Chapter Text
Originally from Maliwan, you decided to move away from the company and start anew thanks to your strange fascination with meeting new people. Something about the idea that everyone is living a whole different story from a perspective you would never see made your eyes glimmer. You've hopped around quite a bit, staying in a place for only so long before traveling to another company that may need your talents.
You were an expert masseuse, learned pressure points, and even took on chiropractic. Master of the body basically, you were able to aid those drowning in stress with your talents. This is why you mostly found good jobs in companies.
One company that had long caught your eye was wild, manic almost. Stone, sore bodies moved across the cold space station like zombies: Hyperion. You wanted to give them a helping hand, so when an available space became open...Which was oddly often, you’ve opened shop.
The space was relatively small, but overall, in good shape as everything was well taken care of. Your workplace took on the first floor, as your home resided at the top with a staircase connecting the two together. Large enough to hold everything you needed, so you hardly complained. You've worked your magic to the incoming workers; soon many became regulars as their pain of sitting in one spot, hunched over, seemingly drifted away.
"Have a good day Ms. (y/n)!" A familiar goodbye rang out as you waved in response before you head to the sink to clean your hands.
Your attention was solely on getting everything ready for the next appointment, unaware of some of the commotion happening outside. It was in the norm, from the few months that you've stayed on the space station, people were at each other’s throats. You did your best to keep as passive as possible and away from any feuds that sparked or have been sparked. Don’t need any stress on you now!
However, despite the efforts, it didn't work out very well on certain occasions since any sign of weakness seemed to be documented and used against the person.
Specifically, no surprise, your kindness was seen as a fault.
You've lost money most of the time when this first started, a few of the workers taking advantage of your enthusiasm to help. Discounts were made to those who acted wearily or pleaded sob stories, you fell for it every time despite knowing that they were always the same; It wasn't new either since you worked with these types of people before, but the reputation of Helios made you believe every one. It wasn't till an accountant by the name of Vaughn decided to step in and put an end to the constant crocodile tears.
You felt a tad embarrassed as you were swept away so easily to the hassler's stories and thanked Vaughn for his help after he managed to expose one of the worker’s failed stories. Since then, the two of you hung out a few times to eat together and you were introduced to a few of his other friends. They all seem kind as well, but still have this aura of needing to out-top the other workers: Rhys was the strongest out of the trio if it wasn't apparent by the idolization of Handsome Jack.
Your attention was snapped back as the chime of the bell was heard, wiping your hands on a towel. You walked back to the counter to ring up the next one in line while pulling up the holographic computer screen; You did it in such a hurry--you call out the name out of habit.
"Mr. Henderson! Welcome! Just one second and we can get started on your treatment." Heavy footsteps echoed after your greeting as a much more jovial voice responded.
"Sorry Cupcake, Mr. Henderson canceled on you. Looks like you got a spot open right? Course you do."
You froze, looking up in mild shock. Jack dusted off his clothes, taking in your little shop by the looks of it.
"Ah...Welcome! Handsome Jack, it’s quite a....surprise." You didn't really know what to say since you figured he had someone privately hired that attended him. So, the idea of him being in your shop was basically nonexistence.
And yet, here he is.
There. In your shop. Right now...
"You don't seem to be thrilled." Jack placed his hand on the counter saying it as a statement rather than a question as he wore that 10-million-dollar smile, "No I get it, really. Never imagine right? That the big man would stroll up to this tiny place. Really tiny place."
Your eyes flickering around to his expression—mapping out the distinct features. Your attention was mostly centered around the metallic clamps that decorated his face, almost like Frankenstein’s bolts. Seeing as you were left silent for a moment too long, you spoke out as if talking to a regular customer—one that he is not, "You are good at reading others, so yes, but I am not willing to look a gift Skag in its mouth, so? What treatment would you like today?"
