Work Text:
Jax, when rewarded with a camera on the jungle adventure last week, actually discovered a new hobby for himself.
Photography... that's pretty lame. But he had a camera with infinite rolls, he couldn't just deny it, right?
Especially considering how much he bragged about it. Ribbit was on his team and they only got a hat. Pathetic. (It was a cool hat, though).
So, even if he didn't like it, he had it, all for himself.
...
So he started to play with it.
In his room, he started taking pictures of everything that he hated. The ridiculous carpet? Shoot. The drawings on the wall with stupid rainbows? Shoot that too. Boredom does that to people.
He took another photo of his girly door, shaking it in his hands.
"Colecting evidenceee..." he muttered to himself on his bed.
Said door opened, a green fella hopping inside with a cool hat... before taking a small step back to knock on the door.
"Can I?" Ribbit said, smiling sarcastically.
"Oh, so polite." Jax answered, finally raising himself to sit. She strolled around, noticing the amount of pictures that decorated his floor. Kneeling, she grabbed one. A photo of his tea table. She grabbed another. Another photo of his tea table...
"I see you're having fun...?"
"A lot...“
“…”
“it gets boring after a while." He shrugged.
"Sure it's not boring because you're taking pictures of the same things five times in a row? Same position and everything?"
"Infinite rolls, baby." He took another pic, now focusing on her "Besides, It's not like I would use it for anything else, really."
He shaken the picture, delivering it to her with his stupid grin. Ribbit took it, and their face shifted from slight judgment to genuine curiosity.
"You're actually pretty good at this."
His ears perked at the compliment.
"Uh-- Thanks, I gueess?"
"I mean, the ones in the floor are pretty good too. I know you just messing around but– have you done it before or something?"
He started recoiling on himself. He was not used to...this, whatever Ribbit were doing. He scoffed, delivering the camera on her hands.
"Geez, if you need that camera so bad you don't have to flatter me for it. Have fun, I don't care." He looked away, grinning.
Ribbit raised their eyebrow, looking at the camera and him. Then, with a smile, they took a pic.
Jax was startled by the noise, but he didn't move as a small picture of him was delivered on his hands. "What d'you think of that one?"
He stopped, skeptical before inspecting the picture. It was slightly blurred and curved, a slight flick of green in the corner and he was blinking.
He snorted. "You suck at this."
"Oh look who lost his humble out of the sudden."
He started laughing more, covering his face, "I just thought you'd be better at this. Giving your whole... fashion sense."
"My fashion sense?" They mocked back.
"Yeah. Your fashion sense. I won't explain what I meant if that's what you want." He shrugged.
She tilted her head before looking at themself "it's because I only wear a bowtie? That's the joke?" They said, monotone.
Jax grinned, not answering.
Ribbit groaned, throwing themself on the bed behind him.
"I did like it though. Fashion- or whatever..." they looked at the ceiling, lost in thought. "Dressing up. I didn't leave home much but... sometimes I liked to just– have fun with what I got. Even if I had no reason to."
She glanced at Jax, apprehensive of his silence. Surprisingly, he seemed to be paying attention, no mockery in his face.
She turned herself to sit by his side, leaning in her arm for balance. It was quiet for a little while. Then, she sighed, "I'll take what I got then."
She nudged him with a smile.
"Hmn?" He answered quietly.
"C'mon, I need a photoshoot."
He paid no mind to it, extending his camera on her direction for her to grab it. What she grabbed, however, was his arm. "H-hey!!!" He protested, being pulled away from his room.
☆☆☆
Ribbit was right: getting in the changing booth while wearing the hat did change it for a more beach theme. It was risky and she could lose it there forever (as Jax full on expected), but it seems Caine was actually very prepared with props this time.
Ribbit adjusted it on their head once again; it always respawned over her eyes after a while. It definitely wasn't pissing her off, no sir.
Jax, sitting on the edge of a folding chair, tested some of the filters by taking photos of his feet mindlessly.
Until, of course, the shower of censoring beeps that came from the one on his side.
