Vlad and Axsel
Request: Yes or No
~
"Thanks again, Ms. Franks!" (Y/N) called over his shoulder, leaving the store. He sipped on his slushie, heading over to his jeep. He heard shouting, turning his head and seeing John B flying over a chain.
"Oh, fuck." (Y/N) jogged over, laughing. "Hey, are you okay?" He asked, trying to hold back his snickers. John B grunted, looking at his side. (Y/N) followed his gaze, seeing the blood.
"Oh, shit. Come on, let's get you fixed up." (Y/N) said, helping him up and taking him to his car. John B made the seat move back.
"Is there a woman and a man who look like No Neck Ed and Rose from that one show?" John B asked.
"You mean 90 day fiancé?" (Y/N) furrowed his brows, looking at the spot they had previously been at.
"Yep. There's Walmart budget Rose and the taller version of No Neck Ed." (Y/N) looked at him, nodding.
"Fucking drive." John B ushered. (Y/N) put his slushie and bag of cheetos down, getting his seatbelt on and driving away.
"What's up with you? Why are you running from the cops?" (Y/N) asked. John B moved the seat back to normal.
"It's, uh, long story." John B replied, reaching for a cheeto. (Y/N) smacked his hand.
"Ask first and say please." (Y/N) huffed. "No manners."
"Can I please have a cheeto?" John B asked. (Y/N) gave a nod. "Yes, you can, John B."
"You know my name?" John B asked, brows raising. He didn't expect it. Then again, he didn't expect Topper's fraternal twin to help him either. (Y/N) nodded.
"Your friend put a gun to my brothers head." He shrugged. John B blinked, watching him. (Y/N) noticed.
"Oh, don't get me wrong, I was scared for his life but he was a douchebag. He needed a nice slice of humble pie." (Y/N) shrugged. "Even though he threw it back up." He shook his head.
"Huh.." John B blinked. He never expected (Y/N) Thornton, the fraternal twin of the entitled Topper Thornton, to help him and not blame his friends for the fiasco from the days prior.
"Make a turn here."
"Sure thing, boss." (Y/N) turned a corner, stopping and watching John B get out of the car, running off and picking something off the ground. John B returned, getting in. (Y/N) drove to Figure Eight, driving to his place.
"Woah, if Topper or your mom see me-"
"Mom is out and Topper is hanging out with Sarah's bitchy brother." (Y/N) said, getting out the car with him and heading inside. (Y/N) led him to an empty room, getting a first aid kit and started to clean his injury. John B hissed, pouting and huffing.
"Big baby." (Y/N) mumbled, grinning. John B met his gaze, taking in his features. (Y/N) was obviously the hotter twin, personality and appearance wise. At least, in John B's mind he was. He and (Y/N) never really spoke, occasionally bumping into each other back when John B worked for Ward. (Y/N) and Sarah were close, practically attached at the hip. John B was surprised when Topper was the one who ended up with Sarah.
"Quick question."
"Hm?"
"Why aren't you and Sarah a thing?" John B asked, eyes raking over (Y/N)'s features. (Y/N) snorted, putting everything away.
"I don't know.. Maybe cause she's dating my brother and I don't like girls?" (Y/N) stared at him. John B blinked, sitting up.
"Y-you like guys? L-Like, you're-"
"Gay." (Y/N) nodded. "Is there a problem with that?"
"N-No! Of course not! I-I'm bisexual." John B quickly cleared up. (Y/N) hummed and nodded.
"Okay.. Need me to drop you off anywhere? A friends house?" (Y/N) tilted his head. John B licked his lips.
"The Wreck." He replied. (Y/N) hummed and nodded, getting up. As they walked down a hallway, John B paused, looking at a painting. (Y/N) noticed and turned, looking at him.
"What's up?" He asked. "Interested in Denmark Tanny?"
"Who?"
"He's the founder of Tannyhill." (Y/N) shrugged, slowly approaching him and looking at the painting.
"How did a slave found a cotton plantation?" John B asked, looking at him. He didn't know why but he just couldn't shake the feeling that the painting was connected to him.
"Cause he was a free man. He showed up out of nowhere and paid for all the land in gold." (Y/N) told him. "There's your history lesson of the day."
"In gold?" John B looked at the painting. He took off his backpack, checking inside and taking out a piece of paper. "Why do I recognise that name?" John B flipped the paper over.
