nifties | You let the Devil in 😈

You let the Devil in 😈

Ever since he agreed to go on this trip with Zari, his mind's been turning over and over about it. Technically, yes, the Legends are adults. Some of them even managed to survive for years without them aboard (which seems miraculous now.) But that doesn't make it any easier for him to leave his hatchlings, no matter how many speeches Sara has about how they only live once and they should go enjoy themselves. And he knows Ava has pulled Zari aside to essentially say the same thing just in a more Ava type way.

The thing is, even when John is running away, it's never for long and he's usually only pretending to dick off. As he thinks back over the years, has he ever taken a real vacation? Ever? Something creepy or crawly always manages to find him wherever he goes and that's weighing heavily on his mind as well. If the team will be safe without him, will Zari be safe with him?

He keeps starting and stopping packing, not like it matters when he knows Zari is going to make him get a whole different wardrobe the second they're alone. He's been avoiding that one for long enough so he's kind of resigned to the whole affair honestly. Packing means leaving though, indefinitely the way his life goes. What if they damage the timeline by being out there together? And again, what if the Legends really really need them??

Yeah, so he's spiraling. When Zari finds him, he'll be pacing the length of his room back and forth - back and forth. Every time he crosses his suitcase, he drops something new in and/or takes something out so that the job never actually gets finished. He's so absorbed in his weird, manic ritual that he doesn't even notice her coming in until she's right in front of him. Her sudden appearance (from his perspective) actually makes him jump before he manages to focus his foggy gaze on her.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

He doesn't stop, as she commanded him before, though his thrusts become shallower and shallower as her release moves through her, inner walls clenching tightly around him in way that has him echoing her name. There's something still holding John back as he watches her, gaze positively worshipful even as he wraps one arm around her to keep her on her feet. John stills to only the barest movement, hips nudging against hers through the inevitable sensitivity that comes post-orgasm.

"I can wait," he says, as if giving her a hint to his motives, unending patience as always at the heart of every intimate interaction between them.

Gently, he pulls back, mouth falling slack at the sensation of being exposed to the air still hard and ready for her. John gives one last look in the mirror, both of their faces in flushed bliss he won't soon forget, but he's so missed her embrace. He turns her towards him carefully, making sure her feet can support her own weight before resting both hands on the cool granite behind her and leaning in for an impassioned kiss. His neglected member bobs insistently against her hip, but he ignores it to deepen the contact for whatever short stretch of time he can hold his breath, addicted already to the slide of his tongue against hers - like a parched man in the desert who's just found a spring of fresh water.

As the kiss breaks, his face tips in against hers, forehead to temple. "I want to give you everything." Even he isn't sure the total significance of that confession, but he sounds like he's practically bursting with it, letting her come down and absorb that at once because he doesn't intend to rest for long.

Each step is shakier than it needs to be. Zari will definitely be eating her fair share of fruit later to get back that energy. That's neither here nor there. She brings both hands to the side of his face to clutch it reverently as they kiss. Zari missed being able to touch him freely. His member reminds her they're not done by a long shot. She'll enjoy this while she can.

All Zari cares about right now is the feel of his tongue sliding against hers. The declaration that follows makes it hard to catch her breath. The cool surface behind her does much to keep her rooted in the moment. What does that even mean for people like them? They're not exactly going to go hunting for the perfect house, a diamond ring, or plan their 2.5 Muslim babies.

Zari doesn't doubt his sincerity in the slightest. Her thumbs brush over his cheekbones lovingly, gaze soft and appreciative. "I'd let you." She admits softly. That's no small thing for Zari. This is a self-made woman whose trust was betrayed early on in life. It's not easy for her to take anything from anyone. Zari trusts John wouldn't use it as a bargaining chip to control her like others would. "I love you so much." Another soft admission, followed by a laugh that concedes just how cheesy that sounds. He always brings that sappy side of her out so no big surprise there.

