What’s a bad idea, Jay? [ his answer came quietly, intimately, his voice so low it was clearly only meant for J’s ears to hear. for a while now, the name in his mind was Jason. maybe the delusion was the only thing keeping him sane here, but he believed it.
his gaze followed J’s over the sea before slowly, he turned into J’s touch. his eyes shut to the feeling of that warm palm cupping against his cheek. ]
I wanted you to see it. I know you don’t wanna be out here, but I wanted to…share this with you. [ the stars, the sea, the quiet deck, the wind whipping around their bodies, kept warm by proximity itself. his arms tightened around J, his face tucked into J’s jaw, nuzzling. ]
Warmth bloomed in J's chest, spilling out over the bridge of his nose to highlight the freckles that dotted his cheekbones. When had anyone ever said something like that to him? When had anyone ever meant something like that? If anyone had, he didn't know. Surely not in the few years that he could actively remember. It was stupid, so fucking stupid to let himself get so wrapped up in it...
He tucked himself in closer to the older man, his face turning in so he could softly kiss the soft skin of Dick's neck.]
Stay with me tonight?
[Staff bunks weren't designed for two people, but they could make it work. He didn't....he wasn't ready to walk away from that softness. From the feeling of safety that being around Dick had always given him. He knew it was false and that Dick couldn't actually do a damned thing to save him if someone wanted to take him...but he wasn't ready to give up that illusion.
[ Soft lips found the sensitive spot on his neck and the subtle shiver that raced down his spine had nothing to do with the chill of the wind whipping around their embraced forms.
He stilled when J asked his question, those words to quiet and vulnerable, warming his heart because he knew J would be worried about all the what-ifs if they were found together, tucked into J's tiny bed. Management was already to pick up on clues of how close they had grown. ]
Okay. [ He replied softly, nodding. Dick knew he was working through J's defences, but that meant he also needed to play his part in keeping them safe. Maybe it was delusional, but Dick felt there was plenty they could do to tread lightly enough, to stay alive, to endure whatever it was they had to go through to see each other again, but they had to be careful about it. ] At least...just for a bit. [ Then, once J fell asleep, he would leave. ]
Come on. [ Despite his worries, a small smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he pulled back and looked at J. ] Let's go.
[Dick wasn't wrong. He was worried. If they were caught together, it would be punishment for both of them and while J was fairly sure he'd be alright, he knew that Dick hadn't yet figured out how to bend without breaking. If they were caught, Dick would try to fight and he wasn't sure if he could watch the older man be beaten for him.
But Dick nodded and J let himself relax into the strong arms around him as he shivered.
Behind them, a shadow moved.]
How sweet. [The voice was low and J didn't recognize it, but he still stiffened and tried to jerk back from the circle of Dick's arms, but a hand caught him between the shoulderblades, keeping him from moving.] You found yourself a playmate.
[J didn't recognize the voice. But Dick would.
Slade stepped out of the shadow, cruel smirk on his lips as he slid his hand over the younger of the two's spine.]
[ It was like his two worlds colliding, mashing into a sudden trainwreck that jerked him out of the moment, all warmth in his chest turning straight to ice as the sound of that voice chilled his bones.
As if Slade didn't already have a huge advantage over him here, now, he knew about J.
Dick pulled J back, stepped back to put some distance between them and Slade. He turned enough so he could shove J behind him, brows knitted together. ]
Don't look so fucking smug, Slade. It doesn't suit you.
[ J would easily pick up that there's history between them, but even J didn't know that he was law enforcement. That was a secret he hadn't uttered out loud to anyone here, not because he wanted to hide it from J, but because it was knowledge that would do J more harm than good at the moment. What if he was caught knowing it?
Of course, once they were off this ship, Dick planned to tell J everything. For now, all he could do wash push J toward the door. ]
[It was painfully obvious that Dick and this stranger had a history and J gasped at the blatant insult. To speak like that to someone who was plainly a passenger was something that didn't register in J's brain. He'd been onboard long enough that the indoctrinations had a tight grip on his sensibilities, something that was encouraged every time he looked in a mirror.
Still, he let himself be pulled back behind Dick, confusion clear on his features as he looked between the two men. He wanted to ask...but Dick pushed him away and Slade let him take a few unsteady steps before he reached out to close that large hand around J's upper arm.]
