Chapter Text
It was Jack's first time back at the Wild Hunt after... he hadn't visited Abe. He had been confident in front of the posse of course... joked about the perks of being in good with the owner... made claims about getting their discount extended... his usual yapping, really...
And while he was confident about getting the discounted extended, since the mail coaches they had knocked over had a lot of fancy fabric things, he wasn't sure about how Abe was going to react. Was he going to be mad? Was this a line crossed? He had never asked about sleeping with other people, because he had assumed that the infernis was doing it too, and it had never been mentioned, but what if availing himself of the whores was A Problem? What was he going to do if he got sent away? How was he going to live down being turned away by a pander?
Well, he had the tin of tea that they had gotten in their haul, and it was fancy shit... That would work as a peace offering, right? Abe liked tea. If he at least got the older man to agree to share a cup, he was sure he could convince him to let him stay... Probably... Maybe...
He shoved all of that down into the deepest pit of his mind he could possibly conjure, and then squared his shoulders, and swaggered his way over to Abe's wagon with a grin on his face.
–
Abe had heard the commotion that meant Jack had brought a posse to the Hunt, because none of those fucks could be quiet. He didn't bother to get up though, since he didn't see a point in standing in the doorway and waiting for someone whose ego was so fragile they couldn't take a bit of ribbing. At least he hadn't caused problems... the outlaw had at least paid full price for what he'd done, and even if the girl had needed a few days off, she hadn't really complained. Hell, maybe he'd met his freak match!
It actually wasn't much longer than it usually took for Jack to stable his horse and discuss the discount with Mitzy, who refused to let Abe handle it, before there was a knock on his door. He closed the ledger and got to his feet, taking a moment to stretch before he walked over and opened the door. It was on the tip of his tongue to make a snide remark in response to that shit-eating grin... But that tattle-tail was wrapped in tight around his legs. One day the katari would realize he had that tell, and he would work to control it like he had done with the rest of his body language, and that would be a sad day, in the older man's opinion.
He arched a brow and leaned against the doorway, “Evenin' Jackie,” he said mildly, “Somethin' ya need?” he smirked, “Because I can't help ya bargain with Mitzy, yer on yer fuckin' own.”
“Nah, I already took care'a that,” the younger man said quickly, his tail not relaxing as he dug into his hip pack and pulled out a tin, “I just thought y'might like to share a cuppa this fancy tea I got off the mail coach,” he offered it to the conman, his smug grin still in place as the very tip of his tail twitched anxiously.
“Well now, I didn't expect ya t'bring me a fuckin' gift, Jackie,” Abe teased as he took the offering, and then pushed away from the door, stepping back out of the way so the katari could enter, “Careful now, or else I might start thinkin' yer sweet on me.”
“It ain't a gift!” the outlaw protested immediately, his grin dropping into a scowl, “I'm sharin' it with you! It's different!”
The older man arched a brow, “Sure Jackie,” he said with a grin, “Now get the fuck in here, and stop yellin' outside my wagon,” he turned and headed further inside to clear off his desk so he could use the surface. He heard the younger man enter, and continued about his business, pulling out the contraptions Rett had made for him so he wouldn't have to visit the chuck wagon every time he wanted a cup of tea or coffee in the middle of the night. He took the pitcher off the wash stand, and filled the kettle before setting it on its special plate, and then fished out the metal carafe to put the tea leaves into.
He heard Jack's boot heels striking the floor as he approached, “Now I fuckin' know y'ain't walkin' across my floor in yer dirty boots, nor are ya wearin' yer dusty ass hat inside my wagon.” He smirked at the annoyed groan he heard, and continued on about his business as the steps retreated, and the commotion of attempting to remove boots began. He didn't hear the other man approach again, but he felt his presence behind him... as well as a sense of hesitation and insecurity. Under normal circumstances, the conman would drag the teasing out a little more, just because he liked to see Jack off kilter, but this was on the verge of making him feel bad, considering that the other man was acting almost afraid.
