#jake otto

the ranch themed fragrantica thingy 🪵🍊🐮

Hi Nonny! Jake following Troy into exile is an interesting idea and I'd definitely like Jake a whole lot more if he did do that. Or, you know, had the balls to stand up to Taqa and Madison about exiling Troy. The fact that he didn't is, unfortunately, very in character I'd say. There's two major motivators for this, and these are, in no particular order a) "jake is weak" (as stated by Taqa) and b) Jake being kinda glad that Troy is gone. About a) They show us pretty early on that Jake is the more level-headed and also the one trying to solve things by talking and negotiating. He does prefer a negotiated peace more than trying to hold the land by force. Consider also: he is not part of the militia, not from what we've seen. In conclusion, he wasn't unhappy about Walker and his people coming to the ranch (see also his little speech that first night). He's hoping things will work out and that they can work together. Troy, of course, is a major obstacle in this. Jake knows this from the very beginning (also note, Jake's been suspiciously absent that night when they came for Troy's weapons - did he suspect Troy would do something stupid? Who knows…). Which leads us to b) I think Jake (as well as Madison, though this isn't about her) were both afraid of what Troy would do once they shared the land. While before both have happily used Troy's uh.. penchant for solving things violently to their end (Jake in episode 8, after Ophelia poisoned the militia "Just do whatever the hell you can, Troy. Do something" and Madison in episode 7, where she's manipulating Troy into going behind Jake's back to break the parley and get Alicia back). It was convenient then since they were at war. But Troy (and his violence) are very inconvenient now. So both are glad, I think, that he got rid of himself (in a way). You can also see that in that talk in episode 9 between Troy and Jake - right before Troy is taken away. "You can't come back" Jake says to him. Then Toy tells him he doesn't blame him. Instead of replying to that or even acknowledging it, Jake says "Never, Troy." It's crucial for him that Troy gets that part. I suppose an argument could be made that this could read as concern (if Troy comes back, he'll be killed) but Jake doesn't appear empathetic in that scene - not at all. He seems fed up. The way he asks "why?" after Troy tells him, he wants Madison to take him into exile, there's a sharpness there. He suspects that Troy is planning something. And he wants to get in front of that. Scared again of what Troy might pull… Also, fact that he's scared of what Troy will do is true for his running-away plan, too; if he would take Troy with him, I'm sure he fears that Troy will find a way to fuck things up there, too. Start another war perhaps (he does blame Troy for it when it comes to Walker - the breaking of the parley. Pretty sure no one cleared things up for him and told him it was Madison who was the driving force behind that decision. (And even if so, I'm not so sure Jake has enough objectivity to take that information at face value. Troy and him have a past after all and that colors everything pertaining to Troy)). So to me, the whole thing looks like Jake is secretly glad that Troy got banished. That way, he doesn't have to worry about him anymore or try to keep him in line (which never quite worked out, did it). I also think that was the main dynamic in their relationship, starting from when they were little (consider what Jeremiah says to Jake in that video tape in episode 3 "Jake, tend to your brother!" in a very exasperated tone). Jake always had to manage Troy (even though that should not be his responsibility, at all). And so it continued. We see this also happen in the first episode already and then again in episode 3 when he warns Troy off the Clarks. Being free of that worry, why would he invite that back into his life?

Also, about your point that it was clear by the time Jake asked Alicia to run away with him that Madison was the one in charge and not him… I'm not sure whether Jake much cares about that. He said once before that the ranch follows whoever they deem worthy (Alicia asked him who will take over if Jeremiah dies. He said the ranch will fall to Troy and him at first but the people decide among themselves who will lead them. And if you watch the scenes where Jake adresses the people of the ranch (episode 3 and episode 9 come to mind) you will see that he doesn't exactly have their ear). Yes, there's at least one scene where he does assert authority over Madison but that was when Jeremiah was still alive. Once he's dead, Jake very quickly rolls over (happens so in episode 9, when they come for the weapons).

Edit: I suppose this last part also kinda belongs to a) "Jake is weak". Oh well 😅

I hope this answers your question. If not, feel free to send me follow up asks anytime!

Enjoy the twist - E x

Title: “Too Close”

(Set in the Fear the Walking Dead universe – post-season 3, Troy lives)

The storage room at the outpost smelled like dried blood and mildew—like most places these days. You were sorting through supplies, counting canned goods and ammo by flashlight since the power had cut out hours ago. It was late, quiet. Everyone else had gone to sleep or patrol.

You didn’t hear the door creak open behind you.

“Y’know,” came a familiar voice—low, rough, teasing—“it’s a little dangerous to be alone these days.”

You didn’t turn around. “Troy, get out.”

You heard the click of the door closing, the unmistakable sound of him locking it. Your stomach tightened.

“Not very welcoming,” he drawled. “That any way to treat someone who just risked getting caught sneaking over the wall for you?”

You finally looked at him. Shirt half-unbuttoned, dirt on his neck, wild hair like he ran through a storm. He looked like the end of the world. And you hated that he made your heart race like this.

“You’re insane,” you muttered, turning back to the shelf. “If anyone finds out you’re here—”

“They won’t.” His voice was closer now. Too close. “Unless you start screaming.”

You felt the heat of his body behind you. No touching yet—he was good at drawing it out. You hated him. You hated how much you wanted him.

His fingers finally landed on your waist, slow and deliberate. “Tell me to stop.”

You should’ve.

But instead, your breath hitched.

“That’s what I thought.”

He spun you gently, crowding you against the shelf, hands gripping your hips like he owned them. The kiss was rough, desperate—like he hadn’t touched anything real in days. Your hands found his chest, meant to push him away, but you dragged him closer instead.

It was filthy. Quiet moans, frantic fingers. Your back hit the cold wall, his mouth moved down your neck, biting just enough to leave a mark where no one could see. His hand slipped under your shirt, calloused palm burning against your skin. You clung to him like you needed it—like you’d been waiting for this.

“Someone could come in,” you whispered against his mouth.

His smirk was criminal. “Then be quiet.”

And God, you tried.

Everything blurred into heat and tension and the smell of sweat and dust. When it was over, you were panting, flushed, clothes rumpled. He didn’t say a word as he kissed your shoulder, zipped himself up, and stepped back with that satisfied glint in his eye.

“Missed you,” he said, casually, like you hadn’t just done something reckless and dirty in a place where anyone could walk in.

You fixed your shirt, still catching your breath. “Don’t come back here again.”

He only smiled. “Sure, darlin’. Whatever you say.”

He slipped out the same way he came—silent, like a ghost.

You didn’t see Jake until later that night.

He met you just outside the main building, smiled as he reached for your hand. “I was getting worried. You were gone a while.”

You leaned into him, heart still racing for all the wrong reasons. Guilt echoed in your heart.

“Yeah,” you said softly. “Just got caught up doing inventory.”

Jake pressed a kiss to your forehead, sweet and warm and safe.

---------

It was dangerous falling for Troy Otto.

Even more dangerous when you were in a relationship with his brother.