I needed more of this type of Rhysie and Jack. I needed the angst but I also needed the fucking cuteness and so here we are. Some parts of the story are altered, mostly on purpose and I'm sure some were just me being an idiot too. Shout out to Soraya. Because I was probably inspired by Mao and Toshi feels.
000
Rhys missed him. He'd fucked up. He missed him and he'd fucked up. It'd been about two and a half years, and everything between then was hazy. He knew he was the CEO of the new and improved Atlas. He knew Vaughn and Yvette still worked beside him, and Fiona and Sasha had even come around too. They were vault hunters, though, and weren't there much. No one was there much anymore. They'd tried to be. They saw Rhys deteriorating on himself and they tried to be there for him but he pushed them away. First with the "I'm fine"s and then with the "I'm calling security"s. He didn't mean it. He needed them. But he needed him too. He would walk down the hall and see their concerned looks from the corner if his eye, though, and it was enough to keep him going. For now. But he just needed more. He needed Jack, for fuck's sake!
Rhys fiddled with the ID drive in his flesh hand. The Nakayama drive. He'd kept it, for guilt's sake. He'd always hoped he could have it repaired and have any lost information in it restored. Naturally anyone that objected after finding out it was the Handsome Jack drive got a bullet to the brain. Rhys had become ruthless. Like a piece of Jack's conscious had been left inside of his head and practically became a part of him. He didn't mind. It helped him run the company, from what he could tell, and he really was just like his old idol Handsome Jack. "Like a champ," Jack would have put it, if he were here, ruling the now non-existent Hyperion alongside the younger male.
He'd dreamt about it a lot, to be perfectly honest. Dreamt of standing in front of the huge window in Jack's old office, feeling satisfied as the man's hand would come to rest on his shoulder, giving him some snarky form of a thanks for being there and for not being annoying like everyone else on Helios. Rhys would smile, meet eyes with the man, but before he could ever open his lips to say whatever the dreamt up him wanted to say, the words "I'm so sorry, Jack," would ring through his ears like never ending alarms. He'd wake up in a cold sweat, tears in his eyes. He wouldn't sleep for the rest of the night, whether the reoccurring nightmare happened at midnight or four in the morning. The guilt in his chest made it hard to breathe. Hard to think.
"You did the right thing," is what everyone told him. "Jack had to be stopped." Did he? Had there been no other way? Maybe if it hadn't all gone by so fast. Maybe if he would have had time to think he could have made sure Jack was still here. Maybe he wouldn't feel so alone. Maybe he'd still have friends. Maybe. Maybe, maybemaybemaybe. Maybe … Maybe he could make it better again.
Which was why here was here. He'd used any brain power he had left and made a decision before he couldn't take it anymore. He stared at the body that laid on the casket-like container and reached down to touch it, fingers skimming from cheekbone to temple. Cold. Not dead, but vacant. Not emotionless, but relaxed. It was … nice. And as much as Rhys wanted it to stay like this, he knew it couldn't. He had to do this. He had to take whatever Jack would throw at him and bear it. He wouldn't let Jack kill him, though. He'd waited too long for this. He would not accept losing what he'd just gained.
Rhys swallowed down his nervousness and took a breath, not letting himself hesitate too much longer before he took the drive and carefully pushed it into Jack's temple. An intricate metal socket, just like the Atlas CEO, for withholding information. Only the information for the Nakayama drive, specifically, because Rhys would be sure to have the thing welded in whether Jack wanted it or not. This was already a risk as it was. But, he knew it was the easiest and fastest way to make this work. It'd already taken this long to repair the thing and make the body, he couldn't wait.
He couldn't wait.
He expected the awakening to be slow. For it to take a few minutes, hours, days, however long for Jack to wake up. Instead, Rhys hadn't even had enough time to examine that relaxed face for the last time before he was being forced onto the ground, straddled, hands around his neck in an excruciatingly bruising way. And he couldn't even find it in himself to care. He stared, brown and yellow eyes wide, up at the man he'd admired for so damn long, who was here again. Who he could hear, see, touch. He'd never actually gotten to touch Jack, before. When Rhys got to see him he was only an AI. But now he was here, and even as he gasped desperately for air, he felt the emotions well up in his eyes.
