prohibitions | When love became an act of defiance

Normally, when he breaks someone's bones, whether on purpose or on accident, they scream out in pain, maybe thrash around to get away from him. And yet, Abel is on the quieter side and for that reason it leaves a red flag in the back of Jonathan's mind. That there might be more to his father's leash than what he was told.

Doing an assassin's job was never in his blood. People always told him he cared too much and too easily. Being a natural predator by nature, he should have the drive but he could never have the detachment of emotion that he's seen people have in this specific line of work. Clenching his fists for a brief moment before relaxing his grip was a near reply to the other's words.

Jonathan hesitantly stops in his tracks as Abel tells him to wait, not expecting to be stopped after just breaking the other's wrist and wounding him for borrowed time. He slowly turns to face him and the longer Abel proposes his game, the more he finds it a little hard to believe.

How was he supposed to catch a psychic off guard enough to get close? He doesn't see how he could possibly win. Yes, it offered the benefit that the job would be done but surely the other must be joking.

"You can't be serious? You want to gamble your life on basically a game of red light green light?" He shook his head in disbelief, trying to wrap his thoughts around this. Jonathan knew if he accepted this little game that it wouldn't be easy to win.

His thoughts were too loud and he could very easily see himself getting frustrated with this after some time despite the limitless attempts. He doesn't have anything to lose by playing so why shouldn't he take it?

Jonathan stares at the ground at his feet, silent before he speaks again with a sad little huff of a defeated laugh, an almost sad smile, "If I win, you'll give me the chance to kill you despite trying to spare your life?" Lifting his head, its seems like he's searching Abel's expression for an answer that he already knows before he simply sighs, "Fine... I'll bite. Where do you want me to start from?"

There needed to be some distance between them for this to work properly, he's just not sure how much.

Abel can't help but laugh. The other was so surprised. Incredulous that he would offer such a ridiculous proposition. "No, no. A game of cat and mouse. Red light green light is far less exciting and I would like to make at least the next few days somewhat entertaining.

He merely makes his way over to the other to place his good hand against Jonathan's cheek. "We'll just pretend you saved me. It'll put you in my father's good graces and it'll confuse your contractor who could possibly have tried to take me out simultaneously, but ultimately an in into my household would surely benefit them." It was like a game of chess. Carefully laying out all your pieces onto the board and making careful decisions to get that checkmate.

Though, they both knew that Abel was playing a long game that would eventually lose.

"You catch me unawares at some point and you'll get to kill me. No string attached. I am a man of my word," Abel says casually.

Perhaps he should be more caring about his life, but it has always been presented to him as something more expendable. it was less something precious and more like a piece that his father played on his own board. And really, this meant he got to at least have some fun while eventually ruining his father's plans to some extent.

"Certainly, that sounds like a bit of fun. Don't you think? There's still a few hours left of the party and it would be unfortunate if you had to leave early because you attempted to see me dead," Abel says with a small smile.

It seems this was meant to be a days-long affair instead of a game he originally thought was to be concluded before the party ended. His comparison of red light green light was also wrong; thinking if he got caught by the other, he'd simply be told to start again from a set point, which lined up more with his first thought than anything.

Jonathan can't help but lean a little against Abel's touch, even if the action itself surprises him. Dropping his gaze, he can see the benefits of this playing out, it wouldn't necessarily blow his cover to anyone else other than Abel which works in his favor. Technically giving him a second chance and as the other had pointed out, it would throw his contractor for a loop.

"What will be our story then?" He asks, surely, someone will question as to what attacked Abel in order for their cover to be that Jonathan saved him.

He trusts that Abel will keep his word. He has no reason to doubt that he wouldn't.

"I think you'll get more fun out of it than me..." Jonathan gives a little shake of his head with a smile all the same. He still feels bad for breaking the other's wrist even more now. "Here..." He shrugs off his suit jacket before draping it over his arm, unbuttoning the sleeve buttons on his free arm before tearing the fabric.

It would look better than Abel's half attempt to use the handkerchief and would be less of a scene for everyone to try to see. He's gentle when he rolls the shredded fabric of Abel's shirt above the wounds before tying the fabric around it. Blood already straining once pristine white. A temporary fix until they get Abel properly tended to.

Edited (Lol i forgot to pick an icon like a scrub) 2019-12-29 13:39 (UTC)

"I was attacked by an unknown assailant while wandering the maze," Abel replies. "I come here often on my own that it wouldn't be so odd for me to had. You happen to notice my disappearance from the party and sought me out and was my savior from them. My father will certainly be pleased and likely to think you suitable to keep an eye on me. People will talk about who would have sent someone after me for days. It'll certainly be entertaining to see everyone question each other." At least, he'll find it amusing to hear the whispers going about.

Abel lets his hand drop and watches the other try and help with his injuries. How odd.

Why the other puts so much care into this all. The man was very curious indeed. So gentle. Kind. It puzzles him.

He tries not to think about it and starts leading the other back out of the garden maze. "You'll have to carry me back in to make it more convincing, but seeing as you broke my wrist so easily-" He doesn't think it'll be that much of an issue.

