004: New Feathers

[captain_in_you]

So, this is a usual thing, then? New people... "New Feathers" I've heard you all say, arriving every month. Well, I guess it was me last time, so if any of you new arrivals need anything, just ask. I'm Captain Jack Harkness, and it'll be great to meet all of you.

[Private to the Doctor]
I've got a surprise for you.

Comments

[Private] // [Action]

[im_brilliant]

[Hearts pounding so quickly, so loudly, he could practically feel the vibrations reverberating across his ribcage. He realizes then, that he hadn't taken a breath in several minutes. A short, quick, yet surprisingly warmed breath escapes his lips when he's drawn in so close. His eyes remain wide, desperate and searching. Nerves wracked, he lets his thumb brush lightly against his jaw.]

Jack...

[It escapes him like a sigh as Jack pulls away. The Doctor stands there a moment, more confused then ever. The confusion turns to petulance as steps out after him. He was always the one to run, to hold back, himself, and despite not knowing his exact thoughts, he had a pretty good idea what was going on at that instant. There was no way he was going to just let the tables turn like this. Jack was such an enigma to him, he was almost terrifying at times. Alien species could be figured out, humans could be read, but the Captain was on a completely different level. He was unreadable, unpredictable and spontaneous. The kinds of things that could drive any average Time Lord to madness. But the Doctor was beyond average at this point. He'd stepped well out of bounds before, having fallen in love with humans. Having broken thousands of laws all across the universe. He was beyond playing by the rules, anyone's rules, including at this point- his own.]

Please...

[There's a hurt look glinting in those deep brown eyes. The rain's slowly seeping into his clothes, dampening his hair, but he pays it no mind. Even the temperature doesn't affect him at all. His mind is entirely fixated on one particular thing. He touches Jack again, this time gripping him by his upper arm. The Doctor pulls him in close, his lips mere inches away from the shell of his ear. His breaths, cool and shallow, are close enough to tickle at his skin.]

I won't rest until I've given you something. Please, don't fight me. It's the last thing that I'd want. There's not a lot I can give, in this condition, but I know there must be at least one thing I can do. Just to show you... Show you that you are so much more important than you seem to think you are. Other than Jenny... You're all I've got now.

[His voice, already low and quiet, softens to a whisper.] I need you.

[Action]

[captain_in_you]

[Jack doesn't know what to do. On the one hand, he has the Doctor here, willing and offering whatever Jack wants. On the other, he doesn't want anything that happens between them to be just based on what the Doctor thinks he owes him.]

There was a time I'd have given anything to hear that from you.

[His body seems to be making the decision for him, arms wrapping around the Doctor's waist, pulling him closer. He can feel the rain dripping down the back of his collar, chilling him.]

I need you too, Doctor. But... I don't want anything from you that you think is an obligation. I don't want you to feel like you owe me anything.

[He's leaning closer, seemingly without thought.] Anything that happens with us... I want it to happen because you want it too.

[Action]

[im_brilliant]

[Eyes darting around, searching his expression, trying so desperately hard to read him. But it seems even his Time Lord gifts are useless here. He is so incredibly lost. And in so many ways, as well. ]

Now, don't you try to negate the ah-necessity of what I feel towards you, Jack...

[The Doctor flinches a moment, then holds still until the flight reaction passes. He lets Jack pull him in, and returns the favor in a way by shifting to allow closer contact. His hands find themselves against Jack's shoulders, but not so much defensively as just needing a proper and appropriate place to put them. He strums his fingers there a moment, chewing his bottom lip as his gaze goes astray. A low, thoughtful click of the tongue indicates that he's working so very hard to process all that is flooding his mind at that particular second. His eyes then finally meet Jack's again.]

This...thing business, though I'm not sure we should even call it that, as I'm not really much of a 'thing' person, and can't allow myself to get to attached, as I'm sure you already know something always goes horribly wrong and I suppose while you can't, ah, die on me there's a plethora of other things that can occur, and while you know what happened with Rose, there were also others so many others and I can't even go back and make things right with even half of them, not to mention how wrong you are and how this would be...

[He's rambling now out of fear, his heartbeats faster and faster, He fears what's going to happen, and he's afraid of what he feels and how he should feel. Despite having done so much, knowing so much, this all is entirely new territory for him and it's got him absolutely terrified.]

