Let's get down to business

[first_rule]

If Daniel had thought the last year had been a whirlwind, it was nothing like all that changed the moment they stood before Dylan in the park. A lifetime of hardwork, a year of risking prison and failure, and now he had come to the pinnacle of all he had ever wanted.

And it wasn't even close to over yet. Packing wasn't hard, and leaving behind his life had already been done. They had no idea where they were going, or what was coming next.

He did know that McKinney didn't stop making whatever sound that was at the ungodly hour of not even four in the morning, and he was about ready to scream if the coffee maker didn't go faster.

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[the_death_card]

Jack lost it entirely at that, cracking up and practically giggling outright. It took a moment or two for him to stop laughing and regain his composure, and he made a face, shaking his head. "That's just wrong, man."

[first_rule]

"It is wrong! It's dangerously wrong, and that's why I'm warning you," he said with a smirk. "Do the right thing, Jack. Just say no."

That Jack appreciated his humor would likely always make him smile. He just couldn't help himself.

[the_death_card]

Jack was glad Daniel appreciated it, really, but he could stop, now, before he broke his brain completely. "Anybody told you lately you're just not right?"

[first_rule]

"Lately?" He paused, making as if to consider that. "Not lately, though Henley does tell me that on a fairly regular basis."

[the_death_card]

"I meant 'in the head', though she probably means more 'about everything ever'."

Jack grinned, every inch the Little Shit Dylan had named him during their fight.

[first_rule]

"Would we be doing any of this if we were entirely right in the head?" And he meant that. Not that he would ever give it up, but it was the truth. "Maybe she means in ways you don't want details for."

[the_death_card]

And again, Jack clapped a hand over his eyes. "Oh, God. Now I've gotta go find Merritt to wipe my brain or whatever."

Ugh, Daniel. You two are like his siblings. Don't give him those mental images.

[first_rule]

"Do you really want him in there knowing you're thinking about him naked? Which you will be now because I suggested it," he asked, knowing he was being a dick and he just can't help himself.

[the_death_card]

"I hate you," Jack mutters into his hand before he drops it from his face. "But you brought it up, so you have to be thinking about it, too."

[first_rule]

"I know you do. It's my burden to live with," he said with a smirk.

"Actually I see it in all in pixels. Always. Even his face."

[the_death_card]

"Like The Sims?" Jack asked, puzzled, because yes, he knew enough about the game for that. "Because if so, we need to never let you cook."

Since, y'know. Setting the kitchen on fire and staring at it.

[first_rule]

"I..." he paused, frowning at that and putting it together in his head though he doesn't play the game. "Wait, they show their junk in pixels?"

[the_death_card]

"Uh, yeah. Like... when they use the bathroom or get in or out of the shower or whatever, it pizelated everything." He paused a beat, since he should probably clarify the rest of that statement, too. "And usually they set the kitchen on fire while they're trying to cook."

[first_rule]

"Hey. I can cook," he said. Though, it was Daniel, he was likely to get distracted and burn the kitchen and the house down. He couldn't deny it.

"Next thing I know you'll be telling me they go at it."

[the_death_card]

"The Sims? Yeah, actually. But it's like... they just get in bed and get under the sheets." So that was boring - or it had been to the teenage boy he had been when he had gotten any time to play.

[first_rule]

He just stared at him for the longes time, utterly confused. "You're... you're serious. What kind of life did you have as a child? We need to get you out and get you laid."

[the_death_card]

Jack snorted. "I lived in group homes and foster homes as a kid, man. Computer games were something we actually had to do." Unless you wanted to just lay around and watch tv, which got old quickly.

"I know how it all actually works, thanks."

[first_rule]

"So you made computer characters have sex," he said, giving him one of those, come on dude looks.

"Well yes. You had computer characters do it for you," he teased.

[the_death_card]

"We were pre-teen boys. It was easier than sneaking in fucking Playboy." Not that people didn't try, but they usually got found and confiscated before too long.

"Not like you don't have experience with using your hand for that kinda thing anyway," he shot back, smirking.

[first_rule]

"I'm not sure if I'm sad for you, or if I'm just laughing on the inside," he said, a small smirk curving his lips. "Whatever gets you there, man. Guess that's all that matters."

He snorted, rolling his eyes. "Given my libido, there's not a lot of girls that can keep up. That isn't a problem, but a way to handle a slow night."

[the_death_card]

"And the internet says you've got a line of ladies around the block," he returns. "They'd still be disappointed to know the truth."

[first_rule]

"That is a truth. A girl in every city, from every show. Or was the truth," he said, sobering a bit on that talk. Because then there was Henley and second chances.

"I'd rather disappoint them than..." He stopped, glancing at the door. "Some risks aren't worth it."

[the_death_card]

Jack sobered a little at what Daniel wasn't saying, following his glance toward the door. "You guys doing okay, speaking of?"

It was hard to tell, sometimes, where things stood with Daniel and Henley. He cared enough about both of them to hope things were okay, though. Or that they would be.

[first_rule]

That was the million dollar question, wasn't it? All he could speak for was himself though. "I think we're doing good," he asid with a nod. "I'm not going to do something stupid like before."

Reassuring and skirting around the words at the same time.

[the_death_card]

Jack wasn't sure whether it was an endorsement or not that Daniel thought they were doing okay, but it was better than them not talking or something. "Oh, pretty sure she knows you'll still do something stupid," he teases.