Chapter 13
By shadows/of/flame
Yaoi, as usual, and slight yuri too. :) Enjoy!
Ashelin. The last person that the couple wanted to see right at that very moment.
Droplets of rain plastered her dreadlocks to her face as she ran a hand through them, speckling water all over the nice, clean, DRY floor.
She was breathing heavily, and her eyes narrowed as she saw Jak and Torn.
"By order of the Grand Councils of Haven City and Spargus, I legally decree that no homosexual behaviour is permitted at all in either city. Anyone who wishes to protest against this law... can come down to the Fortress and we will review your point of view."
Everyone in the room gasped, and Jak and Torn dropped hands and looked at each other fearfully, afraid of what the consequences would be if they disobeyed the new law.
A nasty smirk was covering Ashelins face as she staggered back out into the rain, satisfaction written all over her features.
Tess and Keira looked at each other fearfully too, and then at their two friends who were currently slumped on the bar floor in each others arms.
No words were spoken, and the only sounds that could be heard was the patter of rain on the roof and pavement outside.
Tess and Keira were also speechless, wondering what was going to happen to Jak and Torn now, and, themselves.
Would they leave the city and live out in the wild desert like the Marauders?
No, too extreme.
"... We have to get Ashelin off the throne." Torn eventually said, and all eyes were on him.
"Ashelin's not the rightful ruler of the city... Jak is."
Gasps rang through the gathered few.
"How?" Jinx asked, lighting up a cigarette and leaning against the nearest table.
"That little kid that--"
Samos sighed, cutting Torn off.
"Let me explain. As some of you know..." and here he looked at Keira and Daxter, "Jak, Keira, the orange fuzzball and I are not from Haven City. We're from Sandover Village, a small village with... 10 or so people tops, about five hundred years ago. The only parts of it left is my old hut in Dead Town. Anyway..."
Tess served up more alcohol as Samos talked, telling them the story of Mar and how he was actually Jak.
"...hes also Damas' son, so if Damas was dead he would have the rule of Haven and Spargus."
A cold wave swept over Jak at his words as everyone else continued to listen intently.
He didn't particularly like being related to Damas, and being reminded of it was no better.
Light rested his head on Darks' shoulder as Samos relayed all he knew about Jaks' torture in prison, therefore creating Dark.
He also told the group of how Jak aquired Light, as none knew except Pecker, Samos, Onin, Daxter and Jak himself.
As Light and Dark knew how they had become Jaks alter egoes, they quietly started kissing passionately under one of the tables. Apparently not exactly being residents of Haven City OR Spargus, the homosexual rule obviously didn't apply to them, which Jak and Torn of course thought was more than a little unfair.
"So, how are we going to get Haven Cities rule off Ashelin?" Keira asked, sipping at her beer rather halfheartedly.
"We'll have to think of something." Samos said.
Everyone groaned.
"But fear not, I shall ask the plants, for they may know the answer. But... not when its pouring down with rain like this! Lets just sit back, think, and relax mmm?"
Jinx nodded his approval and blew a puff of smoke at no one in particular, propping his feet up on the table with a whole jug of beer in hand.
"Why can't we party?" Dark groaned after he had pried his lips from Lights', and sat contently in the light eco entities warm grip.
"Party all you want. I said relax, didn't I?" Samos murmured, his eyes sparkling rather mischeviously.
Jak was too in shock to do anything but stare blankly into space, unable to believe that his love for Torn was now 'illegal'.
Sure, Damas and Ashelin were homophobic, but their revenge against Jak and Torn was to ban their love?
"There are some sad, sad people in this world..." Jak muttered almost too quietly for anyone to hear, and Torn only just heard what he had said.
The brunette pulled his blond lover to him, not caring that their behavior was condemned in the city.
He loved Jak and wasn't afraid to show it.
Jak almost purred contently, closing his eyes. He'd have to think of something to save his and Torn's relationship - it couldn't take anymore blows, or else it would be doomed to nonexistance.
And Jak didn't want that. He wanted to love Torn forever, corny as he knew it sounded.
"You tired?"
That was the first ounce of concern he had heard from Torn in a long time.
"Kinda. I'm... it's more like I'm thinking. I don't want to... lose you..."
The last part of the sentence was only a whisper, not meant for anyones ears but Torns'.
The taller man chuckled, his arms wrapping around Jaks waist to rest on his stomach.
"... this sounds out of character for me, but as long as I'm with you, we'll never be split up. You came all the way out into the Wasteland to find me, I'm not going to give up on you after you've done so much for me."
Jaks eyes shone, but he didn't let Torn notice that his words had moved him beyond words.
"And now I go back to being the cold, heartless bastard we all know." Torn muttered, a small smile gracing his usually grave face, if only for a mere few seconds.
"You two want a drink?" Tess asked, holding up a jug to indicate a drink was always in the cards - well, especially in a bar.
The two men nodded - alcohol might help lead them to a suitable plan.
...might.