[The timing of events provided some cover, a death and a wedding at once. Jack might argue that there's not much difference in these circumstances.
He doesn't know much about the baron, but he does know that look on Vanessa's face when she delivered the news. It's unfair to her, no matter what their misunderstandings in the past.
But it troubles him more for personal, selfish reasons.
He wants to protest Johnny taking the night off, because suddenly it's even more important for Johnny's spire to flourish. But could that be a double-edged sword? If Johnny's too good, if Morla sees in him what Jack does, he might then become a strong match for another. He has to find that balance.]
...What?
[He blinks out of his thoughts before shaking his head at his lover.]
[ His men will still go full steam ahead without him; the work doesn't come to a standstill when he's not around. He frowns at that -- they're all anxious, on edge and ready to snap, so that's not it. There's something more, and he shakes his head, propping his chin on his hand as he regards him. ]
It's more than that. Don't ask me how I know, I just do.
[A muscle in his tightly clenched jaw twitches. Jack doesn't doubt that. There's something about being with someone, knowing them as intimately as they've come to know each other. Jack's mood was quiet but strong when he heard of Saber's death. But then something else made him turn to ice.]
Arranged marriages. [He says it simply.] I never dreamed they would be a tool of the Unseelie.
[ Johnny is just about to wave it off when he realises that Jack is not joking about it, that it affects him on a much more deeper level than he's willing to let on even now, in the privacy of their home.
He shifts -- Johnny's found out how to discern when Jack's mad at him, or when he's retreating into himself, and it's definitely the latter. He rustles the sheets, reaching out to thread his fingers in Jack's. ]
Are you afraid she would make you marry someone you don't want to? [ Okay, so it bothers him a little, too. And Jack is a fine match for anyone, as far as Johnny's concerned. ]
[He gives Johnny's hand a tight squeeze, nearly instinctual.]
She married Baron to Baroness.
[A good match to those with a more political eye, tying two spires together, strengthening them. When the downside is only the unhappiness of the two people involved, there's no downside at all. That's how this works.]
You're a young Baron, Johnny. She could leash you to someone with more experience, someone stronger.
[ The idea of Johnny being married to anyone at all is so ludicrous and impossible that his mind had already blocked it out before anything else. He thinks about it for a few moments. ]
Well, that's definitely not happening. [ He brings Jack's hand to his lips, kissing the back of it, long and lingering when he feels Jack squeeze it. ] You were arranged to be married before too, haven't you? I remember you told me that. Some girl. Wolf-something.
Lucinda Wolfson. She was sweet and beautiful and she loved me, and all of that would've been repaid with misery and ruin. My father locked her in a room with me like a broodmare.
[His bitterness intensifies. At least there's been no mention of heirs here. Yet. Jack leans closer to him, looking him in the eyes.]
I was the prince. I thought myself untouchable for a time. And when I made my mistakes, I thought there was nothing but death to fear. I was wrong on both counts. You must be careful, Johnny. Morla makes my father look like an insect.
[ It's the look in Jack's eyes that bothers him, the words that he tells him -- Jack's taking this hard and with good reason; the same could happen to him and someone else. He leans in, too, cupping his face as his heart aches for Jack, for that innocent girl who loved Jack.
His thumb rubs gently over his cheekbone, his lips. Johnny would refuse, he would rebel and demand that marriage be a yoke for someone else, not him. But Jack was like that too, his prince. He presses his forehead to his. It could happen, to Johnny's distaste; but if it did, if Morla grabbed ahold of Jack and Johnny had to do it for his sake, with no other choice...... ]
Hey, I could marry Ariadne. You know she'd be okay with us doing our own thing.
[Jack sighs and closes his eyes, lets his forehead rest there. He does at least care for Ariadne quite a bit himself, and there are other advantages too. But this is about principle and his own possessiveness.
[ Johnny tells him airily, but he becomes serious when Jack doesn't seem inclined to smack him for that. He nuzzles him, frowning. Johnny doesn't want to be married to anyone, not now, not anytime in the near future, but Jack's worried about this and he wants to soothe him. ]
Jack. C'mon. Look at me. [ He meets his eyes then, fingers curling under his prince's chin. ] I'd fight tooth and nail against it if I had to. Find another way that doesn't involve the whole marriage shindig. Trust me, okay?
