#he did kinda kiss jeb once though... didn't go well

[adelarsims]

Shit I need to give Jeb a hug after reading that

But I don't even know if he'd be comfortable with that so can I task Morgan and (maybe?) Wolfgang to do it instead? Maybe?

jeb's not comfortable being randomly touched by people he's not close with, but if you're close, he's more open to hugs :')

morgan is a huge hugger, she gives bear hugs! when she truly cares about someone, she's rough and passionate with her affections.

wolfgang, however... well, he could use a hug sometimes (oftentimes, okay?), but he would bite his own tongue off before admitting it. it's a good thing morgan doesn't always ask. he wouldn't hug jeb, like ugh, what the fuck, man? it's weird!

[abstract-crossverse]

Hi it's me, a Jeb enjoyer. Can I request Jeb reacting to finding his s/o after the fall of Nexus city? Like it's years later and he's given up hope but they just pop up in one of the buildings killing agents and shiz, maybe he's meeting with Doc and his s/o is there? Thank you :))

Hello Jeb enjoyer, Im Phobos enjoyer- *gets shot*

Im so sorry this took so long hdbsns

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"Together at Last" [Jeb x Reader, fic, angst/fluff]

You and Jebediah were very close even before he began making his plans to take Nexus down, anyone could see it, he was often found around you if not with Hofnarr and drowining himself in his work

It was obvious there was something going on, some scientists that worked under Projects the Director put him in charge of would see him out with you, talking as if you knew each other for years(which you kinda did) and began placing bets on wether or not you were together, even Hofnarr was in on it- which was funny because he knew you both were together for a good while now

He told you a lot of things from work, venting out his frustrations to you if you allowed him, you were the one he most trusted with anything, you heard a lot of shit talk about Phobos and Crackpot specifically, it was honestly amusing seeing Jeb rant about their bullshit while resting his head on your lap and make angry gestures with his hand as you played with his hair

He'd sigh at the end and look at you thankfully, thank you for letting him rant, and apologizing if he got too intense in certain parts, you'd shrug it off and kiss his forehead for reassurance, saying its nothing he needs to apologize over, he never told you, but everytime you said those words he'd fall for you all over again. You were just the light of his life

That being said, he confined the information of his plans with you as well, telling you how things would work out and the plan he had for you end others involved directly with the plan to go out safe and sound

After Phobos fired him, he quickly got home and began to quickly organize everything for when he'd need to be off to put the plan in action, all while muttering curses at the damned Director under his breath. After you got home from your own work, you were initially confused about the gear on top of the table of your shared apartment, until you remembered the plan

You sat with Christoff in the living room as he rapidly typed emails to his friends, he looked at you once he unfocused from the computer, wondering if you were getting home, almost startling him as he spotted you on the couch messing on your phone beside him

".. [Name]... Welcome home, dear... Did- you get home just now or-"

"Nah, been here for a few minutes, I didnt want to interrupt you since that seemed important... Is everything okay?" You asked, turning off your phone and turning yourself to him as you spoke, he sighed

"my apologies for not realizing your were there sooner, my dear.... That- foolish Director fired me today." He hissed lightly, your eyes widened, that wasnt good- "oh god... Thats-... how are you going to go about the plan now then?" Your eyebrows furrowed in worry, he gently took your hands in his

"worry not, all will go as planned, t'is but a minor inconvenience, Hofnarr will give me access to the back of the Tower, Ive already planned the route from the plaza to the room I must go to." He gently stroked your knuckles with his thumbs in attempt to soothe your worries, he didn't tell you everything about it though

You looked down, nodding as you processed through this new route, you both fell silent for a moment before you looked back at him

"are you sure you still need to go through with this?"

"Dear, you know I have no choice. If he goes through with Gestalt, we're all doomed, we must act as soon as possible."

You sighed "I know I know- I just... I just keep worrying for the worse.. what if the plan doesnt work? What if you get caught? What if Phobos wins??- Jeb I dont want to lose you.." you looked at him with worry, that look of fear in your eyes gripped at his heart, he moved his hands around your waist, hugging you close

"all will go as planned, my Love, I wont fail, thats something I promise you, and you know Im a man of word." He gave you a gentle smile, you smiled a bit, letting out a small chuckle "I know that very well... I trust you dear, Im sorry, Im just scared for you."

