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Jack's apartment, again. His footsteps heavy down the stairs to the front door - sometimes he remembers to unlock it when Lux is coming over, but not tonight. He has to fumble with the deadbolt for half a second before he can open the door, and he gives Lux a lopsided grin when he sees them. He's in jeans and a t-shirt with a yellow union bug on the breast pocket, and he holds a hand out, making grabby hands at Lux.
Lux eyes Jack with amusement when he grabby hands, stepping in close enough to let themself be snatched. They lean in, kissing him softly on the lips. There's a notable lack of heat there, at least on Lux's side, but their arms slide around Jack's waist to pull him close. "Hey babe. Been hitting it hard, huh?"
He tastes like alochol, and sags against Lux a little as he wraps his arms around them. His kiss is pretty chaste, all things considered - he seems to just wanna hold them. His mien is smeary and slow, and he hums quietly as he takes a step back into the building.
"Yup. You're welcome to join me, 'f you want." He huffs in amusement and lets them go so he doesn't fall over trying to go up the stairs backwards.
"Looks like you're drinking enough for both of us, but... hm. I'll have one, at least." Lux keeps an arm around him, or at least a hand on his back, helping him not wobble too much as they head up the stairs. "Whats the occasion?"
"Fuckin'...we walked out. We did it, we've been picketing since, it..." He lets out a laugh that's all nerves and no humor. "'S fuckin surreal."
Lux nods slowly, wrapping an arm around him fully once at the top of the stairs, leading him towards then into the apartment. "You've been doing great, babe. I know it's not easy."
His door is open and he stumbles over the threshold, nodding at Lux. "Yeah, 's...fuck. I mean 'sides the pay cut, and 'sides the whole fuckin' deal with the art museum, 's a good bunch'a people who work there. Kinda feels like we're fucking over people who don't have a choice - office staff can't do shit about it, and if there's no shows on, what work do they have, you know?"
"Hmm." They frown at that, closing the door behind them. "Yeah... that... fucking sucks. But you can't blame yourself for that. You have to stand up for what you believe in... And in the long run this is better for everyone. Even them. It means they can work to stay unionized and get the rights they deserve, right?" Jack is ushered over to the couch and nudged down onto it. "The pay cut, though... Are you going to be okay? Do you have enough to pay rent and shit?"
"Yeah it'll be fine. 'S not the only gig I got, you know? Some of the other guys from the local've come down to support us'n shit, but it's not a city-wide strike or anything. Be kinda wild, if it went that far." He flops down on the couch, tugging Lux down with him. There's a bottle of rum on the coffee table, and a mostly empty glass next to it, and he picks the bottle up before grimacing. "Fuck, lemme get you a glass..."
Lux resists being pulled down, running a hand over his hair soothingly. "I got it," they assure, slipping away to the kitchen to get two glasses. One stays empty, the other is filled with water. "It would be wild, but hey, you never know. You get enough support, and it could happen." They return to the couch, settling down beside him. "Drink this before you have anymore rum."
"I just invited you over for cuddles, 'f I knew you were gonna try to take care of me too I'd'a maybe had second thoughts." He takes the glass and takes a big gulp. "'M kidding. Thanks for coming over."
"I'm going to give you cuddles too, ya dork," Lux huffs out. They watch Jack expectantly until he drinks, then grabs him to drag into their lap, arms circling him. "Someone has to make sure you're being taken care of... Hmph. This stuff has really gotten you stressed out, huh?"
Jack flops into Lux's lap, nearly dumping the water all over them, and flails as he tries to put the water down on the coffee table without spilling it. "Fuckin' yeah it's stressful. Two walkouts in a week's unheard of unless something's really really wrong. An' like...the fashion show was somethin' different - got it on the schedule to talk about at the next meeting, d'I tell you that?" He blinks up at Lux.
They don't complain about some of the water sloshing onto them, just pull Jack in close, starting to rub along his side. "You didn't. Are you going to be heading that talk up?"
"Yep. I'm the one who put it on there, so I get to talk. I'm not super worried about it, I go t'almost all the meetings so people know my face. An' I bring up shit from time to time, so." He shrugs, and sits up just enough to grab the bottle of rum and Lux's glass, pouring them what would probably be considered a solid two drinks by anyone else. "Just gonna see where people are on supporting shit like that, and how we make sure we work for shit that aligns w/our beliefs as a union. You know?"
Lux nods, accepting the glass once poured, not commenting on how full it is. "I'm sure you'll do great, babe. If you want to throw things off of me and prepare your pitch and shit, we can. Whatever you need." Their head tilts, kissing at his cheek. "I'm still going to do that art for you, if you want."
"Art'd be fuckin' great - 'specially now that PTC's shown their hand and everyone knows that they're willing to fuck their workers over like they have. You still want company for that?"
"Happy to have you along," Lux says. "So long as you're okay being there. There's risks involved, if we got spotted... I wouldn't want to ruin your strike by them trying to get you arrested for trespassing and vandalism."
"'S what light-shy's for, right?" He grins and starts to pour himself a drink - and then just takes a swig from the bottle. It's not a big swig, for what it's worth, and he grabs the water after.