Don't be stupid, Richard. The lights gone green. He goes out by himself now... [He wasn't lying. The soft, LED running lights that lined the corridors had shifted from red to green, signaling to the passengers that the ship had officially crossed into international waters. Right on cue, there was a shrill, pained cry from somewhere on the crowded deck below them, followed by a chorus of laughter from passengers who were apparently watching.
J flinched, dropping his gaze to the deck as a muscle in his jaw twitched.]
Unless you're willing to sacrifice him to save your secret, of course.
[ Just like that, the whole ship got permission to enact their sickest, most twisted fantasies, and the nightmare started again. Except this time, what would happen to J was completely his fault. Dick turned to Slade when that tight grip yanked J back. Seeing the way J flinched had his stomach dropping like a rock.
Still, the stars stretched above them, watching, still bathing the three of them in a strange, cool glow. ]
I'm not saving my secret, I'm saving him. [ There was a harshness behind his voice, a sharp edge he'd never shown J before as his hands splayed at his sides, palms open. His greatest weapon, all those years of honing martial arts, was of no use here. He was at Slade's mercy, at the mercy of this ship. Fight and he'd instantly lose his life. J would lose his life. ]
You miss me so much you tracked me down? Wouldn't be surprised if it was all the way from Gotham. It's me you want. Let him go.
[ He looked at J, something breaking in his gaze, something pained and sorry. ]
He'll survive. He's survived years of this without me.
[Just like that, Dick understood exactly what his place was and Slade grinned as he used the grip on J's arm to draw the younger man back. Pulled that lanky, half grown form tight back against his chest so that he could keep eye contact with Dick while he buried his nose into J's curls. The kid smelled like sea salt and fear and the older man gave a low, rumbling chuckle as he let go of the kid's arm to instead wrap his arm around Jay's waist.]
Your boy smells scared, Richard. Tell him it's gunna be okay. Look into those pretty eyes of his and tell him that you're going to behave so that I have no reason to hurt him. Go on. Promise him.
[For his part, J made a small, disbelieving sound. He had no idea who the man who had him was, but he knew Dick. He knew Dick wasn't going to bow to someone just to protect him. Not again. Not after everything that Roman had done to them just because Dick had tried to help him.]
[ Tension pulled hard through his jaw when Slade pulled J back against him, and anger had him lowering his hands, balling tight into fists at his sides. His eyes slid from Slade to J, who looked confused and scared and bewildered at the same time. His reply didn't come right away, not because he wasn't willing to behave, but because he needed a moment to gather himself away from doing something rash.
Like surging forward to rip J away from Slade's claws, because J was his (a dangerous thought). Or sock Slade in the jaw before knocking him out and tossing him overboard (dangerous and stupid). He knew what this place was. Any of that would land them both dead.
A slow, resigned sigh had his lips parting for a beat of hesitation before the words came. ]
I...promise. [ his eyes went to Slade's arm around J's waist before up to those green eyes again. ] It's gonna be okay, Jay. Slade's not gonna hurt you--I'll do whatever it takes.
[ And to Slade: ]
Your word's questionable integrity is the only thing you've got going for you. Don't disappoint me now.
[ This wretched place could take everything from him, but he would still do anything to protect those he loves. With a blaze in his eyes, he slowly sank down, lowering to his knees one after another before he looked up at Slade. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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his gaze followed J’s over the sea before slowly, he turned into J’s touch. his eyes shut to the feeling of that warm palm cupping against his cheek. ]
I wanted you to see it. I know you don’t wanna be out here, but I wanted to…share this with you. [ the stars, the sea, the quiet deck, the wind whipping around their bodies, kept warm by proximity itself. his arms tightened around J, his face tucked into J’s jaw, nuzzling. ]
We can go back now if you want.
no subject
Warmth bloomed in J's chest, spilling out over the bridge of his nose to highlight the freckles that dotted his cheekbones. When had anyone ever said something like that to him? When had anyone ever meant something like that? If anyone had, he didn't know. Surely not in the few years that he could actively remember. It was stupid, so fucking stupid to let himself get so wrapped up in it...
He tucked himself in closer to the older man, his face turning in so he could softly kiss the soft skin of Dick's neck.]
Stay with me tonight?
[Staff bunks weren't designed for two people, but they could make it work. He didn't....he wasn't ready to walk away from that softness. From the feeling of safety that being around Dick had always given him. He knew it was false and that Dick couldn't actually do a damned thing to save him if someone wanted to take him...but he wasn't ready to give up that illusion.