He reached out with his tail, and lightly stroked over the outside of Jack's thigh before slipping it between his leg and tail, and gently pulling the katari's tail out of its anxious curl. He barely had time to let his tail fall away before the younger man stepped up behind him, pressing against his back and then resting his chin on the shorter man's shoulder. “What the fuck are ya even doin' over here?” he asked, snaking his arms around Abe's middle.
“Makin' the fuckin' tea, like you wanted,” the conman replied with amusement, and tilted his head ever so slightly to the side, not enough to give access to his neck, but enough it could be seen as a sign he could be persuaded.
“So why isn't it in the pot?” the younger man asked, and then lightly nosed at Abe's ear.
“Because that's not how y'make tea, y'uncivilized swine,” the older man chuckled, and lightly batted the other man's leg with his tail, “You don't fuckin' boil it, you pour hot water over it and let it steep.”
“What's the difference?” he asked without much interest as he nuzzled behind the shorter man's ear.
Thanks to decades of practice hiding his tells, Abe managed not to shiver, “One is lettin' the leaves sit in hot water, and the other is boilin', you idiot.”
“Mm,” Jack nosed his way further down the infernis' neck, and he gave in, tilting his head to give full access... and couldn't help but laugh when the katari immediately shoved his whole face into the bend of his neck and began aggressively rubbing into it.
“What the fuck are you doin'?” Abe lifted a hand to scratch at the base of the younger man's ear, earning a little trill.
“Y'always smell so fuckin' good!”
“It's called basic hygiene, y'feral little shit.”
“Nn mm,” Jack shook his head, and nuzzled harder into the bend of his neck, “It's different.”
Abe snorted in amusement, “Yes, yes, it's different because it's me... When's the last time ya had a wash, anyway? You wreak of horse.”
The younger man froze for a moment, “I, uh... I didn't know if...”
The older man quickly put that together, and he gently shoved at the top of his head, “Go wash up, Stinky,” he taunted, “and even if yer not comin' here to see me y'should wash up before ya visit the girls, it's just common courtesy.”
He felt a tension finally ease from the outlaw's frame as though he had just answered a question that hadn't been asked, and he spared a moment of amusement, before flicking the younger man's ear, "I don't care if y'sleep with the girls, so long as yer a payin' customer," he said, feeling Jack freeze behind him, "but yer not comin' to my bed afterwards, and yer leavin' with the customers. Yer either here as a guest'a mine, or a customer, no double dippin'." He gave the ear a sharp tug this time, "But if y'ever put one'a my girls outta commission in a way they didn't agree to, I'll turn you into a fuckin' rug, got it?"
"Yeah, yeah, I got it," Jack grumbled as he pulled away, and the infernis could feel his scowl, "Where's the pump?"
Abe blinked, and then turned to look at the other man, "Why in the fuck would ya need a pump?" he asked, and waved a hand, "there's a wash stand right there. There's plenty of water in the pitcher, and there's a washcloth and soap in the drawer." The younger man just blinked at him, and Abe pinched the bridge of his nose, "I swear t'the fuckin' Circles Below, you've never been inside in yer miserable life," he grumbled, and grabbed the cloth-backed leather pad he used as a pot holder, and removed the kettle from the heating plate to take it over and dump it into the basin in the wash stand. With that done, he refilled the kettle, and then poured the remaining water in the pitcher into the basin, and tested the temperature. "There,” he proclaimed as he returned the kettle to the heating plate, "much better than a fuckin' pump."
The part of Abe that was always outside the moment, watching, assessing, and cataloging wondered what the actual fuck the younger man's early life had been like for that worshipful look to flash through his eyes at this bare minimum of basic decency between friends. Especially considering he knew that Rett would never have forced a kid to scrub up in cold water, and all Jack would need to do would be ask for warm water...
But Jack would never ask... just like he hadn't asked even though Abe was literally standing there heating water.
