AN: Alright, everyone. Chapter IX. Ready for this? Here goes. Thanks, reviewers! Thanks, Sedge! You are, without a doubt, awesome-ness incarnate.
Disclaimer: I don't own it or profit from it, but I do enjoy bastardizing it an awful lot. Thank you Naughty Dog Inc., wherever you may be.
Warning: (sigh) You know the drill, guys. There's boy lovin', but nothing too bad.
o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o
"I really don't see it, Dax… Are you sure it fell under here?"
"Oh, uh, it's there alright. Just, uh, just keep lookin'."
Daxter smiled slyly as, on his hands and knees, Jak made a noise of puzzlement and shoved himself further under the car. Twirling the "missing" wrench in his fingers the ottsel basked in the lovely view of the racer's tight denim and leather-clad backside, invitingly presented at the perfect level to admire as he struggled under the low riding vehicle. Oh, yeah. The ambience in the garage sure had improved this time around.
They had been back in Kras City just over a month, and already the situation was better than Daxter had ever thought it could be. Oh, sure, he might have forgotten to give Jak Sig's message and they might have arrived in town late by a day behind the rest of their team, but Jak had quickly forgiven him the small oversight. After all, he had only forgotten because they'd spent the entire day preceding the intended departure date snuggling up a storm and acting, in general, stupidly happy in their newfound liberties with one another. Jak had no choice but to forgive him, really.
"I'm telling you, it's not under here!"
"Sure it is, pal, sure it is."
"Then you get it!" With a frustrated growl Jak pulled himself out from under the car, covered from face to elbows in grease, motor oil and dust. "You're the tiny one here, why do I have to be the one who…" He trailed off, gaze suddenly narrowing suspiciously on the wrench in the ottsel's hand and the mischievous gleam in his eyes.
Daxter shrugged and smiled innocently. "What?"
"You stay small in the garage just so I won't have the heart to thump you when you deserve it, don't you." It wasn't a question.
The smile widened. "Maybe."
In reality he chose to remain ottsel while exercising his vehicular expertise strictly to avoid the problem Jak had just encountered. Orange Lightning's small size made slipping under and around the Javelin X a breeze. Also, all of his mechanics' skills had been acquired post ottseldom, and the tools and parts just felt better in his smaller, furrier hands. Not that Jak needed to know any of this.
Jak, meanwhile, had taken on an uncaring attitude. He went about his business pointedly ignoring the fact that he was being closely watched with naughty intentions, almost as if he were unaware of the small orange creature in his space.
Hot damn he looks fantastic, Daxter thought appreciatively, almost purring at the sight. Jak was dirty and mussed, true, but aloof and all but dripping with the feigned haughtiness that befitted a champion racer of his standing… yowza.
Dax shook himself and glanced around surreptitiously. Ashelin, Keira and Torn were a bolt's throw away, huddled over a diagram of the new weapons system that was being installed in Torn's ride. He had to be careful about ogling Jak while they were all out there working, lest he space out and get tripped over.
No one seemed to be paying any attention to him now, though, so he felt justified in teasing his racer just a bit more. Pretending, as Jak apparently was, that he was alone in the garage, Daxter whistled to himself and prepared to get back to work. He did, however, manage to "accidentally" trail his tail along Jak's leg just above the top of his boot. He laughed quietly and scampered back under the car as the green-blonde shuddered almost imperceptibly. Yeah, this trip was definitely more fun.
Dax had one minor complaint, however. Not that it was a huge problem, but it was proving more and more difficult to deal with every day.
In the month since he had forcibly shoved things out in the open on the relationship front, Orange Lightning had received more pets, cuddles, and chin scratches than he had formerly gotten in a year. His human form too had been subject to a deluge of playful hair ruffles, full nelsons, and, very covertly, hugs and kisses. He could sleep next to Jak in either form without either of them being unduly worried about the consequences. Together they had learned that Jak's ass was not to be smacked in public and Daxter was not to be swept off his feet bridal-style anywhere near the oily, greasy, slippery garage floor, as bad things would follow either occurrence.
All in all, the whole business was very agreeable to Daxter. Except…
No matter what methods Dax employed to incorporate a little more touchy-feely of the advanced type into their everyday routine, Jak never wanted to up the ante.
Smooches are fine an' snuggles are dandy, but he's actin' like we got together over hot cocoa an' valentines or somethin'.
The ottsel gave a loose bolt a good twist with the wrench, then a light tap to make certain it would not turn any more. He had made a genuine effort to think about the situation in depth, and still failed to see the point of dragging their feet. Having once gotten much further, he was disinclined to wait around much longer for Jak to take the initiative and advance their physical relationship.
We could die a horrible, painful, fiery, eco-y death every time we hit the track, he thought realistically, dodging a stray drop of oil. I ain't too keen on bitin' it under any circumstances, but all be damned if I'm goin' out without gettin' all'a Jakkie-boy first! Either he makes a serious move tonight or I do. 'Carpe diem' an' all that, right?
Satisfied with his private resolution, Daxter again began to whistle lightly and moved on to the next bolt. He was soon interrupted, though, when a booted foot very gently descended on the only part of him not hidden under the car. He twitched his tail slightly, the tip of the trapped appendage easily popping free.
"What up, Jak?"
