"It's a perfect day for some mayhem!"

Mako glanced down at Jaime when the grip on his hand tightened, before realizing that the smaller man wasn’t going to say anything. For once.

“Yes, we just moved in.” He said with a nod, offering his hand to the person who had approached them. “My name is Mako, and this is Jamison. We’ve just moved in from the city. Thought we’d explore a bit.” Mako said smoothly, taking over the conversation for once. It was almost weird, being the one to dominate the conversation.

Once they had made their excuses and continued walking, Mako looked to Jaime in slight concern. “Ya doin’ okay Jaime?” He asked softly, giving Jaime’s hand a reassuring squeeze as they walked. “’s okay if ya don’t wanna say nothing, I can handle it for now.” Mako never really spoke much, even around Jaime, though that was partially because the blonde never let him get a word in edgewise.

Many little stores and restaurants lined the streets. None of them were chains that Mako recognized from the larger cities they had looted during their heists. “See anythin’ ya wanna go in to?”

There was a little Italian place, a pizza place, the promised boba place, and so many other places that even Mako was a little overwhelmed. Some of this food he hadn’t eaten since before the Omnium had blown. He couldn’t even imaine what it was like for Jaime. “I think remember ‘talian food bein’ good.”

As Mako spoke for Jamie, he looped his arm around the other man’s and rested his head against Mako’s shoulder. As Mako finished speaking, he gave a surprisingly quiet ‘g’day’ to the suit, whom introduced himself as Angelo. Once the suit departed, Jamie found his tongue once more.

“Honestly, oi’m terrified. Sure we’ve had to hide out before mate, but not loike this. Not in plain sight. This--this isn’t going to work out! We can’t be out, we can’t be walking about Roadie--feck, Mako. If someone doesn’t recognize us, then they’re gonna ambush us--just like back in ‘stralia with that one suit! Filled with shit, the whole lot of ‘em!”

He lowered his voice the closer to the shops they got, but Jamison was still very animated as he spoke. He gestured wildly with his hands, though he paused in front of the Italian restaurant when mentioned. He looked up at the sign and then the window, taking a close look inside.

“‘m serious.” Mako responded with a snort of his own. “Civvies don’t blow each other up on the daily.” He added idly, before realizing he had made a mistake by offering Jaime boba. “After dinner. It ain’t going anywhere, ‘n we need real food after running three states without stopping much.” Mako answered, but his eyes had slipped into something a lot more fond than they normally were. He couldn’t help it.

It was definitely pleasing to see Junkra-Jaime, flush like that, and Mako gently settled their linked hands by his side. Thank god Jaime was somewhat tall or this would have been so uncomfortable. Mako smiled slightly under the bandana, giving the much smaller hand a squeeze. “Not necessarily just for show Just never been able to do it public.” He offered quietly. This was an opportunity that they had never had before. People seriously just didn’t care that they were holding hands in public, or at all.

Mako glanced down at the nervous questions, pausing for a moment and gently tugging Jaime to a stop. “You’re gonna be fine, Jaime. ‘round here, people love accents.” He murmured, thinking back to the numerous American tourists he’d run into back when he’d been a civvie for real. “They won’t put two ‘n two together. Ya don’t look anything like how ya normally do.”

The soot was gone, the clothes were gone, the giant tire was gone…maybe the limbs would give ‘em away, but Mako was betting on the fact that small-town folks didn’t pay much attention to national news. Hell, when he had grown up on the farm it was only noticed if it was something calamitous, and thankfully they didn’t make the cut this time around. “Just…act normal.”

Even the idea sounded somewhat ludicrous coming out of his mouth. Mako sighed, before resuming their slow stroll into the nearby center of the little town. “’m here with ya anyway, so if somethin’ happens, I’ll make sure we’re safe.” He promised, as outlines of people came into view. “Remember, people here are nice. They don’t kill or maim. They smile and ask how you’re doin’. Okay?”

Act normal?

He knew Mako wasn’t talking about the usual way he acted. Jittery, loud, obnoxious, the whole package. He couldn’t have been! Nonono--he had to be talking about the Jamie when they were hiding out, the one that was quiet and kept his head down and his hands in his pockets.

He nodded and bit his lip, looking down at the ground. “...Alroight mate, if you say so.” Right as soon as Mako brought that up, he noticed someone had spotted them and was quickly approaching. He felt his lip starting to curl up as it was a suit of all people. Wasn’t this supposed to be a small town?

