(no subject)
Fandom: Jak and Daxter (Post Jak 3)
Title: Pretty Boy
Chapter Title: The Talented Mr. Jinx
Rating: R
Pairings: Jinx/Jak
Warnings: Jinx’ naughty mouth as usual, Shounen ai themes.
Status: 3/?
Summary: There’s more to the boom-boy than meets the eye… or maybe not. [Set after Jak 3]
It had been a little over a week since that night at the bar. And despite the obviously momentous occasion, Jinx had gone on with life as per the usual. Smoke. Drink. Blow shit up. Yep, the usual…well, except for the occasional fond memory. As a matter of fact, that damned bite mark on his shoulder had still yet to fully heal. Nonetheless, as previously stated, the man had gone on with his daily routines as usual.
Haven City was on the rebuild after what had been officially deemed the end of the war. Demolition crews worked double duty in Haven these days. The Metalhead city had been cleared out and was being stripped more and more by the day. Though, to be honest, Jinx would never even think of moving in even if things were straight again. But the governess insisted on making the land livable. Not that he could blame her, he guessed. It wasn’t like Haven wasn’t getting a little more cramped than usual with the apparent baby boom going on around these parts.
Young, dumb civvies, just so happy to be alive they just can’t help but to share their joy with their significant others he supposed. Meaning more babies to feed, clothe, and shelter. Meaning the need for more jobs, homes, land for growing desperately needed food. Meaning the need for making more space.
Luckily, that was what Jinx did best. He cleared the way for people.
The population boom was the natural order of things, of course. It just seemed odd that the state of the economy was actually a priority above keeping your ass from getting munched on by a hungry ‘head, for once. The annoying, wailing brats littering the streets nowadays were something he’d never get used to. He was almost nostalgic for the days of people walking the streets like zombies and brats being too few to be seen. Almost.
Thanks to Red’s stubbornness, Jinx quickly became one of the busiest boom boys in town. Not that he minded in the least, of course; jobs meant money. But the means to keep food in his belly and to indulge his other more non-essential habits were not the only things that kept him going. I mean, really, how could he resist the chance to put his gods-given talent for destruction to use and not get shot at by the boys in blue?
The far less talented members of Red’s demolition squad were having a bit of time putting a dent in the larger structures in the former MH HQ. Jinx figured as much. Metalheads had never been the easiest mofos to get rid of. It’s not like the city hadn’t been fighting the bastards for the past ‘whole lot of fucking’ years.
The unusually sturdy nature of the bastards’ hot spot demanded some more potent methods of removal. Not that Jinx wasn’t one for potent methods… but even his normal toys wouldn’t do for this gig.
This job called for something special.
Jinx liked to be close to his work. Crates and cardboard boxes cluttered the ratty little room of an apartment. Ropes, wires and cables… it was amazing that the man didn’t kill himself tripping over a loose line or something of the like and set off an explosion big enough to take out a full ten block radius. He sure had enough boom packed in the place to do it.
Some people would call him insane. Torn would probably have him shot and killed if he knew about it. Jinx, on the other hand, just considered himself a dedicated man of science. Because no matter how much others may scoff, making things go boom was indeed a calculated science. There was an art to what he did and it was one of the only things he took seriously.
Oh, he did have to crawl over a few boxes to find it. His was an organized chaos, mind you, and as such he knew exactly where he’d put it -- the metal container that held one of his prized possessions. He couldn’t have kept the grin from stretching his face if he’d tried.
He set the case down on the table as gently as he would any one of his toys. This time being the slightest bit different of course-- it was really fucking depressing that he hardly ever got to break the stuff out. Then he flipped the lid open and removed one of the glowing containers.
100 percent, totally non-chemically altered yellow eco. You just didn’t come across this stuff every day. Jinx was already tingling and he hadn’t even opened it yet. His grimy fingers curled around the lid of the canister and he almost felt like a kid again. Grin stretching wider almost so it hurt, just like when he’d got his first taste…
The obnoxious beep of his communicator should not have made him jump as much as it had.
“For fuck’s…”
Jinx snarled, scowling as he glanced over at the thing. His expression twisted into a smirk when he really did look at it however. And why shouldn’t it have? That was Pretty-boy’s number.
One of those lovely fond memories popped up, settled in Jinx’ belly and the warmth of it brought a grin to his face. He pressed the talk button and the comm sparked to life.
“Well if it isn’t Pretty-boy? You finally get tired of reliving last week with yer hand? Not the same, eh?” Jinx’s grin was manic. “Come on up. I’ll buzz ya in. I promise ya I got much better things planned for you an’ me. Guarantee ta have ya squealing my name by the start line as long as that pretty ass of yours is involved this round.”
By the time Jinx turned back to the communicator, it had grown to its full size and there floating a few inches away from him was the gaping mug of one fuzzy orange rat.
Daxter’s mouth closed. Then opened again. Beady rodent eyes, wider than Jinx had ever seen them, turned to Jak, “What the hell is he talking about?! Wait! No… No! Don’t… jus-just don’t! I don’t wanna hear it! Crimmony, I just ate!” Daxter added with dramatic gagging in tow for effect.
The comm then panned to the person Jinx’s comments had actually been directed. Jinx noted that the shade of red Jak’s face had taken on clashed horribly with his scarf. The green haired hero’s mouth hung slightly agape in shock. Daxter’s gloved paw grabbed the comm’s lens and turned back towards him, so Jinx could see him. He clutched at his stomach as his tongue comically hung out of the side of his mouth.
“Look here Mr. Congeniality, do me a favor and keep those gutter-worthy pick up lines to yerself eh?” The ottsel smacked his lips together, face frowning as if he tasted something awful. He turned to Jak and muttered, “I think I threw up a little, Jak. Oh… by the Precursors! I think I just tasted last night’s supper! Oh god, Tess’ yakow surprise was bad enough the first time I had to suffer though it.” He wailed before burying his face in the older boy’s hair.
Jinx snickered a bit before leaning in, leering, “So, Jakkie-boy, ya coming up or what? And-ah, leave the rat outside. I don’t do rodents.”