"The others are heading in for the evening. Wanna pack it in? We got a lot done today."
"I'm good ta go if you are." Dax squirmed out from under, wrench held firmly in his teeth, and proceeded to shake the dust out of his fur. "The undercarriage is set tight. Nothin's gonna come loose under there, no way no how."
"Thanks." Jak's huge palm covered the ottsel's entire head as he fondly ruffled ears and goggles. "Come on, let's go get cleaned up and find something to eat."
Ooh, food. Furry orange ears perked at the magic word.
Quickly wiping down the wrench with a greasy shop cloth and dropping it back into the toolbox, Daxter happily followed his friends out of the garage and into the evening light. He sighed contentedly. Three meals a day, his old body back when he wanted it, tinkering and racing to keep him occupied, and Jak to keep him warm and happy… life could always be better, but not by much. Not very much, at all.
O.O.O.O.O
"Ugh, I'm covered in oil!" Keira laughed, looking herself over in the scuffed mirror over the kitchen sink. "Next time you're going engine diving, Jak, and I'll just tell you what to do!"
"What, an' have the car explode ten feet from the startin' line? Ya gotta be kiddin'!"
Jak snorted in amusement as Keira struggled to wipe some of the oil off her face with a wet napkin, Daxter bobbing and weaving as he tried to keep balance on her much narrower shoulder. "Dax, get down from there. I get the feeling you're not helping very much."
"Yeah, yeah…"
"You can have the shower first, Keira." Jak had to smile. He was talking to the girl, but his eyes couldn't help following Daxter as the ottsel smugly swaggered into the next room. Little brat… He loved it.
"Thanks, Jak, you're sweet." Tossing away the napkin, Keira planted a quick kiss on his dirty cheek before hurrying out. "I'll be fast, I promise. Oh, and Ashelin says we're meeting Rayn and going out for dinner! Try to find something nice to wear."
"Uh… right."
Bemused, the green-blonde slowly headed for the stairs. There wasn't much to be found in the way of wardrobe selection in the tiny bedroom of their converted racing headquarters, especially if Daxter wanted to go sans fur, but he'd try.
Up the rickety stairs, down the drafty hallway, one, two, three doors down… the room he and Daxter shared. Jak flipped on the light and moved to the closet, digging through what clothes he had. As he had feared, no formal evening wear had magically appeared in his small clothing collection.
Dropping down on the edge of the bed, he considered his options. Hmm… will the girls hate me if I just tuck my shirt in and wipe my boots off before we go…?
Absently, the racer ran his hands over the blankets on the bed. They had been brought along from the place in Haven to help stave off the chiller Kras nights, but so far they had been largely unnecessary. It was, after all, much warmer in bed nowadays. Most nights Jak would drift off with Orange Lightning sleeping peacefully on his chest or tucked under his chin, only to wake up in Daxter's very human arms. Or with Dax in his arms. Or with both their arms and legs sprawled haphazardly all over the bed and smacking unconsciously at each other for more room. It didn't really matter, as long as Dax was there.
Forgetting all about his current conundrum Jak smiled, remembering the morning after they'd taken that epic leap of faith and had their little talk.
That particular morning he had been sleeping lightly, clutching Dax to his chest, the tip of the redhead's ear caught in his hand. He'd been gently rubbing it with half-conscious fingers, the warm skin feeling like satin. Daxter's happy squeaks and squirms had eventually brought him fully awake and he'd started to stammer a mortified apology, but had been stunned to find it kissed right off his lips.
What did he say then? Jak tried to remember. Something about me being 'damn cute' when I panic. Ha. And then that night when Torn called from Kras demanding to know where the hell were we and why weren't we there yet, he said I'm 'damn cute' when I'm angry. The racer grinned, plucking at a loose thread at the edge of one of the blankets. If he's even half serious every time he says that then I must be the most adorable hero-racer-renegade alive.
"Hey, Jak!" The quick 'thump thump thump' of what could only be an excitable ottsel bounding down the hallway met the racer's ears, intruding on his musings just seconds before Orange Lightning himself bounced into the room. "Let's get a move on, huh, pal? Hate ta interrupt, but we ain't got all day. Ya can daydream after they drop the filet mignon in front'a me!"
"Right." Jak stood up and stretched, trying not to smile. "I have no idea what I'm going to wear, though."
"Gotcha covered. Torn's gonna lend ya a jacket an' such." Looking pleased, Daxter strolled to the closet and shoved the door further ajar. "An' as fer yer's truly, apparently my gear's still new enough ta qualify as appropriate dinner wear."
Jak turned away quickly at the flashes of eco that heralded his friend's return to standard form. After a moment he could hear clinking hangers in the closet and the 'swish, fwump' of clothing landing on the bed he had just vacated. Sometimes he wished Dax weren't quite so comfortable in states of complete undress…
Without turning back, the green-blonde cleared his throat. "Keira done with the shower yet?"
"I guess. If she ain't now she will be in a minute." There was a silent but nevertheless obviously amused pause from the redhead. "I got the robe on, Jak. It won't kill ya if ya look."
"Er… sure. I knew that." Jak didn't look, though. Instead he set about brushing his hair free of dust and tangles in preparation for washing.
"…hey, Jak?"
"Yeah?"