He'd seen the other's expression change. From rage to – still rage, but a dangerous amusement spread across his lips. Jack opened his mouth – Jack, who was here, who could talk and breathe and be alive – opened his mouth as if to make fun of the kid, tell him off for being so scared shitless he'd cry, before he seemed to hesitate. To realize, and stay silent. Lighten up on his grip, if only just a little.
"I'm so sorry," Rhys gasped out, the tears falling, down his temples where he could feel one stream skim just across the metal lodged in his head. "I'm sorry, Jack. I'm so sorry." Tentative hands wandered up, wanting to feel Jack for himself, with palms and shaky fingertips, reassure himself the man was there. Jack's eyes had narrowed, but nonetheless he moved his hands from a surely bruised neck to the floor on either side of the kid's head, even leaning down into the touch just a bit as Rhys' fingers met his cheeks. Rhys didn't want to just skim his features, though. He'd done that enough before. Before Jack was here. Instead, his arms had went to hastily wrap around the other's neck, pulling him into a hug tight enough to keep the breath he'd just lost from being strangled away. Jack had growled, a lack of trust since this is the guy who had killed him for the second time, before his shoulders grew less tense and he could only bring an arm up to wrap around a slender back to support the kid.
They'd continued like that for about another ten minutes or so, too. Rhys' sobs slowly faded, only quick sniffles by the time Jack found his arm growing too tired. He'd moved from off of the kid, pulling his arm back, and when he went to tug himself away from Rhys he earned a quick whimper of "Please," as the arms tightened around him.
"C'mon. Hands off, kiddo," the man sighed, in which Rhys was hesitating before slowly unraveling his arms from those shoulders. He was scared. He was scared that Jack would stand up and just leave, right now, go right out the doors and never return again. Unless it was to kill him, maybe. But instead, Jack just moved. Shuffled over to the nearest wall and sat against it, bending his knees just a bit, before patting his lap. Rhys didn't hesitate to move over, quickly settling into the welcoming hold and not even bothering to question why he wasn't dead right now. He was happy now. Even if he didn't quite look it, eyes red and cheeks stained with tears.
The CEO's arms were around the older's neck again, face tucked into the crook as Jack's arms went around his waist. Rhys could feel Jack was a little uncomfortable. He couldn't blame him. Rhys had killed him. Rhys was hugging him. Jack wasn't good with emotional people. But the fact that Jack was still here doing this was everything. Everything he's ever needed, was right here.
There was a while of silence, of Rhys hands sort of playing with the ends of Jacks hair, of Jack eventually resting his head against Rhys' before the older man spoke.
"Was this your plan all along? To … bring me back, is what I think you did?"
That was a scary thing to answer. When that whole thing was in the process of happening, no. It wasn't the plan. But as soon as Jack was gone, it was. Ever since Jack died, bringing him back was the plan.
"Yes."
"…And this is Atlas? No more Hyperion?"
"Yes and … not really, no." There were a few Hyperions who had refused to turn themselves over to Atlas, and they'd made somewhat of a guild for themselves, but they were barely surviving. They wouldn't last another year.
Another few minutes of silence, before Jack spoke up again. Rhys expected nothing else than the questions.
"Tell me then, Rhysie … Why … Why did you bring me back, huh? I was kinda' … a jackass back there." And the smallest part of Rhys wanted to respond with "No shit," but he knew he wasn't any better. Jack had begged for his life. And Rhys had ignored it. He tried to ignore most of what Jack said then. He hadn't been able to listen to his voice any longer.
"Mmh … well." Rhys couldn't do it. He couldn't say it. He'd played this moment through his head so many times but he still couldn't get those damned words out of his mouth. He sighed, warm breath against newly warm skin, and he moved his hand to trace over Jack's pulse point before manning up. He was the CEO of Atlas for fuck's sake – but compared to Jack, he was nothing.
