Fic: Now And Forever I: Johnny’s Indulgence (12/22)
Title: Now And Forever I: Johnny’s Indulgence (12/22)
Author: BradyGirl_12
Pairings/Characters (this chapter): Mel/Johnny, Red Hamilton, Harry ‘Pete’ Pierpont, Russell Clark, Eddie Green
Fandom: Public Enemies
Genres: AU, Captivefic, Drama, Hurt/Comfort, Romance
Rating (this chapter): G
Warnings: None
Spoilers: For the movie, natch. :)
General Summary: During the chaos of the shoot-out at Little Bohemia, Special Agent Melvin Purvis is captured by the Dillinger Gang and becomes a ‘Hostage To Fortune’…and ‘Johnny’s Indulgence’.
Chapter Summary: Johnny tries to put some distance between him and Mel.
Date Of Completion: August 3, 2009
Date Of Posting: September 6, 2009
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, Universal does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 1641
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
Author’s Notes: This story was inspired by Mary Renault’s The Persian Boy. Alexander the Great’s men accepted their leader’s indulgence, who happened to be Bagoas, the Persian Boy, an ex-slave who shared Alexander’s bed. They didn’t object to him being male but that he was a barbarian (non-Greek). It showed their love and respect for Alexander when they accepted Bagoas, and learned to respect him in his own right.
Canon is a jumping-off point but I changed several things, including the survival of Johnny’s gang, as their dynamic was important to this story.
Mostly this is drama with elements of romance, so I said what the heck and included that in the Genre. :)
Yeah, this was going to be a one-shot, albeit a long one, but the boys were just too much fun to play with. ;)
So, enjoy this story of seduction, sex, and a touch of Stockholm Syndrome. ;)
The entire series can be found here.
XII
"...TOO LATE"
"Don’t get too close,
Don’t get too close,
Don’t get too close
To me...
...too late."
Callie Holliday
"Dawn’s Sky"
RCA Records
1932 C.E.
The next morning, Johnny slipped out of bed before Mel awoke. He went outside for a smoke.
This was getting out of hand. He wished he could see Billie, smell her perfume, kiss her soft lips…
He sighed. Things were getting too complicated. He had better put some distance between him and Special Agent Purvis while he could.
He went back inside to see if Red was up.
& & & & & &
Red Hamilton was a practical man. He opened the door to the bedroom, handcuff key in hand, ready to take their ‘guest’ to the bathroom. No exercising today as Mel was still not quite 100%.
The agent looked up with a smile, surprise showing in the next second.
“Good morning, Agent Purvis.”
“Good morning, Mr. Hamilton.”
Red unlocked the cuffs and escorted a clearly-puzzled Mel to the bathroom, waiting while he showered, then brought him back.
“Can you handle some toast and blackberries?”
At Mel’s nod, Red went to the kitchen and returned in five minutes, setting the tray over his lap. He had added apple juice, too, and settled into the rocking chair.
Mel ate slowly, careful of his stomach. He finally looked up and asked, “Is John all right?”
Red kept rocking. “He’s fine, just got stuff to do.”
Mel nodded slowly, taking a sip of juice.
When he finished the meal, Red brought him back to the bathroom to brush his teeth and stretch his legs. As they headed back to the bedroom, a burst of laughter came from the kitchen, Johnny holding court. The agent’s face was carefully neutral, but something flickered in his eyes.
Red chained him up and asked, “Feeling okay?”
“Yes, thank you,” came the soft answer.
Red suddenly felt sorry for the agent. Cut adrift from Johnny’s charm and attention wasn’t easy. He sat in the rocking chair again.
“Gonna be a hot one,” Red said casually as he rocked.
“Yes.” Mel closed his eyes, then opened them quickly. “I’m sorry, that was rude of me.”
Red almost laughed. He had to admit, the guy was the politest hostage he’d ever met!
“Don’t worry ‘bout it.” Red laced his fingers across his stomach as he rocked gently. “So, according to all the newsreels and newspapers, you’re a rising young star in the Bureau.”
“I hope so.” Mel rubbed his forehead. “Though I’m not sure if this situation will derail that.”
Red considered that. “Mr. Hoover isn’t the reasonable type, eh?”
Mel hesitated, and Red realized that he was weighing his loyalty to his boss.
“He is a brilliant administrator, fighting constantly for our budget, keeping us in the public consciousness.”
