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"What's with the pretty an' pink round here?"
The culture shock Jamieson had experienced was headache-inducing for Mako. Only in Europe for a day, and the damn kid wouldn't shut his mouth. More than usual, that was. France wasn't turning into Mako's favorite place in the world, either. Too fancy, too painted. And yes, it was assaulting pink currently.
This specific strip took Valentine's Day very seriously, lining the street with heart balloons and banners. He and Jamie stuck out like sore thumbs among the tourist rabble.
"Valentine's day," Mako explained, grabbing Jamie's spindly arm and tugging him away.
"What that one again?" Jamie inquired, staring at a couple exchanging gifts.
"Stupid one," Mako growled.
"Ugh-give!" He bit Mako's arm harshly. Mako let out a hiss, lunging for him but getting sidestepped. "I know we said no biting, but we need a hands-off the boss rule too." He huffed, voice lowering as he crossed his arms. He shadowed Mako. He had a fence connection in France that would put them up for as long as they needed, provided he was paid. The unfortunate part was that their front was a 'Chocolate' shop. Exactly the kind of place getting the most traffic during this month. He had only agreed because it was their only option.
He glanced down at Jamie, a pang of guilt flashing inside him. The kid probably was just curious, but he was standing out enough as it was. Boss, sure, but young and dumb and often over the top. The guilt was gone fast when Jamie started complaining again.
"Are we there yet? Why did we park in the sticks? The colors are giving me a headache. Can I blow it up? Is Valentines day the one for drinking, or rabbits?"
Mako didn't dignify him with a response, well aware that if he wanted to, Jamie would blow up whatever or whomever he wanted. He was just pitching a fit for attention, like always. He sighed deeply.
"Romance." he finally said, wondering if it would satisfy the brat.
"Oh! Candy and kissin'? Never got to celebrate that one." He hummed. "Seems Tacky and boring. Are we there yet?"
"Rat?"
"Yes, mate?"
"Shut Up."
They had to enter through an ally side door, avoiding the crowd inside the much bigger than stated 'Gorment' chocolate shop. At least they had the luxury of their own rooms.
Hog had to kick Jamieson out of his, locking it so he could throw himself on the mattress and close his eyes. Jet lag was never a problem when he was younger, but now he felt incredibly exhausted. Everything was painfully exhausting, much more so than Mako was happy with. He was getting old. He stared at the wall that separated him and Jamieson, hearing Jamie talking to himself while he banged on...something.
He thought the reason he was nettled by Jamieson more often than not was jealousy. The jealousy of a young man who had energy bigger than his whole body. Even on days when Jamie would complain about sharp aching pain in limbs that he no longer had, he was so damned spry. It was getting hard for Mako to keep up with spry.
He guessed they balanced each other out. Jamie was erratic, conniving, and crafty. Mako was collected, tactical, and leveled (in some ways). But both thrived on violence and chaos. There was a high to be reached with the destruction, of a building, body, or anything. They both knew this and paired with their greed, they were able to stay together.
He drifted into sleep trying to hypothesize what Jamie was building.
When Mako awoke again, it was to Jamie whisper shouting on top of him.
"Hog! Hoggie! Mako!" he repeated, drumming on him repeatedly. He had a brash grin, the kind he got when he made an especially effective explosive. Mako groaned, turning over and pushing Jamie onto the floor. "Come on, big man! I got something to show you!"
"The door was locked," Mako mumbled, rubbing his eyes.
"Was it? Whatever. Hoggie, I made ya somethin'." He grabbed Mako's hands, feebly attempting to pull Mako off the bed with him. "Please please please-"
"Okay, okay, damned ratbag," Mako swore, sitting up and stretching. Jamie let out a wild cackle as Mako donned his mask and stood. as soon as he was on his feet, Jamie was pulling him out of his room, out of the building into the cool night.
"What time is it?"
"Not important! Skys dark, so you can see." he continued to pull him until they got to the main street. It was less densely populated, but the occasional tourists were either too drunk or too tired to pay any attention. "Okay. Stand riiiiiiiight....here!"
He held Mako firmly in one specific spot on the sidewalk. Mako's eyebrows knitted in confusion. He wondered if it was a trick, and Jamie just stood him on a hidden explosive of some sort. Jamie was so unpredictable, it could be possible. He watched the man launch himself in the air with his mines, what's to stop him from inventing a 'Roadhog launching Mine'?
He pulled a detonator from his pocket. "Watch the sky, Hoggie." He demanded, taking his place beside him and giggling like a schoolgirl as he teased the trigger. Mako held his breath as he waited for the inevitable chaos about to ensue.
The explosion was a good few blocks away, but loud enough to make Mako cover his ears and Jamie moan in satisfaction. The screaming was drowned out as fireworks launched from what he assumed was the devastation, exploding into a clear message.
'Partners in Crime: J+R'
"How did you do that so fast?" Was Mako's immediate reaction, bewildered by the sheer detail Jamieson had managed in a small timeframe. He should have learned to stop questioning it.
"Wasn't hard. You just gotta make the stars in the rockets shaped like words, but each rocket is one letter. Had the stuff on me. What'd you think, huh? Better than anything anyone's getting this holiday, right?"
Mako felt his face flush. That wasn't something that happened in so long Mako was immediately overwhelmed. He wrapped an arm around Jamie, pulling him into a firm side hug.
"You're impressive." He managed, his smile hidden under his mask. Jamie squeaked, but pat Mako on the back in reciprocation. Sirens sounded, and fire trucks whipped down the street past them.
"We should get outta the street, mate. That was the police station." They turned back to the ally, arms around each other. "Wanna root?"
"Don't ruin the moment." Mako rolled his eyes.
"Was just kiddin'. Gotta keep you guessing. Don't know how to one-up myself now."
Mako was sure it would be easy to do. Jamie was too young to peak just yet. Mako hoped he continued to see what he could come up with.