The Ball Is In Your Court

[Deleted]

Bellamy's first response, 'to protect and serve', sounded canned to Jackson, but then Bellamy continued and Jackson nodded. He could understand that. Growing up on Farm Station with a single mom hadn't been easy. If she were still around, Jackson probably would have done all he could to get a good career placement to help her too, even if his path might not have lead to being a doctor.

"Generic isn't a bad thing if it's important to you," he said. "Family is important. If your parents, or grandparents, are still around, you take care of them." He shrugged. I would, he thought, but kept that to himself. "They're all you really have up here."

He suddenly wanted to change the subject, feeling like he might be a little too open right now. He hadn't had this sort of conversation with someone in a while. But he couldn't think of anything new off the top of his head, so he just kept his gaze forward as they walked.

[Bellamy Blake]

Tag: @severitysoftly

maybe the guard

WILL MAKE A MAN OUT OF HIM

It was true. For Bellamy, his family was his everything. He lived for them, and they would always be his top priority. But he could tell from Jackson's tone, and from their previous conversation, that from the sounds of it, the man didn't have any blood relatives on the Ark. He knew better than to inquire about Jackson's father, having already broached the subject of his mother. But Bellamy also felt the need to say something, anything that could provide even the slightest bit of encouragement. Bellamy's family, relatives by blood, was all he had. But that wasn't necessarily the case for others. "Family isn't always defined by blood," he told him. He had met those with partners and friends, that they considered to be their family.

"You can make your own," he added on, offering a slight smile though there was a sincerity in his words. For Bellamy, he couldn't. He knew that. Octavia would always be the center of his world. He couldn't allow anyone else in. But that didn't mean he didn't crave it. Longed for it. That constant companionship. That intimacy that could be found with another. He wondered what it would be like, but didn't dare explore it. That of course didn't mean that others couldn't. "Work can only be so fulfilling." This was perhaps the deepest conversation Bellamy had with another in a while . . . if ever. And he had just met the man. He wondered if he was once again overstepping, and supposed he would be able to tell with however Jackson reacted to his words. Causing the younger male to slightly turn his head to keep an eye for any sign of discomfort from his new found friend.

[Deleted]

He was being too open. Bellamy probably just thought Jackson was a sadsack now, but at lest he was still smiling, and he looked sincere. Jackson returned the smile. The Griffins felt close to family, but not quite. And maybe, Jackson thought, he buried himself in work so much because he was afraid to let someone else in. He couldn't stand the thought of losing someone he loved again.

"Work can only be so fulfilling, but it can also be all-consuming," he said, shrugging slightly as they got to the entrance of the mess hall. Bellamy was probably regretting this dinner invite now, so Jackson decided to give him an out if he wanted to take it. He touched Bellamy's upper arm with the back of his knuckles to indicate they could stop at the door. "You sure I'm not keeping you from anything?"

[Bellamy Blake]

Tag: @severitysoftly

maybe the guard

WILL MAKE A MAN OUT OF HIM

Bellamy didn't notice or sense any discomfort from his words, though it could also be due to the fact that he was just good at guarding them. "Only if you let it," he told him after Jackson commenting about how work could also be all consuming. Bellamy's training kept him from Octavia more than they were used to in the past years, but he couldn't let it consume all his time. Then again, perhaps some people preferred it that way. It was a vicious cycle really. Using work as a distraction for being alone, yet not able to form ties because of work.

Bellamy figured that if he didn't have his mom or sister, he would very much be the same way. He fully turned his head to glance at Jackson's hand on his shoulder, before raising to meet the male's eyes. "No," he told him with certainty. No where that needed his immediate presence. His mom was wtih O. They'd be alright for a bit. Deciding that the conversation took a serious turn, a smirk reformed on the cadet's face. "Besides, someone's gotta make sure you actually eat," he told him with a friendly pat on the back as he urged him into the mess hall with an ever so slight push. "So when do you decide to have a meal, what do you usually get?" He asked, that same tease in his voice. Options were limited, but there were still some.

[Deleted]

Jackson let Bellamy's remark about work only being all-consuming if he let it slide. Bellamy didn't need to hear about his actual workload. Jackson hadn't even told him he was a Medical Officer as well as a doctor, so there was probably more work than Bellamy expected. But when it came down to it, Jackson probably could free up some extra time in his day if he wanted to. He just didn't want to.