"Can I ask ya somethin'…?"
The racer froze, brush pausing mid swipe. Uh-oh. Dax was using that gods-awful singsong tone that never failed to spell trouble. Jak was somehow sure that somewhere behind his back, eyelashes were being fluttered winningly. "Um."
"How come," Daxter asked, suddenly appearing at Jak's elbow, "ya never wanna… ya know… mess around?"
"Well, uh…" Boy, was this an unexpected and astoundingly bad time and place to begin a conversation of that magnitude. "We do. Do stuff, I mean. We kissed just yesterday."
"Nah, I ain't talkin' kiddy stuff." Thin but firm arms twined around the green-blonde's waist from behind. Jak gulped as hands began to pluck restlessly at his belt buckle. "I'm talkin' stuff like we were doin' that first day. I know ya remember that, don'cha? There on our little couch o' lurv, huh…?"
Jak took a deep breath and carefully removed his friend's roving hands. Little teases like this were becoming more and more frequent from the redhead lately. He was still holding firm in his attempts to keep things moving slow and steady, but the blatant advances were starting to wear on the racer's resolve.
"It's not that I don't want to, Dax, it's just—"
"What, ya worried 'cause it's only been a month since we hooked up?"
Jak sighed as Daxter continued to cling like a vine, nuzzling his cheek into the racer's strong back. "Something like that."
"Well don't sweat it, sweetheart. If ya really think about it, what good is datin' anyway? So it lets ya get ta know the other person, figure out how much it pisses ya off when they leave hair in the drain an' don't put the toilet seat down. Big deal. If that's all datin' is we've been doin' it fer years."
"I really don't think that's the same thing," Jak began, but was abruptly cut off as Daxter rose to his tiptoes to gently nip at the end of Jak's ear. Oh, no! Ear nibbles! The green-blonde's mental facilities immediately shut down, his eyes falling almost shut in pleasure. "Ah! Dax, don't. I can't think when… when you… ah…"
"Gimme a kiss, big guy," was the reply that came mumbled around Jak's ear tip as Dax proceeded to completely ignore any and all protests.
"Wait! Dax, knock it off, we don't have time for this—!"
"We can make time. Just an itty bitty bit, Jak, that's all I'm askin'…"
"Sounds to me like more of a demand than a request," Jak gritted. But still… finally… he relented. Moments after he ceased to struggle, the racer found himself being hustled unceremoniously backwards toward the bed. "But come on, Dax, seriously—"
"I know, I know. I'll be gentle with ya, I promise."
"What I am trying to say," Jak nearly yelled before forcing his voice back to a reasonable level, "is… uh… are you sure you really want to go any further? I mean, not like we're going to do anything too deep now—" he shot a suspicious look at the innocently whistling redhead who was busy shutting the bedroom door "—but… I guess I just don't want you to think you have to do anything to please me, alright?"
He was a bit put off when Daxter turned away from the door to stare at him like he was insane. "Yer kiddin' about that, right Jak?"
"No I'm not. You said yourself you only got into this in the first place to make me happy." Jak was now cautiously circling the bed, being slowly stalked around its perimeter. "I just want you to be sure that it's still what you want, too. There's no reason to rush it, we can take as much time as—"
"Jak." The green-blonde knew he was in for it when Daxter put his fists on his hips. "In case ya haven't noticed, I've been tryin'a get back in yer pants fer a month! Look at me, I'm chasin' ya around the freakin' bed, here. I totally, definitely, absolutely, unquestionably, want ta hit the sack with ya. Satisfied?"
Jak's ears drooped meekly. "I guess?"
"Yeah, ya guess. Now sit down, ya said yerself we don't have a lot'a time." With that the redhead impatiently shushed him, pushing and pulling until Jak was situated to his liking.
Back in his original spot at the edge of the bed, only now with his friend standing before him in the too-large robe, the green-blonde tried to shake off a sense of unease as Daxter started messing with the lapels of his racing jacket. "You locked the door, right?"
"Um…" There was a pause, another jacket fiddle, then an absent nod. "Yep."
"You're sure?"
"Sure I'm sure." The heavy garment was slid off his shoulders. "Lay back, would ya?"
"Daxter, I mean it," Jak warned as the long fingers against his chest slowly began to push his upper body back against the bed. "Just for a few minutes, so don't start anything too—"
"Jak." The redhead laughed quietly. "Shut up."
Jak did. What else could he do with Dax suddenly leaning over him, hands braced on his shoulders and eager lips pressed firmly against his? The racer's legs were still hanging off the bed, though. As the kiss began Jak swung them the slightest bit, booted feet tapping lightly on the warped floorboards in an attempt to diffuse some of this odd nervous energy.
Why am I so wound up about this? he wondered a trifle worriedly.
Very soon, though, he gave himself a mental shake. It was infinitely more pleasant to think about Daxter's hands trailing along his bare arms and chest, gently stroking his face, and delving quickly into his hair.
I'm probably just rankled since I know we won't be able to do anything more than this right now, he figured. Gotta concentrate… why fidget and waste the time we have?
Mind made up, Jak started to kiss back in earnest.
"Guys? The shower's free now. Guys…?"
