who cares for appearances?

“Just like that huh?” Jackson teased back, his head tilting back a touch as those fingers found that hair to brush out of his eyes- enjoying that intmacy, and that closeness between the two of them before Eli step back and let that space between them grow. It was a shame, every time that there was a hint of that fun intimacy, the other seem to recoil as quickly as possible. 

“Fine, if you say so, when you pass out from a lack of sleep, I’ll be sure to catch you.” Jackson shot back at the other, with the most charming smile he could muster as he pushed off the seat and shifted a bit, getting any crinks out of his back from the rough sleep. “You know that sounds like literally ever quest I’d ever been on.” He pointed out with a little rub at the back of his neck. Half the time they barely knew what they were bailing into till it happened.  There’s a little arch of his eyebrow at the question of weapons because why would he ever get on the plane with a literal stranger if he didn’t have a possbilty to protect himself. There’s an easy flick of his wrist and just like that, Athena’s sword was melting into hand as if it was built from a gold construt, before it became something more soild and heaty in his hand. A nice, silver blade with a golden hilt. “ Athena’s sword at your service. I think we’ll manage, handsome.” He pointed out before he flicked his hand away and the blade vanished. 

“Are you sure you’re not gonna sleep?” He asked again, a little worry in his voice. 

“Aside from the killing skills, you’re like an eager puppy,” Eli observes.

Jackson’s demonstration is hardly necessary, but it’s extremely flashy and effective. “Show off,” Eli snorts, giving the demigod a light shove. 

He stands up and collects his scattered things into a neat little luggage that he carries out of the plane with ease. Jackson’s ability is still playing out as if Eli is in front of him instead of leading the way to the rental car he’d arranged for before he even recruited Jackson a little over 9 hours ago. “I’m fine. We’ll grab some coffee and I’ll be as good as new.” Hopping from one vehicle to another is starting to tire him out, for sure, but Eli is too stubborn to give in. He may not be a demigod, but he’s no mere human either. “I’m more resilient than I look.”

Eli stops in front of the driver’s door after he loaded his luggage in the trunk and hesitates. Maybe Jackson can be relied on, not just during the search of the apple but now, too. 

Eventually, Eli tosses the keys to Jackson. “You drive.”

He wasn’t exactly expecting that kiss- then again, when had Eli kissed him when he’d actually expected him to? Still Jackson was chasing that kiss back the moment those lips hit his, easily letting his usual passion dance into that kiss, a hint or a promise of what he could give the other if they ever actually fell into bed together proper.  When it ended the demi-god was gazing up into the others eyes at those words. It felt strange to be called a miracle in such a way that it almost felt like…well, truth.  His smirk did cut along his face a moment later at the mention of joining that mile high club. 

“Not exactly the way I planned but…thanks.”  The whole thing had been a little tame for him but he appreciatedthe effort all the same. His tongue brushing along his lower lip at the ghost of the others lips against his own, and he gave the other one last look before he settled down onto the a spare seat across from the other, and rested his head against the wall to get some sleep. 

Jackson looked rather…vulnerable when he slept, as no bad dreams invaded his mind.  Just a handsome piece of art as he shfited from time to time to get more comfortable. 

When the other finally started to shake him, Jackson took a few more sleepy blinks before he shifted forward, a hand reaching up to brush along the back of his neck. “Already? Hm, “  Since hey, it felt like he’d just passed out. There’s a little glance to the others records and notes, easily noting the other didn’t sleep. 

“You all right, Mister brains?”

-

“Yeah. Just a quick seven hours later,” Eli snorts, pushing some of the hair off of Jackson’s face. 

“I’m fine, don’t spare a second to worry over me.” Clearing his throat, Eli reminds himself of the objective and puts a healthy dose of distance between himself and the demigod. All of that allure, it’s not real. It’s the gift of the Gods and Eli refuses to fall victim to artificial charm. “What we need to do is be prepared. I’m not exactly sure what might await us. I only have a vague clue of the apple’s whereabouts, but that’s it. There might be traps there, enemies. What sort of weapons do you use to fight? Do you summon them or do we need to find some before we leave the city?” 

