They hum softly at the clarification. One, and the other. It isn't a difficult symbolism to piece together, even if Jayden doesn't fully explain the nuance. Power and control. A concept they never shared with their own father, and so it makes their heart ache to know that there is pain that exists under the other's impassive expression.[break][break]

But there is also resilience, too. Their fingers sift through the ruffled dark locks of his hair, and then lower to snag his chin. "A wolf's strength means little against a raven's cleverness." The soft affection in their gaze sharpens for a flickering moment, a flash of protectiveness for the vulnerability they have been offered. "After all, you are the one who is still alive, are you not?"[break][break]

Mental holds are not so easily broken, though. It pulls together slowly in Fern's mind. Clicking together like puzzle pieces to make a scattered patchwork of little moments that betray the residual dominance of the senior Cross. Fern knows care and warmth, and has (shamefully) taken it for granted before. So if they can let those feelings drift through the other, bit by bit, they like to think that maybe they can pry the fingers of that vice grip loose. One by one. Knuckle by knuckle, even, if it's needed.[break][break]

The lull allows for further reminders of their own upbringing, and a fond smile finds its natural home on their face. "That's right." Fern never thought that they would miss the old city as much as they often did. "A condemned mill. I was curious." One of their lesser slights and run-ins with local law enforcement, in all honesty. The greater rule breaks came later.[break][break]

And somehow his da had never held it against him. Even if Fern deserved it every time.
[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] jayden cross | ....what kinda honey u lookin for, jay >:3[break]

Fern doesn’t mean to speak ill of Jayden’s family, or insult the dead. Or perhaps they do, from the deep hold they find lingering in different corners of the other’s mind and heart. It causes an ugly bitterness to settle in the pit of their stomach—a distaste and lack of respect for the family that failed to nurture in the way that a family should.[break][break]

So their fingers continue to comb through his hair, as they partially expect a defense or rebuttal. But when Fern is met with first with a smile and then a kiss instead, they feel a shift. Something pivotal changing, as small as it might be.[break][break]

“Mmm, I’d argue that anything fun is worth it,” they reply lightly, voice feeling airy and far away as they’re tugged closer. The heat of skin against skin is soothing in a way that Fern had forgotten and they nestle closer, head tucking under Jayden’s chin so that their face can burrow against the crook of his neck.[break][break]

“And it was, though painful, an awful lot of fun.” Their smile is a sleepy one, and they can feel the weight of drowsiness begin to settle over them like a warm blanket. It’s peaceful, it’s nice. Something about this makes their heart twist up in a way they haven’t felt in a long time.[break][break]

It’s something that has staying power, they think, if the both of them will allow it.

[break][break]

[attr="class","ooc"] jayden cross | ....what kinda honey u lookin for, jay >:3[break]