Paige and Jono | Coping
Jan. 18th, 2024 03:22 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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xp_logsJono sees a familiar but exhausted face in the library, and does what a man who can't talk does best. He listens.
Jono was sitting in the library reading through his well-loved copy of the Mabinogion when Paige walked in. He waved at her, tilting his head to gesture to the open seats around him and tried to smile with just his eyes...it was a work in progress.
She looked tired, like the world was weighing on her shoulders and classes had only just begun. He preemptively took out his notebook and a pen, setting them in front of him. Just as a precaution. And only because he had forgotten to bring the lightwriter with him. Definitely not because he wanted to talk to Paige.
It had been a long few days of meeting even more new people at school, starting her assistantship job, finding her way around campus, figuring out why Sam and Jay weren’t getting along this time, and doing her schoolwork. Eventually, she’d figure out her rhythm, but for right now, she was a little overwhelmed and exhausted.
Seeing Jono wave and make a face that was probably supposed to be positive, Paige smiled, though it didn’t quite meet her eyes, and made her way over to the table.
“Hey. Haven’t seen you since the wormhole. Hope you’re holding up ok. Sorry I didn’t check in on you before now.” She dropped her bag next to the chair and sat down.
Jono furrowed his brow, then scribbled on his notepad. You don't need to check on me, I'm not your responsibility. Very nice of you to think of me, but not your job.
He glanced at her again out of the corner of his eye, expression full of worry. She looked even more exhausted up close. He tapped his pen against the notepad before writing more. I'm not saying that you look bad, because you're beautiful, but you look tired. Are you okay?
Paige blushed as she read Jono’s second note. “Uh…thanks. And I’m fine, this month has just been a lot, what with…everything that happened at home, then moving here and meeting everyone here, which has been great don’t get me wrong, and making sure my brothers are ok, then starting at Columbia…I’ll be fine once everything settles down. I’ve been really busy.”
Paige took a deep breath. “So, how have you been?”
I don’t know what happened at home, but whatever it is I’m sorry that happened. I also didn’t know that you have brothers. If there’s a rumour mill I’m not part of it. Jono looked at her in concern. Do you want to talk about it? I can’t talk so I’m a very good listener.
"You don't know Sam? I thought everyone here knew him." Paige was a bit shocked that Jono didn't already know Sam was related to her. "He's my older brother. I think he goes by Cannonball, too. And Jay is my younger brother. He was the one with the hot chocolate and the wings in the chapel."
She glanced at the notebook again. "I appreciate the offer, but I'm ok, really. Besides, I should get to work on the readings I have for class tomorrow and let you get back to what you were doing. It was good to see you again!"
I haven’t been here very long, moved in middle of December. I mostly keep to myself. Safer that way. Paige was obviously different, but Jono didn’t want to say that, it felt too much like admitting a secret. I’m not an expert on university, never went past my GCSEs but - I think it might do you good to get it off your chest before studying. I know we’re barely friends, but I still care.
Not that Jono was going to get any of his issues off his chest but…that was a him problem.
Paige hesitated, but she knew that Jono had a point. While they had only met a few times, Jono had been nice to talk to in the past. "Are you sure? Christmas was...heavy. I don't want to just dump everything on you."
Wouldn't have offered if I didn't mean it. He wrote, and then after a moment added on. I have a thing for getting stuff off your chest but it only works once.
He gestured to his own chest and crinkled his eyes in an approximation of humor.
Seriously though, in the least "come home with me" way possible if you want to talk in private I don't have a roommate and I'm happy to talk there. Or wherever you want.
In spite of herself, Paige gave half a laugh at Jono’s joke about his chest. “Alright, if you’re sure. But in exchange, you’re going to have to tell me about why you think you should be left behind in a crisis to be ‘pointed at the problem.’”
Reading the second note, Paige looked up and considered. The library was not the best place to have any conversation, let alone a very emotional one. “Sure,” Paige said, picking up her bag. “Your place it is.”