There’s a soft chuckle at that jugement call about him- he wasn’t entirely sure what it said about him. He’d loved both the boys,. hell he’d showed Ender parts of himself he’d never been brave enough to show anyone else in his entire life and yet… “I’ve always been the live in the moment sort of man. Even before the camp.  I value the moments I had with all of them, the demi-gods. And with them… the moments I shared with Ender are going to be among the last memories I think about as the spark of life leave me. It’s hard to begrudge them for leaving, or chosing a different path. What we shared couldn’t ever be replicated with anyone else- so I might as well…let them find new adventures while I do the same. Find new moments for myself. I’ve never been good at permenace. Pretty sure that’s why I never had a boyfriend longer than month. Even if they had stayed, the whole thing would have ended at some pont.” So how could he bitter about that ending coming a little sooner? He knew how he felt about them and that was enough. 

“Oh my handsome fellow- I won’t let you leave the bed for a three days till we’re both exhausted from the sheer effort of our celebration.” He pointed out with a bite of his lower lip, easily aware he could deliver on such a promise.  “ Are you sure you’re fully prepared for the bloodlust that I’ll come over me? Nothing like it- for a war demi-god. It’s like a high of the best kind. You have this…energy running though you. Had some the best sex of my life while blood drunk like that. “ He pointed out. ‘But I’ll admit- it will be nice not to go the club and instead focus on other things.” He mused, with a simple shug as he leaned back in his seat. 

“I’m a product of greek myth, Eli. Destiny is always heavy in that stuff but so are heroes who defy such notions. So who knows, maybe you’re one of those heroes.” he pointed out as he focused on the other as he stared out into that window and met his eyes when they turned to him. “Ah. so no mile high club then? Shame.” But at this point he’d come to expect the other to not give into him. “But if you insist.” He pointed out as he pushed off the seat to find someone where more private to sleep. 

-

Eli shifted in his seat while he listened to Jackson, uncomfortable by the emotions he was detecting. Weather he knew it or not, there was longing in the demigod’s voice; there was heartbreak. Whatever the reasons, Jackson was downplaying the impact of those break ups, weather to save face or because he was in deep denial, Eli wasn’t quite sure. What a damn shame for someone so beautiful to feel such sadness. 

If confronted, Eli would blame that as the reason behind him standing up and cupping Jackson’s face, leaning in and kissing him harder than intended. As if he wanted to promise Jackson that there was still good to come; that life will feel meaningful once again. There will be a future ---  and a happy one at that --- for Jackson, regardless of Ender, or Beau, or Eli. There had to be. 

“You’re not a product, Jackson. You’re a miracle. Welcome to the mile high club and good night.”

For the rest of the flight Eli kept mostly to himself, going over his notes and the records he found, hoping this didn’t turn into a wild goose chase and a waste of everyone’s time. Worry kept him from following his own advice, and unlike Jackson he wasn’t able to catch a wink of sleep. 

The only bright side of that was that he got to stare at Jackson for a while, undisturbed. 

“We’re here,” he said, gently shaking Jackson awake. 

He shouldn’t be to shocked that the other boy knew the exact gods he was talking about, considering Eli had certainly confessed from making a targeted pick of him, which meant that he’d at least considered his demi-god “siblings.” all the same. “Beau was…certainly about love but I think a permanent connection wasn’t something he was truly interested in.” He mused lightly, with a flick of his tongue. “ It’s more likely he’ll wander in and out of my life- like all love, I suppose. Sometings it’s not an every day, all the time thing.” he pointed out with a little simple tilt of his head with a faint smile. He did adore his time with the boy, how could he not?  Ender was somehow a harder break though- that tattoed boy who lived across his hall, with those dark eyes and hidden potions. A shyness with those gloves that Jackson had all but taught him out of. “It was mutual.” He said simply, with a little suck of his cheek. Which was the best way he could say “not me.”. Considering he’d been a man who hated actually being tied down before the camp- all of his lovers at the place had been…well, marks on his heart that had been hard to wish to get rid off. 

“No time for pleasure?” He pointed out with a little brush of his tongue along his lower lip. “My, whatever are you goign to do when you get the apple? Let all those filty desires of you spill out in a massive wave? God. You can’t deny that sort of thing forever before it breaks you down, Eli.” he pointed out with his usual, dirty, smirk. 

