xp_logs | Jono makes Paige a sandwich

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Sometimes small things yielded the most satisfying results. This was not what Jono was thinking, but something he felt when he flicked on the kitchen lights. He walked straight to the fridge and opened it, peering in.

Paige followed slowly behind; instinctively filling the kettle that was kept in one of the top cupboards to put on the stove. She didn’t have the energy for much else, finding a mug and her tea in their proper places and setting them on the counter.

Hearing the small noises she made, Jono turned to look at her choice for an evening meal. "Aren't you going to eat?" he asked, making a vague gesture at the fridge.

“No, I’m fine. Thank you.” She gave him what she hoped to be a convincing smile, sitting on one of the kitchen stools while she waited for the kettle to whistle.

"You haven't eaten much of anything today," Jono commented, starting to pile sandwich materials on the counter.

Paige gave him an amused look as she watched him. “I didn’t really have time to.”

Jono looked up from the bread he was buttering. "So taking care of others is all right, but taking care of yourself is not?"

“I think I can manage to forgo a meal to help someone else, Jono.” She propped her elbow on the island, resting her chin in her hand.

"How will you continue to help them if you're weak from hunger?" Jono waved the butter knife at her, smileless as always.

“Are you calling me weak?” she answered.

"Not at all," Jono raised an eyebrow at her.

“Good answer.” The starting whistle of the kettle cut off anything else she might add and she stood to make her tea, smiling a little.

While she fixed her tea, Jono finished making the sandwich. He set it on a plate and carried it over to her. "There. Eat."

“I…” Paige stumbled over her words before finally giving in and sitting back in her chair. “You win. Thank you. Just don’t expect me to always give up so easily.”

"Does that mean you'll fight about going to bed after eating?" Jono crossed his arms, felt like a mother hen, and rolled his eyes.

“There was nothing about sleeping in our deal,” Paige replied stubbornly after she’d swallowed.

Jono's eyes narrowed in amusement. "Who made a deal?"

Paige ripped a piece of the sandwich off to put it in her mouth. “It was a silent deal. I’m eating aren’t I?”

Jono examined his fingernails exaggeratedly for a moment. "There. Now we just made another silent deal. You need sleep."

Paige scrunched up a piece of her crust, throwing it at him. “You are incorrigible.”

"I know," Jono dodged the piece of bread. "And you're tired."

“And what about the shelter?” Paige asked.

"What about it?" Jono shrugged.

“We need to get back,” she said patiently.

"No," Jono shook his head. "Not until you've slept."

“Jono…” Paige said with an edge of a whine, pushing back her empty plate. “You’re making this very difficult.”

“What? Going back and working until you drop?" he tilted his head thoughtfully. "You're right. I am."

“I’m planning on skipping that dropping part.” She sipped at the tea cupped in her hands.

"Yes, by sleeping properly," Jono nodded, and paced around a bit, looking at the kitchen wares. It was odd how unfamiliar things could become with a few months of absence.

Paige watched him with hooded eyes over the rim of her mug. “Bully.”

Jono threw her a look. "And right."

Paige pierced her lips, unable to respond to that and merely glared halfheartedly.

He came to stand behind her, giving up on his wandering. "Are you finished with your tea?"

Looking down into the now lukewarm mug she realized there was no tea left, only the leaves. “Yes…”

"Good," Jono replied and grabbed her elbow, tugging on it a little. "I'm taking you to bed."

“You’re worried,” Paige stated, coming slowly to her feet as if it hurt to move.

Jono paused briefly, then continued drawing her out of the kitchen. "Yeah," he said finally, "but that doesn't mean I'm going to sing until you fall asleep."

“Not even a little guitar?” she asked as she followed almost docilely, not willing to give up his guiding hand.

"I'm not making any promises," he glanced at her.

Paiged smiled. “Remember to turn left.”

"I might need a map," Jono deadpanned.

“I didn’t think your roommates would appreciate walking in to find me sleeping in their room. Or they’d appreciate it a bit too much in some cases,” she replied, trying a grin.

Jono gave this some thought, his hand slipping lower on Paige's arm. "Who knows. You might want to sleep in your own bed at any rate."

“No loss. I prefer my sheets without mold, anyway.” Paige turned as he did, opening the door to her room.

He let go of her arm, following her into the room. "There's your bed. Do you need to be tucked in?"

Paige turned around to face him, eyes up to meet his. “Are you offering?”

"Do you want me to?" Jono countered.

“I’m used to having all these siblings running around screaming that they don’t want to sleep, even if it is past their bed time, and now with Em moving out and Sarah sleeping downstairs…” Paige blushed, realizing she was rambling. “If you wouldn’t mind.”

"I don't think I would," he raised his hand to her cheek and leaned in a little before realizing what he wanted to do was impossible. He drew back with a jerk and let his hand fall.

Paige took his burned hand in one of hers, running a thumb along his knuckles. Switching to the guide role he had previously held she gently pulled him towards her as she stepped backwards.

He let her pull him along, while he merely stared somewhere towards the floor, trying to overcome the urge to turn on his heel and go hide.

Paige stopped suddenly, causing him to bump into her. She didn’t smile, not wanting him to think he was laughing at him and the situation they brought on each other, settling for standing on tiptoe to whisper in his ear, “Stay?”

Jono leaned his forehead against her shoulder. "I will," he replied.

Paige replaced words with a brush of her lips against his temple, reaching up to finger his hair.

"You should go to bed," Jono raised his head, but didn't look at her.

Paige nodded, pulling back her comforter to sit on the bed. She scooted back, tucking her feet under her and offered her hand again with vulnerable look.

There was a bit of hesitation before Jono took Paige's hand and climbed in next to her, curling on his side.

Sliding down she lifted her comforter over the two of them, shivering at the sudden temperature change and snuggled further into the blanket and Jono’s warmth.

When they had settled, rather awkwardly in the small space, Jono inched his arm around Paige, then lay unmoving again.

She smiled, unseen in the dark and placed a hand over his, closing her eyes. If this was what she was awarded, Paige would definitely sleep more often.