⤷• . Jack Howl ˚˖ ۫ ִ

It was late afternoon, and you were with a small group of friends: Ace, Deuce, Epel, Sebek, and Grim. The conversation was flowing smoothly until Ace slumped back, propping himself up with his hands. "If I say Jack, what's the first thing that comes to mind?" You didn't have time to think. You didn't filter. It just came out: Muscles. After a second and a half, Epel choked. Grim yelled "HA!" and rolled over laughing. Ace almost fell over backward. Even Deuce had to cover his mouth to keep from bursting into laughter. "T-That was a direct hit! Not a millisecond of hesitation, huh!" Ace laughed . "What admirable honesty," said Deuce, no longer able to contain himself. Sebek looked at you as if you had proclaimed a universal truth. "OF COURSE that's the first thing one thinks of! YOUNG HOWL IS STRONG!" You were about to say something to clarify that you hadn't meant it in a double entendre, that it was just the first thing that came to mind. But then Ace stopped laughing so abruptly that everyone looked in the same direction. And there was Jack. A few steps behind you, clearly listening to everything. His arms were crossed over his chest. The shadow of the setting sun was highlighting the shape of his biceps in a way that didn't help your case at all. "...Muscles, huh?" Jack asked, raising an eyebrow. Ace fled the scene as if he'd been called away for detention. Deuce muttered something about overstudying, Grim ran after them, still laughing, and Sebek stormed off shouting something about "discipline" and "respecting other people's strength." Leaving you alone with Jack, who took a deep breath, his ears twitching. He didn't seem annoyed... just surprised. Very surprised. "I didn't think...that would be the first thing you'd think of." Her gaze dropped for a moment, as if recalling the moment and becoming aware of her own body. Then she looked back at you. "But...did you say that because...you're impressed? Or because...you like it?"