“Well well, I was wondering who’d finally moved in across the street! At least I take it you two are the new couple down on Blackberry lane?” 

Mako’s massive shoulders stiffened when Jaime began running his fingers through his hair, before they slumped in utter defeat. How the tables had turned, he thought. Mako knew Junkrat woke up crying, from nightmares, and he had silently just nudged the smaller Junker closer to him to try and provide a little comfort. Now, here Mako was, crying his eyes out like a child. The silence was appreciated. It let Mako put his thoughts in order, so he could speak.

His voice was shaky, more so that it had been. “I see her.” Mako muttered out quietly, since there was nothing else he could say.

“When I shut my eyes…all I can see is her. Them. Everything.” He whispered, eyes closing with a shuddery sigh. “She…she didn’t deserve to die like that.” Mako added, and the words were honestly coming faster than he had ever spoken in his life, quiet though they were. “She didn’t, Jaime…I couldn’t save her. What if one day…I-I…”

Mako coughed again, letting his breathing even out before speaking again. “What if one day I can’t save you?” He asked quietly, raising one massive hand to roughly wipe his tears off his cheeks. “Can’t live with that Jaime, I’d have nothing left.”

Now more than ever, Junkrat had to think over what he said very carefully. This was the most vulnerable he’d seen Roadhog.... ever. Shit, part of him didn’t think the older man had it in him to be this expressive. It wasn’t much compared to the fits Jamison threw, but it was more than he knew how to fix.

He let Roadhog finish before he even tried to speak up, his voice still soft and quiet. “... As of now mate, Oi’m not worried about that happening... Oi know you’d hold up the Earth t’ keep me safe--Oi’d do the same for you! And if things do happen ‘t go south then... it’s not because you didn’t do enough.” 

“Do not set up traps in the yard.” Mako said quickly, already imagining some poor well-meaning neighbor getting their leg chopped off. “Civvies ain’t like junkers Jaime, they don’t kill each other in places like this. They try ‘n be friends…have each other over ‘n shit.” He did his best to explain, even though he knew the concept was entirely foreign to the smaller male.

Mako smiled slightly at Jaime’s question. “I bet they got lots of types of take away.” He said, hoping to bolster Jaime’s spirits a little bit. “Bet they even have boba too.” The former enforcer added, before slowly standing up and giving Jaime a hand up as well. Strolling out into the cozy hub of the downtown of the town was going to be…interesting, to say the least. Mako had forced Jaime to wear ‘civvie’ clothing, wearing a t-shirt and pants himself.

“We got money…stashed some away in case the bank job went to shit.” Which it had, and Mako was glad for his foresight. “Still gotta get groceries…cookin’ is cheaper, ‘n it usually tastes better anyway.” God, how was he going to leave Jaime in the kitchen? Mako could already see the flames.

Mako took a few steps toward the door, before glancing back to the Jaime. As far as they had come, Mako wasn’t nearly as physically affectionate as Jaime was. Here though, people would almost expect physical expressions of affection within couples. So, he offered his hand with a small smile. “Gotta blend in.” He muttered, to hide the slight flush riding high enough to be visible over the bandana.

The prospect of being kind to others for the sake of friendship was enough to throw Jamie into a fit of laughter. Him? Kind? Well--actually that wasn’t unheard of by any means, but other people being kind? Roadie being kind? His laughter died quickly as he realized Mako wasn’t joking around, keeping a nervous smile on his face. “...Y’ serious? No pullin me leg are you?”

His eyes lit up as soon as boba was mentioned. He rested his hands on Mako’s arms and looked up at him with a pleading grin. “Can we have boba for dinnah? Pleaaaaase? Oi promise Oi won’t low anyone up too badly! ....Oi promise oi won’t blow anyone up period alroight?” Jamison sprung to his feet and took Mako’s hand excitedly, convinced they were getting boba.

He let go of Mako’s hand as they approached the door, but looked up at him puzzled when it was re-offered. “...Oooooi thought we were blendin’ in plenty, mate. What do you mean?” It took a minute or two of silence for Jamie to figure it out, though once he did, a flush crept onto his own face coupled with a somewhat coy smile.