Jackson did suck on the inside of his cheek at that that question, thinking about his life before and during camp wasn’t always the easiest thing,  they’d lost a lot of friends- a lot of people he’d come to care about during the quests. People he couldn’t save. Even an otter or two. “I  don’t think it’s a matter of worth, Eli. It was a matter of destiny. You don’t always get to choose to ingore the universes calls. Even demi-gods. We…I did what I had to do. And it was the first time I felt right doing something. So…” He gave a little shrug of his shoulder. “Mother or not, I was a product of those gods. and they needed saving.”

Eli hums as he leans forward to take off his jacket, finally feeling the warmth of the confined space as the plane starts moving and raising up in the air. “You’re the least bitter ex I’ve ever talked to. That speaks volumes of your character.” Probably speaks volumes about Beau and Ender, too, but they’re far from Eli’s mind right now. 

“Well,” Eli laughs, allowing himself the moment to fantasize about obtaining the apple, just as he’d planned to all these years, “I’ll definitely be in the mood to celebrate. Hopefully you are too.” Jackson’s tongue is unsettling, moving here and there, making dents in it’s owner’s perfect cheeks, completely captivating Eli in the process. “You should be excited, too. First time in a long while that you don’t have to think about sex. Must feel refreshing for a warrior. Battles are in your blood after all.”

“Destiny,” he repeats, starring out the window and into the vastness of the open sky. “I don’t care for destiny. I’m more of a make-your-own-adventure type of man.” It takes a second, then two, but Eli finally turns his head back to Jackson. “You should probably catch up on that sleep I interrupted. I need you fresh-faced, Muscle.”

There’s an easy chuckle at those words being shot back at them, though his a little doubt that Eli will actually give in.  There was that next question that had him arching his eyebrows a tad, because my, my, wasn’t that personal?  “Considering my last long-term lovers were both Demi-Gods, Beau and Ender-  I’d say they’re quite, quite high but it’s not a matter of volunteers. It was just… a shift in priorities. Both of them wanted different things after the…well, we saved the world.  Why? Do you have fear of failed to meet my expectations?” He shot back, an easy twinkle in his eyes. 

“You certainly are a handsome cock-tease.” There was no denying that as he shifted against the window to peer over at him. ‘ Gods, the underworld, olympus. Frankly I’m just shocked I made it though that whole expereince alive.” He pointed out with a little wave of his hand. “But you’re not wrong- far be for me to consider whatever they’d doing now.  A little bit of chaos, no doubt. Or having an orgy.” he pointed out with a little shrug.  There’s a little suck of his cheek at the mention of it being enough. He’d ached for so long to have a family, or even a sense of one. And he’d had that at the camp- but from his mother? Not so much. Beyond inheriting a few weapons and a owl. “Simply knowing what I am is gift enough, I don’t need more from her.” He pointed ouut as an aswer. 

Jackson slipped into the plane and stripped off his own jacket, throwing it onto one of the empty seats before he dropped onto the one across from Eli.  :”As you command. Mister Brains.” He teased as he clicked his tongue slightly as he watched the plane pull out of the airport. 

Eli raised an eyebrow at the confession. From all of his digging he never could have gotten the details of the demigods love lives, and now here they were. “Really? The son of Aphrodite chose duty over you?“ Talk about weird. Isn’t love supposed to be Beau’s bread and butter? Ender ditching he could believe. It probably took a bottle of wine to distract him away from Jackson and whatever they shared. “Who initiated the separations?“ is the nicest way Eli could think of asking who dumped who. 

“No fear,” Eli sighed, deeming it fair to share a bit in exchange. “But other tasks are currently prioritizing most of my free time and attention. I’d be a shitty partner for anyone. The apple has been a fixation of mine for years, so I haven’t had the time for distractions.”  

Jackson’s answer regarding his family relations makes Eli smile even though the topic of child neglect shouldn’t really call for any smiles at all. “That’s a shame. You gave up your previous life, your safety, went into battle for her and in the end...” He doesn’t want to say it feels like it was for nothing, but the silence heavily implies it. “Was it worth it? All of the sacrifices you made for her?” 