Daxter’s face contorted to something akin to complete outrage. “What?!” He screeched, “I wouldn’t let you touch me even if you suddenly grew a set of double Ds and got a face transplant, Scuzzball! And be-lieve me pal, that would have to be on hell of a gifted craftsman to make you anything worth locking my highly discriminating peepers on, Sulfur Breath!”
The blond man on the other end of the comm narrowed his eyes, grinning deviously.
“Oh, so ah… you into that sorta thing, rat boy?” Jinx said confidentially. “All a guy needs to do is buy him a set a tits and you’re willing to ignore the dangly bits underneath the skirt, eh?”
By this point, Jak was growing tired of the little exchange of wit. Daxter just stood on the boy’s shoulder, slack-jawed and trembling with rage.
All the ottsel could get out were incomprehensible squeals of indignation.
“Dax!” Jak growled in frustration. Daxter’s squealing in his ear was only making the situation worse.
The ottsel wilted at the sound of his voice, mumbling something along the lines of, “He started it…” before scowling at the comm screen and crossing his scrawny arms over his chest.
“Look Jinx,” Jak started, sounding a bit more tired than he probably should have. “You gonna let us up or not?”
Daxter balked. “We’re not seriously going in this deathtrap, are we?”
Jak cut his eyes at his furry companion.
“Sure.” Jinx chuckled and he walked over to his door to buzz them in. “Come on up.”
Just before the comm went out he heard the rat muttering, “You didn’t really let that…that thing… touch you, did ya Jak?”
Jinx snorted in amusement.
~oo0oo~
“Holy Sages! What in the heck?! Look at this place, Jak! Don’t touch anything! Ya might get some incurable disease… Or worse… lice!” The ottsel suddenly broke into a fit of scratching. “Oh god! I’m gonna need a flea dip by the time I get out of this joint!”
“I didn’t invite you up, Ratface!” Jinx snarled, before turning back to whatever it was he was fiddling with.
Jak sighed; he had the feeling that Daxter probably shouldn’t be trying to piss Jinx off at the moment. From the look and smell of this place not to mention the profession of the man who resided here, things might very well become deadly if Jinx made one misstep on that stuff he was tinkering on.
“Cut it out Daxter.” Jak groaned and stepped over an empty cardboard box.
Though Daxter did sort of have a point, calling Jinx’ apartment cramped would be an understatement. It was filled to the brim with boxes and Freedom League crates and all kinds of junk he couldn’t be bothered to name. Every window in the place was boarded up. The only light source available were the dim fluorescent bulbs swinging precariously from the cracked ceiling. The whole place smelled of stale air and dust, smoke and sweat… and something metallic.
Jak looked to the glaring ottsel on his shoulder.
“Look big guy, you don’t owe this neanderthal nuthin’. Plenty folks get drunk off their tails and do stupid crap at my parties.” Daxter stopped to grin in Jinx’s direction, although the man didn’t even turn around to acknowledge his friend. “Don’t worry, I won’t hold it against you buddy. But you’re stifling my natural born wit here…You’re killing me!”
“Shut up, rat!” Jinx snarled, but he still didn’t turn around.
The older man went quiet again, amazingly enough. Jinx sat at the table, perched on the edge of a FG crate, bending over something he was working on. Did this guy not believe in furniture? In fact, the only real furniture Jak had spotted in the room was the wooden table and the bed against the opposite wall.
Jak raised a brow. Just what was Jinx doing over there?
It would seem however that Jinx was way more concerned with what he was working on than entertaining his guests. The man barely spared them a glance. His hair was loose and messy, hanging down a little ways past his shoulder blades. The smell that permeated the room had gotten a bit stronger all of a sudden and that light on Jinx’ table got a little brighter. Wait… that smell… it was like…
“You some sort a vampire or something, Boom-boy?” Daxter crowed, shaking Jak from his thoughts. “No like ‘a the light au natural? Hey! Just what the hell are you doing over there anyway?!”
It was about time Daxter got around to that. Jak almost thought he’d have break down and ask himself.
“Torn sent us to get you,” Jak muttered. “You’re supposed to be helping with demolition at the Metalhead city.”
“That’s what I’m doing, Blondie.”
Jinx turned around to look at him from over his shoulder with one of those dementedly naughty grins of his. Jak fought to keep down the blush that tingles on his face as flashes of that night a week or so ago resurfaced. The feel of warm tobacco-scented breath on his face and a hot hand on his… Jak dropped his head. The floor was becoming more and more interesting by the minute.
Daxter rolled his eyes, “Blargh! Look buddy there will be no hanky panky in front of the ottsel. Wait… no… there will be no hanky panky period! Right Jak?! Tell him to lay off eh?”
Jinx wholly ignored the verbal tirade and continued placing whatever it was he’d been working on into a leather satchel with a curious sort of care. All the while, he hummed a happy little tune around the cigar clinched between his teeth.
However, Daxter was determined to get his point across and defend the honor of his defiled best pal. The ottsel leapt off Jak’s shoulder and scampered onto Jinx’ worktable, puffing up his just in an attempt to intimidate the man. “You should be ashamed of yourself,” He pointed accusingly at the other blond in the room and continued, ”Taking advantage of my friend like that. He was drunk!” And then added out the side of his mouth, “And probably hornier than a snorklopine during mating season. BUT-- that still don’t give you any right to molest him against his will! Oh god! If that even is what happened?!”
Daxter turned around and looked at him, his face full of lingering hope. “Please tell me I’m wrong Jak! Please tell me you and this half man, half lurker didn’t…” He paused and shivered with disgust.
Jak paled. He didn’t actually expect him to answer that… did he?
“I…uh…”
Before Jak could even get his mind on track enough to respond. Jinx slung the leather bag over his shoulder, knocking Daxter clear off the table and onto the floor. The longhaired man strode over to him with that smile on his face again. Jak didn’t even realize he’d been retreating until his back hit one of the boarded windows. Tobacco scented breath warm on his face…
Daxter was never going to let him hear the end of this. Jak tried to focus on anything but the smirk on the other man’s face. A smirk that, mind you, was getting closer and closer to his own face by the second. Placing his hand on the wall next to Jak’s head, Jinx leaned in close enough to make Jak uncomfortable. That was when Jak noticed the huge bruise on Jinx’ shoulder, even visible underneath his bandolier. The sudden memory of what it felt like to sink his teeth into the other man’s skin and the taste of him on his tongue…
“Oh god…”
"Is that what happened, Pretty-boy?" Jinx’ voice deepened, his eyes getting darker suddenly. "A little rub and moan for a horny, helpless little boy, eh?"
