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The sounds of the jungle always helped to drown out his own jumbled thoughts, combined with the thick humid air it was the closest he could get to experiencing peace in his mind. The cries of wild animals pervading the air, roaring tigers, hissing snakes, and growling bears are all predators in their own right, all of them with more of a reason and drive to live than he did.
Jason sat perched on the top of a tree in front of the setting sun, a few feet away from home base.
‘Home’ it's funny how he called it that, after living on the island for so long joining ranks with the pirates who had brought ruin to his life and taking up with the enemy when he was offered companionship, he’s somehow come to think of that rundown pit of depravity as his ‘home’.
What would his brothers think. . . O god Grant would probably be so disappointed if he was still around.
The picture of his older brother’s blood seeping through his fingers with a loud voice yelling at him overtakes his mind. The scene changes to him holding the dagger, that oh so fucking important dagger, up to Liza’s neck. She’d died quickly with his name on her lips- same with Citra too.
Then finally that same dagger plunging into the heart of his most hated and important person- well what he thought was their heart.
Funny how he’d try to stab theirs only for them to come back and rip his out of his chest, then not do anything with it, just watching it beat in their palm. Hmm yeah, it does sound like something he’d like doing, the sadistic bastard.
The sky was now dark and the rustle of the forest’s nightly creatures was starting up, soothing Jason’s mind somewhat. Truthfully, he knew that lingering on these unpleasant thoughts wasn’t helping him accomplish anything, but he believed he had a right to soak in his own self-loathing every once in a while in solitude. He wasn't going to spend the rest of his life hiding away at the base, no matter who wanted him dead and how much he was threatened to ‘keep your white boy ass where I can see it yeah?’.
A small wind blew through the trees, the leaves rustling and branches swaying. It was honestly quite relaxing, he’d probably sleep out here tonight tell himself he couldn’t fall out of this very tall tree in this very precarious position and forget everything even just for a night.
Nobody would miss him, the pirates would surely sleep well knowing the murderous white boy was away for a while- everyone would be happy.
“ Snow-white if you make me have to come drag your white ass out of that jungle I’ll strip you naked tie you up and leave you out here for the boars to chew on!”
He could hear the sticks breaking a good ways away from the tree he was in. And here comes his oh-so-caring partner, he’d forgotten for a while that if anyone was to come looking for him it’d be his crazy bastard.
“Vaas you can stop scaring the birds off I’m up here”, it became obvious that he would in fact not be sleeping in a tree tonight.
Jason, who was previously reclined, started to stand on the branch he was on, he found it exceedingly humorous that the shorter man was looking for him like you’d think he’d spend his time harassing islanders rather than looking for his patético chico blanco.
The crunching noises stopped and sure enough, Vaas was looking up at him, he had this kind of constipated look on his face as if he was deciding between calling Jason something very inappropriate or just shooting him out of the tree.
“The fuck are you doing up there? No don't answer that just get your ass down here, you know how long I spent looking for you eh?! Like I know you’re stupid but how brain dead are you to leave and not tell me where you goin huh fuck face! Want me to hand you over to those Rakyat fucks myself? Huh!? And the next thing stop looking at me with that dumb look on your face, te juro que todavía te mataré Jason!” The pirates’ leader had long since started pacing as he worked himself into some anger-induced rant.
Jason was highly amused, sure you could say he was in some way responsible for Vaas’s state right now but he couldn't not find this funny. Yes, he was at risk of being killed by the Rakyat- turns out murdering their goddess did not put you in their good graces- no, he was not at all worried one of them could actually kill him. He’d spent enough time out here on his own for him to not worry about them of all things, the only person who was likely to kill him was standing angrily beneath this tree, nowhere else.
Vaas, seeming to have grown tired of looking up at Jason, walked up to the tree trunk and gave it a firm kick.
“You think this is funny yeah?! Get down here, you’ve had your fun you whiny shit I swear I'm going to collar your ass the moment I get my hands on you!”.
Jason held on to the tree as it shook violently if he wasn't about to fall before he was now.
“Hey now hold on I'm getting down, don't make me fall out you bastard, good to know you’ve missed me.” he crouched on the branch, the smile on his face growing broader.
As it turns out, the branch was already under stress with Jason sitting on it, but now with all this movement, it couldn't take anymore.
The crack was instant and Jason was slow to react, rightly so he fell.
Vaas was quick leaping out looking up to see how far off the ground Jason was, the moment he was within reach he circled him by the waist, the both of them hitting the ground hard only cushioned by a small bush.
“Fuuuuuuuuuuu-ghck you, I changed my mind. I'm tying you up and collaring you then
-”, Vaas was on top of him at this point, his breath ragged and eyes burning and mumbling under his breath.