“R-really? Oi mean-- you know Oi’m all for that ‘typa stuff mate!, but oi thou-- ooooooohhhh. It’s just for show. Alroight, gotcha.” He took Mako’s hand and looked out to the lawn, holding onto tightly. He was nervous as hell about this because he honestly didn’t know if he could be convincing as a civilian.

At the pointed jab into his arm, Mako sighed indulgently, letting Jaime rant himself out before speaking. “I’ll be honest with ya, I promise.” He said softly, snuggling Jaime even closer against him before the blonde could get worked up all over again. “Ya might be smaller Jaime, but I’ve lived this life before…people here don’t really watch international news, which is why it’ll be good for us.” Mako murmured, a slight smile quirking up under his bandana.

“You’ll be fine Jaime, ya know how t’ handle yourself. I ain’t been a civvie in a long time, but we’re gonna learn together.” He promised, leaning down to press a kiss to the top of the blonde’s forehead. Maybe he was cheating a little bit, because Mako knew exactly how to tweak Jamie’s temper. Still, this was a pretty good way to push Junkrat’s buttons. Being separated made Jaime nervous, and Mako knew it.

“Ya might like it more’n you realize…I’ll even let ya use the garage for making bombs ‘n shit, ‘s long as you don’t blow up the house, deal?” Mako offered, hoping that the hint of normalcy would help Jaime come around to the idea. He wasn’t entirely sold himself yet, but this was the best option that they had.

Mako glanced to the clock ticking above the mantle of their fireplace, before sighing. The sun was just beginning to set, and Mako knew that tomorrow was going to be interesting. He didn’t start work for a few days, so that he and Junkrat…Jaime…could acclimate to their new surroundings. “Whatcha want for dinner, Jaime?” He asked, almost snorting at the sheer normalcy of the situation. “We…we gotta get groceries or some shit.”

Jamie hated this. He hated the domsticity of the situation, he hated the fact that he would have to be here alone, and most of all he hated that he couldn’t even be mad about it. Curse Mako for being too good at calming him down. His heart melted and his anger petered out at the kiss, replaced with a small smile and a light giggle.

“Nnnnnn, ffffffffoine. Ya drive a hard bargain, Roadie--er, Mako! Oi still don’t loike this though! ‘s too calm, too quiet. Oi don’t like calm ‘n quiet--worst things happen in th’ calm and the quiet! First thing’s first we gotta fortify our house--we can’t just sit out heia in the open loike this. We’ll be killed! Gotta lay a couple’a traps in th’ yard... ‘specially if Oi’m heia alone mosta the day.”

As far as Jamie knew, civvies were only slightly different than Junkers. Sure they lived in nice houses and had more advanced tech, but surely they still maimed and brutalized one another.

“We can leave when they stop lookin’ for us.” Mako reminded Jaime with a sigh, but he could understand why this was hard for the blonde. It was hard for him too. “We gotta milk this as long as possible, ‘cause no one knows who we are here.” He said, heaving a sigh and giving the living room another glance.

“Found a job…at an office, downtown.” Mako said idly, hoping that Jaime wouldn’t pitch a fit about having to be the only one staying at home. “Ya can hang around here, ‘s long as ya don’t accidentally tell anyone who we are.” He added, before grinning slightly and tugging his sneering companion closer to him.

Mako knew how to curb Jaime’s tantrums, he had a lot of experience doing so. He wrapped a massive arm around the skinny frame, before glancing down to Jaime. His signature mask had been replaced by a bandana worn across his mouth, with the excuse that it helped keep his lungs from inhaling too much dust. Really though, it was for his own personal comfort.

“Maybe it won’t be so bad?” He suggested quietly, hand moving to settle on Jaime’s hair. Mako knew this was going to suck, especially for him, but he was trying to make the most of a bad hand. “Gotta say…never imagined us livin’ like civvies for any amount of time.” He chuckled dryly.

Too late for hoping, the minute Mako brought up the fact that Jamie would have to stay there, the lamp was placed back onto the table and a hand flew to the Junker’s hip as he turned towards mako. “Hang around heia!? While you go off and leave me here alone-- are ya hearin; yourself roight now mate?!” He swatted the man’s hand away as he tried to pull Jamison closer, pointing a finger at Mako. “No you don--don’t-- Oi’m trying to mad heia--!”

