razor sharp

As soon as he figured she must have left the room, he pushed himself up to sit. A flash of pain went through his skull as though Ripley pulled Animus’s trigger and pierced him again. With it came a flood of memories. Now alone and sat on the edge of his bed with the contents of his stomach lining the floor, it felt harder to breathe. He pried off his glasses to rub a hand down his face. Was this how Pike had felt? Or even Vex’ahlia herself, after she was risen by the grace of the Raven Queen and Vax’ildan’s promise? Neither seemed particularly energized for a while after, but he hadn’t seen them quite this bad. Perhaps he was just pathetic. Or perhaps it was another byproduct of selling his soul to Orthax.

Orthax. Orthax had been there, surrounding him in smoke, choking his dead lungs. Orthax had laughed in his ear when Vex’ahlia had told Percy she loved him. Orthax had subjected Percival to every cursed thing he had done to Percy’s victims. As though Percy hadn’t already been aware of the torment he subjected his victims to.

Percy’s fingers tighten around the sheet. He stares intently at the wall, and swears he can see Orthax’s grin. He will never be free of him.

– before they start any rumors about us. Her voice breaks through the smoke. Percy blinks, and looks over at Vex. Before, he hadn’t even really been aware of her state of dress – or undress, rather, which left her legs primarily exposed. They had seen each other naked before, as had all of the members of Vox Machina, but even half-absent as he was, he still found himself tracing the long, strong lines of her shins and the curves of her calves and thighs with eyes that were decidedly not etiquette-friendly.

His sharp mind catches up on her words before he has to admit that he only heard half of a sentence, and a slight smile tugs at his lips, in spite of his inner panic. “I believe you’ve already given them plenty to talk about, my dear,” he points out, trying to sound casual but knowing that his voice lacks in humor. At least nothing can extinguish the fondness in his voice. How could it when her hair is fluffed so severely that it is reminiscent of a bird’s nest? She’s beautiful. “But perhaps we can convince them to … forget about that – as hard as it would be to forget the vision you are right now.”

             THE HEAVY WOODEN DOOR  clicked shut behind her,  giving the illusion of privacy for a few more minutes.  There were dark circles under Percy’s eyes,  his normally pale face seemed even more pallid and gaunt.  It was the after effects of death,  she knew that.  Having been privy to what death felt like,  she knew the exhaustion in his aching muscles and bones would linger for a little longer.  Perhaps even longer, she thought.  Orthax had clung to Percival’s soul, determined to keep their friend,  her love.  Percy had won the fight for his soul and yet his body would pay for that battle. 

The clever remark that sits on her lips is swallowed by Percy’s heavy gaze as it travels up her legs,  stopping at the material that gives the illusion of decency.  Vex’ahlie had never been shy about her body,  happy to use the lithe lines of her body to benefit the group if it would work.  It wasn’t the first time she had been mostly naked in front of him but this was the first time that could make her bashful about it.  Svelte fingers absently tug at the material of her undershirt, like it can cover up everything he’s already seen of her. 

She’s grateful for when she speaks because it’s when she remembers to breath again,  her chest sucking in the air it needs.  “ Maybe I have but neither of us will have to clean up this mess, ” she answers with a nonchalant shrug. As a baroness, there were some perks that even she wouldn’t be able to get used to.  His eyes are softer despite how unwell he looks and it makes her heart beat hard,  loud enough to echo in her ears. 

         of course, his argument still stands. he’d support whatever revolution existed to prevent the persecutions, so that ZOWA or GRISHA will stop living in fear. at first, he didn’t understand the reasons for not showcasing such amazing talents when HE himself would have wished for those abilities any day. however, living with jesper and nina and the rest of these blessed PEOPLE who had been exploited or harmed (or lost their lives) because of their powers, wylan realised he should really be more careful with his words. standing on his tiptoes, he softly pressed his smart mouth on jesper’s lips and crooked a coy smile. “a challenge is just what we needed.” and what they’ve been secretly CRAVING for, after being sunken deep in ledgers and BORING meetings. as thankful as he was for the safe refuge in the mansion, he…..just missed blowing THINGS up, just as jesper probably missed the DANGER.

          wylan wouldn’t push about jesper’s abilities anymore, but they both know he was only the FIRST hurdle. KAZ would ask for those skills, and they both know this sharpshooter can’t say no to DIRTYHANDS. blinking the sprinkled seawater off his lashes, wylan leaned his head on jesper’s shoulder (a struggle, but he managed, he might have grown a bit taller over the year). “that sounds exciting. i’ll be DELIGHTED to meet him too and see how he makes them. maybe he can source us the materials i’ll be needing for my current PROJECT.” his mind was already working out the sums for a handsome payment. 

                  IT WOULD TAKE TIME.  Jesper knew Wylan wanted him to be healthy,  to not suppress a part of himself in the name of safety.  With Ravka always on the edge of a war,  there weren’t many chances for him to feel safe and explore the blessings given to him.  As reckless as the Zemeni sharpshooter had always been,  being Zowa was the one thing he protected.  And it made you sick,  he reminds himself.  The soft press of lips is an easy distraction that he leans into, the arm around Wylan’s waist holding him closer.  “ We’ve been terrible influences on you, ”  he teased.  Not that he was wrong.  As much fun as reading ledges and business proposals were,  Jesper missed the feeling of his pistol in his hands,  adrenaline pumping through his veins.  The only thing that could compare was kissing Wylan.  