Jak stopped dead as Daxter all but tore their mouths apart. The redhead's panicked eyes shot from the door (which it now became painfully clear to Jak was not locked) down to their obvious states of excitement and back again. As the creaking footfalls came ever closer, they locked gazes briefly.
"Do not move," Dax growled. Then, before Jak could stop him and just as the door began to swing slowly open, he collapsed against the racer's chest with his head pillowed on a broad shoulder. Shutting his eyes tight the redhead went limp, putting on a convincing performance of innocent sleep as Keira stepped into the room.
Mortified, Jak could not speak, let alone move.
It seemed to take a moment for the girl to register what she was seeing. When she did, though, a wide smile spread across her pretty face. "Aww… he'll fall asleep anywhere, won't he?"
Jak was dumbstruck. Is she for real? How can she not take this the wrong way? Okay, the wrong way is the right way to take this, but…
As the racer lay there dumbly with arms over his head and Daxter stretched out on top of him, Keira casually strolled further into the room. Stooping, she scooped up the ottsel-sized, grease- and oil-splattered pants abandoned on the floor, adding them to the collection of apparently dirty clothes and towels draped over her arm.
"I wish you guys would put this stuff in the laundry basket," she hinted with a melodramatic sigh. "I don't want to think about what this floor would look like if I didn't come up here and get it."
Jak didn't answer, staring mutely at the ceiling. He was blushing so hard it literally burned. Thank you, Daxter. Thank you for getting me into this entire goddam mess. Oh, look, my ears just got so hot I think they spontaneously combusted! Now I'll just lie here and wish quietly for death…
"You don't have to be so embarrassed, Jak," Keira finally giggled, countering his marked silence. "I wish you could see how sweet you two look. It's just like before. You know, when you were little boys. When we were all back home…"
Jak flinched as she leaned over them to poke affectionately at the tip of his nose and run a hand through Daxter's sunset hair before heading toward the door. "You know what? Don't wake him up. He worked really hard today."
"But…"
"Don't worry about it. I'll tell everyone that you two will meet us at the restaurant later on, so you can just let him sleep for a little longer, okay?"
"S-sure." He forced himself to breath, to answer her civilly. This could work in their favor; no way was he in any condition to come downstairs now. "Thanks."
"Welcome." With a nod and a smile Keira quietly slipped out, carefully pulling the door closed behind her. "See you later."
The green-blonde listened intently as she disappeared down the hallway. He still couldn't quite believe what had happened. All things considered, they'd just gotten insanely lucky. He was still incredibly flushed when Daxter's head lifted off his chest a moment later, curiously looking to the door Keira had just gone through.
"Wow. That was a pretty close one, huh Jak?" he asked conversationally, hands suddenly moving to cup the racer through his dirty jeans. "Good thing she's still pretty naïve. Well, where were we, hot stuff?"
There was a pronounced thud as Daxter hit the floor.
"Don't you ever pull a stunt like that again," Jak growled.
"Hey, you went along with it!" the redhead whined, rubbing certain sore areas that had first made contact with the hard wood of the floor. "Why's it all my fault?"
"Because I told you we didn't have time to get into anything right now, but you talked me into it and started something anyway! And you said you were sure you locked the door!" Not knowing what else to do, Jak opted for grabbing up his brush again rather than giving Daxter the smack he soundly deserved.
The redhead was pouting a bit now, ears drooping. "Would ya feel better if she had figured it out, pal?"
Jak sighed. "No. But my point is, I don't want us in situations where anyone can find out we're together right now. Not that I think Keira will care when we tell her, but the others… that might be different. And we don't need a rift of any kind in the team right now, understand?"
Daxter perked up considerably, accepting both the helping hand off the floor and the loving chuck under the chin offered by the former hero. "Right, I got it. Don't think I don't listen when ya tell me important stuff, sweetheart."
"Good. Don't worry, Dax… you'll get your chance to brag. We'll tell them after the racing's all over and done with." Jak grinned slowly and resumed brushing his hair. "Still… we did pretty much just lie to her, you know. Don't you feel even a little bit sorry for that?"
Daxter looked offended. "Sure I'm sorry."
"You are?"
"Yeah, sorry I didn't ask her ta come play, too! She may be a little slow on the uptake but damn, our little girly friend's still mighty fine!"
Jak rolled his eyes heavenward as Daxter cackled evilly. "You're horrible. You know that, right?"
"I know ya don't sound mad at me anymore. An' goin' by what Keira just said, I also know—" here the redhead's tone dropped once again to a more sultry timbre "—that in just a few minutes we're gonna have this place aaaall ta ourselves. Wadda'ya think'a that, big guy?"
"Hmm…" Jak pretended to think it over as Daxter inched closer, reaching out to play coyly with the green goatee. He allowed it when Dax slowly slipped into his arms, and even when lean hips began to nudge suggestively against his own. "I think…"
Daxter grinned back, eyes half shut in smug expectance, their lips barely apart. "Yeah…?"
"I think I'm going downstairs and taking a shower." Ignoring both the discomfort in his pants and the utterly flabbergasted look on his friend's face, Jak stepped away and dug into the dresser for a clean towel. "And then I think we're going to dinner. And after that, I'm pretty sure we're going to apologize to everyone for being late."
He had to smirk as he ducked out into the hall, Daxter's disbelieving shriek echoing after him. Ha. Serve him right. It was about time Dax learned that two could play the teasing game.