You gently leaned your forehead with his, he smiled, a faint purr rumbling from his chest "I know... But try not to worry, I wont fail, and I'll come to pick you up on our spot as soon as Im finished with everything." You took a moment before mumbling an 'alright.', he mumbled the same, placing a gentle kiss on your lips as he held you close, attempting to soothe you once more by gently rubbing his hand on your back as you held him just as firmly

Trusth be told, he had the same worries as you, he was worried domething would go wrong, mentally going over anything that could go wrong in his mind from the plan on to ready himself, he completely expected to go down with Phobos in worst case scenario, losing isn't an option and winning may be of little chance.. Though he'd try not to think too much about it, he doesnt want to end up jinxing himself, for now he'll spend as much time as he can with you.

---

By the next day, you helped him get ready to go meet with Hofnarr by the Rift, helping him with hiding his weapons and the bullet proof vest under his clothes, you both went over your plan again

"alright, again, while I go meet with Hofnarr, you-"

"I head to wait with the Sheriff guy by the gate to the indrustrial sector until you come back." You recalled as you adjusted the colar on his coat and adjusted his tie "I have my bag all set already, I'll head out as soon as youre out of view so its not too suspicious."

Christoff nodded in approvement, a hum coming from his throat "alright, I'll be off then... [Name], my Love, please be careful." He placed his hands on your waist, looking at you with almost pleading eyes, you placed your hands over his, giving him a light peck "of course I will, dearest, I promise, you be careful too, I dont want to have to go break you out" you half joked, laughing softly as he chuckled lightly.. you always loved his laugh

"I will... I'll see you soon, Love." You shared a kiss again, a bit longer then the one yesterday, as soon as you parted, he gave you a smaller, shorter kiss, for good measure, y'know?

"see you soon, Dear... I love you." He hesitantly let go of you, you gave him a small smile as he opened the door behind him

"I love you too, more than my whole existence." And out the door he went, you simply stood there as the door closed, your smile fell, eyebrows furrowing, why did you get a bad feeling in your gut all of the sudden...?

---

Well, if youre here this far you must know how it played out, he defeated Phobos and got out alive.. that- wasn't his expectation but all for the best, he's glad he survived to see you again. he quickly darted through the city to the Industrial Sector's gate, he read the MERC Laborers ready to close the gates for you..

But you were nowhere in sight.

He asked them about you, but they just shook their head, looking confused, his stomach dropped, feeling dread grow on his chest, he looked around a bit, clearly hesitant before he gave them the orders to close the gates, we were too far in to stop now, they needed to be safe and the Zeds are beginning to rapidly grow in numbers. He'd find you, its fine! he'll find you, he's sure of it

After speaking with Hofnarr, he asked him about you too, the shorter scientist nervously afirmed he didn't see you that day at all, making more dread overcome Christoff's very being. He thanked his friend anyway, asking him to get you to him if he happens to find you around, Hofnarr nodded and flew off with his jetpack as Jeb began to roam the falling apart city frantically.. you need to be okay, you must be alive, you have to...

---

Years of search and nothing. not a single trace of you since the Fall... But Jeb never stopped searching, he searched everywhere he could multiple times, flipping the city upside down in search of you, searching out of the city for you, MERC, Somewhere, nowhere was free of his search, but nothing, not a single trace aside your bag with your old things he found on the route he set for you that day..

He refused to believe you could be dead, for all he knows a Zed or- or a robber couldve gotten a grip on your bag and you let it go to get to safety! you just... didn't make it to MERC...

Countless nights he came back toyour old shared apartment he still used as a hideout after the Nexus Core agents were done searching for him in his old home, he'd just sit down on the couch and look at a broken picture frame with a picture of you two in it for hours, he would barely even realize he'd been sitting there doing bat shit with a blank stare

And no matter how his eyes got fucked, or how the dissonance from the Halo was slowly deteriorating his mind, he'd still search for you... he may have lost his friend, he may have lost his job, he may have lost his life or part of himself, but you is someone he cant bare acknowledge he lost. and countless nights.. he actually shed tears, he wept, praying so hard you'd come back, praying you were okay, praying he wouldn't find you as a mindless Zed roaming the City's streets. He felt like he failed you... But he had to keep his head up, you must be okay, you must be safe.. if you weren't, he would've found your body by now, wouldn't he?

