No-One But You (The Zephyr Endeavor) - Part 2
Chapter 28: MILLION DOLLAR BABY (Part 8)
Before we take things any further with this peculiar story, let's understand that Ezekiel Stane's decision making process was naturally based on logic.
Just in case you don't know, logical thinkers gather all the information they can, assess the facts, and then they methodically decide the best way to move forward.
Long story short, Ezekiel's actions weren't based on his emotions… and that's precisely why he always seemed to be at odds with Wade Wilson.
His beautiful emotions were going haywire, and the man felt ripped apart by everyone around him. The harsh criticism, circumstances, and scrutiny was making the mercenary unravel, and the quiet coyote could see…
Ezekiel was standing there in the same room with him, and he could see that Wade was struggling.
He mentally checked himself out of the conversation too, and the Jackal watched as he turned everything he had back to the dishes in the kitchen sink…
…
"You should go back to your fancy math tutor, or back around your fancy Surveillant Council. This isn't a good place for you, and I can see that everyone is rooting for you to be somewhere else."
…
Ezekiel recalled what Wade said to him outside of a bar called Sister Margret's. That statement revealed too much, because the core of Wade's words were always based on something gentle and…
…
AND… the Jackal knew he had to do something about it.
…
He had to overpower that vicious cycle of self-doubt, but it was a challenge. Wade never seemed to hear him when he'd tell him how he felt. Ezekiel's told Wade not to listen, he said that he didn't want Victor Von Doom, and that he only wants to be near him.
It wasn't enough, and things were becoming very complex.
Wade just scrubbed the damn dishes and piled them high in the drying rack. Oh, he realized there was a dishwasher, so he rolled his eyes and he started loading that fucker up.
Ezekiel was just STANDING THERE, but whatever. Wade was done talking or trying to make his point. He wanted that damn coyote to say sommeeeetttthhhiiinnnggg for once, and inwardly he started thinking about Ezekiel's "relationship" with Victor Strange.
That clearly ceased to be for the same friggen reasons, because getting Ezekiel to talk was like squeezing blood out of a turnip (do you know the old saying?)…
…
"Wade, I don't know how to let everyone in. Everyone around me has these… expectations, plans, and different agendas with me, and I'm not sure who to choose, or who to actually trust…"
…
In theory, they all had his best interests at heart… right? Wade, Doom, and his Surveillant Council all seemed to care about him deeply, so, let's just say Ezekiel was navigating his basic survival instincts.
Avoiding a war between everyone was critical, but irreparable damage was being done at the root…
Wade Wilson was at the root, whether Doom and the Council liked it or not. Damaging the "root" was a stupid idea, so Ezekiel internally decided to give them another strike.
That's strike two for Doom, and strike one for his Surveillant Council…
…
"The expectations, plans and agendas of other people can get fucked… just do what YOU want, and be free. Free Willy, get it?"
…
Wade knew that obtaining freedom was hard, and we're talking true… bonafide freedom. Sometimes it felt like a pipe dream, but the mercenary's had a taste of it… it's out there.
…
"Well, if I agree to only do what I want, will you actually listen to me when I say you shouldn't listen to what Victor Von Doom says to you?"
…
Wade took a moment, but eventually he stopped what he was doing. The man didn't smile, but he turned around and faced Obadiah's complicated mess of a son. Oh, if only his psycho daddy could see him now. Wade wondered what he would have thought.
Clearly, Obadiah kept his "silver dollar" locked up in a box for a reason, so he'd never have to see him in such a vulnerable state…
…
"I've seen his face before, Wade, countless times. But there's nothing romantic or sexual about it, and you need to accept that. There's nothing there, and you're driving yourself off a cliff…"
…
Ezekiel almost confessed something more, but the moment didn't seem right. He loved Wade's magnificent soul more than anything, more than anyone, but the baby Jackal refrained from saying that out loud..
He looked down at his odd-looking apron instead. It looked cartoonish, but it fit Wade's unique style and charm. Ezekiel stepped in close before he spoke again, then he gently pulled on the string that held that apron in place…
The Jackal untied Wade's apron, and he gently removed one of those silly little gloves.
…
"I need you to relax and understand that I'm yours. I'm right here, and I meant what I said to you earlier."
…
He didn't care about Victor Von Doom's opinion of him, and he didn't want Wade taking any of it to heart. As far as Ezekiel was concerned, calling him the "concubine" of Achilles was an accurate statement…
Being Wade's plaything wasn't an insult at all, and Ezekiel actually smiled at the thought of being labeled something like that.
The clever little Jackal healed the fatigue, wounds, and all the bruises that covered the lower half of his body. Doing that sparked a confidence as well, so he invaded Wade's space and quietly asked him for some more…
They had all the time in the world to work things out and get shit right, so Ezekiel removed the silly apron that covered Wade's chest and he initiated another encounter..
Chapter: END
Thanks for reading.