"Jak, wait! Ya can't do this, Jak! Jaaaak!!"
O.O.O.O.O
"Jak?"
"Yeah?"
"There's… uh, there's a door between us, buddy."
"Yeah, I guess there is."
"I can't get it open, Jak."
"Good. Now we know the lock works."
Daxter sighed, leaning heavily against the bathroom door. First attempt to get Jak in bed: failed. He wasn't about to give up, though, even if it meant stalking the racer into the shower. Fancy food at a ritzy restaurant somehow seemed much less appealing now that the perfect chance for alone time with Jak had presented itself. And, now that Jak knew how serious he was about continuing the whole business, the redhead was sure it would be a snap to persuade him to skip the silly dinner in favor of other, much more fun, activities.
First, though, he had to talk his way past the barrier that separated him from his green-blonde goal.
"So… can I come in?"
"No."
Daxter's face and ears fell. That had a very final ring to it. "Aw, please? We always take a shower together, pal!"
"We do when you're ottsel. Not tonight. I know exactly what you'd do if I opened that door right now."
"I'll be good," the redhead insisted. "Cross my heart. I'll even change back if ya want me to. Just lemme in? Please, Jak? It's cold out here."
There was no response, the rushing water of the shower as it warmed the only sound. Daxter waited with bated breath. Then, finally, a heavy sigh from the other side. Jak unlocked the door and pulled it open slightly, a towel around his waist and half a smile on his face. "Get in here."
With a cheer of victory and a flash of eco, Orange Lightning happily scurried through the small crack offered and into the warm, steamy sanctuary within. "Thanks, pal, ya won't regret it!"
"I better not," Jak grumbled, reaching out to gather up the discarded robe. "You said you'd behave, remember that."
"Yeah, I'll be good," the ottsel promised with an angelic grin. He could only hope Jak didn't see the furry fingers he had crossed behind his back… "Last one wet's a lurker's dinner!"
O.O.O.O.O
It was more than half an hour later when they finally emerged from the bathroom. Jak's flustered blush had returned full force, and it had nothing to do with the humid heat of the shower. Trying his best to refocus his thoughts, the racer busied himself adjusting the length of the sleeves on the jacket Torn had left out for him.
Dax trailed out behind the green-blonde, notably no longer ottsel. Judging by the huge grin on his face, he appeared extremely self-satisfied.
Jak spared his friend a glance and wished he hadn't. That smirk was an infuriating, humiliating reminder of his shameful lack of willpower where Daxter was concerned. "I will never buy your 'I'll be good' again, you know that."
Daxter merely smiled slyly, roughly toweling his thick hair. "It's like they say, big guy. All's fair in love an' war."
Jak didn't respond. The tight black pants of the redhead's racing outfit were riding low and unbuttoned on his sinfully slim hips. Jak forced his eyes away. "Better blow it dry, Dax. Everyone's waiting for us."
"An' they can wait a little longer." Suddenly and without warning Daxter dropped the towel, advanced on Jak, and grabbed his wrist with an air of great purpose. Jak's mouth went immediately dry.
"Dax—?"
"Come on, Jak. You an' I both know we don't need ta be at that dinner."
The green-blonde couldn't think, not with Daxter so close. He couldn't let himself give in again! "Daxter, no. Not now. We have to get over there. Rayn's hosting, she'll want to know all about what we're doing with the cars and our progress tackling the new courses… We can't not show up and piss off our sponsor."
"Sig an' Keira an' the lovebirds'll tell her all about all that stuff." The redhead leaned closer imploringly, bright blue eyes searching Jak's. "They'll never miss us. Let's stay home, pal, grab somethin' outta the kitchen an'…"
Jak shuddered at light grip around his wrist, the pads of his friend's fingers gently brushing his pulse point. Such a light hold… but one he couldn't bring himself to shrug off. Daxter was so slight he seemed almost frail, but with all his strength the former hero couldn't break away. Didn't want to, really.
He thought unbidden of the bed upstairs in the borrowed room that was so much bigger that their own, the old blankets and new pillows brought from home spread invitingly across it already disheveled by their earlier play. Jak was sure that with the slightest word, the tiniest nod of encouragement, Dax would dash up the stairs toward that bed in an open invitation to be chased. Or even better, Jak could scoop him up and take those stairs two at a time, the redhead slung over his shoulder shrieking with laughter until he was tossed onto the sheets and Jak followed him down…
"Jak…?" The barest tug at his captive wrist brought the racer back to reality. That beseeching gaze was still on him. "It'll… it'll probably be awhile before we get another chance like this, ya know? Where we're alone, an' everybody's gone, I mean. Prob'ly not 'til we're back in Haven..."
The others wouldn't be back for hours. The sudden realization of how much freedom they had now, alone together in the empty headquarters, was dizzying. And also more than a little frightening. Right then, at that very moment, Jak had no reason in the world to refuse his friend's silent request.
But… for some reason… he still couldn't say yes.
Jak stared helplessly at Daxter. For a few seconds there was silence, Dax cocking his head searchingly. Finally, though, the redhead chuckled ruefully, releasing the racer's arm. "That's a no, right? Ya don't hav'ta say it, big guy, I can take a hint."
