|
Lux is there waiting, inside the cottage. They're sitting on the cot or bed or--whatever Mearc uses to sleep while he's there, legs drawn up to their chest, arms wrapped loosely around them. They stare at the wall as they wait, looking lost in thought.
Mearc arrives at the cottage quietly, letting himself in. He still hasn't shaved, and he's wearing that armored coat still, and he seems...worn damned thin. But the moment he sees Lux, he sighs, opening his arms in an invitation.
They blink as the door opens, head snapping up. They're on their feet immediately, practically tacklehugging him. Squeezing tightly, lifting him up off the ground a moment as they kiss him full on the lips.
Mearcstapa pretty much crumples into Lux's arms, burying his head in their shoulder and holding on as if in need of a lifeline, something to tether him. The kiss is long, lingering, passionate, and after a moment somewhat salty as Mearc's eyes start to leak.
Lux continues the kiss, arm around his waist and their other hand cupping the back of his head. Holding him protectively, tenderly, their own eyes wet when it finally breaks. "Kitten..." Their temple presses to his, fingers coming around to brush away his tears.
He sniffles a couple times before he can make words happen. "I've been staying...very, very close to that safehouse. I was there in case Robin went to my house, because I didn't want...and being so close, right in the church, I couldn't have people coming and going. So I was stuck. I was stuck, all alone. I needed you and I'm sorry I wasn't there for you and..." He breaks down into choking sobs.
Lux's face twists with pain and sympathy. "Oh... baby... Kitten, you don't need to be sorry for anything..." They pull him back into a tight hug, drawing him back to the bed to sit and pull him into their lap to hold close. Letting him cry it out while they rock him.
He pretty much crumples into them, closing his eyes and clinging on like a koala while he lets it all out hard and heavy, until his nose feels like it's the size of an apple and he's just sorta tired and trembling in their lap.
Mearc isn't rushed or quieted. Just held, accepted, tended to. Soft kisses press along his temples and cheeks, brushing away tears, fingers combing through his hair. As he finally cries himself out, Lux squeezes around him again. "I love you, Kitten. I'm not going to let you go. Not for a good while."
"I love you too. So much...you're my hummingbird, my drop of golden sun, my love." Mearcstapa's voice is thick and he lets out the tiniest laugh. "My god...you're perfect right now, holding me."
"You're perfect too," Lux says with a soft smile, rubbing hands over his back. His works make their lights flush pink, shining out of his cheeks. "I've missed you so, so much. The past couple weeks have been... they've been hell. I've been so worried about you."
"I've been worried about you. And Jack. And everyone. But things should get better now. They have to, now that Marjorie is awake. We can figure out how to move forward." He leans in and kisses Lux on the cheek lightly. "I should take the coat off. And wash my face. Or something."
"You should, but I don't wanna let you go just yet," Lux murmurs, smiling. They kiss him again, soft and tender. "I've been alright. Jack too. We're... stressed and missing you like crazy, but we're alright. But you did good, Kitten. You did so good. We found out that Robin had tried to get into Marjorie's dreams. We don't think she did, but... she tried. If you hadn't been watching her, if you hadn't organized her protection, there's no telling what else she might have attempted."
"How do you know it's Robin?" Someone, apparently, can't actually turn his brain off for five minutes.
"I don't," he says with a shrug. "It might have been someone else, but it makes the most sense for it to be her or someone working with her."
"There might be others working with her. Here and elsewhere. There's still work to do..."
Beat.
"But not tonight."
Lux's nose wrinkles up, starting to give Mearcstapa a very stern look. But when he allows himself tonight, at least, Lux calms. "Good. You need a break. And you need us. Please, just... stay here tonight. Jack will be along soon once he's off work."
"That was the plan. 24 hours completely off duty, here, before I poke my head back up and see what's needed. We're keeping a guard on Marjorie still, at least until she's in better shape. I told Myra to bring jasmine tea next time she's on watch."
"Good." They smile, brushing hair from his face. "Did you call the Sakima, by the way?"
"Texted, but yes." He nods. "That was taken care of."
"Good. Should help Marjorie get back on her feet, I think." Their thumb brushes down along his facial hair, lips twitching upwards. "I'm not sure how I feel about this..."
