video • un: el rey

[shabby]

[ The video opens on a man's face, a little too close up for a few seconds. Then he pulls the arm with the communicator back, lengthening the shot and showing vegetation behind him. He's in the atrium, currently sitting on a low hanging tree branch. ]

Hello, alien-abducted internet peoples.

[ He says it cheerfully, with a smile and a wave. For a man who comes from a world without shit like this, he's unperturbed. Possibly because he thinks it's a drug-induced hallucination. ]

How are you today? [ He gestures off to the side. ] This is crazy, no? Outer space and shit. It's like a movie.

[ The image shakes a little as he starts digging through his pants pocket. Eventually, he pulls out a joint and, remembering that he's in the middle of talking to people, asks; ]

Hey, does anybody have a lighter?

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[shabby]

[ One never knows the power contained within these ragged Rook Island tank tops!

Vaas takes the blow from that flailing arm with aplomb, barely flinching from it even though it'll probably leave a bruise on his face tomorrow. It isn't the worst he's ever been hit and there's so much adrenaline coursing through him that it wouldn't matter even if it was. ]

Jason. [ It's a low, half-exasperated admonishment as Vaas catches that hand by the wrist and presses it down to the ground. He leans forward then, putting more of his strength into keeping Jason down where he can't hurt anyone. ] Stop being a bitch, Jason. Can you do that?

[ Granted, he already knows the answer to this, but he lifts his eyebrows in a kind of hopefulness anyway. ]

I'll let you up if you settle down.

[dudebro]

[ Yeah, tanktops really hide one's musculature..................

Jason feels somewhat vindicated that he got at least one hit in. That's one tiny, little, small victory. And that's enough. For now, at least. He fully plans on getting both hands around Vaas' throat sooner rather than later. Still, it burns ( a lot ) that Vaas manages to catch his arm and pin it down. God-fucking-damn it. In retaliation ( citation needed ), Jason bucks up his hips in a bid to throw Vaas off. It's not going to work, and he knows it's not. Doesn't mean he's not going to try. He's not going to just lay here like some pussy bitch.

No matter what Vaas thinks. ]

Fuck you.

[ First. Thing's. First. Gotta get that out. He's half contemplating just spitting in Vaas' face, but he doesn't. ( Not yet, anyway. ) He's getting a little red in the face from the fury that still burns within him, to say nothing of the childish struggling he's been doing to get away. ]

I swear to God, Vaas. Get the fuck off me.

[shabby]

[ Jason's display of defiance might be more successful and pointed if he was doing more than writhing and bucking around under Vaas like one of Badtown's hookers. As it is, Vaas is left to watch him with baffled curiosity, head cocked to one side and his scarred eyebrow quirked upward.

Once Jason stops whining, Vaas stares at him in silence for a moment. The curiosity fades, replaced by a serious thoughtfulness that isn't often seen on his face. ]

Jason. [ He doesn't let him go or sit back, but he doesn't invade Jason's space any further either. ] If you are trying to seduce me, you are giving me very mixed signals. That's very rude. You need to make up your mind.

[dudebro]

[ When Vaas goes still like that, Jason can't help but do the same. Honestly, he's not really sure what's coming or if he even wants to hear it, but it's really not ofter that Vaas gets quiet or thoughtful. Jason doesn't know why he's bothering to pause and possibly hear him out, but he does. There's little else he can do in this position, anyway.

Of course, he immediately regrets everything and if it's possible, he gets even angrier. Like to the point of physically psychotic sort of angry. Jason pulls the strength from whatever mystical bullshit Citra was talking about and leverages himself better and in an instant he flips their positions. He might not be able to hold Vaas down long, but he doesn't matter. Just this little bit is enough. That there are people stopping and watching them or walking by giving them a huge berth doesn't even matter, either. Only this matters right now, nothing else. He leans down with one hand fisted in that stupid red tanktop and the other bracing his weight. How close he is isn't helping the insult abate any, but Jason doesn't care. His voice is low, dangerous and definitely not something anyone is used to hearing coming from him. ]

You should've just stayed dead, Vaas.

[ There's a heat that sparks in his eyes like flint, showing his anger, showing his ties to something bigger than even he can imagine. Something that Vaas knows a hell of a lot better. Jason didn't ask for this shit, but it's what he's got and he's trying to adjust to everything.

He pushes against Vaas in order to get up, wishing he could just punch his fist right through Vaas' chest to rip out his heart, to hold that in his hand and crush it himself just so he knows he'll be dead then. Or maybe he wouldn't even then. It's fucking terrifying to think about. He stands there, still burning with rage but somehow sullen. ]

Give me my shit back.