"Dax…" Jak didn't know what to say. His ears listed back miserably.
"Hey, no big deal. Some other time. Dang, then I guess while we're at it I prob'ly ought'a apologize fer pushin' ya so much tonigh—whoa!"
Without fully realizing what he was doing, Jak grabbed his friend and pulled him close, holding him to his chest almost fiercely. Dax shouldn't be the one to apologize here. It wasn't his fault Jak didn't know what he wanted! "Sorry…" he murmured into one curiously twitching ear.
"Jak…?" Daxter returned the spontaneous embrace, but the puzzlement was evident in his cautious tone. Chin resting on the green-blonde's sinewy shoulder, he tried to pull back a bit and see the expression on his friend's face. "You okay?"
"Maybe… I don't know…" Jak tightened his hold and sighed, making the redhead squirm at the puff of warm breath in his ear.
"Ya gotta talk ta me, pal," Dax finally ventured. "I can't know how ya feel if ya don't speak up."
"Believe me, when I know how the hell I feel you'll be the first to know." Jak tried to laugh, but it came out bitter even to his own ears. "I guess... I just keep getting mixed up. First I think we shouldn't screw around, but I don't know why I think that. Then we get started—you get us started—and it's fantastic. It really is, Dax, and I love it. I love everything we do. But then…"
"Then we always wind up gettin' interrupted," Daxter finished with a wry snort. "I agree, that's gotta stop. But, ya know, there ain't anybody here right now…"
"I know. So there's no reason for me to feel like we shouldn't…" Jak blushed brilliantly, looking away as his ears drooped even further in obvious embarrassment. "Yeah. Like we shouldn't. But I still can't get over feeling like… like it's just not time, you know?"
"No I don't, pal, sorry. I have no idea what yer talkin' about." Jak nearly panicked before the redhead laughed, holding up his hands complacently. "But that doesn't really matter. Now I know yer not ready yet, an' ya finally got the idea that I'm all for it whenever ya are ready. We know the basics, we know what's what. An' that's what counts, right, understandin' each other?"
The racer managed to chuckle weakly. "Tess would be proud of us."
"Yeah, she sure would be." Daxter finally stepped back, laughing. "Speakin'a Tessy-kins, I haven't talked ta her in a couple'a weeks. I better give her a ring when we get back or she'll think we forgot about her."
Jak blinked.
That was it? Dax was willing to accept his verdict and… change the subject? Just let it go? Very softly Jak reached out and caught the redhead's sleeve in two fingers as he tried to turn away. When Daxter looked back at him questioningly, without a trace of annoyance in his eyes, the racer honestly felt like he had done something wrong in breaking the evening's mood. "I'm really sorry, Dax…"
It was a surprise when Dax reached out in turn and grabbed his goatee, tugging his head up and down by it somewhat painfully. "Pal, listen. It's just sex. We've been fine without it 'til now an' we'll be alright without jumpin' each other fer a while longer. Now let it go an' lets go eat before our so-called team puts a bounty on our heads, huh?"
"Right." Jak hurriedly went back to his neglected jacket cuffs while Daxter busied himself finding his new boots. Despite their agreement, though, Jak was still thinking.
I know he says it's no problem, but it is. He's done all this for me already. I owe it to him to do what he wants! Soon, I have to make myself give in and go all the way soon! It's not like that'll really change anything between us at this point… will it?
He was so busy fretting that he didn't notice the knocking until Daxter yelled at him.
"Jak? Hey, Jak! Get the door, will ya? I can't find my other shoe…"
"Huh?" Coming back to the present, Jak finally registered the polite, yet somehow impatient-sounding knocking from the front of the base. "Oh yeah, sure."
Quickly making his way to the door, Jak wondered. It was strange that someone should be looking for any of them, especially this late in the evening. All the pieces and parts they had delivered to the garage usually came much earlier.
"Sorry, we didn't hear—" His quick apology for keeping whoever it was waiting was cut short as a blinding, choking, stinging cloud of tobacco smoke hit Jak right in the face, immediately making him cough and wheeze. "What the—?!"
"Oh, Ah do apologize, dear boy. Ah had my doubts anyone would get around to answering zee door tonight, or Ah would have exhaled zee other way."
Jak's hackles immediately rose, his guard going up to full alert as he stared down the highly unwelcome visitor. "What the hell are you doing here?"
O.O.O.O.O
Daxter heard the row from inside.
"Uh-oh…" In moments he was behind Jak, shoving the taller racer aside with a boney, well-placed elbow to the ribs. "Whoa, Jak! Down, boy!"
Looking highly amused, Razer took a calm drag off his cigarette before dropping and daintily crushing it on the step. "Good evening, Daxter. Just zee rat-boy Ah wanted to see."
"Heya, dickhead," Dax answered agreeably. "What's up?"
The redhead felt pretty silly standing there with only one boot on, firmly holding Jak back to keep him from getting in the intruder's sophisticated face, but hey. Over the last month he had nearly forgotten his demeaning stint cleaning the posh racer's house, and the book he'd borrowed had really helped clear a few things up. The least he could do was be polite to the guy.
"Ah believe you have something of mine that needs to be returned," Razer answered frankly, already rummaging for another smoke. "You aren't zee only one who comes to me for advice on certain delicate subjects, unfortunately. There are others in line."
