You let the Devil in 😈

[nifties]

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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[nifties]

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.

[influenceher]

"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?"

[nifties]

"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.

[influenceher]

"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."

[nifties]

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."

[influenceher]

"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."

[nifties]

"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.

[influenceher]

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?"

[nifties]

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.

[influenceher]

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.

[nifties]

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.

[influenceher]

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.

[nifties]

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."

[influenceher]

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?"

[nifties]

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."

[influenceher]

She returns the kiss without any demand, simply happy for the contact. Zari blushes at the compliment. It's unexpected because she doesn't think of what she did as amazing. If she hadn't used the totem, John would be dead. How can she regret the consequences that come with that?

Zari's eyes fill up with warmth and love for this ridiculous man, snuggling against him shamelessly. "You're welcome. You know you can ask me anything too, right?" She reaches up to shove an annoying piece of hair back down. "I promise I'm not actually trying to keep secrets."

[nifties]

He holds her tight against him, his other hand snaking around her shoulders.

"I know that," he admits, resting the side of his face against hers. "You know I've never been a patient man, but... with you, it feels like we have all the time in the world to learn one another." He's glad he's hiding his face as he says it, but he means every word.

[influenceher]

Her hand falls to rest on his thigh, squeezing gently. The words wash over her like a warm bath. Zari can't say she feels any differently. It feels like they're in some weird bubble that time can't touch. Sometimes she thinks they have all eternity in spite of John's doom and gloom talk and knowing she'll be bound to that totem for a lifetime. They'll change fate somehow and haven't they already?

"Maybe we do. Time is what we make it." Zari suggests with a soft smile. "Besides, I know us. We'll just find each other again and pick up where we left off." Zari truly believes that. Yes, they're Romeo and Juliet, but they're not kids. They will find a real way to be together somehow regardless of how long it takes.

[nifties]

"Your confidence is ridiculously sexy," he says like it's something she doesn't already know, a hint of tease to his tone though again, he means it heartily. He kisses the side of her face and hugs her tighter, needing another few minutes before he even thinks about letting up. He's still thinking about her being trapped in the totem like Zari 1 is- will she and Behrad be in there together? It would be a small mercy, considering. Though the implications of that alone are scary, too. "I want to believe that, too."

His voice goes a bit scratchy as he lays his head down on her shoulder, breathing deeply of her and taking comfort in her being real and solid against him no matter what the future holds.

[influenceher]

A part of her hates the way he doles out affection when the doom and gloom sets in. It feels like he's trying to create something to look back on when she's gone. It's frankly a little depressing. "Then believe it, dummy." Zari chastises. She tellingly doesn't tell him to stop. Unknowingly, Zari outed the tragedy to come for both siblings even if she doesn't think of it as one. It's more like an exchange. She thinks she'll be a good mentor to whatever Tarazi wields the totem next.

"Fate said Behrad gets killed by some psycho in every timeline. We beat that, didn't we? We can do anything together." She reminds him with that sexy confidence John loves so much. "That said? Please keep holding me. It's nice." She sighs contently, eyes fluttering shut.

[nifties]

He pulls back just enough for him to see the widening whites of his eyes, but he obligingly rearranges them so he can stretch out on the couch and still hold her at his side. Both arms wind around her tight and he rests his chin on her head as he tries to just accept things as they are.

"You should know better than to tempt it after what we went through," he points out, but it's hardly a criticism. He will forever be grateful they managed to save Behrad, even if he'll never really be sure it will stick. "That said we are a good team, aren't we?"

[influenceher]

It is so cozy. Zari sighs contently as she settles against him, enjoying the weigh of his head on hers. It makes her feel tucked in and safe. She's positive in this instant nothing could hurt her. "The best team. Don't sell us short." She rests a hand on his heart, loving the beat of it against her palm. "You know I love having a partner." She mentions it like it's off-hand and not something straight from her heart.

[nifties]

The proclamation gets under his skin, making him uncomfortable but only in the best way. His heartbeat stutters under her fingers before starting to even out as he settles into the dose of truth she just served him.

"Suppose I do know that," he admits softly, kissing the side of her face as he fights not to disappear into his own head and remain in the moment. He's worked with a lot of people, and he never was totally strong enough to separate it from the personal, but even so Zari is more. She's so much better than complicated and suppressed feelings, all amplified by the rather specific type of life-or-death that comes with his day job. "I'll still spend my life wondering how you came to choose me for that title." Or at least, as much of it as he's lucky enough to spend with her.

[influenceher]

She feels that little jump and hopes for the best. John doesn't disappoint her. Zari smiles at the kiss, leaning into it shamelessly like the needy girlfriend she is. His answer is completely unsurprising though Zari tsks at him. "What's to wonder? The high quality cuddles pretty much guarantee we're in this for the long haul." That's a silly answer as much as it is true. "Just appreciate it, silly prince. All this is yours and all you have to do is indulge my every whim. What a small price to pay." Okay still silly, but also true. Zari's not getting any deeper when she wants him to get some sleep before dinner.

[nifties]

He chuckles in her ear, closing his eyes despite himself. John appreciates that they can both be silly around each other, but he can tell the sentiment behind it is real and that's almost too much for him in the moment. Already close to sleep by some miracle, he wraps his legs around hers to trap her in his embrace for the duration of his very short and likely choppy nap.

"I do appreciate it," he admits, drowsiness seeping into his voice as he starts to drift off. "Appreciate you."

John squeezes her in a final hug before passing out like a light, happy for the rest even when he knows it will be short-lived. On some level, he knows the moment he enters the dream, but it still feels very real, much like the one that startled him awake before. John feels himself wake up to a tap at their door and Zari kissing him in brief farewell as she goes to answer it. It's too late by the time he realizes he should have gone in her stead. Who else should be behind it but Nergal come to drag Zari away this time?

He's roused out of his fitful catnap by the actual knock at the door, nearly toppling off the couch as it startles him yet again out of his nightmare. "I've got it," he rushes to tell her though he's still half-asleep, doing his best to gently move her aside so he can get up and to the door before her.