trick or treat

[surfacage]

So of course, here's Jack, meandering down the corridors with a bowl of sweet candies in arm; every now and then he'd reach in blindly for one and eat it.

"Mister Ja~ack," he sings, apparently looking for that one Contractor counterpart of his - but he's just passing the music rooms here and then, perhaps looking to catch a certain someone.

[for casse_sablier.]

Comments

[casse-sablier.livejournal.com]

Glen looked up, a little startled. He had expected nothing like that from this Jack, especially given that he had been so timid the last they met, and he wasn't sure what to do with it. It would be in bad form to protest, as it was obviously meant without harm, so Glen complied, sharing with Jack small smile. They had been through a lot together, and truly had no reason to be as awkward as they were now, but Glen could never place this Jack. One minute he would do something so like the blonde he loved, but he would be harming someone the next.

His smile turned mischievous, "Are you not feeling well? Your face is red. Have you a fever?"

[surfacage.livejournal.com]

I just have a really horrid case of you.

Jack's psyche, thankfully, prevented him from saying that out loud, and he shook his head in reply instead, pressing his hands over his cheeks.

Why did he do that? Good lord.

"I - I'm all right," he stammered, backing away to his original, safe position.

[casse-sablier.livejournal.com]

"If you say so," the smile was unwavering. He almost wished to dismiss himself. It served him nothing to continually end up giving affections to loved ones only to have them disappear days later. It was tiring, and was doing nothing for his heart, which truly, was not so strong that he could live alone.

Glen turned back to the piano and re-played the piece, this time with the changes.

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Jack listened all throughout as well, this time, silently, smiling to himself. He'd always loved to hear Glen playing, because he was so good at it, because it could express things that words couldn't say.

When he was done, though, Jack abruptly straightened up and looked over his shoulder, walking towards the door. "...wait. Don't talk. Let me get you a glass of water first."

[casse-sablier.livejournal.com]

Glen was about to speak up, but it was too late, Jack was gone.

How strange.

baack

[surfacage.livejournal.com]

Jack needed time to calm himself down, he had to admit; being actually himself around Glen was exhausting, even if he didn't have to watch his every move. He just feared that he would disapprove, or push him away, or threaten him again.

He comes back about fifteen minutes later, with two glasses of water in hand, actually hoping that the poison would have miraculously already taken effect. "Sorry I took so long."

wb

[casse-sablier.livejournal.com]

"Thank you." Glen took the water graciously, his mouth feeling quite like it was stuffed with cotton.

He said nothing else. Glen was not a man of many words, even in the presence of his best friend, but especially in the presence of this particular Jack.

"You were quite the mess when you first arrived here." His face was expressionless and his tone even. He did not want Jack to draw conclusions.

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Jack kept the piano between them, unwrapping another piece of candy and popping it into his mouth.

"Do you think I still am?"

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"I can not be too sure. You have deceived me once before." He was still blank, but if Jack knew him wall enough, he was laughing on the inside.

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Jack actually did, and he chucked a piece of candy right at Glen's face.

"Glad to keep you on your toes, then."

[casse-sablier.livejournal.com]

Glen easily dodged the candy a smile finally coloring his face. He stood up from the piano bench and gestured for Jack to have a seat, " I do believe it is your turn to entertain, then."

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Jack flinched when Glen stood up, instinctively taking a step back before remembering himself, and nodding silently, looking at his feet.

He set the bowl down and sat where directed, holding his hands close to his chest; they were shaking.

"What would you like me to play?"

[casse-sablier.livejournal.com]

"Anything is fine." Glen sat down in a chair on the left side of the piano, appearing completely casual and relaxed. He had finished his water but for some reason his mouth still felt stuffed with cotton.

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Jack stole a look at Glen out of the corner of his eye, watching for any signs of the toxin taking effect.

He knows this piece (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klZYv-f9kCE&feature=related) by heart, and he starts playing it.

