Ark's POV
My heart wouldn't stop racing.
I sat on my bed, still frozen, my brain struggling to catch up with everything that had just happened. Jack had kissed me. Jack had kissed me. Jack had kissed me. And even crazier—he said he liked me too.
This had to be a dream, right? Maybe I had fallen asleep while waiting outside Jack's room, and my mind had made up this entire thing. But the way my face burned, the way my tail twitched anxiously behind me, the way my heart still pounded—it all felt too real.
Jack chuckled. "You okay there? You look like you're about to pass out."
I flinched, ears flattening. "I-I'm fine! I just—" I finally managed to stammer out, gripping my hands together to stop them from shaking. "You... You're really okay with dating me?"
Jack raised an eyebrow. "Did the kiss not make that clear?"
I shrank down slightly. "W-well, yeah, but... I mean, you-you actually like me?"
Jack raised an eyebrow. "Yes, of course, and you like me too."
I swallowed hard. "But... when did you even know that... I liked you?" I asked.
Jack chuckled. "I figured it out a few days ago."
I blinked. "W-what?"
"You weren't exactly subtle," he teased. "Araki and Terra had a reason to visit me—we were already friends. But you? You barely knew me."
I hesitated. "Terra invited me..."
"And she knew you liked me," Jack added easily. "She brought you along on purpose."
I peeked at him between my fingers, my face burning. "T-Terra knew?"
"Oh, yeah," Jack said, grinning. "She's very observant."
I groaned, covering my face. This was embarrassing.
But then something else hit me, and I peeked up at him through my fingers. "...But Zek and Orin also came. They didn't know you either."
Jack nodded. "True. But do you remember what we talked about that day?"
I paused and took a moment to remember.
~~~~~~~
Flashback – A Few Days Ago (Infirmary Visit)
I sat in the infirmary with the others, off to the side as I was a little uncomfortable. Jack sat on the bed, while Terra, Araki, Zek, Orin, and I sat on chairs nearby.
Jack looked at Zek and Orin, raising an eyebrow. "Alright, now that we are past introductions, why'd you come? It's not like we know each other."
Orin leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. "We are roommates and both had similar reasons. I wanted to know how you know so many polearm techniques."
Zek nodded. "I was gonna ask about the giant vines and the lightning tiger, but considering he's here…" He gestured toward Volt, who was sitting on the bed next to Jack. "…I don't really need to anymore."
Jack chuckled. "Fair enough." He stretched. "Well, if you want to know about my polearm techniques, Orin, I can explain and show you them during combat training classes when they start."
Orin smirked. "I'll hold you to that."
Jack then glanced at Zek. "As for spirits, I'll explain more to you another time."
Zek nodded. "Sounds like fun."
~~~~~~~
Present Time
I slowly nodded as Jack finished reminding me of that conversation. I had been the only one who had no real reason to be there…
I buried my face in my hands again.
Jack chuckled. "It's not a bad thing, you know."
"I-it's embarrassing," I muttered.
Jack grinned. "It's cute."
I let out a strangled noise.
After a moment, I peeked up at him again, hesitating. "…You really like me too?"
Jack sighed, his smirk softening. "At first, I just saw you as someone who needed help." His gaze flickered to me, unreadable. "But as we got closer, I started to like you too. No offense, but I just hide it better."
I sank lower into my bed, flustered. "O-oh…"
Jack smiled and ruffled my hair. "You're way too easy to read."
I flinched, ears twitching wildly. "D-don't do that!"
He laughed. "It's a habit... the emotion thing, not ruffling your hair. Wizards like me and Zek have to maintain concentration on our magic all the time, or else it could go crazy, so we can seem cold at times. You, on the other hand, work off instinct as you're a sorcerer."
I hesitated before nodding shyly. That… made sense.
After a moment, I glanced at him again. "Then… the kiss?"
Jack grinned. "Bit of fun. Your reaction was worth it."
I smiled back, and after a few seconds, I said, "You're acting differently than normal."
Jack paused and asked, "Is that a problem?"
I shook my head. "No, it's just... a little weird, I guess."