But it was no use. Though he might try to debate being pulled over by his lover, he was in the end. He pouted, but his temper was effectively gone. “Why do oi hafta stay at home? Eh? Hate to say this, but you’re WAY harder to miss than I am. And please know I’m not tryin’ to make a low blow or nothin’--but.... oi ain’t sorry if oi offend you! Oi’m roight! You know Oi am!”

He pouted and crossed his arms, begrudgingly leaning in towards Mako. “Mate, this is gonna be a bloody nightmare. Oi dunno if you’ve noticed recently but... OI AIN’T ACCLIMATED TO THIS SORTA LOIFE! Oi don’t know the first goddamned thing about bein’ a civvie!” Oops, temper’s back.

The night managed to take away all the happiness of the evening before, and Mako’s thoughts of the past soon came creeping up in the dead of the night. He could hear Jaime sleeping beside him, breathing steady, and Mako’s heart suddenly ached for everything he had lost. The memories of his wife laying in exactly the same position, breathing just as relaxed, came rushing back.

Before he realized what was happening, Mako’s eyes welled up with tears. His eyes widened in shocked horror, because Roadhog hadn’t cried in decades. A large finger actually crept up to touch the water trickling down his cheeks, before pulling back to he could watch the tear drip off his finger.

His breathing was getting more and more uneven, and Roadhog had to actually stifle his crying. He didn’t want to wake Jaime up. The blonde had been so happy, and Mako didn’t want to ruin it for him. But when he closed his eyes, he saw his wife’s smiling face, waving at him, mouthing words at him that he couldn’t hear. What was he doing? All he was good for was breaking people apart. He was only going to hurt Jaime, that was the truth.

A particularly harsh sob managed to shake Roadhog’s entire frame as he stared at the wall, facing away from his sleeping partner. Mako let out a muffled cough, his lungs catching up with him, not used to crying.

The shift in breathing was, believe it or not, enough to somewhat stir Junkrat from his sleep. Though not quite enough to wake him entirely, he shifted slightly so he was facing his new partner’s back. Finally, as he let out a sob, Junkrat woke up. Jamie was hesitant on sitting up and instead, moved a hand to his eye, initially thinking he had started crying in his sleep. It wouldn’t have been the first time, after all.

The muffled cough and the shaking shoulders coming from Roadhog though, quickly corrected him.

He didn’t need to ask what was wrong, nor did he know what was upsetting Mako. It was something-- and it was enough to make the so-called one man apocalypse cry. “Don’t fight it mate,” he mumbled softly to Mako, putting a hand on the man’s shoulder as he sat up. “’s good to cry, ‘salroight. Oi;m heia for ya.”

It was almost hard to believe that this is what they had been reduced to. Mako (not Roadhog here, he had to remember that) gazed out on the disgustingly pristine lawn that was a sharp contrast to the harsh deserts of Australia. After a particularly disastrous attempt to rob a large federal bank a few states over, he’d decided that they were going to hide out for a little bit, and let the heat blow over. Mako knew cops in multiple areas and the fucking FB were looking for them, and he was not going to go to jail again. That had been a shit experience he didn’t want to repeat.

So, until the heat died down, Mako had brought them to a small town in the middle of some shitty state in the middle of the Americas. He’d done his research. This place was accepting enough, and wouldn’t question the two of them living together. Mako didn’t even want to think about having to explain to Jaime that they needed separate apartments. The large man heaved a sigh, rubbing his temples, before sitting on the couch in the living room.

They had just moved in. The place had come furnished, a real steal, according to the realtor. It had a nice kitchen, nice master bedroom, beautiful shower…everything an upper middle-class couple could want. There was a television set on the stand, and Mako was almost pained by how familiar the domesticity of the affair. He glanced over to Jaime (not Junkrat), before speaking up. “What do ya think?”

How Roadh--Mako had been able to find a place that had little to no idea who they were in the first place was impressive, but the fact that he managed to get them to blend seamlessly (somewhat) in with a suburban neighborhood? Goddamn, if he didn’t pick himself the best man to fall for.

But he knew how this would affect Mako. He hadn’t been in this sort of atmosphere since before the omnium blew up so god only knew what sort of feelings this was forcing back to mind. Not only that but they were sort of trapped here until things calmed down.

Junkr--Jamison wasn’t too keen on it. At all, actually. He’d tried to insist on keeping on the road and on the move, but Mako was adamant that this would be a better idea. And Jamie had to admit(though he hated to), it was. He hated being confined to a certain area, but so long as he could leave the house? There were worse places to be trapped.