"I … need you," the kid finally murmured after a while. He'd felt Jack tense under him. Not necessarily in a bad way, it seemed. The man tapped his fingers against Rhys' ribs a few times before responding.
"Runnin' the company down that bad are ya' kiddo? I told you you'd need my help," Jack laughed. Oh, that laugh. Rhys closed his eyes, biting down on his bottom lip and savoring the moment. Jack, here. Breathing, laughing, being an asshole. He'd missed it so much.
"Yeah," the kid responded simply, giving a small laugh of his own. "So … Will you?"
"You kidding me? Of course I will!" Then there was another laugh. "I can't wait to see look on their idiot faces! The king is back, bab—"
"Jack – no. We can't tell anyone, not yet. You're not just inside my head this time, you're alive and –"
"Ooh, c'mon, this again? They're gonna' find out again anyways, why delay the inevitable?"
"Jack. I –"
"Yeah yeah, okay. Fine. Got it." He paused before giving Rhys just a small nudge, just a gesture to get the kid up, in which Rhys actually listened this time. "So what am I supposed to do? Stay cooped up in … whatever this dark and creepy room is?" Jack retorted, looking around. Dark grey walls, black, low ceiling, black floor. There were slim to no decorations besides the casket like thing in the corner and the only light was from the softly illuminated 'AC' design on the wall. Atlas Corporation.
"You'll have to stay at my place." Rhys had probably said that too quickly. He earned a cock of a brow from the older man, but he seemed not to mind too much in all, or at least he didn't make it look that way. "You've got plenty to do, and there's plenty in the fridge. If there's something else you want let me know and I'll have someone leave something outside the door. But no one is to see your face, or to hear your voice. Okay?" He said it softly. Less of a command and more of a plea. He knew if he really started to boss Jack around this would never work out.
"Mhm. But can we like, get gone then? After being dead for… how long was I dead?"
A sheepish look, and an answer of, "Two and a half years." Well. He was dead for longer than that, in all, but since the last time.
"Right. Two and a half years. I've been dead for two and a half years and I've worked up one hell of an appetite. Whatcha' got for grub back at this place of yours?"
000
The trip back to Rhys apartment wasn't awkward or tense like he expected. It was calm. Relaxed. Nice. And he knew he wasn't the only one feeling that way. He'd take glances to the older man and see that he must be feeling just the same. His shoulders were slack, face relaxed – well, a confused expression would cross over his features sometimes but it wouldn't last for more than a few seconds. This is what he'd needed.
He'd earned a little whistle once they got to the building – some complex that Atlas owned and rented out to only certified people – and Rhys took over the whole top floor, including the roof top. He'd showed Jack to the guest rooms and let him know where everything was, and once Jack decided to settle onto the leather couch in the living room Rhys was headed to the kitchen to whip up some food. He wasn't the best cook, mainly because he's never had to, but he thought this would be more satisfying than cafeteria food or take-out. And he'd been right, apparently. Once the half pound stake with mozzarella fries and sautéed mushrooms had been set in front of him (plus a beer, compliments from the chef or something), Jack was clapping his hands together and completely abandoning whatever he'd been invested in on the TV before.
"Damn, Rhysie. You are really trying to make me feel alive right now huh?" The guy laughed, not wasting any more time before digging in. It made Rhys blush. So he simply turned away and went to go grab a beer for himself and quickly nibble on a few fries. His nerves were still too high to eat properly yet … Plus his throat still fucking hurt. He should be good in the morning, though.
He came back into the living room, settling in on the open space of the couch. Don't stare at Jack. Don't stare at Jack. Shit, he turned his head to stare at Jack.
