Aftermath [ Locked to Jackson]

[half_a_soul]

Once it was decided, things moved on fairly quickly. Contacting the Starjammers had been the hardest part, but once Corsair heard why, it wasn't hard to convince him. After all, he'd lost a lifetime with his two sons, thanks to aliens attacking them, and lost his wife to those same aliens later. He was willing to help, even if he didn't understand everything about how they'd manage to get there.

Which was something Jono took care of, anyway. It had required a larger PINpoint than usual, but it did the trick. From there, it was a case of following the trails laid down. And avoiding the Federal military patrols. Avoiding because the Colonial Program that ran everything out their direction seemed perfectly happy to let the aliens keep raiding the colonies so long as they could plausibly ignore that it was happening.

It pissed Jono off like few things ever had and he had nowhere to work it off. Sex, even zero G sex, could only do so much to take his mind from it, though he tried not to let it show too much when Jackson was with him. But, then, it was easier to ignore when Jackson was with him.

And then they found the planet.

A lot of what happened there was fuzzy in Jono's mind, even several days later. They got the prisoners out and he thought that the aliens would probably think twice or three times before going after humans again. But there had been a lot of fighting. A lot of it and Jono had been smack dab in the middle, psionic flames and telepathy used to devastating effectiveness.

Once they'd gotten the former prisoners onto the ship, Jono'd pulled away, going to his quarters with an apology to Jackson. He'd used up so much in the fighting that he needed time to recover and get his mind recentered. The ship was heading to Boshane, under Jackson's instructions. Now that he felt more normal, Jono slipped out of his room, casting about to find Jackson. Who was near Gray, just as Jono thought he might be. He headed that direction, brushing his mind against Jackson's in greeting before he got there.

Comments

[not-skywalker.livejournal.com]

Although he'd been sharing quarters with Jono for most of the trip, given the size of the ship and usual crew capacity, Jackson had steered clear after they returned from the speck of planet (if you want to call it that) where the colonists were being held. Instead, he's in quarters not that far away, sitting on the end of one of the bunks where Gray is curled up on his side and sleeping a heavily-medicated sleep. He has no idea how long he's been sitting here, just that it's been a while and Gray has been asleep for all of it after being given something for his injuries and shock.

Though on the verge of nodding off to sleep, finally, Jackson sits up with a jolt of sudden awareness, feeling Jono's mind brush against his own. After casting a long look at Gray, he reluctantly pulls away from his protective perch and heads for the door, intent on meeting Jono at least halfway.

[psi-flames.livejournal.com]

Jono turns that direction, not wanting to make Jackson leave his brother for very long. And partly because he wanted to be certain it hadn't all just been a very long, vivid and odd dream. He'd overused his powers on the planet and it was going to take time to get himself settled again.

It isn't far from the room that he finds Jackson, looking relieved once he does. 'Ey, mush, he says, 'voice' low so as not to disturb anybody.

[not-skywalker.livejournal.com]

Jackson budges out into the hallway and lets the door to the room slide shut behind him. He has to get used to the idea that letting Gray out of his sight doesn't mean that he'll go missing again. Gray is safe here, on this ship, and it's all right to leave him alone, to sleep.

"Hey," he greets just as quietly, shuffling his feet somewhat awkwardly. "How are you doing?"

[psi-flames.livejournal.com]

Better. He'd been so scattered after the fighting. He knew his 'voice' hadn't even sounded anything like himself and that had to be scary. Especially when Jackson had really needed him after it.

He stepped forward, starting to reach out then stopping himself before glancing to the room. How're you? An' yer brother?

[not-skywalker.livejournal.com]

Absolutely frightening. Though there's no way Jackson is going to admit that. He knows that's not how Jono is and, given enough time, he'll stop hearing that other voice in his head or seeing ...

"Tired," he admits, looking up as Jono moves closer and stops himself from reaching out. "He's ... been asleep for a while." Probably needs the attention of a proper doctor, so the sooner they get to Boeshane, the more relieved Jackson will be.

[psi-flames.livejournal.com]

Jono tilted his head and nodded, finally offering his hand to Jackson. Letting him decide if he wants to touch or not. Reckon they got 'im on some good drugs. After everythin', pro'ly needs it.

[not-skywalker.livejournal.com]

Jackson hesitates only momentarily, then reaches for Jono's offered hand, slowly lacing their fingers together. "Probably," he agrees, looking a litle stricken at the thought. His imagination, which is usually put to amusing use for the purpose of diversion, is now turning against him, trying to figure out what Gray had been through.

[psi-flames.livejournal.com]

Tch. Jono squeezes his hand, doing his best to be good. He wasn't going to pull Jackson to him, no matter how much he wanted to. Torturin' yerself with it ain't gonna help, he admonishes softly.

