fidelismileslucem

[fidelismileslucem]

almamaldita​:

Everywhere That I’ve Never Been ~ Jack/Gabriel

Gabriel was a little riled at being talked about like he wasn’t there, but kept his mouth shut.  Hell, it wasn’t as if he wanted a babysitter… not even one who looked like Apollo incarnate.  But he couldn’t deny being curious.  What made a guy with looks like that choose a life like this?  There was an urge to get closer… and not just because Jay looked like all seven kinds of sin.  Gabe had been a cop once - a damn good one.  And even though he’d willingly left all that behind years ago, his head still worked the same way.  It was one of the things that made him so damn good bringing in bounties.  And right now, his head was demanding answers.  It didn’t care that those answers meant nothing to his current job.  It wanted them… and intended to get them.  

What was it Jesse had once said…?  Like a dog with a bone?  Now that he’d latched on, he wouldn’t be able to let it go.  He stood there and let himself be studied (unashamedly enjoying it just a little.)  After all, he might not be in his peak years anymore, but an out-of-shape bounty hunter was also out of work, so he knew he looked good.  Not that he imagined in his wildest dreams that Jay would take anything more than professional notice… but it was still fun to imagine.

When the offer was made to step up onto the range, Gabe couldn’t help the way his eyes lit up - both with excitement and challenge.  And really, there was no reason to hide either one.  Any new recruit would jump at a chance to prove themselves.  The opportunity to show off not only in front of Jay, but also all of the members who so clearly admired the man - yeah, he couldn’t pass that up.  Granted… given what he’d seen a few minutes earlier, he wasn’t sure he could outmatch his new handler.  But he knew he could get damn close and had no intention of holding back. 

He paused briefly at the tone in Jay’s voice as he said, ‘On my time now…’  No… he was imagining things.  Had to be his own damn hormones.  Still… the smirk that settled on his lips held more than just confidence as he stepped into the booth.  “I’m not worried.  I think you’ll find I’m good at a lot more than just flying.”  Gabe momentarily locked eyes with Jay, and his grin might’ve gotten a fraction wider before he looked away to select his weapon.

At first Gabe considered going with the shotgun.  But those were his signature weapon.  Showing off those skills felt too much like tempting fate.  Instead he went for the high pulse rifle Jay had been using earlier.  Not his forte, but his kind of work had taught the bounty hunter how to use a variety of weapons with better than average skill.  Would it be enough to impress Jay, or any one else watching?  Only time would tell.  With the casual ease of someone who obviously had at least some prior experience, Gabriel went through all the proper gun prep and then started firing.

The weapon itself was… better than he’d expected.  Almost worryingly so.  How the hell were they getting goods like this?!  He had no illusions - once he nabbed Des, someone else would step up.  This wouldn’t end when he walked away.  Hell, for all he knew, it’d be Jay next.  But maybe if he collected enough intel he could slip it to a friend.  There were still a few people in law enforcement that he trusted.  Yeah… the more he saw, the better that idea seemed.  In the meantime… 

Finishing up the clip, Gabe took a moment to admire his aim.  Not bad.  Not as good as Jay, but for a weapon he didn’t use every day, he was privately pleased with the results.  The group was hushed.  Probably waiting for Jay’s reaction before deciding how to respond.  He understood that.  The other man’s opinion really meant something - which was a good fact to know.  With a smile that he hoped was more friendly than smug, Gabriel stepped out of the booth and arched a brow at his new handler, waiting for Jay’s assessment. 

Ooooh boy. Jack was in trouble. Big, big trouble.

It was obvious Gabe had experience with weapons, and it was more than a little arousing to watch him wield one with expertise that Jack rarely saw within this gang. Even in his years on the force, you had to have natural talent or be a veteran to shoot like that. Not perfect, but impressive, and after the silence settled Jack couldn’t hide the grin on his lips. 

“So, you are more than just a good pilot.” 

His smile seemed to break the tension with the others, and chatter, including congratulatory remarks to Gabe and pats on his arms and back, resumed. Jack crossed his arms and studied Gabe curiously as the other’s grouped around him. Once their questions and impressed comments died down, Jack stepped back, flashed Gabe a smirk, and motioned for Gabe to follow him. 

“Alright newbie, lets give you the tour.” 

#everywhere that i've never been #gabe #jack #almamaldita

[fidelismileslucem]

almamaldita​:

Lord Gabriel Reyes did NOT need a bodyguard.  Not once, in nearly 400 years, had he ever required assistance keeping himself safe.  However, even he didn’t say no to the Queen.  Not more than once, anyway.  She was resolute in her decision - so much so that he couldn’t help but wonder if the woman knew something he didn’t.  It was possible.  After all, her network of spies was certainly more vast than his own… and she could get them into areas he could only dream of placing people.

