Who: Adrian Battye and Jackson London When: 20 November, after classes Where: Hospital Ward What: a breakup Rating/Warnings: Kind of sad Status: Closed/Complete
Jackson was glad to know that his boyfriend would be released to go back to his dorm that evening, and he skipped out on dinner (as had become his normal routine this week) to head up and see Adrian. He brought with him a small treat- chocolate cupcakes topped with truffles the elves had put together on his prompting - and a smile was fixed on his face as he headed in.
“Hey. How was your day?” Aside from boring, which he imagined it was. Still, it was right to ask and he was hoping it had been at least a bit pleasant, even if it hadn't been entirely fun.
Adrian couldn't help but frown a little when Jackson appeared, a sigh that was louder than it would normally have been.. Jackson just couldn't leave well enough alone… and Adrian just wanted to escape. He hadn't had a moment to himself since his injury, with the attention of the Healers, his sister, his birth-father, and Jackson. Jackson in particular though was difficult. He had to end it, so Jackson didn't keep wasting his time with him. "They have decided it is possible to release me." Was the easy answer to the question.
Jackson looked a bit confused at the sigh and the frown, though he didn't ask. Maybe Adrian was just tired. He smiled though when the other boy told him he was to be released. That was very good news. Not that he was rushing things but it would be good for Adrian to be back to his normal room, if nothing else. “Excellent. These can be celebration cupcakes instead of just cupcakes because there are cupcakes.”
Adrian looked at Jackson… and the cupcakes. Or course he brought cupcakes. "You didn't need to bring cupcakes." Adrian tried, knowing Jackson would say something about how he wanted to.
“You like chocolate. Seemed like something you'd enjoy.” Jackson shrugged one shoulder a bit and seated himself by the bed. It was the norm for this week, being with Adrian. Not that it had not become so otherwise, but lately Adrian was the only thing he thought of outside of classes.
Adrian took the cupcake, setting it on the table beside his bed rather than eating it. "Thank you," he offered softly. Was it rude to take the cupcake given what he was going to do? Better than eating it and then breaking up with him, Adrian thought. And there was nothing wrong with saying thank you.
Jackson blinked slightly, confusion again fluttering across his face for a moment. Adrian was behaving strangely and he wasn't sure what to make of it. “You're welcome,” he said, his eyes fixing on his lover, trying to trace what was wrong.
Adrian didn't quite meet Jackson's eyes. He tried gently. "It will be nice to sleep in my own bed tonight… without anyone checking in on me constantly." Alone. He was looking forward to sleeping alone tonight. To not having to worry about who was listening to him breathing because there would be no one to listen to it.
A small furrow of disappointment marred Jackson’s face but he quickly stifled it. He couldn't expect Adrian to want him in Slytherin when he had been sleeping around him for the majority of a week. “I imagine your sister and Professor Stark will be checking on you first thing in the morning.” Jackson tended to let the family be there when they wanted and didn't interfere. That was important, family support.
Jackson was right, of course, deepening Adrian's frown. "Hopefully they will let me sleep in…" It was not as though he was sleeping through the night yet. He didn't doubt that Professor Stark could get into Slytherin easily. And Narissa never let a password-protected door bar her from getting in. She would find someone to bribe to get in anyway.
“That's what weekends are for.” He could suggest to the pair that they let Adrian sleep later. Sleep was important for healing. He lightly brushed fingers over his lover’s cheek and smiled again. “It will be nice to have things a little closer to normal I think?”
"It will be nice to have my own space." Adrian agreed. "Without being constantly examined and monitored." Without being the focus of everyone's attention and pity.
Jackson was finding himself slightly unsettled by Adrian's words as the conversation continued. He felt like he was missing something maybe. “It was nice to be able to stay with you though… Even if the reason wasn't a good one.” Because laying with his lover made him happy. It had been nice.
"You'll be glad to actually sleep too," Adrian suggested. It couldn't have been very restful for Jackson. It wasn't for Adrian. "Without interruption or anything."
Jackson frowned at that. “You've met me, right?” Because he didn't sleep well normally. He tended toward insomnia on his best days. He'd probably gotten more sleep lying with Adrian here than he would've in his own room.
"It's different… when you don't have someone laboring to breath next to you." Adrian tried. He wanted Jackson to see it as a good thing for himself… even though it was really about Adrian.
“It's you. I'd prefer sleeping with you no matter the situation.” Jackson didn't bother adding flourishes to his speech usually. It was just fact. Adrian was better than no Adrian in his mind and he prized the moments that they shared.
Jackson was not going to make this easy. Adrian knew he wouldn't, but he'd hoped… no he knew better than to hope. Or at least he should know better than to hope. "You say that now… but it will be good to have a break from it all… from me."
Jackson raised an eyebrow as he looked at his boyfriend. “I don't want a break from you.” Because that was it. Facts were simple to Jackson in this way. He wanted to be around Adrian and that was all.
"I do," Adrian replied softly. It wasn't strictly true. He didn't want it necessarily, but he needed it. Before things got more out of hand than they already had. Before Jackson wasted more time and energy than he already had. Jackson was a hero, apparently; he wasn't going to end things… so it was left to Adrian so that Jackson could move past this entire situation.
A few emotions flicked over Jackson’s face, one after the other. Shock, confusion, and then hurt. “You don't mean that…” Whispered softly as he looked at the other boy. His stomach was knotted up painfully. This wasn't right. He loved Adrian. Why was this happening?
Adrian didn't look up. He didn't need to. Jackson's reply said it all. The tone, the sound. "It's the message all week." Adrian had been telling Jackson (and Narissa and Professor Stark and the healers…) to go away. "You wouldn't listen."
“You...mean just a bit of alone time?” Because that would make sense. At least mostly. Everyone needed time to themselves. He could accept that. Adrian just needed some time to relax on his own. Jackson could handle that.
"More than just a bit," Adrian murmured. Yes, he needed space, time to himself. But it was clear too that the relationship was bad for Jackson. He'd spent far too much time and energy on Adrian, even when Adrian didn't want it. They needed to… just be friends. Adrian couldn't be the center of that much attention.
Confusion and hurt remained clear on Jackson’s face as he processed what he was being told. “I…” He paused, shaking his head. Those words were pointless. He thought he had been showing this week what he felt for his friend. That he loved the other boy. Clearly… He hadn't? Or it just wasn't wanted. Probably that. He didn't deserve Adrian, he had known that much. He supposed maybe the other finally saw it. “I'll send your sister or Professor Stark to get your things back to your room?” His voice cracked slightly as he fought to hold back tears. He could not cry. Not now. It could wait. Had to wait.
"There isn't much here." Adrian had not 'gotten comfortable' in the hospital ward really. 'It's not a big deal." Normal. Act normal, like he couldn't hear Jackson's voice… it was better this way. Before things went on too long. Before Jackson convinced himself that Adrian was anything…
It was a bit too late for that, and Jackson had to fight to keep himself composed at least partially. He felt like he was going to be sick. “Your sister then. It's closer to your dorm.” His voice was a bit thick, strained, and he was fighting to keep it level to some degree.
Adrian didn't exactly want to deal with his sister right now either. Or Professor Stark. Or… anyone. He'd had too much attention from everyone. And he didn't feel well - he hurt. He just wanted to be left alone. And no one would do that. He wasn't dying. Or dead. Or… anything. Adrian wasn't anything worth that much fuss.