You’re laughing. It’s not unusual, you laugh a lot, and Jack loves that about you. But this time it’s different. You’re laughing with someone else. Some hunter who showed up at the bunker for a debrief, all smiles and swagger and just a little too close to your personal space. Jack watches from the hallway, frozen halfway between coming to find you and turning back around. The other hunter touches your arm when he makes a joke, and your smile flickers but doesn’t disappear. Jack feels… wrong. Not angry, not really. Not scared, either. But something tight coils in his chest, like his heart is pushing against his ribs too hard. Like it wants out. He steps into the room, unthinking. “Hi,” he says, louder than necessary.

You turn to him, surprised. “Hey, Jack.”

The hunter glances at him, then back to you. “Friend of yours?”

Jack steps closer, inserting himself between you and the guy so subtly it’s not subtle at all. “Yes. Best friend. Important friend.”

You raise an eyebrow. “Jack…”

The hunter chuckles, clearly amused. “Easy, kid. Just chatting.”

“I’m not a kid,” Jack replies, voice firmer than you’re used to hearing. “And your hand was on their arm for more than three seconds. That’s… unnecessary.”

You blink. The hunter chuckles again and takes a step back, raising both hands. “Didn’t mean to start anything.”

He leaves without another word, clearly deciding you, and Jack, are more trouble than you’re worth. You turn to Jack, arms crossed. “That was… something.”

Jack frowns, watching the empty doorway like he’s still trying to process what just happened. “I didn’t like him touching you.”

You soften. “I figured.”

He turns to you, eyes earnest and confused. “Is this jealousy?”

“Yeah,” you say gently. “That’s what that was.”

“I don’t like it,” he says quickly. “It made me feel… all tangled. Like my insides were fighting each other.”

You reach out and touch his hand. “Jealousy happens when you care about someone and you feel like someone else might take them away.”

Jack blinks, looking down at where your fingers brush his. “But no one can take you away from me.”

You smile. “No, Jack. They can’t.” Something in him relaxes then. He slips his hand into yours, holding it like it’s an anchor. His voice is quieter now.

“Good. Because I’d rather feel anything else. Except… maybe when you smile at me. I like that one best.”