Jono picked up his book and pushed in his chair, and led Paige on the relatively quick walk back to his room. Once there, he opened the door for her and gestured for her to enter.
The space was neatly picked up. His guitar sat on a stand nearby its case and amp, his laundry was in a hamper, and the books were stacked neatly on his desk.
“Oh, you play guitar? What kind of music do you like?” Paige suspected Jono wasn’t a country music person, but maybe he still liked some artists Paige was familiar with.
Grunge mostly. Jono wrote. I used to be in a band.
Jono shrugged and pulled out his desk chair, motioning to it or his bed for places where Paige could sit.
“Oh. Cool.” Paige sat down at the desk chair. She was going to have to do some googling later. “What was your band called?”
The Guitless Covenant. He then fixed her with a pointed look. You're stalling.
Paige smiled guiltily. Usually only Sam or Jay could read her that quickly. “Maybe a little. Also trying to figure out where to start.”
Deep breath. "So, over Christmas, my brother Jay got engaged to his girlfriend, Julia, and we were all real excited for the weddin' because Julia was wonderful and a great friend and she and Jay were so happy together, but her family has a sort of feud with ours so her brothers were none too happy about it and they decided the best way to deal with that was to shoot her apparently the day after they got engaged and the hospital is too far away so...she didn't make it. The funeral was apparently really rough and she didn’t even get buried under the right name and Sam had to go break up a fight between Jay and some of Julia's relations and then Jay tried to kill himself in our kitchen." Tears were threatening to fall down Paige's face, but she was trying very hard to keep that from happening. "He survived, thank God, but Mama-" the title came out a bit harshly- "wouldn't let any of the rest of us go with her 'n Jay to the hospital, so it was just Sam and I tryin' to keep the little ones calm, and then Mama had the audacity to say she couldn't deal with it and basically kicked Jay out to come live up here with Sam and I knew Jay wasn't going to take that well and Sammy's always taken on too much ever since Daddy died and Mama stopped tryin' so he had to take over so I had to come up with them, not that I wasn't goin' to since I had already gotten into Columbia, but it's easier with me livin' down the hall, so I had to tell them I figured out I'm a mutant, too." Tears were really falling now. "Figured out I had powers when I was 18, but I didn't tell anyone for a lot of reasons, and I was waitin' for a good time to tell everyone, but of course it had to come out at the worst time and I think Sammy and Jay are real upset with me for not telling them but so much has happened since then that it got kinda brushed to the side but I don't know how to fix that without bringin' up that sore spot again. And Sam and Jay are arguin’ over everythin’ now and I don’t think either of them are really dealin’ with why that’s happenin’ so they just keep gettin’ into fights and I don’t know how to stop that. Oh, and now Mel, my little sister, figured out she’s a mutant ‘cause she fell off the barn roof and can fly now so she’s comin’ up to visit and we gotta figure out if she’s movin’ up here instead of stayin’ home to help with the little ones."
Paige wiped at her face. "And, y'know, all the stress with movin' to a new place and meetin' new people who already know you because of your brother and then all the new people at school and startin' my program. Nothin' about moving here or school has been bad, just...a lot at once." She slumped down in her chair. "Uh...yeah..."
Jono tried to keep his expression schooled and calm as Paige talked but the more she said the more concerned he became. He made an aborted motion to reach out and grab her hand and paused, considering- not everyone liked to be touched when they were upset but....he couldn't talk, he couldn't tell her it was okay, and trying to make her decipher his handwriting through her tears felt cruel. He reached out and put a warm hand on her wrist, rubbing her arm gently with his thumb. Doing his best to offer comfort without any words. Trying to convey a sense of understanding.
Paige smiled weakly through her tears at Jono before reaching up and holding his hand firmly. “Sorry…y’know, you really are a good listener. And if you ever need anythin’, my door is always open.” She was still crying, but less like she was about to start sobbing and more of a steady stream down her face.