Jackson chuckled as Bellamy pushed him into the room. "I'm not really all that picky." He shrugged. "Honestly, whatever is most sustainable." He smiled at Bellamy as a happier memory hit. "My mother was a farmer. I don't think I could grow anything if I tried, but I heard about sustainability a lot." He wasn't sure why Bellamy had taken it upon himself to make sure Jackson ate after having known him for less than an hour, but Jackson wasn't going to complain.

[Bellamy Blake]

Tag: @severitysoftly

maybe the guard

WILL MAKE A MAN OUT OF HIM

Bellamy listened to his answer, stating that he wasn't picky about food and then further revealed that his mother was a farmer. So Jackson was from farm station. "Well you know more about that than I would, so I'll leave it up to you," he told him with a continued smile, half joking. Truth be told, he felt relieved when Jackson spoke about his mother . . . further suggesting that he hadn't made him uncomfortable with his inquiries or previous conversation prompts.

"What do you think she would recommend?" He asked, genuinely curious. Bellamy wanted to take something back for his sister so was wondering what would be a good treat for her. Now that he could afford a few more things . . . he wanted to treat her as much as he could. Which still wasn't as often as he would have liked. The Cadet folded his arms across his chest, looking over the different possibilities.

[Deleted]

"Anything that doesn't tax the Ark's resources too much, and has a decent nutritional content," Jackson said, shrugging as he looked at their options. "Beans are a good choice, usually. They don't require very much water to grow, and they're high in fiber, protein, complex carbs..." He trailed off and rolled his eyes at himself, realizing how boring this subject actually was, but Bellamy had asked.

Before Bellamy could respond to his eyeroll, Jackson said, "Sorry, my brain goes on autopilot when I talk about this stuff and I forget to be even the slightest bit interesting." He gave Bellamy a sheepish smile, and added,"My mother grew soy beans."

[Bellamy Blake]

Tag: @severitysoftly

maybe the guard

WILL MAKE A MAN OUT OF HIM

Bellamy attentively listened to Jackson's response, not having expected a detailed answer. But nor was he dismissive of it. Hell, Bellamy actually loved learning. Taking in what he could, observing what he could. In this case, listening to him explain about the benefits of beans. A subject that some may find dull, but Bellamy was fully listening to it. Soaking in the bits of information. When Jackson apologized, he gave him a reassuring smile. "No no, it's fine. Hell, I find it interesting," he assured him, sincere in his statement. "I don't know much about farming besides what I learned in school and read in books." Another love of his: reading.

He had talked to people who were on Farm, but his interest hadn't been invested in that field. Besides, he didn't exactly have the time or opportunity to wander around the Ark. Besides, Bellamy wasn't one to bash a subject that was related to Jackson's mom. And he had been the one to inquire about it after all. "It's interesting to talk to someone about it. Besides, you got the knowledge from two perspectives. Farmer and Doctor." He had talked about not only their sustainability but rather their nutritional benefits as well. "Good to be passionate about something." His words were a slight tease, but not with rude mocking. Bellamy's own passion of history, especially Roman, could bore a person to tears. At least there was some practicality in Jackson's. "Guess we're getting beans then. Can't say no to them after your description," he said smirking.

[Deleted]

Jackson snorted. At least Bellamy was being a good sport about it. "Beans are far from my passion," he said lightly, starting to load his plate. They weren't his mother's passion either, really. They became something she cared about because that was the job she was given, rather than the one she pursued.

He looked over his shoulder at Bellamy and grinned. "But if you had to listen to me talk about it for thirteen years, like I did growing up, you'd probably find it a lot less interesting, even if you could spout all the right facts when someone asks."

[Bellamy Blake]

Tag: @severitysoftly

maybe the guard

WILL MAKE A MAN OUT OF HIM

Bellamy continued to grin at Jackson's words of how he would have grown sick of it if he had to hear about it for over a decade. "Well hey, you never know when it could come in handy to know about them. Like right now," he said with a continued smile. He followed Jackson in terms of filling up his plate, only his was in a container to go. He was often riddled with guilt when eating outside of their home, knowing that any food he had should be shared with his family. Especially O.

"Guess one person's passion, isn't necessarily anothers." Which was a good thing. Allowed for diversity in conversation. "Probably a good thing too," he added on, before closing his box and continuing to follow Jackson's lead. "I take it your passion is medicine? Or at least one of them." He asked, the question offering a correection in case his assumption was wrong, though based on the evidence he kenw so far of Jackson. Which, wasn't a whole lot he imagined. There was always more to know about a person and this was still only their first encounter.

