Write My Letter, Feel Much Better | Journal Text

[steadypulse]

Sender: 76
To: Everyone
Subject: That Wasn't A Joke

Sorry to those that knew Reaper and I were planning to get married soon, we got to talking and ended up eloping rather than having a public ceremony. It's official as of this morning though, as official as it can get in this place anyhow.

We're still going to be throwing an after party at The Wild Harvest, but we figure that will be better done tomorrow so we've got time to cook up food. Whoever shows up is also welcome to bring a dish or two themselves.

[Sorry about that one Tifa- and Eustace, too. Could face crowds for others, but something quieter for them felt more fitting.

Don't... don't mind the itty-bitty kitty paw prints slowly decorating the page, even as 76 wrote. He was currently at the Wild Harvest, sitting in his break room.]

Reason that banner is hung up there at the Wild Harvest- for those of you that noticed it and know what today is. Definitely not a joke. Reaper picked it out.

There will be party favors, by the way.

We're also open today, so feel free to stop by.

Comments

[b_a_n_g]

Fine. [He made a point of sounding exasperated by the effort already.] I hope you've warned most of them about me.

[He knew they wouldn't snuggle too long like this, but it was one of things that they did which he waited for each day. Little moments they long denied themselves for years and years.]

[steadypulse]

[There was that drag of finger pads along scalp, slow and meant to be soothing-]

Most of them are at the very least aware of you?

[Just a little teasing.]

[b_a_n_g]

[As his hair was currently only in a ponytail tied back, strands began to sneak forward to curl around Jack's arms and torso. He made no effort to stop the more advanced hug.]

So it won't be a surprise for them when I jump appear from the rafters and ambush them. Good.

[He was all for intimidating introductions.]

[steadypulse]

Just remember some may have some reflexive defense actions- which honestly probably makes that more entertaining for you, huh.

[Jack was going to indulge in this moment as long as they were able, honestly. Would have to tend to the food again soon, all the morning prep; feeding them both breakfast aswell.]

[b_a_n_g]

I do hope they put up a little fight; it's not as if I can stay dead.

[Soaking damage was half the fun at this point, though he also had the ability to simply fade to smoke for any attack. It was a great way to start on the wrong foot and have people questioning Jack's sanity for marrying someone like him.

He hugged Jack entirely with all of his being, lingering in that moment even if there were other people to reply to and other chores that needed doing. This would start the day off right.]

[steadypulse]

I'd rather you not have to come back from the dead in the first place here, Gabe.

[Even if most might not stay dead here in the first place. Still-

Jack soaked in that hug and returned as good as he got as well as he could.]

[b_a_n_g]

I know. We can't have you disappointed with me not soaking that kind of damage.

[He had no intention of dying. As cliché as it sounded, he had something worth living for. He added a kiss to Jack's temple.]

Should I stalk everyone who replied to your announcement post?

[steadypulse]

Hard to break the habit of not treating yourself better, huh.

[Said in a tone of something Jack was still working on a bit himself; old habits died hard, especially when it had been encouraged far too much in their younger years.

His head tipped a bit against that kiss-]

What, you weren't already?

[b_a_n_g]

I've been told on many occasions that I don't deserve it.

[They had both been labeled, and it was hard to shake it after all that they had done and the number of people that they had failed along the way. Jack was the best thing, and he was hard pressed to think he deserved more than that.

He hummed and added a nip with his kiss.]

What a call out... and yes, I was.

[steadypulse]

Mm, well- think we've given quite a few people a giant Fuck You as is at this point, Gabe. May as well keep enjoying it.

[Even if that was easier said than done, even still. Even still.

A hand moved along Gabriel's head, not close to puling that tie from his hair, but Jack still ensuring nails dragged pleasantly along the man's scalp as fingers moved through hair.]

Thought so.

[b_a_n_g]

Me definitely more so than you. That was the energy I brought to most high level meetings, during and after the war.

[Back then, none of it had mattered to him. Now he had only a few things important to actually lose, so the stakes somehow felt higher when that energy came about.

He kissed Jack's neck several times as he pressed his head into those fingers. His arms and hair tightened in their grip holding his lover close.]

You just know me too well...

[steadypulse]

Doing so since we started things here, too- even if they're not here for those 'fuck you's and all.

[Still giving them in spirit as it were, even if things were still going on back home- they were still there and this was just some separate self getting to... do all of this.

His head tipped, still managing to lean in against Gabriel with it all.]

And you know me better than anyone.

[b_a_n_g]

Not being included in political circuses helps to keep me in check. I have no interest in more than taking care of you.

[People here just wanted to live their lives and deal with the little upstarts that threatened the peace. The fact that no one murdered each other was kind of boring, but that's also what he was most used to. He had Jack, and that's all that actually mattered to him.]

I've known you for a couple of decades....

[steadypulse]

Strangely peaceful of a place for us to end up like this- but it ain't bad.

[There was a faint snort before Jack was using his hold of Gabriel to tug his head up and give a proper kiss; a warm press of lips and a low hum-]

Most of my life, and you're getting the rest of it.

[b_a_n_g]

Do you think we'll get bored and have to start something for excitement?

[He knew the question was moot; the noctaere were a constant threat in the back of his mind. They were going to be a threat, and he knew they were growing stronger.

He leaned into that kiss, pressing his lips harder as his fingers tried to sneak up the front of Jack shirt.]

Until death do us part.

[steadypulse]

Nah, this place will cook something up like usual.

[Be it something going on, or the Noctaere under their skin finally hatching whatever it was they seemed to be cooking up. Downside of them being theirs, he supposed- knew how to be patient and plan.

There was a twitch at the corner of Jack's lips, pressing a bit more into that kiss as eyes closed--]

Mm, not even that will.

[b_a_n_g]

I suppose so. As long as it isn't a long-running war. I'm not sure I have another war in me.

[He probably did actually. If it meant protecting and working with Jack, he could slog his way through another war. He found it more interesting that he didn't want to. This sort of retirement was not something expected, and he wasn't certain he was willing to give it up.

So he kept that kiss, enjoying it even knowing they should probably get back to work.]

It's true. Not sure we have it in us to die.

[steadypulse]

Hopefully not, had enough of those for a lifetime.

[Maybe two lifetimes at that. Still, so long as he had Gabriel at his side? Jack couldn't help that feeling of being able to do anything, so long as they worked together and kept each other's back.

Fingertips played down along the back of Gabriel's neck slowly-]

Not again.

[b_a_n_g]

And you've survived every one of them. I expect you can still strike the heroes pose should the need arise for that.

[Jack had always struck such an impressive figure on the holovids without even trying. There was something about the way that Jack moved which attracted the eye. Even mud and grease smeared, the old man still had that swagger. But war was not something either of them seemed to want, not that they ever had. After decades of it, it was just what they knew well, that's all.

He trailed a few kisses from Jack's mouth to jawline and then bit the younger man's earlobe playfully.]

That's my line...

[steadypulse]

Would rather avoid any pose striking for that.

[And there was that smile twitching at the corner of his lips, head tipping while a hand moved and idly pinched near Gabriel's hip at that playful bite.]

Our line now, sharing things with this marriage.

[b_a_n_g]

But you'd strike a pose for me, wouldn't you? I'm your darling husband.

[He finally withdrew his mouth, looking like he wanted to pout. He moved so he could rest his chin on the top of Jack's head.]

So living this life forever, or until the wolves get out and consume us for eternity.