The Ball Is In Your Court

[Bellamy Blake]

Tag: @severitysoftly

maybe the guard

WILL MAKE A MAN OUT OF HIM

Being a cadet had its perks. Bellamy had access to facilities that he otherwise would not have such ease of access to. With his family not being among the privileged, they were fairly limited when it came to resources and the ability to go in certain areas of the Ark. Though this was not Bellamy's primary intention of joining the guard. Apart from it being the best occupation given said low ranking status, he wanted to do this for his family. So that his mother would no longer have to do . . . what she did to get information. And so that Octavia could actually leave their apartment that she was forever confined to. Bellamy wanted take care of his family, protect them, and this was the best way he knew how. His years of theory based studying was over, and he had recently been accepted to the next stage: a cadet. He was officially a cadet. There was an excitement in that alone, as it was one step closer to being a fully trained Guardsman.

Right now however, he was in the gym, having just done some additionally exercises and work outs. He didn't have a lot of spare time, wanting to be home as much as he could as well. But right now, he knew his mother was with Octavia, so she would be fine. It was when neither of them were home that he hated leaving her for long periods of time. Bellamy just took these few moments to collect his thoughts, finding himself shooting the ball into the basket a few times in the otherwise vacant gym. The only thing that stopped him was approaching footsteps, prompting him to turn and see who it was. He vaguely recognized him, but not enough to know his name or anything else apart from the fact that he worked in medical. "It's all yours," he offered, moving to reach for his bag. "I was just leaving." He certainly didn't want to impose on the male, should he have come here for the same reason Bellamy lingered: solitude.

[Deleted]

It had been a toss up between sleep and working out when Jackson left medical for the afternoon, knowing he would only have a few hours before he had to go back again. His recent promotion to Medical Officer was wearing him thin, but he knew he would not have been promoted at his age unless the council needed him for something important. He didn't know what that was yet, but at this rate, they could put off telling him for as long as they wanted.

He decided against sleep, not wanting to be too groggy when he went back to work later, and headed to the gym. Being one of the so-called elites on the Ark had its advantages, and even though Jackson had been training on Go-Sci for years and had held he title Doctor for a while now, he was still getting used to it. It was so far from how he'd grown up. Sometimes when council members greeted him by name in the halls, he still felt like looking over his shoulder to see if there was someone else named Jackson behind him.

The gym was almost empty aside from another man, maybe a little younger, and very handsome. Jackson occasionally picked up a basketball game with the guard cadets, and he thought he recognized the other man, but didn't know his name. "You don't have to leave on my account," Jackson said, offering the other man a warm smile. At least he hoped it was warm and not just exhausted. "Actually, if I'm interrupting you, I could just as easily let you be and go take a nap," he joked lightly.

[Bellamy Blake]

Tag: @severitysoftly

maybe the guard

WILL MAKE A MAN OUT OF HIM

Bellamy watched the other male as he drew closer, bracing himself for either reaction that dismissed Bellamy or one that suggested he didn't mind his company. Fortunately, it was the latter. And his warm smile was infectious as the younger male returned the expression, a smile crossing his own features. "Nap or Gym. Tough call," he said a bit teasingly, but not with offense. Having identified the man was one who worked in medical . . . well, Bellamy could only imagine the exhaustion that could ensue from such a position. Still, he didn't seem irritable by his presence. Quite the opposite. The comfort of his reaction setting Bellamy's mind at ease.

Besides, the last thing he wanted to do was ruffle any feathers. Hiding an illegal child required one to avoid any sort of attention on their family. Still holding the ball in his hand, Bellamy approached the other, tucking the ball under one arm to free up his other hand. "Bellamy," he introduced, extending his hand to him politely. He didn't need to be formal with his title after all. He wasn't a guardsman yet, though Cadet Blake did sound tempting. But arrogance was not one of Bellamy's weaknesses . . . well, not this type of arrogance anyway. "If you're up for you, we can share the court?" He further suggestion, offering a casual game of sparring or just shooting hoops. Or . . . whatever other reason he may have come in for.

