted smartly atop her wild curls. It was not far from her apartment to her old home, a 45 minute trek at most. When they pulled up front, the house towered above them, the truck almost seeming dwarfed where it rested in the winding, expansive driveway. They parked right outside of the elegant steps that led to the door, and Jane took a slow breath, gathering herself. ".... I have not been here in 7 years." she said, giving a small shake of her head in disbelief. "I... I didn't even get my things after he died. My room should be just as I left it when I moved into the Crocker U dorms freshman year..."

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He tilted his head as she motioned to the cabinet, reacting to the question as if it was something utterly silly. He did smile when her hands placed on his chest, his own finding her shoulders. He shook his head at that, giving her a nod of his head. "Janey...even if we don't really have a chance to explore...this...more. I'm gonna be by your side anyway. I'm already 'swept up' in this whether you want me to be or not. And I know long as I'm with you, I can handle it. So...yeah. I don't mind. I'm sure about this. I won't push you one way or another...just making sure you know I'd love to go out again some time."

Jane couldn't help but beam as Jake spoke, feeling as if a massive weight had been lifted from her shoulders. Jake always had been one of her dearest friends and confidants, and though he was not always the best in the way of social graces, he certainly did know how to put a gal's heart at peace. "... Maybe next time the after-dinner activities will not involve breaking into Janey's childhood home. Hoohoo!" She chuckled, not moving from where she stood as her eyes danced, simply enjoying for a moment the simplicity of his embrace. Betty could wait; she'd controlled Jane enough in life.

Jake laughed with her at that, glad to see that smile and hear that timeless 'Hoohoo!' form her. He'd give an arm and a leg to make sure that laugh of hers never died. He didn't feel like moving from the spot either, hands giving gentle rubs to her shoulder as he nods in agreement. "...and hopefully no really strange texts interrupting us either huh?" He flushed slightly at the statement, but shot a wink as well. That had really, really been the absolute worst timing.

Jane flushed at his words and gave a weak little laugh, her head tilting to rest against his chest before her eyes rose to meet his again. Her heart hammered as she recalled how close they had been, and with how near they were now, she was sure Jake would be able to feel its change in pace. "Hoo hoo! I'm sure you'd approve of as much. What was that, 3 times you have tried to receive a Crocker Kiss just since this past thursday?" She teased, sticking her tongue out slightly as she laughed.

Jake hummed with her, arm moving to wrap around her and place his hand at her back as the other stayed at her shoulder. He felt his face flush at her little tease, and they kept their red tone as he felt the words come out of his mouth without a thought barely to them. "...Well third time is supposed to be the charm. Maybe for this...it's the fourth?" He leaned in just slightly, breath giving a small catch.

Jane's breath caught as she realized the meaning behind his words, and she swallowed heavily, smile soft and cheeks flaming as she slowly began to lean in. Her nose brushed his, and her hands clenched ever so slightly at the fabric of his shirt. "Golly, I hope so..." She whispered, close enough now that her breath mingled sweetly with his own.

He feels a tingle where her nose brushes against him, arm wrapping tighter as he feels her hands clench at his shirt. This was it...no more distractions. No texts. No nothing. Not the most romantic setting but...dammit. He's gotta seize the chance where he sees it. His eyes close slowly, and he leans forward, breath holding as he really does hope that the fourth time is the charm.

Slowly a hand slipped up into his hair and cupped the back of his head, bringing him more down onto her level. And then, finally, their lips met. Jane smiled into the contact, and her fingertips threaded through his short locks, bringing him a tiny bit closer. Her heart was pounding, and hope soared within her, flecks of green dancing behind her closed eyelids.

He sighs as their lips meet, a warmth flooding his body at the contact. He could feel the hope practically bursting from within her, and his own was mingling with it. Sparks of yellow danced between the two as he held the kiss still, hand moving from her shoulder to thread through her hair as well. His fingers gently rubbed at her head, slow, even breaths leaving him as he made sure to definitely commit this moment to memory.

Jane's head tilted ever so slightly, and she sighed happily as their lips dragged and the kiss deepened with the movement. The hand that wasn't in his hair moved to wind around his neck, and she melted against him, all but putty in his arms. All of those years of pining and wishing for something more... Well, it had been more than worth the wait. Fireworks exploded in her stomach, the craziness that surrounded them briefly forgotten as wisps of green crackled between the two and life energy was transferred to him through the contact, unbeknownst to Jane.

He could feel energy all around him as body pressed against him and her hands just felt so right against him. All that time he spent not even realizing his true feelings...could they have had something like this sooner? No point in thinking on that now though. He felt a shiver go up his spine as their kiss deepened, and...that shiver felt very familiar. He regretted the decision, but he pulled himself back and saw cracks of energy going between the both of them. He could only crack a smile and chuckle to her, nose brushing hers as he spoke. "...looks like there's literal sparks flying between us, Janey."

Jane took a moment to catch her breath as Jake pulled back, face flushed and eyes flecked with green. His words brought her back to reality ever so slightly, and she looked around, unable to hold back breathless laughter as she saw the way yellow and green danced in the air around them. "Hoo hoo! It appears so." She said, looking back to him. Her smile was soft as her nose brushed alongside his own, no where feeling more perfect in that moment than his arms. "... I think we should put a pin in this case for the moment, wouldn't you say? Betty... or Elizabeth... She's been dead for years... Let's let her rest for the rest of the night at least, hmm?"

He grinned as the two just stayed in each other's arms for the moment, nodding in agreement and giving her a small squeeze with his hug. And...just for the heck of it, pecked her cheeks a couple times. He flashed a wink as well, letting out a satisfied sigh. "...definitely worth trying four times for, by the way. Completely worth. Would try again."

Heart Don't Fail Me Now, Courage Don't Desert Me | Closed to Jake

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SHA LA LA LA

DON'T BE SCARED, YOU GOT THE MOOD PREPARED

GO ON AND KISS THE GIRL

Sha la...la...laaaaaaaaa

♫♪♫DON'T STOP NOW♫♪♫

DON'T TRY TO HIDE IT HOW YOU WANNA

K I S S T H E G I R L

Fourth time was the charm