Jason knows Peter well enough by now that he recognizes even when he's about to roll his eyes. Jason finds himself deeply grateful when Peter doesn't, even though, deep down, he is also very aware of how much he deserves those rolling eyes, at least a thousand times over. But then Peter visibly softens, and so do the edges creeping in closer around Jason's heart. He offers Peter, again, a flash of that secretive smile, even as it threatens to expose their routine for what it is.

Jason's especially grateful when Peter's hand finds its way back to his leg; he leans into that squeezing, saying without speaking how much the gesture means to him. Even as he schools his features into a mask of pleasantness and a false bravado he can just barely manage to pretend to feel. So his father finally figured out he quit track. He supposes it was only a matter of time. He can't help the grimace that flashes across his face; across the table, he catches sight of Nadia's wince. She knows only too well their father's moods.

And Peter. God. Wonderful, sweet Peter who ought to be nominated for sainthood, at this point. He hopes Peter can see how much he wants to kiss him in this moment in his eyes.

"You wanted to call your mom too, didn't you?" Jason scrapes for the quickest excuse he can think of. He really needs Peter to come with him.

He doesn't want his soul to fall to pieces tonight. Again.