Mako wanted to ask just who had hurt Jamison in the past so he could tear them limb from limb once he got out of here, but he didn’t want to ruin the moment. Jamison’s past was his to share when he was ready, and Mako was okay with that. “Trust is earned.” He agreed quietly, the faintest hint of a smile quirking up on his scarred face.

Junkrat managed to catch him by surprise more often than Mako wanted to admit, but the kiss was definitely new. Mako blinked in surprise when Jamison pulled away before his mind really processed what had happened, but his surprised expression shifted into something content. “Glad t’ be of service.” He rumbled out, chuckling in spite of himself at the other’s dramatics.

“But.” Mako spoke up, gently picking Jamison up in his massive hands and moving him to settle on his lap. “I owe ya a kiss of my own.” He said firmly, before once again pressing his mouth to the blonde’s. Ironically, his kiss was softer, gentler. There was a lot more emotion in it than Mako was willing to admit, but it made him happy. His chest was both light and heavy at the same time, Mako couldn’t explain it. The larger Junker pulled back with a smile, one hand resting on Jamison’s lower back and lightly rubbing up and down. “Guess you’re stickin’ to the bottom bunk huh?”

Being who he was, Jamison was practically starstruck when Mako pulled him in for a kiss. His arms hovered over the other’s shoulders before he closed his eyes and pressed into the kiss, resting his arms on Mako’s shoulders. He couldn’t help but jitter and giggle like a schoolgirl as the kiss was broken and hugged Mako tightly, nodding in response.

It was hard for him to form proper words right now. He just let out a muffled “Aaaaaaaah,” into Mako’s shoulder. He pulled away and sprung off the bed, his injuries seemingly forgotten. He threw his hands in the air and as silently as he could, started celebrating.

The rest of the time in their cell was pretty uneventful. A deck of cards was produced at one point and they--well, jamie talked a lot about what they should do when they got out of prison. He apologized for not getting the keycard and spilled everything he’d learned thus far to Mako, namely that they could technically escape in two days, after he’d delivered a book for Mako to read.

Maybe Jaime was annoying as hell, but Mako couldn’t deny that he had grown to love the blonde’s more irritating attributes. “Ya act out sometimes, but ya never do anything malicious…not to me anyway.” He said quietly, but his voice was nothing but fond. It was true he hasn’t told Jaime much about his past, which was fine when they had been partners with no other emotional attachment.

This was different. If they were going to do this, Mako had to start opening up. Or at least not keeping Jaime completely in the dark. “I did have a wife, before the Omnium blew.” He admitted quietly, gaze shifting back down to his lap. “I had a daughter too. She was a little younger than you were when it happened.” Mako sighed, before shoving the memories threatening to encroach on him away. This was about Jaime and him, in the present.

“I don’t know if I am into men, honestly…never really thought about it. But I am into ya, and that’s enough for me.” Mako said with a fond smile, before carefully pulling his hand out of Jamie’s lap and wrapping his arm around the skinny waist. He gently tugged Jaime against his side, a small smile on his face. Even if he didn’t show much affection, it was easier when it was Jaime. Mako wanted to show him that he was worth it, even if the blonde didn’t think so.

“I guess we…we’re a thing now.” He said, a bit awkwardly, but he was still smiling. It was a small smile, but it was there. Mako was happy, he couldn’t deny that. “Couldn’t live without ya.”

He took note of Mako shutting down somewhat and though Jamison wanted to pry, he didn’t. He figured Mako would approach him about the past when he was ready. Jamison scooted closer to the other man and rested his mechanical hand on the other’s leg as the past was breifly brought up. A wife, a daughter.

“Same at ya, mate. Though--honestly Oi do prefer blokes ovah sheilas. Main reason bein’ that--...” His voice fell short as he struggled to come up with the right words for the situation. “....Long story short, Oi just--oi don’t. Hard ‘ta trust people nowadays ‘yknow? Especially junkahs. For the most part! You’re the exception!”

Requested by Anonymous

“Are you okay?” 

“Do you have any bandages?”

“That doesn’t look good.” 

“Did you pick a fight with a bear?!”

“I’m /fine/!” 

“You don’t look ‘fine’ to me!” 

“That was a nasty scuffle…” 

“Let me see your ___.” 