Jak fought back a shudder and Jinx grinned even wider. But before either of them could make another move, a fuzzy foot was planted on both he and Jinx’ chest, forcing them apart.
“Hey. Hey. Hey!!! Cut it out! I thought we talked about this! No hanky panky in front of the ottsel!”
And, suddenly, Jak remembered why Daxter was his best friend.
~oo0oo~
After the debacle upstairs, Jak had been more than a little anxious to get out of there. Jinx had angrily removed Daxter’s foot from his person, then gave him another one of those damned looks of his and headed out the door.
The moist air of the port had been a relief compared to the oppressive odor of Jinx’ apartment. Though, Jak did still have to deal with Daxter’s distaste for the other passenger in the cruiser. Daxter had yet to do anything but glare at Jinx the whole car ride so far. And Jinx was doing a pretty good job of ignoring his friend, busying himself with pulling his hair back into a ponytail and giving Jak suggestive looks. This, of course, did not go unnoticed by the ottsel.
“I don’t know why Tattoo Face is so stuck on us bring you along.” Daxter muttered. “S’not like some other gunpowder snorting primate couldn’t do your job.”
Jak raised a brow. Daxter was being unusually mean today.
“Just cause you were a little useful during the war with that blast bot don’t make you some sorta genius or sumthin’.”
Suddenly another memory drifted into Jak’s thoughts.
“I think we've got a boomer of a plan here. You know those Blast Bots you've seen around? Well, I captured one. Don't ask. I'll show ya the scars later.”
The words came out before Jak could stop them. “Just how did you capture that blast bot anyway, Jinx?”
The blond bomb expert glanced over at him with a smug grin. Daxter just looked at him wide eyed, as if he was just shocked that Jak had said a word.
“I thought I told you not to ask?” Jinx glared at Daxter before adding. “But I might could be convinced ta tell ya later,” a wink, “I’ll even show you those scars I told you about.”
“Ugh, god! Someone put me out of my misery.”
“I though you’d never-”
“Jinx.”
Daxter and Jinx’ little verbal sparring match was really beginning to get on his nerves. It didn’t help matters either that he was actually considering taking Jinx up on his offer.
“Ah, Metalhead city!” Daxter crowed in relief. “I never thought I’d be happy to see this place again!”
~oo0oo~
Jinx had experienced infinitely worse smells than the ones lingering in the air around this place. Haven’s sewers by no means were runner up compared to what was left of the Metalhead city in regards to pure stank, but that doesn’t mean that Jinx waltzed in here unprepared. Thanks to the removal of the river of acidic waste that ran through the entire MH metropolis the smell had gotten considerably better. Jinx secured his red scarf over his mouth. The air musty and though the smell may not have been as potent that didn’t mean he wasn’t going to take measures to lessen its effect.
The almighty governess had gotten some of Haven’s top scientists and even a few from out of town in to find a way to dispose of the deadly river. There was nothing left there to add to the muck or was it away, so it became stagnant and probably even more potent.
Jinx didn’t know and didn’t care about the process of removal they’d used. Honestly, he really couldn’t have cared less. All he knew was that the place was reasonably safe for human inhabitance now, and Ashelin had gotten together a sizable army of demolitionists, construction workers and architects in order to in order to make it that way.
He, naturally, had been at the top of her list. It would seem his work during the war had not gone unappreciated.
He, Jak, and the kid’s pet rat made it through the checkpoint just fine. Freedom Guards were still a constant sight on the streets of the city, but especially in full force around this site. The place may have been cleared out of nasty man eating beasts and corrosives but that didn’t make it any less dangerous to those stupid enough to stumble in.
The acid river may have been gone but it left behind one hell of a steep drop.
Jinx strolled through the site past the other workers, barely sparing a grunt in greeting here and there. He was much more concerned with other things at the moment. Kicking open the back gate of the fencing, he headed off toward the untouched area of the Metalhead city. He would need to test these explosives in an area that was uninhabited by his idiot co-workers.
Jinx remembered what this place had been like when the Metalheads had still been running it. Festering, humid, generally just a whole lot creepier. The landscape was decided less… moist. The organic surfaces had dried and cracked, taking on different shades of brown. The huge pods and vines and living walls should have dried and crumbled away, but since these were Metalhead structures, it couldn’t be that simple. The formations seemed only to harden when they died, drying and taking on the density and strength of some type of metal that none of the previously employed demolition techniques had yet to put a dent in.
Lucky for them he was fucking gifted.
~oo0oo~
“Wha… where the hell is he going?!”
Jak really could care less about finding out who was yelling behind him. He was too busy wondering what the hell Jinx was doing himself. Jak began following the older man out the back fence of the construction site and into the rest of the barren city.
“Um… Jak?” Daxter voice sounded worried, as usual. The ottsel gripped one of his hears as he leaned in muttering worriedly. “I know this place is supposed to be cleared of slobbering, razor-clawed beasties and all but… um… Can’t we go back to the part that’s… um… guarded?! I mean Boom-boy can take care of himself, right?”
Jak rolled his eyes and kept walking.
“Since when did we become his personal bodyguards anyway?! Why are we even here?!”
Jak watched Jinx intently, barely paying any attention to Daxter’s rambling. He had accompanied Jinx on dangerous missions before, watching the man’s back. This wasn’t any different than before. Except, that no one had to ask him and it wasn’t like he had anything else to do. There was nothing else to it, surely.
It was strange being in the MH city again. He’d had no need to venture into the territory since the end of the war, and stayed away mostly because all of the construction. It was eerie how quiet it was now (especially since the last time he’d been here it had been busying with beasts dead set on killing him). Well, this far out, at least; distance greatly muted the sounds of construction, at this point. He could make out the sound of Jinx muttering to himself and by the time Jak had caught up to him the man was kneeling at the base of steel pillar. Jak squinted against the light of the midday sun. He was sure that pillar had been something else completely the last time he’d been in this place. If fact, a lot of things seemed to have changed since the last time he was here.
“Damned stubborn shit.” Jinx grumbled.