"He.. He was on the Royal Merchant." John B mumbled. (Y/N) furrowed his brows.
"The ship that disappeared and left no survivors?" (Y/N) questioned. John B nodded.
"What else do you know about him?" John B asked. (Y/N) shrugged.
"Sarah mentioned that when she and her family moved in they found a shitload of his stuff and they donated it to the state archives at Chapel Hill." (Y/N) replied, staring at him.
"Change of plans, I need to go to Chapel Hill." John B said, passing by him. (Y/N) blinked, turning and following him.
"Why?" he asked, getting in the jeep with him.
"Can't say. I need to get into the archives. How can I get in?"
"Sarah gave me a trustee pass cause she said she wouldn't be interested in that type of stuff." (Y/N) shrugged, looking at him.
"Can I borrow the pass?" John B asked.
"Like you borrowed the scuba gear from Ward?" (Y/N) tilted his head. John B licked his lips, sighing.
"Sarah got mad at you and ranted to me about it. She didn't snitch on you to Ward.. It was Topper." (Y/N) told him. "Topper's the only snitch in the family."
"Okay, the less you know the better. I need you to trust me." John B said, a bit desperately.
"No can do, macho man. I can, however, go with you to Chapel Hill."
"No-"
"It's settled, baby boy. I'm going with you." (Y/N) grinned, turning the jeep on and driving away. John B ignored the fluttery feeling in his stomach. hey got to the port and got out, (Y/N) grabbing the backpack he had in the backseat. They headed to where the ferry tickets were sold but saw that they were sold out. John B jogged over, asking if they were sold out but was brushed off.
"Goddamn it." John B mumbled. (Y/N) turned his head, looking at a tugboat. John B grabbed his hand, pulling him along.
"Ever been in a tugboat?" John B asked. (Y/N) furrowed his brows.
"No?"
"Okay, we're gonna talk our way onto this barge. I got this. These are my people." John B said. (Y/N) hummed, nodding.
"Alright, boss." (Y/N) watched him walk away. He watched them talk from a distance, giving an amused grin when John B was shot down. John B returned.
"Your people, huh? They must really love you." (Y/N) chuckled. John B rolled his eyes.
"Got anything better?"
"Of course, baby boy. I'm the brains and Topper is... Topper." (Y/N) scanned the barge and hummed, grabbing his wrist and tugging him along. He grabbed some raincoats, picking up an empty tank and nodding to John B. John B went along with it, following him past the guy he had been talking to. They put the tanks down, heading down some steps and into the engine room. John B pulled him towards another room, closing the door. The boat started moving. They took a seat, feeling the room start to heat up. They took the coats and backpacks off, sitting down.
"Shit." (Y/N) mumbled, fancing himself. John B chuckled. (Y/N) took off his shirt, hoping it would help with the heat. John B eyed him before doing the same.
"Well.. Wanna play a game? 20 questions?" (Y/N) asked. John B shrugged.
"You go first." (Y/N) wiped some sweat off his forehead.
"Why did you kill Dimitri?" John B asked in an accent. (Y/N) grinned, looking at him.
"He knew too much." He replied in a Russian accent. "He was a, eh, liability." (Y/N) shrugged.
"Yes, you know, we all know too much, eventually." John B grinned. (Y/N) chuckled.
"Alright.. What are you looking for? Like, why the archives?" (Y/N) looked at him. John B looked away.
"Those are two questions." He mumbled. (Y/N) rolled his eyes.
"But.. I can't tell you."
"Why?"
"Safety reason." John B glanced at him. "I don't want you to get hurt."
"Does it have to do with your dad?" (Y/N) asked. John B stayed silent. (Y/N) frowned.
"I'm sorry that.. He just disappeared. I can't even imagine how I would feel. You know.. I'm always around if you want to rant or sit in silence. We aren't the best of friends but I can promise you, I won't go around spilling secrets." (Y/N) said. John B looked at him, sighing softly.
"Thank you.. I'll.. I'll keep it in mind." He nodded.