At least thats what he told himself to keep himself from giving up on your search, he needed to keep going, he knows you're alive.. he has a feeling you are at least...

He was on his way to purge another of Auditor's AAHW bases, until he caught movement with the corner of his eye, he snapped his head to where he saw it, immediately jumping on guard, seeing a hooded figure take down a zed and shoot a grunt running in the distance. He'd dismiss it was another survivor just trying to survive in this wasteland until you made eye contact..

He could recognize that face anywhere..

His eyes widen, so did yours, but neither dared to move, it wasnt until he muttered your name that you snapped out of your stunned haze and run at him, yelling his name as you both collided in a hug

You hugged him tightly as he was still stunned to see you, hovering his hands over your form until he realized this wasnt a dream and immediately hug onto you tightly as well

Tears slipping out of your eyes as you pulled away a bit, smiling as you cupped his face in your hands

"Jeb! Oh god its you!"

"[Name]... You're here.. you really are..." He leaned into your hands, tears threatening to fall from his eyes as emotion overwhelmed him

"yes! Yes Im here! I was so worried, I thought I'd never see you again!" You felt his rough hand be placed on your cheek, you leaned into it as he gently wiped your tears

He smiled, tears finally falling off his eyes, he pulled you into a kiss, longing and loving, he missed you so much its unreal, after parting you hugged again after wiping his years with your thumbs, holding each other until Jeb was alerted by someone clearing their throat

He pulled you behind him, taking his sword out and looking at where the sound came, only to be met with Hank just, standing there, of course they were covered in blood like always, which only made them seem like more of a threat

"... Wimbleton. What are you doing here?"

"... Mission."

Jeb hummed, you gently tugged on his arm

"it's- it's okay, I work with them."

".. what-" he looked down at you with a raised eyebrow

You explained what happened to you on your way to MERC, how 2BDamned helped you after getting cornered by thugs and asked you to join SQ as a way to return the favor, he was still confused why you would accept it, you added the zeds began swarming by then and you both eneded up too far away from MERC's gate

Then he understood, nodding as he lowered his sword, after a ment of silence he asked if youd still work for him, you said you kinda liked there so yes, he nodded

You asked Hank if they could tell Doc youd be back later and that they could go without you, they shrugged, turned around and left

You leaned on Jeb, taking a hold of his hand and smiling up at him, you two hugged again, I think that purge can wait a day, he swept you off your feet, holding you bridal style, asking if youd like to go stay with him at his hideout, obviously you said accepted

---

Over at his old apartment, you two just cuddled, he held you strongly as if you'd vanish, though you can't complain, you were doing the same while gently playing with his hair

He sighed as you burrowed your face into his neck, gently petting your arm with one of his hands, muttering things about how things have been over the years, things youve seen, occasionally laughing at something silly or funny either of you encountered

You learned of what happened to Hofnarr and how Crackpot went missing, it saddened you, at mostly over Hofnarr- he was a great friend to Christoff, you felt like he blamed himself for it, and you were right

Eventually your conversation died down as exhaustion washed over you, both your eyes feeling heavy

"... I missed you.. so, so much, love." He muttered, nuzzling into your hair

"I missed you just as much... Im sorry I worried you for so long, 2B- gives a lot of work to do so I was always away doing something.." you answered, arms going limp as you snuggled close and closed you eyes

"I know.. he does his best for his cause, he's a good man." You hummed, falling silent before muttering a last thing sleepily

"I love you, Jeb..."

"I love you too, more than my whole existence... Sweet dreams, dear..."

You muttered a barely coherent goodnight before you drifted off, he smiled, huffing a small laugh as he held you, drifting off to sleep easier than ever before

You were home, you were safe, and you were there with him, nothing more gave him more relief than knowing that

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