“Hey, Jak this looks like one of them pod thingies… only… metal--lier.” Daxter said as he hopped off his shoulder and waltzed up to the former pod and knocked against it with fuzzy knuckles.
The short and deep clang gave Jak the impression that the pillar was indeed solid.
“Move over.”
Jinx nudged his friend out the way rudely, before reaching into his bag and pulling out a round silver ball. Bright yellow light peeked through slits along the sides. The explosives expert held the sphere up proudly, pulling his scarf down in order to give Jak yet another smug grin.
“If this baby can’t take this sucker out, ain’t nothing that can,” Jinx said, reaching up the solidified pod and placing the device at its base. “Those dumbasses were using dark and red eco mixtures.” He continued talking, seemingly to himself, as he walked past the other two. “Move yer ass Pretty-boy…” He called back over his shoulder.
The green-blond spared the pod one last look before scooping his friend up and taking off after the older man.
“Any fucking low level chemist coulda told them idiots that dark eco ain’t gonna do shit against dark fucking eco.”
“Dark eco did that?” Jak asked, finally catching up once again. Not that he was too surprised; Metalheads oozed the stuff, and dark eco had never been the most predictable substance around.
Now that they were back behind the fence, Jinx started fiddling with a remote control. The green-eyed man took a seat beside one the treads of a very large looking machine. Despite his better judgment, Jak took a seat next to Jinx and leaned over slightly to take a look at the remote. Jinx looked up at him with a grin.
“Ya wanna do the honors, Blondie?”
This was an offer Jak couldn’t resist.
“Wha…”
Jinx sighed and reached over, leaning in close and thumbed a shiny red button. Jak got the feeling he should have realized this was the trigger.
“Press it and my little baby will release a bit of red inta tha yellow. Not a good mix unless you wanna make a lotta noise, eh.” Jinx smirked at him.
Somewhere in front of the two Daxter snorted disgustedly. “I thought we discussed this?!”
Jak glanced up suddenly, brows furred in confusion.
“Don’t pay Killjoy no mind, Jakkie.” Jinx glared briefly at the ottsel before turning back to Jak with a demented grin. “Push da button.”
Jak grinned back, “Okay.”
~oo0oo~
The gig had gone as smooth as butter. The yellow eco bombs he’d whipped up had packed just enough wallop to send the more stubborn monuments of Metalhead achievement into a powered existence. He’d gotten he yellow to red eco ratio down perfectly it seemed.
The look on Jakkie-boy’s face when he pressed the shiny red button of doom had been fucking perfect. The way the kid’s eyes lit up, that grin that appeared on Jak’s face and lingered long after. It warmed Jinx’ heart to be able to provide the teenager with his first “experience”. After such a memorable event, completing the most glorious chain of reactions ever seen was the icing on the cake.
Today had been a hell of a fucking day. And though sadly the man obviously had no interest in the true gloriousness of Jinx’ achievement, the head of Red’s little demolition team was buying.
Ah, it was good to be a hero, even if it would only last for the night.
So here he was sitting in booth at the Naughty Ottsel, once again lounging comfortably and entertaining a wonderful bunch of ladies. All of which were dressed in the skimpiest outfits you’d ever wish to see.
These ladies made it a point to frequent this joint around this time of day. Not that Jinx could blame them. He wasn’t too keen on the bar’s fur-faced proprietor, but the place did seem to attract quite the clientele. Mostly city workers with pockets full of creds finally off from a hard day’s work and looking for a way to unwind. The occasional group of off duty FGs just hopping to enjoy their time off for a change, all the picture perfect target group for what this selfless ladies of strip had to offer.
Jinx, however, was quite partial to his creds and had no intention of sharing them with any of these fine young women of the boulevard…but they didn’t have to know this just yet. Besides, Jinx was savoring the looks that his horde of groupies was getting from a certain savior of the known world. It wasn’t like he was going to do any more than talk with them, but Jak didn’t have to know that just yet either.
~oo0oo~
He hadn’t been staring and he most definitely hadn’t snarled either. Jinx was just a drunken bastard that seemed to think he was worth being snarled over. He’d just kindly asked the girls to leave. Daxter was closing up and these… ladies… were holding up the process.
The girls cleared out mighty fast once he showed up, though. Not that he cared. He’d gotten them to leave and that’s all that mattered.
The bar was pretty empty now. Tess and Daxter were cleaning up the last of the glasses and tidying up. However, there was one last thing that had to be taken care of before they could lock the doors. Daxter had adamantly insisted that Jak would be the one that would have this great responsibility.
This “responsibility” was currently staring up at him from his position laid out across the booth bench. With eyes glazed over and the silliest grin on his face, Jinx was way past drunk and giggling like an idiot.
“Preeeeeety Boy,” a snicker, “Wassup?!” Jinx gave Jak a lopsided grin.
Jak sighed. “I’m taking you home.”
“Owww… sounds promisin’.”
Jinx rolled over onto his stomach a little too enthusiastically for Jak’s tastes (which didn’t take much in Jinx’ case) and crawled closer. The green-eyed man’s gaze was clouded with something Jak just chalked up to the amount of alcohol in his system. This belief further allowed Jak to ignore the hand that grabbed hold of his belt and the debauched grin he received next. And though he was quite sure that Jinx’ drunkenness could also be attributed to what happened next, it didn’t make it any less amusing when the older man slid off the leather cushion and onto the hard wood floor.
~~~~~~
[Author’s Note: Okay. I admit that I suck for taking so long with this. But I was busy with courses and other fics. And honestly I had no clue where I was going with this fic, but I got an idea now. So hopefully, this baby will be moving along at a reasonable pace now. Since I graduated college and all. I’m free! Free to write lovely Jinx/Jak-ness. *cough*]
Deleted Scene: “Jinx Finds His Beloved Yellow Eco” written by CSkerries
Jinx: ::sets Box down carefully::
Jinx: It’s time to go to work again, my dearest and most loveliest. :D
Box: ::immobile::
Jinx: ::strokes Box lovingly:: Oooo, yeah. Come ta daddy. b:
Box: ::unresponsive::
Jinx: Aw, don’t be like that. Let’s see what you have in there, huh? ::naughtily fingers Box’s locks open and lifts its lid::
Box: …
Jinx: That shit makes me so hot. 8F
Title: Pretty Boy
Chapter Title: The Talented Mr. Jinx
Rating: R
Pairings: Jinx/Jak
Warnings: Jinx’ naughty mouth as usual, Shounen ai themes.