"And.. I'm sorry about Topper too. He's.. He's obsessed with having the perfect girlfriend and saw you as a threat. He's not a bad person. Yes, he makes stupid mistakes but.. He cares about his friends and family. He was different before he became friends with Rafe. Rafe is just such a bad fucking influence. Topper knew I was gay before my parents knew. He helped me keep it a secret until I couldn't hold it in anymore. He was devastated cause he thought I would get kicked out and he would be alone but.. I was accepted.. I guess. They just kind of ignore me until they can't." (Y/N) shrugged, looking at him. John B hummed.
"My dad knew before I did." John B smiled. "He said I stared at a lot of his shirtless friends."
"I did that too. I used to have a crush on JJ, actually." (Y/N) chuckled softly. "I don't anymore." He assured. John B ignored the jealously that spiked through him.
"Don't worry. You weren't the only one." John B sat up. He looked at (Y/N).
"I think my dad is alive.. Or at least.. Calling out to me through this weird way. Kind of like whales. You know how they communicate through these soundwaves, right? It's like that." John B told him. (Y/N) hummed.
"I.. I cannot let feelings interfere with the mission." John B said, using the accent again.
"Very true, comrade." (Y/N) nodded. John B sighed, laying back and closing his eyes. (Y/N) turned his head, looking at him. He had always found John B attractive. From his hair to his freckles to his loyalty. (Y/N) licked his lips, looking away. He never thought badly about The Pogues. Kooks were usually the ones who started the fights. (Y/N) sighed softly, laying back as well and waiting. The boat eventually started slowing down so (Y/N) nudged John B. The two put their shirts and coats back on as the boat stopped. They put their backpacks on.
"On a count of three. One... Two... Three!" John B grabbed (Y/N)'s hand, opening the door. The two made a run for it, running from a man yelling in chinese. They dodged people, laughing all the way. They slowed down and began walking, giggling.
"Jesus.. We look like shit." (Y/N) said, panting. "We're gonna have to shop for clothes." he said.
"Why?"
"They won't let us in if we look like swamp monsters." (Y/N) replied. John B hummed. They headed into the city, taking off the coats and letting the breezes and light rain refresh them.
"This place looks fancy." (Y/N) mumbled, pulling John B toward it.
"Absolutely not-"
"Absolutely yes." (Y/N) grinned, stepping inside.
"This is like an organ with the wrong blood type. It doesn't work." John B said. (Y/N) rolled his eyes.
"Relax, baby boy. I'm here to help you find your style." (Y/N) chuckled. He looked over some stuff until a man approached them.
"May I help you?"
"Yes, you may, Mr..?" (Y/N) flashed a charming smile.
"Mr. Ike." He gave a nod.
"(Y/N). My... My boyfriend, Jonathan, needs all the help he can get." (Y/N) said. Mr. Ike looked John B up and down.
"I can see that." Mr. Ike mumbled. (Y/N) chuckled. They were led to the changing room where Mr. Ike got some things for John B. John B stepped into the changing room. (Y/N) sat down after grabbing some sunglasses and putting them on, glancing around until the door opened.
"Wow, middle school dance who?" (Y/N) chuckled, looking over the tucked in button up shirt with red bowtie.
"I look like I got kicked out of the barbershop quartet." John B said, looking at him.
"How about a seersucker, Mr. Ike?" (Y/N) looked at Mr. Ike.
"What the hell is that?"
"Excellent choice." Mr. Ike nodded.
"And maybe a pink button-down, some bucks?" (Y/N) grinned.
"You're speaking gibberish. What the hell is a buck?" John B asked.
"I'll get a pair." Mr. Ike nodded, walking away. John B looked at (Y/N).
"I'm your daddy for the day." (Y/N) chuckled. John B rolled his eyes, entering the changing room. Mr. Ike returned with the clothes, giving them to John B. He excused himself to help other costumers. (Y/N) noticed that John B was staying a while and stood, knocking.
"Did you go to Narnia or something?" (Y/N) asked, opening the door and seeing John B in only his underwear. John B pulled the pants up and huffed as (Y/N) laughed.
"Were you seriously checking yourself out, John B. Routledge? Never took you as the type." (Y/N) leaned against the doorway.
"Don't blame you. I'd check myself out if I were you too." (Y/N) said, stepping back and closing the door. John B blinked, looking at himself in the mirror. (Y/N) had basically called him hot. John B got dressed and stepped out.
"Zipper." (Y/N) called. John B looked down and pulled his zipper up. (Y/N) hummed and nodded.
