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]

That's all Jackson wants right now: for Gray to be okay. He nods, suddenly hugging himself tightly against Jono. "I hope so," he says quietly.

[psi-flames.livejournal.com]

There were things Jono could do. Things he'd never done without Professor Xavier sitting over his 'shoulder' and watching, but he'd done them. But he wasn't going to offer until they knew how bad it was going to be. Instead, he just held onto Jackson a little tighter, too.

[not-skywalker.livejournal.com]

And Jackson trusts Jono for that, he always will, but he'll always want to proceed with caution where Gray is concerned, too. After a moment or two, Jackson nuzzles against Jono's shoulder. "I think I need to lay down." A few hours sleep is better that none and he's more likely to get some now that he's relaxed a little.

[psi-flames.livejournal.com]

Jono nods, looking toward the room. Wanna sleep in 'ere? Their quarters weren't that far away, but it was probably further than Jackson wanted to be.

[not-skywalker.livejournal.com]

Jackson hesitates, really uncertain. "I don't want to bother him," he finally says. "And even when I'm in there ... I'm afraid if I close my eyes, he'll be gone when I open them again."

[psi-flames.livejournal.com]

Jono nods, turning slightly to start steering Jackson back toward their room. I'll keep an 'ear' out for 'im, mush. Nobody's gonna get pas' me. And the moment Gray started waking up, he'd make sure Jackson was awake.

[not-skywalker.livejournal.com]

"Okay," he agrees, letting Jono lead him back to their quarters. Once inside the room, Jackson's grateful to kick off his boots and gravitates eagerly toward the bed, easily giving up to pull of exhaustion with the promise from Jono.

[psi-flames.livejournal.com]

Jono settles beside him easily, stretching out his legs and stroking Jackson's hair and back. He also keeps part of his mind on the young, fragile mind several rooms away. The drugs are good, though, keeping him in dreamless sleep.

[not-skywalker.livejournal.com]

Unlike his brother, however, Jackson has no such drugs to help produce a dreamless sleep. After curling up against Jono's side in the bunk, it only takes a matter of minutes for the boy to succumb to the lull of sleep, but his dreams will be plagued and nightmarish. After all, the aliens they just fought have been the stuff of nightmares for years and a part of Jackson thinks this is all too good to be true.

[psi-flames.livejournal.com]

He's too close to Jackson not to notice, of course, and Jono's powers are not inconsiderable. While still keeping an eye on Gray, he turns his mind to his boyfriend, sliding into his mind and wrapping around it. Doing his best to be quiet and soothing, to chase the nightmares away as best he can.

[not-skywalker.livejournal.com]

Even in his sleep, Jackson is aware of the all too familiar feeling of Jono's mind enveloping him. At first, it's only natural to panic just a little, everything he saw on the planet aligning with the nature of his dream, but it's only for a moment. As frightening as the display of Jono's powers had been, the warmth of his mind and the soothing nature of it now just fit with everything Jackson knows and loves about Jono. There's nothing to be afraid of.

His dreams turn into a wash of Jono's warm energy, which chases away everything else, and Jackson relaxes a little.

[psi-flames.livejournal.com]

That acceptance almost makes it harder, honestly. The only one who came even close to that sort of acceptance was Paige, and that had gone downhill less because of his powers and more because he was just lousy with relationships. So feeling it in Jackson's mind after the completely understandable panic? Jono sighs softly, relief coloring it, and settles back into the bed.

Eventually, he dozes off as well, though still 'listening' to both brothers.

[not-skywalker.livejournal.com]

Jackson is blissfully unaware of any of Jono's worry about their relationship and how it might end at any time for any number of reasons. He's kind of entirely in love with Jono and isn't the sort of guy to worry about how something could end when it's going so well. (In fact, if he knew Jono was worrying, he might wonder if it's going as well as he assumes it is.)

After sleeping lightly for at least a couple of hours, Jackson finds himself sitting up in bed with a start, confusion clouding his mind. Something is different, but he doesn't seem to realize it's the fact that the sound of the engines has changed for planetary re-entry.

[psi-flames.livejournal.com]

(It's going great. That's half the problem. Jono's just not used to things going his way!)

Jono rouses as well when Jackson sits up, the confusion letting him know something was up. He takes a moment to inquire of Rachel, then nods and reaches out for Jackson's hand. We're gettin' near Boshane. Reckon they're gonna want you up on the bridge t' talk t' anybody what'll be questionin' us. Because at least Jackson knew these people.

[not-skywalker.livejournal.com]

Grumbling a little, Jackson scrubs a hand over his face and digs the heel of his palm into one eye, trying to combat sleepiness and wake himself up after the too short nap. "Yeah," he agrees groggily, finding the edge of the bed to put his feet down. "'Kay, I'm up."

