the anatomy of love [BxB] COMPLETED

38

"Good afternoon, Jackson." Delilah sips her tea in greeting. 

"I must ask," Jackson says, sitting down in the plush chair with a flair of familiarity which almost makes him blush, "is that necklace magical?"

Delilah briefly touches the turquoise rock resting on her chest. "That depends on what you mean by magical."

"Does it give you magical powers? Like help you understand people?"

"Those are very different questions," Delilah says with a smile.

"And you are not answering either of them," Jackson counters swiftly.

"Then you are not asking the right questions." The glimmer in her eyes says it all.

Jackson smiles, accepting defeat. "Fine. I'll let you ask the questions."

"Tell me, Jackson, what's got you in such high spirits?"

"I feel...like things are fitting into place. Or at least finding a place, if that makes sense." Jackson doesn't think it makes any sense, but Delilah nods like she understands, which she probably does.

"Did you make any changes?"

"I apologized. To my best friend, Caleb. And his girlfriend, Lauren, who is my friend, too. We hang out now, like old times. Except, it's different. But a good different."

"And how do you feel now?"

Jackson remembers how uncomfortable that question used to make him. Now the feelings bubble up into words effortlessly.

"I feel alive. Like blood pumping alive. It's like life is rushing at me again." It's difficult to describe the feeling, but it's a lot like his life was stalled at the top of a rollercoaster, and only now was it going down full speed ahead. "Of course, there are some things that are still...complicated. Like Wes. He's a mystery sometimes."

"How does Wes make you feel?"

He doesn't hesitate. "Like he already knows me. He just knows. It's not safety or understanding, though. When he's with me, I want to pin him down because I know he'll fight back. But he won't take me. He knows. He just knows."

Delilah drinks her tea with a knowing look. "I am glad to hear this."

"Thank you." Jackson blushes after he says it. "Thank you, for everything. For helping me see myself."

"You should thank yourself, Jackson. I am―"

"―only a guide, I know. But still." She sighs but her eyes are smiling. Jackson wonders if he's saying goodbye subconsciously. Is this goodbye? "Delilah?"

"Yes, Jackson?"

"When am I done with therapy?"

"That is entirely up to you."

Jackson looks around the office thoughtfully. His eyes take in the small photographs and books and faded blue wallpaper, everything he's glossed over during other sessions. Everything he's leaned on, in one way or another. "I think I need a little more time."

☆★☆

"Jackson! Caleb!" Their coach calls them over when practice ends. For a moment, Jackson wonders if Nels will bring up their recent change in attitude. Ever since they made up, Jackson and Caleb banter just like they used to. The team noticed. Coach definitely did too. It was like everyone could breathe again.

"Yes, Coach?" Jackson asks. Caleb jogs over from his bag and comes to a stop next to him. Did they do something wrong?

"Boys," Nels says, which means it must be something important, "I care about both of you. And I know you care about each other. So I trust you guys will take this in stride." He looks searchingly at Jackson and then Caleb, then nods as if he found his answer. "Jackson, I'm gonna make you captain again. But this time, you'll co-captain with Caleb. You guys are the heart of the team. Keep up the good work boys."