[SE] walk right in the sight of a gun

JACK

It's a gift that, for once, Jack accepts without it feeling loaded with expectation; whether or not it's because it's reciprocation for something he'd done rather than freely presented, he relaxes into the calm of Flora's thoughts in a way that's so familiar as to be painful. Like diving into a still pool, the near silent calm of this little slice of peace smooths across the still rough edges of his magic, and it shows in the subtle release of tension in his back and shoulders, in the way his steps are just that little easier.

He glances over his shoulder as if expecting her to decline purely out of the audacity of his asking, and Flora's acceptance is as surprising to Jack as it is to the Doubletake. Nevertheless, he inclines his head and waits for her to fall into step beside him before they're setting off towards another too-familiar spot. If nothing else, at least the searing morning heat should distract them, Jack instinctively turning his head away from the beaming sunshine that cuts through the side of his sunglasses and into his eyes.

"Mm?" He glances to Flora automatically as she questions the thing with the rope, Jack scoffing despite himself. "You mean a rope coil?" he asks. "Easier to show you than to describe it. Y'want me to get Bassian to drop by and..." Jack pauses, as if catching himself, and bites at the inside of his cheek. "I was gonna say show you the ropes, but I ain't walkin' into that one."

Ducking into the shade of the little eatery, it's instinct that takes Jack to the table they've always used, tucked into the corner with a full view of the boardwalk; perfect for people watching and listening in.

sometimes we put our hearts in the wrong places
(what the fuck is it doing between your teeth?)

Code stolen from Queen Sky