"You look.. Decent." (Y/N) stood and approached him. "As decent as a clown can get." (Y/N) grinned.
"Ooh, ouch. Nice one." John B chuckled. Mr. Ike returned and John B told him what he would like to see. (Y/N) got dressed and stepped out. John B snorted, looking at the black pants, suspenders, gray shirt, bowtie, and fedora.
"So, who's your daddy now?"
"A man of culture, I see." (Y/N) hummed. John B shrugged.
"I knew a kid who dressed like this every day during middle school." (Y/N) said, looking at himself in the mirror.
"I'm pretty sure we all did." John B chuckled. (Y/N) went back into the changing room, changing into a couple outfits until he chose one he liked. He stepped out, smiling. He wore a dark blue shirt that had about three or four buttons undone. The shirt was tucked into black pants. John B swallowed, looking him over.
"Uhm.. Y-You look great." John B said. (Y/N) hummed.
"Since we're on a secret mission.. We should assume another identity." (Y/N) said, crossing his arms.
"We need aliases. What are you thinkin'?" John B asked. (Y/N) tapped his chin, pretending to think.
"Vlad.. From... Vienna." (Y/N) said, shrugging.
"What about me?" (Y/N) tilted his head. John B mimicked his previous position.
"Axsel from Berlin." John B replied. (Y/N) raised his brows.
"Axsel fra Berlin?" (Y/N) grinned. John B nodded.
"Ja." He stuck his hands in his pockets. "Du snakker norsk?"
"Ja. Hvor mye vet du?" (Y/N) tilted his head. John B licked his lips.
"That's all I know." John B chuckled. (Y/N) smiled, patting his chest.
"You're better good." (Y/N) turned, picking up his backpack and leaving. John B followed him. (Y/N) paid for their clothes, walking out of the store and heading down the sidewalk.
"Come on, they aren't open all night." (Y/N) said. John B hummed, walking beside him.
"So, are Vlad and Axsel dating?" John B asked. (Y/N) cocked a brow, glancing at him.
"Feelings can't interfere with the mission." (Y/N) reminded him. John B nodded, looking forward. The sky began to darken, turning to night. They got an uber, not wanting to walk all the way there. (Y/N) paid and they got out.
"The library is on the other side of the student center. Ever been here?" (Y/N) looked at him. John B shook his head.
"Uh, no. Never been to a college." He replied.
"Hm, you didn't fulfill your training, huh? Liking it so far?" (Y/N) asked. John B nodded.
"Well, my parents went here and so did their parents and their parents as well." (Y/N) told him. "Sarah's dad came here too."
"Damn."
"Yeah.. My mom would kill me and Topper if we didn't go here." (Y/N) sighed.
"And you?"
"I've never really thought about going to college." John B replied as (Y/N) took out his ringing phone. 'Topper' was the contact.
"Uh-oh." (Y/N) showed him the contact, grinning.
"What would he think if he knew you were here with me?" John B grinned as (Y/N) chuckled.
"I'd have a public execution. My crime? Treason." (Y/N) replied. John B gasped softly.
"For being a Pogue sympathizer?"
"Mhm."
"Oh, oh my goodness." John B made the phone motion with his hand. (Y/N) did the same.
"You've gotta be careful fraternizing with the enemy, Axsel." John B said.
"Wait a minute. Did he kidnap you? Or drug you?" John B asked. (Y/N) let a smile slip.
"Nei, I came on my own recognizance." (Y/N) giggled.
"Oh. Do we know this enemy?"
"Ja. You snitched on him to the Big Boss."
"Oh, no, no. It's not that dirty Pogue, is it?"
"He is not what you think." (Y/N) shook his head lightly.
"Goodness gracious, he's working some good psyops on you, Ax." John B scratched his forehead. "He's a smooth operator."
"He really isn't." (Y/N) laughed as John B pretended to hang up the phone.
"He's really clumsy, randomly does finger guns.. And.. He seems to be too shy to make a move." (Y/N) smiled. John B lightly flushed, teeth catching his bottom lip.
"Come on." (Y/N) smiled. "Better be careful, Axsel. Once a Pogue, always a Pogue." They entered Chapel Hill, going up some steps.
"20 questions-"
"Again?"
"-Why are we here?" (Y/N) looked at him.
