Jason has never wanted to run away more than in this moment, with Peter mere inches away and his father's tangible disappointment and anger awaiting him in the office. It would be so easy, just to grab Peter's hand, glance back once at school, and turn his back on every expectation looming in every corner and crevice of his life. But he can't. Jason can't run. Not now. Not when he still owes so much to more than just himself. But God, is it tempting. And God, does Peter's presence tempt him in ways he can hardly believe.
Jason nods, meeting Peter's gaze with barely contained panic. Most people watching them will only see Jason endearingly accepting his best friend's offered help. Peter, close as he is, will be able to distinguish how scared Jason actually is without being able to show it. He's glad for his hand on his shoulder, too. He reaches up and places his hand on Peter's as well, in a gesture he's shared with various members of various sports' teams over the years. Only his hand on Peter's shoulder bears much more weight.
"I'm sure she must be worried about that class you were telling me about," and Jason is on the verge of babbling, but he just can't bring himself to care. He catches sight of Nadia out of the corner of his eyes. He's very glad he's in this position and not her. He can't stand when their mother calls for Nadia; his otherwise formidable sister reduced to a mess of insecurities with a few well chosen words. Neither of them are quite good at bucking the system of their family; they've always born the McConnell yoke with a grin, however shaky. It was the family way, even as his father pulled out his favorite belt to impart some more 'wisdom' into Jason.
He wants so badly to reach out and grab Peter's hand. His arm visibly twitches with the effort. Unfortunately, they're at the office sooner than Jason expects, and Sister Rachel is leading them both towards the phones. Jason heads towards the room where his father awaits, offering Peter an attempt at a smile that turns into a grimace.
"Shouldn't be long," he mutters. He hopes.
He moves to grab the phone awaiting him, inhaling a shuddering breath,
"Hey Dad," he says. Cold silence greets him for a solid minute; just enough time for his heart to drop into his stomach.
"So you quit track," he says, his tone as solid and as unforgiving as steel. "Care to explain why, after I spent thousands on a personal trainer?"
Jason flinches. "Dad, I just...I have so many other sports. I thought I could use the spare time to-"
"To what?" His father barks, and Jason can hear the eye roll from through the phone. He sinks into a nearby chair, feeling energy and life and optimism drain from him with each passing minute. "For homework? Kiddo, you already get straight A's. You haven't had to worry about grades since middle school." And a beating that had nearly kept him from returning from spring break.
"Dad, I -"
But Jason's father doesn't let him speak; he doesn't yell, either. He calmly informs him of how he told Father Flynn how he could expect Jason for track at Notre Dame. How much his mother loved being able to come and attend his meets. How utterly he'd disappointed the family name.
And, of course, emphasizing this all with various slurs and words that have haunted Jason since his first kiss with Peter. Just in case Jason's self-esteem wasn't too bruised already.
By the time the call ends, Jason's slumped over in the chair, trying to keep himself from crying.
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Jason nods, meeting Peter's gaze with barely contained panic. Most people watching them will only see Jason endearingly accepting his best friend's offered help. Peter, close as he is, will be able to distinguish how scared Jason actually is without being able to show it. He's glad for his hand on his shoulder, too. He reaches up and places his hand on Peter's as well, in a gesture he's shared with various members of various sports' teams over the years. Only his hand on Peter's shoulder bears much more weight.
"I'm sure she must be worried about that class you were telling me about," and Jason is on the verge of babbling, but he just can't bring himself to care. He catches sight of Nadia out of the corner of his eyes. He's very glad he's in this position and not her. He can't stand when their mother calls for Nadia; his otherwise formidable sister reduced to a mess of insecurities with a few well chosen words. Neither of them are quite good at bucking the system of their family; they've always born the McConnell yoke with a grin, however shaky. It was the family way, even as his father pulled out his favorite belt to impart some more 'wisdom' into Jason.
He wants so badly to reach out and grab Peter's hand. His arm visibly twitches with the effort. Unfortunately, they're at the office sooner than Jason expects, and Sister Rachel is leading them both towards the phones. Jason heads towards the room where his father awaits, offering Peter an attempt at a smile that turns into a grimace.
"Shouldn't be long," he mutters. He hopes.
He moves to grab the phone awaiting him, inhaling a shuddering breath,
"Hey Dad," he says. Cold silence greets him for a solid minute; just enough time for his heart to drop into his stomach.
"So you quit track," he says, his tone as solid and as unforgiving as steel. "Care to explain why, after I spent thousands on a personal trainer?"
Jason flinches. "Dad, I just...I have so many other sports. I thought I could use the spare time to-"
"To what?" His father barks, and Jason can hear the eye roll from through the phone. He sinks into a nearby chair, feeling energy and life and optimism drain from him with each passing minute. "For homework? Kiddo, you already get straight A's. You haven't had to worry about grades since middle school." And a beating that had nearly kept him from returning from spring break.
"Dad, I -"
But Jason's father doesn't let him speak; he doesn't yell, either. He calmly informs him of how he told Father Flynn how he could expect Jason for track at Notre Dame. How much his mother loved being able to come and attend his meets. How utterly he'd disappointed the family name.
And, of course, emphasizing this all with various slurs and words that have haunted Jason since his first kiss with Peter. Just in case Jason's self-esteem wasn't too bruised already.
By the time the call ends, Jason's slumped over in the chair, trying to keep himself from crying.