John's vision of eternity is a bit more complete, and a lot more scary. They can never have children, a dog or a white picket fence... but they have each other, in this moment and every other the universe allows. The look he gives her is piercing, deep-dark but so present despite what's happening. Her declaration knocks him down, eyes bulging wide and vulnerability shining through their blackened depths. His hands wrap around her middle at that tender touch and he finds himself on the brink of tears in an instant though he can't allow it to distract him now, not when he's on a mission to prove how much she means to him.

"I know," he admits, tone watery as he nudges his pelvic bone against hers, testing her sensitivity while scratching his own itch. It might sound dismissive coming from anyone else, but John says it like a prayer - and with the deep knowledge he has of life and all that lies beyond. He helps her lift one hip against the sink, knowing this will be short-lived so it doesn't matter if the positioning is a little precarious; in fact, maybe it's sexier this way. His heart races against her skin as he reaches down to gently guide himself to her entrance at this entirely new angle. He whispers against her lips, breathing tremulous but calm as he asks of her: "Tell me when."

The beautiful thing about John is getting to see those shifts play out plainly on his face. She can never really imagine fully what's going on in that brain of his. There's just too much of him that's a mystery to Zari. She's not all that invested in unlocking it. What she sees cuts deep. This means everything to him. Who doesn't want to be everything to someone? Zari gave up years ago on being all the things others wanted. It'd be enough to be his completely in body and soul without a need for trinkets, labels, or traditions.

A shiver goes through her as he tests them. Zari is pulled out of her feelings long enough to remember they still have to take care of him. She follows the lead he sets of her, brow lifting at the choice, but going along with it. It is actually a little sexier to go this route especially with the beat of his heart dancing against her skin.

Zari braces both hands on his shoulders as he guides himself, eyes half-lidded as his lips brush up against hers. Her tummy does flips in anticipation. "I want you back inside me now." Direct, but soft. She swallows already in anticipation, surprising herself by how much more she has left to give.

Dark eyes cast down as he prepares to obey, feeling her hands sear along his skin like white-hot irons. Once he's confident he's positioned well, John's gaze flits back upwards, anchoring to hers, and it's somehow even more intense than meeting her eyes in their reflection. His breathing shallows, mouth moving against hers without trying for a real kiss and without saying any words. There are none left between them anyway.

His hips surge forward, not as gentle as he'd intended but he realizes instantly he isn't hurting her at the slickness he still finds. John bows his head to her shoulder, lips pressing to her throat as he buries himself inside her physically and in all other aspects. "How does it feel?" he asks, voice barely audible as it muffles against her skin the moment it tumbles out. He's certain he's never felt so desperate before and he's already addicted to the feeling, not waiting for Zari's reply before drawing back only to thrust back in twice as hard.

Zari is spent already, but that makes it sweeter in a way. She's not chasing the quick high of them seeing stars together. This feels like melding them together into something deeper. She feels more attuned to John than ever before. She knows a lot of it has to do with finally not having to worry about man children barging in when her boyfriend is going down on her.

The rest is about finally being in a place where it's just them. Maybe this is what the first man and woman felt like; completely lost in each other and the bliss of that. Zari only knows she's flipping through idle thoughts as the familiar bubble of pleasure rips through her; body still willing and ready for John even if her brain has her floating outside herself.

The second thrust brings her more into the present moment, a soft moan escaping her as lights dance in front her of her closed eyes. Her eyes slowly open again, fingers digging into his shoulders. "Perfect. Keep going, baby. Whatever you need." The last part falls out of her like an afterthought, but it's a sincere promise all the same. She licks her lips as she soaks in the way he feels surrounded by her, finding it just as addicting as her brain starts to boot back up. "You're doing so good." Zari praises, kissing the side of his head lazily.

He works his hips at her encouragement, physical and verbal both as he somehow manages to keep them both up and find the sweetest angle that has his nerve endings singing in seconds. John tries not to read into the statement, taking it for face value at the moment though it gets filed away to examine more closely later. It's not that he ever doubts her sincerity after she's proven herself to him time and time again; it's just that he doesn't understand what he ever did to deserve such a diligent and devoted partner.

