songerein | It's Like I'm Powerful With A Little Bit of Tender

Entry tags:

reaper,
soldier: 76

It's Like I'm Powerful With A Little Bit of Tender

Who: Reaper & Soldier: 76
Which: Closed Log
Where: Shared safehouse hidden out in the Wildlands
What: Two old men talk- Reaper definitely has something to say after all.
Warnings: Adult language, unhealthy coping mechanisms mentioned here and there, old men with long history, and things that may come up with old soldiers. Anything else will get added.

76 had pulled together a bench, chair pulled up to it, and had a few parts scattered out over the cloth covered surface. A quiet moment with a bit of natural lighting filtering in through boarded windows and some of the holes left intentionally in the ceiling, an ankle hooked behind a leg of the chair. Mostly he was cleaning gun parts, the side-arm already laid out in its various sections to the side all organized and simply waiting to be put back together.

Routine maintenance, something he found a bit soothing.

Pulse rifle was propped to the side, already taken care of; what was currently being taken apart for servicing was the hunting rifle he'd picked up. Making sure it was cleaned, no worry of it backfiring on him or anything. Almost done by the time he looked up, judging by the light to gauged how much time had passed already.

He glanced to the side then, setting the rifle part down as he pushed up to his feet to check on the cooking pot on the stove. Lifting up the lid and- okay, the stew was just about done. Could lower the temperature and let it just simmer without worry of anything sticking to the bottom and burning.

Ridiculously domestic. A passing thought as he put the lid back down, stretching a bit as he realized how long he must have been sitting there.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"And you're still in denial about the original declaration, and you're the one who made it seem like I'd be put in front of a Firing Squad. So this still sounds like a you problem." This was all about Jack at this point, and he considered the ball in the younger man's court on how to take everything that had happened.

He remained still and stoic even as they settled into the position of leaning on each other. His arms circled a little tighter to welcome the younger man, and he allowed his gloves to dissolve into his skin so he can grip 76 lightly.

"Does that mean that we're exciting over something so trivial?" He could feel 76's breath on his lips and chin, and it drew his eyes down to watch the younger man in front of him. Real close and personal. "And you don't think I already have a mark such as that."

"You're still the one that sounded like you stepped up to one- so," that was a Reyes problem. "Both of us have a problem of our own, nothing new." Par for the course, and keeping some subject as more a consequential backburner thing than at the forefront. Which was, probably, not the best way to deal with this dumped on to him.

Still those little things giving it away, even if part of him was pointedly not paying that as much mind as he should. Aware of their surroundings, the quietness that came with being as far out as they were; Blue was splashing in the river, probably after some fish or grooming feathers like some strange flowing birdbath.

Bare hands were gripping on to him tighter, as were the arms that wrapped around him. This was real? "Guess we're both at that age for it," dully spoken- more distracted than anything, but he could let himself think it. Bench seat was close, wasn't it- "On me? Maybe a memory or two, but that's about it."

"And you're the one that would shoot me if I was in front of one," he added with a small shake of his head because Jack was just being Jack still. Always pressing a point. "We're so old, we make a problem out of everything." A lot of the old optimism was long dead after all, so what was the point of doing anything but have problems.

He noticed that 76 wasn't verbally confirming or denying his old declaration at this point, but the physical actions made it clear that there was at least something between them. It didn't seem like it had changed much, just managed to receive a name for what they were doing at this point. If there was going to be a rejection, he expected that it would have come and gone by now.

"How about you and I go out for dinner tonight?" A real date, Jack. "We don't have to go anywhere public." At least he felt he should push for them to at least attempt something like that, see if the domestic portion they had going could translate to attempts at romance. "Oh Jack, sometimes I do think you play stupid on purpose. Remember that gunshot wound that wouldn't heal?" The one where he still had a smattering of cells there to keep track of the blond. Was that considered stalking? Oh well.

"Of course- why would I let anyone else shoot you?" Dryly stated, but there was some other meaning behind those words that Jack just wasn't going to say outright, "Haven't shot you down though, have I," and rather twist it around to something else instead. "Could say it's a talent we grew into." So many problems.