"Are you waitin' for a fuckin' invitation?" the infernis prodded gently, "Get undressed," he pointed, "if ya put yer clothes in that net bag, I'll add them to the wash when I go refill the pitcher." There was no point in asking when the last time they had been washed was... it had likely been longer than the last time the katari himself had washed.
He turned as the feeling of hesitancy filled the air once more, and arched a brow. The outlaw's tail was in close to his body, but at least it wasn't wrapped around his legs this time. "They gonna be done in the same amount'a time it takes to drink a cup'a tea?" he asked, his voice and expression casual.
"Oh, were you only here for the tea?" the conman tilted his head, "I thought the tea was an excuse t'get inta my wagon."
The younger man's brows twitched together as he examined that statement for traps, and tried to think of the least embarrassing response to that. It was fun watching him squirm. "It's a nice wagon," he said, striving for nonchalance, "It's nicer than th'other ones."
Abe smirked, "And why's it nicer?" he prodded, "Compared to th'others it's downright fuckin' spartan." After all, he didn't have customers to entertain, and so didn't need any fripperies that he didn't actively want.
Jack shifted his weight before his grin suddenly widened as he seemed to have hit upon an acceptable answer, "Because yer ass is in it, so this's the best view in camp," he blustered.
The older man's smirk widened, "Good answer," he turned his attention to collecting a pair of mugs for them, "I aint plannin' to kick ya out, Jackie," he added mildly, "but yer welcome to leave whenever ya feel like." He immediately heard the sound of a gun belt hitting the floor, and rolled his eyes, "Don't drop yer fuckin' weapons, hang them up like Rett taught ya basic gun safety, like I fuckin' know he did!" He couldn't help but chuckle softly as he heard the katari growl under his breath, but do as he was told anyway. "If yer stayin' the night, put yer clothes in the bag, I ain't havin' 'em stink up the wagon."
He wasn't sure if it was amusing or sad the way the younger man had been dancing around the question. Ever since the first time Abe had kicked him out, he had never dared to ask directly again... it never seemed to occur to him that his behavior had been the issue, not the question, but he hadn't acted like that again either, so the infernis hadn't felt the need to address it...
Actually, Jack was shockingly good at only needing to be corrected about certain things once, and then never doing it again. He hadn't attempted to grab the older man's horns since the first time they slept together, and even only attempted to reach for them once afterwards and never again when his hand had been knocked away. He hadn't tried to kiss him or roughly grab at his tail more than once either. He neither pressed nor pried when the conman dodged a conversation topic, and he didn't bring it up again later... Abe didn't know if it was because he was mirroring the older man's behavior back at him, or if he was genuinely considerate, but he was willing to take it... So few people in his life, sexual partners especially, bothered to offer that basic decency. He couldn't decide if it was funny or fucked up that a half-feral road agent who didn't even know the difference between boiling and not boiling something could manage what so many others couldn't.
He turned to look at Jack, and snorted softly as the younger man struggled to shove his clothes into the net bag, "For fuck's sake, Jackie!" he let a little amusement slip into his tone so the katari would know he wasn't in trouble, "I'd think you of all people would be able to figure out how to fit somethin' into a hole."
The younger man shot him an angry look, his ears flat to his skull, "Th'bag keeps collapsin'!" he protested, "It ain't the same!"
"Uh huh," the conman replied, hitching his hip against the desk and watching the other man struggling with the way the bag's opening kept closing as he tried to shove his clothing into it... while holding the bag by the drawstring, "D'ya need a hand?"
"No!" the katari snapped, shooting a glare at him before returning to the task.
Abe left him to it for a little longer, if only because he hadn't watched anything quite this entertaining in a few days, but he finally pushed off the desk and walked over, "Li'l Jackie, I don't know how many times I have to tell you," he drawled as he teased the bag out of Jack's hands, and slid his fingers into the opening and pulled it wide, "but preparation is important."
