[ He forgets, sometimes, how deep her understanding of him goes. It’s more than her having been there while he struggled. She’d carried her own burden, understands how heavy of a thing it can be to hold. Something tense and anxious unravels a little in him as he watches her watch him, sees the fondness in her eyes and the way she turns that anger and frustration, somehow, into just what he needs to hear.

It matters less in that moment that he can’t believe it all of himself. She believes it of him, believes he can be that man she saw. One that could hold something so precious in his arms to protect rather than do it harm. He swallows hard, nearly overwhelmed.

She’d put it just the right way. Less like his father is a presence still lingering, and more like he’s something to defy. Jesse’s hand tightens on her own, eyes shining as he glances down at the hand on his chest, then back up. ]

I’ve been tryin’ with Chloe. She deserves the best damn father there is, but I think… I haven’t done so bad, maybe.

[ He blinks rapidly, giving his head a little shake with a wobbly laugh. ]

I want us to have somethin’, you and me. Somethin’ that lasts. I want to do good by you. And by Chloe. And whoever else comes along. Just… give me some time?