Did make a small noise in his throat at the question, head tipped enough that he was looking Reaper in the face- "You're asking me out on a date now?" That was far more of a surprise than it should have been, but it was another knock to how serious Gabriel was being about this. He wouldn't put himself out like this, so far out like this, for a joke. Arm tightened around the man's shoulders briefly, fingers grasping, and Jack still remained there where he was.

"...Yeah, dinner." The first actual yes or no answer he'd outright given at least. Even if questioned, Jack was still accepting it. "Could pick it up and take it somewhere private." May as well, given this was not a joke. Right? His nose wrinkled, just briefly. "How could I forget?" He did play dumb sometimes, yes- "I carried it around for a couple or years like that, at least."

"You don't exactly get a choice some days," he replied with a low rough chuckle. "But in a one-on-one, you definitely are one of the only ones that would dare to shoot me." He nudged their foreheads together and rolled his eyes at that little added comment. "You haven't shot me down, no."

His claws lightly dug into the younger man's back, and he raised his brows in response. "I told you we were dating, so obviously that comes with the idea that we are going to have an actual date." It seemed that some of the shock was still clinging to Jack here, and it was amusing to him as much as it made him exasperated.

"That sounds nice. Find one of those high rooftop with a nice view to eat." Like one of those places where they had first had sex again. With just a touch of concentration, he made that old wound twinge despite it having been healed by him. "I've been inside you for a loooooong time," he teased.

There was the faintest of twitches at the corner of his mouth, like some brief flickering of barely living amusement. Despite the subject the dark humor was clinging with strength to every word of it. Forehead nudged back in turn, "At ease then, jackass." Could relax a bit.

... Was just the two of them here, after all.

Would take a bit for the shock to completely shake off, to no longer grasp and hang on to the pieces that thought this all had to still be some joke. No, Gabriel Reyes was completely serious; they were dating and he was pushing for an actual date— "Yeah, makes sense." —and in no way would he push this far for a joke. That fact kept coming back as often as the other thoughts.

"There are a few to choose from, especially blocked from ground view and give side cover," to keep it a private affair. Let them both eat, take off masks, without taking away their own view of the area. Claws dug a bit into the backs of Gabriel's shoulders from the twinge, huffing out a puff of breath. "Romantic," so very dry, but there was that twitch just at the corner of Jack's lips again.

Terrible.

Slowly, as if responding to the order, he relaxed into the hold that he was in and had on 76. It seemed like a fitting gesture given how many times he had been given orders and sometimes even followed them. He was definitely worse about it now, but he could show that he would listen to Jack on occasion.

Besides, aside from Blue and the annoying peacock - who he had yet to name - they were very much alone. The safehouse always seemed to bring about a comforting isolation for them both.

It seemed to him that 76 was finally coming out of the shock of his demands. "With all the Sleepers here, I think I saw a place that makes pizza. They might even have ham and pineapple if you were interested in that and finding a rooftop." Because, in a lot of ways, that rooftop meet up with the dewdrops had kickstarted this in the first place.

"I can be romantic. I'm rusty though." So don't expect much. Limit the expectations now, though he was better than he gave himself credit for. He definitely had more experience than 76 these last few years.

Funny how a place where it was just the two of them, larger winged animals not included, away from so much noise and in such isolation had become a comfort for them both. A place they both could show up at and let masks drop in a very literal sense. An odd sort of unspoken trust that had just grown into something more solid as they kept using it, and meeting up.

... Had been grounding once they'd gotten back from Oz, too.

Couldn't help the faint snort, nose brushing against Gabriel's with just the lightest of nudges. "That honestly sounds almost perfect, more so if we can get them to add ham and pineapple to it," the red onions he could give or take, but the rest was the important parts. "I know that this place has carbonated juices now, so we can pick some of those up to bring with us to a rooftop." Sparkling/fizzy juice and pizza could go damn well together.

"Makes two of us." Last time that Jack was 'romantic'? He managed to change part of a fairytale to involve a deeply polyromantic fae relationship- while wearing a dress. Not that it counted much, but it was odd that it happened.

It was probably a fluke or a twist of fate that they had both arrived at this place in various points of reinforcing it and deciding that it was good enough for the both of them. That wasn't something they generally agreed upon, but apparently after some events, they had kept this place as their own and found comfort in it too.

He would consider it a safe space, which was a rarity.