"Daxter, what the hell is he talking about?" Jak hissed from the sidelines, obviously clueless and hating it. "How does he know who you are human? What did you accept from this dirt bag?"
"Chill out, Jak. It's all under control." Patting the green-blonde's chest soothingly, Dax waved off Jak's concern and motioned the other racer inside. "Cough up the book, gotcha. Ya can come in fer a sec, I guess. No one's home ta break any bones, other than Killer here."
"Ah noticed. Why do you think Ah waited until zee rest of you were gone before paying my leetle visit?"
"Wait a second, how did you know our team isn't here?" Jak was practically growling as his enemy stepped inside their safe zone, and Dax harbored the fleeting hope that his hot-headed friend had the self-control to leave their opposition intact for the next race. Razer wouldn't be all that much fun to challenge on the track if he didn't have all his limbs.
"Ah have my subtle ways."
"You were spying on us!"
"Maybe."
"So there are no witnesses and you walked right onto enemy turf alone. Give me one good reason not to kill you," Jak snarled.
"Alright." Finally locating a lighter, Razer casually lit another cigarette. "There are several good reasons you shouldn't kill me, but zee one that immediately springs to mind eez that your annoying leetle beau doesn't look like he wants you to."
For the first time, Jak seemed to notice that Daxter was putting his whole weight into trying to pull him away by the arm and having absolutely no effect. "Dax?"
"Don't you 'Dax?' me, buster! I told ya ta knock it off!" Flushed in the embarrassment of being ignored, Daxter very nearly stamped a foot. "Yer takin' this all wrong! He lent me that damn book I was readin' a couple weeks ago an' now he wants it back, end of story! He ain't lookin' fer trouble, fer a change."
"Book? You mean the one about…" As realization dawned, Jak balked. "Eww, are you serious?!"
"And are you sure you are following zee instructions correctly?" Razer's smirk widened as he looked the green-blonde up and down. "Dear Jak seems a leetle too… how shall I say this...? Stressed for someone who eez finally getting laid."
Daxter felt his ears go back without his permission. The jerk had been there five minutes and was taking potshots at the condition of their sex life. Still… there was no reason to lie about the obvious. "Yeah, well… 'bout that…"
"Razer… it had to be Razer…" Fortunately Jak, standing frozen with one hand over his face, didn't seem to have heard the comments. "Razer… it's a wonder the whole damn track doesn't know by now… Razer…!"
"Yeah, Razer!" Dax yelled, exasperated beyond measure. "Lemme just go get that, uh, that book…"
"Hmm… don't just yet, mah carrot-topped leetle friend." Surprisingly, Razer airily dismissed the need to rush. Meandering over to the sofa, he propped his feet up on the coffee table and made himself at home. "Ah am sensing something out of place in mah favorite racing brats' relationship. Perhaps there eez something Ah might do to help?"
"Huh? Really?" Amazed, Daxter watched a carefully executed smoke ring dissipate as it floated by. "Ya think ya can help? I mean, I already read the book—all'a it—an' it didn't—"
"The book has facts, boy. Ah have experience."
Daxter unconsciously bit his lower lip, thinking the proposal over. What could Razer do to help? Why would he even care? But… there was always a chance. Could they really afford not to at least listen? That thought settled that.
"Alright. If that's what floats yer boat, I'll tell ya what's up an' we'll see what ya can do. Jak!"
"Huh?" The green-blonde jumped at the sound of his name, seeming to shake off his momentary stupor. "What?"
"Come on, yer way late. Ya gotta get goin' an' get ta that dinner."
"You're right. We've gotten sidetracked enough." Straightening his jacket, the green-blonde motioned Razer off the couch. "You, out! We're leaving."
"Whoa, pal. Hold yer leaper lizards, there." Dax fondly patted his puzzled friend's shoulder, directing him gently toward the door. "I mean, you go ta dinner. Solo."
"What?!"
"I'm gonna stay here an' talk ta this guy fer a while. Just ta see, ya know? He might be able ta tell me somethin' that'd help."
Jak glared, hostility back in full force. "No! Dammit, Daxter, he tried to kill us all! Do the words 'deadly poison' ring any bells? No way in hell I'm leaving you alone with him!"
"Jak, trust me. I can look out fer myself. I mean, I hung out at his place fer hours that night I got the book off'a him an' I'm still alive. Right, jerkface?"
Razer nodded sagely from the couch where he was occupied looking for an ashtray he wasn't likely to find, as no one on the team smoked. "As much as Ah hate to admit it, after a while he was too entertaining to shoot. And he fixed mah sink."
Jak wavered, looking at the clock. Dax had a feeling he knew what was going through his friend's mind. "Look, just go, okay? Just make up somethin' ta tell everybody when they ask where I am. Trust me. I ain't gonna get in trouble. B'sides… in the highly unlikely event of an emergency, I know where yer gun is."
Razer snorted somewhat inelegantly, muttering under his breath. "Of course, it eez always about zee guns… low lives. No finesse whatsoever, you savages!"
"Uh, excuse me? Who was threatening me with a gun when I was at whose place?!"
"Those were special circumstances! Ah had every right!"
"Pfft, as if! Quite makin' up stupid excuses, ya moron!"