The cover story felt pretty sound to him. If his contactor was a part of the social circle that was regularly invited to these events, which he believes they are, Abel would put a face to a thought. He, of course, has never met the person who ordered the hit so he hasn't been able to track them by scent as he might've.

It was a bit of a client protection measure for the organization in which he was employed.

He pulls his jacket back on, hiding the torn sleeve as he adjusts it and follows alongside Abel on his good side through the maze. Jonathan can guess that the other would practically weigh as much as a bag of feathers which wouldn't be too difficult to carry, "That wouldn't be a problem."

"Sorry... again for breaking your wrist. I..." He pauses, keeping his gaze down at the ground as he walks, "I honestly wasn't expecting you to wager a game. I was rather hoping you would've just let me disappear into the night never to be seen again." Had he known, he wouldn't have wished unnecessary suffering onto the other and the inconvenience it caused as a result.

He didn't have much interest in who was putting a target on him. It wasn't as though he lacked enemies, so it really wasn't all that concerning to him.

Abel does laugh though. Jonathan really wasn't fit to be doing this in the first place. Apologizing for breaking his wrist? Really. He was supposed to kill him. How silly. "Where would the fun be in that if I just let you off. I've been terribly bored so this will occupy my time for a bit. Besides, I've had worse in terms of injuries. This is really nothing. Though, if you are so apologetic-" Abel stops for a moment before yanking the other forward by the front of his shirt to press his mouth against Jonathan's. "I'll take that as payment."

Jonathan perks his head up at the mention of worse injuries. What could a sheltered mage be hurt worse from? There was the mention as assassinations before but that wouldn't be the case, otherwise, Abel would've been taken care of by now. None of this was really adding up and he's dragged out of his thoughts so suddenly.

He wasn't expecting to stop nor was he expecting the other to kiss him in the same swoop either. He's wide-eyed and momentarily stunned when Abel pulls away, almost like he's trying to process what just happened. There's a brief second before his body automatically moves on its own, cupping Abel's face and kisses him again, this time longer than the first.

There's a small smirk when he pulls away, "I think that is more worthy compensation."

It's only a mask of confidence that falls as soon as he turns away and continues down the path, too flustered to look at the other again. To which the other can probably hear the whirlwind of thoughts and taste the emotions dripping off of him.

Jonathan makes a note to never take a job like this again. To let a target live and to be kissed by them, let alone reciprocating was not the best route to take. This wasn't how this was supposed to go.

There's almost a sad look in Abel's eyes as he reads the other like a book. Jonathan's curiosity about previous injuries and experiences. He's pretty sure that they would have done better as a protector than a killer and he wonders if Jonathan was even trained for assassination. Their movements just seemed a tad too sloppy to be trained specifically for it.

Ah well.

He thinks that's not terrible. A man so gentle like the other has no need to dirty his hands in such a way. Abel is sure their game will end with him just letting the other off. He doesn't think Jonathan needs his blood on his hands. Or his conscience for that matter.

Abel is presently surprised when the other kisses him back. He hadn't expected the other to actually return the gesture. He certainly isn't complaining. His grin almost softens a bit. Ah, it's so easy to tease someone like Jonathan.

He walks with the other until they get to the beginning of the maze all over again. The sounds of the party can be easier to hear and the mansion was masked in darkness other than for all the lights in each window shining through. "Well, let's give them a good show, yes?"

If Abel ever asked, he would say that he wasn't. He knows assassins, knows they treat their specialty like a dance and had one of them been sent in his stead, they would've finished this charade in less than ten moves with less emotional involvement than he.

Either way, it's too late to dwell on such thoughts.

Jonathan stares up at the mansion before shifting his attention to Abel, "Yes but before we go in..." He turns fully to face the other, ruffling his hair a bit and messing with his clothes. If their story was that an unknown assailant attacked Abel in the maze, he should look the part a bit better. His only injury was his wrist while he still looked otherwise untouched.

He tilts his head once he was done, "That should do it." Scooping up the other was easy, walking back into the main dining hall where Abel had first walked out of was more attention than he bargained for. A hush practically fell over the room before hushed whispers of speculation followed.

He wasn't quite sure what to do besides keep walking further into the space, had Abel's injuries been a little than a broken wrist, he likely would've played the role a bit more dramatically. Called out for help immediately, made a much more ridiculous scene. It wasn't long before people had surrounded the two of them, more guards than anything, besides one who demanded answers for what transpired.

Abel plays the role of an injured man quite well. Everyone seems to coo over him as he moans in pain. He isn't melodramatic about it either. Just enough that one would think he was in serious, grave danger.

Everyone seems to take his story well. Getting some fresh air and being attacked so suddenly. Being saved by Jonathan and brought back to safety. It's eaten up so easily and before they know it, Jonathan will find himself in Abel's room where the man was told to be brought to for bed rest.

His injuries had been healed, though he opens and closes his hands and spins his wrist a bit with a wince. Healing was never the issue, but it was the recovery of broken bones that was always a pain.

