"You're strong because you are you and because you'll do what you can for us," he whispers back, his tones rough and gravelly as if by full force of his words he can make Jesper believe it. Even if they know it's not true, and he knows what Jesper's weaknesses are. He's played them enough to know every single one of them.
Just as he knows them now to use them against him to protect him and give him all he can. He may not be good at relationships and making them work, but he knows people. He knows Jesper better than he knows himself, and he knows how to use that.
One arm tightens around him, shifting just enough to rest his hand against Jesper's, to hold him there like that.
His other hand touches Jesper's cheek though, then against his neck for a moment as he lets his thumb rest against the other man's racing pulse. A moment later though he moves to let it slide further, tugging and pulling until he can get his hand beneath fabric and press slender, cool fingers against Jesper's skin. Such a simple gesture from anyone else, but Kaz seeking out skin on skin contract to back up his words.
"You are mine, Jesper. If you were to fail, and you won't, then I'll still be there and I will still love you." Now his words are harder, not with anger but determination. "I trust you to do everything you can. I trust you to fight. But you are mine and you always will be."
He'd let him go with Wylan in their world, before this place and a future Kaz fought for daily. He wouldn't let him go again, even if he knew he had never lost him in their life and he wouldn't here.
"Though if you think I can't be with you at every moment of every day you are truly underestimating my possessiveness and willpower."
It's unrealistic and they both know it but that won't change how he feels about it in that moment, to offer Jesper comfort... and to calm him if he can.
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Just as he knows them now to use them against him to protect him and give him all he can. He may not be good at relationships and making them work, but he knows people. He knows Jesper better than he knows himself, and he knows how to use that.
One arm tightens around him, shifting just enough to rest his hand against Jesper's, to hold him there like that.
His other hand touches Jesper's cheek though, then against his neck for a moment as he lets his thumb rest against the other man's racing pulse. A moment later though he moves to let it slide further, tugging and pulling until he can get his hand beneath fabric and press slender, cool fingers against Jesper's skin. Such a simple gesture from anyone else, but Kaz seeking out skin on skin contract to back up his words.
"You are mine, Jesper. If you were to fail, and you won't, then I'll still be there and I will still love you." Now his words are harder, not with anger but determination. "I trust you to do everything you can. I trust you to fight. But you are mine and you always will be."
He'd let him go with Wylan in their world, before this place and a future Kaz fought for daily. He wouldn't let him go again, even if he knew he had never lost him in their life and he wouldn't here.
"Though if you think I can't be with you at every moment of every day you are truly underestimating my possessiveness and willpower."
It's unrealistic and they both know it but that won't change how he feels about it in that moment, to offer Jesper comfort... and to calm him if he can.