"Rat!"
"Nancy!"
Suddenly, against all odds, Jak relaxed almost visibly and managed a muffled laugh.
"Alright, Dax. I guess you do have a handle on this. If you're sure you'll be alright, I'll leave." Almost as an afterthought, though, he put a hand on the redhead's shoulder. "But you know there's probably nothing we can do but wait for me to figure myself out, right?"
"Yeah, buddy, I know." Dax was surprised but pleased at the effect a little quasi-friendly bickering could have on Jak's sense of who was safe to be around and who was not. Helpfully he reached up to adjust the collar on his friend's borrowed jacket. "Don't have too much fun without me, huh? Oh, an' bring me back somethin' tasty."
"Yeah, sure." He wanted to kiss Dax goodbye (or at least, Daxter hoped he did), but with Razer in attendance Jak opted for the classic hair ruffle. "I'll be back soon."
His parting comment lingered like the thinly veiled threat it was as the green-blonde racer gathered keys and wallet and, rather reluctantly, headed out.
Daxter waved absently as the door swung shut, not really sure what he should be feeling. Hmm… pissed about him tryin' ta baby me like I'm still trapped tiny, furry, an' defenseless, or flattered over him tryin' ta protect me 'cause he's madly in love with me? Hard choice…
"You must be pleased." Razer's casual remark settled the inner debate. "It's obvious you have quite zee influence over Jak."
"Nah, not really." Dax tried to suppress the fond grin doing its best to weasel onto his face. "He's done that since we were kids, is all. Blows me off most'a the time, the big ass, but if I really want somethin' he'll do it fer me."
"All zee better for you. Now, tell me… what seems to be zee matter here, hmm?"
"I'll tell ya, but ya prob'ly can't do anythin'." Daxter fidgeted, suddenly nervous. What if Razer had seen their situation before and had really bad news? "I mean, I know ya think yer smart an' all, so I'm just warnin' ya…"
"Well then, tell me and we shall see." Very daintily Razer slipped off the sofa, dropped the remains of his cigarette in a dirty coffee cup on the table, and sashayed over to the redhead. Smiling in that disturbing way of his, he slipped a finger under Daxter's chin and raised his somewhat startled face until they made eye contact. "As Ah said before, dear boy, Ah only wish to… help you."
Taking a deep breath, Daxter did his best to ignore the other's close proximity and began his tale of woe. "Well, I guess it really started the day after ya gave me that book…"
Razer smiled, sat back, and listened.
O.O.O.O.O
To be continued…
o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o
(2nd)AN: Let us all give thanks during these last few hours of Thanksgiving weekend, for a little spare writing time. I hate the end of this chapter, hate it with a passion, but I had to finish it before semester finals have a chance to start and immobilize all my free time until mid December. I hope you guys at least find it satisfactory. As before, the unedited version can be found in the Jak section on AdultFanFiction dot net... or it will be found there when I finish it. Which shouldn't take too long. If you're old enough and so inclined, do please check it out.
Another small note… Yes, be prepared for the fic to be longer than I thought it would be. At least one more chapter here, maybe two, and however many we end up with here there will always be one more on AFF.
Aaaaaaaaand… are we all done? Yes, we are! Soooo, on with the outtakes!
O.O.O.O.O
Torn: Is it just me, or have the kid and the rat been acting really weird since we got here?
Ashelin: Yeah, I guess you could say that. They keep staring at each other in the garage.
Keira: I've noticed it, too. And Jak's been really nervous lately…
Sig: You all don't suppose…?
Torn: (screams) Oh my God, the rat's turned carnivorous! It's gonna eat Jak!
O.O.O.O.O
Keira: ((giggle)) You don't have to be so embarrassed, Jak. It's just like before. You know, when you were little boys.
Daxter: (sits bolt upright) Little?! Ya call this little, toots? How 'bout that, is that little?! Huh?!
Keira: EEEEK!! Perverts! (slaps them both and runs away crying)
Jak: ((dies))
O.O.O.O.O
Ottsel Dax: ((nibble nibble))
Jak: (laughs) Dax, stop biting my ear! It tickles!
Dax: Mmm, can't help it, big guy. Ya look good enough ta eat. ((purr))
Jak: ((happy blush))
Torn: (points and screams) He's doing it! He's trying to eat Jak!
Keira: ((cry)) Nooooooo, Jaaaaak!!
Dax: Wha?!
O.O.O.O.O
Jak: What the hell are you doing here?
Razer: Well, Jak, Ah must confess. Since getting to know dear Daxter Ah can't seem to get him out of mah head, and at last Ah could not stay away any longer. Dare Ah say it…? Yes, yes Ah do! (drops to one knee with a bouquet) As crazy as it sounds, Ah am in love with Daxter!
Jak: … ((blink blink))
Dax: ((blush)) Aww, really? (flutters eyelashes)
Jak: Oh hell no.
O.O.O.O.O
Ashelin: Alright rat, if you promise not to try to eat any more team members, we'll untie you and take the muzzle off.
Keira: (soothingly) Don't worry, Jak, you don't have to be afraid any more! He won't do anything bad to you again.
Ottsel Dax: ((pissed off muffled noises))
Jak: ((sigh)) If only you knew…