[ It hurts to see him flinch. It hurts in the worst ways because it was bad enough hurting him once back then, bad enough almost losing what they'd built and acting like strangers and hell if he would ever want to revisit that. But at the same time, so much just seems so wrong and he can't- he can't-
But he's apologizing. He's apologizing and it's disarming, so much so that Zack just freezes for a moment, eyes wide and lost, mouth moving but words suddenly lost at that shout. He's dumbstruck and thrown off and it takes him a moment to even catch on and catch up to everything Jim says, for context and meaning to actually sink in.
Didn't come back for nothing. A second chance more important than anything- anything? It- It is important to make sure they get out of there. That's important- and if he can be there to help get them that chance, to get them that ticket out. A promise already falling apart but a promise he still wants to fulfill if it's the last thing he does. That's what's more important than anything. And that's more than enough reason for him to level his gaze back on Jim, to find his voice again, strained but no longer yelling. Yet somehow more firm. ]
Then wait, damn it. Just listen to me and wait.
[ There's a plea there. In his words. In his eyes. Don't do this.
no subject
But he's apologizing. He's apologizing and it's disarming, so much so that Zack just freezes for a moment, eyes wide and lost, mouth moving but words suddenly lost at that shout. He's dumbstruck and thrown off and it takes him a moment to even catch on and catch up to everything Jim says, for context and meaning to actually sink in.
Didn't come back for nothing. A second chance more important than anything- anything? It- It is important to make sure they get out of there. That's important- and if he can be there to help get them that chance, to get them that ticket out. A promise already falling apart but a promise he still wants to fulfill if it's the last thing he does. That's what's more important than anything. And that's more than enough reason for him to level his gaze back on Jim, to find his voice again, strained but no longer yelling. Yet somehow more firm. ]
Then wait, damn it. Just listen to me and wait.
[ There's a plea there. In his words. In his eyes. Don't do this.
Please. ]