Deuce and Jack

In Book 2 Jack asks why Deuce’s group is chasing down Ruggie “for the sake of total strangers” and Deuce responds, “This is just a chance for us to score some kudos by catching the culprit.”

Jack says that he was doubting whether he could trust people who would suffer for strangers, “but it turns out you guys are total scum”.

Jack then insists on fighting everyone (“If I’m gonna trust you, I gotta size you up first”) and Deuce is delighted to “THROW DOWN!”

The two appear to reach some kind of understanding through the subsequent scuffle. 

Jack and Deuce also overlap during Vargas Camp, where Deuce insists the track and field team follow Jack’s advice despite Jack’s insistence that he isn’t trying to tell anyone what to do, and they decide to start working together. 

Jack goads Deuce into keeping up with him and Jack outright refuses to believe Deuce and Grim’s story about a monster in the mines.

Deuce explains he and Jack train separately but always end up competing if they happen to be exercising nearby one another, “So I’ll go in planning on a light workout but then end up in a full-blown competition.”

Deuce says that they don’t talk much as “Jack is something of a lone wolf”, but “We’re a lot alike in that way.”

During Halloween Jack confides his problems to Deuce despite his reluctance to to take Savanaclaw’s problems to other dorms, and in a vignette we learn that Jack will vent to Deuce as well, though Jack also tends to make disparaging comments about Deuce’s intelligence that Deuce does not appreciate.

Despite Deuce’s fondness for Crewel he steps up to protect Jack due to a misunderstanding of Crewel’s attempts to readjust Jack’s too-small uniform so that it will no longer restrain his movements when he runs.

When asked who he would take with him to a deserted island Deuce says, “if you’re going on an adventure, you have to be smart, tough, and brave! By that metric, Jack or Epel would be pretty good to have along…”

Deuce is Jack’s interviewer for his second birthday, and during the White Rabbit Fes event he Deuce buys a wristwatch for Jack.

Deuce explains, “Apparently he broke his running watch. I figure since I’m back home in the land of timepieces and all, I should get one as a souvenir for Jack. Plus if this helps him improve his times, that’s more motivation for me!”

Deuce follows with, “The thing about distance running is you’re basically just trying to best your own times, so it can feel kind of lonely. But measuring yourself against someone else really lights a fire under you. Because now you have a rival.”

Deuce and Jack get into an argument during the Rapunzel event that escalates into Deuce challenging Jack to a “sugar-cubes-and-frying-pan race,” with Jack having to fill the role of the thief from a fairy tale and get locked in a broom closet if he loses.

Deuce wins and Jack observes, “So you weren’t plotting any tricks. You just challenged me to something you knew you could beat me at. Tch…well played, Deuce.”

Afterwards Kalim says that they should try the race again and Deuce agree if they “don’t mind (him) winning.” Jack says, “I’m winning the next one, obviously.”

After Riddle, too, expresses interest in participating Deuce responds, “I’m gonna come out on top no matter who I’m up against!”