"Don't fuckin' call me that," the outlaw grumbled sourly as he shoved his pants into the bag.
"Sugar?" the infernis asked mildly, managing not to smirk at Jack's shocked look, "D'ya want sugar in yer tea?" he clarified wickedly.
The katari made a quick recovery, and shot him a grin, "Why? Are ya gonna kiss the cup?"
Abe snorted, "You should be so lucky," he teased, "Finish gettin' undressed, the tea ain't even made, and it'll be cold before yer done at this rate."
"Bitch, bitch, bitch," the younger man grumbled under his breath, although his tail had long since relaxed behind him, clearly indicating that he wasn't at all annoyed despite his lying mouth.
"Not my fault you need house breakin'," the infernis smirked, "So d'ya want yer fuckin' tea sweet or not?"
"Nah, I don't like sweet things..." he pulled his shirt up over his head and flashed the older man a wicked grin, "Prob'ly why I like you so much."
Abe's lips twitched, "You offend me, Jackie," he teased, "I can be sweet as anythin', you just can't get it up unless I'm mean t'ya."
"You wanna bet?" the tail lifted further, wafting arrogantly
The older man snorted, "A stiff breeze would get ya up right now," he replied, casting a significant glance down at the activity already in progress, "I don't take bets I know I'll lose," he smirked, "But I was mean first," he teased and held the bag out so the shirt could be placed inside, "I'm gonna go refill the pitcher, and drop these off," he said, pulling the drawstring to close the bag, "Be a good boy and get cleaned up... Don't splash water all over the floor," he added as he headed back to his desk, and poured the hot water into the press, and put the lid on it, "And don't fuckin' touch the tea."
"Yeah, yeah..." the younger man grumbled sourly as he approached the wash stand with ill-grace.
Abe rolled his eyes, and then headed out of the wagon to see to his self-appointed tasks. He felt almost bad for adding the bag of Jack's clothes to the tiny pile of remaining wash, but tucked a few extra silver pieces into the pants' pockets by way of apology, since the girls on wash duty would have been able to leave what was left for another day, given that it wouldn't have been enough laundry to be worth doing another load if it weren't for this. With that handled, he headed over to the chuck wagon to refill the pitcher from their water supplies, and also to grab a snack to go with the tea. He didn't know if the outlaw had eaten, but he never knew Jack to turn down food... even when he should.
He returned to his wagon, rapped on the door in warning, since he didn't fancy getting shot, and then headed inside, "I brought somethin' t'eat..." he trailed off as he closed the door behind him. Jack was hunched over the wash stand, scrubbing at himself like he was trying to take his skin off, and honestly if that was how he had learned to bathe, it was no wonder he avoided it, "Now what did yer fur ever do to you?" he asked lightly as he walked over to the desk to set the food down, “Who the hell even taught ya t'wash up?”
Jack froze for a split second, but then forced himself to stand up a little straighter, although his tail wrapped itself around his legs, "Fuck off, I'm doin' it, that's what ya wanted."
That... was a strange landmine. The infernis shrugged slightly as he pressed the plunger down on the press to strain and contain the tea leaves, "I just don't want t'hear you whine later about how yer whole body hurts," he packaged his concern in a way that would be acceptable to both of them, "I wouldn't think my nails would feel too nice after that."
"Hasn't been a problem before," the younger man half-growled.
The conman poured the tea into their mugs, and considered the situation. He could leave it alone, and honestly, he probably should... but it was going to put a damper on his plans for later if the outlaw really did end up hurting himself. He sighed inwardly, and then walked over to the katari, and held out his hand, "Rag," he commanded.
"I said I fuckin' got it!" Jack snarled back, his ears flattening as his lips pulled back from his teeth, but not in a grin for a change.
Both of Abe's brows went up, and he held his hands up to show that he wasn't armed, “Jackie,” he said in the soothing tone he used for skittish horses, “I dunno who ya think yer fuckin' seein' right now, but I ain't them,” he watched the younger man's face relax slightly, “Now hand me the rag, and I'll get yer back, alright?”