“Guess we are helpin’ you with that.”
Mel smiled slightly. “That’s true.”
“So these new methods of yours…they can catch all the robbers out there?”
“Ah, now, Mr. Hamilton, that would be telling.”
Red laughed. He was beginning to understand Johnny’s fascination with their ‘guest’. He was certainly easy on the eyes and possessed a sense of humor.
They talked of events in the news before Mel’s kidnapping, as the agent knew nothing of the last few weeks.
“You’ve known Johnny a long time?”
Red nodded. “He’s a good friend. He’s loyal.”
“Your gang would do anything for him.”
“We would.” Red watched as a thoughtful expression appeared in the agent’s eyes. He was incredibly pretty. “We like people who treat Johnny good.” Mel nodded, and Red stood up, surprised that it was close to lunchtime. “I’ll be right back.”
He went to the kitchen, grabbing a beer. Johnny came in and laid out bread and cheese on the counter, opening the icebox.
“How’s our guest doing?”
Red took a swallow of beer. Damn, it was good to have real beer again instead of bathtub gin. If the Democrats did nothing else, Repeal was their shining star.
“He’s confused why you aren’t tending to him.”
Johnny unwrapped a package of ham. “Better this way. I need to start planning our next job, and I can’t do that with Goody Two-Shoes watching me.”
Red watched Johnny parcel out the slices of ham.
“He doesn’t seem like a prig.”
“He isn’t.” Johnny slapped the bread over the cheese and ham.
“Are you sure about this…?”
“Damnit, Red, you’re the one who pointed out that I forgot to chain him last night!”
“Yeah, well, he was too sick to go anywhere.”
Johnny stacked the sandwiches on a plate, yanking a cabinet door open. “I should join the poker game.” He took out a stack of plates. “Is he feeling okay?”
“He’s better.”
Johnny took the plates and the stack of sandwiches and left the kitchen.
Red drained the bottle and put the empty in the trash. Why was he trying to get Johnny back to Purvis? In his opinion, Johnny was getting too close. He knew the attraction Johnny had for the agent. Hell, he could understand that, seeing the man up close.
Red returned to the bedroom. Purvis was sitting up, a look of hopeful anticipation in his eyes as the door opened, quickly replaced by disappointment. Red took no offense. He would have felt the same way.
He learned more about the agent as they talked, the other man happy for company. Understandable, as despite the books Johnny supplied him with, he still had to get bored.
“South Carolina was filled with rebels a few generations ago,” Red noted.
Mel nodded. “Very much so. We were the first state to secede in 1860, right before Christmas.”
“I suppose your ancestors fought in the War?”
Mel nodded. “Both sides, actually.”
Red guffawed. “I imagine that made Thanksgiving dinner a bit awkward.”
Mel chuckled softly. “I expect so.”
“I guess it’s still like the 19th century down there.”
Mel frowned. “Not always.”
“Bet the Negroes would disagree.”
Sadness entered the agent’s eyes. “Probably so.” Mel bit his lip. “Mr. Hamilton, have I done something…wrong?”
“Why would you ask that?”
Mel looked down for a moment, then up and met Red’s eyes. “Sorry.” Unspoken was Why won’t Johnny see me?
Red smiled. “It’s okay, really. Johnny needs to take care of some business.”
Mel nodded slowly. “Thank you.” He winced. “I think I’d better lie down.”
“Headache again?” Red asked sympathetically.
“Yes.” There was real pain in Mel’s voice.
Red got him aspirin and after taking the pills, Mel stretched out, Red quietly leaving the room.
& & & & & &
Mel sighed. Had his illness disgusted Johnny? But he’d been the one to insist on staying in the bathroom during the unpleasantness.
Maybe he was getting bored. John Dillinger lived for excitement and variety, not nursemaiding a sick cop.
Maybe it was time for another escape attempt, but he immediately dismissed that notion. For one thing, John would probably guess that he would try it after losing his attention, and secondly, he was uncertain of his health. If a dizzy spell hit again when he was out in the woods, probably lost…
He would have to trust Johnny’s word that he would not be killed, but set free when the gang left this place.
Feeling miserable, Mel tried to get some sleep, his head throbbing.