Status: 3/?
Summary: There’s more to the boom-boy than meets the eye… or maybe not. [Set after Jak 3]
It had been a little over a week since that night at the bar. And despite the obviously momentous occasion, Jinx had gone on with life as per the usual. Smoke. Drink. Blow shit up. Yep, the usual…well, except for the occasional fond memory. As a matter of fact, that damned bite mark on his shoulder had still yet to fully heal. Nonetheless, as previously stated, the man had gone on with his daily routines as usual.
Haven City was on the rebuild after what had been officially deemed the end of the war. Demolition crews worked double duty in Haven these days. The Metalhead city had been cleared out and was being stripped more and more by the day. Though, to be honest, Jinx would never even think of moving in even if things were straight again. But the governess insisted on making the land livable. Not that he could blame her, he guessed. It wasn’t like Haven wasn’t getting a little more cramped than usual with the apparent baby boom going on around these parts.
Young, dumb civvies, just so happy to be alive they just can’t help but to share their joy with their significant others he supposed. Meaning more babies to feed, clothe, and shelter. Meaning the need for more jobs, homes, land for growing desperately needed food. Meaning the need for making more space.
Luckily, that was what Jinx did best. He cleared the way for people.
The population boom was the natural order of things, of course. It just seemed odd that the state of the economy was actually a priority above keeping your ass from getting munched on by a hungry ‘head, for once. The annoying, wailing brats littering the streets nowadays were something he’d never get used to. He was almost nostalgic for the days of people walking the streets like zombies and brats being too few to be seen. Almost.
Thanks to Red’s stubbornness, Jinx quickly became one of the busiest boom boys in town. Not that he minded in the least, of course; jobs meant money. But the means to keep food in his belly and to indulge his other more non-essential habits were not the only things that kept him going. I mean, really, how could he resist the chance to put his gods-given talent for destruction to use and not get shot at by the boys in blue?
The far less talented members of Red’s demolition squad were having a bit of time putting a dent in the larger structures in the former MH HQ. Jinx figured as much. Metalheads had never been the easiest mofos to get rid of. It’s not like the city hadn’t been fighting the bastards for the past ‘whole lot of fucking’ years.
The unusually sturdy nature of the bastards’ hot spot demanded some more potent methods of removal. Not that Jinx wasn’t one for potent methods… but even his normal toys wouldn’t do for this gig.
This job called for something special.
Jinx liked to be close to his work. Crates and cardboard boxes cluttered the ratty little room of an apartment. Ropes, wires and cables… it was amazing that the man didn’t kill himself tripping over a loose line or something of the like and set off an explosion big enough to take out a full ten block radius. He sure had enough boom packed in the place to do it.
Some people would call him insane. Torn would probably have him shot and killed if he knew about it. Jinx, on the other hand, just considered himself a dedicated man of science. Because no matter how much others may scoff, making things go boom was indeed a calculated science. There was an art to what he did and it was one of the only things he took seriously.
Oh, he did have to crawl over a few boxes to find it. His was an organized chaos, mind you, and as such he knew exactly where he’d put it -- the metal container that held one of his prized possessions. He couldn’t have kept the grin from stretching his face if he’d tried.
He set the case down on the table as gently as he would any one of his toys. This time being the slightest bit different of course-- it was really fucking depressing that he hardly ever got to break the stuff out. Then he flipped the lid open and removed one of the glowing containers.
100 percent, totally non-chemically altered yellow eco. You just didn’t come across this stuff every day. Jinx was already tingling and he hadn’t even opened it yet. His grimy fingers curled around the lid of the canister and he almost felt like a kid again. Grin stretching wider almost so it hurt, just like when he’d got his first taste…
The obnoxious beep of his communicator should not have made him jump as much as it had.
“For fuck’s…”
Jinx snarled, scowling as he glanced over at the thing. His expression twisted into a smirk when he really did look at it however. And why shouldn’t it have? That was Pretty-boy’s number.
One of those lovely fond memories popped up, settled in Jinx’ belly and the warmth of it brought a grin to his face. He pressed the talk button and the comm sparked to life.
“Well if it isn’t Pretty-boy? You finally get tired of reliving last week with yer hand? Not the same, eh?” Jinx’s grin was manic. “Come on up. I’ll buzz ya in. I promise ya I got much better things planned for you an’ me. Guarantee ta have ya squealing my name by the start line as long as that pretty ass of yours is involved this round.”
By the time Jinx turned back to the communicator, it had grown to its full size and there floating a few inches away from him was the gaping mug of one fuzzy orange rat.
Daxter’s mouth closed. Then opened again. Beady rodent eyes, wider than Jinx had ever seen them, turned to Jak, “What the hell is he talking about?! Wait! No… No! Don’t… jus-just don’t! I don’t wanna hear it! Crimmony, I just ate!” Daxter added with dramatic gagging in tow for effect.
The comm then panned to the person Jinx’s comments had actually been directed. Jinx noted that the shade of red Jak’s face had taken on clashed horribly with his scarf. The green haired hero’s mouth hung slightly agape in shock. Daxter’s gloved paw grabbed the comm’s lens and turned back towards him, so Jinx could see him. He clutched at his stomach as his tongue comically hung out of the side of his mouth.
“Look here Mr. Congeniality, do me a favor and keep those gutter-worthy pick up lines to yerself eh?” The ottsel smacked his lips together, face frowning as if he tasted something awful. He turned to Jak and muttered, “I think I threw up a little, Jak. Oh… by the Precursors! I think I just tasted last night’s supper! Oh god, Tess’ yakow surprise was bad enough the first time I had to suffer though it.” He wailed before burying his face in the older boy’s hair.
Jinx snickered a bit before leaning in, leering, “So, Jakkie-boy, ya coming up or what? And-ah, leave the rat outside. I don’t do rodents.”
Daxter’s face contorted to something akin to complete outrage. “What?!” He screeched, “I wouldn’t let you touch me even if you suddenly grew a set of double Ds and got a face transplant, Scuzzball! And be-lieve me pal, that would have to be on hell of a gifted craftsman to make you anything worth locking my highly discriminating peepers on, Sulfur Breath!”