It's just... I'm over all that from before. Past is past, yes? And I suppose there are worse things we could be doing... [His eyebrows go up at that.] All I know is right now, you're here and I'm here and we're both so alive... I can't even imagine... Oh, I don't even really know. Guess what I'm trying to say and am doing absolutely poorly at doing so is.... [He's leaning in so close now, his lips brush against Jack's jawline as he speaks. One hand has found its way to stroke his neck.] That right now, this moment in time, whenever it actually is. I wouldn't mind doing something with you. Whatever it is that you want. It's not out of obligation. I just... want it. [This is as close as he can manage to expressing a desire to be with him, as that sensation is completely foreign and after Rose, it's left him slightly apprehensive.] I won't just leave you again.

[Action]

[captain_in_you]

[Jack feels the Doctor's body tense as he pulls closer, and oh, the Doctor just had to remind him of how wrong he is...]

You might say you're over it, but... [He sighs and rests his forehead against the Doctor's, shaking his head. The Doctor is here, with him, offering whatever Jack wants, and all Jack can think is how much it's going to hurt when the Doctor does leave him.]

But didn't he just say that he wouldn't?

I don't think you know what you're offering me, Doctor. [Forcing a smile, he tries not to shiver at the feeling of the Doctor's lips against his jaw, though his wings flutter slightly. He doesn't think the Doctor realizes that Jack's resisting the urge to drag him back into the house, into the bedroom, to show him exactly what he wants to do with him.] And you say you won't leave me again, but then you said it was just this moment, and you still say I'm wrong and this is wrong and... I don't know what you're doing to me.

[Despite his best efforts, he's been holding the Doctor close as he talks, his lips only a breath away. He knows he shouldn't, he knows he'll only be hurt later, he knows he's too broken for this, but... the Doctor is offering, and who is he to resist temptation? Closing the gap, he kisses him deeply as the rain pours down harder over them.]

[Action]

[im_brilliant]

[He kisses him back, almost absently and thoughtlessly for a moment. His hands stroke his back, his neck, his hair. For several reasons, namely the nagging feeling of apprehension, he's still holding back. Despite clearly knowing he shouldn't be at this point. But even still, he doesn't want to lose himself or let his guard down. As much as he may trust Jack, he doesn't trust most of the people who could be lurking around.]

[The Doctor pulls away just a little, one hand bracing his neck, the other cupping his face. He looks into his eyes, his own haunted by the ghosts of his past. He's finally processed all of what was just said to him. A low murmur escapes his lips then, his breaths warm compared to the chilled air of the rain.] Just... Trust me, Jack.

[He kisses him, then, and is far more aggressive about it. Fierce determination combined with rehashed adrenaline and sublimating his flight reflex into, well, this, has brought out his slightly more imposing nature. However, a fierce kiss from him, may still seem chaste from Jack's perspective. It's still hot and open-mouthed, and his hands are touching all over, but he's not quite caved enough into his oral fixative tendencies to do anything with his tongue. He's a bit too nervous for that at the moment. Finally, he pulls back again, and decides to be fixated on Jack's ear instead, in which he demonstrates by licking lightly at his earlobe.]

Why don't we take this inside? [He muses this lightly, running his hands along Jack's now soaked shoulders.] Go dry off and resume all this where it's nice and warm. You're rather clever, I'm sure you can think of a good spot.

[Of course he's just thinking perhaps curling up on the couch or in his room, talking about things, and perhaps kiss some more. Time Lords have an infinite array of all sorts of knowledge embedded in their minds. Forays of the bedroom? Not really one of them.]

[Action]

[captain_in_you]

[Trust... such a small word, but something so difficult for Jack. In his long life, there were very few people whom he could say he truly could trust, but... this man is one of them, despite everything that had happened.]

[He kisses him hard, passionately, barely flicking the tip of his tongue over the Doctor's lower lip. One hand slides higher on the Doctor's back, brushing the base of his wings, pressing their bodies closer together. He's panting softly by the time the Doctor pulls away, and he can't suppress the shiver this time when the other nibbles on his earlobe.]

Probably a good idea. We really should... get out of these wet clothes. [A smirk... oh, there's dirty thoughts playing in the Captain's mind right now.] Back inside, then? [He takes a step back, running his hand down the Doctor's arm to grasp his hand.]

[Action]

[im_brilliant]

Inside we go, yes. [Nods, taking his hand loosely.] Sur notre chemin~!

[Leads him back into the house and pats himself down, figuring out what's wet and what isn't. The coat's definitely the worst off, so that gets hung up to dry. Good thing it's of good quality as that took most of the water. His suit jacket is also a little wet so he removes and hangs that as well. Shirt and pants, however, aren't so bad that a few minutes inside and they would become comfortable again. The squishy feeling of wet shoes is also something that would go away soon. Now with a burst of energy, the Doctor shuffles around idly, looking at Jack.]