& & & & & &
The poker game was going in full swing. Red wandered over to the dining room with a mug of fresh coffee. Pete, Russell, Tommy, Bob, and Eddie played, Johnny enthusiastically dealing the next round. A wreath of smoke encircled the table, the men enjoying good Cuban cigars.
Homer came in from the kitchen, taking his seat at the table. Red watched for awhile, amused at Johnny as the star. His charisma never quit.
“You gonna sit in, Red?” Johnny asked jovially.
“Nah, I’ll just watch this time.” Red leaned against the bookcase.
Johnny’s energy was infectious, and his good karma seemed to help him with his luck at cards, piling up a good portion of winnings.
Ribald jokes flew around the table as the men laughed over past exploits.
“Dumb flatfoot was flummoxed,” Homer chuckled. “He didn’t expect to see us.”
“We’re too smart for them,” Russell smirked.
“They sure think they know everything,” Pete said. “Speaking of which, how’s our guest?”
“I left him alone to try and get some sleep. His headache’s back. A bad one.”
Pete winced sympathetically as he picked up his cards.
Johnny stopped shuffling the cards for a second, then cheerfully dealt with professional patter.
It was after the game broke up an hour later that Red noticed Johnny quietly enter Mel’s room and smiled as he went to get more coffee.
& & & & & &
Johnny saw Mel curled up on his side, apparently asleep. He studied the agent’s face and saw once more lines of pain around his eyes and mouth. He gently smoothed silky hair back. The short hair was beginning to grow longer.
Johnny sighed. He really didn’t like seeing Mel in pain. Some gangsters would have enjoyed making him suffer, but that wasn’t Johnny. He didn’t like sadism or cruelty, especially to someone in as vulnerable a position as the Bureau’s No. 1 G-Man.
Mel suddenly came awake. “Johnny,” he muttered.
“Yep, it’s me, Sunshine.”
Mel smiled slightly, then looked ashamed. “I’m sorry ‘bout last night. I…I got sick...all over the place…” He winced, his headache worsening as his emotions were in a turmoil.
Johnny kicked off his shoes and climbed into bed, spooning behind Mel.
“Go to sleep, Sunshine.” He kissed the back of his companion’s head and smoothed his hair, listening to Mel’s breathing as he relaxed and gradually fell asleep.
Oh, Sunshine, what a pair we are.
He fell asleep, too, a little smile on his lips.
counter
Author: BradyGirl_12
Pairings/Characters (this chapter): Mel/Johnny, Red Hamilton, Harry ‘Pete’ Pierpont, Russell Clark, Eddie Green
Fandom: Public Enemies
Genres: AU, Captivefic, Drama, Hurt/Comfort, Romance
Rating (this chapter): G
Warnings: None
Spoilers: For the movie, natch. :)
General Summary: During the chaos of the shoot-out at Little Bohemia, Special Agent Melvin Purvis is captured by the Dillinger Gang and becomes a ‘Hostage To Fortune’…and ‘Johnny’s Indulgence’.
Chapter Summary: Johnny tries to put some distance between him and Mel.
Date Of Completion: August 3, 2009
Date Of Posting: September 6, 2009
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, Universal does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 1641
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
Author’s Notes: This story was inspired by Mary Renault’s The Persian Boy. Alexander the Great’s men accepted their leader’s indulgence, who happened to be Bagoas, the Persian Boy, an ex-slave who shared Alexander’s bed. They didn’t object to him being male but that he was a barbarian (non-Greek). It showed their love and respect for Alexander when they accepted Bagoas, and learned to respect him in his own right.
Canon is a jumping-off point but I changed several things, including the survival of Johnny’s gang, as their dynamic was important to this story.
Mostly this is drama with elements of romance, so I said what the heck and included that in the Genre. :)
Yeah, this was going to be a one-shot, albeit a long one, but the boys were just too much fun to play with. ;)
So, enjoy this story of seduction, sex, and a touch of Stockholm Syndrome. ;)
The entire series can be found here.
XII
"...TOO LATE"
"Don’t get too close,
Don’t get too close,
Don’t get too close
To me...
...too late."
Callie Holliday
"Dawn’s Sky"
RCA Records
1932 C.E.
The next morning, Johnny slipped out of bed before Mel awoke. He went outside for a smoke.
This was getting out of hand. He wished he could see Billie, smell her perfume, kiss her soft lips…
He sighed. Things were getting too complicated. He had better put some distance between him and Special Agent Purvis while he could.
