[ti]Invite[/ti]Caskets // Evelyn

Jax looked over at Evelyn as she sank onto the stairs beside him. He hadn’t seen her or heard from here since Edgar had passed, not even at the service. He caught a small glimpse of her sitting at the front with the families of the fallen, but many citizens of the District had shown up for the event. It was far too crowded to see much of anything. Jax didn’t know how he’d find her after the funeral. Evelyn was unpredictable, so it was hard to gauge how she would respond to tragedy and loss. Despite that, he definitely didn’t expect to see her grinning beside him, still in the funeral black. Jax still responded to the sight naturally, his smile mirroring hers automatically.

“No occasion, really,” he told Evelyn. Jax was silent for a moment before adding, ”I’m drunk.” He chuckled a little, partially from embarrassment and partially from the drunkness itself. Jax glanced down at himself, noticing the way the black of his buttoned down shirt blended with the black of his pants. ”I was leaving the bar and instead of walking home, I found myself walking here I guess.” Jax could’ve told her that he came here because he wanted to see her, or maybe because she’d been on the forefront of his mind since the night he spent in her loft. He wasn’t that drunk, though.

Jax glanced back over at Evelyn. ”Might’ve been stupid - I have no idea if this is a bad time or anything. I don’t have to stick around if it is a bad time. I don’t want to intrude or anything.”

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Tags: Evelyn Jagger

Jax had to wonder if Evelyn's grin had anything to do with her self-admitted drunkness. He met all types of drunks in his days - Evelyn definitely wouldn't be the first "upper" he encountered. Still, he couldn't imagine that any amount of alcohol on its own would dissolve the grief associated with losing a brother into smiles and laughter. Jax didn't intend to pry (at least overtly), but he knew that he wanted to know more about her attitude. Maybe she would tell him later.

Jax continued to force himself into a picture of normalcy. "Maybe both," he told Evelyn, smiling down at her. That was true, at least. His feet started to carry him there before his mind caught up. The rest had been a conscious decision on his part. Jax had been doing his research on the District and needed more information to report back. He didn't want to use Evelyn like that - he genuinely liked her. It was a shame he'd met her here and not in the Capitol. The rational part of his brain knew that, but the rest of it couldn't accept that. Jax was drawn to her and her personality - she was totally unlike anyone else he knew. Indulging himself in her like this was dangerous, but all it took was a little alcohol to convince himself that the stupidity of it all didn't matter.

Jax had been taking all of her odd cues in stride until her last one. He really struggled to understand - a great day? His confusion played across his face for a moment. Clearly, there was some deep-seated hatred for Edgar Evelyn was harboring that he didn't know about. What in the world could Edgar have done that would make his sister hate him that much?

Evelyn's mood was very odd, but Jax couldn't forget the feelings that led him to her apartment. If it was a good day for her - for whatever reason - Jax was glad to be there for part of it. "Glad to hear it, then." Jax told her. He stared up into the dark sky above them. "I, for one, am really interested in turning it into an even better day, though. I don't know about you, but I feel like I'm probably not drunk enough to do that just yet," he suggested with a grin.

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Tags: Evelyn Jagger

Jax laughed at Evelyn's reply. "Of course," he laughed, "All I've been dreaming of since then is another night on your couch." Although his tone was lighthearted and sarcastic, he did really mean it, just a little. Evelyn had been an itch at the back of his mind since he last saw her. He kept thinking of ways to accidentally run into her. When he was out in the District, he kept hoping to bump into her. Of course, after the accident, he assumed she had much heavier things on her mind.

As Evelyn turned to face Jax, he caught the light reflecting in her brown eyes. She looked beautiful, illuminated only by a streetlight above them. When the distance between the pair first closed, Jax didn't process it. He was numb enough from the drinks to feel like he was out of his own skin when her lips touched his. His mind took a moment to catch up with his body. His heart skipped a beat as he realized what was happening. He'd kissed too many women to feel like an anxious, excited teenager just from this. She'd seen him completely naked, after all. None of the logic held, though. Jax responded all at once, his lips moving in response and one of his hands finding its way to the locks of hair at the crown of her head. Evelyn pulled away first. Jax looked at her, noticing the blush in her cheeks.