He looked happy, somehow. Well, Rhys guessed he would be happy for being alive, learning he'd get to help rule Atlas, and for Rhys' sort of hospitality. And for whatever the hell was going on on that TV that had Jack chuckling so much. But … shouldn't that ... be overruled by a few facts? Rhys had killed him and now Jack was forced to spend time with him. Hyperion and everything Jack knew was gone. No one could know Jack existed, again. Among other things. He just didn't get it. Not that … Not that he was complaining, hell no.
"Take a picture, cupcake. It'll last longer."
Rhys blinked. Fuck. Jack was staring right back at him, amused ass smirk on his face, and he licked some sauce from his lips before shrugging and turning his head to the screen again.
"Oh, wait. I forgot. You already have those." Jackass.
"Shut up. I just … It's weird, okay?—"
"— You having posters of me all over your room still? Yeah, I think that's a little weird too." Wait. How did he even – you know what, never mind that right now.
"No. I've just never met you … in flesh before. It's different than I thought it'd be."
"Mmm, I got ya' there. I really live up to my name better when I'm not completely blue. Just not my color," the guy remarked, and Rhys rolled his eyes with a huff. Well, he guessed he had asked for this himself.
Rhys decided not to elaborate anymore, knowing Jack probably got the point anyways. He probably didn't care, either. Settling into the couch a bit more, he tugged some of the extra blanket from Jack's lap and into his own instead. He earned a quick pout, but no further protest after that. Rhys … kind of really wanted to snuggle up into the guy's side. But now that he wasn't completely losing his shit, Jack would probably think it was too weird, right? He should probably just go to bed, stop his brain from thinking anymore for the night. Yeah, he was going to do that.
"So which one of your little friends is gonna' flip shit most when we do tell the peasants about their king's great return?"
Or not.
"Uhm … I don't think I should answer that," Rhys commented, as he matched gazes with the older man. Whatever Jack had been watching before had switched to something else so he must be losing interest in the TV.
"What? Why? What am I gonna' do, huh kiddo? Go find them and take them out before they're a problem?"
"Probably."
"No, no no no. You've got me all wrong. I thought my obsessed little fanboy of all people would know I like to see the look on their idiot faces when they realize the mistake they've made." Well. Jack did have a point. That did sound a lot more … Jack-like. Who would've thought someone would know their own thoughts. Just shut up Rhys, you're embarrassing yourself.
"Fine," Rhys huffed, waiting a few moments before he received an expectant glare from the other. "Fiona and Sasha, probably. They're uh … vault hunters now. So …"
"Ah." Oh. Jack suddenly looked pissed. Well, seeing as how Jack died the first time, Rhys couldn't blame him.
"Uhm … Jack?"
"Hmm?"
"I'm … sorry about Angel." So maybe Rhys had went through all the information on the Nakayama drive and kind of learned everything there was to know about Jack. He couldn't help it, and more than likely he'd come to regret it one day. Maybe right now, because the look on Jack's face was pretty similar to when he had the kid pinned to the floor earlier.
There was a tense minute of silence, Jack leaned back into the couch and Rhys shrinking his shoulders down wishing he would have kept his goddamn mouth shut. He was sorry though. No one deserved that …
"Me too." Oh, okay. That was … something good, right? Rhys was breathing. Okay. Good. But now Jack looked pretty miserable, and Rhys nibbled his bottom lip, wanting to reach a hand over to comfort him.
"I know what it's like to …" Dare he say hurt? "… lose someone you care about." No. He wouldn't go there.
But as Rhys predicted, the other man's interest seemed to perk and he took the opportunity to shift the subject as he moved slightly more tired looking eyes to meet Rhys' again. "Someone you care about, huh? I'm touched," the man snorted. Rhys sort of really wished he wasn't actually talking about Jack right now just to rub it in the older man's face. Despite that, Rhys was secretly happy that the man didn't look put off by his comment. He'd been taking everything Rhys had to say pretty well and that was more than he probably could have ever asked for. This whole experience so far had been much more peaceful than he'd anticipated, and that was definitely good. "Oh. And sorry about your neck there, pumpkin."