Jackson went to go speak again before that hand pressed against his lips and literally stoped him from speaking. His eyebrows went up- a clear indication he had about a thousand other dirty things on his lips he could say to the other. “ Oh I beg to differ, I think the dirty talk is only helping the situation… “It wasn’t, at all, but it was too much of an ego boost to know that it was totally actually effecting the other.  There’s an easy laugh at the mention of his dick not getting a break- he wasn’t wrong on that, Jackson had a very, very healthy sex life for as long as he could remember wanting to do such a thing. Which really just made him have the utter skills to back up his cocky attitude and comments.  “Cock cages aren’t exactly my thing all the same, Eli,  but I’ll admit I do have quite the stories to tell if you ever cuirous.” he pointed out at the other with that same, dirty promises.  

Jackson just moves though the door when it’s open with a little shrug, it’s not like he didn’t have access to a private plane nor the lover at the time, it was just hadn’t happened yet. Certainly not before he went to the god camp and all his adventures there, anyway. “ Oh really? I suppose even I have a few places left to defile,  makes life all the more exicting.”  Jackson did glance little at the inhale as he walked past, but all the same he kept his thoughts to himself.  “Ooo. Promises, promises. Hope the captian doesn’t mind me making you moan to high heaven.” He teased as he shot that bright grin back at Eli. Evidently the promise of sex was the way to keep Jackson in line, at least for the moment. 

Jackson piles himself in the car and settles back against the seat as they move. The question surprises him as he glances over at the other. He’d never really…had the best relationship with his mother,  the thoughts of abandoment and the expectations put on him had been a lot to handle. “ Now and then. Why? Hoping I meantioned you?” He pointed out as he shifted against the glass and peered over at the other. “ I hear from her when I need too. Mostly.”

-

“Promises, promises,” Eli mirrors when Jackson vows to make him raise his voice in pleasure once on the plane. “How come a beauty king such as yourself hasn’t gotten snatched yet? Plenty of volunteers, I’m sure. How high are your standards?” Another way to praise it would be to ask how deep did the attachment damages go, but Eli is too polite. 

“Mention me as what? The handsome cock tease?’ Eli shrugs, not really sure how to explain his curiosity. "I just wonder how they behave now that you saved them. But I guess we can’t expect much from Gods. They still have their own interests as a priority at the end of the day.” You’d expect endless gratitude towards their savior children, and yet Eli feels the lack of it, even from where he’s standing. “Ah. And is that enough for you?” 

The drive is quick, given the hour of the day and the lack of traffic, so soon enough they’re exiting the vehicle only to load themselves on the small plane. 

Eli takes off his jacket and picks a spot next to the window, nodding at Jackson to take the seat across from him. “Make yourself comfortable. It will be a long flight to Barcelona.”

“You’re aware that’s a not much of a difference, right?” Just sounded like the same point using different words, he teased as he kept those hands gripping those hips for the moment, his eyes dancing over at the other promising all manner of dirty things.  Though he did let those hands drop away as the other pulls away from him- even with his wants,  he still was wanting for the other to actually give in willing for such a thing. “ See, that’s the trick, I’m not trying to get you to focus. Rather filling those lips with almost too much cock..” He purred, leaning forward to whisper the words in the others ear before he does, in fact, move away towards his bedroom.  

“A chasity belt? You think that’s something I have?” He teased over his shoulder as he spun on his lips as smirked over at the other, shooting another wink before he vanished into the bedroom.  As much as he wanted to indugle in a little more flirting, or something more sexual. The other clearly wasn’t going to give in tonight. 

A moment later Jackson was walking back out in a pair of tight pants, and a simple black shirt that showed off his arms muscles, and a black leather jacket thrown over it. He still looked hot as hell, however. 

“There? Think you’re gonna be able to resist allllllll this, Eli? Never fucked on a plane though. So hopefully you wont.” he pointed out. 

-

Eli is aware of a lot of things, most of which revolve around Jackson, his exposed body and sinful mouth. “Enough,” he snorts and clams down on Jackson’s lips with his hand to keep him from saying anything else. “You’re the muscle, but I’m the brain. This needs to stay focused,” he says, pointing to his temple. “Dirty talk isn’t helping.”

Of course Jackson didn’t own a chastity belt. Was Eli surprised? “I’ll buy you one for Christmas. I’m sure your dick can use the holiday break. You’ve probably been overworking that poor bastard since your pre-teen years.“ 

Eli is allowed a couple of minutes of solitude to regroup his thoughts but to his utter horror Jackson looks just as distractingly good in his casual outfit as he did naked. What an asshole. 