"The price of the ticket is intel. Tell me." (Y/N) stopped and faced him. John B sighed.
"Alright.. On pain of death?"
"Mhm."
"I'm on a treasure hunt." John B told him. (Y/N) blinked, staring at him.
"Like.. X marks the spot?" (Y/N) asked.
"More or less. I have reason to believe that Denmark Tanny was the sole survivor of the Royal Merchant wreck." John B said. (Y/N) blinked, brows furrowing.
"Which is why he had all that gold? Cause he ran, or probably swam, away with it?" John B nodded. (Y/N)'s lips parted.
"So.. The 'map' to that treasure is one of his belongings." (Y/N) mumbled. John B nodded.
"I'll go talk to the librarian." (Y/N) walked away. John B let out a sigh of relief, glad (Y/N) believed him. The librarian led them to another room, showing them up the stairs and getting all of the belongings.
"Ready?" (Y/N) asked, looking at him.
"Ready." John B smiled. They put on gloves and started looking through everything, trying to find clues or hints.
"He bought slaves and freed them. He was accused of inciting revolt.. This was before the Civil War." (Y/N) told him, looking away from the news article he had been reading.
"It's why they hanged him." John B picked up a Bible, opening it and reading the names and birthdays.
"His three sons." (Y/N) mumbled. John B picked up another paper.
"A picture of gold." (Y/N) hummed.
"British gold.. The type that was on the Merchant." John B glanced at (Y/N), smiling. They continued to look.
"This is his last correspondence." (Y/N) said, showing him the letter.
"That's.. That's in Gullah, the lost Creole language." John B pointed out. (Y/N) glanced at him.
"Know anyone that can read it?" (Y/N) asked. John B nodded, taking a picture. (Y/N) looked it over.
"He wrote this to Robert, his son, on the day he died.. In a language only they could understand." (Y/N) leaned back in his seat.
"That has to mean something." John B mumbled. (Y/N) nodded.
"I have fifteen missed calls from Topper.. Three from mom." (Y/N) told him, chuckling softly. "Good thing we completed the mission. Make my funeral lit, will ya?"
"Yeah, of course. Drinks for everybody." They shared a laugh. John B cleared his throat.
"Speaking of the mission.. You're way better than I expected." John B said, a bit shyly. (Y/N) smiled.
"You're not what I expected either." (Y/N) chuckled. John B faked being shocked.
"Totally ADD. I thought you were this surfer bro who liked to party, smoke weed, and fight."
"You just described JJ."
"Yeah, I realized it as I said it." (Y/N) chuckled, smiling.
"But.. You're actually super funny, bit of a weirdo... Pretty charming." (Y/N) looked at him. John B licked his lips, giving a small nod.
"So.. When we get back.. What's it gonna be like?" John B asked, anxiously waiting for an answer. (Y/N) licked his lips.
"Uhm.. Like always?" (Y/N) said, shrugging as John B nodded.
"I'll go back to being Topper's gay twin brother who breaks up fights and has no friends other than Sarah Cameron." (Y/N) shrugged. "I had loads of fun." (Y/N) assured, patting his thigh. John B offered a small smile.
"I did too." He looked forward. It started to rain as the ferry got back. They got off, walking in the rain.
"Guess we'll have to say goodbye to Vlad and Axsel. So, if we see each other on the street-"
"Yes, of course. I am a true professional." John B grinned, using the accent again. (Y/N) smiled and nodded.
"Been a pleasure working with you, comrade." (Y/N) stuck his hand out. John B took it, slowly shaking it. John B didn't let go when (Y/N) went to pull his hand back.
"I have something to confess." John B said.
"You didn't kill someone, did you?" (Y/N) asked. John B snorted and shook his head.
"I.. I've been in love with you since the day I started working for Ward. You were always kind to me, even when Topper got annoyed at you for it. You never insulted me or any Pogue. You were considerate and always greeted us with only kind words. I love that you don't care about rich or poor and you just see people for who they are. If you don't want anything to do with me from now on, I'll be fine with it. I had the greatest day of my life and I spent it with my longtime crush. I-" John B was cut off by (Y/N) leaning forward and kissing him, arms wrapping around him. John B stumbled back a bit but kissed him back, tension and anxiety leaving his body. (Y/N) gently cupped his face.
"I want this too.."
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