Jack seemed to calm a bit as he had that long talk with Bunny. It went on into the night, through tea and supper and long past midnight, on until nearly dawn.
This time, though, perhaps because of the crying jag, perhaps because Bunny had let him cry all over him and comforted him instead of pushing away, perhaps because the Guardians had stuck with him through all his trying to force them away the way they'd said they would, Jack actually talked – as did Bunny.
Neither of them was good with the emotions thing, with the talking things out, and both had a tendency towards holding a grudge, but they were both trying.
Which was probably how they'd managed to have such a long, serious conversation without exploding at each other or poking too forcefully at half healed wounds.
And because they were being open about all of these things (save the fact that, though he didn't realize it yet, Jack had been married to them all for a little over a year now without even knowing that was an option), Bunny felt obligated to let Jack know that he'd be talking about this with the other Guardians, unless Jack asked him not to.
Because there were lines, and already it was obvious that until everything had been laid out clearly, everyone was going to have to be very, very careful about just where those lines were.
And, he didn't think Jack knew he'd noticed, but Jack had eaten like someone who could barely believe he was being given food, cautious as if he expected it to rebel against him at any moment, and Bunny wasn't quite sure what to make of that. He hadn't found the moment to bring it up, though, and now wasn't the time either.
But he was going to be bringing that up at the meeting, too.
Jack kept sneaking glances at Bunny before he left, and Bunny hoped he was reading Jack right when he offered a hug.
It seemed he was right, as Jack clung tight...but for a much shorter time than Bunny had expected, but it was still a hug, one freely accepted where before Jack would skitter away from touch, afraid to get too close. Jack pulled away quick, face flushed with both blush and frost, and looked away from Bunny awkwardly.
Before last night, Bunny might have let it drop, so he wouldn't upset Jack, but, well...better to bring these things up now, the way they'd been talking about all night.
"Okay, Jackie – spill," Bunny said, planting paws on hips, unconsciously mimicking himself from the night before. "What's...ah."
Jack paused and pointed his staff at Bunny. "No. Whatever you're thinking, just...no. No," he scolded, but he was trying not to laugh as he said it, still blushing frost.
"Yes," Bunny said, smirking, though it was soft. "Yes, just yes." He gave himself a shake, debating coming out and asking Jack if his idea was right. That Jack was craving physical contact...and also dreading it and unable to handle it yet.
It was obvious enough, and Jack embarrassed enough, that Bunny decided they'd both had enough heartfelt talk for the moment. He'd bring it up with the others, and they'd go from there.
"Right then," he said instead. "We'll be seeing you at the meeting, then? An' don't forget, you said you'd check in with th' others before that."
"Figures you'd remember," Jack said with a huff, slinging the crook over his shoulders. "But yeah, fine. I'll do it." The smile took the sting out of his words.