The blond man on the other end of the comm narrowed his eyes, grinning deviously.
“Oh, so ah… you into that sorta thing, rat boy?” Jinx said confidentially. “All a guy needs to do is buy him a set a tits and you’re willing to ignore the dangly bits underneath the skirt, eh?”
By this point, Jak was growing tired of the little exchange of wit. Daxter just stood on the boy’s shoulder, slack-jawed and trembling with rage.
All the ottsel could get out were incomprehensible squeals of indignation.
“Dax!” Jak growled in frustration. Daxter’s squealing in his ear was only making the situation worse.
The ottsel wilted at the sound of his voice, mumbling something along the lines of, “He started it…” before scowling at the comm screen and crossing his scrawny arms over his chest.
“Look Jinx,” Jak started, sounding a bit more tired than he probably should have. “You gonna let us up or not?”
Daxter balked. “We’re not seriously going in this deathtrap, are we?”
Jak cut his eyes at his furry companion.
“Sure.” Jinx chuckled and he walked over to his door to buzz them in. “Come on up.”
Just before the comm went out he heard the rat muttering, “You didn’t really let that…that thing… touch you, did ya Jak?”
Jinx snorted in amusement.
~oo0oo~
“Holy Sages! What in the heck?! Look at this place, Jak! Don’t touch anything! Ya might get some incurable disease… Or worse… lice!” The ottsel suddenly broke into a fit of scratching. “Oh god! I’m gonna need a flea dip by the time I get out of this joint!”
“I didn’t invite you up, Ratface!” Jinx snarled, before turning back to whatever it was he was fiddling with.
Jak sighed; he had the feeling that Daxter probably shouldn’t be trying to piss Jinx off at the moment. From the look and smell of this place not to mention the profession of the man who resided here, things might very well become deadly if Jinx made one misstep on that stuff he was tinkering on.
“Cut it out Daxter.” Jak groaned and stepped over an empty cardboard box.
Though Daxter did sort of have a point, calling Jinx’ apartment cramped would be an understatement. It was filled to the brim with boxes and Freedom League crates and all kinds of junk he couldn’t be bothered to name. Every window in the place was boarded up. The only light source available were the dim fluorescent bulbs swinging precariously from the cracked ceiling. The whole place smelled of stale air and dust, smoke and sweat… and something metallic.
Jak looked to the glaring ottsel on his shoulder.
“Look big guy, you don’t owe this neanderthal nuthin’. Plenty folks get drunk off their tails and do stupid crap at my parties.” Daxter stopped to grin in Jinx’s direction, although the man didn’t even turn around to acknowledge his friend. “Don’t worry, I won’t hold it against you buddy. But you’re stifling my natural born wit here…You’re killing me!”
“Shut up, rat!” Jinx snarled, but he still didn’t turn around.
The older man went quiet again, amazingly enough. Jinx sat at the table, perched on the edge of a FG crate, bending over something he was working on. Did this guy not believe in furniture? In fact, the only real furniture Jak had spotted in the room was the wooden table and the bed against the opposite wall.
Jak raised a brow. Just what was Jinx doing over there?
It would seem however that Jinx was way more concerned with what he was working on than entertaining his guests. The man barely spared them a glance. His hair was loose and messy, hanging down a little ways past his shoulder blades. The smell that permeated the room had gotten a bit stronger all of a sudden and that light on Jinx’ table got a little brighter. Wait… that smell… it was like…
“You some sort a vampire or something, Boom-boy?” Daxter crowed, shaking Jak from his thoughts. “No like ‘a the light au natural? Hey! Just what the hell are you doing over there anyway?!”
It was about time Daxter got around to that. Jak almost thought he’d have break down and ask himself.
“Torn sent us to get you,” Jak muttered. “You’re supposed to be helping with demolition at the Metalhead city.”
“That’s what I’m doing, Blondie.”
Jinx turned around to look at him from over his shoulder with one of those dementedly naughty grins of his. Jak fought to keep down the blush that tingles on his face as flashes of that night a week or so ago resurfaced. The feel of warm tobacco-scented breath on his face and a hot hand on his… Jak dropped his head. The floor was becoming more and more interesting by the minute.
Daxter rolled his eyes, “Blargh! Look buddy there will be no hanky panky in front of the ottsel. Wait… no… there will be no hanky panky period! Right Jak?! Tell him to lay off eh?”
Jinx wholly ignored the verbal tirade and continued placing whatever it was he’d been working on into a leather satchel with a curious sort of care. All the while, he hummed a happy little tune around the cigar clinched between his teeth.
However, Daxter was determined to get his point across and defend the honor of his defiled best pal. The ottsel leapt off Jak’s shoulder and scampered onto Jinx’ worktable, puffing up his just in an attempt to intimidate the man. “You should be ashamed of yourself,” He pointed accusingly at the other blond in the room and continued, ”Taking advantage of my friend like that. He was drunk!” And then added out the side of his mouth, “And probably hornier than a snorklopine during mating season. BUT-- that still don’t give you any right to molest him against his will! Oh god! If that even is what happened?!”
Daxter turned around and looked at him, his face full of lingering hope. “Please tell me I’m wrong Jak! Please tell me you and this half man, half lurker didn’t…” He paused and shivered with disgust.
Jak paled. He didn’t actually expect him to answer that… did he?
“I…uh…”
Before Jak could even get his mind on track enough to respond. Jinx slung the leather bag over his shoulder, knocking Daxter clear off the table and onto the floor. The longhaired man strode over to him with that smile on his face again. Jak didn’t even realize he’d been retreating until his back hit one of the boarded windows. Tobacco scented breath warm on his face…
Daxter was never going to let him hear the end of this. Jak tried to focus on anything but the smirk on the other man’s face. A smirk that, mind you, was getting closer and closer to his own face by the second. Placing his hand on the wall next to Jak’s head, Jinx leaned in close enough to make Jak uncomfortable. That was when Jak noticed the huge bruise on Jinx’ shoulder, even visible underneath his bandolier. The sudden memory of what it felt like to sink his teeth into the other man’s skin and the taste of him on his tongue…
“Oh god…”
"Is that what happened, Pretty-boy?" Jinx’ voice deepened, his eyes getting darker suddenly. "A little rub and moan for a horny, helpless little boy, eh?"