So, when she ‘insisted’ a second time, he gave his Queen a low bow of agreement… and then waited.  Eventually news arrived that his bodyguard had been chosen and would be arriving in a few days.  A part of the vampire had hoped it would take longer.  What was he even going to DO with a bodyguard?!  Grumbling the entire time, Gabriel made certain there was a suite prepared.  A small, petulant part of him was tempted to put it on the other side of the house from his own set of rooms… but that was petty, and would cause his servants more trouble than it was worth.  No.  It was easy to guess the person would want something close, and it wasn’t as if he needed all the rooms around him to be private… he just preferred it.

His own living space was actually a suite of five rooms.  One was a study and private library which also housed some of his favorite magical objet d'art and a grand piano.  Yet another was a small conservatory where he grew (and occasionally brewed) magical herbs.  Then there was his bedroom, of course - elaborately draped in a combination of silks and velvets in varying shades of black and red (with a few hints of purple scattered about.)  The final room was a large marble bathing chamber equipped with the most modern plumbing available.  It housed a large, oversized sunken pool (similar to a Roman bath), a separate room for the water closet, and a small sauna chamber.  The bathing room connected to another similar suite of rooms… currently unused.  Although Gabriel felt loath to keep someone he knew nothing about so close, he knew he must trust his Queen… so he’d had the other suite of rooms prepared.  Hopefully, they could work out a suitable schedule for their shared facilities.  And if not… well, he would worry about it when it happened.

He wasn’t in his private study when Renneth knocked to announce the arrival of their guest.  Instead, the vampire had opted for his larger, more formal library and study.  This one was meant more for meetings than any real work, but he enjoyed the large windows which opened out onto the garden below (once the moon had risen, of course.)  The books themselves were eclectic because he allowed his staff to help him cultivate the collection.  More than anything Gabriel wanted this house to feel like it was as much theirs as it was his.

Renneth called him ‘Master’ as he stepped into the room and the vampire couldn’t help a small flinch… which the young elf caught, of course.  Slaves learned very quickly to read body language; it kept them alive.  Immediately he corrected himself, using Lord Reyes afterwards.  That word was one of the first things Gabe tried to teach them they didn’t have to use.  He wasn’t their master; they were free now.  But it took some of them longer to grasp that idea than others - understandably, of course.  Many of those who came to him had been through hell and back.  Healing took time.

Had this been one of his older charges, the vampire probably would’ve asked the elf more questions.  But he suspected he still intimidated the other a little, and didn’t want to accidentally push him into a panic.  So instead, Gabriel smiled and nodded.  “Thank you, Renneth.  Please show our new guest in, and then let Arania know he’s arrived so she can send someone with tea and snacks.”

The elf gave a nod of acknowledgement and then left.  Gabriel summoned a few more faerie lights to brighten the place up a bit and then wandered over to the draped windows which covered almost an entire wall.  Sunlight wasn’t strictly taboo to his kind, but he burned easily and found it was more simple to keep windows covered when he could.  Damn if he didn’t miss it, though… that feeling of warmth spreading across his skin on a lazy summer afternoon…

Gabriel was pulled from his thoughts by the sound of his study door closing.  He turned quickly, curious to see who Her Majesty had chosen to be his shadow… and had to blink several times.  

The sun.

The damn woman had given him the sun.

It was an achingly poetic thing to think, but that was all the vampire could manage.  Blond hair that seemed to glimmer in the faerie lights, blue eyes that sparkled like gemstones, and a smile that threatened to burn him in much the same way sunlight might.  Gabe felt certain that if he moved toward the man, he’d feel the same welcome heat he’d imagined only moments before.  Giving himself a mental kickstart, the vampire offered a smile of his own.  Although tempted to try and out-do the other’s smile, he kept his fangs concealed for now, knowing that the sight of them often surprised and intimidated even those who knew what he was.

“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Captain.  Her Majesty has been rather… negligent in the matter of information.”  He offered a wry smile.  “So I’d be unable to easily thwart her choice, I suspect.  Since that’s the case, please sit and tell me a little about yourself.”  He gestured to a couch large enough for them both.  There was a short table that would be perfect for the food and tea when it arrived.  “I confess,” he continued, taking a seat himself, “I’m very curious as to your plans for protecting my body.”  Person!  He should’ve said person!  The subtle innuendo slipped out before he could even think!  Oh… this Jack Morrison was going to be dangerous… perhaps more-so than any supposed assassin.  Cover!  Keep talking!  “The Queen has assured me time and again that you’re one of her best.  An assessment that I trust, naturally… but would still like to see for myself.”