"Hm, suppose so. You can keep hidden and keep watch while I paint." Their chin rests on his shoulder. They eye the bottle. "Was this bottle full when you first started tonight?"
Jack squints. "...No." It's about a third full, now. "Don't think so. And yeah, I'll be your lookout. 'M decent at that." Nevermind the stickyness of him having to reveal himself somehow if he's gonna let Lux know that someone's coming.
"Shit's been quiet for you since the fashion show still, right?"
"Pretty much, yeah. Been trying to keep my head down. Starting to get restless, though. Probably will go tag some places tomorrow. See what trouble I can get up to." They take a small sip of rum, then nudge the glass of water closer to him. "I'll start sketching out some ideas, make some stencils. That way we can be in and out quicker without risking being seen."
"If it's too hot for you to do it I don't wanna push you, you know? Rather have you stay safe." He takes a drink of water.
"This isn't directly related," Lux says. "Not like Merlino owns the club or anything. I think it'll be fine." They kiss below his ear softly, rubbing at his stomach. "Sturm is supposed to let me know if she hears them looking for me anyway, and they haven't started to yet. Maybe they have bigger fish to dry than some hot activist."
"Mmmm yeah you're pretty damn hot." He grins and leans into the kiss. "God I hope Merlino's not involved in a fucking regional theater company." He shivers. "That'd be a hell of a thing to find out."
Lux grins. "I somehow highly doubt he is," they assure, continuing to place soft, playful-but-chaste kisses over his cheek, jaw and neck. "Don't worry so much, babe. You're gonna get through this, okay? And I'm here for you, every step of the way."
Jack snuggles closer and takes another swing from the bottle. "'M fuckin'...I'm scared. Fuck."
That makes Lux frown, pulling back in order to look at his face. "...It's okay to be scared. And like... totally understandable to be scared." They pause a beat. "Maybe you should... talk to someone in Autumn about it? Or--someone in Spring. You guys are supposedly good at helping people process feelings and all."
Jack snorts. "Yeah, I could talk to a Spring. Chelle's offered but...she'n I are too close, I think. She's my friend, I don't wanna bother her with my shit, you know?"
"Kinda looked like she was hurt that you don't go to her about shit. At least when it comes to romance gossip." They huff. "Maybe Annelise? She seems nice."
"I texted her after, she's got her fill of gossip about me." He kisses Lux, slow and lingering, then slides down until he's got his head in their lap. "Annelise...'s the one who sealed that pledge with Jane. I'll prob'ly get over it eventually, but..." He grimaces.
The kiss is returned gently as they squeeze him closer for a warm embrace. They grimace after. "Oh--shit, right. Spaced on that. Yeaaah... not Annie." They make sure all the glasses and bottles are place safely on the coffee table, then start to run their fingers slowly through Jack's hair. "Hmm... Not sure who else, then. There's Michael, but... not sure he'd really... get it."
"Hm. Maybe Petra?"
"Yeah, he's...I don't know." Jack huffs and closes his eyes. "Don't know Petra at all, really. Dunno 'f that's something she's even wanna do. I...an' I feel like this isn't something to bring to Ari."
"...Oh, shit, I didn't tell you but--uh, me and Michael messed around. It was just sex though. Made it clear I wasn't looking for anything else. Just so you're in the loop in case he mentions it sometime." They shrug. "I don't know Petra too well, but she seems really nice. Hm... going to the Crown might be a bit much, yeah, but like... you probably should talk to someone, Jack. I'm not sure if I'm... helping enough, by myself."
"Oh yeah? He a good time?" Jack cracks an eye open to grin at Lux, clearly not at all upset about it. "I know Petra's an EMT, I dunno how much she's interested in like...helping with mental shit. 'N you do help. Just putting up with my shit." He groans and sits up to grab the rum again.
"I did. Not used to having such fuzzy partners, but he was fun. We had a good time stroking each other egos." Lux smirks, though it dims quickly. "Maybe you should stop for the night, babe..."
"Egos, mm?" Another grin, and he takes a swig before exchanging the bottle for the glass of water. "'M still coherent, aren't I? I'll be fine."
Jack gets the disapproving look, but... Lux doesn't take the bottle from him. Yet. "You got any work to do tomorrow?"
"I'll be on the picket line 'round ten. An' again the next day, and the next...'s a tour coming through the Kimmel Center, I'm on the load-in for that next week."
"Do you want me to come with you tomorrow?" Lux offers, kneading their fingertips into his scalp.
"Mmmm..." His eyes flicker closed again and he loses his train of thought as Lux massages. "Sure you can, 'f you wanna spend your time picketing with a bunch'a stagehands..."
Lux keeps it up, alternating between firm kneads and light touches. They smile softly, eyes half lid as they watch him relax. "So long as there's one particular stagehand there, I don't mind."
"Which one's that?" Jack smiles softly, but doesn't open his eyes.
"Shit, I didn't get his name--the guy who brought you coffee when I was hanging out with you at work last week... Shit... what was his name... Steve?" Their lips curl into a smirk.
"Ohno that was Rodolfo, he's pretty decent. Didn't know you had a thing for grandpas, that new?" Jack cracks an eye open again to watch Lux's reaction.