"How long until your meal is ready to be taken off heat? I think we should undertake this venture sooner than later," he remarked. If one or both of them thought too much about what he was proposing, they might back out. He wasn't going to risk that now that he had committed. "Hmmm, you always did like a good carbonated drink with your pizza. Better than cold pizza with coffee...." Yes, he remembers those days, Jack.

"Neither one of us have been big on large romantic gestures, so it should work out as we ease back into the situation we now find ourselves in." He leaned in and planted a slow and oddly sweet kiss on Jack's lips, sealing the romance right there.

Encouraging vines and other overgrowth helped camouflage it from the outside, so hard to spot at most distances if on didn't know it was there. Cleaned up on the inside and still so much good wood and solid structure; it was good, and had been made better to be used as they'd needed. A tentative agreement at first that had grown into something comforting, that felt natural- unspoken as that had become, too.

Any feeling of safety had a high value these days, and they fact it was one they'd agreed to share was another.

"It can be taken off now, it's finished- and that pot will keep it," so it was something that could be a good meal for tomorrow. Might taste better then for being allowed to sit in the seasoning and flavor in it. Get going before either of them got cold feet, stepping so far out and taking something neither had reached for between them before. His nose wrinkled at that reminder, "Better than consuming coffee alone for the day," a habit he also had. "Might find a flavor you like, too."

True, outside of a large homecooked meal, but— "Step at a time," with a stumble here or there, probably. Jack relaxed into that oddly sweet kiss, a hand rested at the back of Gabriel's neck as fingers curled. No rushing from his side, keeping it unexpectedly tender but still wanting.

Now this place had been improved upon and obscured so much that it was basically their base of operation. It was the place they knew to come to when they wanted time from the city and also knew how to leave indications to each other of their presence. Often those little gestured encouraged the other to come as well.

"Alright, I suppose you should do that so we can head out. Care to wear anything fancy or just the usual digs, hmm?" Jack had taken way too much to cooking and farming and working, and it amused him because he knew it was just like 76 to refuse to be behind a desk any longer. It was also a sad escapism. "A bad habit of the past both of us had." Jack more so than Gabe.

Despite his ushering that they sort out the place and leave, he was still holding Jack against him and lingering in that kiss. It was probably the softest one they had ever shared, and he was in less hurry to slip away if Jack was always going to melt into the embrace. Okay, they could enjoy the moment as reality was sinking in.

Somewhere hidden, somewhere that had become safe in both their minds- event with, or especially because of, over time that the other was there as well. Could be there, would be there. Unspoken. It suited the both of them well with the amount of privacy it afforded.

Could do that, probably should do that—

"Sometimes with a chaser at the very end of the day," making a bad habit worse. Morrison making use of those 'gifts' of fancy and expensive whisky -or scotch, bourbons and liquors galore- that was just strong enough that if he had it at the right time, on an empty stomach, he could feel a little something. Half or whole bottle, gone before he realized it. Chasing something that never lasted long enough, eating away at him.

—but words were mumbled, muffled, by lips even in that soft pressure. No mind in pulling away to pull the pot of stew off the stove then and there, rather staying as he was pressed up against Gabriel. A soft tenderness that was craved but never allowed, and Jack was melted against him for it; arms still wrapped around Reyes to hold nearly as much as he was being held himself.

Easy to pull away from, of course, but he dared to linger still.

Reaper was also aware of the bad habit of drinking under the cover of darkness; it wasn't difficult to know empty bottles were leaving at a certain rate. Even at the end, he had spent a lot of time in 76's office. He had been observant enough to know when the labels on the bottles continually changed, though by that point, he had left 76 to those comforts. They all had to cope somehow.

"A bottle isn't a chaser," he remarked softly. "It wasn't then, and it isn't now." 76 had been creating moonshine strong enough to even rock their metabolisms, which had to mean it was like paint stripper. He might not be happy that the habit had continued, but he was on thin ice when it came to unhealthy habits for coping with trauma.

He lingered in that sweet little the kiss for another full minute before he dropped his hand and gave 76's ass cheek a playful pinch. Then he was slowly withdrawing his lips and nudged the tips of their noses together as he sighed. "Come on, let's go before we don't end up leaving. We're going on a date," he murmured, convincing them both to this.