The small sketch in his file did not do Gabriel Reyes justice. He was just as handsome as Jack had feared, and the flutter in his chest when that charming smile was directed at him meant Jack was going to have a problem. A problem keeping this professional. Those dark eyes reflecting the faerie lights around them had something in Jack stirring, and the moment shared between them felt like something out of a book. Or so Jack thought, until his thoughts were rudely interrupted by an equally attractive voice.

Jack's back straightened slightly as his mind returned to the task at hand. He couldn't let himself get distracted by a pretty face. He'd never let it affect his job before, but in his defense, he'd never done an assignment like this before. This was going to be more... intimate, more private, than any of the other missions he'd completed.

“Likewise,” Jack gave Gabriel a sympathetic smile, and he nodded. “She did inform me of your displeasure with this situation, but as you're aware, she believes there to be a serious threat on your life. It's my job to make sure that doesn't happen until the culprits are caught, or her fears are proven to be just that.”

He bowed slightly and took his place on one side of the couch, when offered, and he turned a warm smile to Gabe as he waited for the other to join him. Just as he was about to elaborate on his background and accomplishments, Gabe's words gave him pause. Many inappropriate thoughts about Gabe's body flashed through Jack's mind in the fraction of a second, and Jack hid them behind a small cough and a slightly wider smile.

“I can say with confidence, I am one of the Queen's best.” Jack knew by his test scores and his mission records, which he fished out of his bag and offered to Gabe in a neatly sorted file, that this was true. He wouldn't be a part of her secret service if he wasn't.

“I was raised by farmers in a little town bit far from Her Majesty's city, but you'll see I've been in Her Majesty's service for some time. More recently I've been a part of her personal service, and I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have.” A small, cheeky smirk flashed briefly over Jack's lips. Had Gabe not let that innuendo slip, and Jack was fairly sure it wasn't entirely unintentional, perhaps he could have refrained from his next comment. The soldier in him would later scold him for it. “I would be happy to elaborate on my ideas for protecting... you.” Jack did not linger on his obvious lean into Gabe's innuendo, just in case he was misreading the other's body language. If he was wrong, there was no reason to destroy any rapport with Gabe before they even started.

“On the drive up I've identified a few windows I'd advise remain covered at all times, trees with branches that need to be cut back due to access to other windows, as well as a few wards I'd suggest being added alongside whatever you would already have in place, as a precaution,” down to business, despite the way Jack wished he could treat this interaction more casually. He wanted to ask more personal questions, to get to know his charge a little better, but as far this job was concerned, Gabe's file was really all he should want or need to know. “I'd also appreciate a tour of the property, down to any hidden passageways or doors that might grant access to your manor if they were known or discovered.”

#almamaldita #jack #gabe #steampunk au #know you better

[fidelismileslucem]

almamaldita​:

Looking for the Light - Jack/Gabe

@fidelismileslucem

Hot yoga probably wouldn’t have been Gabe’s first choice for a class.  Not that he had anything against yoga or the people who enjoyed it, he just tended to be a more fast-paced kind of guy.  He liked cycling and speed running and boxing - stuff like that.  Normally they were all great at helping him destress, but lately… not so much.  It was Zarya who’d suggested he might need a change of pace - something to calm his mind rather than overload it.  Gabe… wasn’t so sure, but he wasn’t the kind of guy to quit before he’d tried, so when his pink-haired co-worker said she’d signed him up for a new hot yoga class at the gym they both shared, he didn’t say no.  Which didn’t mean he wasn’t still unsure about the whole thing.

At the gym, he took his time in the locker room.  He wasn’t really used to clothes that clung like this.  But all the research he’d done said that well-fitted was best so the fabric would move with his body.  With that in mind, he’d gone for a snug black tank top; the fabric was light-weight but clung close enough to his skin that his nipple rings were apparent to anyone who might bother to look. He also liked that it did a good job of showing off his full-sleeve tattoos - one arm sported a Dia de los Muertos theme, while the other was a mixture of angel and demon iconography (taken partially from old illuminated manuscripts.) They both merged together on his back, tying the two scenes neatly together.  The shorts he’d picked were actually already in his closet - part of his cycling gear - and one of his favorite looks.  They clung well in all the right places, and had great movement.  They were also adorned with large calaveras on either leg, with an intricate pattern of black and purple in the background.  Striking without being too outrageous.

Taking a deep breath, Gabe headed for the room, where it looked like a good number of people were already gathered.  Huh.  There sure were a lot of couples.  Not that he minded.  He was a big boy, and could hardly begrudge others their happiness just because he’d been single for far longer than he cared to admit.  Not sure exactly how a class liked this worked, Gabe found himself a mat in the front row, but off to the side.  Better to see without always being seen, he figured.  Glancing around he wondered which of these people was the instructor. He got a few looks in return - not a surprise.  Gabe was a guy that got stared at often… for lots of different reasons.  A few were appreciative, others were sizing him up, and the rest… well, it was mostly suspicion or disapproval.  They didn’t like his piercings, or his tattoos, or his style of dress.  They took one look and thought he was trouble.  Once, they would’ve been right.  But Gabe had done his time and moved on with his life.  These days, he just looked like a gang-banger.  He’d joked to friends more than once that it ‘kept the weirdos away,’ which almost always got a laugh (and was sometimes true.)

