[Didn't think that Jack would do something like that, didn't think before he speaks. It's always been Johnny's way.]
They're my employees, Johnny, not my property. I arranged for them to be trained to handle anyone who tried to treat them as such, and they're free to go at any time. And if that's not clear enough, no, I don't kidnap or force them to do anything.
I know. I'm sorry. [ Johnny might be a hothead, rash and impulsive, but even he knows when he's fucked up big time, and now is one of them. He can hear it, the hurt that rings in his voice, masked with anger. He's cracked something between them, made it terrible, and he rubs at his face.
One day, he'll stop fucking up what's becoming one of the most precious things to him, too. He still believes the best in Jack, still adores everything about him, even the parts that are hard to love. ] I'm a big dumbass for even asking that, and you should, like, kick me or something. Free kicks. I'll let you do that.
[It's hard to want to kick Johnny himself when he seems to be doing plenty of it on his own, so clearly regretting the question. Jack sighs, trying to bleed some of the tension and anger out of him.]
You can keep yelling at me, you know. I messed up. [ And Jack wouldn't be wrong for doing it, for hurting him the way Johnny had so very accidentally hurt Jack. ]
I don't want to yell at you, I don't want to kick you. I don't want to be angry with you.
[And that's sort of new, surprising. This ability to forgive...it's a part of something special, something Jack suspects but won't pin the name to yet.]
[ Sort of new? This is very new. Johnny stares at him in open surprise, unsure what to make of what he's hearing from Jack. They would've fought about this normally, and Jack would've drawn blood, and Johnny is worried. ]
[ Because there will be rumors of a playboy baron partying it up, buying girls to catch the attention of the leader. Reports of wild nights, perhaps, from a courtesan or two who wants to curry favor with Jack. ]
[ But in this, Jack is not alone. It terrifies Johnny, too -- but he doesn't want to run away, not now. He's in too deep, and being apart from him actually hurts a little.
Johnny touches his screen briefly, tracing over the lines of his face with a faint smile. ]
No matter what you hear, there's only you. [ He bites his lip. ] I'm going to take her out and make her disappear.
[ He loves when Jack has such faith in him, when he believes in him without question -- and he understands, now, how much it hurt Jack when Johnny thoughtlessly asked him the one question he never needed to ask.
Johnny bites his lip; he'll make it up to his lover the best way he can. ] With all the extra crispy bacon on top of the fluffiest eggs you can have. Kiwis?
God, you make me hot when you talk like that. [ Johnny maybe just leers a little because goddamn, Jack, your slick words are probably what makes boys and girls fall all over themselves for you. ]
I should quit my mission and come back to you right now.
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[Didn't think that Jack would do something like that, didn't think before he speaks. It's always been Johnny's way.]
They're my employees, Johnny, not my property. I arranged for them to be trained to handle anyone who tried to treat them as such, and they're free to go at any time. And if that's not clear enough, no, I don't kidnap or force them to do anything.
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One day, he'll stop fucking up what's becoming one of the most precious things to him, too. He still believes the best in Jack, still adores everything about him, even the parts that are hard to love. ] I'm a big dumbass for even asking that, and you should, like, kick me or something. Free kicks. I'll let you do that.
[ He sighs. ] It was such a stupid question.
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Stop.
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[And that's sort of new, surprising. This ability to forgive...it's a part of something special, something Jack suspects but won't pin the name to yet.]
Just do your mission and come home.
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Are you -- um. Really?
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[Jack meets his eyes, one brow arching at his lover's dubious expression.]
You don't need me to spell that out too, do you?
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[ He's quiet for a moment. ]
Do you trust me? For this mission?
[ Because there will be rumors of a playboy baron partying it up, buying girls to catch the attention of the leader. Reports of wild nights, perhaps, from a courtesan or two who wants to curry favor with Jack. ]
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[It's barely a whisper, but Jack looks at him steadily, refusing to be afraid of this. Always refusing to run.]
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Johnny touches his screen briefly, tracing over the lines of his face with a faint smile. ]
No matter what you hear, there's only you. [ He bites his lip. ] I'm going to take her out and make her disappear.
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[Jack wants to see this woman removed permanently.]
You're making me breakfast in bed when you get home.
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Johnny bites his lip; he'll make it up to his lover the best way he can. ] With all the extra crispy bacon on top of the fluffiest eggs you can have. Kiwis?
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I should quit my mission and come back to you right now.
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Don't even think about it.
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You're my sunshine, you know.
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And you're mine. But you have work to do.
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