"Yeah?" he prompts, though he knows she wouldn't feed him platitudes, he still craves more of her praise. "Need to be good enough for you." It comes out on a sigh and though he only means it as a callback to her telling him to take what he needs from her, that one obviously stems from some deep self-loathing place. John finds himself clutching her tighter as a result, going breathless as their chests meld and their pubic bones grind.

The melding of their chest has Zari's skin vibrating. She shudders against him, a moan slipping from her lips. One hand trails up to dig into his hair just the way he likes, pulling gently at the short hairs. The words hit her a beat later, chest aching at the thought that is even a thought in his brain. Zari isn't blind. She knows he has issues with self-worth. If she tells the magician to take what he needs, it wouldn't even be an option for him, would it? It'll always be about making her happy first. What a difficult gift to accept.

She does her best to rock forward, pushing down on the spot where their pubic bones can meet. He won't let her fall over. "I liked that. That's what I need." She murmurs into his ear. Zari can play this game if it makes John happy. "Keep me close." She practically pants it against his ear. Turnabout is fair play.

He hisses, sharp breath carried on a whimper when she pulls his hair. It brings everything into focus somehow and he nuzzles his face against hers to feel even more tension against his scalp. For that one blissful moment, he's just one big nerve-ending, doing his best to take as she urged him to. It's when they're most happy, he knows; when he can shut his brain off.

It isn't just about him and his past, but what little he knows about hers. He knows she fears losing agency and of not being in control. There's always a worry in the back of his mind that he could hurt her like others have hurt her and like he's hurt everyone else in his life, albeit inadvertently. At least at first. John can't even imagine hurting her the way he did Natalie, Gary, Chas, Desmond... or so many others, but he loved them all in his way. He'll never stop loving them. Zari is just... different, a bright spot in an endlessly dark sky.

"Always," he's whispering, squeezing her even tighter at her behest and also just to keep them upright. He's feeling too much to sustain the tenuous position he put them in, but as with everything else he'll find a way to see it through. Gooseflesh rises in the wake of her breath, the hair on the back of his neck standing most pleasantly. He starts driving into her with more urgency and abandon, certain he's never felt so connected to a person before. "Remind me to tell you about sex magic..." But later, when his brain comes back online.

Her brain quickly starts to slip away as well as John loses control. Zari always loves this part of their love making. She can't tell where one of them ends and the other begins. She feels completely lost in them.... though not too lost to catch that line about sex magic. Zari laughs breathlessly, out of sheer joy and amusement. She'll definitely ask later, but it's clear the influencer thinks he's messing with her.

"After we get off." Zari responds a beat later knowing they won't be able to do this much longer. She can feel her walls start to clamp down harder against him. Her vision blurs into lights and pretty stars as John continues to drive into her. "John?" A question this time. She knows he'll let her be greedy, but even Zari has her limits to that.

He nods vigorously to that suggestion, muffling a delighted little chuckle against the side of her face. Not joking, of course, but it can all wait. With her he never feels the urgency to get to everything at once and that's what makes this vacation with just them so special.

"Yes, my love?" he asks back breathlessly, though he's sure he knows what she's about to say. He still manages to pull back enough to barely meet her eyes, lips pressing to hers soundly as he feels his own impending release pull from just behind his belly insistently. As ever, he waits for her cue.

Zari returns that kiss feverishly. She knows he's putting it on her terms. Zari supposes he can get away with it if this is what he wants. Her fingernails scrape over the back of his head in rebuke all the same. It's all she has the sense for. When they part for air, she meets his gaze as best she can. It's blown out and darker than ever so whatever message she wants to convey isn't clear. Still, he knows the cue by now.

"Together." Zari reminds John before bringing her head down to rest against his shoulder as they work towards their grand finish. She's not sure if it's the soulmate talk or the blissful privacy, but this time feels sweeter than ever. Each wave passes through her like an ocean tide. Zari thinks she may not have the strength to stand it. Doesn't she think that every time?

By the time they reach the finish line, Zari is boneless against John; clinging for support. "Carry me." She mumbles against his shoulder, unsure if she's kidding or being serious.

