#i hope to god its followable im not good at flowy writing

[metalnchains]

He’s staring again. Even with one earbud in, music blaring, and a turned back, you know he’s boring holes into your back. Why he’s here terrorizing you is beyond you. You’ve never addressed him by the wrong rank, never bumped into him, never spoken out of turn to your knowledge. To your remembrance your longest conversation was whether or not he and his team had had a good flight over here, nothing offensive about that right? So why he’s once again chosen to sit here in a hard plastic chair that’s far too small for his hulking frame is a mystery. You know it’s his choice now. You’d interrogated Kate after the first time. She was wholly amused by your plight apparently, assuring you he wasn’t a threat to you. He was just…like that apparently. His team always comes in boisterous, happy to be on flat ground and in good company with Kate and the captain leading. The captain is always polite but distant. He and Kate always seem to need to get down to business quickly to help ease the weight on their shoulders. Being at the top came with heavy burdens. The sergeants are more chatty. They’re quick with a quip for you, or a light hearted jab for the other sergeant before heading into the conference room. He’s always the last to enter building, massive, intimidating, and silent. The first time he entered he’d stared at you with furrowed brows as you greeted the small crowd. His stare cut through any lighthearted chatter on the tip of your tongue. Scuttling back to the desk and starting on those end of quarter reports seemed a much safer option than standing there waiting for any orders from Kate. And it would have been a perfect plan…If he hadn’t stayed outside the conference room on guard duty not even ten feet away from you. No words, no acknowledgment just that god awful staring. Your polite attempts at small talk eventually petering out into embarrassed paper shuffling. Now you can say you’re almost used to it. It’s still unnerving to catch the skull out of the corner of your eye. Or steal a glance at just how deep and dark his eyes are. But at least he’s stopped trying to kill you with his furrowed eyebrows. His expression has smoothed out to boredom instead of unease, and mistrust. Your best guess is that the sound of a keyboard, and a stapler just aren’t much of a threat. Whatever it was you’re thankful.

You’ve started to bring them coffee for their meetings. The puffy rings under their eyes noticeable. Your hands nearly shake when you bring him a cup for the first time. Sitting at your desk feels easier and less heavy now that you’ve gone and approached him successfully, even if he’s not moving to actually take a drink. You feel accomplished, like a little kid brave enough to go and check for monsters all by themselves instead of asking an adult to do it for them. You have to stifle a laugh with a cough at how comically small the little styrofoam cup looks in his massive hand. Almost like a child’s toy teacup. He takes his coffee black. You’ve only seen him drink a sip or two in the several times they’ve been here over the last few months. But he’s never reached for the creamer or sugar you always leave on the chair next to him. He’s started to nod at you when you hand him the cup. When his finger tips had brushed yours the last time you handed him his cup it had felt like a spark. You’d almost said sorry to him for touching him, it was so unexpected. His fingers had been warm though. Warm and slightly rough with callouses. Winter was the worst. With the end of the year looming the workload you and everyone else were expected to complete become more and more. Your poor wrists were taking the brunt of it. The ache was getting harder and harder to ignore, and lifting them to stretch or rub at the aching muscles was only getting you so far. Still the reports, spread sheets, and now frequent coffee runs didn’t let up. The 141 had been here for nearly 2 weeks now. Meeting with Kate and god knows how many other people all over base. The lieutenant’s stare hadn’t even registered in your frazzled brain as you tried to survive these damned reports. He’s never approached your desk before today. Never even come close to stepping behind it. But today he’s leaning over your chair, nearly touching you. His body heat is radiating out warming you quicker than the ancient central heating in this building could ever dream of. With a grumbled “can’t sit ‘ere watching ya break yer wrists luv” he placed a wrist rest by your keyboard. His face is so close when you turn. You’re close enough to see the brown of his eyes, and that they’re crinkled a bit like he’s amused at your warming cheeks. They’re deeper than you’d ever glimpsed in your periphery, but they’re so very warm.

Suddenly having him stare at you with those eye of his doesn’t seem so bad.

[albionscastle]

Don’t Play With Me

I have no trouble seeing Jack as a semi knight in shining armour type of guy as well as just drop dead sexy with the words when he wants to be.

There’s a part 2 in progress but it’s one I definitely can’t write at work ;)

FIC MASTERLIST

Your phone signaled a text message just as you were about to walk into the building. Grabbing at any delay you could, you pulled it from your clutch, stopping just outside the doors.