The katari considered that for a long moment, and then handed over the washcloth before turning his back. His tail was still pulled in tight around his legs, but whatever the problem was, he was actually trusting Abe not to make it worse. That was... something to consider...
So the infernis put that in a box in the back of his mind to examine never, and walked closer to the wash stand, so there was less chance of splashing. He dipped the rag into the water, and lightly wrung it out just enough to prevent it from dripping, and then placed it gently on Jack's shoulder, frowning slightly when he flinched. Not for the first time he wondered who the hell had fucked this boy up this much. The way he had been scrubbing himself wasn't how anyone should scrub a person, it was how you scrubbed soiled linens to get the fuckin' stains out. It would have been horrific on bare skin, but he imagined it was a special Circle Below to back scrub his fur like that.
“Yer alright Jackie,” he said soothingly as he moved the washcloth slowly down over his shoulder blade, “Y'know I only hurt you after you've begged me enough,” he teased, and felt the outlaw's muscles relax slightly, “There ya go,” he murmured, moving the cloth back up to the start of the stroke, and drawing it down the same path. Abe had acquired a lot of skills growing up in a whorehouse... and knowing how to gently wash fur was just one of them. After all, why should the owner have to pay for nurses if one of his whores was ill when he had a kid that wasn't old enough to put to proper work running around?
That was another thought that the older man shoved aside and focused on his task, murmuring gentle encouragements and compliments as he worked. Jack actually was coming into a nice figure. He was still skinny, of course, but he was putting on more muscle, and his shoulders had actually broadened. If he could stop being a fuckin' freak for five minutes, the younger man could actually become a heart breaker.
When he finished his task, he put the rag over the katari's shoulder, “Keep going at it like that, and you'll get done quicker without it hurtin' so damn much,” he said carefully, and lightly trailed his fingers over the other man's hip, “and I'll help ya dry off properly so you don't smell like wet cat,” he teased.
Jack flashed a look back over his shoulder that made Abe's chest ache. “Yeah... that sounds good,” he mumbled and took back the rag. The infernis watched for a moment to make sure he didn't go back to the horrible scrubbing, and then returned to the desk to put the tea in the kettle to reheat it, since it had cooled. The food would be fine at least.
It didn't take Jack much longer to finish washing, and without being asked, the older man took out the soapy water, and then refilled the basin with fresh warm water so he could get any remaining soap out of his fur. He didn't tease or taunt the outlaw for a change, and once he finished his task, Abe tossed a towel over his shoulders, and handed him his mug of tea, “Throw my robe down on the bed, and sit down,” he directed and collected his own mug before heading over to the nightstand to fetch a brush and a comb.
“What're you doin'?” the katari asked as he did what he was told, still a little skittish around the edges, but seeming to have mostly calmed down.
“Gettin' ready to give you a proper fuckin' brushin',” the conman replied, “Yer lucky yer coat is thin, or else you'd be nothin' but mats.”
Jack wrinkled his nose, “I don't need fuckin' brushin'!” he protested, “It's fine!”
Abe turned and pointed the brush at him, “Do ya wanna be miserable and damp fer the rest of the fuckin' evenin', or do you want to be dry and comfortable?” he asked, “Because if it's the latter, then shut the fuck up.”
The younger man scowled and huffed, but stayed where he was, simply pulling the towel tighter around his shoulders before taking a sip of the tea. He blinked and looked down into the cup, “This ain't half as bitter as coffee,” he said in surprise.
That got a chuckle out of Abe, “If you make coffee like you apparently think yer supposed to make tea, I'm not surprised it's drastically less bitter.” He climbed on the bed, and then settled into place behind the taller man, “Tip yer head back, we'll start with that fuckin' rat's nest you call hair,” he chuckled again as Jack let out a long groan... but still complied. “I love it when yer obedient,” he teased and gave the corner of his jaw a quick scratch before he settled in to work. Of course his hair was a fuckin' mess, but the hat had protected it from wind and debris as much as it had flattened and ruffled it along the band, so that was something.
