#the Clutch Nixon costume comment!!! hahhaha

[inafieldofdaisies]

Ship edit and snippet | The Deceiver and The Wolf | vol. 1 / vol. 2

“It was probably nothing but [at that moment] it felt like the world.”

Mercedes placed the last pieces she had selected for him to 'model' out of a deadman's closet then turned to face Jacob with a triumphant smile, a pesky reminder to what he had haphazardly agreed to without thinking she was actually serious. "I'm not trying any of these.", he muttered, his frown only deepening when he realized if she had gone as far as to actually put together outfits, she was about to force him to wear at least one of them for more than a couple of minutes. Her dark eyes narrowed, shining in determination, "You promised." "It was a joke." A snort left her at the excuse, "I thought you don't do jokes." The glare that usually worked on his men and resulted in them scattering out of his sight had no effect on her, only prompting her to cross her arms over her chest, signaling she wasn't backing down. Goddamn it, woman. "Just one, Mercedes.", the words were but a bitter hiss that won a smile out of her, "So pick accordingly."

"Oh, how generous, Mr. Seed.", her focus returned to the bed that was covered in clothes, index finger running over her lip as she set on making her choice, "You're lucky whoever lived in this cabin was your size. Which reminds me… do you know what happened to him?" "No." His voice was even, emotionless, hiding the lie. Truth was, he had a very good idea of the McNeills fate - Stella had fallen victim to crossfire while the man whose clothes he was about to put on, had become just another failed participant in his trials. Zachary was weak, like so many before and after him, and the moment he had learned about his wife's passing, breaking him had turned into even less of a challenge. Something stopped him from uttering out those morbid details, even when Jacob knew they were bound to put an end to this form of torture she had come up with so early in the morning. The exact price would have been watching her carefree smile disappear from her face. Just power through it. "Off and the rest, too.", she ordered eventually, pointing at his field jacket. He made no move to undress, "Did you even pick anything yet?" "Yes. Now, clothes off, Jacob. Or do you need my help?" "Bossy.", he smirked despite his sour mood, refusing to let how uncomfortable he felt deep down show, "Maybe I should take you up on the offer, would certainly make all this worth the hassle."

Mercedes rolled her eyes as he threw his jacket at her, and she caught it without missing a beat, "Keep your undies on." "Yes, m'am." The sarcasm wasn't lost on her. "Keep this up, and I'm going to make you try on the Clutch Nixon Halloween costume this guy has. You sure would pull off that cape." His hands froze right when they were undoing his jeans, "You wouldn't dare." She cocked her head, sending another grin his way as she watched his progress, "We both know, I absolutely would." Seconds later, she was holding onto everything he was used to wearing while he stood in the middle of the bedroom in just his underwear, "Happy?" "Very. Now turn around and no peeking in the mirror, mister." He complied with a sigh, deciding to get things over with faster, now that he had made it past the point of no return. Jacob felt her approach before a hand appeared to his right, offering him a pair of pants that were thankfully green. Familiar. I can do this. He reluctantly put them on, avoiding his reflection as she passed him a shirt in a lighter shade of green, then a darker colored sweater. The realization she was sticking to what he prefered wearing hit him as he slipped the woolen garment over his head, and she helped him drag it down over his chest, speeding up the process. "See. Wasn't I right?", her hands set on his upper arms before he slowly lowered his eyes to the mirror in front of him for the first time since she had put the whole game in motion.

"I'm not wearing it out.", he grumbled out as he stared at himself, almost not recognizing the man looking back at him. He couldn't remember the last time he had worn civilian clothes. "Pretty please?" "No." She laughed at his sharp reply, coming to stand next to the mirror, "You look dashing." "Compliments won't get you anywhere, sweetheart." The way she bit her lip was the first sign of trouble, "A deal then?" "Absolutely not." He grabbed the hem of the sweater, readying to strip it off when she raised an eyebrow, challenge visible in her gaze. "What are you afraid of?" "I'm not afraid of anything.", he snarled, "I have no time to play dress-up." "You're not even a little bit curious what I will suggest?" "No." He was lying again, and the fact he hadn't removed any of the borrowed clothes told her as much, urging her on. "I will wear whatever you pick tomorrow." Silence took over the room, her steeled expression and demeanor telling him she stood behind her suggestion, further confirming it with the pinkie she offered him. "Deal, Jacob?"

Blue eyes shifted to her hand and then back to her face, "Aren't you worried?" Mercedes released a huff, "About what? You dressing me from head to toe in camo and tactical gear until I'm blending with the woods better than the goddamned trees?" "Last chance to back down.", he tried again, knowing full well she wasn't going to, that the warning was ringing hollow. "I've been told I can pull off even a potato sack." The matter-of-fact statement John probably would have classified as prideful, had he been there. "Deal.", he nodded as he wrapped his pinkie around hers, adding under his breath, "Am I really that predictable?" "Just a tiny bit."