do they cease to exist when you stop being missed

[mightyfallen]

Who: Jack and Balthier
What: Some fussing and recuperating. Also, dinner.
Where: Jack's ridiculous apartment in West Gidd.
When: Tuesday Misdi evening.
Warnings: Food details, otherwise nothing much.

Despite what he said in his text, it might be better if Balthier doesn't hurry over. The contents of Jack's fridge being well above your usual bachelor fodder of condiments and old bread (he is, after all, a bachelor raised to ridiculous culinary standards), what he throws together is somewhat involved, including not only both meat and vegetables but actual herbs and spices. A little pepper the steaks, parsley and tarragon with the root vegetables, and he refrains from glazing anything out of vague recollection of the other man's tastes.

The activity helps him process – which is what he calls it in his mind, not think or feel, like he's some kind of machine that should be able to take the lingering echos of so many souls lost under his command (and more, closer to him) and arrive at a neat, clean explanation for why he's been so irritated at the thought of losing anyone else.

But he didn't lose anyone, this time. He has to remind himself of that, and there'd be relief in the thought if he was willing to acknowledge having anything to be relived over, which naturally he isn't. Instead, he's chopping too many carrots and cussing at the stove and will generally feel a lot better when he can actually see his friend in one piece.