JL: Harry’s havin a movie night, ye up fer it? YN: Can’t, about to go to a wedding I don’t want to be at. Wish I could though. JL: Why are ye goin if ye don’ wanna be there? YN: Bride is my cousin, I have to go, but my ex is the best man. JL: The fucklump wi’ the kid? The one who ghosted ye?” YN: That’s the jackass. JL: Jesus, that sucks. Where is this shindig, maybe ye can sneak away early and come over.” YN: At the lake. I doubt I’ll make it over. Tell everyone I’m sorry. I should go in, ceremony is about to start. JL: Call me if ye need anything.

You put your phone on silent and took a deep breath, wishing that any one of your friends was here instead of you being alone. But no, you had to be stubborn, preferring to go stag rather than with an obvious pity date. Fuck you really were an idiot sometimes.

Fiddling with your dress the whole ceremony, you were aware of your ex’s eyes on you. You could have shot your friend Lisa for picking the damn thing out for you. Dresses were not your usual wardrobe choice, least of all flowy, romantic numbers with no backs.

“Show that prick what he’s missed out on.” she had cooed earlier that day as she finished your makeup.

That was the problem, you thought, as the day went through its stages. He had winked at you in a way that made your stomach churn. And your family had noticed, every comment being about you showing off for an ungrateful fuckstick you loathed. You would have been better off staying invisible.

At least Jack would have teased you about suddenly being a girl, before handing you a beer and leaving you alone.

Alone and wishing he was the one winking at you in some private joke, and then touching you, and then…

You shook your head, that kind of thinking would do no good. Jack was your friend, nothing more.

Two drinks into the reception your phone vibrated again.

JL: How’s it goin? YN: I may drink myself into oblivion, or hurl. Jury’s still out. JL: Tha’ bad? Is he givin ye grief? YN: NO, I mean he winked at me which was enough to make my skin crawl. My family is being a bit...wearying.

There was a tap on your shoulder as you read his reply, causing you to jump, dropping your phone. Your ex picked it up and you shoved it aside without finishing.

JL: I cannae blame him so much fer winkin at ye, tha dress is stunnin.

You never even saw Jack standing near you at the bar.

“Well you look sexy. If you were trying to rile me up you succeeded.”

“Fuck off, I didn’t wear it to impress you.”

“Could have fooled me, you know I always liked when you showed off those tits. Could have got one that showed off your ass too though.”

God, how had you never seen what a dirtbag he was until after it was all done between you.

“You always were crass. Besides what do you know about my ass? You didn’t touch me below the waist the entire time I knew you.”

You were oblivious to Jack choking on his beer just out of sight.

“Why do you have to be like that babe? We had a good time.”

“You had a good time, I just faked one. Every time.”

His eyes narrowed.

“Sweetheart, you aren’t exactly a prize specimen to be throwing away opportunities.”

“What opportunity would that be? To lay like an inflatable date while you get your rocks off? I’ll pass thanks.”

“I don’t see anyone else stepping up. Come on baby, let’s sneak away for few and you can re acquaint me with that talent tongue of yours.”

You were actually going to throw up.

“I’d rather drink battery acid.”

He took a step forward, reaching his hand toward you and you instinctively stepped back, colliding with a human wall.

“There ye are lass, yer cousin wouldna le me away tae find ye.”

Jack’s voice was somehow in your ear and you stiffened in shock as his body moved flush with your back, the knuckles of one hand gliding up and down your bare arm.

“Jack?” you managed to squeak as his lips brushed over your bare shoulder.

“Who’s yer friend?” his tone told you he knew exactly who you were talking to.

“Not my friend.” You smiled as Jack slid his other hand around your waist. “My ex.”

“Ohhhh, right mate, I shoul be thanking ye then.”

Your ex looked uncomfortable as the - superior-in-every-way - Jack grinned smugly.

“What are you talking about?”

“Well, if ye hadna let her get away, she never would ha ended up wi’ me. I ken a prize when I see one.”

You almost laughed at the angry look on your ex’s face, but any thought of him was quickly eradicated as Jack pressed his mouth to the tender spot below your ear.

“Come and dance wi’ me.” he murmured, tugging you toward the dance floor.

You left your ex without a second thought, following Jack to the centre of the floor and reveling in the feel of his arm around your waist as he pulled you close to him.

“Jack, what are you doing here?”

“I couldna in good conscience leave ye alone wi’ the wolves.”

“What about movie night?”

“Lisa an Harry needed some alone time. An there’s a wee chance she filled me in on the history here.”

“Oh God.” you went bright red.

“Dinna worry, she didna tell me anythin half as bad as wha I just heard.” his voice was tight.

“How much did you hear?”

“All of it, I was ri there. Ye never saw mah text about seein ye in tha dress did ye?”

“I think I got interrupted.”

“Tha ye did, and the bugger is still starin at ye.”

“Fuck him.”

“No mah type love.” Jack winked at you and heat pooled in your belly.

