It's strange to live in a house that came with memories already attached to every wall and every room and every window, but Jake's ready to fill it with new memories, new names and touches. Jack was in one of the upstairs rooms, Jake could hear the funny way that he walked. He could tell which room that Jack was in, too--when Jake was little, he'd listen for those footsteps, and run to join them. Now he took the stairs more slowly, and instead of running right in he stopped and watched. Jack was painting the windowsill, a slightly brighter colour than they'd decided on. As Jake watched, he stopped and used the brush to add initials into the coat. J. A. J. He embellished them, and added to them, and then painted over them once more so that nothing showed through. Jake could picture Jack in this room easily, drawing their initials onto a wedding invitation, or just...painting. ]
Jake went in, and Jack glanced over his shoulder and smiled, but continued on the window. Jake watched over his shoulder for a moment and then wrapped his arms around Jack's waist from behind. He didn't say anything, but Jack stopped painting and leaned back against him. "What's up?" he asked, and Jake wanted to laugh. What's up. "Nothing," he said. "This was my nursery. And then..." Already the memory was fading. Already this room felt like Jack's.
"Then what?" Jack prompted. Jake kissed his neck and stared out the window.
"My mother used to paint here," Jake finished softly, and wouldn't look back at Jack when Jack tried to twist his head around. He waited until Jack was looking out the window, too, and then...just held him. This was their house now. Maybe there would be another nursery in this room one day. But now Jake just wanted to give something to Jack. Wanted to build a brand new home together where his first one had been. He wanted new memories, new love. New memories. Jake moved from Jack's neck to his head, and kissed that. "I love you."
"Love you too," Jack mumbled, and smeared some paint on Jake' cheek without turning around. "Do you want to help improve the room, too? I thought green."
"It couldn't be better," Jake told him, dismissing the invitation.
It couldn't be, but he was looking at Jack.