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[thedifferencebetween]

Handsome Jack here! I'm way too busy being awesome to answer the phone, but tell me why you're calling and if you're important enough, your people will hear from my people.

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[fingersandteeth]

This? This is why Steven doesn't date. Well, no, he didn't date for a whole lot of reasons, of which only one is that he's terrible at being in relationships... but it's pretty obvious that he is utterly horrible at it.

"I'm not either," he says, numbly. "I've— never shared so much shit with anyone I've been with. God— I'm even doing it with you. Everything I've been doing— Fuck. I don't. I don't know how to do this, Jack. I don't know how to... be honest with people about myself and not end up treating them like— like the only person I was ever honest with before. And I told her everything. Almost everything. I don't know how— I don't know how to shut up when I'm not faking things."

[thedifferencebetween]

"I mean share away at me, babe, I'm not telling you not to. I might veg out sometimes in the middle of long stories, but I only have so much of an attention span, that's nothing personal. Part of having a genius brain." And sometimes stories got very long. Not just Steven's, people in general. Jack can only focus on other people's problems and lives for so long.

"See, this is how it goes. This is why I'm sitting here explaining myself and clearly establishing boundaries. Communication is the key to any good relationship. We're communicating. You've got to calm down about all this. I know you worry, but trust me, I'm too invested in this to drop you over bullshit we can work out."

[fingersandteeth]

"Thank god," Steven breathes, closing his eyes. "Right. So. Just-- wait until you're ready to tell me about things and people. Don't push. And-- let you handle Angel from now on. That's-- that's fine. I can do that."

It... does feel nice to know that Jack is invested. Not that... not that Steven didn't sort of know he was, but it's good to have it acknowledged. And maybe it's just that the sex is really good. Maybe it's just that Jack enjoys having someone around who's already figured out most of the right ways to flatter him. Maybe's just...

Honestly, it's probably because Jack was lonely before him. He'd known that since the night they went to bed.

"I don't-- I don't think there's any I want to set in exchange right now," Steven says quietly. "But I'll let you know."

[thedifferencebetween]

"There we go. See, communication. You can't have a relationship without communication. But I think in general, ya know, overall...you really gotta relax, babe."

He gets worked up over things he really doesn't have to. And sure, Jack sort of gets why, but really...he's not Steven's ex. Nobody's keeping any secrets - while there's plenty Jack hasn't shared yet, it's not out of any desire to keep anything secret. But sharing anything tends to bring questions and conversations and he just doesn't like having those.

"Oughtta get a stress ball or something."

[fingersandteeth]

That gets a tired sort of half-laugh from Steven. "I'd rather have a stress neck," he says, "if we're being honest. Where I wouldn't have to worry about stopping." He rubs his cheek against Jack's shoulder. "If we were in your future, you'd get me someone, wouldn't you? It wouldn't matter who. Not really. I don't think I'm that discriminate of a predator anymore."