“Never? That’s a shock,“ Eli admits, perplexed. He finishes his coffee, throws the cup in the bin and holds the door to Jackson’s apartment open as they finally begin to leave. “I figured you’d be the person who put the mile high club on the map.“ Like a total creep, El hungrily inhales the air when Jackson walks past him. “If you’re good I might let you dip your toe in the adventure that is plane sex.“ If it would ensure that Jackson would perform better with a little physical encouragement, Eli was willing to sacrifice himself. 

The car waiting for them has it’s own driver who immediately takes off once they pile in. “Have you spoken to your mother?” 

“ I’ll take it as a compliment that you thought I was the one that was easy to manipulate.”  Jackson shot back at the other- ever tempted to drag a few of demi-god friends- and point out that they were far, far more suited to the others elborate plan of the others. He pointed out as he watched the outline of the other as he looked out into the city though those large windows of his. Jackson just enjoyed the sight of him, that handsome, suited man in his apartment was quite a nice treat, even at 4am in the morning. 

The others reaction was hidden from the demi-god. At least for the moment, so the other moving back with that broad smile and tthe way those hands reach up to run though his long hair have him more effected than he’d let on, his dark eyes flicking over to meet the others.  “ Lucky for me it would be foolish to compare me to some rando, instead of a war goddess I am- Eli. I’d have you bliissed out in pleasure.” Jackson purred at the other, staring down at the other though his lashes. 

He’s not exactly expecting that kiss either, but he returns it all the same,. Even if he wishes it could be longer, and deeper.  His hands coming over to curls around the others hips to ghold him closer, his hips pressing against the others.  “ Let’s hope you can stand being in the car with me without blowing me, sweetheart.” he teased against the others lips as he tilted his head back. “But fine. Fine. I’ll be all the muscle you want.”

“Not manipulate exactly. Easiest to convince with my looks,“ Eli says diplomatically, trying his best to resist the pull of his hips that would inevitably lead to some grinding. And everyone knows what grinding leads to, especially when one of the party is practically naked already. 

When Jackson all but promises an experience to remember, Eli groans and pulls back, grasping for the security of a level head. “You’re very bad for focus. Go get dressed and put on extra layers.” The more clothes between them, the better.

Like Jackson, Eli hopes he can stay away from the demigod’s dick. Long hours in a confined space with nothing better to do could be dangerous. Or it could be just what I need, Eli’s dick whispers from the back of his mind. 

“Anyway,“ Eli clears his throat. “We’ll be traveling by plane. The private jet leaves in an hour and I have a car waiting for us downstairs. Put your chastity belt on and lets go.” 

“Well now, why would I go ahead and confess something like that? Can’t let you know just how much power that pretty face of yours has.” Jackson pointed out with a little look over towards the other. There was definate affectoin in his words, and he in no way was trying hide the fact he would fully break a bed or two with the other boy. He was just going to drop against the back of the couch as he peered over at the other.   There’s a little arch of his eyebrow at the implication that they were going to leave today, now. On this rather foolhardy, and intense quest. 

“God. Do you treat all the demi-gods you know like this? “ With that bossy, bold packhorse we gotta now now mentailty?  There’s a gentle laugh at the mention of the lack of company, and the mention of the bar. Jackson gave a little one shouldered shrug as he took a little sip of his coffee. 

“ Oh, no. I fucked a boy outside in the alley. It was very intense, dirty and utterly fantastic. A cute little twink with the prettiest lips you’ve ever seen.” He pointed out with a little click of his tongue. The boy had even reminded him of a few old flames. “ But it wasn’t an overnight thing. How about you? Or you just furrowing your brow over the Apple and instead actually getting laid?” He pointed out as he grinned as he tilted his head over at the other. 

“But fine. I can put on more clothes if you’re still that eager to go.” He pointed out, a hand shifting down to adjust the front of his boxers, none too subtly ajusting his cock. 

“I haven’t made myself known to any other demigods. You’re the only special snowflake in my arsenal,” Eli admits, turning to the windows to take in the view before he falls victim to Jackson’s dangerous charm. 

With his back turned to Jackson, Eli allowed himself to show weakness at the imagery that assaulted him when Jackson shared his escapade story of earlier that night. How long had it been if Eli was getting affected so easily by a couple of sentences? 