        THAT WAS UNCALLED FOR, and he realised his mistake immediately after the words rolled out of his mouth, both about the games, and the dare to use his abilities in a place where he lived in fear for most of his young life. he WISHED for a better world without persecution - but that’ll need a lot of work and time to achieve. the thing about coming out of his shell meant trouble with whatever social skills he thought he already had. “apparently this SMART MOUTH can be a double-edged SWORD.” wylan nuzzled on jesper’s chest, clutching on the boy’s waistcoat, murmuring a soft apology, “you KNOW i didn’t mean it horribly.” after taking in the gunpowder scent from his boyfriend’s clothing, wylan sighed and turned his gaze back to the land that grew larger and larger as they glided along the sea. “i’m sure, it’ll be a GOOD challenge.” he smirked and took jesper’s hand to cool down his warm cheek, eager to drop the topic and bring back the sweetness that he just hopelessly ruined.

“so,” his tone remained tentative, his smile hopeful, “what is your most favourite place in your hometown?”

       AFTER THE PAST TWO years,  it felt strange going home again when so much had changed.  His mother had passed many years ago but her memory still lingered.  It was worse knowing that he had almost lost the family farm with his gambling,  almost like he didn’t deserve to go home anymore.  Jesper lost himself in thoughts until Wylan’s body pressing close snapped him out of it.  “ I like your smart mouth, ” he answered, arms wrapping easily around Wylan’s smaller frame.  “ I know. ”  And he did,  Wylan would never purposely try and hurt him.  The sharpshooter was extra sensitive now they were going to his home turf.  Regardless of his feelings,  Kaz would make sure he used his Fabrikator abilities to help them succeed. He easily rested his hand against Wylan’s cheek, his thumb dragging absently against it.  “ If anything, we’re great with a challenge. ”

        “i’m not the one losing games at the table, JES. besides, you don’t give me much credit for my bluffing skills. HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN that i’ve spent MONTHS pretending to be someone else? fooling not just my FATHER,” which was pretty expected since his dad never really knew him, “but also YOU.” his grin was wide, blue eyes sparkled in pride for that self-lifting remark. sometimes, he wondered if this was jesper’s confidence rubbing off on him, or was he really just coming out of his shell. it felt good, despite the persistent flush on his cheeks. wylan leaned to kiss the sunbeam reflected on jesper’s cheek and took a deep breath of that crisp zemeni air. “i really do love you.”

THE HORIZON was closing in and he blinked off the seawater sprinkling over his face. eyes slid towards jesper, who normally oozed with confidence - EXCEPT when it had to do with his GRISHA powers. “you’re absolutely right. quite precarious to set this new explosive i’m working on with my feeble bare ordinary hands. it’s only gonna be easier for me if i had the help of a reasonably DECENT fabrikator~” he teased in a sing-song voice, “would you happen to know ONE?”

              “ I DON’T PLAY ANYMORE, ”  he answered with a huff.  Their lives were different now,  he barely spent any time about the Crow Club or any of  the gambling halls.  He rolled his eyes,  setting his eyes on the horizon and away from the merchling’s smirk.  “ Yeah but that’s because you didn’t open your mouth around me.  As soon as you start talking, I’d know that smart mouth anywhere. ”  People that Jesper’s mouth got him in trouble but it was nothing compared to Wylan’s loud mouth.  He had to admit that Wylan was right,  he had everyone fooled because of Nina’s clever work.  The stubbornness faded back into a soft smile.  Jesper had always played games of luck until he hit the jackpot,  now he didn’t need them. 

                “BELIEVE ME, i’m trying to be fed up with it.” but his body protested each time with the immediate reaction of increased blood supply on his cheeks. at least it’s a comfort that COLM FAHEY would possibly have the same reaction. he always thought this FLIRTY nature must have ran through the family, and now pleasantly surprised that it came from jesper’s MOTHER. “hoooo, do you want to FIND OUT?”  wylan dared with a cock of his head to one side that bounced his curls over his face. and then he flapped his hands in protest, “just when did i EVER say that?” denying with a furious blush, shoving away glimpses of when he said those words when they were being soft with each other. “i never said that! let’s uh, let’s FOCUS on the job, shall we? ” 

           THE FACT THAT WYLAN couldn’t hide it was one of Jesper’s favourite things.  Sometimes he pushed the boundaries just to see what colour his cheeks could flush from a few words. A short laugh burst from his lips, calling Wylan on his lie. “ You’re trying to bluff the wrong guy,  Wylan. Do you want tell my da about how you blush all over because I could write poetry about it and recite it over dinner. ”  Jesper had been at enough card games to know a bluff.  He had spent even more time watching Wylan’s expressions.  There was no way his father was hearing a word of this.  Whatever clever remark the Zemnian boy had lined up disappeared with the red curl and he reached up to push it back gently with a wide smile.  “ You know I love you, right? ”  These were the same moments that made Wylan say sweet things about his filthy mind. 

It took Beau a second to realize what Yasha was indicating. (Maybe it was because she was too distracted by her being so close. Maybe. Who knows.) She glanced between the blade and the leering guard, eyes wide. “Oh, uh…I mean…I think he’s okay? You don’t–I think he’s cool. But, uh…if he tries anything though? I mean…that’d be…” hot. “…okay.”

Nailed it.

@oceansburned // jesper.

“YOU KNOW, it’s not too late to push you off this boat.” full on blush on cheeks with his nose scrunched up, wylan spun back to the deck, squinting to have a better look at the nearing horizon. “does your DA know that you have a filthy mind? i swear to ghezen i’m telling him all about it ONCE we get there.”