God he was gorgeous. And he was watching you, his blue eyes alight with mischief as you bit your bottom lip against the way he was making you feel.

“Tall, dark and arrogant not your type, Lowden?” you quipped with a laugh.

“Nah lass, curvy and spunky fer me.” he leaned closer, his breath hot against your ear. “Tha dress looks fucking fantastic on ye.”

You shivered as his voice deepened and rolled over you, fingers gliding across the bare skin of your back.

“I almost didn’t wear it, I feel so self-conscious.”

“Don’ be, half the men here can’t keep ther eyes off ye.”

That thought didn’t help, at all.

“Jack.” you whispered, your cheeks burning.

“Tha prick is chompin at the bit to get at ye, an he’s no gonna get close.”

“Thanks Jack, you’re a regular knight in shining armor.”

“Och no, no armor, tha shite chafes.” he laughed. “Yer welcome, wha are friends fer?”

Yeah, friends. That was the big issue wasn’t it? For a moment, as his lips had touched your skin, you had allowed yourself to hope, imagine. For a few minutes you swayed together, silently. You could feel your ex’s eyes boring into your back, making your skin crawl. You shivered and Jack’s hand on the small of your back drew you closer to his warmth.

“So wha happened wi’ tha lump?”

“The usual. He ghosted me after 9 months of dating, never spoke to him again until tonight.”

“Sounds li a real dreamboat.”

“I really know how to pick them.”

“Don’ do that.”

“Do what?”

“Make it sound li it’s yer fault. Man like tha is just rubbish.”

“Guess they all are then.”

“No all of us.”

Your eyes met his, caught in the intensity of his gaze.

“I swear if tha bastard doesna stop lookin at ye like tha I’m gonna deck ‘im one.”

“It’s not worth it Jack.”

“Sure woul make me feel better.” he muttered, his palm sliding up your back to press your body closer to him. His other hand moved your arm to drape around his neck, fingers dancing down your arm, then your side to rest on your rib cage.

You felt your breath catch as his cheek brushed against yours, his thumb rubbing back and forth over the top of your ribs.

“Woman like ye deserves tae be worshipped.” he whispered in your ear, a shiver running up your spine.

“Get off, Lowden,” you huffed. “Stop playing.”

“I’m no plain. If ye were mine I’d make sure ye were screamin mah name wi’ yer fingers pullin out me hair.”

The breath left your body in a whoosh of shock and heat.

“Tha woul just be the start, the whole neighbourhood woul know mah name by the time I was done wi’ ye.”

Your knees began to wobble as Jack’s mouth made contact with your earlobe, tongue darting out to trace the edge near your earring.

“Jack!” you hissed, feeling his smile against your ear. This was taking things too damn far. And not far enough. You were a ball of tension and want, your feelings fluttering all over the damn place.

“Dinnae fret lass, I’ll no embarrass ye in front of yer family. But I cannae guarantee tae keep mah hands off ye when we leave.”

“Jack, be serious, that’s not funny.”

“Do ye see me laughin, lass? I’m takin ye home tonight and ye’ll no be sleepin.”

“You’re pretty damn sure of yourself.”

“Yer cheeks are red, ye’re pantin in me ear and yer heart is poundin. I think we’ve danced around this long enough, don’t ye?”

What could you even say to that? To any of it? You had no idea how things had changed from his earlier playful behaviour. He’d been playing a part, hadn’t he?

“Yer over thinkin, luv. It’s no complicated.”

“Would you be saying any of this if I wasn’t wearing this dress?”

“Actually this whole weddin business put rather a crimp in me plans. I had intended tae have ye on the couch wi’ me as usual, Harry picked ou ‘The Notebook’ tae watch.”

“I hate that movie.”

“Aye, but it’s go that one scene ye know. I was gonna lean over an tell ye how much I wanted tae do that wi’ ye.”

“You’re kidding! Jesus Jack, have you never heard of asking someone out, like on a date?”

His flush told you that he hadn’t thought about doing that and you felt that hopeful flame in your heart sink. He was just like the rest of them, only after you for one thing.

“I’m not some piece of ass that you can tap into whenever you start to get horny.”

“No! Lass it’s no li tha.”

“Save it Jack. You’re just like every man I’ve ever been involved with. You treat me like a piece of meat. It’s ok to sleep with me, act all friendly, but I’m not good enough to be girlfriend material.”

Not wanting to cause a scene you had slid out of Jack’s arms and kept his hand in yours as you led him to the door. Once outside and alone though, you dropped all pretense.

“Go home Jack, forget all of this. You just got carried away with making that asshat jealous. We can talk tomorrow.”

“Please love, it’s no wha ye think, I swear tae ye.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow.” you said sternly, turning to walk back inside, your heart aching as you listened to him walk away.