Edited 2020-10-12 02:52 (UTC)

"Together," he agrees on the tail of a gasp in reaction to her nails scraping him, between that and her blissed-out expression he can feel the inevitable building. John holds her so tight he's sure she might bruise, but he needs to get every hook in her to get them over the edge from here. Panting hard against her face, he snaps his hips into her rougher than he's ever dared to before, feeling pleasure rip through him in a way that can't be put back into the box. With one final buck forward, he buries himself as deep as he can, allowing her inner muscles to work him right up to the brink. "Zari."

His knees go weak and strength drains from his arms as he suddenly finds one hand clutching for the granite edge of the vanity and the other grabbing Zari to his chest before they can both go toppling over. John can only laugh at her command, kissing the side of her face and flicking hair over her shoulder.

"Give it a minute, darling."

He has to shut his eyes as his anatomy slips free from her, always a feeling worth mourning to say nothing of how it immediately makes him want to take a nap. But he's nothing if not suggestible, so after gathering his strength, John sweeps her into a neat fireman's carry and makes for the bedroom, letting out an involuntary sigh the moment his tired feet touch the plush carpeting.

She's positive there will be bruises tomorrow to say nothing of soreness. Zari doesn't mind either. She does mourn the moment they inevitably separate. She sighs like he's wounded her. Zari is quickly distracted by how he carries out her command. Naturally she pictured something more out of Snow White than something this practical. Her dreams are once again dashed.

"Wow, babe. This is peak romance." Zari tries to sound put out, but a giggle escapes her. This is so ridiculous and them that she can't stand it.

John laughs, a bit of hysteria that latches onto hers as he gently bounces her onto the edge of the bed before landing on his back next to her. He's thinking about their video and dinner, but he just needs a moment to recharge...

"You're the one always calling me skinny. Can't blame a bloke for being pragmatic." He shuts his eyes, once again telling himself it will only be for five minutes then he'll get up to make some tea.

Zari doesn't even pretend they'll be moving anytime soon. She curls up on her side and naturally glues herself to John's within seconds. Her head comes to settle on his chest, already needing to hear the beat after feeling it against her for so long. "This is why you should stop skipping arm day." Zari quips as if that is even a thing with John. Her arm drapes over his middle in a final commitment to them not moving anytime soon. As usual she'll be out in minutes without ever asking if he wants nap time. She sure does and he's her emotional support snuggle buddy so deal with it!!

He doesn't even remember falling asleep, her soft weight surrounding him dragging him over before he can quip back. At first it's pleasant, a warm pocket of rest after some undeniable over-exertion. His hand settles over her arm as he falls deeper into slumber, in that drifting place between true REM and a light nap. Suddenly, things change, his grip tightening almost uncomfortably and his face screwing up into an anguished expression. His shoulder twitches tellingly under her, clearly beginning to sink into distress.

Somehow, he's avoided this in all the nights they've shared, but he's never been a "nap guy" for close to this exact reason. He wrenches away from her abruptly in his sleep, dangerously close to the edge of the bed as he throws himself away from whatever is reaching towards him without warning.

As he tumbles back into wakefulness, it's a very harrowing and not at all pleasant experience, the nightmare scene still playing out behind his eyes as he calls a panicked plea to the air in a familiar shape. "Astra!"

Zari can sleep through just about anything. It's one of the many skills she's cultivated over her time as an influencer. She can't sleep through that uncomfortable grip. Her brows furrow together as her sleepy brain struggles to make sense of what she feels underneath her. John is moving away which immediately sends Zari into a panic. Her eyes snap open as she frantically looks for him, hand raised like she's expecting to have to shove (a zombie) something away quickly.

It doesn't take long to spot him. Zari gets to her feet, grabbing John by the shoulders before he can fall onto the floor. Calling for Astra isn't weird considering Gary likely blabbed pretty early on that Astra had been killed by the same woman who killed Behrad. She's only sorry he's plagued by the same nightmares as her even if they only come to Zari when she's alone. "John, it's okay. Astra's okay." She rubs his shoulders gently, trying to ignore her racing heart.