"Its natural talent! Gets you things you didn't know you wanted." Jack raised a slight brow when he took the screen, "Rumor goes around quickly in my station, I figured I'd check out the place that these suckers are constantly blabbering about in board meetings."
"Anyways, I think I'll take the Deluxe." He flicks the screen back with ease, or maybe carelessly, pulling out his Echo to pay.
Your eyes widen slightly to the number that appeared on your side of the screen, " Handsome Jack...? You've sort of overpaid with that extra zero there?"
You were certain that this was just him messing with you, and this overpaid amount was seen as potential future issues rather than glee and greed for the present. Informing him would probably be your best bet and playing that thought in your mind, the outcomes were always seemingly more flavorful.
"Hm? Oh yeah, consider it a tip." This was basically pocket change to him—should have known, well that train of worries reached its stop quickly.
"We are getting started or what?" Jack was tapping his foot, an elbow leaning over the counter.
You rushed your task in accepting the payment and gave him a small thumbs up to assure him that everything went through correctly. He gave a slight smile, one that had his eyes gleam of something strange—It made your head scratch as you took notice of it. Jack followed you to the back with a bit of a stride; The room's floor clung with fog as the shelves were decorated by stones and statues that you have collected over the years. "You can keep your clothes on if you wish, or your boxers only. Undress to your comfort level basically."
You start pulling out the supplies you need before a hearty laugh startles you from the boss man, "Can't have it naked?" There was a bit of a purr to his voice, it was alluring in a poisonous way.
"Well, yes and no. Yes, technically you can...?" You furrow your brows to why this was brought up, "But I do not feel very comfortable seeing my customer's...lower region, so for the sake of myself, I just have them in their undergarments."
You couldn't exactly help yourself when your eyes trail down Jack's body before it finally hits you as to why he asked.
There was a chance he goes commando.
Your expression must have been readable enough again as Jack's lips curled back into a slight smile with his eyes twinkling in malicious glee, "It's rude to stare you know Kitten."
"Clothed it is then, lie down now." You didn’t bother to even play with the statement as you went to wash your hands before hearing an all-familiar shuffle of clothing being taken off.
Twisting your body quickly to stop him, you were met with only him shrugging up his jacket, vest, and collared shirt which only left him in the classic yellow Hyperion T. Jack's head turned to you now with a bit of a laugh, "What? Expected to see something now?" He deepens his voice as you stared blankly. Unaffected.
Kind of. You wanted to smile a bit since he bounced his brows at you; it almost seemed suggestive if it wasn’t for the ridiculous look he was giving you.
"No...Of course not." You wanted to keep yourself professional now, but it didn’t last very long as a grin was painted on your lips.
"Mmm, I don't think so. I think you were expecting something now Cupcake, I can show you later now if you want." Jack simply laid down without another word as you muffled a snort the best you could.
You exhaled quietly as you push up your sleeves to get started. Coating your hands with the oil, your fingers start to glide and push against the tense muscles to map where the most stress was built up. Soft hums appear to leave the CEO as you performed your magic as his body slowly began to slump—those knots melted away.
Lower groans now left him as your hands work on his neck and shoulders, Bingo. A common place to where tension is built up, so your hands are pushed to get the blood flow going again.
Your fingers moved again from their place before hitting a particular spot that got Jack to growl out, in what you can only guess in bliss. A small smirk tugged at your lips before you began to hound down the spot, right at the center of his lower back.
“Feels good there?” You inquired lightly—your voice giving away the smile you wore.
Jack let out a low hum, followed by a small laugh, “Real good. Keep at it, I will give you another tip. The better kind.”
“Dinner first now.” You shot back with some ease, while the advances annoyed you as you wanted to keep a barrier up, they were still amusing. Made your day a little interesting apart from the literal CEO of Hyperion entering your shop today.
More icing to the icing, right?
“Oh? Finally, under my charms now? Took you long enough Cupcake.” You could feel the shaking of his body as he laughed below your hands.