He'd gone through what had been there the longest first, at least trying to make it look like he'd simply gone through them more gradually. Fooled enough people that didn't actually know him as well as they liked to think. Hadn't gotten too bad until those last few years, and at that point it hadn't mattered to him; every day was a bad day that simply got worse... and worse, and worse.

Knew that Reyes mixed himself a sickeningly sweet paint stripper after incredibly hard missions, but Morrison had gone the further steps himself.

A faint hum, more a low sound than anything really behind it, "Don't do it as much these days." An admittance, but also one that told he'd let up on downing so much of it, outside of incredibly bad moments where he just wanted... out, and the only way out for a brief time was half a jar of moonshine; or full, if it was small.

Jack snorted and there was a bit of a sway for the pinch, even so there was still some lingering reluctance in pull away, but they did part after that nudging of noses. He picked up the pot and moved it off the stove, turning that off and setting it aside. "e are, we're going on a date- this should be fine, lids on secure and it need the time to cool down before I can put it away." Making sure the lid was on securely and tucking the pot into one of the repaired cabinets; would cool in there fine, and no curious animals could get into it.

Turned then, looking Reaper over, taking his own mask off the table to have it in hand; still was more comfortable walking in public with even just the visor on. Everything off was just between them- "Ready then?"

Reaper had learned after his death that his suffering would never be soothed with alcohol, so he turned his attention from what Reyes used to do to cope to focusing entirely on plotting and carrying out his revenge. Every step was to that end, though that had been taken from him that's to Deerington and now this place.

So now he was back to occasionally drinking the paint stripper shit that 76 had fermented. Old habits died hard he supposed.

"No, not as much," he agreed. "Perhaps it won't just be for those bad days when you're trying to sleep and more socially now," he added. He knew that it was more social these days, but before he and 76 had began to occupy a hammock a bit more regularly, he knew that 76 still indulged and he had just plain not bothered to sleep. Neither habit was good for one another.

While 76 busied himself with the pot, Reaper was tucking his braid of hair away down the back of his jacket and pulling his hood back up over his. He didn't yet affix his mask over his face just yet, watching 76 bustle about so the house didn't burn down while they were gone. "Yes, we're going on a date. Maybe you're thick skull will even process that information in a day or two," he said, poking 76's self-revulsion verbally.

He walked over and slung his arm companionably around 76's shoulders, pulling the younger man into motion so that they could leave the safe house they often shared. "Just waiting on you, old man. As always."

"Maybe, but time will tell there more than anything," shoulders shrugged slightly. He still carried a bottle of whisky in his bag, a habit that had started up again when 76 had hidden away and moved about. Stuck firmly with how a part of his process of pulling back together it had become- and a memory. At least it kept firm to only indulge so deeply when he new he was safe and no one could discover him in a poor state.

Even if then it could go either way.

76 grabbed the other leather jacket in his possession, rather than the normal one, that had the attached fabric hood of dark blue that he could pull up. The nights were starting t get that chilled edge, and a little more protection against that wouldn't hurt, right? Shrugging it on and letting the hood remain down just for now- "If that. Could take longer, head isn't what it used to be," and perhaps hat play along came a little too easily, but it was still in jest.

Moved right along with that companionable pulling, and even leaned in against Gabriel a bit as they took those steps. Shadow stepping down to the ground together or whatever way, he was not pulling away from the man yet. "Not waiting long, at least."

"Time hasn't exactly been kind to either of us," he said with a shrug of his shoulders as he waited for 76 to dress so they could leave. Ah, so they were going subtle tonight, were they? No blazing 76 on a leather jacket, just the cozy leather bomber jacket with hood.

He made no effort to change his attire, not even as they left and shadow stepped to the grass below. The peacock who he had yet to name but now hung around all the time gave an annoying call of greeting but seemed to sense they were occupied and decided not to tag along for now.

"It's true. You're old so your memory isn't reliable anymore," he jeered back as he took them towards town. He had already scoped out the place that he planned on them eating at and the rooftop with the best view. It was a clear night, so they were in luck as they grabbed the pizza and he let 76 find the fizzy juice place to grab some beverages.