Sort of. After putting his boots back on, it takes him about thirty more seconds to actually stand, but to Jackson's credit he doesn't sit back down immediately and whine for five more minutes. Instead, he waits for Jono by the door, yawning hugely and trying to wake up fully. He'll be okay by the time they get to the bridge.

[psi-flames.livejournal.com]

Once they're on the ground and all, Jackson will be able to get more sleep. It takes another moment for Jono to get his boots on as well, then he follows Jackson to the door and takes his hand with a nod.

After that, it's less than five minutes to the bridge, where all the Starjammers are turned out. Even the few X-Men who have joined up with them for the time being, like Alex Summers/Havok and Rachel Grey-Summers/Marvel Girl.

Jono nods to them both and stays back, letting Jackson handle what needs to be done.

[not-skywalker.livejournal.com]

There is communications protocol for incoming ships, but the colony has no planetary defense system to speak of. (Which makes it sort of painfully obvious that if they weren't a friendly ship, there would be nothing to stop them from landing planetside.)

All that needs to be done, essentially, is for Jackson to put in a request with the colony for emergency medical assistance for injured crew members. It isn't unheard of, especially for privately owned ships, and he asserts that there was a small hull breach that caused decompression in the lower hold of the ship. After several minutes of silence, they're given clearance to land at the medical facility.

"The Colonial Program monitors these frequencies," he explains, once the communications line is closed. "We might want to keep this off their radar." At least the part about a group of heroes from another universe helping rescue colonists the Program publicly disavowed knowledge of.

[psi-flames.livejournal.com]

Corsair nods, as though this weren't entirely surprising. "Yeah, I think keeping it off the radar is probably a good idea. It's rather obvious that the Program wouldn't want to know about this." Since they did such a job of ignoring it in the first place.

Jono places his hands on Jackson's shoulders, squeezing lightly. We'll tell 'em the truth once we're on the ground. Ain't like we could hide it, no how.

[not-skywalker.livejournal.com]

"No point in hiding it, anyway," he answers, relaxing just a little at the touch. "I don't think the Program has anyone in the colony working for them. Er, I guess in the most literal sense?" Since ... all the colonists are working for the colonial program, just not in the way that might be dangerous if they're trying to hide this from them.

[psi-flames.livejournal.com]

Enough of 'em from Boeshane, you ain't gonna 'ave t' worry 'bout hidin' it. Plenty of family on the colony anyway. He squeezed Jackson's shoulders again. An' yer mum'll be glad t' see you.

[not-skywalker.livejournal.com]

"Yeah," Jackson agrees, turning to face Jono and look a little amused, "thanks for reminding me." He's about to be in either so much trouble he won't know what to do ... or so little trouble he'll be very, very surprised. Either way, the ship has been given landing instructions and he always hates atmospheric reentry, so he's just going to lean against Jono and not pay attention to how artificial gravity and real gravity kind of collide.

[psi-flames.livejournal.com]

And it's not likely to feel all that great, either. The Starjammer is an incredibly old ship by 51st century standards, with all the technological foibles that comes with that. Including the fact that the reentry isn't exactly the smoothest thing in the entire world.

Jono does his best to keep Jackson settled, holding him through it. And holding a running telepathic conversation with Rachel. Which includes him shooting her dirty looks from time to time and Rachel just grinning about it.

[not-skywalker.livejournal.com]

Oh, he's missing the amusing nonverbal communication going on between Jono and one of his very hot superhero friends, but that's all right. It's better to miss the conversation and not throw up, than pay strict attention to what's going on and end up losing his nonexistent lunch because the deck keeps moving under his feet. (It's amazing what missing out on a few years of military training will do for a guy, huh?)

He only breathes a sigh of relief once everything stabilizes and the ships starts in on the final descent to the landing pad they were instructed to use.

[psi-flames.livejournal.com]

Jono finally gives up and gives Rachel the Vs, which only makes her laugh and shake her head. The rest of the crew look at the two of them in amusement before Corsair orders them down to the landing pad.

And it's all over in fifteen minutes. Jono pulls back from Jackson slightly, hands still on him. Let's get Gray an' head fer the doors, aye? Reckon we're gonna be needed fer handlin' questions. The rest of them could wake and move the other prisoners. Gray was the one Jackson needed to deal with himself.

[not-skywalker.livejournal.com]

Okay, well, that gesture he notices. Ahem.

When Jono pulls away a little, Jackson looks up at him and nods. That's the best plan they have, at least. "Yeah," he agrees, running a hand through his hand to try and flatten it from where he'd slept on it weirdly, knowing he's about to be talking to some important people. And his mom. "Let's go."

He pulls away completely to head down from the bridge, back to the quarters where Gray is sleeping.