You glanced to the side, finally breaking out into a laughing fit as you massage that sweet spot back making him lose his wording and let loose a guttural groan. Lost in the bliss for a moment, his shoulders flexed.
"Deep breath for me now." You spoke in your more soothing voice, one that matched the volume of the soft music that played. His body rose and your hands slide around to the neck…
CRACK
Jack's eyes snapped in a second as his body jolted upward which startled you, "Hell was that?!" He snatched at your uniform's collar, holding you high in the air. Damn, he was strong, but somehow being lifted was the least of your worries.
"Careful now! You could've gotten hurt!" You slightly fretted with a small hiss to the sudden movement, "It’s chiropractic? It was part of the deluxe!" You winched in your place, the clothes pinching at your skin from the gravity leaving red lines behind.
Jack's eyes seem to flash for only a moment as your own stared back with some annoyance. The green and blue wore an icy gaze and your own skin shuddered by the intensity of it. Seconds later, you felt your feet touch the ground again as he lowered you, his grasp kept to its place.
"A warning. Would have been appreciated. Got that cupcake?" Each word was puncture into the air; The threat was crystal clear as you slowly nodded, though you wanted to argue that everything that was going to be done was in the package's details.
It somehow washes over you on just how dangerous this appointment was, taking the man that run this whole show. You sweated slightly, hesitant to move on as Jack seamlessly settle back on the table. He did notice the slowness, your step back in confidence was apparent.
Your hand lowers slowly onto his back once more, taking every step with caution. Several warnings were announced during the rest of the appointment. It felt like a bit of a hassle to do since you have never done it to any other patient. You were still a tad worried over the sudden movement he did, so you quickly had checked on his muscles for any obvious discomfort.
"No pain anywhere?" You spoke quieter now. Push comes to shove, he was still a patient that needed help. Jack felt your hands pick back to normal speed as he grunted slightly more with the soreness easing down.
"Nnnope. Well, kind of in my shoulders right now." He rolled it back as a response, showing which one was bugging him.
He felt you move around the table; hands went around his wrist before he noticed you sitting down. Glancing over, you gave him a little wave.
“You might feel this one.” You were ready to pop another bone once in the proper position.
While that one moment of him grasping you certainly was unpleasant, the rest of the appointment went without much of a hitch. Even Jack began to talk rather casually to you, either to break the silence or just was bored. You responded as kindly as ever as if nothing happen which caught Jack's attention. What he said before was right, he was certainly good at reading others. Right now, with you, he was able to tell there was...nothing ill intent behind that smile of yours. Hell, not even fear.
He almost wanted to laugh at it, you seem so quick to turn your back on him at any point after what he did. Feet were always open, a sign of trust. Not to mention, there was still a bit of confidence that surrounded you despite the threat looming over.
"Now. You can finally take everything off." Your words broke him out of his thoughts as his eyes came to land on your own.
"Now we are getting to the good stuff?" His smile became almost wolfish with his little canines peeking out.
You rose a brow again, clicking your tongue before laughing into your sleeve. "Sauna. You will enjoy it. You know, hot steam in a single room?" You tease lightly with a smile on your lips, watching Jack's brows throw up a little to the mockery you pulled.
“Watch yourself now Kitten, easy with your tongue there or you’ll end up somewhere good for me! Andddd, not so good for you. Depends.” This warning was a little lighter than the last and had less yanking upward; added with that devil smile.
“Mmm, guess the only way is to find out now?” You return with a snap of your hips to the side, “Men to the left, you can set your clothes to the side by the shelves with baskets in them.”
Time has passed, Jack was still in the sauna by himself while you took care of the shop for the time being. His body had sunk into the seat, eyes closed as the steam lapped against his skin. Head back, his chest expanded as he took in long breaths letting the stress seep off and go down the drain like the water. In sum, he was at peace.
