Outward Appearance inward Significance

Is now complete:D

It took time.

It took time and love and patience.

But as Bitty said, they had all three, bucket loads of it. Jack smiled at him, soft and tender, a hint of something sad in his eyes, and said, “I think we need to work on patience. At least I do.”

Jack and Bitty walked around the Pond. Winter loosened its hold, the ice thinning in places. He held Bitty’s hand tightly, not sure if he was afraid Bitty would wander out into the ice or if he questioned Bitty’s reality. Seeing as he didn’t have the best imagination, Bitty must be real. It was just a feeling after all.

Bitty leaned into Jack’s shoulder and squeezed his hand. Jack could feel the tremors rolling through Bitty’s body, looking at the Pond. “What do you think happened? Really?”

Jack kissed him, hand cupping his face, fingers still entwined with his other hand and Bitty’s. Always holding Bitty, touching him, when they were near. “Does it matter?” he asked, and then he kissed him harder, longer when Bitty said, “No.”

Thank you for all the wonderful comments:) Read on Ao3 http://archiveofourown.org/works/7293493/chapters/18459430