"If you're not sure yet, maybe you should kiss me again." That's said with a light smirk.
"Hmm. Further experimentation is needed," Lux agrees with a sage nod. They lean in again, kissing him harder, enough for his beard to leave their chin a bit red from being rubbed at.
Mearc drags his nails up Lux's back slowly as he's kissed. He, uh, hasn't been clipping those while he's been on duty either, huh?
The door swings open with a little force and a certain sketch-animation changeling rushes inside, pulling the door behind him. He's got his motorcycle helmet in his hands, and he does take the time to set it on the ground, before taking a second to just...take in the scene of his two partners finally in the same room again.
"Oh fuck, Kitten," Lux gasps against his lips, shivering as the nails drag. Lux certainly is not complaining. They probably would be getting very handsy right now if the sound of the door opening didn't pull them out of the kiss.
They grin brightly over at Jack. "Well? Get over here!"
Mearc clearly has been crying, but the look on his face when he sees Jack is a pure, brilliant smile. "Please. I need you too."
"Oh don't stop - 'm just enjoying the view..." but Jack's already pulling his leather jacket off, tossing it on his helmet before he takes the few steps to slide his arms around Marc for a tight embrace. "Fuck." It's muffled by Mearc's neck, and Jack takes a kinda shaky breath. "Welcome home."
Lux leans over to kiss Jack on the cheek, and doesn't quite let go of Mearc--but gives them the space to reunite and give each other the affection they both need. Lux smiles warmly at them both.
Mearc just tugs Jack down into the bed, aiming to create a pile of limbs with him somewhere near the bottom of it, covered by lovers. A noble goal, certainly.
Jack lets himself fall into both of them, his hands sliding up to pet Mearc's shoulders, face, hair, and finally cups his chin to give him a desperate (and slightly wet) kiss. He pulls back after a moment with a sniffle, and wipes his face on his own shoulder.
"'M sorry, I - I missed you." Because of course Jack is apologizing for starting to cry on him.
"Don't be sorry. Cry if you need to. We already have." Lux is happy to tangle with them both, draping themself over Mearcstapa. They kiss and touch where ever they can reach of them both.
Mearc brushes lightly at Jack's cheek with a thumb. "Let it all out. I want to see your tears, my love, my Jack of Hearts. I missed you more than words can say."
Another sniffle, and Jack slides his arms under Mearc to hold him close, kissing the side of his head a few times before moving to kiss his lips. His eyes are shining with tears, and his breath is shaky, and after a moment he drops his head onto Mearc's shoulder to cry.
"Missed you too...fuck, lionheart I missed you so much. I'm so glad you're okay."
Lux rubs a hand over Jack's back, comforting him as he cries. No words right now, just watching the two with a warm smile.
And Mearcstapa rocks with Jack quietly, humming quietly, eyes closing. The coat he's wearing might not be the most comfortable to hold and cry into--it's armored and all buckly, but he doesn't stop Jack if he's okay with this.
Given how tight he's clinging onto Mearcstapa, Jack probably wouldn't care if he were wearing full plate. It takes a minute or so for his tears to turn to sniffles, and he pulls away a little to wipe his face. And then run a thumb against Mearc's facial hair with a small smile. Though it's not as if Jack himself is clean shaven at the moment.
Lux leans in, kissing both of them on the cheek in turn before nuzzling and cuddling in close against them, letting out a content sigh. "What do you think of the beard, Jack? It does feel kinda good, when you're kissing him..."
"I'm not keeping it, I don't think, so enjoy it now while I've got it." He laughs. "I mean. Probably not, at least."
"Mmmm...." Jack squints a little at Mearc, looking him over. "I...dunno how I feel about it. The long hair though...definitely into that." He runs his hands through Mearc's hair, giving it the gentlest of tugs.
"Agreed. You should definitely keep growing your hair out. And... maybe keep your nails long." They eye Mearc's hands with a smirk. "I could do them up nice for you."
Jack glances at Mearctapa's hands with a grin, and then gives Mearc another short kiss. "You'd rock painted nails - you could match 'em to your hair clips, even."
