nifties | You let the Devil in 😈

"That artifact is unpredictable," he defends himself vaguely, rolling his eyes at her criticism of his item which totally worked!! "It's not a rock."

John sighs, crossing his arms across his chest and looking at the items she chose. Not the worst picks, but it isn't what he would have chosen... which admittedly makes it easier to narrow it down. He reaches over to grab an old tome she likely passed over because it looks heavy. It is heavy but John can make a case for it anyway.

"Can I trade these two for the book? I'll give them to Gary to keep him out of trouble..." It's an ancient demonology text he's literally never been without. He opens up a random page to show her a particularly nasty looking creature. "If we encounter one of these, wouldn't you prefer we know how to vanquish him?"

Zari narrows her eyes at John. Why did he give her the job just to contradict her?? She can't actually refute his argument. They might need a how-to guide based on what Behrad told her. She huffs again. "You can, but I feel totally undermined for the record." She's just saying!!!

Zari puts her annoyance aside to level with him. Communication is important even when they have their clothes on. "Are we seriously expecting to get jumped by a demon in 2048? Because Behrad said I had to keep the totem because and I'm quoting him, 'You're hella stalkable.'" She does the air quotes and everything. "Shouldn't they have moved on? Other you must be hella old. How much trouble could you still be?" It'll hit her in a second how dumb a question that is.

He nods once to concede her point. Like, he gets it!! But it's necessary. Unconsciously, he hugs the book to him like she might try and take it anyway. Yeah, he has issues that he's only starting to wade through.

"...I've never been on holiday before," he reminds her, carefully sidestepping her question with narrowed eyes.

Edited (one day i'll remember britishisms before hitting the button) 2020-09-08 01:31 (UTC)

Her expression softens immediately. She wants to be mad he's dodging her. John does look a little pathetic holding that book so she consoles him first. "Relax, babe. I'm not taking away your emotional support book." It does hit her how dumb that question is. If John is still around somewhere, he's absolutely a problem. Maybe they think they'll have a better shot at his younger self.

"And whatever at the rest." Zari rolls back a shoulder. "I'm not the totem master yet, but I've been working on some moves. We'll be fine." She moves to get to her feet. "Now can you finish packing so we can go on our sexy paradise vacay? I really don't want to replace you with Ava, but I will." Yes, that is a threat!!

John notices he's clinging to the book when she reassures him and he sighs, dropping it into his now-empty bag. Picturing Ava having twelve simultaneous anxiety attacks about going on vacation actually pulls a tiny laugh from him as he looks out at the mess they've made.

"Can you fly yet?" he asks, gently poking fun as well as genuinely curious. He's grateful she's taking the totem with her even if it means he has to trust everyone on board to protect Behrad that much more. That can't be any easier for Zari, he knows. "Yeah, I can finish up here. Thanks, luv."

She looks pleased by that tiny laugh. John is a hard man to elicit that kind of reaction from often. She treasures what she gets. Zari smiles wide at the question. It's not poking fun to her since she is genuinely proud of her efforts to do just that. It leaks into her voice as she rambles about her progress. "I'm getting really close. Right now I've got hovering down. Full mobility there in every direction. It gets tricky once you get about a story up, but I'm getting it." She nods confidently, hands darting excitedly from place to place as she talks. "It'd help if Behrad would chill a little. He still thinks we can't fly high up! Like duh of course we can. We literally can control the wind! We're gonna show up that Super family and prove we're the best superhero siblings out there." She laughs, pure and innocent about her ambitions.

Zari leans down to press a kiss to his hair. "Now hurry up so we can get going! Maybe I'll make time to show you those moves." She teases with a quick wink as she turns to leave. Zari knows she's a distraction and they have to get going! Also she'll spend all day talking his ear off about what she is learning with Behrad if he'll let her.

"That's the spirit," he encourages, one eye closing automatically as he accepts the kiss. "You can show me once we get there." Since he is genuinely curious how far she's gotten with it. He thinks they're probably to the point where all he has to do is separate them and they could both learn it on their own, not that he'd say as much aloud. He knows better by now.