[not-skywalker.livejournal.com]

"I know," he agrees quietly, knowing that thinking about it isn't going to do any good, but unable to help himself. The way Jono squeezes his hand is so reassuring, though, and Jackson fights down that still very real unease left over from the battle to inch himself closer to Jono. "Can't help it."

[psi-flames.livejournal.com]

He pauses, looking over at Jackson before looking back at the door. Know you can't, mush, he murmured, shaking his head. You...you want I should maybe take a look at 'im?

[not-skywalker.livejournal.com]

"...no," Jackson says softly, dropping his gaze and hoping Jono doesn't take it personally. He's going to be highly protective of his little brother for a while now. "Let's just ... get him home and to a doctor?"

[psi-flames.livejournal.com]

He has no idea how to handle that, though Jono doesn't really blame Jackson. But it's still a kick in his nonexistent gut. Awroight, he agrees softly. Any idea how much longer it's gonna be?

[not-skywalker.livejournal.com]

It's just that they don't know what happened and he doesn't know if it's safe. Not because of Jono, but if something happened to Gray's mind he doesn't want them to do anything that might make it worse. "Shouldn't be long," he says, moving in close tentatively for the hug he's needed for a while.

[psi-flames.livejournal.com]

The moment Jackson moves into him, Jono raises his arm to hold him closer. 'At's what's important, gettin' 'im to someone what'd be able to get him better. Gray was important. Gray was the reason why they'd come, after all. When we get there an' they're off an' to the medics? I'll get the ship back to me world 'fore I come back.

[not-skywalker.livejournal.com]

All right, the idea of being left alone on Boeshane, after running away and being gone for months, is absolutely terrifying. A lot more frightening than anything Jono could surprise him with in the middle of a battle with aliens. He hugs himself closer to Jono and nods against his shoulder. "Yeah," Jackson agrees quietly. "Yeah, okay."

[psi-flames.livejournal.com]

He reaches up, stroking his fingers through Jackson's hair. I gotta get 'em home, he explains softly. I ain't gonna stay too long. Jus' long enough t' get the PINpoint unhooked an' then I'll be straight back. And he hates the very idea of having to leave, but it wasn't fair to the Starjammers, either.

[not-skywalker.livejournal.com]

"I know," he answers, relaxing just a little at the touch of Jono's fingers in his hair. "I'll be all right, just nervous." But he kind of suspects that whatever trouble he might've been in with his mother will probably be negated by the fact that he's managed to bring Gray back to her.

[psi-flames.livejournal.com]

How much is there that is still Gray is questionable, but they'll figure it out once they get him to a doctor. Yeah, me too. Kin'a afraid of what yer mum'll make of me. Not like he's had much luck with that. Though Mrs. Guthrie liked him well enough.

[not-skywalker.livejournal.com]

It must say something about Jackson's state of mind that he hadn't actually considered what his mother would say about Jono. He gives a soft little laugh, something almost muffled by the hug, and shakes his head. "Don't be. She'll love you." There's absolutely no reason for her not to, especially considering Jono helped with this whole daring rescue. (And, you know, how happy he makes Jackson.)

[psi-flames.livejournal.com]

(Well, how happy he makes Jackson when he isn't going all Flaming Death at people. Or non-humans, at least.)

He slides his hand down Jackson's back, stroking gently. Mmm. I'll believe it when I met 'er.

[not-skywalker.livejournal.com]

(Yes, that.)

The longer he lingers in the embrace, the more relaxed he becomes. This is his Jono, this is what he's used to and what he's needed. "You'll see," he murmurs, resting his head on Jono's shoulder. After a quiet moment, Jackson adds in a whisper, "Thanks."

[psi-flames.livejournal.com]

Jono bends his head, pressing his nose into Jackson's hair. Yer welcome, he murmurs, just holding him close for a few more moments. An' I'm sorry. Fer scarin' you.

[not-skywalker.livejournal.com]

"It's okay," he answers softly, tightening his arms around Jono. "I'd just ... I don't know. I didn't expect that." Somehow. He has no idea what he'd been anticipating, though, where Jono's powers are concerned.

[psi-flames.livejournal.com]

'S not...an easy thing t' see, I been tol'. He shakes his head slowly. I didn' wanna scare you but...what was 'appenin' there was jus'...it got me real angry, mush. An' normally I got better control 'an 'at, but...

[not-skywalker.livejournal.com]

"It's okay," Jackson murmurs in an attempt to soothe Jono, brushing his fingertips down his boyfriend's back gently. "It's over now and I never would've been able to do it without you."