Too long if he had to wonder - information he wouldn’t be sharing with Jackson, that’s for sure.

Taking in a deep breath, Eli composed himself and turned back around to face Jackson (and his bulge). With a confident smile tugging barely at his mouth he approaches the demigod and leans over him, running his fingers through Jackson’s tousled hair. “I’m not as easy to satisfy. Not every rando would do it for me.” 

It was Jackson finally agreeing to accompany Eli that did him in. Smiling openly, Eli leans in and presses the lightest peck on the demigod’s lips, satisfied with his success of recruiting Jackson to the cause. “Good. I’ll be the eager one, you’ll be the muscle.”

Jackson, as ever, enjoyed that look of interest with a smirk that cut along his face in the most sinful of ways. Just letting the other soak in every inch of him as he leaned against the door.  “Starting to think I won’t ever get any from you. Which is kinda a shame with those lips of yours.”  Jackson shot back without missing a beat as he clicked his tongue over at the but he did push the door open to welcome the other into his rather lavish penthouse. It helped a lot coming from a family of wealth, even without being a demi-god. “4am coffee at that, you’re really pulling out all the stops.” He shot back but even Jackson rather melted at that smile on Eli’s face.  His head dipping forward as he simply reached forward and plucked up the coffee labled latte with a little shrug. “Either, it’s coffee. It’s magical either way.” He pointed out as he walked back down the hallway, those trunks of his tight around his toned ass as he walked to the lliving room. 

“So- this whole thing couldn’t wait till a more reasonable hour? You know I know the sun of Apollo and even he’s not up this early.” He remarked over his shoulder at Eli with a teasing wink. 

-

Jackson was polite enough to turn around and start walking, giving Eli a clear view of his perfect ass. The underwear left nothing to the imagine, which was just how Eli liked it when he ogled things of infinite beauty. 

“And how often have you been thinking of getting any from me to begin with?“ Eli wonders, hiding his smirk by lifting the cup of cold brew for a sip. 

Jackson’s place is extravagant and expensive, and very fitting of the demigod Eli has come to know. The apple of discord wouldn’t match the décor, so Eli knew he’d be doing Jackson a favor by keeping it. 

“Reasonable is overrated. And inconvenient. We have a long trip ahead and if we want to make it to our destination before midnight we’ll have to start early.” Eli smiled despite himself when Jackson aimed all of that charm his way. It almost annoyed him how easy it was for the demigod to affect Eli with just a wink. “I’m surprised to have caught you sleeping, to be honest. Slow night at the bar?”

Jackson honstly groaned at the sound coming from his penthouse door at-..4am? The demi-dod stumbling his way out of his bedroom and down towards the hallway to wrench it open with a little arch his eyebrow because- who the fuck his knockong on someones door at this time in the morning?  The answer, of course, was Eli. The tease from the bar he’d met a little while ago. 

Jackson just leaned agains tthe door from with a confused little squint, and utterly, completely comfortable with the fact he was currently only wearing a pair of tight black trunks that showed off a sizable bulge, and the rest of his body was bare on display. But Jackson was always more comfortable naked than most. 

“Oh. It’s you.” He said simply, his head tilting over at him. “Let me guess, your little quest is waiting or something? You know, I would have prefered a booty call.” 

-

For all faults, like his smart mouth for example, Jackson was a sight for sore eyes. Especially when he was almost naked. 

Like before, Eli made no secret of his interest, allowing his eyes to go up and down the demigod’s form a couple of times before they settled on Jackson’s handsome face. 

“Now, now. Let’s not diminish it’s importance just because you’re cranky you didn’t get any from me last time.” Conceited as it was, Eli was pretty confident in the knowledge that Eli did want him the first night they met. Probably almost as much as Eli wanted him. “Be happy I brought coffee,” he says with one of those smiles he knows can make some people weak, lifting the two cups. “We have a plain latte and a cold brew. Which one would you prefer?”

Their first meeting ended shortly, becoming what Eli hoped would be a mysterious blip in Jackson’s exciting life. If he played his cards right, the demigod would be intrigued enough that when Eli showed up in front of him again, Jackson would finally agree to accompany him. 

A cute strategy, in theory. 

In practice, Eli was knocking on Jackson’s door at 4 AM, which might not play out in his best favor. 