With his free hand, Jono reached out and pulled a tissue from the box to hand to Paige, squeezing her hand as he did so. After a few moments he pulled his hand away and picked the notepad back up. I'm really sorry that happened to your family...I know a bit how it feels to be cast out away from your home.....Texting is a bit easier for me, if you need anything I'll gladly give you my number. And for the record, I don’t know who your brother is, I just know you for you.
He thought back to the chapel, where he'd had the news article on his manifestation pulled up ready to show Paige, but that....that wasn't the real story was it? And she'd asked for his story in return. Time to hold up my end of the bargain? Tell you about the bomb thing?
It took Paige a moment to read Jono’s notes, but as soon as she finished, she fished her beat up Android out of her pocket with her free hand. “Yeah, of course, can’t believe I didn’t think of that earlier.”
She opened up her contacts list and handed her phone over so Jono could put his information in. “I know I kinda gave you a lot of personal information there, but you’re not obligated to tell me anythin’ you ain’t comfortable with. Whatever you don’t want to tell me you can keep to yourself.”
Ah but that had always been his problem hadn't it? A pretty face could get him to share anything....He took her phone and put in his contact information before handing it back to her. Might be easier for you to read too. He wrote. Still getting used to not being able to talk. But I
He stopped himself, trying to figure out how much to share at first but- Paige had bared herself openly to him, the least he could do was give her the abridged version. I exploded while trying to ask my ex-girlfriend (who I'm not sure ever actually loved me) to move in with me. She's a lot worse off than I am.
“Oh. Jono, I’m so sorry.” Paige squeezed his hand. “But it wasn’t your fault. At least, I’m assumin’ you didn’t do it on purpose.”
Accident. Didn't know what happened. Fire everywhere. When I tried to apologize she threatened a restraining order against me. And charges of terrorism but that was another matter entirely. I can't control it, just keep it contained with a fire blanket I cut into bandages wrapped around the part of my body left permanently open and aflame. It's gross.
“Might have been a bad reaction in the moment. You could always try reaching out again now that you’ve both had time to process if you think it’s worth it.” Paige was trying hard to be polite, but if she was honest, Jono’s ex sounded awful.
“And you’re not the only one with gross powers. I peel my skin off to transform into new forms.”
Much less gross than being able to see your organs when you shower. And also setting off smoke alarms each time you shower....I broke the ones in here so it would stop.
“Wait, you’re givin’ off smoke?” That information snapped Paige out of crying. “Your insides aren’t burnin’, are they? Wait, sorry, that’s probably a really invasive question.” She hadn’t meant to push Jono on a topic he was clearly uncomfortable about, but fire wouldn’t smoke if it was only being fueled by oxygen or whatever kept Jono’s powers going. Paige only wanted to make sure he wasn’t burning alive.
Jono shrugged. Apparently steam sets off the alarm too. Water + heat = steam. Everything about my powers sucks. But very destructive and would have been good if there had been someone attacking us in the chapel. I probably wouldn’t have died.
“Ooohhh that makes a lot more sense.” Paige relaxed. “You know we were never gonna leave you behind if something happened in the chapel right? And without your powers, we probably wouldn’t have met, so that’s at least one positive.”
Jono blushed darkly but barely visible over his bandages and scarf. Meeting him was a positive?
The idea was to stand in between like a shield made of fire. There’s a LOT of fire.
“Doesn’t matter. We stick together.”
Paige sighed. “I should really get started on my readin’. Do you mind if I do it in here for a bit? Or do you want some space after…all that.”
Stay as long as you like. Jono wrote before opening his own book. This might be the first comfortable silence he’s had in over a year.
Jono was sitting in the library reading through his well-loved copy of the Mabinogion when Paige walked in. He waved at her, tilting his head to gesture to the open seats around him and tried to smile with just his eyes...it was a work in progress.