Oh, yeah. That. Jack reached over to tilt Rhys' jaw a little to get a better look, and the kid didn't protest. He saw the brunette crinkle his nose a little as if wincing to himself before moving his hand away again.
"Well, the good news is that if anyone asks you can just say you got a little too kinky, amiright?" The man laughed. Rhys sputtered and flushed, and it only got Jack laughing harder and dramatically wiping little tears from his eyes. But wait. He'd paused. Jack's fingers must have skinned over his new cybernetics because now he was thumbing the thing before looking to Rhys again. "… I guess we're twins now?"
"Uh … Yeah. It was the easiest way I knew how to … fix you. Everything else would have taken at least five years or so." And there was no fucking way Rhys would have waited that long.
"Damn, Rhysie. You're like, making me immortal here. Gotta' say I kinda' like it," Jack hummed. He seemed to hesitate in thought then, before shifting a bit and patting his thighs. "C'mere a minute."
Rhys furrowed his brows, and Jack only rolled his eyes before patting his thighs again. "Get your ass over here, it's not like I'm gonna' jump you."
… Alright. Okay. Jack was inviting him over into his damned lap. Again, but the first time didn't count. Rhys was starting to think that Jack must think of him as some sort of lap dog. Well, whatever. Rhys tugged the blanket out of the way so it wouldn't tangle around his legs, because knowing Rhys' luck they'd end up in some compromising position, and he really didn't need that right now. Wanted it, maybe, but didn't need it. He carefully made his way over, hesitating a few seconds before giving a breath and just straddling the older man's thighs. Whatever. This was fine. Totally fine.
"Your eyes match now," Jack casually noted, reaching a hand up to brush his fingers along Rhys' cybernetics. The younger man held back the goosebumps, somehow, closing both brown eyes* as Jack did whatever. "Ya' know, even after two and half years you still look twelve," the man snorted, and the kid opened his eyes again to send a glare Jack's way.
"I'm not twelve," Rhys practically pouted, arms even crossing over his chest. Which probably didn't make him look any older but whatever. Jack just chuckled, hand going to skim over Rhys' robotic arm now.
"Plain silver? I liked your old one better."
"Yeah, well." Whose fault was that? It's like Jack read that phrase from the kid's mind too, because he stared at Rhys for a good few seconds before looking to the arm again. "Wouldn't have went with the new uniform anyways."
"Uniform," Jack snorted. "Yeah, okay. Well, anything to get rid of that fucking tie. That thing was ridiculous, I mean really Rhysie."
"Did you bring me over here just to criticize me?" That had been the third damn time, in a row.
"What do you think, princess?"
"Yes."
"Bingo." And Jack smirked that smirk, that wolfish thing that had Rhys' cheeks heating up, but from frustration or embarrassment he wasn't sure. Probably both.
"Alright, well, how about you just find some people on the TV to insult and I'm going to go get some sleep," Rhys commented, as he moved himself from Jack's lap. "Make sure you actually sleep tonight."
"Yeah yeah, I got it mom. Yeesh." Yeah. Jack probably wasn't going to sleep a wink. Even if he wanted to Rhys doubted his mind would shut up long enough to. Rhys headed for the doorway that lead to the hall, and therefore bedrooms, flicking the living room light off for Jack before taking a glance behind him.
"I really am sorry."
"… Go to bed, princess."
"Hmm, fine. Goodnight, John." Rhys smirked to himself.
"…Go to sleep before I knock you out myself." Despite Jack's tone, he could see the grin played out on his lips, illuminated by the TV. And it felt …. Good. This was all just … really, really good. And hopefully, it'd stay that way.
000
*I know Rhys' EchoEye is still yellow after the main story but idk I thought it'd be cute kay. Brown eyed cinnamon bun. 33
Thanks for reading, and please do review, it'd be very helpful for my motivation. 3 No positive schedule for chapters but assume somewhere near each week. If you've got any questions, just PM me lovelies, I don't usually bite.