Then it was back around to the spot he had selected, teleporting up with their goods to settle onto a couple of chair that he had moved up there. Okay, so maybe he had been planning it for at least a day. "Alright, settle in, old man." Below them, in the building they would be having that dinner date on, music drifted up from the interior.

"Life in general in places, really." But that came with the job, more or less- perhaps a lot harsher given what everything had turned into, the losses stacking up to and past the breaking point— But this evening? Jack was at least willing to relax a bit, be a little less easily recognizable to lessen chances of being stopped to chat. Even here that 76 had turned into something a few recognized, but it meant something different. He wasn't sure if that was good or not.

Following along, Blue perking momentarily from where she'd been watching the river with a trilling greeting before turning her attention back to the flowing waters. Apparently she was intent on some fish for her own dinner- and given their newest feature possibly more friendship offerings of food.

"Enough knocks to the head rattled up what was left, too," dryly stated, and there was an elbow to the side that was more light and playful than anything. Made quick work of things, neither really willing to linger other than getting the food and drinks, and 76 was happy to carry either on their journey for this.. Date.

Of course he paused a moment once he caught the bit of set-up done, taken by the simple fact there were chairs and they'd been led back around in a way to this roof in particular. "Nice choice," It was mumbled as Jack did sit down in one of those chairs, catching the music and taking in the view already there. Had- had Gabriel really had this planned? He'd gone through that amount of trouble, simple as it could seem on the outside, that was something big considering—

"Joining me, older man?"

"It doesn't help that a building dropped on your head and I assume that you used your forehead to push your way out of the rubble," he said with a shake of his head as he watched Jack look at their stage for the date. Was that genuine shock? It sure looked like it to him.

"I figured you'd recall this particular rooftop. I know I do," he said with a smirk behind his mask. He walked towards the chairs after 76, setting down the pizza box on the small table that he had set out. He passed over one of those fizzy juices for 76 to have, figuring the younger man would do better with something on hand to fiddle with.

Then he eased himself down into the other seat and only then removed his mask and pushed back his hood. "Nice views, classy music and mostly comfortable chairs. It's as good as eating greasy burgers in the back of an old pick-up truck in Indiana."

"Countless times either jumping or being thrown out whatever story windows, flung against solid walls- you name it? Probably had my head rammed against it," so very easily stated, because who even knew all of the head injuries he'd suffered over the years.

That was genuine shock, even more clear when his visor had finally been tucked away into an inner jacket pocket. "Think I can vaguely recall something," more than vaguely. He knew exactly, because while the music was different it also was- well, the same singer at the moment; Luna. The little sluggy Grumdrops, being stuck together, and the first time they'd had sex. Hard to forget that, even if it hadn't come to mind... too often.

The bottle was taken as legs crossed and Jack let himself get comfortable in that chair, letting out a soft laugh, one hand lifting as a hell rubbed at one of his eyes. Fuck. This was A real date, wasn't it? "Definitely on the same level, so maybe next time could hunt down a place that makes something of a good burger- and at worst, hijack a wagon to ride out into the fields out here." A hum, "Still, this is just as good."

"Don't worry, I'm very aware that you go into most solid objects head first, but maybe stop that? I will smother you in your sleep if you give yourself permanent brain damage." He knew that 76 had suffered more than a few concussions over the years, which was a hazard of the jobs that the younger man took. Now might be a good time to take a little more care with one's health.

Reaper made himself comfortable in the chair, his legs parted and his feet flat on the rooftop. He took a moment to just relax where he was, looking around their surroundings both to make certain they were alone and to admire the view. Music was good tonight, so it was also a good choice of day. Okay, so maybe it had been random because it required him to talk himself into just doing it, but tonight had been the night.

There were paper plates for the pizza on the small table between the chairs, and he opened the box containing their food and pulled out two slices and put them on a plate. He offered that to 76 next. "I haven't looked for a burger place here, but I imagine one exists." He was pulling out some pizza for himself before setting the box between them. "You want to do a wagon ride, you're going to be the one the arrange it. I'm more the city date type."

There was a sound of dry amusement just there in Jack's throat- "Been a while since I last got tossed head first into something solid, so..." He'd be aware of it as best he could at the very least. As much as he could say on the matter of making a solid try at doing better there- even if only in this place. If this was going to be What It Was then- he could do that much, and push to more. Right?