“Up and at ‘em, sunshine.“

Loki paused to turn back to Zikki. Already breaking his no contact rule by taking his hand again. “Hey, if you tell me you’re not worth the risk again I’m leaving you here….but you’re welcome.” At least he could see the ‘why me’ hadn’t been broken in his boyfriend since they were last together. If Loki risking his life to be a one man army to save him wasn’t proof enough he was worth it what would?

“Looks at us? Me worried you might be dead…you worried I might’ve lost part of my soul for magic…what a pair, huh?” As they turned a corner they came upon the will o wisp hovering in air. Stopping before a wall with a wide crack in it, air pouring through. This was the source. “Okay a little too small for us to fit through…but maybe…”

Tapping his chin he turned to Zikki, “Hey can you see if there’s anything big enough to hit this wall with back around that corner?” Waiting until Zikki went to go look before Loki put a hand to the wall, eyes going dark as night before dark crimson magic rippled through and crumbled the wall. “Oh wow…it just fell apart…lucky.”

-

“Thank God we rid the dating pool of our sorry asses by getting together,” Zikki snorts, bumping shoulders with Loki as they came up to the crack. 

“Yeah, just a tad.” Zikki placed his palm over the wall, but before he could explore for any hidden switches, Loki suggested he scout for reinforcements. Trusting as a baby lamb, Zikki nods and heads back, scanning everything in his way. 

“No dice,” he hissed, retracting his steps back to Loki when his search proved futile. “I’ll just try to slam into it a few times. I’m supposed to have more power than your average demig---” The wall was gone and their escape was standing before them. 

“You’re aware targeted isn’t much better?” Jackson pointed outed with a little flick of his eyebrow. Honestly lured or targeted seemed to be two sides of the same coin if you asked Jackson. He was going to take that chance to have a little space between them, his eyes flicking over to the bartender as he fixed up those new shots.  As they came, he didn’t really move towards them for a second as he instead of those words. 

His fingers curled around his glass and the other clicked it against his glass. “And here I thought we were bit past making broad statements about speices like that.  Why exactly should I trust you, a total stranger? With one of the Greeks most powerful objects?” He pointed out as he tilted that shot down his throat before placed it on the glass again. “And I  inherited quite a bit from my mother.  You gotta give a little, Eli, sweetheart- before I say yes to such a thing if you expect me to just…give you something like that. “ 

-

Eli grinned, letting Jackson know that he was well aware of the minimal difference between the words. “I mean, I have no argument for myself here. I suppose it’s better you just trust your gut. What does it say about me?” Eli wondered as he downed his shot, hissing as the burn made it’s way down his throat and spread all over his chest, heating everything in it’s path. He imagined Jackson’s touch would cause much of the same, given how Eli’s lips already tingled at the barest brush. 

“Aside from my dick, what is it you want?” Eli asked seriously, putting the shot glass face down, seemingly finished with alcohol for the night. “You get one question, use it wisely.” There was no reason he couldn’t answer more, but something about Jackson made Eli want to give him instructions; to boss him around. 

Something in him flared when asked who told him. Someone who would regret not verifying their information more thoroughly. He was on the verge of even snapping at Zikki. Feeling the need to remind his boyfriend of his power and how tough he could be. That all melted away as he became shielded by the other. Whatever strength faded and he felt weak in the knees. He needed to get a grip. Only when he reached for Zikki’s shoulders for balance he instead pulled him down. Their mouths ‘accidentally’ crashing together for a kiss delayed a bit longer than the last.

He was alive. He was real. He felt so good. “Your worth everything to me…” Fuck! He pushed back and tried to ease out of Zikki’s blockade. “You said you smelled fresh air right?” Trying to put a small space of distance between them. It was clear that any further contact would delay their need for urgency. Summoning a will o wisp he sent the flame out to find the source. Turning back to Zikki afterwards with an assuring smile. “That’s just a little magic okay?“ Tucking his tempting hair away.

-

Right. As if it was easy to get back to stealth mode when his blood rushed all the way down to his groin. 

“Maybe. I don’t remember,” Zikki admitted, confused but delighted at the same time. He licked his lips, enjoying the tingle only Loki could bring. He even forgave the use of magic, which seemed like the worst idea a few minutes ago. 