He lets out a soft sound very similar to the Macintosh OS error alert 'eep!' when his hair is pulled, before relaxing against Jack, laughing. "Paint them a pretty color? I'd love that. Though...I may need to know what polish you're using so I can footnote it in video descriptions. Right? People are going to be asking about it, I'm sure."
Lux snorts softly in amusement as Mearc eeps. "Yeah, I'll tell you the brand and stuff. You can pick out the color, if you want. I can file them so they're nice and pretty and sharp." Lux nuzzles into Mearc's neck, kissing there.
The eep makes Jack let out a quiet, but clearly delighted, gasp, and he nuzzles the other side of Mearc's neck, draping an arm over him and Lux. "Mmm...pretty and sharp. 'S a pretty apt descriptor for like...all of you."
"You two just want me to sink my claws into you." But there's no heat at all to that accusation--he's laughing as he says it.
"Duh?" Lux looks very, very amused. "I have no shame in admitting that. I love getting scratched by you."
"Figured that was a given, yeah," Jack agrees with a grin, and moves to plant quick kisses along Mearc's jaw - until he can get close enough to kiss Lux, too. They get a slightly longer, more lingering kiss, and he shifts a little more on top of Mearc for comfort. And better snuggling.
"You two really ought to let me get up and take this coat off. Please? I'll come right back."
Lux mock-pouts, but then pulls back to let Mearc get up. "Finnne."
"Nnnn..." Jack groans and climbs off him and onto Lux instead, trailing his hand down Mearc's arm and definitely watching him take the coat off.
"That coat looks fucking hot on you, by the way," Lux murmurs while eyefucking Mearc as he gets up, arms looping around Jack to cling to.
It's actually quicker than it might look--it appears several of the buckles are just for show, and there's only a few that are load-bearing. Also, he drops his pants as well, coming back to the bed in just a t-shirt and boxers. "I'll need to tell Drake you approve at some point. Hell, I need to tell him I approve, at some point."
"Mmm it's a good look..." Jack nods and melts into Lux a little, though he puts a hand out to wrap around Mearc once he's back.
"Drake knows his stuff. I kinda want to order some sexy leather stuff from him. Like--not armor, just for fun. Will have to wait until the Hue and Cry is over."
"Speaking of, he and Atalo might be an item now?" There's a bit of laughter behind those words.
"He mentioned he could do that for me, too..." Jack flashes them a grin. "Though I accidentally insulted him so I dunno if he'd still be - that's...hilarious, isn't Atalo kinda awful at people too?" He huffs out a laugh in Mearc's direction.
"Wait, what? Seriously?" Lux blinks in surprise. "...Maybe they both understand each other, in a weird way?"
"They're two of the absolute bluntest people in town." He grins. "Seeing them interact, when Drake brought me my armor...it...was kinda-sorta awesome? I dunno, I'm glad if they manage to figure things out."
"'S fucking wild, I wish 'em the best. Anything else exciting happen - or new shit about the video...? Or d'you not wanna talk about it?"
"Right now, the video is completely in Wren and Alex's hands. I'm trusting that aspect of everything to them completely." He smiles slightly. "Yeah it's about me, but I'm not the best to do shit about it."
"Its good, that you're trusting them." Lux smiles, proud of him. "I know they'll do an amazing job."
"...You're delegating something completely?" Jack gasps, maybe a little dramatically. "Good for you, lionheart." He kisses Mearc softly, and pulls back with a grin. "Still not sure how I feel about your stubble..."
"I delegated a lot more than you might expect, lately. Sturm's got Asbolus helping out with paperwork, and I'm getting Andy on the samples from that hedge expedition. I know you think I'm taking everything on, but like. Only the stuff I need to take on."
Jack smiles at him warmly. "Proud of you. That's a big deal, and I see that. Good job." Another kiss and a squeeze around his waist.
"It is a big deal," Lux agrees, then puffs out a breath. "Are... you going to go back into hiding? You're not going to keep away from us anymore, right?"
"I'm not going to keep away from you two. I will need to spend time Ironside again--I'm still helping Sturm when she's off duty. But I've got 24 hours off completely, and then...I can hideout wherever is best for you. Hell, set me up a corner in Lux's office for my sleeping bag, and I'll be fine."
"We've been sleeping here - one of the empty cottages," Jack gestures in the direction of outdoors. "But hell, if you wanna stay in Lux's office I'd crash there, too. Literally anywhere, 's long as we're all three together."
"Hmm..." Lux considers that. "There is plenty of room at the Collective. I could get some sleeping bags or cots or something to set up there. I don't care where we stay, honestly. I just want to be with you both, as much as possible."
"I have a very good sleeping bag. That's what I was camping out in, at the church." He grins. "Not as warm as snuggling with you two, though."
"An' it's not the same as a real bed, either. What about your Hollow, babe?" He kisses Lux's cheek. "Though I guess it'd be a little hard for all of us to get in and out 'les you were with us..."
"If we're staying in the Hedge, we might as well stay here in a spare cottage. But Kitten needs to stay ironside, right?"
"Ideally. I need to be able to be roused by phone if Shit Goes Down and Sturm needs me. I'll only be 'on shift' 8am to 8pm, but still on call if there's something pressing. Or on text, honestly. No one likes to talk-talk, including me." He closes his eyes. "But. Wherever you are. That's where I want to be most."
Jack purses his lips as he thinks. "I don't mind sleeping at the Collective. Think I've got an air mattress somewhere - or I can buy one so I don't gotta go back to the apartment again...But it'd be better than sleeping bags 'cause we can all cuddle." He squeezes both of them to punctuate the sentence.
"Air mattress works. We'll figure something out." Their fingers run through their hair, petting slowly.
Mearc closes his eyes, sighing contentedly. "We will. Together. Everything now...together."
Jack nods and nuzzles Mearc's neck, running a gentle hand up and down Lux's side as he settles into the bed with them.
"I...should change..." He mutters after a few moments. "Or at least not go to sleep in jeans..."
"Good." They kiss Mearc softly, then smirk at Jack. "Do you want some help getting undressed?"
"Or distraction while you attempt to get undressed?" Mearc's smirk echoes Lux's, and he wiggles his fingers faux-menacingly.
"...Yes." Jack cracks an eye open to look between the two of them, grinning. And starts to unbutton his shirt because really, who wears a dress shirt to bed?
Mearc's arms slip around Jack, beginning to unbutton the shirt from the bottom while he starts from the top, pausing only when he can lay his hand flat against Jack's abs and slowly run it upward. No nails, no yet, just warm gentle touch.
He sighs contentedly, relaxing into the mattress a little at the touch and letting the shirt fall open without trying to take it off the rest of the way. A few seconds later he does slowly lift his arms to unbutton the cuffs, his eyes half lidded and a warm smile on his face as he looks up at the two of them.
And Mearc works to undo Jack's belt, if he's wearing one, and unbutton his fly, so the pants can come off too.
The pants kinda have to be peeled off, tight as they are, but eventually Jack can kick them away and snuggle into Mearc, shifting so he can be half a warm, weighted blanket for him. The other half he leaves to Lux, and he runs gentle fingers through Mearc's hair, and kisses his shoulder. "I love you. I love you both."
Lux is definitely up for peeling off the jeans, kissing down one of his legs as they do. The jeans are tossed aside before they cuddling back up with them both. "Love you too, my muse, my kitten."
"Just so happens I love you both too." He grins, one arm wrapping around Jack as if he's a teddy bear as much as a blanket. "My hummingbird. My Jack of Hearts. My home and my safe harbor. My loves, my family."
Jack hums, kissing Mearc's shoulder again, and runs the softest of fingernails slowly across Lux's back. "It's so fuckin' amazing to be together again."
Mearc tilts his head to nibble Jack's ear gently. "Yeah, it really is. I have missed you both...so fucking much."
A scribble scrawls across Jack's teeth as his breath catches, and his grip tightens just slightly in Mearc's hair. "Wouldn't be mad if we never had to separate like that ever again..."
"Roundabout way of putting it." He laughs. "And if you're going to tug, give it a real tug."
"Oh?" It's a low, rumbling sort of breath into Mearc's ear, and Jack huffs out a quiet laugh. And tangles his fingers close to Mearc's scalp before giving his head a sharp pull backward, aiming to tip Mearc's chin up to kiss at his throat.
Mearc gasps quietly, back arching as he allows his neck to be exposed. "Yes...yes, just like that."
Jack keeps a tight grip on Mearcstapa's hair, a contrast to the tender kisses he presses against the base of his throat. He trails them upwards, barely a brush of his lips against skin, until he reaches Mearc's ear and gives it a gentle tug with his teeth.
Mearc pants quietly, fingernails lightly clawing at Jack's arm.
Well, Lux isn't minding this show one bit. They watch, biting their lip. "Shit, you two are so hot."
"Missed doing this, too..." Jack murmurs, and tugs on Mearc's hair again. A little less force this time, but he's still holding it just as tight, and his kisses against Mearc's neck get a little more heated. He's definitely holding himself back, wanting to take things slow, for now. Slow-ish. His other hand drags fingernails across Lux's back with slightly more force, and he raises his head for a moment to grin at them for a moment before continuing to kiss Mearc's neck.
"Honestly, I'm not up for sex tonight. Too tired to do you both properly. But...I've definitely missed this, too. Maybe I'll have you both for breakfast, when I wake up." He grins, watching their reactions.
Lux shivers when scratched, pressing up against them both closer. "Oh, fuck." They pout at Kitten. "Is that a promise?"
Scribbles dance across Jack's skin as his breath catches again, and he nibbles at Mearc's neck. "Hope it's a promise..."
"I mean. Provided nothing else blows up tonight here. It's my plan, for tomorrow morning. Or afternoon. Or whenever I fucking wake up." One hand slides down to cup Jack's ass. The other arm wraps around Lux's side to sit on their hip.
"I'm definitely down," Lux purs, nibbling playfully at Mearc's shoulder.
"Perfect, then." He grins, closing his eyes. "You're both mine."
"...Why is that so hot to hear?" Lux murmurs, more to themself than anything, while grinning slyly. "Yeah. Definitely yours, Kitten."
"Absolutely yours," Jack murmurs, kissing Mearc's neck a few more times before loosening his grip in his hair.
"Probably because you've willingly given yourself to me. Because you trust me. Just as I give myself up to both of you."
"Who knew that sorta trust is so fucking hot?" Jack huffs out a laugh.
"I mean. Everyone who's ever engaged in BDSM?" He chuckles. "But more seriously...? Yeah. This is...everything."
"It is everything." Lux smiles. "After this is over... I still want to try to work out a motley with us."
"Yeah? Me too. But...I'm still very open to the idea of it being more than just us. Even if right now all I want in the world is you two."
"I'm open to it too. I... actually talked to Alex a bit, about it."
"Motley would be great. Even if - yeah. Same, lionheart."
"Alex did mention that." His smile dims just a hair as he looks at Lux.
"Oh." Their smile dims as well.
Jack pets Mearc's hair, and looks just a touch concerned at the change in mood. "What...happened?"
"The Oathbreaker thing needs to be resolved before anything moves on that, because...seriously, you bring up the motley thing, then the Oathbreaker thing..." A little bit of a sigh. "But. But, better it came out now, of course."
Lux grimaces. "Would you prefer I have not told her?"
"...Ah." Jack leans over to give Lux a kiss on the cheek, and settles back to listen.
"No, I wouldn't prefer that. It's just a bit of an obstacle right now. We'll fix it, Lux."
"She took it pretty well, all things considered. Didn't tell me she hates me, at least. But... I'm planning on getting it dealt with soon. Trying, at least."
"We'll figure it out," Jack gives Lux a protective sort of squeeze around their waist. "There's a..." he pauses to yawn and stretch before settling back against the two of them, " a lotta shit to deal with, right now."
"Sleepy, Jack?" His voice is gentle, and the kiss he offers now is soft and warm, his freckles glowing redder.
"Yeah. 'S been a hell of a couple..." another yawn, though he tries to stifle it, "weeks. You know."
He hums quietly, kissing Jack on the forehead, before whispering. "I know. I love you both, but I'm going to sleep now, too."
"Sleep is good." Lux smiles, returning the kisses. "I love you both too. Sweet dreams."
|