[ There is a difference. But that's a boundary d'Artagnan hasn't crossed, has never crossed. At least, not yet, and for now, he thinks he knows where that boundary lies. He's talked to Armada about it. He's even talked to Gliese about it, to an extent. He thinks he knows what he's doing.
And even if he doesn't, that's not his point. Jack is one of the few that he might actually listen to, even when he's tired of being lectured by everyone.
He doesn't argue, when Jack qualifies it. I only cared about myself. He doesn't think it's true, though. He remembers the man who ran towards a bomb just to try and save him. That's always his image of Jack. Because of that moment, he never had any doubt that Jack cared about him. Not until the day he'd threatened him for Hanna's sake.
He sets his jaw, and points at Jack. His dark eyes hold a hint of temper, but his voice is absolutely, perfectly calm. ]
You don't threaten me again. Not like that. I mean it, Jack. If you're my friend, you don't say that to me.
[ his eyes hold d'artagnan as he speaks, firm and clear and with that tinge of anger. the command in it, and the consequence, and jack knows d'artagnan isn't a man who speaks anything but what he honestly feels.
for a moment, there's a fear in him, that he'll snap some time, that he'll fuck up again, or that d'artagnan will change his mind a few days from now and tell him never to speak to him again.
the people he has here are all he has, and the thought of losing them, of losing someone so important to him as d'artagnan, it terrifying. ]
[ D’Artagnan meets Jack’s eyes silently. There are few things in the universe more important to him than friendship. He had lost his family, and since then his friends have become that connection for him. Athos, Aramis, Porthos. His family. He had begun to count Jack as one of them. His friendship would not be easily lost, could not be easily lost, but he takes betrayal hard, and that’s what that threat had felt like.
Even so, there’s little more to be said about it now. The anger seems to settle in him after that, and then finally he nods, accepting it. He comes up to Jack, setting a hand on his shoulder and squeezing it. ]
All right. So I won’t give you space, then.
[ His hand loosens, but doesn’t go away. He looks up at Jack instead, thinking of the weeks of distance ever since they landed. Even before. ]
Sorry.
[ For all of it. For hurting him, and for the silence that went on too long. ]
[ jack chuckles, a bit airey, and slightly incredulous. he's apologizing, after all jack had done, after all he'd just said. d'artagnan is apologizing, and it's so incredibly him, jack's a bit lost in himself over it. ]
You're so strange.
[ he smiles, strained, but lifts a hand to grip at his bicep, squeezing a moment. ]
[ jack can't help the small smile that lifts the corner of his lips momentarily, always reminded of moments that d'artagnan had been the most comforting thing in the world to him. his fingers squeeze back, for a moment, before letting him go. ]
No, not unless you'd like it lorded over you until kingdom come.
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And even if he doesn't, that's not his point. Jack is one of the few that he might actually listen to, even when he's tired of being lectured by everyone.
He doesn't argue, when Jack qualifies it. I only cared about myself. He doesn't think it's true, though. He remembers the man who ran towards a bomb just to try and save him. That's always his image of Jack. Because of that moment, he never had any doubt that Jack cared about him. Not until the day he'd threatened him for Hanna's sake.
He sets his jaw, and points at Jack. His dark eyes hold a hint of temper, but his voice is absolutely, perfectly calm. ]
You don't threaten me again. Not like that. I mean it, Jack. If you're my friend, you don't say that to me.
I'll take it personally. Are we clear?
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for a moment, there's a fear in him, that he'll snap some time, that he'll fuck up again, or that d'artagnan will change his mind a few days from now and tell him never to speak to him again.
the people he has here are all he has, and the thought of losing them, of losing someone so important to him as d'artagnan, it terrifying. ]
Understood.
[ that only. ]
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Even so, there’s little more to be said about it now. The anger seems to settle in him after that, and then finally he nods, accepting it. He comes up to Jack, setting a hand on his shoulder and squeezing it. ]
All right. So I won’t give you space, then.
[ His hand loosens, but doesn’t go away. He looks up at Jack instead, thinking of the weeks of distance ever since they landed. Even before. ]
Sorry.
[ For all of it. For hurting him, and for the silence that went on too long. ]
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You're so strange.
[ he smiles, strained, but lifts a hand to grip at his bicep, squeezing a moment. ]
You don't have a reason to be. That's my line.
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No, you're probably right. I don't want you thinking I missed you, there'd be no living with you then.
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No, not unless you'd like it lorded over you until kingdom come.
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That would be terrible. Now come on. We should catch up with the others.