She looked tired, like the world was weighing on her shoulders and classes had only just begun. He preemptively took out his notebook and a pen, setting them in front of him. Just as a precaution. And only because he had forgotten to bring the lightwriter with him. Definitely not because he wanted to talk to Paige.
It had been a long few days of meeting even more new people at school, starting her assistantship job, finding her way around campus, figuring out why Sam and Jay weren’t getting along this time, and doing her schoolwork. Eventually, she’d figure out her rhythm, but for right now, she was a little overwhelmed and exhausted.
Seeing Jono wave and make a face that was probably supposed to be positive, Paige smiled, though it didn’t quite meet her eyes, and made her way over to the table.
“Hey. Haven’t seen you since the wormhole. Hope you’re holding up ok. Sorry I didn’t check in on you before now.” She dropped her bag next to the chair and sat down.
Jono furrowed his brow, then scribbled on his notepad. You don't need to check on me, I'm not your responsibility. Very nice of you to think of me, but not your job.
He glanced at her again out of the corner of his eye, expression full of worry. She looked even more exhausted up close. He tapped his pen against the notepad before writing more. I'm not saying that you look bad, because you're beautiful, but you look tired. Are you okay?
Paige blushed as she read Jono’s second note. “Uh…thanks. And I’m fine, this month has just been a lot, what with…everything that happened at home, then moving here and meeting everyone here, which has been great don’t get me wrong, and making sure my brothers are ok, then starting at Columbia…I’ll be fine once everything settles down. I’ve been really busy.”
Paige took a deep breath. “So, how have you been?”
I don’t know what happened at home, but whatever it is I’m sorry that happened. I also didn’t know that you have brothers. If there’s a rumour mill I’m not part of it. Jono looked at her in concern. Do you want to talk about it? I can’t talk so I’m a very good listener.
"You don't know Sam? I thought everyone here knew him." Paige was a bit shocked that Jono didn't already know Sam was related to her. "He's my older brother. I think he goes by Cannonball, too. And Jay is my younger brother. He was the one with the hot chocolate and the wings in the chapel."
She glanced at the notebook again. "I appreciate the offer, but I'm ok, really. Besides, I should get to work on the readings I have for class tomorrow and let you get back to what you were doing. It was good to see you again!"
I haven’t been here very long, moved in middle of December. I mostly keep to myself. Safer that way. Paige was obviously different, but Jono didn’t want to say that, it felt too much like admitting a secret. I’m not an expert on university, never went past my GCSEs but - I think it might do you good to get it off your chest before studying. I know we’re barely friends, but I still care.
Not that Jono was going to get any of his issues off his chest but…that was a him problem.
Paige hesitated, but she knew that Jono had a point. While they had only met a few times, Jono had been nice to talk to in the past. "Are you sure? Christmas was...heavy. I don't want to just dump everything on you."
Wouldn't have offered if I didn't mean it. He wrote, and then after a moment added on. I have a thing for getting stuff off your chest but it only works once.
He gestured to his own chest and crinkled his eyes in an approximation of humor.
Seriously though, in the least "come home with me" way possible if you want to talk in private I don't have a roommate and I'm happy to talk there. Or wherever you want.
In spite of herself, Paige gave half a laugh at Jono’s joke about his chest. “Alright, if you’re sure. But in exchange, you’re going to have to tell me about why you think you should be left behind in a crisis to be ‘pointed at the problem.’”
Reading the second note, Paige looked up and considered. The library was not the best place to have any conversation, let alone a very emotional one. “Sure,” Paige said, picking up her bag. “Your place it is.”
Jono picked up his book and pushed in his chair, and led Paige on the relatively quick walk back to his room. Once there, he opened the door for her and gestured for her to enter.
The space was neatly picked up. His guitar sat on a stand nearby its case and amp, his laundry was in a hamper, and the books were stacked neatly on his desk.
“Oh, you play guitar? What kind of music do you like?” Paige suspected Jono wasn’t a country music person, but maybe he still liked some artists Paige was familiar with.