Jason was bruised in pain and regarded that heated look with wariness. The bush they landed on was squashed and while it has probably been what saved them both, the sticks in his sides were digging in further the longer he laid there.
“Uh thanks for the save. . .sooooo could you get off me now?” Vaas hasn't eased up and seemed like he didn't plan on moving, simply pushing his hand up to Jason's neck resting his palms there. He wasn't squeezing. . . Not yet at least but he was probably getting ideas.
“You know saving your ass isn't my favorite pass time right Jas?” Jason could feel his heart jump, and his breathing speeds up.
“From where I’m laying you seem to like it a lot, hmm not that I’m complaining I know you’d never let me just die like that, I’m too much fun” Jason pushed into the touch nervously.
Vaas had his mouth by the tallers ear and every ragged breath he took served to incite Jason ever so much. The sounds of the forest were soon lost to them both as they fixated on rushing blood and heated breaths.
“Maybe it’s about time I get rid of you for good then no? One less thing to worry about one less whiny bitch on my island” Vaas tightened his grasp this time, then moved to properly place his body weight in Jason’s lap.
Face to face now Jason is met again with that look and it seems Vaas has come to some sort of agreement with himself because he smirks and brings his lips down hard to meet with Jason’s. Their tongues meet and Vaas has already managed to overtake Jason’s mind, all he does is gasp into the bruising movements of lips and teeth.
The shorter pushes more onto Jason trying to gather some stability on the very not stable bush. Jason can’t breathe but he’s not breaking away from the kiss, getting swept away in Vaas’ insistence to swallow every needy gasp and small moan. All his earlier negative thoughts being placed very firmly on the back burner as he indulges in his lovers’ treatment.
The sticks were now breaking skin and Jason let out a small hiss finally breaking them apart, he then moved his arms as if to grab at Vaas but the other moved. He released Jason’s throat and rocks forward slightly, and this sent them sliding off the bush in a tangle of limbs and surprise. After a small tumble they both land- finally- on the ground.
The air is knocked from Jason’s chest and Vaas lands gracelessly beside him making small sounds, whether he’s laughing or groaning in pain Jason can’t say he particularly cares.
“This is such bullshit”, Jason says and feels his weariness take over, looking over at Vasas and it seemed he was in fact laughing. He kinda felt like chuckling too seeing as he was the one to start all this. Trust Jason Brody to always be the drama queen.
“Hehe, you say that now after all this bullshit, you know Jas this is why I like you, always pulling some dramatic bullshit, always being a pain in my ass, ALWAYS driving me crazy!” Vaas huffs a heavy breath and sits up looking over at Jason.
“Glad to know the crazy one still thinks I’m interesting, I’d hate to die ‘cause I was too boring for you” He’s just laying there tense staring up taking in the darkening sky.
“But seriously Vaas I’m fine so… I-ugh Imsorryboutthetreething” A silence fell over them.
If he was honest, Vaas would just tell Jason he didn’t really care that he wandered off to sulk on his own. He’d tell him he knew there was no one alive on the island that could lay their hands on his Blanco Como la nieve other than him. He’d tell him whatever bad shit in that head of his, that was making him run away was bullshit so he should just suck it up and come back home so he could get him in bed. . . But Jason probably would react in a way Vaas didn’t want to deal with, he was in no mood to deal with Emotional White Boy™ and their overly squishy feelings. So he did the next best thing.
He took Jason’s cheek in hand and rested their foreheads together, meeting his eyes willing the man to just get it, to realize he understood.
Jason hadn’t said anything, he'd just sighed and stared back with those big green eyes of his, which was good enough. Vaas wasn’t entirely sure he’d gotten his point across but this was the best he could do so after a few more seconds he decided he’d done enough.
“I think it’s time we head back, no? Though I’m sure the jungle would love to make a meal out of us” Vaas stood all the way up now reaching a hand out to Jason who took it and was swiftly pulled up.
“Yeah, I guess we have been out here a while haven’t we” He shuffles on his feet and rubs his neck.
Jason never knew how to deal with Vaas when he gets all… Nice, anger was easily dodged, sadness was never an issue lies, happiness was basked in and lust eagerly reciprocated but he always felt especially exposed when the ruthless pirate king treated him like he was something delicate.
They trudged past the tree Jason was in moving towards a clearing, they were close shoulder to shoulder and the Jason could hear both their breaths over the jungles shuffling.
“Jas you think too much, just keep your ass moving, and once we get to the base I’ll get you all relaxed okay? Good!” he threw his hands over Jason’s shoulder happy he’d dealt with the situation.
Jason smiled back and kept on walking, Vaas had thoroughly distracted him and it was probably best he goes along with whatever he had planned for them once they got back. Reminiscing seemed to be impossible once the adorably crazed man set his attentions to him, and to be honest, he appreciated it and for tonight he was going to enjoy as much as he could get.