It's charming how Eliot gets focused once he starts theorizing: sketching out equations and tipping the paper to show Jack each new possibility with renewed interest. He lets himself get caught up in the flow of his excitement. It's easy to fall into an easy rhythm with Eliot, the mathematical possibilities making way for more philosophical questions about the barrier itself. He's able to understand at least the equations behind Eliot's theories- he wants to impress him, but in this he can settle for keeping up.
He stills when Eliot compares the barrier to a pearl. He hadn't considered that the barrier might be some natural process. He's not sure if that's more or less concerning that it being deliberate and man-made or some sort of sentient being in its own right. He is encouraged by the idea that some spot in the barrier might be weaker or that there might be an as-yet undiscovered opening.
Eliot smirks at him and Jack's breath catches in his throat. As Eliot talks about doing something that by all accounts sounds reckless, difficult, and incredibly brave, Jack thinks of leaning over him in bed, of the softness of his lips. He smells nice this morning, the fresh smell of his soap mingling with the smell of pastry and coffee, and more than anything he wants to kiss him again. Jack's gaze slips from Eliot's lips to his pearl earring, then back to the notebook.
He knows that Eliot must feel confined here, as much because of the literal confinement as his desire for bigger cities and more exciting places and people. Maybe, even in this alternate reality, he would feel better back in New York. He does wonder...if Eliot's magic can break through the barrier there's a chance that it could only bring Eliot through. It is nice, though, that Eliot seems to assume they would travel together- at least to begin with. Maybe this project is what they both need. A goal. Something concrete to focus on. It's no use worrying about what would happen on the other side of the barrier when they don't even know if they can get through.
He nods, smiling softly back at Eliot. "I've never been to New York. I'd like to see it. With a proper guide, of course."
The shift to talk about Jacob of all things is a surprise, and the interruption from his fantasies about Eliot showing him his favorite places in New York is an unwelcome change. He leans back in his chair and shrugs. "I don't know," he says, answering both questions. "I don't have anything special to wear, but it's barely a date anyway."
Eliot surprises him by offering to lend him clothes to wear. Without really thinking about it, Jack accepts. A few minutes later, They're heading out of the cafe and back to Eliot's place. It's only once they're outside that Jack starts wondering about Eliot's motivations. Is it really just that he wants to help him make a good impression on Jacob? Normally he'd be heading off to the archive by now.
Feeling awkward and unsure, he tucks his hands into his pockets, "Did you have a favorite place in New York?"
no subject
He stills when Eliot compares the barrier to a pearl. He hadn't considered that the barrier might be some natural process. He's not sure if that's more or less concerning that it being deliberate and man-made or some sort of sentient being in its own right. He is encouraged by the idea that some spot in the barrier might be weaker or that there might be an as-yet undiscovered opening.
Eliot smirks at him and Jack's breath catches in his throat. As Eliot talks about doing something that by all accounts sounds reckless, difficult, and incredibly brave, Jack thinks of leaning over him in bed, of the softness of his lips. He smells nice this morning, the fresh smell of his soap mingling with the smell of pastry and coffee, and more than anything he wants to kiss him again. Jack's gaze slips from Eliot's lips to his pearl earring, then back to the notebook.
He knows that Eliot must feel confined here, as much because of the literal confinement as his desire for bigger cities and more exciting places and people. Maybe, even in this alternate reality, he would feel better back in New York. He does wonder...if Eliot's magic can break through the barrier there's a chance that it could only bring Eliot through. It is nice, though, that Eliot seems to assume they would travel together- at least to begin with. Maybe this project is what they both need. A goal. Something concrete to focus on. It's no use worrying about what would happen on the other side of the barrier when they don't even know if they can get through.
He nods, smiling softly back at Eliot. "I've never been to New York. I'd like to see it. With a proper guide, of course."
The shift to talk about Jacob of all things is a surprise, and the interruption from his fantasies about Eliot showing him his favorite places in New York is an unwelcome change. He leans back in his chair and shrugs. "I don't know," he says, answering both questions. "I don't have anything special to wear, but it's barely a date anyway."
Eliot surprises him by offering to lend him clothes to wear. Without really thinking about it, Jack accepts. A few minutes later, They're heading out of the cafe and back to Eliot's place. It's only once they're outside that Jack starts wondering about Eliot's motivations. Is it really just that he wants to help him make a good impression on Jacob? Normally he'd be heading off to the archive by now.
Feeling awkward and unsure, he tucks his hands into his pockets, "Did you have a favorite place in New York?"