A breathe escaped him slowly, the more that he relaxed into that chair and was able to take it all in. There really could be no denying this was the real deal, of everything he felt he could still have a solid hold on knowing Reyes even now. This wasn't a joke, he wasn't being fucked with. This was... Wanted. Fuck.

Took that offered plate in hand, bottle of 'sparkling' juice rested on solid and flat surface so he wasn't worried about knocking it over. "Probably a place, a few folks seemed fascinated when we served sliders -and proper sized burgers- when they came into the Harvest some months ago." May or may not be a nice hole-in-the-wall sort of cozy diner ran by a half-orc that served burgers made with various meats; hunted and ground by hand for freshness. "Got some connects, can arrange it for our next date."

Next date. Was taking a bite out of that slice, and there may have been a noise in his throat that was a mix of how good the taste was on top of everything starting to really hit him. At least with the pizza it meant he could at least attempt to cover that.

"I'm sure that trend won't hold," he remarked dryly. He knew how 76 operated, and it was with a recklessness that bordered on suicide sometimes. "Though I suppose I can provide some padding so that they head trauma isn't too bad in such future days." His protectiveness over 76 had been flighty at best back home - only rearing to prevent death - but it was far more defined since being ripped away from his purpose.

Reaper opened his jizzy juice drink and set it on the box containing food and then set his make-shift plate of pizza balancing on a thigh. Then he set his forearms to the arms of his chair and simply sat drinking in the whole atmosphere. He even closed his eyes, letting the music drift up from below, and experiencing the sounds of people at their daily life be cut by the familiar sound of 76's deep tired voice.

"Imagine so," he replied absently between letting the whole scene linger over his mind. He realized 76 hadn't even fought him beyond shock over this date. Slowly, his red eyes opened and shifted to peer at the younger man next to him as the corner of his lips tugged in a smirk. "Already planning the next date, hmmm? You're still all or nothing, I see." Never change, even when it drove Reaper absolutely crazy.

"Chances are? Talking about it too much means next time some shit goes down, I'm going headfirst into something solid," Said in such a tone that it was clearly more of that dark humor than any real belief in that sort of chancing his luck. Shit happened, you rolled with it or complained- sometimes both. "Suppose it'd be appropriate to thank you with a kiss, or at the very least a handy now? Blowjob if needed to help edge off adrenaline." With those words was a faint little teeth bearing smile before easing off; easy to fall into that.

There was so, so much to take in about this entire scene that had been set. Every little detail that was- well, romantic by his definitions of it. Some thought taken, no matter how rushed it could have been. How long had the other thought and planned this, knowing very well that 76 could have said no? How badly it could have gone and still... They were here. Jack had pizza in hand, already a bite taken out that was like it was the best pizza ever in the moment. The carbonated juice good to wash it down with, the flavors mingling. The music, people passing by without even knowing what was happening above them- It was something.

This was a date. He was on a date. He'd been asked out on a date—

Jack shrugged, taking another bite of pizza as his gaze drifted before landing back on Gabriel before he ever swallowed it down with another slug off that bottle. "May as well go all in on you, Gabe," bottle sat down again, tongue peeking briefly to lick a bit of juice from his lips. "Having a next date sounds good, doesn't it?"

"Let's try to avoid that? I'd like to have some time with you with limited brain damage, but if you must, I suppose I'll keep a pen on hand for when I have to give you an emergency tracheostomy." Because inevitably, if 76 was going that hard to actually acquire brain damage, he completely expected a broken neck in the whole affair as well. He was still hoping they could avoid something so extreme.

Honestly, he figured this particular location and decision was the best he had made in a long time. It was clear that they were both enjoying it, and he finally cracked his fizzy juice to take a sip from it. Carbonation wasn't a hard process, but he would agree that it did make him feel young again. It had been a long time. He decided that, next time, he'd take 76 for milkshakes so they could really live up the past. Yes, that was an idea he was filing away.

If 76 didn't wake up next morning and run screaming from him, he figured they could get a few good dates.

The corner of his lip twitched in amusement before he delayed answering by taking a bite of his pizza slice and chewed. Ah, yes, the classic taste of sweet and salty. "We haven't finished this date, but I figure both of us could cobble together a few more. You're still moving around like you're in a state of shock though."

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