[Johnny makes everything sound so easy, but Jack knows him, knows that it's more about his belief in himself no matter what the odds. He's essentially asking Jack to believe that too.
[ Focusing on something else means Saber, her death, and he sobers up quickly, and everything else that comes with it. They're mourning, and the sadness in the air seems pervasive at the passing of someone so great, as is the festering anger of the ones who seek revenge.
They're an unpredictable group, the Seelie would never know what hit them. He turns to face him, his expression dark. ]
It's got to be either one, right? A Seelie or a fox cultist.
Saber was no fool. She wouldn't have just wandered into enemy territory, certainly not alone. And it would've taken a particularly bold and skilled Seelie to come to her.
[Jack's guess is clear. After the attack on Ariadne, a cult attack on Saber wouldn't surprise him in the least.]
[ But it's troubling, and Johnny bites his lip when he thinks on that. He shifts, draping an arm instinctively around his lover's waist. It's not a night as chilly as others, but he wants Jack close anyway. He wants to keep him safe. If Saber's killed, then the question is, who's next? ]
I hope they find out. [ He says quietly, feeling a familiar burn of anger simmer in his stomach. The body count is two now, when it comes to the people he cares for -- albeit Saber had a more profound influence and impact on him. ] And I hope the people involved die for it.
[Nothing can bring back the dead, and justice should be served, but Jack would have every valuable word from their tongue before it was cut out. Maybe they could stop the next death.
He moves closer to him too, even if Johnny's body always feels like a furnace. There'll be cool nights soon enough, and then he'll appreciate it.]
Be extra cautious, no matter where you are, no matter how safe you feel.
Are you going to investigate? I'm not quite sure who is, but Grell seems pretty good to get information from.
[ Johnny actively tries to lower his body temperature; he doesn't want to stifle Jack in bed, and he presses a kiss over his forehead. Trust Jack to think about him even at a time like this. ] You, too. I don't want anyone to take you away from me just yet.
[It takes a patience that Jack doesn't really have. He smiles over at him.]
But if they find who did it and need any help, I'll be sure to offer. [Jack reaches up, brushing his thumb against Johnny's bottom lip.] I'll be fine. I'm a stubborn one, in case you've forgotten.
[ Johnny tells him. He leans over to nuzzle him briefly, quietly glad to have him here, alive and talking to him. He kisses Jack's thumb, again and again. ]
Gonna worry anyway. [ His brows furrow. ] But Saber was powerful, and they killed her. You know how strong she was, and -- just like that. I never want it happening to you.
[He looks at Johnny tenderly, biting his tongue against the words that spring to it. He doesn't need to be reminded that there's a war going on, that death is always a possibility. Right now they're together and safe, and no harm can come to them in this bedroom.]
Stop mourning my death. [Jack smirks softly.] Think more about how to make me feel alive tonight.
[ Johnny finds himself agreeing with that point of view. Thinking about how to make Jack feel alive tonight, for them to lose themselves in each other. He knows him, Jack, most precious, most important, and he moves under the sheets to move above him, caging his prince down onto the pillows.
There's a war going on, but now they're together and safe, and Johnny would protect him with his life. He leans down to kiss that soft, sweet mouth, humming gently. ]
Take your clothes off, baby. I'll show you just how I'll make you feel alive. D'you want me buried inside you tonight?
[Jack chases his mouth, kissing it, tasting it again and again between those words. It curves at that last question, and he catches Johnny's bottom lip between his teeth to give a playful little tug.
Jack slides his hands over Johnny's body before gripping him by the hips, pulling them flush together so he can feel for himself that he's doing and saying all the right things.]
I want you inside me before the night is through, and again after the sun rises.
[Another kiss followed by some soft laughter against Johnny's tender mouth.]
And again before noon if I haven't had my fill. I feel extra hungry tonight.
[ Johnny laughs gently at him, reaching for the small jar of lubricant at their nightstand. He unscrews the cap and dabs his fingers in it, tugging Jack's shorts off to ease a hand down the back of Jack's thigh, guiding his leg around his waist.
He kisses him again, and again, hopelessly greedy for his lover -- he's addicted and it's obvious, and Johnny impatiently tugs his own boxers down his thighs, his cock thick and heavy, rubbing against Jack's abdomen.