Right now he ignored the looks, noting again how weird it was that almost - no, not almost - EVERYONE was paired up.  Gabe’s eyes narrowed.  Something was weird here.  WHAT had Zarya done?!

Jack considered himself lucky to have a friend like Zarya. They met when Zarya asked Jack to spot her at the gym one day because her usual gym partner had taken off early. After that, their similar work schedule meant they worked out together multiple times a week. Over the span of a few months they quickly became regular work-out buddies, and it didn't take long for the two to start spending time together outside of the gym. Platonic coffee dates, dinners, and the occasional movie or game night with their friends was the casual type of friendship Jack didn't know he needed until he had it with Zarya.

So, when Jack's assistant, for the couples yoga class he was teaching in a few days, canceled on him, Jack knew he could count on Zarya for some ideas.

“Are you sure you can't help?” Jack asked as he placed the barbell back on the rack and carefully began removing the weights.

“Sadly, I cannot,” Zarya said with a thick Russian accent, and she shook her head, “I have date.” With a contemplative hum she started to help Jack remove the weights from the opposite side.

“A date?”

“A date.”

Of course, Zarya didn't elaborate further, and Jack had learned trying to press her for details wouldn't work. Zarya was a private person, and she wouldn't share until she was ready. Jack respected that, so instead he nodded.

“Well good for you. I hope she's nice and that it goes well.”

Zarya hummed, repeating the contemplative sound as she finished with her side of the barbell.

“I cannot attend, but this does not mean I do not have solution.”

The slowly deflating look on Jack's face instantly lifted, and hope returned to his bright, blue eyes.

“I have friend who would like to try yoga. He is in good shape, very strong,” Zarya stepped around the bench and took a seat on it's edge, while Jack swung his leg back over it so he could straddle it beside her.

“You sure he'd be okay with a couples yoga session? It's just a beginner class, but it can still be a little more intimate than individual yoga,” Jack chucked, “I spend a lot more time touching  

Zarya turned to Jack and placed a weighty hand on his shoulder. Jack felt a twinge of suspicion as Zarya grinned at him, like there was something she wasn't sharing about her offer.

“Yes, yes. He will be good helper!” She squeezed Jack's shoulder, and that was the end of the conversation.

-

So as Jack waited at the front of the room and it started to get close to starting time, Jack started to worry that the man Zarya described wouldn't arrive. Right as he was scrambling to think of a different solution – asking one of the gym employees or perhaps using a willing couple who didn't mind participating in front of the class – the man he had been expecting (based on Zarya's description of facial scars) walked in.

Jack stood there, stunned, and knew immediately what Zarya had done and that she'd done it on purpose. Jack remembered a long, partially drunk, conversation with Zarya about their ideal types where Jack had embarrassingly admitted that tall, dark, handsome, and covered in tattoos and piercings was a particular fantasy of his. Not that any of his past partners had looked like that at all, but if Zarya hadn't basically presented him with a man straight out of his wet dreams....

Jack snapped himself out of his stupor it as he caught sight of the clock again, and with a controlled breath he approached this man, Gabriel.

Gods above, Jack almost wished he hadn't, because the closer he got, the more he started to notice. The man was built, and the tight clothes left far less to the imagination than a normal set of gym clothes. Not that Jack was complaining, this style of work out clothes was actually what he normally used, but it made things far more difficult for him as he noticed the nipple piercings on Gabe. From a distance, if you weren't looking, they weren't that noticeable. But, Jack was looking as he moved closer, and he definitely noticed. Jack loved the choice in bike shorts, they stuck out among the many basic sets of shorts and leggings throughout the rest of the class, but the tattoos were what stuck out the most. Gorgeous designs adorned both of the man's arms, and Jack wanted nothing more than to see just how far the tattoos went as they disappeared until his shirt.

Jack steeled himself for a long, long class. Despite the fact that he was going to use this class as an excuse to get his hands all over this man, with his permission, Jack was going to do his best to be professional. He definitely would not let himself get a boner in front of entire room of people.

It was during his approach that Jack suddenly felt self conscious, and he took stock of his own outfit. He wore a tight dark blue t-shirt, that clung to him in all the right places, and a pair of leggings with swirls of white, blue and gold from his ankle to hip. His shoes matched those, dark blue with sections of white, and topped with gold shoe laces. Just as quickly as his concern appeared it faded, because he knew he looked good. He didn't work out multiple times a week to not look this good, and he had a sneaking suspicion that Zarya wouldn't have offered Gabe's assistance if he couldn't at least be a little interested.