"Just give me ten... twenty max to say goodbye to Gary." He throws the weird metal ball into his bag as well as a deck of tarot cards, what looks like a regular deck of cards and a strange talisman before she leaves the room. He's pretty sure he only has to pack maybe some underwear and some clothing to sleep in because he knows there will likely be a shopping spree in their near future. If anyone else was coming with, he might fight the idea, but it makes Zari happy so it's hardly a chore. Unlike prying Gary's spindly hands off of him will be.

A smart move. That's exactly what they need to grow. Neither Tarazi will realize that truth considering it took them years to figure out they were stronger together to begin with. Zari is back to huffing and puffing once again. Gary!!! Ugh that guy is always ruining things. That's John's baby duck so she doesn't give him too hard of a time.

"Fine, but don't let him get too handsy. That's my job." Zari reminds before for realsie leaving. She has to go bully Nate and Behrad into loading all her bags into the jump ship anyways. Zari and her phone will be waiting for him when Gary sets him free. Gotta hype up some secret content upcoming for Z Nation.

"I'll do my best, luv." Meaning he'll fail terribly, but here goes nothing anyway. He finishes his bag almost shockingly fast now that Zari helped him think about things in a different way. He slings it over his shoulder and it isn't even that heavy though he expects that to be different on the way home. John grabs two of the items from the pile for Gary before making a mental note to get Nate to clean up this mess. He was always nervous to have anyone touch these things before, but call him crazy: he kind of trusts these people.

As expected, it takes way too long to get Gary to stop crying. John knows he needs a break because he can't even manipulate his way out of here. He just pats the man's shoulder and waits for him to calm tf down. It's a shame he's so stupid, because he actually has natural talent for the dark arts. John can worry about that when he comes back. Everyone else allows him a brief hug or wave and allows him to get the fuck gone. It's only as he's walking through the jumper bay that he realizes he always skipped goodbyes before this, maybe that's why he's so exhausted now.

John spills into the ship, smiling softly at Zari being wrapped up in her phone. He peels off his coat so he can get to his tear-soaked shirt and starts unbuttoning it while he waits for her to notice him.

It's more than enough time to film an intro to the vacation vlog she is definitely producing. Definitely enough for her to keep the teasing going with her more avid fans. Zari puts the phone down at just the right moment to both bait her most passionate fans and catch those buttons coming off. Okay, this is going to be a great day.

She smiles wickedly. "Wow, John. I appreciate the initiative, but Gidget is definitely watching and I don't do-" And then she sees the snot. Her nose crinkles. "Oh, gross. Never mind." Zari's putting away her phone so she can go fishing through her purse for the wet wipes. Gary!!! Ugh.

He chuckles at her reaction as he starts working the shirt off his shoulder, perhaps drawing it out just a little for that initial reaction alone.

"Aww, it's nothing you haven't seen before, is it, Gideon-sweetheart?" he teases, winking as though it wouldn't be completely lost on the AI and crouching to dig another shirt out of his bag.

She follows that movement because Zari is weak at the end of the day. Sure, she's mapped out that shoulder with her hands and mouth, but maybe there's something she missed. She should look just to be sure!!

"I don't think Gidget wants his germs either." Zari points out flatly as she tosses wipes at him. Mature to end.

John makes a face as he drops the dirty shirt to the ground and pulls a clean identical one over his shoulders. He rises to his feet again without buttoning it and turns to face Zari again. Just in time to be pelted by disinfecting wipes.

"Ow," he complains without any heat, catching the package out of the air as he toes off his shoes and approaches her to at least get a little affection before they reach their destination. John makes a show of wiping his hands and anywhere he thinks Gary might have clawed at him before handing her them back, impressed by the sparks he still feels when their hands brush. He leans in without any further pretense, shirt gaping open as he presses his lips to hers, infusing gratitude into the contact as well as genuine excitement for their journey ahead now that most of the fear has drained away.

