āYou know you really push me too hard sometimes.ā It is a false statement, which they both know. But still, Sebastian is growing weary after the six solid hours he has spent trying to master the techniques of his mechanical arm. Certain things he controls fine. The bend of his elbow. Raising his arm straight out to the side. But the hand. The fingers. Sometimes they contract on command but refuse to release the stance. It has particularly been a problem when the tiger finds himself under large amounts of duress. So, if he fires his gun once, there is no guarantee heāll be able to straighten his finger enough to reload and shoot again.
āThe doctor said you need to work on it, Bastian,ā Jim purrs, his head tilting to the side to show how little tolerance he really has for Sebās frustration with the whole matter. āI think youāre just lacking the proper motivation.ā
Sebastianās eyes narrow, knowing full well that Jim has something concocting in his mind. Some plan to push the sniper past his comfort levels into dangerous territory. āYouāve put me in the line of fire. It nearly got me killed. So clearly, it isnāt a matter of self-preservation, Jim.ā
āFor your preservation, no. But see. Thatās where you missing the point.ā
Sebastian doesnāt understand. His face betrays this fact.
āDo I really need to spell everything out for you, Tiger?ā Jim chides, smiling a menacing grin that can only mean more trouble for both of them. āTell me. Would you die for me?ā
āNo.ā It isnāt an answer to the question so much as itās Sebastian telling his boss that heās unwilling to play this game. āNo. Jim. I donāt trust myself. I canāt do whatever it is that youāre thinking.ā
āRelax, Sebastian. And donāt tell me no. Now come here and put your hand around my throat.ā
With this, Seb rolls his eyes. āNow is hardly the time for one of your little fetish plays, Jim.ā When it is clear the criminal isnāt going to budge on the matter, Seb walked over and gently placed his metal hand against Jimās throat.
āTighter,ā Jim commands. Hesitantly, Seb obeys. āSebastian. If you do not make me beg for air in the next two seconds, Iām going to cut off your other arm.ā With anybody else, this would be an empty threat. But James Moriarty is insane enough, and just suicidal enough that Sebastian believes him.
Quickly he tightens his grip, effectively cutting off any air flow to Jimās lungs. When Jim doesnāt immediately praise his soldier or ask for air, Sebastian gives the mental command again, using enough strength that he could easily provoke permanent damage to the Irishmanās windpipe and voicebox if he isnāt careful.
The hand is stronger than Sebastian had ever been in the past, and it isnāt long before the veins in Jimās forehead are protruding and his eyes widen.
āThatās enough, Tiger,ā he mouths, putting one of his own hands over the metal one.
Playing the game, Sebastian ignores the initial request. āThatās not begging, James,ā he jokes, one brow raised. Now who is playing with their kinks?
āSebasā¦ā As Jimās eyes begin to roll back in his head, Seb finally gives the mental command to loosen his grip.
āFuck. Jim, hang on. Iām trying. Just⦠Shit, pull against the fingers. I donāt think I can do this.ā
The stress of the situation causes his entire arm to go into a full lockdown, elbow straightening so that Jim is pinned forcibly against the kitchen wall. The fingers, with Jim pulling at a couple and Sebastian prying at the thumb, still will not loosen.
āFuck. No. No. Jim. What have you made me do?ā
Even taking a step back so that Jim is free of the back barrier doesnāt help, as his arm is locked tight enough that he can literally pick the criminal up off the ground by the throat now. Unyielding. Clenching at his bossā neck.
A string of profanity fills the air between them. āYes,ā he says in a weak tone. āYes I would die for you.ā Reaching for the nearest gun, Seb is down to his last option, to kill himself instead. Then the hand will completely release, wonāt it? Or will it be locked in that same grip?
Now unsure of his options, the tiger closes his eyes and takes a deep breath which comes out in a shaky, terrified huff.
Finally the hand releases.
And Jim falls, lifeless, to the floor.