"Thanks." Reassurances didn't matter, of course. But they had to be given. Because words meant nothing, and yet meant everything. Someone other than you believed in the dream, believed in you indirectly, and support, even if it is just verbal, provided one of the countless bricks required to build a monument.
"Though it would have been so nice if you moved to Iceland......." Albus painted a stupidly hopeful smile on his face, and mimed staring off into the distance. His lips were moving traitorously up though, betraying hints of an amused, almost-roguish smirk. She didn't need to know, or perhaps she already knew, that if she did suddenly decide to pack up her bags and leave his life, then he would eventually retreat back to his safe place, the shell. All these fantasies, plans....would remain forever unfinished.
Then Jack delivered her exclamation on the book, and Albus gave into the urge, and let his forever-calm facial features be overwhelmed by a brilliant smile. He had been longing to hear one, atleast one person's appraisal of his idea, his work, and Jack didn't dole out praises easily. Something shivered in his chest, and he felt like.....like he had actually accomplished something. He raised his hand, and high-fived Jack's. "Th-thanks.....the idea had been trapped in my mind for a long time, and I just..." He smiled, almost to himself, "Set it free."