So! [He glances between the sofa in the living room and the direction of the bedrooms.] Where to, Captain?

[Action]

[captain_in_you]

[Jack slips out of his coat as well, and kicks off his boots by the door. His top shirt is a bit damp as well, so he shrugs off his bracers and unbuttons it quickly, dropping it absently in a heap, leaving himself in only his trousers and white t-shirt. The hems of his trousers were wet too, but he decides not to strip out of those... yet.]

Come on. [Reaching out, he takes the Doctor's hand and leads him toward his bedroom. This is a bad idea, a really, phenomenally, cosmically bad idea, but he's wanted it for so long, and he can't keep saying no.]

[Action]

[im_brilliant]

[The Doctor quirks a brow at that but decides to say nothing for the moment, merely following him to his room instead. He knew Jack was relatively shameless, but the extent of that was something still a mystery to him. Upon entering the room, he leans back against the wall, hands folded loosely behind him, rocking on his heels slowly. He continues to look at Jack with a cross between an inquisitive and generally amused expression.]

I suppose this is a rather interesting choice on your part. [Smirk.] Any particular ideas you've got, there?

[Action]

[captain_in_you]

Hey, you suggested it. Sort of. [Jack idly wonders if he should have chosen the couch, but he's not second-guessing himself now. Stepping forward, he runs his hands down the Doctor's arms to grip his elbows, pulling him close again.] And I've got lots of ideas. Whatever I want, yeah?

[He leans down to kiss the Doctor again, though he keeps his eyes open till the last moment, watching for signs of hesitation or uncertainty.]

[Action]

[im_brilliant]

[Quickly, with both brows raised curiously:] Yes, of course.

[The Doctor doesn't suppose there is anything wrong with kissing. Though he realizes this is the first time he's been doing a lot of that particular activity in a long while. Not since... Well, it's best if he doesn't think about that too much, especially not at this particular moment. The last thing he wants to do is get too wrapped up in bad memories and feeling anguished for everything that had happened up until this point. No, he has to keep thinking about the present and look to the future. He has to stay positive. As without the TARDIS if he were to lose himself to thinking about all that is wrong with the current situation and all the mistakes he made before, there is no telling what he might do. Certainly the flight instinct would start kicking in, more so than it already has. He can only sublimate it so much before.... Well, it's best not to think about that, now, is it?]

[He kisses Jack back slowly, loosely gripping at his sides. A soft, contented sound almost like a small whine escapes him. For a moment, he's feeling almost fluttery, the increasing familiarity of these behaviors calming his nerves a bit. As he continues keeping the kiss on the more chaste side, he slides his hands down to take Jack's hands. He idly strokes the back of his hands with his thumbs. It's starting to get obvious that he's unsure as to what else he should be doing. Not that kissing isn't fun and all, but it definitely is not something he he feels inclined to make a hobby out of. When his mind drifts off into musings about all he was going to do once he had his sonic screwdriver again, he unknowingly deepens the kiss just a little with his tongue. Because one of those thoughts, for just an instant, involved licking something. But he's resourceful and can multitask his thoughts and kiss at the same time. Even if it might involve slipping someone the tongue.]

[Action]

[captain_in_you]

[Jack can tell the Doctor's mind is elsewhere, even as the kiss continues. He pulls him closer, twining their fingers together, determined not to let the Doctor get distracted from his affections. He's a bit surprised by the tongue, but smiles into the kiss, returning the gesture, his tongue darting out to meet the Doctor's.]

Mmm...

[After a short time, he decides that they might want to move on to more than just kissing... or at least he wants more, anyway. Releasing the Doctor's hands, he smooths his hands over the Doctor's chest before starting on the buttons of his shirt, unfastening them quickly and efficiently.]

[Action]

[im_brilliant]

[...And the blender is going to go next to the toaster, which he will also use the screwdriver to help create in some peculiar not-quite-electrical sort of way. As you never know, you may want something toasted to go along with your smoothie or fruity alcoholic concoction. There will be so many things he can do once he has the screwdriver: he can put up cabinets, and unlock things, and- whoa! Hold up! Wait a tick! Alarm bells going off! Screwdriver plans will have to wait as he is starting to feel the beginning stages of being de-clothed and now the flight reflex would like a say in this. The flight reflex, while perfectly okay with the kissing business helping with the sublimation, is not so inclined to want to get naked. At least not yet. He was so busy thinking about his beloved Sonic Screwdriver that the sudden sensation of his shirt coming undone startled him.]

