For a while, they just sat there, neither of them rushing to move or break the moment. Jaxon's fingers absentmindedly traced circles against her waist, and Lena found herself playing with the hem of his hoodie, the silence between them soft, unspoken.
But then reality crept in, as it always did.
Lena let out a small breath. "This is... scary."
Jaxon leaned back slightly to look at her. "Scary? Carter, I know I'm intimidating, but I didn't think I was that bad."
She rolled her eyes, smacking his arm lightly. "I mean this. Us. Whatever this is."
Jaxon sobered slightly, tilting his head. "You don't want this?"
Lena hesitated, her fingers fidgeting against the fabric of his hoodie. "That's the problem. I do. And that scares me."
Jaxon was quiet for a moment before a slow smirk curved his lips. "So let me get this straightâyou're terrified because you like me?"
Lena groaned. "This is why I don't open up to you."
He chuckled, tugging her closer, his voice softer now. "Carter, you don't have to be scared. I'm not going anywhere."
She exhaled, pressing her forehead against his chest. "That's the scariest part."
Jaxon didn't push her, didn't demand an answer. Instead, he wrapped his arms around her and let her sit with it, let her process it in her own way.
But then, of course, he ruined the moment. "So... you admit you like me."
Lena groaned again, pulling away. "I take it back. I hate you."
Jaxon laughed, grabbing her wrist before she could escape. "Nope. You already said it. You like me. Say it again, I need to hear it."
She fought back a smile, shaking her head. "I'm leaving."
Jaxon's grip tightened playfully. "Not until you say it."
Lena let out a noise of frustration before launching herself at him, tackling him back onto the bed. Jaxon yelped in surprise as she pinned his wrists down, her knees pressing against his sides.
"I am not admitting anything," she declared, trying to sound firm, but Jaxon was grinning up at her like she had just made his entire night.
"Oh, Carter. If you wanted to get on top of me, all you had to do was ask."
Lena smacked his arm. "You are so annoying."
Jaxon just laughed, rolling them over so he was hovering over her now. His hands rested on either side of her head, his weight caging her in, but not in a way that felt overwhelming. It felt... right.
"Okay, okay," he said, still grinning. "You don't have to say it. I already know."
Lena's heart was still pounding from the sudden movement, but she swallowed, looking up at him. "You think you know."
Jaxon's smirk softened just slightly. "Yeah. I do."
For once, Lena didn't have a snarky response. Because maybe... just maybe... he was right.
She licked her lips, her voice quieter now. "I should probably go."
Jaxon didn't move. "Yeah?"
Lena nodded. "Yeah."
But neither of them made a move to actually do anything about it. She was still beneath him, he was still hovering over her, and the moment was stretching between them, thick and charged.
She should get up. She should leave.
But then, Jaxon reached out, his fingers brushing a stray strand of hair from her cheek, and she was frozen all over again.
"Or," he murmured, voice lower now, "you could stay."
Lena swallowed hard. "And do what, exactly?"
Jaxon's gaze flickered to her lips before locking onto her eyes again. "You tell me."
The choice was hers.