I kind of love the idea of Jean offering his last name before him and Jeremy are even together, like havent even had their frist kiss yet. Maybe they take Jab on a walk and someone recognizes him and calls him Knox, which just puts him in his standoffish mood, coming to terms with the fact that he does genuinely want to change it. Jean obviously picks up on the discomfort and asks him about it.
"I don't want to be a Knox anymore. I won't take the Wilshire name, I refuse to, but keeping Knox just isn't good for me anymore. It makes me feel stuck I guess. Maybe I should search a list of baby names. Or do you think its legal to simply not have a last name?" Jeremy teases the idea of being simply 'Jeremy Alan' while Jean ponders, eyes on Jab who is now chewing on a bush. Tapping Jab on the back to distract him from the potentially harmful plant, he states it as a fact "You can use Moreau." Jeremy stops walking, staring dead ahead with a completely blank face.
"What." It comes out on the third try, barely auditable.
"If you wanted, you could be a Moreau." Jean looks at him and Jeremy can feel heat over his entire body.
"I don't think you understand what that might imply to people." Jeremy tries to keep his voice steady, still avoiding Jeans eyes.
"I wouldn't mind." And Jean smiles, a soft genuine smile, to which Jeremy loses every bit of composure he had. Jab circles at Jeremys feet, wanting to keep moving. Jeremy finally brings himself to look at Jean, his knees nearly giving out at the peaceful look of...longing.
"You would actaully want that?" A small spike of panic rises when Jean full body turns to face him.
"Jeremy Moreau." Jean nods, as if agreeing to the way it sounds on his lips. The heavy feeling of butterflies swarming Jeremys stomach has him feeling light headed.
"Yeah." He manages to whisper out. "Jeremy Moreau. I could get used to that." Still frozen in place on the sidewalk, Jean reachs a hand out, brushing against Jeremys as he takes the leash. Jean doesn't say anything else, but calmly gets them moving again. Jeremy lingers slightly behind, his gaze locked on Jean, on the way he so naturally walks with Jab, on how none of this conversation seems to weigh on him. Jeremy has a thought, rushing to catch up. "In what context?" He forces the words out before he can second guess himself. Jean says nothing, turning to him, his eyes flicking to Jeremys lips for a split second, then meeting Jeremys'. Jean shrugs, focusing back on the walk, not directly answering and yet Jeremy feels like his heart is going to give out. Jeremy goes to take the leash back, needing a distraction, but Jean grabs his hand, not letting go as he puts their hands down by their sides. Jeremy stares at the concrete, red faced and breathing uneven as he laces their fingers together. It repeats in his head the whole walk home, Jeremy Moreau, Jeremy Moreau, Jeremy Moreau.