“Can you help me?”

“You’re bleeding!” 

“I think I got some glass in my hands.” 

“Who did you pick a fight with this time?” 

“Did you win?”

“Looks like you were on the losing end of a dog fight.” 

“You should see the other guy.” 

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean-” 

“Things… got out of hand…” 

“What the hell happened?!” 

“Please tell me you’re still breathing.”

“I’m going to give them a piece of my mind for what they did to you!” 

“I can’t promise nothing is broken.” 

“It’s not what it looks like.” 

“Would you believe that I fell down some stairs?” 

Should I be worrying about seeing you in the news for a homicide?” 

“That’s… a lot of blood.” 

“All this blood isn’t mine, I swear.” 

“What did you do this time?” 

feel free to edit or elaborate as you please .   ( add  ‘ reverse ‘  to your message if you’d like to see how my muse would perform the action ) . otherwise , send in one of these for my muse’s reaction to   …

[ lit ]  your muse lighting a cigarette , spliff , etc. for mine . 

[ order ]  your muse ordering for mine at a restaurant or bar .

[ guide ]  your muse putting a hand on mine’s back to lead them .

[ pay ]  your muse paying for mine at a store , bar , restaurant , etc . ( you can specify where or for what . )

[ open ]  your muse opening a door for mine .

[ dry ]  your muse drying mine off with a towel after a shower , bath , swimming , etc . 

[ instruct ]  your muse giving mine instructions / telling them what to do . 

[ groom ]  your muse adjusting mine’s appearance , such as straightening a tie , fixing their hair , or buttoning their shirt for them , etc . 

[ direct ]  your muse taking mine by the chin and telling them to look yours in the eye .

[ disagree ]  your muse sternly telling mine  ‘ no ‘ .

[ rest ]  your muse resting their arm over mine’s shoulder / s .

[ clean ]  your muse cleaning a smudge of something off mine’s cheek , forehead , etc .   feel free to specify what and how . 

[ answer ]  your muse answering a question meant for mine . 

[ coat ]   your muse holds mine’s coat out for them while they put it on .

[ pilot ]  your muse taking mine by the arm , hand , shoulder , etc . to lead them . 

[ stare ]  your muse staring mine down . 

[ placement ]  your muse telling mine to sit down .

[ teach ]  your muse taking control of mine’s hand , arm , hips , etc . to make sure they do something correctly .  

[ patience ]  your muse telling mine to be patient .

[ tears ]  your muse wiping away mine’s tears .

[ swat ]  your muse swatting mine’s hand away from something they’re not supposed to touch .  

[ jewelry  ]  your muse clasping a piece of jewelry for mine , such as a necklace , or earrings . 

[ enough ]  your muse commanding mine to stop talking . 

[ retrieve ]  your muse requesting or ordering mine to retrieve them something .

[ invite ]  your muse inviting mine to sit on their lap .

[ lean ]  your muse inviting mine to lean into their side while they’re sitting or laying together . 

[ calm ]   your muse telling mine to  ‘ just breathe ‘ .

[ scold ]  your muse scolding mine for something .

[ comfort ]  your muse pulling mine into a reassuring hug .

[ approval ]  your muse complimenting mine on a choice they’ve made .

[ beckon ]  your muse beckoning mine to them without speaking . 

[ laces ]  your muse lacing , tying , or zipping something for mine , such as shoes , a dress , or a jacket , etc .

[ stay ]  your muse telling mine to stay in the car . 

[ defend ]  your muse defending mine’s reputation , dignity , or safety for them . 

[ feed ]  your muse feeding mine something , feel free to specify what .

[ volume ]  your muse demanding mine speak louder .

[ read ]  your muse reading something to mine .

[ refill ]  your muse refilling mine’s glass for them . 

A matching smile quirked up on Mako’s lips before he could stop himself. “Really.” He agreed quietly, before snorting at Jamie’s dismissal of their vast age gap. Mako wasn’t sure about a lot of things, like whether or not this was going to end badly. In the Outback, love and emotions got you killed. Everyone learned that rather quickly. But the one thing he was sure of, was that he had feelings for the smaller man currently settled beside him.