[shabby]

[ There it is. There's the killer. There's the fire the tatau put inside him. Vaas may not have his own anymore, but he recognizes the look of it in Jason's eyes and feels a satisfied kind of vindictiveness when Jason uses it to flip them. Vaas could try to fight it, and in life or death circumstances would, but he knows the jungle can't be overcome. And the jungle lives inside Jason now. Anyone with half a fucking brain can see that.

Except Jason.

So many days on Rook and Jason's still denying what he is. It's such a stupid fucking waste. A killer like Jason should never be cage by civilization. Vaas can't understand why he allows it to do so. Or why he pretends to enjoy it. He watches him, eyes locked on Jason's, a feral half-smile baring his teeth. But he doesn't interrupt him or hinder him when he gets up. ]

You still don't get it, Jason. [ Slowly, unperturbed by the anger, Vaas pushes himself up as well. ] I keep telling you and you don't fucking listen. [ There's a note of that seriousness in his voice again and an echo of it in his eyes. ] You are me and I am you. Both of us or none of us. That's how it goes.

[ Shaking his head, Vaas withdraws the wallet and phone and holds them up, one in each hand. Nothing's missing. Nothing's deleted. Nothing's damaged. ]

Here. [ Turning his hands over, he holds them out, fingers open. ] I fucking told you I kept them for you. Wasn't going to keep them.

[dudebro]

[ Jason allows it because he doesn't know anything else. A couple of months wreaking some kind of explosive havoc on some uncultivated islands aren't the bolt-cutters needed to get free from the shackles of life. All Jason knows is the bustle of California and being the trustfund little shit he's always been. Sure, he's gotten a taste for something else while he was on Rook, but he's scared of it. No matter how much he tried to embrace it. It's cool and all, but it's new and different and he just doesn't know how to fucking handle it.

Not like he can just phone up Citra and ask her what the fuck he's supposed to do. Certainly can't sit and have a conversation with fucking Vaas about it because he's just psychotic and Jason doesn't think he'd believe a word Vaas says. ...Even if he's never really lied to Jason at all.

Fuck why does this have to be so complicated?!

Jason blows out a breath at that 'we are each other' fucking bullshit. Fuck it. Fuck that. He doesn't want to hear it. So, he snatches his things, satisfied—in some weird way—to feel their familiar weight in his hands again. He doesn't rifle through his wallet ( there's nothing really in there anyway beyond some credit cards and probably some leftover baht ); he doesn't even flick through his phone ( even though there are dozens upon dozens of pics of his brothers and friends saved on there, probably even some of his mom ). He's not giving Vaas the satisfaction of seeing his reaction if everything really is there or if it isn't. Instead, he pockets them in his jeans and just stares at Vaas.

Wildly, his blood is pumping through his veins and he can just feel that urge to do something, anything, that would hurt this asshole. But he knows Vaas would encourage it... not to mention fight back, and Jason doesn't really feel like getting into a brawl right now, in spite of what his blood is telling him. He runs his tongue over his teeth. ]

Don't fucking do anything here.

[ Not that he thinks Vaas could or would because where is he going to sell people??? To who?? Fucking... aliens or whatever?? ]

I'll kill you again if I have to. Make sure it sticks this time.

[shabby]

[ It's good that Jason can't get Citra on the phone. She's a lying, backstabbing, heartless bitch who deserves to have been killed a hundred times over. Vaas should have killed her himself, but family's fucking complicated. It's still complicated. He's glad that she's dead. He's free now in a way that he wasn't when she was still alive.

But she was his sister and deep down, he still loves her as much as he hates her.

See, the trouble is that Jason doesn't listen. He's not listening right the fuck now. Vaas tells him something, then he completely fucking ignores it and starts saying stupid shit. It's a cycle that he can't figure out how to break, because Jason's got a head thicker than a concrete block. ]

Jason. [ It comes out soft, almost patient. ] Hermano. [ Vaas' expression stays placid right up until he's moving forward into his space and shouting at him. ] I wasn't fucking dead!

[ Just like that, he's calm again, although he doesn't move back out of Jason's space. He doesn't tough him, though, or threaten him. ]

I talk and you don't listen. That's why you do fucking stupid things like listen to Citra. [ He points his first two fingers at Jason's chest. ] We die together. We live together. You are so fucking stubborn, it's very frustrating. Why do you think I let you leave the camp that first night?