Lux snorts in amusement. "I mean... looked like he still had some spry in him. Might not be too bad to have fun with." Their eyebrows waggle. "Think you can get me his number?"
"He'll be there tomorrow, you can get it yourself." Jack actually chuckles. "You know 'm never gonna hear the end of it, 'f you join the line with me? Hanna just about asked me when I was gonna buy a ring, noone's gonna let it go. 'Parently I have a reputation for not showing off my partners, or something."
The Bright One blinks down at him, brows raising. "Oh. Uh..." They pause for a moment, hand resting against the back of his neck. "Are you... okay with me being there? If it's going to make them tease you more..."
"Nah, it's worth it." Jack pulls them down into a deep kiss. "You might even get more shit to tease me with. Plus you get people's attention, we could use that."
"Mmm... I am good at that..." Lux murmurs against his lips, returning the kiss and taking their time with it, hand cupping his cheek. "Definitely going to be digging for stuff to gossip about..."
"Hanna's gonna complain that you're showing up her wife, she hasn't been able to get time off to come out to support us." Jack slides his hand up the back of Lux's neck. "But I think Hanna has a crush on you too, so she may just be complaining to have an excuse to talk to you."
"What, really?" Lux blinks, then smirks. "I... probably shouldn't fuck your co-workers, huh?" They shift, wiggling until they can lay down beside him, hooking their legs around his.
"'S maybe a little weird. 'F we weren't a...'f we weren't dating it'd maybe be a little different." There's the smallest pause before he says 'dating' like he's still trying to wrap his mind around that whole thing.
Lux watches him thoughtfully a moment, caressing along his side. "Still feels kind of surreal, huh?"
"Good surreal," he nods. "But yeah, 's not...what I'm used to." Jack snuggles into them, nuzzling their neck. "Chelle asked if we were 'serious' yet, an'...I asked her to define serious." He huffs out a quiet laugh.
Lux tilts their head to give Jack more room to nuzzle in, arms wrapping around him to squeeze gently. "Yeah? How'd she define it? And what'd you say?"
"I think her response was 'oooh buddy' in all caps." He snorts. "I just told her that we're dating. She thinks its a big deal. I...I mean I guess it kinda is? 'S just weird for other people to make a big deal out of it."
"I don't think things are... that serious yet." Lux looks thoughtful. "I guess considering how we both were, just a couple weeks ago... maybe it is. Sort of. But it's not like we're picking out honeymoon locations and shit..."
"Right - like...like we're just...dating? That's shit that like fuckin' everyone does? Doesn't feel serious to me, but...maybe I gotta skewed view of shit. I dunno."
"I'm not afraid to call you my boyfriend. That's kind of nice. And like... I hope we end up getting to the 'this is serious' stage? But it's not really... there. Yet."
The smudges in Jack's mien get a little ragged on the edges, and bits of charcoal flutter away from his face as he blushes, and he squeezes Lux tight. "I...I like being your boyfriend," he mutters into Lux's shoulder. "An' I like calling you my partner - 's still weird, but not bad weird. And...whatever 'serious' means...I kinda want that too. I think. 'S much as I know anything that I want."
Lux smiles softly, then kisses his temple. "I like being your partner. I... feel good about this. Us. I'll... try my best to make things work."
"Mmmm." Jack kisses their neck and their shoulder. "Same. I'll try not to fuck up too bad. We wanna...?" He flaps his hand toward his bedroom. "Gonna regret it if we fall asleep here, 'm pretty sure..."
"Probably should." Lux looks over him towards the bedroom, then huffs. "Come on." They detangle themself from him, then help pull him up to his feet to tuck away into bed. "Though... you know... maybe we should, uh. Like. Go out on a real date, sometime? Not just... hang out?" Lux offers in a totally cool casual tone to hide their nervousness.
"A real date?" He's only a little unsteady on his feet as he plods toward bed, pulling his shirt off as he goes. "I...haven't gone on a date in fuckin' forever. But I'd be down. D'you have anything in mind?"
"Not... really," Lux admits, puffing out a breath. They take the time to help Jack out of his clothes, even if he doesn't really need it, then tugs off their own. Sheets are peeled back, and Jack pulled down underneath them. "But... I'll come up with something. Try to plan something nice."
Jack happily accepts the help, the combination of exhaustion and stress and alcohol making him practically boneless at this point. "Sounds good." He immediately snuggles close, draping an arm and a leg over Lux. "Do I wanna know how much sleep we're gonna get before we gotta get up tomorrow?" His voice is getting increasingly slurred, and he buries his face into Lux's shoulder.
"Nope. Don't worry about that. Just sleep. I'll set an alarm on my phone." The blankets are tucked up over them both, his forehead kissed, arms wrapped around him. Their fingertips brush along his spine in a soothing way, up and down.
"You're the best..." Jack's out like a fuckin light, a small frown on his face, his forehead creased even as he sleeps.
Lux stays up for a while to just hold him and try to soothe any restlessness while sleeping.
....In the morning, Lux attempts to make pancakes. They come out like burnt hockey pucks, but they tried.
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