Until some voices had caught his attention and your laughter mingled into his ears. Hissing out as the silence was interrupted, he leaned his head to the side to listen in.
“-3 trays, on one hand, 2 on the other! I had no idea how I was able to do it, but it left me sore the day after.”
“Oh dear, they have to work to the bone. Never tried asking your boss to take it easy?” Your voice rang with worry.
Jack’s sharp brows knitted together as he straightens up a little.
“Never, it’s just been like this for weeksss nowwww…Pain everywhere, man my neck hasn’t been the same since I first started. Been a lot better now that you came around.” Jack scoffed silently at this person, the weak tactics of manipulation. It was clear as day to him to what this person was doing.
“Glad to have helped, it’s what I am here to do.”
“Say…wouldn’t mind squeezing a quick appointment for me today hm? You do not seem busy, right? No one at the shop?”
Your eyes flickered to the back, hesitant as your palms rubbed together nervously. No, you weren’t blind to what this customer was doing, but you felt that familiar pity bloom in your stomach.
“C’monnn, pretty please? I got this killer back pain and…” They made a hissing sound of pain that was plainly faked, “Man, I would just feel so much better with your help.”
“Well…um, I would, but-“
“But she has me to take care of, ain’t that right?” Jack stood behind you, now fully clothed with a white towel around his shoulders.
His voice alone got the guest to let out a rather unpleasant squawk as you jumped yourself; His hand was at your hip, squeezing it with your cheeks flaring up slightly red. Bold move as it caught you completely off guard—Well, everything at this moment caught you off guard.
“Handsome Jack!” The person attempted to straighten up the best they could, “I-Sir, I didn’t expect—”
“Yadda yadda, couldn’t help but overhear you trying to intervene on my appointment time now?” If you could describe the person’s body right now, it looked like a sweaty piece of paper being crumpled up by its own weight.
“No! I didn’t know, I swear—” They stuttered out more, trying to reason out their actions in the hopes to save their skin.
“Uhuh, shut up kid.” Instantly, the rambling was cut short, “Why don’t I give you to the count of three and the moment I reach three if I don’t see you running out of here? I’ll put a bullet in your head. Ready?” Jack clicked the gun as it loaded a bullet into the chamber as the person was ready to book it yet waiting for the countdown to start.
“Three.”
“WHAT?!”
The bullet met the head in an instant as a perfect hole was seen all the way down to the other side. Your hands had snapped over your ears to muffle the sound of the fire, slowly peeking an eye as to your surprise—there was hardly any blood. There was a strange smell of burning flesh that entered your nose, causing you to gag slightly.
“You are welcome by the way.” Jack tucked the gun away as you blinked at him.
“Was that…truly necessary?” You deadpanned at the sight of the corpse, still...gagging.
“Yes, and do not tell me you were actually considering giving them an appointment. How stupid are you?” He mocked, taking out his Echo and ordering some Trap units to come to dispose of the body.
“I think I might have ended up like him if I did, wouldn’t you agree?” Your eyes shifted away at the sight as Jack leaned over the counter to get close to your face, to which you took a step away.
“A doormat, and you still snip at me.” Jack mused lightly with the palm of his hand holding his cheek up.
There was a small silence as you and he exchanged glances, at least you did. His own eyes did not seem to leave you at all—going up and down your figure before a grin breaks to his lips.
“Well, only one way to fix that. You are gonna work for me now, only me.” Jack lifted from his spot as he fixed his suit, leaving your mouth agape.
“P-Pardon?”
“I don’t like repeating myself! The place is all yours and everything, but I expect you to be coming to my office every Saturday! 8:00 PM sharp and every time I call you up personally. Don’t care what you are doing beforehand, just get your sweet ass over before I boot you off of Helios. Got that?” He was already out the door to make sure you didn’t protest, “Ciao!”
You stood in your place, hand out to the door as you tried to process what had happened.
Oh dear, what did you get yourself into?
And he left the corpse in the room…