Jak fought back a shudder and Jinx grinned even wider. But before either of them could make another move, a fuzzy foot was planted on both he and Jinx’ chest, forcing them apart.
“Hey. Hey. Hey!!! Cut it out! I thought we talked about this! No hanky panky in front of the ottsel!”
And, suddenly, Jak remembered why Daxter was his best friend.
~oo0oo~
After the debacle upstairs, Jak had been more than a little anxious to get out of there. Jinx had angrily removed Daxter’s foot from his person, then gave him another one of those damned looks of his and headed out the door.
The moist air of the port had been a relief compared to the oppressive odor of Jinx’ apartment. Though, Jak did still have to deal with Daxter’s distaste for the other passenger in the cruiser. Daxter had yet to do anything but glare at Jinx the whole car ride so far. And Jinx was doing a pretty good job of ignoring his friend, busying himself with pulling his hair back into a ponytail and giving Jak suggestive looks. This, of course, did not go unnoticed by the ottsel.
“I don’t know why Tattoo Face is so stuck on us bring you along.” Daxter muttered. “S’not like some other gunpowder snorting primate couldn’t do your job.”
Jak raised a brow. Daxter was being unusually mean today.
“Just cause you were a little useful during the war with that blast bot don’t make you some sorta genius or sumthin’.”
Suddenly another memory drifted into Jak’s thoughts.
“I think we've got a boomer of a plan here. You know those Blast Bots you've seen around? Well, I captured one. Don't ask. I'll show ya the scars later.”
The words came out before Jak could stop them. “Just how did you capture that blast bot anyway, Jinx?”
The blond bomb expert glanced over at him with a smug grin. Daxter just looked at him wide eyed, as if he was just shocked that Jak had said a word.
“I thought I told you not to ask?” Jinx glared at Daxter before adding. “But I might could be convinced ta tell ya later,” a wink, “I’ll even show you those scars I told you about.”
“Ugh, god! Someone put me out of my misery.”
“I though you’d never-”
“Jinx.”
Daxter and Jinx’ little verbal sparring match was really beginning to get on his nerves. It didn’t help matters either that he was actually considering taking Jinx up on his offer.
“Ah, Metalhead city!” Daxter crowed in relief. “I never thought I’d be happy to see this place again!”
~oo0oo~
Jinx had experienced infinitely worse smells than the ones lingering in the air around this place. Haven’s sewers by no means were runner up compared to what was left of the Metalhead city in regards to pure stank, but that doesn’t mean that Jinx waltzed in here unprepared. Thanks to the removal of the river of acidic waste that ran through the entire MH metropolis the smell had gotten considerably better. Jinx secured his red scarf over his mouth. The air musty and though the smell may not have been as potent that didn’t mean he wasn’t going to take measures to lessen its effect.
The almighty governess had gotten some of Haven’s top scientists and even a few from out of town in to find a way to dispose of the deadly river. There was nothing left there to add to the muck or was it away, so it became stagnant and probably even more potent.
Jinx didn’t know and didn’t care about the process of removal they’d used. Honestly, he really couldn’t have cared less. All he knew was that the place was reasonably safe for human inhabitance now, and Ashelin had gotten together a sizable army of demolitionists, construction workers and architects in order to in order to make it that way.
He, naturally, had been at the top of her list. It would seem his work during the war had not gone unappreciated.
He, Jak, and the kid’s pet rat made it through the checkpoint just fine. Freedom Guards were still a constant sight on the streets of the city, but especially in full force around this site. The place may have been cleared out of nasty man eating beasts and corrosives but that didn’t make it any less dangerous to those stupid enough to stumble in.
The acid river may have been gone but it left behind one hell of a steep drop.
Jinx strolled through the site past the other workers, barely sparing a grunt in greeting here and there. He was much more concerned with other things at the moment. Kicking open the back gate of the fencing, he headed off toward the untouched area of the Metalhead city. He would need to test these explosives in an area that was uninhabited by his idiot co-workers.
Jinx remembered what this place had been like when the Metalheads had still been running it. Festering, humid, generally just a whole lot creepier. The landscape was decided less… moist. The organic surfaces had dried and cracked, taking on different shades of brown. The huge pods and vines and living walls should have dried and crumbled away, but since these were Metalhead structures, it couldn’t be that simple. The formations seemed only to harden when they died, drying and taking on the density and strength of some type of metal that none of the previously employed demolition techniques had yet to put a dent in.
Lucky for them he was fucking gifted.
~oo0oo~
“Wha… where the hell is he going?!”
Jak really could care less about finding out who was yelling behind him. He was too busy wondering what the hell Jinx was doing himself. Jak began following the older man out the back fence of the construction site and into the rest of the barren city.
“Um… Jak?” Daxter voice sounded worried, as usual. The ottsel gripped one of his hears as he leaned in muttering worriedly. “I know this place is supposed to be cleared of slobbering, razor-clawed beasties and all but… um… Can’t we go back to the part that’s… um… guarded?! I mean Boom-boy can take care of himself, right?”
Jak rolled his eyes and kept walking.
“Since when did we become his personal bodyguards anyway?! Why are we even here?!”
Jak watched Jinx intently, barely paying any attention to Daxter’s rambling. He had accompanied Jinx on dangerous missions before, watching the man’s back. This wasn’t any different than before. Except, that no one had to ask him and it wasn’t like he had anything else to do. There was nothing else to it, surely.
It was strange being in the MH city again. He’d had no need to venture into the territory since the end of the war, and stayed away mostly because all of the construction. It was eerie how quiet it was now (especially since the last time he’d been here it had been busying with beasts dead set on killing him). Well, this far out, at least; distance greatly muted the sounds of construction, at this point. He could make out the sound of Jinx muttering to himself and by the time Jak had caught up to him the man was kneeling at the base of steel pillar. Jak squinted against the light of the midday sun. He was sure that pillar had been something else completely the last time he’d been in this place. If fact, a lot of things seemed to have changed since the last time he was here.
“Damned stubborn shit.” Jinx grumbled.