Oi-Jack, hold on just a...

[The Doctor grabs his hands and attempts to keep them pinned at his sides. Though he doesn't exactly start buttoning up his shirt. Instead, he brushes his lips against his jaw and trails kisses up along Jack's neck to his ear. He lightly grazes his teeth against his earlobe, murmuring softly as he does so. Despite not being human, he's not exactly completely immune to those certain pheromones either. Especially not when he's in such close proximity for an extended period of time. It's almost like catnip in a way. But despite the fact he likes what is going on, the strong sensible part of him is telling him to take everything slow. To pace it. So he does. He keeps nibbling lightly on his ear, alternating between kissing his neck as well- still as determined as he can be to keep Jack from touching him, however. No, he'd much rather focus on giving Jack attention first. As he does quite like making people happy, and now he feels a little bad for going off into this amazing fantasy land where he has his Sonic Screwdriver and can do so many things with it- and other such things - wait, no, he will not let his mind go there as that is not where his mind belongs at all... So yes, pacing it and focusing on Jack have become his main prerogative.]

There's no need to rush into it, hm?

[Action]

[captain_in_you]

Should've seen that coming... [Jack's thoughts are rueful as he finds his hands pushed away.] At least he's not running away from me. Yet.

No need, right. But... mmm, Doctor... [He tilts his head to the side, gasping softly as the Doctor's lips find his ear again, his hands clutching at thin air. He wants... he needs to touch him, to feel him, to reassure himself that it's all right to be here like this with the Doctor, that it's not just some fleeting thing.]

I wanna touch you. Please?

[Action]

[im_brilliant]

[Those little noises and the bit of squirming are rather nice. They also prove to be slightly distracting. Like he is with anything else, the Doctor tries his best to carefully plot out each move he makes ahead of time - weighing out all possible solutions against each other until he chooses one that seems most likely to work given current circumstances. He knows that especially now, everything he says and does will have consequences of some sort in the end. However, he did willingly agree on this, and such thoughts did surface in the back of his consciousness. He's by no means innocent or naive; but in the depths of a mind as vast as his, such thoughts and ideas don't crop up all that often. There's never been much of a need for it. Now he has to tread carefully or else risk giving off the wrong messages. He really, really wants to make Jack happy; but at the same time he knows he can't let his guard down and blindly rush into things. If only Jack knew what he was stirring within him, deep inside- but he can't. He mustn't. Not just yet. Those stirrings needed to be kept to himself at the moment.]

Jack...

[He finds a rather nice spot on his neck and bites it gently. Somewhat idly, he kisses and licks at it as he hums in thought, thinking about what he should do. His hands release their grasp for the time being to feel up along his sides, torso, and back. He feels around his wings and has to work really hard to suppress the urge to study them for scientific merit. Now is not the time to be coming up with escape strategies again or figuring this place out. This is the time for him to, well, ravish him like the oncoming storm he had once been known as. His hands come to a rest across his chest, fingers splayed across his pectorals. A thought crosses his mind, his lips curling into a smirk against his neck. One hand comes up to tug his shirt collar aside so he can slowly, deliberately, lick along his collarbone. After accenting that with a rather gentle bite, he kisses back up to his ear and flicks his tongue against the shell of it. He murmurs softly, though the tone itself is rather firm:]

On the bed with you.

[Action]

[captain_in_you]

[Jack moans as the Doctor's mouth works over his neck, ear, collarbone, tilting his head back, feeling lightheaded as all of his blood seems to rush south. Once released, his hands come up to grip the Doctor's waist, pulling him closer as he fights the urge to rock against him. His wings flutter involuntarily as the Doctor's hands move close, surprisingly sensitive to touch as well.]

Knew he had an oral fixation but damn...

[Caught up in the moment, he barely registers the Doctor's command past the feeling of his cool tongue against his ear. God. Finally, he opens his eyes and smiles at the Doctor, reluctantly pulling away.]

Will you be joining me there?

[Despite his words, he obediently moves to the bed and sits down, leaning back to brace his hands on the bed. His eyebrows raise in invitation as he watches the Doctor from across the room. He wants to feel those hands, those lips, that tongue on him again, but he won't rush the Doctor, despite the way his body is already humming with arousal. He can barely remember a time when he felt this turned on just from a kiss, and they haven't even got their clothes off yet...]