#them<33

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"Skits what are yous reading?"

Skittery glared at the voice. Jack was standing next to his bunk looking like he was up to something. He was just all to much for Skittery. Skittery didn't need friends. He just needed to keep his brother safe and fed.

"A book." He replied dryly. Skittery then went bacl to reading but he only got to one word before Jack interrupted.

"My copy of Sherlock Holmes. "

Skittery glared harder. If that was possible. He thought it did. "Yous left it out." He remembered coming home from selling and getting done early meant way to much free time. So he looked for a book. But none really caught his mind until he saw Jacks copy of Sherlock Holmes. Something he hadn't read yet. Something that could pass the time.

Jack rolled his eyes playfully. "Doesn't mean for ya to take."

Skittery wanted nothing more than for Jack to go away. He was just getting to the good part as well. "I'll gives ya a quarter to borrows it."

Jack looked as if he was thinking about it then smiled. "I's know ya don't have that money Skits. Besides, just let me bum a cigarette off ya and talk about ta book and I'll let yous borrow the others."

Skitterys eyes lighted up for a split second. Then, they quickly dimmed down. He didn't like people all that much. But Jack was nicer to him than any other of the other boys.

"Com' on Skits! I's wanna talk about it with someone." Jack whined. And practically shook the bunk when he grabbed on and rocked back and forth.

Skittery weighed his options in his head. He frowned and rolled his eyes. "Fine cowboy. But yous better give me the other copies."

Jack jumped for joy before he rambled off questions to the still frowning boy. It only took a smack on the head from the book to get him to shut up.

"I's just don't want spoilers."

"Right, sorry." Jack swallowed and tired to look away.

Skittery didn't reply. He just scooted over a bit, letting Jack slide next to him, and read along. But it didn't take them that long to fall asleep in the middle of a chapter. Both felt comfortable with each other and instantly felt a bond between them.

Divine punishment drawings inspired by @m-g2024’s fic I’ll cut your little heart out. This fic is why im insane about them so imagine how damned excited i was upon seeing it with a new chapter out of the blue on Sunday!

Bonus: me working out what the hell the black stone looks like

Thank you!! For this ask game

1, What, specifically, was the catalyst for their physical attraction (if applicable) to the other character? In other words, what in particular had them like “Oh, they’re…hot…”

It was kinda at first sight for both of them. Cecio stood out a lot because who tf goes to a club in a suit but he did look damn good with the shirt sleeves rolled up and something about a guy who folds an expensive suit jacket over his arm like it's nothing was certainly intriguing for Alejandro, and then an aw fuck hes cute moment when Cecio looked so tired when he realised he was wearing his best suit. Cecio had the moment shortly after Alejandro when somehow the pickup line of "Whats a guy like you doing in a place like this?" Didn't obliterate his intrest and in fact was kinda charming coming from Alejandro.

2, Does this change over time? What things do they find “hot” about their partner after they’ve been together for some time, and have had more time to, well, notice and appreciate?

Alejandro lovessss Cecios vigilante outfit for many many reasons. Both of them are very into competency & conviction about something whether more above board like Cecios work as a lawyer or Alejandro helping run community events or less so like Cecios use of his vigilante persona to threaten and intimidate or failing that kicking ass of people getting in the way, or Alejandros reaserch, networking & occasional own bouts of taking matters into his own hands.

Another big thing is how they notice more and more things pointing to them not being the people they quite say they are. Now that should be a deal breaker but they both find risk hot and enjoy realizing that they both share similar secrets- although Cecios get so much deeper and darker than Alejandro was expecting but Cecios whole thing of being made into a living weapon and trying to redeem himself and being the secret younger brother of a notorious crime boss exiled because the newcpowers were scared if how far he wpuld go for his family... kinda hot ngl. Especially when said living weapon dresses up in leather and does what u tell him to do when your working together. Alejandro has gotten pretty badly hurt by various vigilantes so having one protecting & doing as he asks is veryyy enjoyable.

3, By contrast, what was the moment that first made their ~heart~ Soft for the other person? Not necessarily a conscious realization of “I love this person,” but a moment that had them like “Oh…I adore them…”

Oh my God, Emily!