It was slightly hypnotic, for both of them actually. Abe concentrated on being careful so he didn't pull or tear, keeping his entire focus on the task in front of him, and Jack slowly began to melt under his ministrations. By the time he was done with his hair and moved on to his fur, the younger man was purring softly and leaning into the brush strokes. The infernis shifted so he could see the side of the other man's face, and then carefully brushed through his cheek fluff, chuckling softly as he pressed even harder into the brush.
He steadily worked his way down the outlaw's body, drying carefully with the towel before moving it aside so he could brush. He was so focused on his task that he almost jumped when Jack murmured sleepily.
“What'cha hummin'?”
It took Abe a second to check in far enough to realize that he had been humming, and another second to figure out what it was, “I think it's a lullaby,” he finally said, “Someone used t'sing it to me when I was little.”
“Who?”
He shrugged, and then remembered that Jack was facing away, “I don't remember...” It certainly hadn't been Mitzy, she was more of dirty ditty kinda gal.
“D'ya remember the words?”
He squinted, continuing to brush as he dredged at the memory, “Not much of it,” he admitted, “I think all I remember is the chorus.” He huffed in amusement when the younger man trilled in encouragement, “I ain't no kinda singer, Jackie.”
“Neither'm I. Don't stop me none.”
Abe rolled his eyes, “Don't be tempted by the shiny apple, don't you eat of a bitter fruit,” he half-crooned, doing his best to follow the half-forgotten tune, “Hunger only for a taste of justice, hunger only for a world of truth. 'Cause all that you have is your soul. 'Cause all that you have is your soul...” he shook is head, “That's all I got.”
“That don't sound much like you,” Jack opined, stifling a yawn.
“Well I sure as fuck didn't sing it t'myself,” the infernis replied with snort, “It was nearly eighty fuckin' years ago anyway, so whoever sang it or believed it is prob'ly dead.”
The katari was quiet for a long a moment, letting the conman continue about his task before finally saying, “Damn yer old.”
Abe snorted and reached up to tug sharply at one of the younger man's ears, “I haven't even reached middle age, Li'l Jackie,” he replied.
“Don't fuckin' call me that,” Jack grumbled.
“Then don't call me old,” the older man replied, and moved aside, “I've done all I can back here, and this side's dry enough yer not gonna get the blankets wet. Lay down so I can get yer front.”
He would almost hear the younger man's interest peak. Jack looked back over his shoulder, and then tossed himself across Abe's lap, rather than laying down in the bed properly. He smirked up at the conman, as though daring him to push him away.
Shit, that was kind of cute, actually. The infernis chuckled, “You better not attack my fuckin' hand like a real cat,” he teased, and lightly scratched the corner of the katari's jaw.
“I promise nothin',” Jack replied with a surprisingly winsome smile, a sleepy warmth in his eyes that... looked really fuckin' nice, especially with how jumpy the younger man had been not long ago.
“Hmph, I'd threaten t'paddle ya, but you'd just like it,” the conman said fondly, “So I guess I'll threaten t'kick ya out naked instead.”
The outlaw didn't bother to respond, his eyes sliding closed as he wriggled slightly, a content rumbling issuing from his throat.
Abe had trained away most of his tells over the decades, so his amused smirk remained that, instead of turning into a soft smile. He began brushing the katari's chest and stomach with the same care and tenderness he had used on his back... and it wasn't long before he was fairly certain the other man was asleep. Well, that was fine, it just meant that he could work in peace. He continued his self-appointed task until all the fur he could reach was mostly dry and smooth. He set the brush aside, and simply stroked the slightly rough fur as the younger man dozed. He wondered if maybe he should start keeping one of the bars of soap specifically for fur in his wagon. They kept it stocked in the supply wagon since some of the girls needed it, and it wouldn't hurt anything to have something on hand that would likely make Jack feel more comfortable... even if his dumb ass wouldn't know why he felt less itchy and irritated after washing up with it.