She does her best to suppress a smile. It never escapes her how willing he is to play along. The wipes drop to her purse as he leans in, enjoying the feel rush that comes when their lips touch. One hand hooks behind his neck to deepen it while the other skates down the line of his chest. It's not chiseled rock like every other man she's been with, but it doesn't make her any less hungry for him.

Their entire relationship has always had her accounting for everyone else even while trying to focus on John. For once, it'll be just them. It's hard to leave her baby brother behind for even a second, terrifying even, but she needs this too. She hopes he gets that through the contact because she's loving what he's saying on his end.

He shivers involuntarily at that covetous touch down his front, pressing into her hand and mouth with equal fervor. Though he knows this is hardly sustainable, he has to take the opportunities when they come - it's an attitude that comes from a long track record of having happiness stolen literally from his hands. But eventually, when he can no longer pull air into his lungs and even a few seconds after, he allows the kiss to wind down, pulling his lips from hers and sucking oxygen in greedily as he lets his temple rest against hers.

"I... love you," he murmurs, realizing it's the first time he's said it since her admission so many weeks ago now. It makes his knees suddenly feel week and his hand clutches the arm of her chair to keep himself on his feet, worried as ever that something will strike them down just for having something worth protecting.

It never stops making Zari feel powerful to have him react that way to her touch. She chases after his lips with hers until the influencer knows John can't hold out and is forced to slow her roll. He pushes for a few more seconds anyways and who is she to stop him?

Zari catches her breath, loving the way their breaths mingle. His words actually make her pause a moment. It's not like she's keeping track... except she is. Somehow it's a bigger deal now. Neither of them are coming down from a roller coaster. They're on their way to spend quality time together without the kids. Her eyes flutter back open, watery, as she brushes her fingers over the back of his head fondly.

"Oh, delbar-am." Her voice is impossibly soft and fond. Zari smiles gently at him, bottom lip trembling before she repeats what he already knows, "I love you too. I'm so glad we're doing this." Even if it's scary. She can't think too deeply about it or she'll rush back to Behrad's side.

It isn't fair, the way she makes those words sound. Slowly, his head comes up, eyes filling with water to mirror hers. He holds that intense eye contact for as long as he (and his back) can stand before he's gesturing at her vaguely.

"Make some room for me, will you?" he demands playfully, shoving his way onto her chair and pulling her halfway into his lap to endure the rest of their travel time together. "What do you want to do first once we get in?"

He always knows how to ruin a moment by being such a boy. Zari doesn't truly mind despite her protests. "Hey!" She nudges her hips to the side to make room for him before he starts maneuvering her. Good thing Zari is dating a skinny white Brit or else they'd never fit. God knows she's from the hips don't lie people. "Ugh, you're so clingy."

She wraps an arm around him as her head settles onto his shoulder. Because you know. Zari doesn't cling at all. "Wellll for starters you need a wardrobe change. And I have to show you some of my new moves." She takes a beat before casually tacking on, "Oh and FYI? I might have to film a few things. Not you obviously. They would only agree to let an influencer in if I did some light promo for them in a couple of weeks. They've had some bad experiences." She can't even pretend to be mad about it. A lot of them are entitled monsters. It's a pretty decent insurance policy on their part and it will make her fans happy.

He laughs once, his hand snaking around her waist as his head leans back against hers.

"Wow, what's wrong with my clothes?" he protests predictably, but he only packed one change because he knows her too well. She earned the right to see him in whatever she wants, especially since none of the crew will be around to commentate. He's excited to see how far she's come with the totem, too. "Should've known there was a catch," he teases, but if he truly minded her filming at all times surely they couldn't be in a relationship. After a moment, he gets curious though, "Who do your fans think you're with?"

"Baby, please. I'll waste our vacation complaining about your clothes." Zari teases even if she really could go on about it. He's a very handsome man!! His clothes really ought to reflect that. It actually excites her that there is no outright refusal in the protest. She senses an in. Zari will definitely take it.