He went back inside to see if Red was up.
& & & & & &
Red Hamilton was a practical man. He opened the door to the bedroom, handcuff key in hand, ready to take their ‘guest’ to the bathroom. No exercising today as Mel was still not quite 100%.
The agent looked up with a smile, surprise showing in the next second.
“Good morning, Agent Purvis.”
“Good morning, Mr. Hamilton.”
Red unlocked the cuffs and escorted a clearly-puzzled Mel to the bathroom, waiting while he showered, then brought him back.
“Can you handle some toast and blackberries?”
At Mel’s nod, Red went to the kitchen and returned in five minutes, setting the tray over his lap. He had added apple juice, too, and settled into the rocking chair.
Mel ate slowly, careful of his stomach. He finally looked up and asked, “Is John all right?”
Red kept rocking. “He’s fine, just got stuff to do.”
Mel nodded slowly, taking a sip of juice.
When he finished the meal, Red brought him back to the bathroom to brush his teeth and stretch his legs. As they headed back to the bedroom, a burst of laughter came from the kitchen, Johnny holding court. The agent’s face was carefully neutral, but something flickered in his eyes.
Red chained him up and asked, “Feeling okay?”
“Yes, thank you,” came the soft answer.
Red suddenly felt sorry for the agent. Cut adrift from Johnny’s charm and attention wasn’t easy. He sat in the rocking chair again.
“Gonna be a hot one,” Red said casually as he rocked.
“Yes.” Mel closed his eyes, then opened them quickly. “I’m sorry, that was rude of me.”
Red almost laughed. He had to admit, the guy was the politest hostage he’d ever met!
“Don’t worry ‘bout it.” Red laced his fingers across his stomach as he rocked gently. “So, according to all the newsreels and newspapers, you’re a rising young star in the Bureau.”
“I hope so.” Mel rubbed his forehead. “Though I’m not sure if this situation will derail that.”
Red considered that. “Mr. Hoover isn’t the reasonable type, eh?”
Mel hesitated, and Red realized that he was weighing his loyalty to his boss.
“He is a brilliant administrator, fighting constantly for our budget, keeping us in the public consciousness.”
“Guess we are helpin’ you with that.”
Mel smiled slightly. “That’s true.”
“So these new methods of yours…they can catch all the robbers out there?”
“Ah, now, Mr. Hamilton, that would be telling.”
Red laughed. He was beginning to understand Johnny’s fascination with their ‘guest’. He was certainly easy on the eyes and possessed a sense of humor.
They talked of events in the news before Mel’s kidnapping, as the agent knew nothing of the last few weeks.
“You’ve known Johnny a long time?”
Red nodded. “He’s a good friend. He’s loyal.”
“Your gang would do anything for him.”
“We would.” Red watched as a thoughtful expression appeared in the agent’s eyes. He was incredibly pretty. “We like people who treat Johnny good.” Mel nodded, and Red stood up, surprised that it was close to lunchtime. “I’ll be right back.”
He went to the kitchen, grabbing a beer. Johnny came in and laid out bread and cheese on the counter, opening the icebox.
“How’s our guest doing?”
Red took a swallow of beer. Damn, it was good to have real beer again instead of bathtub gin. If the Democrats did nothing else, Repeal was their shining star.
“He’s confused why you aren’t tending to him.”
Johnny unwrapped a package of ham. “Better this way. I need to start planning our next job, and I can’t do that with Goody Two-Shoes watching me.”
Red watched Johnny parcel out the slices of ham.
“He doesn’t seem like a prig.”
“He isn’t.” Johnny slapped the bread over the cheese and ham.
“Are you sure about this…?”
“Damnit, Red, you’re the one who pointed out that I forgot to chain him last night!”
“Yeah, well, he was too sick to go anywhere.”
Johnny stacked the sandwiches on a plate, yanking a cabinet door open. “I should join the poker game.” He took out a stack of plates. “Is he feeling okay?”
“He’s better.”
Johnny took the plates and the stack of sandwiches and left the kitchen.
Red drained the bottle and put the empty in the trash. Why was he trying to get Johnny back to Purvis? In his opinion, Johnny was getting too close. He knew the attraction Johnny had for the agent. Hell, he could understand that, seeing the man up close.
Red returned to the bedroom. Purvis was sitting up, a look of hopeful anticipation in his eyes as the door opened, quickly replaced by disappointment. Red took no offense. He would have felt the same way.