Mako didn’t talk nearly as much as Jamie did, not even on his more verbose days. “We’ve waited long enough, don’t ya think?” He asked, before reaching out a massive hand to gently turn Jamison’s face toward him. While he appreciated Jamie’s consideration, Mako would prefer to look at the blonde while awkwardly trying to confess his feelings. “I don’t want to wait. We still gotta figure some stuff out…but I’d be miserable without ya.” There was more emotion in that sentence than Mako had expressed in years, he just hoped Jamie understood that.

His brows creased slightly, as he thought over Junkrat’s hurried speech. “Why would you say there’s a lot goin’ against ya?” Mako asked quietly, his hand still resting against Jamie’s cheek.

Jamie practically melted at Mako’s touch and leaned into the other’s hand, unable to keep this stupid grin spreading on his face off. He drank in the moment, drank in Mako’s face, oh god his FACE. Jamie had caught glimpses throughout their stay at the prison of Mako’s face, but never had he looked at it in full like this. He’d only dreamt of looking at Mako’s face like this.

A hand rested over Mako’s as he questioned Jamie. He shrugged and stroked a thumb over the much larger hand, glancing down at the bed for a moment. “Well-- a few reasons. Nothin’ of your doin’ personally, Mako. T’ start off, I know I’m difficult to handle. Fully aware of it actually! And sure you give me a hard toime for actin’ out, but... It hasn’t driven you away. Like it has with a lotta otha’ Junkah’s back home.”

He pulled off Mako’s hand and held it with both of his own in his lap, looking down at his palm pensively, selecting his words carefully. “Oi also don’t know much about your past, but oi know enough that you probably had someone you loved before things went to shit. I think oi heard ya say you had a wife once? Oi wasn’t even sure if you were... Y’know. Interested in men. Even so, mighta been the chance you weren’t ready to move on, but...” 

All of Roadhog’s thoughts came to a screeching halt the moment Junkrat’s admission left his mouth, and the former enforcer was actually speechless. What was even more telling though, was the expression on Junkrat’s face. Roadhog couldn’t stand seeing him so defeated, it broke whatever was left of his cold, dead heart.

There was a moment of silence as Roadhog thought through what he wanted to say, before the man straightened up so he was sitting upright beside Junkrat. “Jamison…I…” The severity of the topic called for real names, Roadhog believed. Maybe it was stupid after so long, but Roadhog had some things that he needed to say.

“I…I can’t deny that I have feelings for ya, either…’n I wouldn’t mind taking it further.” He admitted after a moment, his tone softening to something that was far more reminiscent of Mako Rutledge than it was Roadhog. Was he betraying his family? His wife, who Mako had adored more than anything in this world. He’d killed them, even if he hadn’t meant to. He couldn’t do the same to Junkrat. It would destroy him to lose the little idiot who’d wormed his way into his heart.

“‘m old enough to be your dad.” Roadhog muttered out, even though it was kind of a ridiculous thing to be worrying about.

“Oi know there’s a lot goin’ against me here but. Lemme just--just lemme talk mate,” he said after his real name was used.  He kept his gaze averted from Roadhog--Mako, he supposed it would be for now--simply due to the fact that his mask was still off. “I’ll start off by sayin’ um... oi’m very used t’ bein rejected. I’m not sayin’ that for pity though! Oi just--don’t want you to feel like ya have to--”

Roadhog hadn’t missed the expression on Junkrat’s face when he’d first walked into the cell. It was different, more thoughtful than what he was used to. Junkrat was brilliant, no doubt about it, but he never looked like that. Also, the idiot was a terrible liar. Roadhog had learned very quickly when Junkrat was telling the truth and when he was not.

This happened to be the latter. Something was on the smaller man’s mind, but whatever it was, Junkrat apparently wasn’t ready to say. Roadhog had never been the type to push. People would say what they wanted to say when they were ready, and if that happened to be never, so be it. Still, his unimpressed expression clearly displayed that he knew Junkrat wasn’t being completely honest.

It hurt slightly, that whatever it was, Junkrat didn’t feel comfortable to tell him. Maybe it was hypocritical, considering how much of his past he kept locked away from Junkrat, but Roadhog couldn’t completely deny the small pinpricks of hurt.

He was being ridiculous. These feelings were ridiculous. “Ya were only gone for two hours.” Roadhog commented with a slight smirk on his face. “Also, we’ve killed lots of people, robbed others…Pretty sure you ‘n me are going to hell.” He said with a shake of his head.