He starts at the grab but doesn't fully wake, his eyes rolled to the back of his head so only the whites show when he blinks. Even subconsciously, it gets through that whoever has him doesn't mean him harm, but she's wrong, Astra is... His voice is tearful as he babbles sleepily back at her, still caught between dreaming and cogency.

"She's not okay. I damned her, I damned her like I damned so many others... like Des." John shivers just to say his name, ironically picking the only two people he's successfully saved from his past. But everything has a cost as he likes to point out: a toll. And he'll never pay that tab down completely.

It is only when he tenses that she realizes this is not the smartest thing she could have done. John may be skinny, but he's still a man who isn't fully in control of himself. He could seriously hurt her by accident if she doesn't go about this the right way.

The thought is lost by what he says. She can't stand his suffering anymore than he can hers. Tears well up in her eyes at the words and shiver that accompany them. There's so much pain inside him. It's undeniable now even if she already has so many memories of them happy together. They will never cancel out what came before for him or her for that matter.

Zari moves to sit at the side closest to the edge of the bed. Her hands shift so that one rests on his hair and the other his shoulder. She gently strokes the blond strands, thinking back to Behrad and the times when she actually got to be his sister before fame and that parasite of a manager got in the way of that. She knows there's no arguing any of what he says right now. Zari goes back to what she'd do in simpler times with a boy she loved so very much.

Gently she sings, "You are the sky's great moon, and I'll become a star and go around you. If you become a star and go around me, I'll become a cloud and cover your face. If you become a cloud and cover my face, I'll become the rain and will rain down. If you become the rain and rain down, I'll become grass and germinate. When you become grass and germinate, I'll become a flower and will sit next to you. When you become flower and sit next to me, I'll become a nightingale and will twitter to you." She'll finish the song whether he wakes up or not.

He'll be grateful he didn't hurt her later, but that hand in his hair is soothing and starts to drag him back under the tide. When she starts to sing, he feels warmth on his face, followed by wetness that freezes - even half-asleep he's vaguely aware he's crying and reaches a wrist clumsily to his face to wipe at his tears. Then he curls into the smallest ball he can make with his lanky body, head resting against her thigh as he sobs silently into the bedspread.

The tears start falling freely as she watches him. Zari hates this. She just wants to shake him awake to remind John that everything is fine. That's selfish and easy. She's better than that now. Zari switches to Farsi once the song's English version ends, knowing it sounds more beautiful and soothing in her parent's native tongue. Her fingers continue their gentle threading through his hair. Zari moves her free hand off his shoulder to gently wipe away the tears she can reach before letting it rest again on his shoulder.

John slowly feels consciousness break through the still-lingering nightmare vision, shoulders jumping under her touch when he sees something that isn't there. He's been through it enough times to know not to react, but his eyes glow briefly anyway before he starts to get some real agency back. He reaches his hand up to close over her wrist on his shoulder, holding on and just breathing for a long pregnant beat.

"What's that song?" he asks softly, voice hoarse from crying.

She holds her breath when his eyes glow. It's only faith alone that keeps her there singing to him. That is a clear a sign as any of how easily things could go south here. Zari exhales shakily when he grabs her wrist, openly relieved that he's coming back to her.

"You are the sky's great moon." Zari responds softly. Her tears slowed to a stop a few verses back. She pulls her hand away from his hair so she can wipe them away now. "I used to sing it to Behrad all the time when he was little. He'd climb into my bed when he couldn't sleep. We'd read stories and sing songs until he felt better." She explains if only because John will appreciate it. He needs time to process before she begins to even touch what just happened.

He frowns, turning on his side again so he doesn't have to meet her eyes while she dries her tears. John stays perfectly quiet and still while she recounts her story, almost as if he's fallen back asleep but he's very alert. He does appreciate the story, of course, just not what brought it up in the first place.

"...Did I frighten you?" he manages eventually, barely eking it out.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject