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.

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Though John doesn't understand the words, the sentiment behind them seems universal and he nods once in gratitude.

"No, and I'd like to keep it that way. She thinks Natalie was killed by a drunk driver- well, she was. Whatever." He sets his cup on his thigh and runs his other hand through his hair. "That incident destroyed everyone who was there- including Astra, as you saw. That will always be on my soul."

Zari shakes her head vehemently. There is literally zero chance what she learned leaves this room. "No one ever needs to know that about their mother." She couldn't imagine the guilt and pain that would cause Astra so better to never find out.

The rest she simply absorbs. He screwed up big. There's no telling John otherwise. The actual details are almost irrelevant and in some ways have to be. Clearly that night got really screwed up whether it be from the reset universe, timeline, his faulty brain; whatever. All that matters is who is living with the consequences now.

She can only offer this: "We all do things we can't take back, John. Whether we're being arrogant or selfish..." She releases a soft exhale, grabbing her cup. That is definitely her category. She got her brother killed over some visions and sleepwalking. Zari has to live with that too. "You're trying to make it right now. That's more than most arrogant pricks do." Now she definitely isn't talking about John. Zari takes a sip of her tea finally, letting it soothe her.

He nods, relieved though he didn't actually think she would tell anyone anything he's told her tonight. It goes without saying he's spilling his heart out and it's for her ears only. As she goes on, however, John starts to pick up on the fact that he's not the 'arrogant prick' she's referring to.

"You are too," he reminds her, lifting an eyebrow Zari's way as he gulps down some more liquid now that it's finally at a comfortable temperature. "And maybe... we can keep an eye out for one another, eh? Keep each other in line."

Zari's lips quirk up at the reminder. She doesn't deserve the comfort. She should feel bad. The influencer does appreciate John saying it.

A full blown smile reaches her lips at the suggestion. It always helps to know someone will keep you accountable. God knows the rest of them don't have the spine for it. "That's the plan. You know I love knocking you down a peg." She winks at him, sipping her tea innocently.

"We know, luv," he sing-songs fondly, stretching his leg out to tap his ankle to hers. He just has to remember to return the favor instead of placing her on such a high pedestal. "And thanks... for listening to my drivelings. Promise I'll keep it light for the remainder of the evening." Like, probably.

Zari smiles at the joke though it quickly dies at the thanks. She doesn't want John to feel like he has to censor himself to fulfill perfect fantasy night for her. She sets aside her tea and closes the distance between them. Zari takes his face into her hands to make sure this point can't be misinterpreted. "I don't need you to hold back any part of yourself. I wouldn't say I love you if I just wanted you to be some fantasy boy toy for me. You can talk to me about anything." She'll listen to him confess to tax evasion if he wants to go all out. Zari has a feeling a good dinner is probably their next move.

He reaches for her waist reflexively, meeting her intense gaze with his own before turning to set down his empty cup and returning to her embrace.

"Anything?" he whispers, knowing it's just in his nature to hold himself back from everyone, but she makes him want to share even the hard things. Even the things that make him look bad. She hasn't flinched away from him yet. "As long as I can still be your fantasy boy-toy too."

She traces the line of his jaw affectionately, enjoying how his stubble nicks her fingers. "Anything." Zari promises grandly. Maybe she'll regret that later, but right now she means it with her whole heart. "Oh, and there's no choice about the fantasy part. You can quit being my boy-toy whenever." Zari smirks knowing full well he will never be the one to end this.

As her fingers run along his jawline, he realizes he never packed a razor so he really will be in full vacation-mode at the end of the week. He rolls his eyes fondly at her version of an assurance even as a little thrill goes through his middle.

"You can tell me anything too, you know. I'm a better listener than I look like," he points out just as a loud growl emits from his tummy. Oh yeah, dinner was a thing, wasn't it? He glances out the window to see the Sun almost done for the day and it makes him want to mourn for it if all their days together will go by this quickly.

Zari smiles patiently. What would she ever need to tell him? Any of her secrets aren't weighing on her soul every day. He knows damn well what her biggest sin is getting a front row seat to the anger and grief that followed it. "How about I feed you first? You can't use your time left with me wisely if you're starving." She pats the side of his face before getting up to retrieve her phone. Time to order them some food. Naturally the process is all digital now so RIP John. Have fun staring at a phone screen with her.

Yeah, that lasts all of five seconds before he's rubbing at his eyeballs and shaking his head.

"Just pick something for me," he grunts before remembering himself. "Please." He kisses her cheek before tilting his head back against the couch and shutting his eyes to rest them.

"Lazy bones." Zari accuses without any heat to it. It doesn't take long for her to put her phone in hand and drop back onto the couch. She scrolls through aimlessly, tapping away at some yummy local delights that meet her dieting standards. Zari worked up what counts as an appetite for her between the juice cleanses and rabbit diet. She's going all out as much as she can.

"Are you sure you don't have any requests?"

"Lazy," he complains, cracking one eye back open to glare at her without any heat on his side either. "What is it? You don't know what I like by now?" A tease, naturally. It's not like many people ever catch him eating much more than a snack unless they're doing family dinner on the ship. Not that there's been much of that since Ray moved out.

"You like whatever is put in front of your face." Zari points out bluntly. No judgment, but it is hard to miss that he eats whatever Behrad sets down in front of him as well. "We're on vacation. You must have some preferences."

He seems to consider that, nodding as he blinks his eyes to settle on her face.

"Alright, alright. Read it to me." He can make a decision like a big boy, or something. Her voice washes pleasantly over him as she reads him the menu, feeling more like a bedtime story than a practical way for him to actually get sustenance into his body for the first time today. "That lamb sounds nice. Especially the way you say it."

Edited 2020-10-24 03:51 (UTC)

"Is this your way of asking for a bedtime story?" Zari isn't fully kidding about that. He seems to be way too enchanted by listening to her say anything. She taps away at her phone to select the lamb and an appropriate side dish. "And... sent. We should have it all within the hour." She nudges his ankle with her foot. "Assuming you don't waste away by then."

"I've told more than enough tales for one evening. It's your turn." John makes a show of getting comfy next to her on the sofa, laying his head on the edge of her shoulder so he can just barely see her face and folding his arms over his chest to settle in. "Your voice will be more than sustenance enough until then," he assures her, already seeming to be gearing up for a second nap, despite how badly the first one went.

Zari has to appreciate that is trying for a second round after how the first one went. She is game. One arm snakes around his side, firmly planting him against her. He wants a story? Okay she can give him one. "Did Behrad ever tell you the story of how the Tarazi family received the air totem?"

His eyelashes flutter tellingly when she holds him like that, sure in the knowledge that he's never been safer or more comfortable in anyone else's arms.

"No, actually. That ought to be a good one. Go on," John encourages softly, one hand grasping at her knee as her skirt hikes up her lap in a way that makes it irresistible for him despite his lazy demeanor.

A shot of electricity goes from Zari's knee upward at his touch. Her mouth dries, making her need to reach out to grab her tea. She takes a long sip as she prepares to begin her story. It is a good tale. She thinks John will take something positive from it.

"Long ago, there was a man who we only remember as Tarazi. His given name is lost to history and they say the country he lived in had a secret name that no one living remembers. We only know that he was an old man whose daughter was a young woman. We know that the country was in shambles from war. The youth were being killed every day. One of those youth was his daughter's husband. She was left pregnant with only her father as support. Every day the violence increased around them leaving them both in fear. Who could bring a child into a world like that?" Zari questions in a sing-song tone. Unsurprisingly, she is an excellent story teller. If John goes back far enough, she's done some read-alouds for her younger viewers.

"Tarazi was a man of faith. Each day he got on his knees and begged Allah to deliver them from this situation. He wept as he pleaded not for himself, but the future of the Tarazi family. He prayed that the child to come would not only be born into peace, but bring it as well. Let my family be the change this world needs." She pauses there, letting John absorb all this for a minute.

He shifts off of her just an inch so she can get her drink, enjoying being able to see her whole face when she starts that he holds his position, fingers drawing tiny patterns into her skin as she talks. Already, it seems to fit the narrative he's made for himself surrounding Behrad and Zari, pleasantly so. He takes the time she gives him to process gratefully before nodding a moment later to signal he's ready for more.

Zari nods, jumping back in to the story picking up. "One day a foreign man appeared at his doorstep. He was badly wounded and near death. Tarazi only had enough supplies to help his daughter with the impending birth and yet that didn't stop him from treating the man." There is reverence in Zari's voice. It'll be clear why in a second. "His daughter was terrified, but he reassured her. How can I ask God for help when I turn away the one he set in my path? His daughter accepted his words because even in her vulnerable state, she knew her father's words were righteous and true." Zari smiles as it gets better. "Within seconds, the man recovered. He stood up and thanked them for their bravery. As it turns out, he was no man, but an angel sent to travel from war to war to find one who would be worthy of the gift he carried with him."

Zari holds out her hand. "He held out a gold necklace to the pair. They both had great faith in times of trial; both were worthy to wield the power within that necklace. Its power had already brought peace in another land before its wielders became corrupt. It surely would again for them." Zari says it with much hope before the gut punch hits. "But, the angel warned the power would come with a price. In order to assure the wielders would never become corrupt again, a fallen wielder would be bound to the necklace after their death. They could only be released when the next wielder succumbed to death. Their role would be to guide the next bearer and ensure they only used their power to bring peace and right wrongs. Failure was not an option."

Zari takes a breath to deliver the next line with all the gravity it deserves. "And Tarazi, an elderly man, took the necklace and became the first wielder of the air totem." She pauses there, waiting to see what John makes of this. She didn't believe any of it until it came her turn to wield the totem. Zari knows now she's not just telling a story, but describing her fate and Behrad's. This is the destiny both of them will inherit.

By the time she's finished, John's grip has tightened on her leg, evolving into a protective clutch while dark eyes pierce hers. It's like a parable from the Bible except all the more terrifying when it's her own family - now his. He swallows, feeling like the air has been stolen from his lungs and the voice from his throat, but he knows he has to say something. It makes him feel naive for not understanding why Zari Tomaz cannot simply rest as her spirit should. She's not so much possessing his Zari as... guiding her, a duty Behrad and she will apparently share one day.

"I... that's-" John gives up his lazy sprawl and pushes off of her to sit up and look her properly in the eye. He glances down apologetically at where he's holding onto her leg almost too tightly and lets go in favor of taking her free hand in both of his. "Maybe a bit too exciting for a bedtime story."

She doesn't realize this story might not sound so sweet him until it's too late. Zari frowns as his grip threatens to get too tight even for her. Thankfully he releases it before she has to say something. She gently squeezes his hand, searching John for any sign why this would be such a concern of his. "Okay." She doesn't bothering covering the confusion up. Zari can't say she had no idea going in that using the totem would cost something. She made peace with it for Behrad's sake as she would anything. "So family history is out. I could tell you about the wolf and the fortuneteller?"

He snorts at her cluelessness, leaning in to kiss her sweetly and briefly. There's a soft smile on his face as he pulls back, adoration shining bright in his eyes.

"No, I only meant... how are you even more amazing than I knew you were?" In a way, it makes things easier for them, doesn't it? Both of their souls are spoken for after death which makes it almost impossible to do anything but live in the present. He helps her put her cup back down then slips one arm around her waist, dragging her in closer. "Thank you for telling me."

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