“There’s some knives in the kitchen, but I bet the chemicals are locked away…gonna need a keycard to try and get into the supply closets by the kitchen. Sooner we get one of those, sooner we can be out of here…plus we gotta snag some guns from the guard room.” Roadhog rumbled out, letting himself sink back against the ratty mattress. It had been a boring day, for sure, considering how much work their normal days entailed.

There was really little else to do except sleep and talk. “Could ya get me a book from the library tomorrow?” Roadhog asked after a moment. “Might as well have somethin’ to pass the time until we get outta here.” He’d liked reading before he’d blown Australia to pieces, but there wasn’t much time for it afterwards. “Ya can sit on on the bottom bunk…don’t think you should be hauling yourself up ‘n down with how bruised ya are.”

A little bit of friendly concern. It meant nothing. Of course not. Roadhog didn’t care about other people. Mako did, and Mako was dead.

Junkrat picked up on the hurt straight away. Even without looking at Roadhog’s face, Junkrat knew he felt a bit dejected. Words formed in his mind, but they were coming so fast that it was difficult to get anything out. He let Roadhog go on and listened before sitting down next to Roadhog.

It seemed a bit random, but Junkrat gave a trill of frustration and leaned back, face buried in his hands.”Oi hate this! Oi hate--oi hate this place, oi hate this stupid job! It leaves me with nothing to do but stew in my own thoughts, and these fuckin’ feelings I’ve formed for you and--”

He stopped short, realizing he’d gone on and spit it out. Junkrat’s hands slid from over his eyes to over his mouth, paling slightly. He stared straight ahead and sat there, mouth covered for a solid two minutes before he slowly lowered them, a look of near defeat on his face.

The kitchen was boring, but at least cooking shitty food was something to pass the time. Roadhog actually knew how to cook, skills acquired many years ago coming back as he idly chopped vegetables. It was boring work, but at least it was something to do that wasn’t sitting in a tiny cell.

Roadhog’s mind kept shifting back to Junkrat and the irritating mannerisms that had grown to be annoyingly endearing over the time they had spent together. He nearly sliced into the tip of his finger while his mind wandered, and Roadhog quickly forced himself to avoid thinking about how Junkrat’s face had flushed earlier that morning.

After two hours had passed, a harsh bell alerted the prisoners that it was time for them to begin making their way back to their cells. The so-called social hour happened later in the afternoon, and now it was back for some endless hours being stuck in their cells. Roadhog had a shorter distance to walk than Junkrat did, and he would have stayed behind to wait if the guards had let him.

He sat on the edge of the lower bunk, patiently waiting for Junkrat to make his return. What had he wanted to ask him earlier, before they had been interrupted by the call to go to breakfast? Junkrat normally chattered on without any hesitation, or any consideration as to what he was saying.

Whatever it was must have been important or serious enough to warrant Junkrat putting some thought into his words. Once his companion made it back, Roadhog’s curiosity won out and he cleared his throat to grab Junkrat’s attention. “So what was it ya wanted t’ ask me earlier?” He questioned, dark eyes fixing themselves on Junkrat’s face steadily.

As time passed, Junkrat had since forgotten the conversation he’d had with Roadhog prior to breakfast. He filled the empty minutes with daydreams and fantasies. At first it was simple stuff; breaking out of the Prison, getting back on the road, things like that. But his mind began to wander towards Roadhog. 

Their initial thoughts of each other were... less than ideal. Roadhog was a means to an end and he was sure that the former enforcer thought of Junkrat as nothing more than a walking treasure trove. Countless times had Rat been told to shut up, sit down, called an ‘idiot’ by his own bodyguard. And now there was all this... touching.

Junkrat rested a hand on his shoulder subconsciously as he paused his work in replacing books on shelves, staring pensively at nothing. He hated looking back to the past because once he started it was hard to stop.

This all had to be for a reason. Though he may wish it, Junkrat told himself that there was nothing between the two of them. His memory might’ve been faulty, but he was pretty sure Roadie had a family back before the omnium blew up. Kids. A wife.

He brushed at his eyes right as the work shift ended. All too glad to get out of the library, Junkrat hobbled his way back to the main holding area. His eyes were red and puffy while his face held the same pensive expression as he walked up to the cell. Seeing Roadhog already inside, his attitude was quick to change. A smile was thrown up but before he could greet the enforcer, he asked what he’d wanted to say earlier.