"Sorry?" Jax repeated, laughing just a little. He could feel the blood rushing to his cheeks. "Well, good bet there. I'd say that made my day a little better." he added. Jax leaned back against the door, still looking straight at Evelyn. All his cards were on the table - they had been since that first night at her apartment. He liked that she made this move, that he had a sign of his interest being mutual. He bit at the inside of his lip as he considered closing the distance and kissing her again. But Jax knew that she knew he would follow her anywhere for the night, whether that be back inside her apartment or out into the night. He'd been all in since he first met her, whether either knew it or not.

Words: 385
Tags: Evelyn Jagger

Jax laughed at Evelyn's suggestion. He liked that she was flustered now - it made him feel less alone in his excitement and emotions. "Alcohol and heat rarely make anything worse, right?" he laughed. Jax had no idea what to expect for what came next with Evelyn, but it certainly wasn't a bad sign that she was inviting him back inside. He remembered the first time she'd let him inside, how frantic they'd been to escape the cold rain and find the warmth of a hot shower. This time was different, slower, more intentional. More real. Jax followed her inside, sticking right by her to see just where she'd lead him. When she hesitated before moving up the stairs, Jax stepped closer to her than he'd intended to, not expecting her pause. Jax didn't move away though - he liked the closeness, and it seemed like Evelyn did too.

A grin spread across his lips at her next question. It was a game again, just like the first night. He'd certainly went all out in that round, taken a big risk. It wasn't his time to do it again. Jax let one hand raise so his fingers could just lightly grasp at one side of Evelyn's waist. "Well, you're the queen of this castle, right?" he asked, his voice a little lower. He could play this game too. "What else is there?"

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Tags: Evelyn Jagger

Jax tightened his grip on Evelyn's waist as she stepped closer. As her soft lips brushed against his, he nearly bridged the distance to kiss her again. At this proximity, keeping away from her would be impossible. Just before he could kiss her again, Evelyn pulled away to go up the stairs. Jax exhaled a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding and chuckled under his breath. His night sure had turned. Jax gave her a moment to get a head start before following behind her, just far enough for him to watch her ahead of him. He was drunk and excited to see where the night would go. Of course, whether he'd admit it or not, Jax had played out this scene in his mind a time or two before. Living it instead of merely imagining it would be excellent.

Not wanting to track the dirt and mud on her floor, Jax paused by the door to remove his shoes, laughing a little at the way she carelessly kicked hers off before dropping onto the couch below her. Jax walked over to join her, sitting on the open side of the couch. "All good?" he asked, leaning over to catch her eyes. Being drunk himself, Jax had no idea how much she had to drink or what state of mind she was in. What he did know for sure is that he didn't want to continue any further if she wasn't sober enough for that. Jax had his fair share of hookups while absolutely wasted that he completely regretted and never would have done if sober. Of course, Evelyn wasn't like that to him. He'd been interested in her since he met her, and the traction just happened to kick off while they were drunk (at least for him). Still, no matter whatever happened, he didn't want to be some bad mistake to her come the next morning. "It's totally fine if you need to slow down for a second and grab some water, food, or a shower. I'll still be here," he told her.

Words: Evelyn Jagger
Tags: 352

Jax looked down at Evelyn while she moved around on the couch. He smiled at her compliment, happy at how well the night was going. ”There’s no fun in being the asshole for me,” he said, ”So I don’t think most people would staple the ‘big dick’ description to my personality.” Jax laughed and ran a hand through his hair. He was more drunk than he thought he was. Dumb jokes like that didn’t usually fly off his tongue so freely.

He realigned his eyes to hers at the feeling of her hand on his. Even that little touch sent a shiver down his spine - there was no denying he wanted her. The feeling was struck down as soon it rose, though, replaced instead by the shock stemming from her question. Jax had never been spoken to like that by a girl he was with and it caught him off guard.

Truthfully, Jax knew the answer to her question. Of course he’d leave. He’d be back off to another District on the other side of Panem at the whim of his boss. He could be in District 7 for a day or five years. There were far too many variables to even try to predict the length of his stay. Jax never dared to start a relationship in a District - there were little flings, of course, but nothing close to real. It wasn’t worth the emotional investment. Despite all logic, though, Jax wanted her so badly. Some of the desire was definitely tied to the fact that she was a beautiful woman and that he had not been with anyone in a while, but he felt something beyond that, too. Jax did want to stay the night with her, but he also wanted to spend the next day with her, too. It was incredibly selfish with no excuse, but Jax wanted to be with her in the time that he had.