With his most charming smile, Jack extended his hand to Gabe once he was within range.

“Hi there, I'm Jack. You must be Gabriel, right? I don't know if Zarya said it, but thank you so much for volunteering to help me out with class today. I know volunteering to help with a couples yoga class with a stranger can be intimidating, let alone it being your first time trying out yoga.” Jack gestured to Gabe's yoga mat. “You can actually more it up front with mine, we'll start out with some stretches to get everyone warmed up before we get into the yoga part.” He grinned as he walked Gabe up to the front of the class room, and he ignored the stares and surprised reactions he caught from some of the class members out of the corner of his eye. “You don't have to worry about knowing the poses, I'll guide you through the different positions. Did you have any questions for me at all?”

Jack had questions, so many questions, but those would have to wait until after class. He took teaching in all forms seriously, and it was almost time for class.

#looking for the light #jack #gabe #almamaldita #hotyoga!AU

[fidelismileslucem]

almamaldita​:

Everywhere That I’ve Never Been ~ Jack/Gabriel

Gabriel Reyes was trying to put the Shimada incident behind him… for now, at least.  Genji was Ana’s problem and Hanzo had become Jesse’s.  

Jesse.

No!  No.  He didn’t want to think about him, either.  Nothing but a damn ingrate… which didn’t stop him from worrying for even a second.  The waiting was going to be hard for him.  Damn hard.  He didn’t have a ‘job’ to do while they waited for things to cool off.  So Gabriel did what any good bounty hunter would do and found himself something new to work on.  He told himself it wasn’t to keep his mind from constantly fearing the worst; it was so those who attacked the Shimadas… who’d let all of the bounty hunters go without too much fuss… might be watching him.  And if he didn’t act ‘normal’ they might start to wonder what was up.  So - his job for the Shimadas was to do his job.

Fortunately, Gabe had a mark he’d been watching for awhile now.  He hadn’t made a move because he knew it would be a time-consuming assignment.  But now, that was exactly what he needed.  Des Kurzon ran a galaxy-wide smuggling ring.  Compared to people like the Shimadas, he was small potatoes, but someone was offering good money for him.  Real good.  The only problem was his group was tight-knit.  It would take time to work himself into a position where he could get close enough to Kurzon to take the guy for a ride.  Time he now had in abundance.

So that’s what Gabriel did.  He took his skills under cover, offering himself up to the group as a ‘freelancer’ at first.  It took a handful of ‘jobs well done’ before they made the offer to invite ‘Gabe Rivera Costas’ into the fold.  He’d thought about changing his whole name, but was honestly worried he’d forget.  Better not to take that chance.  Besides, he usually did his work in a hood, so even being one of the best hunters in the galaxy, he wasn’t likely to get recognized…

The operation, housed mostly on Mars, was more high tech than what he’d pictured.  The gang had a variety of ships - small and fast for delivering messages, all the way up to vessels that could hold a handful of the small ones.  It was damn impressive!  Especially since he hadn’t been able to ferret that information out for himself beforehand.  Gabe began to wonder how much more he didn’t know about these guys… and whether it was going to wind up biting him in the ass somehow.

After being given a basic tour (and a quick ‘Hello. Welcome aboard. Don’t fuck up’ from his mark) Gabe was lead to a practice range.  Yeah… these guys really didn’t fuck around.  They trained hard (and from what he’d seen so far, they also trained young.)  Hell… some of them were younger than Jesse had been when he’d caught the kid trying to steal his ship.  Filing that unsettling information away for later, Gabe’s eyes focused on the range.  There was only one guy shooting, but several more milled around watching him work and cheering him on.  It wasn’t hard to see why.  He didn’t miss.  Not once.  They kept giving him different guns, and he kept hitting that center target.  It was… uncanny.

From next to him, Gabe registered his ‘tour guide,’ Reggie, laughing, “Felt the same way first time I saw the motherfucker shoot.  Guy’s a damn wizard with any piece he puts in his hand.”  He slapped Gabe hard on the back with a grin.  “C’mon… lemme get ya introduced.  Plenty of time for staring.  Des wants him to… help you out while you settle in.”  

So… he was getting a handler, then?  The hunter suppressed a grimace.  They really didn’t mess around, did they?.  Damn!  As they strode up, he was able to get a better look at his soon-to-be shadow. Gabe watched as a classically handsome man turned to talk to someone in profile, removing ear protection and then running a hand lazily through his hair.  Gabe was staring. This… golden boy?!  He was a part of this fucked up world?  The hunter wouldn’t believe it except for the obvious deference the others showed him.

“Hey!  Jay!” Reggie called out, waving in greeting.  Gabe jerked his eyes away from those toned arms and broad back as the man fully turned to face them.  Instantly, he found himself staring into the bluest eyes he’d ever seen - so blue they almost seemed to glow.  Subconsciously, he felt his own back straighten a little… and told himself it was ONLY because this guy could make or break his success here.

“Jay - want ya to meet Gabe.  He’s the new guy we’ve all been talking ‘bout - pilot who’s been making all tha Milky Way runs so fast.  Des wants you to keep an eye on him while he gets settled.  You know how it is.”

Gabe did.  Jay was the guy assigned to make sure he was on the level.  And probably to ‘deal’ with him if it seemed like he wasn’t.  In other words, time to play nice… regardless of how his heart seemed to beat faster with those piercing blue eyes on him.

“Looking forward to it,” he replied with a nod to Jay, intentionally not offering a hand.  No reason to seem too friendly, right?  “Wouldn’t mind sharing the range with you sometime, either.  I’ve never seen skills like that.”  That’s right.  Be friendly - complimentary - but tinge it with a little bit of challenge.  Let him know you can handle yourself.  See how he reacts.

@fidelismileslucem

Jack had been on this undercover assignment for the last 4 months, and it had proven itself to be a difficult job. 

You think it’d be easy to infiltrate a gang that broadcasted it was always looking for new talent, but this group was surprisingly tight-knit and well organized. Over the past year this group had slowly been slithering their way across the quadrant through the most vulnerable parts of each planet, and it’d taken some time for Jack to catch their attention. This of course presented it’s own problem, because trying to stick out, while trying not to stick out too much was a task in and of itself when you were prone to being an overachiever. 

Thankfully, Jack’s sharp shooting ability was something desirable to the group’s leaders, and after a few rites of initiation and a trial period, Jack had found his way in. Then came the climbing, slowly working his way up the ranks until he was a go-to guy in their faction, someone the other’s looked up to and referred to in tight spots while still keeping his head down. Now he’d reached a point where there was talk of a promotion, moving Jack to a position where he’d be in charge of his own crew, and this was just where Jack wanted to be. He was so close to having an in with the next tier of leaders in the gang, and Jack knew he just had to be patient. 

What Jack had not been expecting, while in this potential position, was to be put on babysitting duty. 

Jack turned to face Reggie as he approached, and when he noticed the newbie beside him, Jack’s heart sank. He thought he was past this role with the gang, and it only made him question what they thought of him if they were having him watch some new greenie kid-  it was then Jack actually took a look at the man beside Reggie. 

All of Jack’s protests came to a screaming halt as he gave the other man a slow (maybe a little too slow) once-over. This man was... very nice to look at. It was unfortunate, for the professionalism he’d meant to keep with this assignment, that this man was very, very much Jack’s type. Dark eyes, a set jaw, and the way he was built to the way he carried himself - it was obvious to Jack right away that this man was not one of the inexperienced kids that sometimes got roped in to this gangs antics. If this was who they wanted him to watch, they definitely trusted him in the way Jack wanted them to. Jack only wished, in this moment, that they didn’t trust him this much. 

Jack cleared his throat and nodded to Gabe. 

“Right. I’ve heard about those runs. Didn’t know they’d actually managed to recruit you. Took ‘em long enough,” there was a brief pause where Jack studied Gabe. Then he tore his eyes away from the handsome curve of Gabe’s lips and let out an exasperated sigh. Jack reached up to rub the back of his neck, all in an attempt to mask the silly twinge of excitement that bolted through the pit of his stomach. Professional. He was a professional. He’d put too much work into this job to lose his head over a pretty face. 

“Come on Reg- you know what I’m gonna say. Are you sure Des wanted me to be the one doing this?” Jack turned to Reggie with a frown, and Reggie held up his hands defensively. 

“It came directly from Des, Jay. He wants ya on this one, he don’t want no one else.” 

Jack let out another, less exasperated, sigh and ran a hand through his hair. After another moment of (fake) internal debate, he finally turned back to Gabe to give him another once over, this time quicker, and more intentionally as Gabe talked. 

The tiniest smirk curled at the corners of Jack’s lips, and he was pleasantly surprised by the tone in Gabe’s voice. It was casual, yet there was the hint of a challenge underneath, and that was something not many people could offer Jack in, or outside, the gang. Something warm stirred at the put of Jack’s stomach, and he gave Gabe a crooked smile. He was curious now, was this man just that confident, or could he actually give Jack a run for his money. 

“Alright, why wait to try your hand in the range with me? We’re here, and since you’re on my time now,” a phrase wrought tight with an inappropriate amount of sexual tension followed, “I know you don’t have anywhere else to be.” Jack pointed to the booth beside him, and a button on a side console in what would be Gabe’s booth. 