Still, he drops his hands into his lap before looking at Jonathan with a smirk. "I look forward to our game."

Jonathan is glad to finally leave the crowd that had surrounded them, giving a slow glance back as his guided to taking Abel to his room. He's used to the sound of the overwhelming white noise of people talking over each other but this... this was more than he was expecting. After being told to set the other on the bed, he makes it a point to stand off to the side and out of the way.

He watches as Abel's wounds are healed including his broken wrist and he's told to stay in the room until his father was ready to speak with him specifically. Probably something to do with saving his son's life which Abel already predicted would happen.

"I think that makes one of us," Jonathan repeats with a playful enough smile as he crosses his arms. He obviously wouldn't be able to catch the other unawares tonight but it doesn't stop him from thinking about it. How to catch unsuspecting enough to get close. To win this.

"I know you said this was a game with unlimited chances to catch you unaware... surely you would have ruled in the potential of me just waiting for you to wake up again and using that as an opportunity, right?" He knows he wouldn't. What good would that be for Abel's fun? Though he was playing the role of an assassin so that idea wasn't out of the question.

"You don't think this will be fun?" Though, maybe it was a little messed up to find it fun to basically look forward to a game that would eventually end with his death.

Well, he never said that he wasn't a bit fucked up.

"Because you don't seem like the type to try anything pretty underhanded. A little too honest for that," Abel says with a light enough smile. It isn't said in a mocking tone, but more matter-of-fact. Honestly, the other seemed like a good man. A good man in a rather unfortunate situation. "I wouldn't stop you though. If that's how you wanted to do it," he replies with a shrug.

"I think you and I have very different definitions of fun." A job in murder wasn't his idea of it.

Jonathan walked over towards where Abel was sitting, reaching out a hand to wrap around the other's neck with little warning but the thought may have been there to alert the other as he had crossed the room. There was no pressure to the touch, he just wanted to see how easy it would've been. To feel the the other's pulse under his fingertips.

He believes Abel's words that he wouldn't stop him but he did make a deal in playing the game and the other was right about him not outright killing him at the easiest opportunity. Jonathan tilts his head, giving a rather muddled expression, "You are a strange one."

He couldn't wrap his head around Abel being so nonchalant about his eventual death by his hand.

"Rich people have a rather odd view of things, I've found. Alarmingly so," Abel says with a laugh. He didn't know much about average people, but he wasn't ignorant. He knew people lived completely different worlds.

And he's so calm when the other wraps his hand around his throat. A pleasant smile even. He tilts his head slightly. "Strange? I'm just bored," he replies. Maybe that sounds weird, but Abel had already resigned to his life. It wasn't great, but it wasn't completely terrible either. He found his fun here and there.

As far as fulfilling though, it was completely lacking. He found nothing meaningful and so death was merely an ending.

Jonathan huffs a half laugh, "Clearly." With such an abundance of time and resources, he could only image how that might alter their view on things.

He frowns and his brows furrow for a moment before he gives his grip a slight squeeze. How easy it would be. The thought flashes in his mind; a quick snap of the neck, claws slashing quickly over flesh or the slow bone crushing under his hands before he pulls his hand away and rubs at the side of his face. A pause before he takes a seat on the floor near Abel's legs with his back pressed up against the edge of the bed.

"So what happens now? I figure you'd want to start this game tomorrow, considering the time?" Jonathan asks as he looks over in the other's direction.

How cute, he thinks. The other, he thinks, doesn't actually have the heart to kill him. He idly wonders why they had decided to hire a man who probably was actually ill fit to be an assassin. No matter, it just means it'll be a long game and that means he'll be amused at least for a little while. He would also be lying that the other hasn't piqued his interest. They make him curious. He'd like to know more about the other if even as a passing fancy to quench his boredom.

"I suppose so. I am tired and I got out of a rather dull party earlier than usual," he says with a chuckle.

Killing wasn't so much a big deal for him. Most on a hit list were there for a reason, they had skeletons in their closet that were easy to find before the assignment and it was easy to justify the need to kill them. In Abel's case, it just wasn't there. There were skeletons in his father's closet and those around him but not the other. Then there was the matter of the unforeseen ability that changed the course of this assignment.

He didn't mind it, really. He just knows there's bound to be a client complaint about time and one about possible attachment.

"It did seem rather boring." He smiles, fancy parties like this one weren't really his thing. The smells of too much perfume and cologne mixing made his head hurt after awhile and all the conversations sounded the same. "You certainly gave the room something to speculate for the rest of the evening though."

"I dreadddd it," Abel says rather dramatically. He hated socializing with others. It was all just a front for everyone to try and strengthen their social standings or make allies in a cutthroat environment. No one actually cared about each other and the conversations were dull.

He hated them even if he knew how to play the game.

"It's not like assassinations aren't common. I already know your employer," Abel replies dismissively. He had no idea if Jonathan had been directly employed or if a middle man was used, but he could read everyone that came, so he knew.

It didn't matter to him who it was though, so he had no interest in exposing them either.

When love became an act of defiance

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Idk why i have this one lol

we made the new thread so we can suffer sooner.

ah

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