Jax looked her straight in the eyes. ”I’m staying here for as long as I’m able,” he said with a smile. It wasn’t a lie. He’d prolong his time in the District with any means available. It was certainly misleading though, because he said it in a way he knew she would misinterpret.

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Tags: Evelyn Jagger

Jax’s stomach twisted at Evelyn’s response. She was seeing right through him. He felt incredible guilt that he was willing to use her like this knowing he’d leave, knowing she’d get hurt. Jax was still aroused and drunk, not even close to the clear mindset he needed to be in to navigate this conversation with Evelyn. He leaned back against the couch and sighed. ”Yeah. I might get moved for work. I’ve had to move around a lot since the war started. I’d like to stay here, I think, but I just have to follow where work’s available,” he told her. Lots of people had to shift between districts in these past year in search of opportunity. It was easy to blend in among them. “If I go, you’ll be the first to know,” he said. He meant it.

“I’m sorry people disappeared for you. I wish it wasn’t like that.” Jax was usually the person who did the disappearing. He didn’t really think about what it would be like to be the person being left behind.”You don’t have to answer, but is this about your brother today?”

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Jax blinked in surprise at Evelyn’s laughter. He saw a lot of grief during and after the war, enough to know that everyone processed their pain differently. Clearly, though, this was not grief. This wasn’t pain, certainly not the grieving of someone missing a beloved family member. Jax cocked his head slightly as she gave her answer, affirming his suspicions.

Of course, Jax poured over what information the Capitol had on District 7 before traveling there. There were others before him, both during and after the war. The Jagger family was always a particular point of interest - the two crazed rebel parents, and their poor children -7, as said in the reports - that were forced to be part of the whole scheme. Jax saw this pain in her explanation about her family. He thought about when she’d fought him outside the bar that night before he returned to her apartment. Of course she’d learned that somewhere, but he couldn’t imagine her, a small child, learning how to take punches and use weapons.

That was his whole purpose in District 7, officially. Find the rebel cells, report back to the Capitol. Jax didn’t know the specifics of what happened once he left, but he saw the aftermath in other Districts after the others like him had done their jobs.

As he sat watching her, Jax had an incredible idea. It was a crazy idea, a ridiculous idea that was not likely work and very likely to blow up in his face. If Jax could end the rebel network in District 7, he could impress his boss enough to be promoted from his job - to stay in District 1 forever. If Evelyn hated her family enough, if she was willing to leave District 7 forever, and if she wanted to be with him, it could work. There were so many variables, but Jax instantly knew that it was what he wanted. It would take time for all the pieces of his plan to fall in place, and it would take more time to see if Evelyn seemed ready. Jax couldn’t reveal himself early, if he didn’t think it was safe - that would get him executed.

Jax looked into her eyes, willing this to work out. Step one.

“I can see that weight on your shoulders. I don’t want to pry, but I’m a good listener if you want to talk about it,” Jax said sincerely. He leaned back against the arm of the couch. “Nowadays, seems like everyone has their trauma. Bearing that alone takes a lot.”

Jax had his damage, too, but it wasn’t like he could readily share it in its true form without blowing his cover. Evelyn sometimes showed this well-carried weariness, and it always brought forth a tinge of sadness in Jax. Though he could have been asking to collect the information, he knew he was too drunk to remember whatever she would say in enough detail for one of his reports. This was about Evelyn.

Words: 512
Tags: Evelyn Jagger

Jax nodded his head at her response. He didn’t fully expect her to unload her feelings - she didn’t really seem like the type. What was important to Jax was that he extended the offer, that she heard it, and that if she ever was ready to talk, she knew he would be there then too.

Jax stiffened slightly under her tender touch. He’d been trying to put her out of his mind in this way for the entire evening. Of course, since that first night he spent with her, his mind lingered on the idea of having her. Jax’s usual approach while in the other Districts was something quick and easy, usually a girl he picked up while drunk in the bar. He’d never had a relationship, or never came to connect with someone before sleeping with them. The thoughts of her kept him up at night, dotted his daydreams throughout the day. That coupled with the kisses they’d shared earlier and the alcohol pumping through his body was enough to remove his usual hesitation.

He smiled back, his eyes intense but cautious. Jax would be happy to even have that, but if he was being honest with himself, he wanted to see what the odds were at going further. “At risk of being too forward, Lyn, think my luck extends any further tonight?”

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Tag: Evelyn Jagger