"I JUST CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY WOULD- ARGH!! WHY GIVE A HAT FOR SOMEONE WITH EYES ON TOP OF THEIR STUPID HEAD?!??"
He looked at them and giggled to himself until she looked at him, hat immediately falling over her head. NOW he was laughing, a little histeric too.
"That's NOt Funny." Ribbit said, though their voice betrayed them a little bit. "You wouldn't be laughing if you looked like me." Jax wiped a tear out of his eyes as he moved closer.
"You're laughing and you look like you."
"I'm not laughing, I'm pissed. You and Ragatha are so lucky you look good."
"...I look good?" He grinned, eyes lidded in a try of seduction.
"... well, Ragatha is lucky–"
Jax pulled her hat to cover her eyes. At contrary to her words, she actually laughed at it, pushing him playfully as he laughed at her.
Then, sighing, they stopped. They were definitely closer now, but either they didn't notice, didn't mind or didn't want to potentially ruin this.
The hat still covered Ribbit's eyes, and so, in a shown of good will, he adjusted it for her.
"I think you look okay. Your body n'stuff. It's...pretty cool." And it has cool eyeshadows, I wish I had those he wished to say.
She looked directly at him as he did so, and god, if that stupid cartoony blush was on his cheek again he would end it all.
"Looks good"
"Ugh, Shut it..." he mumbled, feeling it getting worse.
"It- it was a question. The hat, Jax."
His eyes widened, and he stepped back, posing as confidently nonchalant as he possibly could. "Yeah, now it looks. Thanks for me." He pointed at himself with his thumb. God, he was stupid.
Thankfully, she just shook her head and pointed at the camera laying on the chair. He quickly grabbed it, pointing at her. "So... How many more 'till I'm dismissed?"
She shrugged, then stopped, staring at him in thought. "Actually, can you take a selfie with me?"
He hesitated, slightly confused, but whatever.
He moved closer and she floated her head behind his shoulder, looking at him to ask for permission, (which he couldn't see, giving it was a Polaroid-eske camera, but he felt her nearer) when she lowered her head, he tilted his own a little away, giving her more space.
She definitely didn't expect that. Didn't expect him to be shaking either... maybe just a little.
For some seconds, they just stood like this, his opposite arm extended and faltering in the air as he barely moved any muscle. It was... pretty cute how nervous he looked.
"Jax... the picture..."
"I- Uhuh. I'm- doing it."
Click.
Now to the next one.
She evolved her hands around him without touching, looking at him once again for permission; he was red, but other than an awkward laugh he didn't say anything. Now, she knew how sensible Jax was with physical touch (even when/if he liked it), so she tried to be more verbal about it.
"Can I?"
"Please." He muttered immediately. Before Ribbit could even react, he scoffed. "Pff-I can handle. What do you think I am??"
Good save...?
She laced her arms around his waist, and once again he seemed to stop on his tracks, giving her time to enjoy the contact. He was soft. Even if it didn't look like it. She wanted to move her hands slightly, just to feel the texture of his jumpsuit, but that would be weird, wouldn't it...? It was just a weird urge, and she was a weirdo for even thinking that–
His other hand hesitantly floated above her own, dragging itself away again.
...huh.
Then she heard a click, and another click.
Then, a pause.
As it seemed, neither of them wanted to move. But they would have to.
...
She temptingly moved her hand through his jumpsuit —Quietly, hesitant— And looked at his face. Burning red while trying to remain calm.
For her surprise, he leaned on her every touch, his breath stiff as he allowed every impulsive movement. He wanted this. He so badly wanted this just as much as she did.
Holy [%$!#].
slowly, he tilted his head to face her, inching closer as his finger moved to capture another moment.
Cl- "HEY FELLAS!!!"
Click.
The photo was a complete blur, focusing neatly on the person on the background.
"I see you guys are having fun." Kaufmo crossed his arms, smirking. The two had abruptly assumed positions of 'acting naturally' that consisted on putting their hands behind their head while looking at different directions... So natural.
"Heeey Kauffyy. Just testing this old thingy, no biggie." Jax shook the camera, and it actually made some rattle noises. Ribbit nodded and hummed along, looking down and searching for nothing.
