[ He doesn't have to admit it. It's a valid concern based on her past behaviour. And it's not like she isn't tempted, just out of habit. But she does truly want to try to be better. In many respects, she's still failing. This is one where she has a chance to succeed. ]
Girlfriend You can have a freebie.
[ It's the literal least she can do. After a brief pause, ]
There's something I should tell you too. I met up with William to discuss contracting.
( he's about to make a joke about getting a girlfriend freebie before she follows up with that last bit and all he can do for several long moments is stare at her message. )
I had to be. I wanted to get information out of him. So I dangled that in front of him and he agreed to an interview under the effects of those mushrooms that keep you from lying.
I don't want to. But if the only way to stop him from hurting people is to dig a hole and bury him in it, he wouldn't have a sub to come looking for him.
( the weather's warmer so it makes the walk from the up and clary's place to the down easier. crossing from one part of the city to the other is still a pain in the ass but he and zingo make it across easy enough.
and once he's in the down, it's just a matter of winding his way to jessica's office. the sidewalks are dotted by the usual mix of gang members and other unsavory characters but marcos keeps his head down and zingo wisely doesn't bark.
once he's in front of the door, he doesn't knock but crouches down to tell zingo where they are and zingo barks a few times to announce their arrival. )
[ She's added another couch to the waiting area of the office, larger than the first and arranged perpendicular to it in a broken L shape. It's just a cheap futon but it is at least new. As thrifty as she is, she draws the line at a buying a secondhand mattress in sex city.
Most of the crap on top of the coffee table is transferred to her desk or any available shelf space. She puts some glasses out along with bourbon and vodka. Both bottles have been previously opened, obviously, but they're the fullest she's got.
Zingo's bark at the door startles her with a smile. Shaking her head, she crosses to the door, unlocks it and swings it open. ]
( zingo's already bouncing at her by the time marcos unhooks her from the leash and once she's free, she winds her way around jessica's legs, sniffing and jumping at her before she zips inside and finds the spot she tends to occupy when marcos is here. )
I taught her everything she knows.
( he waits until zingo's inside before he smiles at her and steps in, brushing his fingers along her waist as he does. )
She's probably cuter than me, though. That's what most people tell me.
[ She tries and fails to keep up with Zingo in order to pet her, finally catching a break when Zingo jumps up on her. Jess gives her ears a good scrub before she dashes off. ]
Most people are right. [ She says with a dry, warm look. No fisherman has ever liked what they caught, trying to coax a compliment out of Jessica Jones. Nonetheless, she leans in to kiss him. She cradles his cheek in her hand, imparting how she's missed him despite how they've not been apart long. ]
( honestly, marcos will take a kiss from jessica jones over a compliment any day of the week. he tucks his fingers into the waist of her jeans while she kisses him, pressing closer and nosing against her cheek and ear after they've pulled apart. )
Hey, I missed you too.
( and he has. it hasn't been that long but he's very attached to her now and not seeing her for a day or so is enough for him to miss her. )
She tugs him further into the office, her hand falling down his arm and hooking on his wrist. She can feel he's got the bracelet on, which, though she didn't doubt it, brings a renewed sense of comfort to her. He's so goddamn reasonable compared to reactive 20-year-olds and the black hole of decency that is William. ]
New bed. Kinda. [ She nods to the futon. It's still in couch mode but the promise of more room is there. ]
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Girlfriend
You can have a freebie.
[ It's the literal least she can do. After a brief pause, ]
There's something I should tell you too.
I met up with William to discuss contracting.
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what?
are you serious?
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I wanted to get information out of him. So I dangled that in front of him and he agreed to an interview under the effects of those mushrooms that keep you from lying.
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would you actually do it?
contract with him?
put yourself in that position where he can have some control over you?
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But if the only way to stop him from hurting people is to dig a hole and bury him in it, he wouldn't have a sub to come looking for him.
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again?
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[ and it's still a crapshoot. ]
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he takes a slow breath and brushes a hand through his hair. )
you can't make sure he doesn't hurt people and not contract with him?
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[ aka fucking nick ]
Which is just another plate to spin
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But when he comes back without memories it might be easier to corral him.
[ so it's not off the table. ]
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i hate even the thought of you being around him for longer than a few seconds
i hate it.
i understand why you're thinking of doing it
but i hate it.
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I want there to be another way. I'm not done looking for it.
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okay.
if i can do anything, let me know
if you just want company, let me know.
i just want you to be okay
and not be alone for this.
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In the meantime do you wanna spend the night?
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i'm not gonna stop whatever you think you have to do
but i won't hesitate to blind him if he fucks with you.
and yeah, i do.
your office?
you need me to bring you anything?
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You should know in case he ever tries to fuck with you.
[ a scenario she's prepared for but considers as infrequently as possible. when she stares too long into that darkness, it threatens to take over. ]
The office.
I don't need anything.
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instead, he let's it go for the moment. )
all right
i'm on the way
zingo's with me but she'll curl up in her corner when i get there.
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[ the nice way to phrase that would have been "she's always welcome." ]
Stay safe you two.
( → action )
and once he's in the down, it's just a matter of winding his way to jessica's office. the sidewalks are dotted by the usual mix of gang members and other unsavory characters but marcos keeps his head down and zingo wisely doesn't bark.
once he's in front of the door, he doesn't knock but crouches down to tell zingo where they are and zingo barks a few times to announce their arrival. )
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Most of the crap on top of the coffee table is transferred to her desk or any available shelf space. She puts some glasses out along with bourbon and vodka. Both bottles have been previously opened, obviously, but they're the fullest she's got.
Zingo's bark at the door startles her with a smile. Shaking her head, she crosses to the door, unlocks it and swings it open. ]
Cute trick.
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I taught her everything she knows.
( he waits until zingo's inside before he smiles at her and steps in, brushing his fingers along her waist as he does. )
She's probably cuter than me, though. That's what most people tell me.
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Most people are right. [ She says with a dry, warm look. No fisherman has ever liked what they caught, trying to coax a compliment out of Jessica Jones. Nonetheless, she leans in to kiss him. She cradles his cheek in her hand, imparting how she's missed him despite how they've not been apart long. ]
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Hey, I missed you too.
( and he has. it hasn't been that long but he's very attached to her now and not seeing her for a day or so is enough for him to miss her. )
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She tugs him further into the office, her hand falling down his arm and hooking on his wrist. She can feel he's got the bracelet on, which, though she didn't doubt it, brings a renewed sense of comfort to her. He's so goddamn reasonable compared to reactive 20-year-olds and the black hole of decency that is William. ]
New bed. Kinda. [ She nods to the futon. It's still in couch mode but the promise of more room is there. ]
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cw violence, dub/noncon
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