[Deleted]

"Ah, yeah, medicine," Jackson said. He looked at the box in Bellamy's hands, suddenly wondering if Bellamy was going to sit and eat with him, or if his plan was to make sure Jackson ate and then leave. It seemed a bit odd for Bellamy to invite him to eat with him, before Jackson ever even mentioned that he sometimes skipped meals, and then not stay.

"People, really," he added, when they reached the end of the line and looked out at the mess for a free table. "It sounds like a really bad slogan for something to say my passion is people, but it's really not about the medicine. The medicine is just a tool to help people. I like helping people who need it, or maybe can't help themselves."

[Bellamy Blake]

Tag: @severitysoftly

maybe the guard

WILL MAKE A MAN OUT OF HIM

Once his box was packed, he closed the lid and turned to Jackson as he explained that his passion was people. He could understand that, though at a different extent. Bellamy's was his family. But Jackson's desire to help people stemmed further than that. Perhaps being on the guard would have the same benefits, but on a different scale of course. "Sounds noble more than anything bad," he assured him. "Your passion is people, and helping them. Nothing bad sounding about that at all." Once Jackson had his plate, Bellamy moved toward a small table off the side. But more importantly, vacant.

"Makes what you do more than a job." As he said, it wasn't about the medicine, but the fact that he was helping people. And well, whoever held passion for a job, tended to excel in it. "Besides, there aren't many doctors on the Ark. What you do is important . . . to say the least." Important was perhaps an understatement. Though Bellamy supposed there was importance in every occupation in order to have some form of civilization as they formed on the Ark. Once seated, he looked toward the older male. "I already ate not long ago," he said, somewhat lying, but such lies were often ones that needed to be told. "But thought I'd stay for the company, if you're alright with that?" He asked, just wanting to be sure.

[Deleted]

Jackson nodded, more than happy for the company, though it did feel a bit weird to eat in front of someone who wasn't also eating. He smiled."If I didn't like your company, I wouldn't have agreed to an impromptu dinner date," he said, his tone teasing, hopefully teasing enough that Bellamy wouldn't take the 'date' part of that seriously.

Or maybe part of Jackson wanted Bellamy to infer he liked guys. God, was he flirting now? He wasn't sure.

"So, I've told you about me a little. Tell me about you," he said after a moment, taking a bite of his food.

[Bellamy Blake]

Tag: @severitysoftly

maybe the guard

WILL MAKE A MAN OUT OF HIM

Bellamy gave a short laugh at Jackson's words. Impromptu dinner date. He knew better than to read too deeply into his words though. Surely it wasn't literal. Truth be told, Bellamy didn't date a whole lot. Not in the overly traditional sense. Sure, he spent time with someone . . . but it wasn't to build any sort of emotional connection. It usually only led to one thing. And well, he doubted Jackson was up for that, or into that. So he didn't read too much into the man's tease. Apart from a smile and the slight chuckle. "Well I'm glad to be good company for you then," he told him with a slight nod. As he ate, he then asked to know more about him.

Bellamy gave a slight shrug of his shoulders, leaning back in his chair a little. "Not much to tell," he said nonchalantly. He didn't find himself that interesting after all. Well, not in a way that he could disclose. For some, having a sister could be pretty damn interesting. But super damn illegal too. "You know my name, my job. Love to read and take long walks on the Ark," he joked, as if he was giving himself some sort of profile of himself. "My life's not that interesting or exciting." He supposed it was all a matter of perspective though. "But fair is fair," he added. "Is there anything you wanna know?" Jackson had opened up about hismelf and answered all of Bellamy's inquiries. The least he could do was offer the same.

[Deleted]

Jackson couldn't stop himself from smiling. Bellamy hadn't reacted badly to the date comment. So not only had Jackson hit the right tone, but Bellamy didn't have objections to the suggestion of being with another guy, even if it was just a joke. As Bellamy went on, describing himself, Jackson's smile turned into a grin.

"You're a guard Cadet who likes long walks on the Ark. That's interesting," he teased, and then considered what he wanted to ask. He let his gaze trail obviously down Bellamy's chest then back up to Bellamy's eyes. "What's your sign?" he asked, trying to balance out the amusement in his voice by lowering it a bit.

He felt a little stupid. Bellamy was the first person he'd opened up to in a long time, and apparently, because Bellamy had been unnecessarily kind to him, his brain had decided without consulting his better judgment that he should flirt with Bellamy. It had been a while since he had someone in his bed, and originally the only reason he recognized Bellamy at all was because today wasn't the first time Bellamy had caught his gaze, but... This hadn't really been the plan when he'd left medical earlier.