Johnny shivers, lips trailing down to his neck, his collarbone. ] You're going to wear out my cock, baby. You gonna kiss it better after that?
[Jack bites into his lip, squeezing Johnny's hip with his leg. He's thinking wicked thoughts, that much is obvious, but he always is when they're like this. He reaches a hand down to slide along that rigid length.]
Are you that worried about it? You could have another one fashioned to use if you are.
[ Johnny stops short, regarding him, but not quite able to resist the soft groan of pleasure when Jack feels him up, his dick tingling with every stroke. Keep those bitey little kisses coming, Jack. Speaking of dicks: ]
[There's soft laughter as Jack's open mouth presses against his jaw, up to his ear where he catches the lobe gently between his teeth.]
You've never thought about it? Or maybe you've never played with them before?
[Jack's always thought there's something just a touch vanilla about Johnny. Lots of sex, yes. A threesome here and there. But he wonders if he's ever used anything other than his own body. Not that that isn't enough, but that look on Johnny's face is of a man intrigued.]
Besides, you keep working the way you have been and I might need a little extra something to keep me company.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
action;
He doesn't know much about the baron, but he does know that look on Vanessa's face when she delivered the news. It's unfair to her, no matter what their misunderstandings in the past.
But it troubles him more for personal, selfish reasons.
He wants to protest Johnny taking the night off, because suddenly it's even more important for Johnny's spire to flourish. But could that be a double-edged sword? If Johnny's too good, if Morla sees in him what Jack does, he might then become a strong match for another. He has to find that balance.]
...What?
[He blinks out of his thoughts before shaking his head at his lover.]
I'm just anxious for more news on Saber's death.
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It's more than that. Don't ask me how I know, I just do.
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Arranged marriages. [He says it simply.] I never dreamed they would be a tool of the Unseelie.
action;
He shifts -- Johnny's found out how to discern when Jack's mad at him, or when he's retreating into himself, and it's definitely the latter. He rustles the sheets, reaching out to thread his fingers in Jack's. ]
Are you afraid she would make you marry someone you don't want to? [ Okay, so it bothers him a little, too. And Jack is a fine match for anyone, as far as Johnny's concerned. ]
action;
[He gives Johnny's hand a tight squeeze, nearly instinctual.]
She married Baron to Baroness.
[A good match to those with a more political eye, tying two spires together, strengthening them. When the downside is only the unhappiness of the two people involved, there's no downside at all. That's how this works.]
You're a young Baron, Johnny. She could leash you to someone with more experience, someone stronger.
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Well, that's definitely not happening. [ He brings Jack's hand to his lips, kissing the back of it, long and lingering when he feels Jack squeeze it. ] You were arranged to be married before too, haven't you? I remember you told me that. Some girl. Wolf-something.
action;
[His bitterness intensifies. At least there's been no mention of heirs here. Yet. Jack leans closer to him, looking him in the eyes.]
I was the prince. I thought myself untouchable for a time. And when I made my mistakes, I thought there was nothing but death to fear. I was wrong on both counts. You must be careful, Johnny. Morla makes my father look like an insect.
action;
His thumb rubs gently over his cheekbone, his lips. Johnny would refuse, he would rebel and demand that marriage be a yoke for someone else, not him. But Jack was like that too, his prince. He presses his forehead to his. It could happen, to Johnny's distaste; but if it did, if Morla grabbed ahold of Jack and Johnny had to do it for his sake, with no other choice...... ]
Hey, I could marry Ariadne. You know she'd be okay with us doing our own thing.
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[Jack sighs and closes his eyes, lets his forehead rest there. He does at least care for Ariadne quite a bit himself, and there are other advantages too. But this is about principle and his own possessiveness.
And he can think of at least one downside.]
And I think Bucky might kill you for it.
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[ Johnny tells him airily, but he becomes serious when Jack doesn't seem inclined to smack him for that. He nuzzles him, frowning. Johnny doesn't want to be married to anyone, not now, not anytime in the near future, but Jack's worried about this and he wants to soothe him. ]
Jack. C'mon. Look at me. [ He meets his eyes then, fingers curling under his prince's chin. ] I'd fight tooth and nail against it if I had to. Find another way that doesn't involve the whole marriage shindig. Trust me, okay?