[Deleted]

Jackson's smile widened a little. He hadn't noticed at first that the other man seemed to have had his defenses up a little bit until Bellamy smiled, and returned Jackson's joke with what seemed like at least mild amusement. Gym or nap really was a tough call.

Jackson felt good for setting the other man at ease, though he supposed it was ingrained in him. He wouldn't be much of a doctor if he set people on edge. He held out his hand and shook Bellamy's, feeling mildly silly at the formality of a handshake at the gym, and said, "Jackson." Except for professional settings and in the rare circumstances in which he felt as though he was being treated by someone as inferior, he almost never introduced himself as Doctor Jackson.

"I don't mind sharing at all. Actually, it's been a long time since I've seen the gym so empty, and most people who come here aren't so ready to leave just because I showed up." He huffed a laugh, giving Bellamy a crooked smile. "You're a Cadet, right? I think I've seen you before."

[Bellamy Blake]

Tag: @severitysoftly

maybe the guard

WILL MAKE A MAN OUT OF HIM

Bellamy continued to smile, the gesture not the slightest bit strained in the presence of the slightly older male. He introduced himself as Jackson, and Bellamy didn't fail to notice the mutual lack of formality. Which was good. A gym wasn't a place to offer such things, but then, it also revealed that the man wasn't arrogant with his title. A further relief. Bellamy wasn't exactly in the mood to deal with someone who was cocky. A light smirk formed on the Cadet's face when Jackson further teased him, offering a light shrug of his shoulder. "Didn't know how anti social you were feeling," he teased in return, once again, not meant to offend. But decided to elaborate.

"After a busy day at work, I get not wanting to be around people and just needing some time to yourself." Something that Bellamy seldom ever got. For when he wasn't at his classes, or training, or running errands, or . . . doing other things with other people, he was home and obviously Octavia was always there. Not that he had complaints, but he also knew how sometimes, alone time for a person was needed. "But hey, if you have no problem with me staying . . . " Bellamy tossed the ball toward Jackson in one swift motion.

"We might as well take advantage of the vacant spot." That now held just the two of them. He then spoke words of recognizing Bellamy as a Cadet. Had it been anyone else, perhaps Bellamy would have been concerned for being noticed. He could never fully lower his guard -- no pun intended. "That's right," he said with a nod. "And you work in medical, right?" Eager to shift the focus off of him and onto Jackson, though remained composed while doing so. He had after all, spent a lifetime lying to people in order to protect his family. "Should I be worried?" He joked, another tease toward the male regarding him being noticed by him.

[Deleted]

Jackson studied Bellamy for a moment, still smiling as he caught the ball. It had been a long time since the death of his mother left him a ward of the Ark, and in the years that followed, Jackson had gotten his fill of feeling alone. Once he'd gone into training for his career, he'd thrown himself into it and never looked back. But Bellamy didn't need to know all of that. He probably didn't care.

"Not anti-social. I live alone," he said, shrugging. "It's boring." It made him want to climb the walls sometimes, actually. "Probably why I'm something of a workaholic." He started to dribble back and forth, getting a little lower in his stance. He gave Bellamy a look that was a friendly challenge. "Worried about what? Me working in medical or me maybe beating you right now?" He grinned.

[Bellamy Blake]

Tag: @severitysoftly

maybe the guard

WILL MAKE A MAN OUT OF HIM

Jackson's revelation showed the contrasting difference in their lifestyles, or well, in terms of their home lives. Bellamy knew better than to pry in the inquiry of the man's parents and their whereabouts, just as he wasn't one to offer the true nature of his homelife. The risk of anyone finding out was precisely what prevented Bellamy from forming close relationships with anyone. Why he couldn't. "Work is a good way to keep busy I guess," he said, understanding of being a workaholic. Though their motives were undoubtedly quite different.

