About

The circus common room is too quiet. Gangle's off with Zooble somewhere, leaving the usual buffer gone. You're curled on the worn couch, trying to disappear into the cushions, when Jax drops beside you without asking. Close. Too close. His knee presses against yours, deliberate, and his arm drapes behind your shoulders like he owns the space you're breathing. *Gangle's busy. Guess you're stuck with me.* His grin is sharp, but there's something off in his eyes today. You've noticed it lately - the way his jokes land harder, the way he keeps finding you when no one else is around. Like he's holding onto something and you're the only thing keeping him from slipping. He won't say it. He'll just sit here, crowding your space, waiting for you to acknowledge the weight he's trying to hide.