Grunge mostly. Jono wrote. I used to be in a band.
Jono shrugged and pulled out his desk chair, motioning to it or his bed for places where Paige could sit.
“Oh. Cool.” Paige sat down at the desk chair. She was going to have to do some googling later. “What was your band called?”
The Guitless Covenant. He then fixed her with a pointed look. You're stalling.
Paige smiled guiltily. Usually only Sam or Jay could read her that quickly. “Maybe a little. Also trying to figure out where to start.”
Deep breath. "So, over Christmas, my brother Jay got engaged to his girlfriend, Julia, and we were all real excited for the weddin' because Julia was wonderful and a great friend and she and Jay were so happy together, but her family has a sort of feud with ours so her brothers were none too happy about it and they decided the best way to deal with that was to shoot her apparently the day after they got engaged and the hospital is too far away so...she didn't make it. The funeral was apparently really rough and she didn’t even get buried under the right name and Sam had to go break up a fight between Jay and some of Julia's relations and then Jay tried to kill himself in our kitchen." Tears were threatening to fall down Paige's face, but she was trying very hard to keep that from happening. "He survived, thank God, but Mama-" the title came out a bit harshly- "wouldn't let any of the rest of us go with her 'n Jay to the hospital, so it was just Sam and I tryin' to keep the little ones calm, and then Mama had the audacity to say she couldn't deal with it and basically kicked Jay out to come live up here with Sam and I knew Jay wasn't going to take that well and Sammy's always taken on too much ever since Daddy died and Mama stopped tryin' so he had to take over so I had to come up with them, not that I wasn't goin' to since I had already gotten into Columbia, but it's easier with me livin' down the hall, so I had to tell them I figured out I'm a mutant, too." Tears were really falling now. "Figured out I had powers when I was 18, but I didn't tell anyone for a lot of reasons, and I was waitin' for a good time to tell everyone, but of course it had to come out at the worst time and I think Sammy and Jay are real upset with me for not telling them but so much has happened since then that it got kinda brushed to the side but I don't know how to fix that without bringin' up that sore spot again. And Sam and Jay are arguin’ over everythin’ now and I don’t think either of them are really dealin’ with why that’s happenin’ so they just keep gettin’ into fights and I don’t know how to stop that. Oh, and now Mel, my little sister, figured out she’s a mutant ‘cause she fell off the barn roof and can fly now so she’s comin’ up to visit and we gotta figure out if she’s movin’ up here instead of stayin’ home to help with the little ones."
Paige wiped at her face. "And, y'know, all the stress with movin' to a new place and meetin' new people who already know you because of your brother and then all the new people at school and startin' my program. Nothin' about moving here or school has been bad, just...a lot at once." She slumped down in her chair. "Uh...yeah..."
Jono tried to keep his expression schooled and calm as Paige talked but the more she said the more concerned he became. He made an aborted motion to reach out and grab her hand and paused, considering- not everyone liked to be touched when they were upset but....he couldn't talk, he couldn't tell her it was okay, and trying to make her decipher his handwriting through her tears felt cruel. He reached out and put a warm hand on her wrist, rubbing her arm gently with his thumb. Doing his best to offer comfort without any words. Trying to convey a sense of understanding.
Paige smiled weakly through her tears at Jono before reaching up and holding his hand firmly. “Sorry…y’know, you really are a good listener. And if you ever need anythin’, my door is always open.” She was still crying, but less like she was about to start sobbing and more of a steady stream down her face.
With his free hand, Jono reached out and pulled a tissue from the box to hand to Paige, squeezing her hand as he did so. After a few moments he pulled his hand away and picked the notepad back up. I'm really sorry that happened to your family...I know a bit how it feels to be cast out away from your home.....Texting is a bit easier for me, if you need anything I'll gladly give you my number. And for the record, I don’t know who your brother is, I just know you for you.