"How long have you been working in medical for?" He further inquired, curious as to how long Jackson had been in his current position. He didn't look much older than Bellamy. Perhaps a couple years or so. Though their fields were obviously drastically different. Bellamy smirked at Jackson's challenge, one that would not go ignored. As he began to dribble the ball, Bellamy took his own position, slightly bending his legs as his arms expanded a bit, positioning himself in front of Jackson for the blog. "Yeah not too worried about the latter," he teased in the mutual friendly challenge, moving in sync with one who held the ball and at the opportune moment, lunged forward to take it before Jackson could attempt to get past.

[Deleted]

"Oh, is that so?" Jackson asked, actually chuckling as he spoke. So Bellamy was going to be cocky? Jackson wasn't really arrogant about himself in any aspect of his life, but two could play that game. And honestly, there was something attractive about the challenge on Bellamy's face now.

He started to try to pass Bellamy's guard, figuring they could continue their conversation as they played. "I've been a doctor a couple years now," he said, faking right and then trying to dodge around Bellamy to the left.

[Bellamy Blake]

Tag: @severitysoftly

maybe the guard

WILL MAKE A MAN OUT OF HIM

The teasing, friendly banter between them was not a common occurrance for Bellamy. It felt, comfortable. Oddly so but perhaps that was only due to the infrequency he engaged in such things with. Being in the Guard program, he knew the importance of forming bonds with others. But they were often only surface level. With Jackson, it was engaging with someone from a totally different field and walk of life. It felt, refreshing really. And made him want to remain in his company for longer.

When he answered his question, Bellamy slightly went to the right, only to see that Jackson swiftly went to the opposite side. Bellamy spun around, reaching out to steal the ball from him mid dribble. "What made you want to do it?" He asked, curious as to his intentions of being a doctor. It was difficult to get into the medical field . . . requiring a great deal of work and in some cases, the right connections and networks. Bellamy wondered if there was a reason that drove Jackson to do it, genuine curiosity to get to know his basketball partner better.

[Deleted]

"My mom," Jackson replied. He wondered if he should go into more detail, and how much. Jackson didn't think the pain of losing a parent ever fully went away, but he had enough distance from it now that he could talk about it without much discomfort. However, pulling out the my mother died in my arms when I was a child story tended to make everyone else uncomfortable, and he'd only just met Bellamy.

He hustled to get in front of Bellamy to block him from getting to the hoop. "I was always interested in science and biology, but I knew I wanted to be a doctor when my mom died," he offered as casually as possible, hoping if he was casual about it, Bellamy wouldn't feel like the admission was a big deal, or feel the need to say something like, 'I'm sorry', like so many people did. Sorries never helped.

[Bellamy Blake]

Tag: @severitysoftly

maybe the guard

WILL MAKE A MAN OUT OF HIM

Bellamy almost paused when Jackson revealed that it was his mother that had made him want to go into medicine. Something told Bellamy that it was beyond parental pressure of any sort that prompted him to enter this field. When he further elaborated, it explained his incentives. There was a feeling of guilt within Bellamy for prying . . . yet the nonchalant way that Jackson spoke about it, made some of his paranoia ease about having offended him by asking something too personal. He had answered it, and for that, Bellamy was appreciative. He knew it couldn't be easy to speak about a deceased relative. Hell, if Bellamy ever lost his mother or sister . . . well, he knew he would be an abosolute wreck.

Bellamy decided to take the risk, and positioning the ball, he bent his knees for the required power and shot the ball toward the basket. He didn't go after it though, not wanting to run after the ball when addressing the sensitive subject broached. "At least you're doing something to honor her memory." Saving others. "That's more than what some others would do," he added on. It was difficult enough to mourn the loss of a loved one . . . but what one did afterwards, displayed their strength. Realizing that he had been looking intently at Jackson while speaking on the intense subject, Bellamy gave another smile, a bit lighter and smaller than the previous ones but it was there, still feeling a bit guilty for bringing up the topic. "You wanna grab something to eat?" He suggested.