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He sighs heavily and gives him a conceding nod.]
Alright. Let's focus on something else for now.
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They're an unpredictable group, the Seelie would never know what hit them. He turns to face him, his expression dark. ]
It's got to be either one, right? A Seelie or a fox cultist.
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[Jack's guess is clear. After the attack on Ariadne, a cult attack on Saber wouldn't surprise him in the least.]
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I hope they find out. [ He says quietly, feeling a familiar burn of anger simmer in his stomach. The body count is two now, when it comes to the people he cares for -- albeit Saber had a more profound influence and impact on him. ] And I hope the people involved die for it.
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[Nothing can bring back the dead, and justice should be served, but Jack would have every valuable word from their tongue before it was cut out. Maybe they could stop the next death.
He moves closer to him too, even if Johnny's body always feels like a furnace. There'll be cool nights soon enough, and then he'll appreciate it.]
Be extra cautious, no matter where you are, no matter how safe you feel.
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[ Johnny actively tries to lower his body temperature; he doesn't want to stifle Jack in bed, and he presses a kiss over his forehead. Trust Jack to think about him even at a time like this. ] You, too. I don't want anyone to take you away from me just yet.
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[It takes a patience that Jack doesn't really have. He smiles over at him.]
But if they find who did it and need any help, I'll be sure to offer. [Jack reaches up, brushing his thumb against Johnny's bottom lip.] I'll be fine. I'm a stubborn one, in case you've forgotten.
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[ Johnny tells him. He leans over to nuzzle him briefly, quietly glad to have him here, alive and talking to him. He kisses Jack's thumb, again and again. ]
Gonna worry anyway. [ His brows furrow. ] But Saber was powerful, and they killed her. You know how strong she was, and -- just like that. I never want it happening to you.
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Stop mourning my death. [Jack smirks softly.] Think more about how to make me feel alive tonight.
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[ Johnny finds himself agreeing with that point of view. Thinking about how to make Jack feel alive tonight, for them to lose themselves in each other. He knows him, Jack, most precious, most important, and he moves under the sheets to move above him, caging his prince down onto the pillows.
There's a war going on, but now they're together and safe, and Johnny would protect him with his life. He leans down to kiss that soft, sweet mouth, humming gently. ]
Take your clothes off, baby. I'll show you just how I'll make you feel alive. D'you want me buried inside you tonight?
action;
Jack slides his hands over Johnny's body before gripping him by the hips, pulling them flush together so he can feel for himself that he's doing and saying all the right things.]
I want you inside me before the night is through, and again after the sun rises.
[Another kiss followed by some soft laughter against Johnny's tender mouth.]
And again before noon if I haven't had my fill. I feel extra hungry tonight.
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[ Johnny laughs gently at him, reaching for the small jar of lubricant at their nightstand. He unscrews the cap and dabs his fingers in it, tugging Jack's shorts off to ease a hand down the back of Jack's thigh, guiding his leg around his waist.
He kisses him again, and again, hopelessly greedy for his lover -- he's addicted and it's obvious, and Johnny impatiently tugs his own boxers down his thighs, his cock thick and heavy, rubbing against Jack's abdomen.
Johnny shivers, lips trailing down to his neck, his collarbone. ] You're going to wear out my cock, baby. You gonna kiss it better after that?
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[Jack bites into his lip, squeezing Johnny's hip with his leg. He's thinking wicked thoughts, that much is obvious, but he always is when they're like this. He reaches a hand down to slide along that rigid length.]
Are you that worried about it? You could have another one fashioned to use if you are.
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[ Johnny stops short, regarding him, but not quite able to resist the soft groan of pleasure when Jack feels him up, his dick tingling with every stroke. Keep those bitey little kisses coming, Jack. Speaking of dicks: ]
Are you talking about getting sex toys?
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You've never thought about it? Or maybe you've never played with them before?
[Jack's always thought there's something just a touch vanilla about Johnny. Lots of sex, yes. A threesome here and there. But he wonders if he's ever used anything other than his own body. Not that that isn't enough, but that look on Johnny's face is of a man intrigued.]
Besides, you keep working the way you have been and I might need a little extra something to keep me company.
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