“Thank you.” A little delayed, but Zikki was still dealing with the shock of everything. “For not giving up on me. For risking it all to come get me. Even if I think it was an unnecessary risk and you could have gone a bit smarter about it,” but those were just notes conjured up due to worry. “So, thank you.”

It was ironic how quickly his ‘holier than thou’ title was shattered the moment he knew Zikki was alive. Where in the past he’d been so quick to judge others for their tempting of powers forbidden. Still whatever regret he felt was dissipated under the joy to have the feel of the other in his presence again. He’d deal with whatever consequence came.

“I fear putting a sword in my hand would do more harm than good.” Weapons were never his…well weapon. Often more of a styling choice that any actual use on his person. Deciding to stay silent otherwise in the matter of using his magic. Given he knew he couldn’t make that promise. So instead he focused on the feel of Zikki’s hand. Attention drawn to the touch while he laced their fingers together. Fuck, was he about to start crying?

“Two months and nineteen days…” Not even sure how he had that number in his head. “…they told me you were dead…” It was for that very reason Loki would’ve committed every sin to get here. Because the torture of thinking Zikki was dead was nothing compare to knowledge he’d been suffering this long alone. “…if I knew you were alive I would’ve done everything to find you sooner.”

-

Zikki squeezed Loki’s hand tighter, trying not to break under the pressure of the overwhelming emotions he was ill equipped to handle. Going from zero to a hundred so fast in terms of emotions was prone to give anyone whiplash. “Dead?” He frowned, glancing over his shoulder. “Who did?” Clearly Zikki was a failure as a warrior, but he’d still try and beat whoever’s ass he had to. “No. Loki, you already did enough.” Now they just had to hope Loki hadn’t accidentally sold his soul by obtaining forbidden spells. “No one is worth this much effort, least of all me.” 

He heard footsteps, but instead of following his instincts to fight, he pulled Loki in a corner and hid, protecting his boyfriend from a fight and the need to tap into unknown magic. “I can smell fresh air,” Zikki whispered, stroking Loki’s cheek. Because it didn’t matter that they were in the middle of a grand escape, he still needed to touch the witch. God, he’d missed him. “Your hair is longer,” he muses. 

“ And yet, yours seems to be speaking in cryptic terms.” Jackson shot back over at the other, a little amused as he let his lips part softly at that brush to his ear, his eyes still locked to the other. “ Eli, hm? Good to know.” At least he had a name to put the face that was easily getting his attention for the night and possibly next day.  There’s a gentle laugh at those words, light and easy like a summers breeze. “Not my first guess- I’d gone with Elijah personally.” He pointed out with a click of his tongue. 

Of course his flirting tone had been removed totally by the others sudden twist and surprise mission. It had Jackson wondering if the other some sort of trickster demon or god, he’d hardly be the first one Jackson had killed on those missions for his little camp.  Jackson being Jackson, there was a little spark of intenst at the mention of oral, even if a situation like this. “I think you don’t really know my demigod friends well, if that’s what you think.” Granted- Beau might have gone on that mission if only because of his mother. The rest might not follow a total stranger into a blind mission just because a shiny object was being waved in his face, or in Jacksons case, a shiny object and the possibly of sex. The demi-god sucked on the inside of his cheek for the moment, his eyes searching the offer to make sure this wasn’t some…well, trick. “So, you lured me in deliberately then? I suppose I should be flattered you picked me and tease me so well.” Jackson pointed out as brushed his lips against the others once again before he added a few extra words. “All right but I’m keeping the apple.” 

-

“Lured? No. That’s so vile.” Eli made a face of disgust. “I targeted you,” he explained simply. “If only you were so gullible to get lured into my wicked plans. It would’ve made this whole convincing ordeal a lot easier to handle.”

Jackson’s guess about what Eli knew or didn’t know made him laugh. He was polite enough to pull back and give Jackson some of his personal space back. Plus, Eli wasn’t sure he trusted himself enough after that careful brush of lips. He also ordered a couple of shots. Weather they drank them to celebrate a union or as a parting salute - it was all up to Jackson. 

“No.” Eli placed the shot glass in Jackson’s hand and clunked them together. “Trusting a demigod with the apple is like trusting an arsonist with a lighter. Your kind is too tempted by power. It’s a flaw you’ve inherited from your parents.”