He thought back to the chapel, where he'd had the news article on his manifestation pulled up ready to show Paige, but that....that wasn't the real story was it? And she'd asked for his story in return. Time to hold up my end of the bargain? Tell you about the bomb thing?
It took Paige a moment to read Jono’s notes, but as soon as she finished, she fished her beat up Android out of her pocket with her free hand. “Yeah, of course, can’t believe I didn’t think of that earlier.”
She opened up her contacts list and handed her phone over so Jono could put his information in. “I know I kinda gave you a lot of personal information there, but you’re not obligated to tell me anythin’ you ain’t comfortable with. Whatever you don’t want to tell me you can keep to yourself.”
Ah but that had always been his problem hadn't it? A pretty face could get him to share anything....He took her phone and put in his contact information before handing it back to her. Might be easier for you to read too. He wrote. Still getting used to not being able to talk. But I
He stopped himself, trying to figure out how much to share at first but- Paige had bared herself openly to him, the least he could do was give her the abridged version. I exploded while trying to ask my ex-girlfriend (who I'm not sure ever actually loved me) to move in with me. She's a lot worse off than I am.
“Oh. Jono, I’m so sorry.” Paige squeezed his hand. “But it wasn’t your fault. At least, I’m assumin’ you didn’t do it on purpose.”
Accident. Didn't know what happened. Fire everywhere. When I tried to apologize she threatened a restraining order against me. And charges of terrorism but that was another matter entirely. I can't control it, just keep it contained with a fire blanket I cut into bandages wrapped around the part of my body left permanently open and aflame. It's gross.
“Might have been a bad reaction in the moment. You could always try reaching out again now that you’ve both had time to process if you think it’s worth it.” Paige was trying hard to be polite, but if she was honest, Jono’s ex sounded awful.
“And you’re not the only one with gross powers. I peel my skin off to transform into new forms.”
Much less gross than being able to see your organs when you shower. And also setting off smoke alarms each time you shower....I broke the ones in here so it would stop.
“Wait, you’re givin’ off smoke?” That information snapped Paige out of crying. “Your insides aren’t burnin’, are they? Wait, sorry, that’s probably a really invasive question.” She hadn’t meant to push Jono on a topic he was clearly uncomfortable about, but fire wouldn’t smoke if it was only being fueled by oxygen or whatever kept Jono’s powers going. Paige only wanted to make sure he wasn’t burning alive.
Jono shrugged. Apparently steam sets off the alarm too. Water + heat = steam. Everything about my powers sucks. But very destructive and would have been good if there had been someone attacking us in the chapel. I probably wouldn’t have died.
“Ooohhh that makes a lot more sense.” Paige relaxed. “You know we were never gonna leave you behind if something happened in the chapel right? And without your powers, we probably wouldn’t have met, so that’s at least one positive.”
Jono blushed darkly but barely visible over his bandages and scarf. Meeting him was a positive?
The idea was to stand in between like a shield made of fire. There’s a LOT of fire.
“Doesn’t matter. We stick together.”
Paige sighed. “I should really get started on my readin’. Do you mind if I do it in here for a bit? Or do you want some space after…all that.”
Stay as long as you like. Jono wrote before opening his own book. This might be the first comfortable silence he’s had in over a year.
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Date: 2024-01-18 09:07 pm (UTC)I really liked seeing this, and it helps me understand these new characters just a little bit better. Looking forward to seeing more!
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Date: 2024-01-18 10:40 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-01-18 11:42 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-01-20 05:02 am (UTC)It was nice to see Paige finally drop the brave face she's been maintaining for so long, and nice also to see Jono reaching out. Keep throwing pretty girls at him, maybe he'll actually develop a social circle!
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Date: 2024-01-22 03:20 am (UTC)A wonderful close to a lot of confessions and sharing. I do enjoy how Paige has many words for Jono's (limited) few. It can be hard to set up a new relationship that has a lot of comic weight, but this was a great read.