“Pick your weapon newbie, lets see what you’ve got.” Jack pressed the button in his own booth, and it opened a display that held a range of different guns. He placed the one he’d been using back in it’s empty slot. Then he turned back to Gabe and leaned back as the console slipped back into place. He crossed his arms over his chest and tilted his head to the side, and his smirk was now more of an amused smile. “Don’t worry, you won’t be kicked out if I find out you’re just a really good pilot.” 

#jack #gabe #everywhere that i've never been #almamaldita

[fidelismileslucem]

Know You Better

Slowly, Jack parsed through the thick file in his hands. He'd already memorized every detail between the manila folds, but it never hurt to re-review.

His new assignment was a wealthy vampire recognized for his generosity, his hand in destabilizing notorious slavery rings, and his relationship with the Queen herself. From what Jack had gathered, this 'Gabriel Reyes' was something of a confidant and adviser, and he felt it safe to say Reyes held a trusted friendship with her ladyship, one strong enough for her to come to his defense when accused of murder behind closed doors.

Evidence had recently surfaced that pointed to Reyes as the culprit behind an escalating string of murders, and the Queen, believing this to be an outside force attempting to frame Reyes, ordered an investigation.

That was part of Jack's job, determining whether or not this Reyes was a homicidal killer. The other part was keeping Reyes safe, as his personal bodyguard. If the Queen was right, that meant someone was targeting Reyes in a way that indicated they knew exactly who they were dealing with. A threat to Reyes' life would be imminent, and if he's innocent, it would be a tragic loss for both the Queen, and her kingdom.

Slavery rings were a well known cog in the machine of the Underground, and while they weren't polite topics to have over tea, everyone was aware of them. Feared them.

Men like Reyes had risen in direct and open opposition to them, and Reyes' property was symbolic, a beacon of hope for those freed and not. To lose that (during critical moves to bring the last of the rings to their knees, no less) would have repercussions that even Jack couldn't predict.

It was common knowledge that the village surrounding Reyes' mansion housed freed slaves, free to go wherever they wish, while given the option to stay under Reyes' protection in the village. The property was well warded and well guarded, and if the rumors of Reyes' abilities were to be believed, the man himself was as dangerous as they come. The promise of his protection alone would be enough to scare off any slavers trying to reclaim their property, while the rumors of it among those still trapped provided something something to believe in.

They needed Reyes now, more than ever, and Jack could only hope that Reyes was as innocent as the Queen believed him to be.  

Jack looked up from his folder and out the carriage window to the town passing by. It was a beautiful little place, small houses pressed tightly together with creeping vines edging over any surface within reach. The cobblestone streets were well worn and well tended, along with little gardens and planters scattered down the alleys and window ledges. If it weren't so late, Jack knew he would have seen the streets bustling with people, and the more he watched, the more it reminded him a little bit of home. As his thoughts started to drift, Jack caught his first glimpse of of Reyes' mansion through the trees.

This building two stories high, and matched the weathered look of the surrounding village. Dark, elegant accents of iron fought snaking foliage along the walls, and Jack's second thought, the first marveling at the gorgeous mansion, was how much of a nightmare this building was going to be to reinforce.

Jack regretted starting to count how many windows and access points he could see, and that didn't even include all of the ones he couldn't. He'd have to do a walk around the perimeter himself to see all of the vantage points one could use as a sniper, but he'd already noticed at least four. A crease formed between his brows as he counted three trees providing direct access to the second floor via branches.

All things he would have to address with his new charge.

Jack thumbed the small sketch of Gabriel Reyes, given to him in the file, and he tried not to think too hard about how many times he'd looked at the little photo. Reyes was... attractive. Dark, hooded eyes, with broad shoulders, and a jawline that Jack had caught himself staring at multiple times- all made the unprofessional side of Jack wish this wasn't a job. Gabriel Reyes was exactly the type Jack would ask out for drinks, and then some.

A soft sigh escaped Jack's lips as the carriage pulled to a stop at the front door, and a young elf dressed in a servant's uniform descended the steps. Jack tucked the picture back into the file, and he placed his derby hat back on his head. The file returned to his bag just as the door was opened for him, and it didn't go unnoticed by Jack that when he smiled at his greeter the pointed tips of his greeter's ears turned a bright red.

“Mr. Morrison?”

Jack nodded again, and the other man looked shyly away.

“Master Reyes has been expecting you,” he gestured for Jack to follow him, and as Jack stepped out he took a slow breath of misty, evening air.

“Could I get your name?” Jack asked as they ascended the stairs, and the servant blinked over at Jack in surprise.

“I... I'm Renneth, sir.”

“Thank you Renneth,” Jack smiled again, and Renneth quickly looked away.

Once inside Rennth took Jack's coat and hat, and he gestured to a waiting room off to the side, where Jack politely took a seat.