[Deleted]

Jackson blinked at Bellamy for a moment, surprised. That wasn't a reaction that he was used to getting. It wasn't a hollow apology, or a request for more information. 'I'm sorry' and 'How did she die?' were all too common responses, even over a decade later. But Bellamy's response was almost... praise. Instead of being empty, it actually made Jackson feel good, in a way he wasn't very used to.

Jackson knew Abby cared about him and respected him as a doctor, but she wasn't quick to praise, and in spite of being "well-connected" in his career, the amount of work he had on his plate had left very little room for a social life in which to build mutually rewarding relationships.

And then Bellamy asked him to go eat, and his heart thudded for a moment until his brain overrode the stupid, knee-jerk reaction that he was being asked out. Surely that wasn't the case. Suddenly, he realized how close they were standing and let out a breathy laugh, touching Bellamy's shoulder lightly as he stepped back.

"Sure," he said, smiling again. "I tend to skip meals, so that's probably a good idea."

[Bellamy Blake]

Tag: @severitysoftly

maybe the guard

WILL MAKE A MAN OUT OF HIM

Bellamy's smile remained unwavered as Jackson lightly touched his shoulder. Any sort of contact was hardly rejected by the Cadet. Well, except of course when it came to the physically aggressive kind. But this was far from it. Friendly. Amicable. One that Bellamy found himself willing to -- wanting to -- return. "You're not going to be good to anyone, starving," he commented. What, did he even mean by that? In terms of his career, or, something of a more personal nature? He didn't dwell on the tone of implications of his words though.

Instead, he just picked up his bag and began to move forward, slightly nudging Jackson with his shoulder. "Let's go then. Don't pass out on the way there," he further teased, dramatizing his hunger based on his words. Food wasn't exactly a luxury his family had an abundance of. Their rations were limited as is, and they were feeding a family of three rather than two. Still, Bellamy had no complaints. His family was everything. Though even in casual moments like this, on their way to retrieve food, the younger male had to be very mindful of how much he was consuming.

[Deleted]

Jackson laughed, but just fell in step beside Bellamy as they started toward the mess. Jackson hadn't thought much of touching Bellamy when he did. He was used to touching people as part of his job, and half the time he didn't notice himself doing it. But he definitely noticed that Bellamy was returning it now, and he couldn't help wonder what that meant.

He liked it, for sure. Jackson craved human contact. But if his knee-jerk reaction to getting asked to dinner had been correct, he wondered if he should say something. Jackson wasn't above (or ashamed of) occasional hookups to temporarily satiate his need for intimacy, but he didn't want to date. He couldn't bring someone into his life knowing they'd probably always come second to his job.

He decided to wait and see what happened before saying anything stupid, and continued to let their shoulders brush occasionally as they walked down the halls. "So what about you?" he asked. "Why the Guard?"

[Bellamy Blake]

Tag: @severitysoftly

maybe the guard

WILL MAKE A MAN OUT OF HIM

As they made their way down the hall, Jackson asked him a question that . . . well, it was an entirely fair one. Bellamy had just asked Jackson the same question after all, referencing his own reason for being a doctor. But, it was more complicated than a simple answer. A fully disclosed one could cost his family his life. He couldn't answer with truthful statements like so that my mom will stop having sex with Officer Grus. Or so that I can find out about surprise inspections. Or the ultimate reason being So that I can protect my sister. No. None of these answers could be offered, but that didn't mean he had to blatantly lie about it either. "To serve and protect," he answered after a few moments of silence. It wasn't entirely a false statement.

He was just failing to include the fact that the person he wanted to serve and protect . . . was his sister. But he knew that Jackson deserved more of an answer than that, considering how much he had opened up about his own emotional reason for being a doctor. "It's the best opportunity for my family," he answered sincerely. They weren't privileged and while it wasn't something he was ashamed of, he knew that if further questions were asked, he could use that as the reason for needing better opportunity, as oppose to ones that involved the existance of an illegal child. "Probably sounds like a pretty generic reason," he said with a slight shrug of his shoulders and a slight smile. "But it's what I've wanted to do since I was a kid." Protect his family.