"Okay, no doubt you were, I can read the room," Kaufmo's finger rolled to point at all of it, which almost made Jax retort before he noticed the amount of pictures on the floor. "but we've been thinking of going to the café, you two coming?"
They simultaneously relaxed, assuming more natural positions for themselves. "... Did Caine add a new menu orr...?"
"Nah. We just want to chill. Get away from that GREAZY, AWFUL SUN for a while." He screams to the the sky, and they hear a censored beep from the sun insulting him back.
Ribbit smiles a little at that, and Jax shakes his head playfully.
"I'll be there in a minute." Jax said.
Ribbit looked from Jax to Kaufmo, nodding too.
"Alright, later... Beautiful hat by the way, Ribs, looks nice that way." Kaufmoo headed to back to the corridor, leaving the two watching in silence.
When he got out of sight, the silence became more suffocating. Who'd guess that would be the outcome for whatever they were doing?
Ribbit didn't even knew she wanted Jax that bad. Never occurred in her mind... except sometimes. Except a few, couple times.
She bit (what should be) her lip, looking at him for any kind of reaction.
He looked... apprehensive. Looking at the floor, but not at her. Suddenly though, his eyes expanded slightly as he sighed.
Then, he kneeled, collecting the pictures he took. Ribbit quickly joined to help him.
"Why would you even need that many photos of your hat for?" He was changing subject. Cool. They could just move on and pretend nothing was happening.
"W-well, y'know, what if I lose my hat someday? I'd like to have something to remember."
"You have it for a week and already prepared for when you lose it? Wow, that's a sad way to live life"
he grinned as they frowned.
"That includes you, too! You have the only thing to record memories here and you use it in the same 3 spots of your room. You don't even like your room, you complain about everytime!"
"What else should I be taking photos of?"
"I dunno, Things you like? just... try to have fun with it."
In the floor, she found one of the selfies and, on her side, Jax grabbed the second. The one where he was wrapped by her.
They looked cute in this one.
"...yeah. anyways," he delivered the pictures to them, getting up. "I'll be heading to see the other dorks. See ya jumper."
He crossed his hands behind his head, something he often did when skipping conversation. Because it— whatever happened, whatever didn't happen— would be hard to explain. It was too much of a dramatic change, and that is uncomfortable.
Ribbit knew that because they also skipped it. They also ignored it. It was so obvious that there was something unsaid between them it hurt, but it was more comfortable than the what if. What if she ruin everything like she always do? She cannot risk it.
Or so she thought, until today. Until she actually risked it, and it was fun. It was fun to risk it.
Who would have thought?
“Jax.“
He did not look around, but he stopped walking instantly.
“…say?“
She walked towards him, closing their distance. He looked pretty worried, though smiling awkwardly. Her whole confidence was crashing slowly at the possibility of interpreting him wrong. Ignoring her conscience, she held his hand, intertwining fingers slowly.
He looked at it in silence before grinning, shaking her hand back and forth. “Okaaay… that's weird.“
Damn. “Why?“
“C'mon, y'know why…” he whispered, flirtatious and mocking. “With all of that there, and all of...this? really looks like you're…” he had a subtle shift in his expression, mockery turning into confusion.
“…Flirting?“
He stared cautiously. He almost looked terrified, shaking it off with a smirk.
“Heh. Alright... C'mon, I want to try that latte again.“
He started walking, pulling her as the contact was not broken. He didn't seem bothered as she frowned, talking and joking normally as if it was nothing— which… yeah, it was not much, but…
What did that mean to them? What was that reaction?? What's his deal???
It wasn't even like she wouldn't accept a rejection; a rejection would at least be a verbal something from him. She just wanted a confirmation, for better of for worse.
Why does he always need to act like nothing means anything to him?? Jerk. Fu[%$!#]ing jerk.
Despite that, she followed behind.
She looked at him again, the slight blush still present in his cheeks; if he didn't want to acknowledge it, even mention it, she wouldn't press it.
She Sighed.
Despite all of that, she was sure they were friends, at least.
Yeah,
They were best friends, and that was enough for her.