"Yeah, you know how it is," Jason falls into the routine beautifully, nodding while allowing a bit of that secret smile he reserves just for Peter sneak into the grin he flashes at him. "One thing leading to another. We haven't seen each other for months! You couldn't get us to shut up." He knows this act so well; plays out this scene every time he prays, asking God for strength. Jason could recite this entire conversation in his sleep.
Jason and Nadia's banter endures throughout their recalling of summer vacation, flowing easily between them the way conversations flow easily between Jason and Peter. Nadia, of course, has her own burdens to deal with. Jason wishes he could do more for her; he knows the way his parents favor him. He knows how his mother constantly harps at Nadia over her appearance. Jason wishes he were strong enough to risk more of his father's wrath to defend her. Bt he's a coward, in so many ways.
He leans into Peter, entirely grateful for the closeness and how easy it is for them to get away with it so openly. He moves his hand to cover Peter's on his knee, letting their fingers entwine as he returns the gesture, moved by it, and answering, in his own way, how very much he can't wait to get back to their dorm room. Jason is so glad for Peter in that moment, he forgets, for a moment, to fear that feeling.
"Yeah, I thought I told you," Jason shrugs. Quitting track feels as weighty as quitting the golf team sophomore year. He knows he'll be in for one hell of a conversation with his father for it; one he'll most likely feel the morning after. "I quit track so I can focus on my schoolwork. Track and basketball were too much for me."
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Jason and Nadia's banter endures throughout their recalling of summer vacation, flowing easily between them the way conversations flow easily between Jason and Peter. Nadia, of course, has her own burdens to deal with. Jason wishes he could do more for her; he knows the way his parents favor him. He knows how his mother constantly harps at Nadia over her appearance. Jason wishes he were strong enough to risk more of his father's wrath to defend her. Bt he's a coward, in so many ways.
He leans into Peter, entirely grateful for the closeness and how easy it is for them to get away with it so openly. He moves his hand to cover Peter's on his knee, letting their fingers entwine as he returns the gesture, moved by it, and answering, in his own way, how very much he can't wait to get back to their dorm room. Jason is so glad for Peter in that moment, he forgets, for a moment, to fear that feeling.
"Yeah, I thought I told you," Jason shrugs. Quitting track feels as weighty as quitting the golf team sophomore year. He knows he'll be in for one hell of a conversation with his father for it; one he'll most likely feel the morning after. "I quit track so I can focus on my schoolwork. Track and basketball were too much for me."