[ When the first kiss breaks, as Zell laughs, Jim huffs and mumbles: ] I was really hoping that's what we were doing.
[ He doesn't feel like mush. He feels like there's a solar sail expanding in his chest, getting bigger and warmer by the second, until he's not sure how it even fits anymore as they kiss. He's not sure, but he thinks he gets it now. He's definitely getting why people do this, why he's had the all-powerful urge to do this. It's like that night in the basement but better.
Eventually, though, when it's expanded too much and his breathing is coming too fast, Jim breaks the kiss and - after the barest hesitation - leans his head on Zell's shoulders again. One of his hands is still on Zell's neck, tangled loosely in his hair, and the other wraps around in a loose gesture that's half hug and half you stay right there restraint.
He's smiling but quiet, at least until he realizes that they're pressed chest-to-chest and that's ... well, that's probably moving too fast, whatever this is they're doing. He disentangles reluctantly and settles back on the bed, eyes never leaving Zell. There's a question there - what now? - but Jim doesn't voice it. ]
Re: <3
[ He doesn't feel like mush. He feels like there's a solar sail expanding in his chest, getting bigger and warmer by the second, until he's not sure how it even fits anymore as they kiss. He's not sure, but he thinks he gets it now. He's definitely getting why people do this, why he's had the all-powerful urge to do this. It's like that night in the basement but better.
Eventually, though, when it's expanded too much and his breathing is coming too fast, Jim breaks the kiss and - after the barest hesitation - leans his head on Zell's shoulders again. One of his hands is still on Zell's neck, tangled loosely in his hair, and the other wraps around in a loose gesture that's half hug and half you stay right there restraint.
He's smiling but quiet, at least until he realizes that they're pressed chest-to-chest and that's ... well, that's probably moving too fast, whatever this is they're doing. He disentangles reluctantly and settles back on the bed, eyes never leaving Zell. There's a question there - what now? - but Jim doesn't voice it. ]