Since Jack was well and truly asleep, Abe guessed this was his life now, so he remained where he was, and continued to stroke the outlaw's fur. He knew damp fur held onto smells, and given the way the katari was slightly weird about rubbing against him, he had to assume that there was something about his scent the outlaw liked...
Or he was trying to claim the infernis as his own... which good fuckin' luck with that one. Still, it was cute, and there was no harm in letting it happen or indulging it... Until there was.
He waited until his legs were starting to fall asleep, and then gently shook the younger man's shoulder. It accomplished nothing. He reached up and tugged lightly at an ear, “Hey, if yer gonna sleep, fuckin' move off me.” He sighed when all he got was a sleepy grumble, and Jack just rolled over to face him and wrapped himself around the conman's waist. “Godsdamn it,” he muttered, and did what he could to shift himself into a more comfortable position, since blood flow to his legs was probably important.
He remained in place until there was a knock on the door, and sighed before shoving Jack off his lap as gently as possible. Honestly he was shocked the other man didn't wake up, but he pushed him into as normal a position as possible, and flipped the blanket over him before getting to his feet, and heading off to see what was wrong.
–
Abe returned to the wagon a few hours later, pausing outside to rub his face. Circles fuckin' Below, why couldn't people just be normal for an evening? Fuckin' threatening a duel over who got to sleep with a whore; why were the townies so fuckin' weird?! Well, the situation was handled, he managed to keep the Butchers out of it, so now he could just fuckin' relax, and maybe get some damn sleep.
He opened the door and stepped inside... and immediately stepped out of the doorway so he wasn't silhouetted as the feeling of being watched hit him instantly. His gaze swept across the wagon as he tried to figure out who the hell had not only gotten in, but gotten past Jack...
He shifted his gaze to the bed, and sure enough, the katari was laying there, cocooned in the blanket and Abe's robe, his eyes shining in the shadows... If his ass started to wiggle, the older man was diving back out the fuckin' door.
“Ya left me,” the outlaw accused, his voice thick with sleep.
Abe relaxed and closed the door, “Work came up,” he replied, locking the door and starting to remove his boots, “and you wouldn't get the fuck up.”
“Ya left me,” oh gods, he sounded so petulant. It was almost cute.
“But I came back,” a ghost of smile pulled at his lips at the sleepy wordless grumble that got, “Scoot the fuck over and give up some'a that blanket,” he added as he started disrobing.
“Gonna stay this time?”
Abe snorted, “Ya know this is my bed right?” he teased, “And my wagon.”
The younger man just grumbled and wriggled over to the far side of the bed... and even if the eye shine dimmed like his eyelids were starting to droop, enough of it remained to show that he kept watching the older man undress. The infernis just shook his head, and continued removing his clothing, and then folded it neatly. Since he no longer had a lap full of Jack, he took the time to put away the things that had gotten left on the desk, fully aware of the younger man's gaze tracking him. He didn't hurry, and only put out the lantern and headed over to the bed when he was finished.
Almost as soon as he was horizontal, and before he could even reach for the blanket, the younger man rolled over, and then wriggled on top of him, earning a quiet chuckle. “What the fuck're ya doin' Jackie?” he asked in amusement as he reached up and began scratching behind one of the katari's ears.
“Warm,” the hum of of the 'm' quickly turned into a purr as he tipped his head into the scratching.
Abe snorted, “That's the damnation, or so I've been told.” It wasn't cold enough that he needed the blanket, nor was it really hot enough that the current situation was uncomfortable, so he let it be, and simply reached up with his free hand to adjust the pillows under his head to keep his horns clear of everything. “G'night Jackie.” He chuckled when his only reply was a louder purr, and Jack shoving his face into the bend of his neck.