Work Text:
Jack sat in the bottom of a closet, scrolling through TikTok. Nobody had come through the hotel in a while. Usually he found his fun by scaring anyone who was unfortunate enough to open a closet he was hanging out in. Even if anyone was in the building today, they weren’t opening any closet Jack was in.
Maybe the volume on his phone was too loud, because he started to hear a quiet groaning from the opposite side of the closet. He looked up and saw Hide’s smaller figure subtly moving.
“Did I wake you up again?”
Jack could just barely see Hide nod in the darkness, rubbing their tired eyes with their hands. Hide usually got upset when anyone was too close to them, even the other entities. Jack was an only exception for them.
He really wasn’t sure why. He’s always considered himself obnoxious and loud, so it was a wonder to him that such a timid entity would allow him near them.
“Can I watch.. those with you?”
Hide whispered, pointing at the phone.
Jack muttered an ‘of course’ and adjusted himself in a way that Hide could comfortably sit with him. They sat with their back facing him and he loosely wrapped his arms around them so both of them could see the screen.
He wasn’t too sure if Hide was actually paying attention to the videos, but he noticed them leaning further onto him in a way. Not saying anything. Not moving. Just letting their body relax against Jack’s.
He smiled and gently rested his chin on Hide’s head, pulling his arms closer around them. This earned a surprised hum out of them, but they didn’t complain or move.
Jack started to think about it. This entity- one that so often pushed others away for being too close or even touching them for a moment- was practically alowing themself to be held by him. There was no sign of their usual uncomfortable behaviors. No signs that they wanted to be elsewhere. Only a feeling of comfort and trust between the two.
And it made him chuckle a bit. Not because it was funny, just because chuckling felt like the only way to release the odd pressure in his chest that came with the thought.
Hide tilted their head up as if trying to look at Jack, humming in a questioning way.
“Just thought of something funny.”
They hummed again, in understanding this time, and nestled back up under Jack’s chin.
Such a weird feeling. He could only compare it to rain on a window. Quick but steady. A bit overwhelming, unsure whether it was in a negative or positive way.
Apparently he was pondering on this for quite a while, because when he returned to reality from zoning out his phone screen was dark and Hide was asleep again.
He just gently smiled and sat the phone down. His arms were now fully wrapped around the smaller entity, and he closed his eyes.
Jack usually has a lot of fun when mortals come through. He enjoys scaring people who are looking for their next hiding spot.
Maybe, though, the hotel being quiet and still was good too. This is good.