“Hey, Jak this looks like one of them pod thingies… only… metal--lier.” Daxter said as he hopped off his shoulder and waltzed up to the former pod and knocked against it with fuzzy knuckles.
The short and deep clang gave Jak the impression that the pillar was indeed solid.
“Move over.”
Jinx nudged his friend out the way rudely, before reaching into his bag and pulling out a round silver ball. Bright yellow light peeked through slits along the sides. The explosives expert held the sphere up proudly, pulling his scarf down in order to give Jak yet another smug grin.
“If this baby can’t take this sucker out, ain’t nothing that can,” Jinx said, reaching up the solidified pod and placing the device at its base. “Those dumbasses were using dark and red eco mixtures.” He continued talking, seemingly to himself, as he walked past the other two. “Move yer ass Pretty-boy…” He called back over his shoulder.
The green-blond spared the pod one last look before scooping his friend up and taking off after the older man.
“Any fucking low level chemist coulda told them idiots that dark eco ain’t gonna do shit against dark fucking eco.”
“Dark eco did that?” Jak asked, finally catching up once again. Not that he was too surprised; Metalheads oozed the stuff, and dark eco had never been the most predictable substance around.
Now that they were back behind the fence, Jinx started fiddling with a remote control. The green-eyed man took a seat beside one the treads of a very large looking machine. Despite his better judgment, Jak took a seat next to Jinx and leaned over slightly to take a look at the remote. Jinx looked up at him with a grin.
“Ya wanna do the honors, Blondie?”
This was an offer Jak couldn’t resist.
“Wha…”
Jinx sighed and reached over, leaning in close and thumbed a shiny red button. Jak got the feeling he should have realized this was the trigger.
“Press it and my little baby will release a bit of red inta tha yellow. Not a good mix unless you wanna make a lotta noise, eh.” Jinx smirked at him.
Somewhere in front of the two Daxter snorted disgustedly. “I thought we discussed this?!”
Jak glanced up suddenly, brows furred in confusion.
“Don’t pay Killjoy no mind, Jakkie.” Jinx glared briefly at the ottsel before turning back to Jak with a demented grin. “Push da button.”
Jak grinned back, “Okay.”
~oo0oo~
The gig had gone as smooth as butter. The yellow eco bombs he’d whipped up had packed just enough wallop to send the more stubborn monuments of Metalhead achievement into a powered existence. He’d gotten he yellow to red eco ratio down perfectly it seemed.
The look on Jakkie-boy’s face when he pressed the shiny red button of doom had been fucking perfect. The way the kid’s eyes lit up, that grin that appeared on Jak’s face and lingered long after. It warmed Jinx’ heart to be able to provide the teenager with his first “experience”. After such a memorable event, completing the most glorious chain of reactions ever seen was the icing on the cake.
Today had been a hell of a fucking day. And though sadly the man obviously had no interest in the true gloriousness of Jinx’ achievement, the head of Red’s little demolition team was buying.
Ah, it was good to be a hero, even if it would only last for the night.
So here he was sitting in booth at the Naughty Ottsel, once again lounging comfortably and entertaining a wonderful bunch of ladies. All of which were dressed in the skimpiest outfits you’d ever wish to see.
These ladies made it a point to frequent this joint around this time of day. Not that Jinx could blame them. He wasn’t too keen on the bar’s fur-faced proprietor, but the place did seem to attract quite the clientele. Mostly city workers with pockets full of creds finally off from a hard day’s work and looking for a way to unwind. The occasional group of off duty FGs just hopping to enjoy their time off for a change, all the picture perfect target group for what this selfless ladies of strip had to offer.
Jinx, however, was quite partial to his creds and had no intention of sharing them with any of these fine young women of the boulevard…but they didn’t have to know this just yet. Besides, Jinx was savoring the looks that his horde of groupies was getting from a certain savior of the known world. It wasn’t like he was going to do any more than talk with them, but Jak didn’t have to know that just yet either.
~oo0oo~
He hadn’t been staring and he most definitely hadn’t snarled either. Jinx was just a drunken bastard that seemed to think he was worth being snarled over. He’d just kindly asked the girls to leave. Daxter was closing up and these… ladies… were holding up the process.
The girls cleared out mighty fast once he showed up, though. Not that he cared. He’d gotten them to leave and that’s all that mattered.
The bar was pretty empty now. Tess and Daxter were cleaning up the last of the glasses and tidying up. However, there was one last thing that had to be taken care of before they could lock the doors. Daxter had adamantly insisted that Jak would be the one that would have this great responsibility.
This “responsibility” was currently staring up at him from his position laid out across the booth bench. With eyes glazed over and the silliest grin on his face, Jinx was way past drunk and giggling like an idiot.
“Preeeeeety Boy,” a snicker, “Wassup?!” Jinx gave Jak a lopsided grin.
Jak sighed. “I’m taking you home.”
“Owww… sounds promisin’.”
Jinx rolled over onto his stomach a little too enthusiastically for Jak’s tastes (which didn’t take much in Jinx’ case) and crawled closer. The green-eyed man’s gaze was clouded with something Jak just chalked up to the amount of alcohol in his system. This belief further allowed Jak to ignore the hand that grabbed hold of his belt and the debauched grin he received next. And though he was quite sure that Jinx’ drunkenness could also be attributed to what happened next, it didn’t make it any less amusing when the older man slid off the leather cushion and onto the hard wood floor.
~~~~~~
[Author’s Note: Okay. I admit that I suck for taking so long with this. But I was busy with courses and other fics. And honestly I had no clue where I was going with this fic, but I got an idea now. So hopefully, this baby will be moving along at a reasonable pace now. Since I graduated college and all. I’m free! Free to write lovely Jinx/Jak-ness. *cough*]
Deleted Scene: “Jinx Finds His Beloved Yellow Eco” written by CSkerries
Jinx: ::sets Box down carefully::
Jinx: It’s time to go to work again, my dearest and most loveliest. :D
Box: ::immobile::
Jinx: ::strokes Box lovingly:: Oooo, yeah. Come ta daddy. b:
Box: ::unresponsive::
Jinx: Aw, don’t be like that. Let’s see what you have in there, huh? ::naughtily fingers Box’s locks open and lifts its lid::
Box: …
Jinx: That shit makes me so hot. 8F