She freezes a little at the question. Maybe they should have talked about this before she did it. Zari got frustrated. She winces a little. "My boyfriend who hates cameras." She sighs in frustration. "I got sick of those airheads asking to be my fake boyfriend. They all suck at hearing no. One of them even crashed my live just to manipulate my fans into shipping us. I had to say something." Zari notes defensively. She quickly deflates to ask him seriously. "Are you mad? I didn't name drop you or anything, but that probably wasn't cool."

John tips his head as if to concede that - she probably could go on and on about it. He's so used to his cobbled together uniform, he's honestly not sure what he'd even look like in regular clothes at this point. Other than that brief and awful stint at the campground, but he knows she has better taste than that. His mind is drifting on the subject when she answers his second question and he has to snort at the first part. It isn't exactly inaccurate, is it?

As she goes on, he realizes how little he really knows about her world and his hold tightens around her protectively. Not because he feels he owns her, he's feeling zero jealousy to his own surprise - but these people sound unhinged, dangerous even. He always thought of her profession as harmless, but now he's considering it might indeed be as treacherous as his own.

"I'm not cross," he assures, realizing he's been quiet far too long and he smacks a kiss to the side of her face for good measure. "Whatever keeps you safe."

Zari is buzzing with nervous energy by the time he lets her off the hook. She leans into his lips. Once they part, she nuzzles her cheek against his affectionately. It stings as always, but she appreciates what he has to say. "It will help for a while." Zari reassures him. They'll soon be bugging her for proof John exists so they can harass him, but good luck with that weirdos. "As long as it doesn't bother you, I'm okay." Because she cares what he thinks. This is his relationship too.

Zari sighs contently since they are good. "Besides, who cares about some desperate losers? This is our time. The only person I want to think about is you."

He never thought about having input here before, it didn't seem like his place to even really comment on most of what she does online. It is technically after his time, after all, and cancer notwithstanding it's fairly likely he won't make it that long.

"I'll be honest..." Even if this might get him in trouble with her - he's still not sure how most of this influencer stuff works. He needs to use this trip to educate himself some on it, he's realizing. "I assumed you already had a fake boyfriend on there."

It made more sense to him than anything else, and after the s'more guy it just seemed like that was how people did things online. And like it might keep most of the creeps at bay. It's obvious how unsure he sounds about the entire idea.

"Sorry I never asked about this before." It's very sweet, her declarations to him, but he feels like he's failed her somehow in fundamentally misunderstanding her internet empire.

It absolutely gets him into trouble with her. Zari immediately withdraws her affection to cast a wounded look his way. Who does he think she is? She was very adamant about them being exclusive! It occurs to Zari that he may not know it isn't as simple as claiming to date someone. She saves the sharp barbs in favor of explaining it to him like he literally has no clue what's going on. He is apologizing for not asking, after all.

"John, the last guy had a gimmick so we never had to write in any serious public displays of affection into the contract. The rest of them are going to want that written in. I can't be 'caught' kissing some guy at the VMAs and then going home to you like it never happened. That's gross." It didn't even occur he might not even know all of these relationships are negotiated through their teams and respective lawyers right down to how many times they have to be seen doing xyz with each other and how long they date.

The whole thing is skeevy truth be told. Zari has always managed to make it work to her advantage by setting hard limits and boundaries along with great representation. The whole incident reminded why she went through the trouble. Left to their own devices, entitled creeps are gonna creep. She's not a cheater so she'll deal until a better idea pops into her brain.

John just looks bewildered at her offense, but is immediately grateful she decides to explain it to him anyway.

"I had no idea it was so official." Because yeah, that would be weird... though technically, again in the future so he isn't sure how to even be upset about it. Their whole thing is predicated on the weird time shelter they've built, which is precarious, but also the most precious thing he's ever had to protect. The two often clash for him no matter how hard he tries not to worry about it. "You know I trust you. And you know what's right for your... whole thing." A lot better than he ever will, as much as he appreciated being let into the loop. He opens his arms back out to hopefully get his cuddle buddy back for the rest of the ride.

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