Private Finished The Cape Of Secrets

Eve just stood for a second before following Jake, looking at his back. Eve was afraid that Jake would distance and close himself off now, because of Eve. This was why Eve normally avoided close relationships with people. His...condition made them stand on their toes and eventually distance themselves. Eve usually let it happen, but now he didn't want to. Not with Jake.
Eve started swimming after Jake, leisurely. His intention was not to catch up to Jake so he took his time.

At the shore Eve did something that surprised even himself; he didn't put on his pants. Eve emerged from the sea and let his scars be in full-view. If Jake hadn't seen them before he sure did now. And it was okay. Eve was sure Jake had scars too, outside or inside or both.
Eve shook his head like a dog and almost immediately his hair tried to return to their original mess. He took off his tank top, soaking wet, and tried to squeeze some water off. After these rituals Eve was like Jake, just in his swimming trunks.

Eve turned to look at Jake, who was sitting against the rockface. Eve went to join him and sat next to him, about a meter away to give him space. Eve didn't pull his legs against his chest but kept them straight before himself, resting against the sand. Eve couldn't tell if it was hot or not.
"Six years ago..."
Eve began carefully, tracing his finger along one of his scars. The burns weren't the only ones, Eve had many small ones. But they were so small and faded they could barely be seen. But these burns, they would never disappear. They would always remind Eve of who he had been, what he had survived. Sometimes it made him stronger. And sometimes weaker. Now it made him sure.
"I found this cape then. I was a different person, and this place was a good place to come and forget. During those times I pushed everyone away, and never even dreamed I'd be able to open my heart enough to show this place to someone. Jake..."
Eve turned his head slightly to look at Jake and small gentle smile lit up his face.
"You being here has more meaning to me than you think. That scene earlier too would never have happened if you weren't my friend, if I didn't care for you. So, thank you. For making me care."

Eve wasn't exactly waiting for a reaction, he had just...wanted to explain. Wanted to tell Jake that he was appreciated, that Eve cared. Only a few people had ever told that to Eve, but he knew it had a really big effect. Eve wanted to give Jake some peace of mind, even if it was just a little. Who knew, maybe Eve's presence wasn't big enough to affect Jake's peace of mind. That was also okay. After all, this was all just Eve's selfishness.

It seemed like Jake did want to say something, and Eve looked at him as he seemed to struggle to say something. Eve became a little worried, was something wrong? Had Eve's words made Jake uncomfortable? Eve wanted to apologize and almost opened his mouth to do so. But then Jake turned to him and was able to speak, only one word bit it was something. Eve patiently waited for Jake to finish, still worried. What was this thing that caused Jake so much distress?

When Jake suddenly stood up and punched the cliff face Eve quickly stood up too, surprise in his eyes. The punch had been strong enough to break the rock. Immediately he looked at Jake's hand and he did indeed see it was hurt. A small cold flame instinctively flared next to Eve's head but he didn't approach Jake, not yet. He still seemed to be struggling. And then he was finally able to say the words that had pained his mind.
"I'm gay."

Eve's first reaction was a big mix of emotions that didn't show on his face. Surprise, confusion, irritation, joy, sadness. But on the top stood concern. Concern for Jake's hand, concern for his mental state, concern for why it distressed him so much to say his sexuality. To admit it.
Eve stood still and silent for a short second, not knowing what to do. Wrong kind of reaction would probably hurt Jake deeply, and Eve would never forgive himself for that. Finally, after a few seconds, Eve exhaled a bit and looked at Jake.
"Thank you for telling me Jake. I'm honoured you thought I was worthy of knowing this."
Eve's tone was quiet and gentle, but serious. This was a serious matter for Jake so Eve would also take it seriously.

Eve could see that Jake was still pained, and that pain resonated in him. Eve had never really struggled with his sexuality, it had just been one part of him. His problems at the time had been far greater and the sexuality had just slipped by in the chaos. But Eve understood it could be painful for many. It was painful for Jake. The reasons didn't matter, not at the moment. All that mattered was that Eve was going to do all in his power to help Jake accept that side of himself, or at least make him feel better about it.

When Jake turned to face Eve he took a small step closer, only a small one. He didn't want to corner Jake. But when Jake looked down and flexed his fingers Eve brought forward his cold flame.
"Let me help. We need to cool it down."
Eve said carefully and enveloped Jake's hand in his flame. It would feel like ice and cool the wound. Hopefully it would ease the pain. At least the physical.

Eve didn't get hurt that Jake couldn't meet his eyes, it was understandable. Eve wasn't smiling but the expression in his eyes was that of understanding and acceptance.
When Jake spoke Eve shook his head a bit.
"I tell you things because I wish for you to understand me, who I am. It's selfishness from my part. I do not expect anything in return. But I am grateful for any small part of you you show me."
When Jake lifted his gaze to Eve's eyes he smiled a little.
"I am repeating myself, but I care about you. So I will support you Jake. Because that is what friends are for. Because I want to."

The flames Eve projected from himself were his very soul. Normally that fact didn't faze Eve, they were just flames among the rest that he could control. But now, when a small part of Eve's soul was wrapped around Jake's wounded hand he felt strangely embarrassed. It was somehow intimate, to use his own soul to soothe Jake's pain. The more Eve thought about it the more flustered he became. But he didn't let it rise to the surface, not in this situation. So Eve kept his face calm through sheer willpower. But when Jake thanked Eve and watched his flame, his soul, dance around his hand Eve couldn't help but let a small blush creep on his cheeks. He answered Jake's gentle smile with his own.
"It is quite alright. I am happy I can help you."

Eve stood firm and brave under Jake's gaze, although it near drove him crazy. Naturally Eve didn't let it show on his face and the small blush on his cheeks could very well be mistaken as a sunburn. Jake didn't know Eve couldn't get sunburned.
But after a while of silence Eve had to supress the need to squirm. So Eve looked at Jake's hand briefly, the swelling wasn't that bad.
"I have some disinfectant and bandages in my bag. I shall get them."
Eve turned away and went to his bag, still under the shadow of the cliff. In the shadow while crouching down to dig in his bag Eve let his cheeks get completely flushed. But only for a second.

Eve returned to Jake with some spray-on disinfectant and bandages. He sent a small smile at Jake before sitting down again, setting the bandages on his leg. Didn't want any sand getting on them.
"Would you like to apply the disinfectant yourself? I can bandage your hand in turn, I am quite skilled at it."

Eve smiled slightly when spoke again, and he also felt like he was returning to normal. Eve was glad Jake felt comfortable enough to do so, he didn't want to ruin his mood.
"Usually yes. I may be tough but when I run alone I get distracted easily, and accidents happen."
Eve shrugged and seemed a bit embarrassed.

Eve waited for Jake to apply the disinfectant, trying not to frown at the self-degrading joke. Eve understood self-degrading humour though he himself did not use it. But it took quite a lot from Eve not to start listing what things including disinfecting his own hand Jake could do right.
After he was done Jake moved closer to Eve. The situation had distracted Eve from the fact that they were both shirtless and even now he was concentrated on Jake's hand. Eve unraveled some of the bandage and started wrapping it around Jake's hand. His hold on Jake's hand was gentle and Eve applied the bandage like he was really used to it.
"I suppose I am fussing. Forgive me. Physical wounds make me restless."
Especially when it's you.
But Eve couldn't say that. Besides, Eve was sure Jake was even more wounded inside than outside.