Not yet. Not tonight.]
no subject
He stilled when J asked his question, those words to quiet and vulnerable, warming his heart because he knew J would be worried about all the what-ifs if they were found together, tucked into J's tiny bed. Management was already to pick up on clues of how close they had grown. ]
Okay. [ He replied softly, nodding. Dick knew he was working through J's defences, but that meant he also needed to play his part in keeping them safe. Maybe it was delusional, but Dick felt there was plenty they could do to tread lightly enough, to stay alive, to endure whatever it was they had to go through to see each other again, but they had to be careful about it. ] At least...just for a bit. [ Then, once J fell asleep, he would leave. ]
Come on. [ Despite his worries, a small smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he pulled back and looked at J. ] Let's go.
no subject
But Dick nodded and J let himself relax into the strong arms around him as he shivered.
Behind them, a shadow moved.]
How sweet. [The voice was low and J didn't recognize it, but he still stiffened and tried to jerk back from the circle of Dick's arms, but a hand caught him between the shoulderblades, keeping him from moving.] You found yourself a playmate.
[J didn't recognize the voice. But Dick would.
Slade stepped out of the shadow, cruel smirk on his lips as he slid his hand over the younger of the two's spine.]
Awfully easy of you...
no subject
As if Slade didn't already have a huge advantage over him here, now, he knew about J.
Dick pulled J back, stepped back to put some distance between them and Slade. He turned enough so he could shove J behind him, brows knitted together. ]
Don't look so fucking smug, Slade. It doesn't suit you.
[ J would easily pick up that there's history between them, but even J didn't know that he was law enforcement. That was a secret he hadn't uttered out loud to anyone here, not because he wanted to hide it from J, but because it was knowledge that would do J more harm than good at the moment. What if he was caught knowing it?
Of course, once they were off this ship, Dick planned to tell J everything. For now, all he could do wash push J toward the door. ]
Go. Don't be dumb, I'll find you after. Go.
no subject
Still, he let himself be pulled back behind Dick, confusion clear on his features as he looked between the two men. He wanted to ask...but Dick pushed him away and Slade let him take a few unsteady steps before he reached out to close that large hand around J's upper arm.]
Don't be stupid, Richard. The lights gone green. He goes out by himself now... [He wasn't lying. The soft, LED running lights that lined the corridors had shifted from red to green, signaling to the passengers that the ship had officially crossed into international waters. Right on cue, there was a shrill, pained cry from somewhere on the crowded deck below them, followed by a chorus of laughter from passengers who were apparently watching.
J flinched, dropping his gaze to the deck as a muscle in his jaw twitched.]
Unless you're willing to sacrifice him to save your secret, of course.
no subject
Still, the stars stretched above them, watching, still bathing the three of them in a strange, cool glow. ]
I'm not saving my secret, I'm saving him. [ There was a harshness behind his voice, a sharp edge he'd never shown J before as his hands splayed at his sides, palms open. His greatest weapon, all those years of honing martial arts, was of no use here. He was at Slade's mercy, at the mercy of this ship. Fight and he'd instantly lose his life. J would lose his life. ]
You miss me so much you tracked me down? Wouldn't be surprised if it was all the way from Gotham. It's me you want. Let him go.
[ He looked at J, something breaking in his gaze, something pained and sorry. ]
He'll survive. He's survived years of this without me.
no subject
Your boy smells scared, Richard. Tell him it's gunna be okay. Look into those pretty eyes of his and tell him that you're going to behave so that I have no reason to hurt him. Go on. Promise him.
[For his part, J made a small, disbelieving sound. He had no idea who the man who had him was, but he knew Dick. He knew Dick wasn't going to bow to someone just to protect him. Not again. Not after everything that Roman had done to them just because Dick had tried to help him.]
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Like surging forward to rip J away from Slade's claws, because J was his (a dangerous thought). Or sock Slade in the jaw before knocking him out and tossing him overboard (dangerous and stupid). He knew what this place was. Any of that would land them both dead.
A slow, resigned sigh had his lips parting for a beat of hesitation before the words came. ]
I...promise. [ his eyes went to Slade's arm around J's waist before up to those green eyes again. ] It's gonna be okay, Jay. Slade's not gonna hurt you--I'll do whatever it takes.
[ And to Slade: ]
Your word's questionable integrity is the only thing you've got going for you. Don't disappoint me now.
[ This wretched place could take everything from him, but he would still do anything to protect those he loves. With a blaze in his eyes, he slowly sank down, lowering to his knees one after another before he looked up at Slade. ]
Please. Just let him go. I'll do anything.