Jack chuckled and said, "Yeah, well. Although I'm almost eighteen physically, I'm actually a lot older, mentally speaking."
I blinked. "…What does that mean?"
Jack just smirked. "Not telling."
I frowned. "Why not?"
He put a finger to his lips and whispered, "Secrets."
I pouted a bit at not getting an answer.
He smiled and said, "I will tell you when you're ready. I just don't want to put you in any danger."
I hesitated. "D-danger?" I asked.
Jack froze, realizing what he had just said.
"I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say that..." he apologized and took a moment to think of what to say.
Sigh, "I... deal with things normal people can't get involved in without preparation. I... won't deny that's why I have never dated anyone before, but I want to go out with you. I also don't want to scare you off, so I am keeping the two separate for now until you're ready... Is that okay with you?" he asked with his head down, clearly worried.
I paused, as this was also a side of him I hadn't seen yet, and one I would rarely see again.
"I... are you safe?" I asked.
He looked up at me and nodded. "I'm not worried about myself. It's everyone I'm close to that I have to worry about," he admitted.
For once, I was the one to comfort Jack.
I placed my hand on his and spoke words I was surprised were coming from my mouth. "I want to be with you too, but please promise me you will show me one day and let me help you."
Jack nodded, and we hugged each other.
Jack calmed down quickly, but I was just confused. Those words were too out of character for me. It was my voice and my body, but it didn't feel like it was me talking, and Jack didn't seem to notice.
Little did I know, I was just pushed toward what Jack was trying to protect me from.
We stayed like this for a bit before Jack pulled away. Amazingly, I could see a tear falling down his face, but he quickly wiped it away.
I was about to ask if he was okay, but before I could, Jack suddenly grabbed my hand.
I flinched, looking up at him.
Jack's expression was more serious now. "So… are you ready to go on a date, or do you want to take things slow?"
I swallowed. This was it. The choice.
I took a deep breath before nodding. "I… I want to try."
Jack smiled and spoke, his voice warm. "It's good to see you being more confident. This is a big step, you know."
I hesitated before nodding again.
After a moment, I frowned. "What now?"
Jack smirked. "Now we plan when we want to go on our date."
I froze. Oh. I hadn't even thought about that.
Jack chuckled at my reaction. "How about tomorrow after classes?"
I blinked. "Tomorrow?"
"Yeah. I have to leave Friday afternoon for that quest from the guildmaster for the weekend. Tomorrow's the best time, as I leave the next day."
I nodded slowly. "O-okay... but um... what are we going to do?" I asked.
Jack smiled. "We can do whatever we want," he said.
I nodded again, feeling a little more at ease.
Jack then suddenly hugged me again, wrapping his arms around me tightly. "It'll be fun," he said softly. "Don't worry so much."
I hesitated before hugging him back.
After a moment, he pulled away. "Do you want the others to know yet?"
I blinked. "…Do they know that I... like you?"
Jack smirked. "Araki, Orin, and Zek all suspect it. Aaron, surprisingly, is oblivious." He tilted his head slightly. "Not sure how, but he is."
I shrank down a bit, embarrassed. "O-oh…"
Jack reached out and placed a hand on my head, ruffling my hair again. His touch was weirdly familiar—almost exactly like how my grandfather used to do it when I was younger.
I didn't pull away.
Jack smiled at my reaction.
After a moment, I realized I was still letting him do it and quickly pulled away, flustered.
Jack laughed. "You're really easy to fluster, huh?"
I groaned. "Sh-shut up."
Jack just smirked. Then his expression turned more serious. "Do you want me to stay here again tonight, or do you need some time alone to process everything?"
I hesitated before shaking my head. "I… I want you to stay, but…" I took a deep breath. "I think I should sleep alone tonight."
Jack nodded. "Alright." He started toward the door but glanced back at me before leaving. "Goodnight, Ark."
"…Goodnight, Jack," I said and gave a small wave.
And with that, he was gone.
I sat there for a long time, heart still racing.
I was going on a date with Jack tomorrow.
…What just happened?