[casse-sablier.livejournal.com]

The piece was well played, but by the end of it, there was only hacking for applause. Glen gripped his chest, sweating it out a little, covering his mouth with his other hand, but it would not stop. Once he was quite through, his bangs were sticking to his forehead and the sides of his face, and his cheeks had a rosy color. The last thing he saw was Jack, before his eyes slid shut, his body shutting down to fight off the poisons within him.

Perhaps the poison had worked a little too well. So much for subtlety.

[surfacage.livejournal.com]

Jack wasn't expecting Glen to react like that - he'd expected it to be gradual, with the other man excusing himself to lie down, probably waking up with a fever and headache -

"Glen? Glen!" He yelled, immediately lunging to his side and cradling his shoulders. "Oh, god, Glen, what - "

He quickly patted himself down for the antidote, tearing the cork out with his teeth and tipping it into his mouth, before leaning in to transfer it by direct contact.

[casse-sablier.livejournal.com]

Glen didn't respond at first, but after a moment he swallowed all of it, a little at a time, returning the kiss without thought. His head felt so heavy and his body weak, but he clung to Jack, not yet processing what had happened.

[surfacage.livejournal.com]

Jack's first thought: "Thank goodness he's alive."

His second thought: "He's going to kill me."

But he can't let go, not like this, when Glen's clutching at him like a lifeline. He'd let the man hurt him any day, offer himself if needed, if wanted. He curled up over him, smoothing his hair away from his forehead and brushing a kiss over the skin.

"Glen?"

[casse-sablier.livejournal.com]

Jack hadn't realized how little Glen had been sleeping, how little he'd been taking care of himself. He had no goals in this place, and no one to live for. his true love had left him, and the Jack he had loved had been gone nearly ten months now. No, he had nothing but music, notes, and even with those, it was not companion enough. He was suffering, but he had no influence on the powers that be here, no contact with the Abyss or the Will, no options but to wither away.

Had he eaten that morning, it never would have hit him so hard.

Still, it wasn't connecting fully. Perhaps there had been something in the water? He had to check something, still gripping onto Jack, his head bowed low, "Just now, just now did you give me something?" The antidote had been tasteless, and he had not been awake enough to notice what was happening. This was Jack's way out, if he'd take it.

[surfacage.livejournal.com]

Up close, this close, he could see the bags under Glen's eyes, how dry his lips were. He knew Glen as much as he possibly could, after living and being his attendant (the substitute), and seeing him like this made him want to gather him up in his arms and tell him that everything will be all right.

"I did."

He murmurs, quietly, but with conviction, and he smiles bitterly.

"I'm sorry."

[casse-sablier.livejournal.com]

Ah, it fell into place then. Glen assumed the water had been poisoned first, but then he wouldn't have had those symptoms before he drank the water which only left the candy.

"You poisoned the candy?" he leaned his head into Jack's chest, still feeling too weak to hold himself up. He wished he'd finished the job, that Glen might die and then forget when he came back, or better, not come back-it was all so tiring anyway, living again and again and again. It was so much more worse here. His power was next to meaningless here. There was nothing fun to do, no people to manipulate, no places to go, no love to spend time with. This was hell, and he wanted nothing more than to go home.

"Are you done then? We're even?" He assumed that might be the case considering Jack had given him the antidote.

[surfacage.livejournal.com]

Jack cradled him close, kneeling properly, like he didn't want to let Glen go. He just wanted a chance to redeem himself, but - this was Glen. Of course something was bound to go horribly wrong.

"Even for what?" He asked, quietly, curiously, arms still around the other man.

[casse-sablier.livejournal.com]

"Your death," he knew he shouldn't, but he wrapped his arms around him making the mental excuse that he just wasn't feeling well.

It was just nice . . . to be near someone.

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Jack flinched at the embrace but held his ground, and he pressed his forehead against Glen's, comparing temperatures.

"That's okay, silly, I deserved it." He didn't. He knew he didn't, he hadn't done anything wrong - but it was Glen. It was okay if it was him. "Don't worry about it."

[casse-sablier.livejournal.com]

"Then why?" Jack was too close like this so he moved his head to the couch, resting his head on the seat.

Yes, he would need to be nursed back to health.