“Please wait here while I announce your arrival. I'll return shortly.”

Jack nodded as Renneth bowed politely and departed, and Jack watching him ascend a set of stairs to disappear down a hall on the second floor.

It took about an entire minute before Jack was on his feet and inspecting his surroundings. He'd never been the type to sit still for long, and the new setting only made the new body guard want to explore.

The interior of the manor was as rustic and charming as the exterior, with matching furniture, accents, and artwork. It was... homey, while still a representation of the vast wealth this man must have. It seemed Reyes was a collector, both in certain aesthetics as well as magic items, which were generally not cheap. Most magic items appeared as and ordinary object to those not magically inclined, but as Jack drifted past a vase holding a delicate bouquet of dried flowers, he felt a familiar hum resonate from it's surface. Jack had always had an affinity for sensing magic, and when he noticed two more items held the same vibration, and he wondered what the enchantments might be.

Jack was no wizard or fae, so he'd never be able to learn how to identify magic or it's intended purpose, but the fact that he could sense it at all was odd for a human. Having adoptive parents meant he'd never really know if he had any magical ancestry, but it was unlikely that he did. If there was magic in his blood, Jack should have shown signs by now, puberty was often a time for supernatural abilities to manifest, and after the super soldier serum trials it was obvious he was simply an oddity in his little talent.

A secret project among the Queen's guard and her secret service, the series of experimental injections were meant to enhance the abilities and magical properties of supernatural soldiers receiving the serum. Someone like Jack should not have been a potential candidate at all, but after hearing about the project and taking interest in it's focus- an elite team dedicated to serving the Queen more directly- Jack reached out to his superiors and personally requested to take part. He was a perfect candidate, as far as numbers went, acing every test and check the administrators put in place, and after a short debate over his eligibility, Jack was allowed his place.

Unfortunately, while the serum did cause Jack's body to change, he was stronger, faster, and had reflexes far above the average human, these weren't the types of changes the project was looking for. These were enhanced natural abilities, not magical. Jack was simply an 'exceptional human' – and he was quietly dismissed from the project. The actual results of the project were hidden from anyone not directly involved, and Jack was one of the few who knew the terrible fate he'd narrowly missed.

Despite his disappointment, and the general failure of the project, Jack's dedication to the Crown and his exceptional abilities, new and old, were quickly recognized. It wasn't long before Jack's knack for tactical planning, quick thinking, and ability to lead under pressure were noticed, and he was promoted to a position within the Queen's secret service.

Now Jack was here, babysitting a friend of the Queen. It felt odd to be doing this type of job, and he could think of a few coworkers who might tease him about this assignment. Jack knew he was here because he was trusted, he wouldn't be here if this wasn't important, but it did feel a little strange to be working on his own, without his team.

Jack was startled from his musings when he glanced down the next hall. At the very end stool an ethereal looking woman with dark skin, long brown hair, and an elegant green dress that did not belong to that of a servant. Jack blinked and he tried to remember the mention of a family in the file he'd been given, and he blinked again as her visage wavered. For a moment Jack wasn't sure what he was seeing was real. He gave a small wave and took a step down the hall, only to be stopped by a familiar, and gently frantic voice.

“Mr. Morrison – sir!”

Jack turned to see a flustered Renneth rushing towards him, and when Jack glanced back down the hall the young woman was gone.

“Please sir, I-I didn't know where you'd gone! I'm to bring you up to M- ma- Lord – Lord Reyes' study. Please follow me.”

It surprised Jack that he wasn't scolded for his wandering, but not finding Jack where Renneth had left him had obviously upset the young man, and Jack found himself feeling a little guilty.

“Of course, lead the way Renneth. I have a bad habit of jumping right into work, I'm sorry.”

The servant nodded, Jack's apology seemed to settle his nerves, and he led Jack up the stairs to second floor.

“Can I ask you something Renneth?” Jack asked as they walked. “I wasn't aware there was a lady of the house, who is she?” Jack took silent notes of each little improvement he'd want to make to the security of this particular hallway.

“Excuse me, sir- but there is no lady of the house. L-Lord Reyes has no family, he lives here alone, outside from those of us who work here.”

Jack's brow furrowed but he said nothing more about it. What he'd seen earlier must have been a trick of the light, a result of a long day of travel.

It wasn't long before they were standing in front of the door to the study, and Jack adjusted his suit jacket and vest before thanking Renneth. The elf blushed when addressed and bowed politely before he scurried off down the hall.

He must be new.

Jack mused before he let himself into the study. Once inside he closed the door quietly behind him, and turned to his new employer with one of his most charming smiles.

“Captain Jack Morrison, at your service, Lord Reyes,” he offered the other a small bow before straightening up to face the start of his new assignment.

#reyes #jack #steampunk AU #know you better #almamaldita