The tension that held him rigidly in place visibly deflates when Jesper settles back properly in his seat. "I'll be fine," he mutters dismissively, sinking a little into his corner of the couch.
It was a lot. The same way everything Noah asks of him is a lot. This is newer even than those things, so it's a little more taxing, but he knows in time it will help. Or that's the hope, at least.
Saints, he hopes all of this works the way they're all hoping for it to. It would be a special kind of torture to suffer all this for no payoff in the end.
He would argue that the fact Kaz would be fine absolutely did not answer if he was fine at the moment. But he was used to such answers, to the dismissive half-denial of need. It would be something Kaz nursed on his own for now.
"...I'm going to warn you now: I'll be looking for opportunities to try that again. I won't push closer than I did today, not yet anyway." Even if he wasn't going to warn him when it happened, the least he could do was to make it clear it was going to happen again. Possibly with some level of frequency.
He was, in fact, definitely not completely fine in the moment, but he knows it won't last. It's nothing, having someone in his space, compared to actually being touched, it's an easier thing to recover from.
Kaz nods his understanding. The idea makes sense. Knowing the potential will help, even if he isn't warned in the moment. "Don't hold it against me if I punch you." It's only half a joke– people in his face? Gonna get a reaction, especially if it's unexpected. But Jesper probably knows to expect some kind of reaction, at least for the first while, as he adjust to Jesper's strange boundary-pushing.
"I'll make sure to move out of the way." An easy reply, a full joke to his half. He knows the likelihood of being in the trajectory of one of Kaz's punches, or Saints forbid a swing of his cane, was going to go up exponentially.
He just had to remind himself that the payoff would (hopefully) be worth the risk. And Jesper was always one to go for the bigger-the-risk-the-bigger-reward scenarios.
Odd how a laugh can draw one's attention, make them sit up straighter and take notice. But the truth is, laughter was rare from Kaz. Harsh scoffs, half-smirks, snorts of amusement? All fair game. But something soft, bubbling with amusement? Now that was something earned.
Pity, it was also rather short-lived.
"It will." It's said with confidence and conviction. It's not a matter of if to Jesper, more a matter of when. If Kaz wanted this to work, he'd do what he could to make sure they made it there.
The certainty in those two words is nice to hear, acts almost as a balm on Kaz's own doubts. If Jesper can be that sure about it, why can't he? "Thanks." he says softly, the tiniest of smiles on his lips.
He doesn't know how to make all of his apprehension go away from all of this. But maybe he doesn't have to believe it, if his people believe it for him, for now. Maybe that could be enough, until enough evidence is gathered for him to be unable to deny the logic of an upward trend.
"You're welcome." A small smile met with a brilliant one. It's odd, to have thanks where usually it's unspoken, but perhaps this situation called for it to be heard. Either way, he wouldn't complain about it. Kaz had his faith and confidence, with or without the thanks it would be there.
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Date: 2021-11-06 11:47 pm (UTC)It was a lot. The same way everything Noah asks of him is a lot. This is newer even than those things, so it's a little more taxing, but he knows in time it will help. Or that's the hope, at least.
Saints, he hopes all of this works the way they're all hoping for it to. It would be a special kind of torture to suffer all this for no payoff in the end.
no subject
Date: 2021-11-06 11:56 pm (UTC)"...I'm going to warn you now: I'll be looking for opportunities to try that again. I won't push closer than I did today, not yet anyway." Even if he wasn't going to warn him when it happened, the least he could do was to make it clear it was going to happen again. Possibly with some level of frequency.
no subject
Date: 2021-11-07 12:03 am (UTC)Kaz nods his understanding. The idea makes sense. Knowing the potential will help, even if he isn't warned in the moment. "Don't hold it against me if I punch you." It's only half a joke– people in his face? Gonna get a reaction, especially if it's unexpected. But Jesper probably knows to expect some kind of reaction, at least for the first while, as he adjust to Jesper's strange boundary-pushing.
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Date: 2021-11-07 12:07 am (UTC)He just had to remind himself that the payoff would (hopefully) be worth the risk. And Jesper was always one to go for the bigger-the-risk-the-bigger-reward scenarios.
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Date: 2021-11-07 12:11 am (UTC)He shoves a hand through his hair and sighs. "Saints, I hope all this works, somehow."
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Date: 2021-11-07 12:17 am (UTC)Pity, it was also rather short-lived.
"It will." It's said with confidence and conviction. It's not a matter of if to Jesper, more a matter of when. If Kaz wanted this to work, he'd do what he could to make sure they made it there.
no subject
Date: 2021-11-07 12:31 am (UTC)He doesn't know how to make all of his apprehension go away from all of this. But maybe he doesn't have to believe it, if his people believe it for him, for now. Maybe that could be enough, until enough evidence is gathered for him to be unable to deny the logic of an upward trend.
no subject
Date: 2021-11-07 12:36 am (UTC)