He learned more about the agent as they talked, the other man happy for company. Understandable, as despite the books Johnny supplied him with, he still had to get bored.
“South Carolina was filled with rebels a few generations ago,” Red noted.
Mel nodded. “Very much so. We were the first state to secede in 1860, right before Christmas.”
“I suppose your ancestors fought in the War?”
Mel nodded. “Both sides, actually.”
Red guffawed. “I imagine that made Thanksgiving dinner a bit awkward.”
Mel chuckled softly. “I expect so.”
“I guess it’s still like the 19th century down there.”
Mel frowned. “Not always.”
“Bet the Negroes would disagree.”
Sadness entered the agent’s eyes. “Probably so.” Mel bit his lip. “Mr. Hamilton, have I done something…wrong?”
“Why would you ask that?”
Mel looked down for a moment, then up and met Red’s eyes. “Sorry.” Unspoken was Why won’t Johnny see me?
Red smiled. “It’s okay, really. Johnny needs to take care of some business.”
Mel nodded slowly. “Thank you.” He winced. “I think I’d better lie down.”
“Headache again?” Red asked sympathetically.
“Yes.” There was real pain in Mel’s voice.
Red got him aspirin and after taking the pills, Mel stretched out, Red quietly leaving the room.
& & & & & &
Mel sighed. Had his illness disgusted Johnny? But he’d been the one to insist on staying in the bathroom during the unpleasantness.
Maybe he was getting bored. John Dillinger lived for excitement and variety, not nursemaiding a sick cop.
Maybe it was time for another escape attempt, but he immediately dismissed that notion. For one thing, John would probably guess that he would try it after losing his attention, and secondly, he was uncertain of his health. If a dizzy spell hit again when he was out in the woods, probably lost…
He would have to trust Johnny’s word that he would not be killed, but set free when the gang left this place.
Feeling miserable, Mel tried to get some sleep, his head throbbing.
& & & & & &
The poker game was going in full swing. Red wandered over to the dining room with a mug of fresh coffee. Pete, Russell, Tommy, Bob, and Eddie played, Johnny enthusiastically dealing the next round. A wreath of smoke encircled the table, the men enjoying good Cuban cigars.
Homer came in from the kitchen, taking his seat at the table. Red watched for awhile, amused at Johnny as the star. His charisma never quit.
“You gonna sit in, Red?” Johnny asked jovially.
“Nah, I’ll just watch this time.” Red leaned against the bookcase.
Johnny’s energy was infectious, and his good karma seemed to help him with his luck at cards, piling up a good portion of winnings.
Ribald jokes flew around the table as the men laughed over past exploits.
“Dumb flatfoot was flummoxed,” Homer chuckled. “He didn’t expect to see us.”
“We’re too smart for them,” Russell smirked.
“They sure think they know everything,” Pete said. “Speaking of which, how’s our guest?”
“I left him alone to try and get some sleep. His headache’s back. A bad one.”
Pete winced sympathetically as he picked up his cards.
Johnny stopped shuffling the cards for a second, then cheerfully dealt with professional patter.
It was after the game broke up an hour later that Red noticed Johnny quietly enter Mel’s room and smiled as he went to get more coffee.
& & & & & &
Johnny saw Mel curled up on his side, apparently asleep. He studied the agent’s face and saw once more lines of pain around his eyes and mouth. He gently smoothed silky hair back. The short hair was beginning to grow longer.
Johnny sighed. He really didn’t like seeing Mel in pain. Some gangsters would have enjoyed making him suffer, but that wasn’t Johnny. He didn’t like sadism or cruelty, especially to someone in as vulnerable a position as the Bureau’s No. 1 G-Man.
Mel suddenly came awake. “Johnny,” he muttered.
“Yep, it’s me, Sunshine.”
Mel smiled slightly, then looked ashamed. “I’m sorry ‘bout last night. I…I got sick...all over the place…” He winced, his headache worsening as his emotions were in a turmoil.
Johnny kicked off his shoes and climbed into bed, spooning behind Mel.
“Go to sleep, Sunshine.” He kissed the back of his companion’s head and smoothed his hair, listening to Mel’s breathing as he relaxed and gradually fell asleep.
Oh, Sunshine, what a pair we are.
He fell asleep, too, a little smile on his lips.
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