By the time they move onto actual like, cuddling, Clive has managed to bring his work with him so that Jason can hold him while he looks at it (“it’s so comfortable and relaxing. I don’t know why.”). Jason is breaking internally, telling himself it’s okay to continue cuddling Clive because he’s acting honorable.
But really he spent about five hours the past two days reading up on Clive’s specialty so he can hold a better conversation, and it’s not even the first time.
Jason, situated behind Clive on a couch, holding him while Clive reads over research paper: I actually read that one recently.
Clive: …. You read it?
Jason: yeah. I liked their approach to X
Clive: Me too. *goes into longer rant about it*
Clive leaves an extra big tip (he never tips) and it’s like a punch in the gut.
Professional Cuddler AU
Jason who takes on odd jobs and one of those is as a professional cuddler. Clive is, as always, a researcher at a local university. I struggle with how to get Clive to hire Jason, but I’m going to say it’s Belinda who does it as a joke for his birthday. Clive, of course, shows up because he’s not going to be rude.
Jason is immediately aware that Clive isn’t at all into it and offers to start slow. It’s a 3 hour session (damn, Belinda) so he asks if he wants to have a conversation instead. Start with small skin contact like hand holding or letting their legs touch.
So Jason brews some tea out, and they sit and talk. Letting their legs touch under the table and extra skin contact. Jason talks to Clive, asks him questions, and Clive has a pleasant time being able to talk about everything with someone who is personable and will listen to him. (What he really needs is a therapist, but Jason will do)
Despite originally not wanting to go, Clive books another session.