[dudebro]

[ The only indication that Jason isn't as okay with Vaas invading his space is the way his lip curls slightly as he moves closer. He still smells like Rook, like the jungle and Jason's eyes still flash with that intensity. There's a little voice inside of his head that tells him to stab Vaas in the throat, dig in the blade until the blood runs warm over his skin. Then he'd know he was dead, no question. That voice sounds like Citra, like Grant, like everyone he's ever known and like no one at all. It's the jungle. It's California. It's everything and nothing. His fingers twitch like he might do something, but in the end he remains deathly still.

He glares at Vaas when he finally steps back enough. He wants to rip out Vaas' jugular with his teeth. But, he doesn't. Of course he doesn't. Because he isn't a psychotic fucking hot mess. ]

You know what's frustrating? [ Jason throws his arms out wide then brings them back in to gesture at Vaas. ] You, dude. Fuckin'—oh my God.

[ Jason runs his fingers through his hair, causing it to stick up wildly all over the place. He begins to pace a little, not unlike a caged tiger about to strike. ]

You expect me to believe that you knew that night and that's why you– [ he uses air quotes, ] "let me go?" [ He points to his own temple but looks at Vaas. ] You're insane!

[ He steps back up to Vaas, leaning down enough so they're eye to eye and snarls in a low tone; ] I'll take myself down if I can take you with me, Vaas.

[shabby]

[ Jason is extremely frustrating. He acts so fucking stupid, but he isn't. Vaas knows that he isn't. He's seen glimmers of the man Jason can be hidden beneath the layers of California, wealth, and America. Unearthing him is a monumental struggle, however.

Like this is proving to be.

How many times does he need to see the proof of what Vaas is telling him before he believes it? He's never lied to Jason, yet Jason never believes him. But Citra, that lying bitch, can tell him anything and he believes it.

Vaas grinds his teeth together, but his anger isn't directed at Jason being in his personal space. It's because Jason's such a motherfucking stubborn bitch about the most obvious things. ]

That would be a waste, Jason. [ He says it flatly, matter-of-factly, without so much as a flinch backward. ] But if that's what you want... [ Shrugging, Vaas reaches for the gun at his hip, draws it, and holding it by the barrel, offers the grip to Jason. ] Go ahead and shoot us, Jason. Or shoot me and see how long I stay "dead."

[ He gestures with the gun. ]

Remember how many times you should have died. The jungle. The cenote. The helicopter. The rocket launcher. The bullets. [ He leans closer. ] I knew you when I saw you, Jason. There aren't coincidences on Rook.

[dudebro]

[ He can't believe Vaas. Not yet. He's not ready to. Everything that happened on Rook is still too fresh in his mind to accept anything that Vaas says at face value. Even if, deep down, Jason knows he's likely telling the truth. It fucking sucks. He just can't do it, he can't accept all the death, all the explosions, all the bad shit that happened. That voice in the back of his mind that he ignores pretty well—usually—will be waiting for him, telling him Vaas was right all along. Telling him that even though he's a useless and stupid white boy, that he was made to tear through the underbrush of Rook like he was borne of the earth itself. That he gets his life-force from the lush greenery, the very tigers that chase him, the sharks that attack when he swims in the waters. In spite of growing up in the concrete jungle of California, his heart and home are in Rook.

He's so not fucking ready for that.

So, he protests it now. Without a moment of hesitation he snatches the gun from Vaas' hand and grips it tight. He keeps his voice low still, threatening as he can make it. ( Which, ultimately, is probably useless against Vaas who doesn't seem to be scared of fucking anything. ) Jason leans in even closer, close enough the tips of their noses bump when he talks and his words are spit out like venom. ]

Maybe it is what I want—my last act as a hero. Taking down an asshole who thinks he's the kingpin now.

[ Quick as a snake strike, Jason shoves the barrel of the gun against Vaas' cheek beneath his eye as he tips his head to the side. His mouth his right beside Vaas' ear, lips brushing against him as if he means to kiss that promise into his very skin. As he speaks, he drags the gun up until it's at Vaas' temple. If he pulls the trigger, they're both going. ( Jason doesn't even think that he wouldn't ever have done this before, doesn't imagine that it's the tatau changing him to be the man he's supposed to be. This feels natural, it feels like the air he needs to fucking breathe. Nevermind it smells like tobacco and fruit. ) ]

Remember, amigo, I'm not afraid. [ He shoves the gun against Vaas again, digging it into his skin and jostling both of their heads. ] Next time it's for keeps.

[shabby]

[ Vaas isn't afraid of Jason. He knows what Jason is, whether Jason wants to believe it or not, and he knows what he can do if he stops being a pussy and embraces who he is. But fear is like a fairy tale to him now. A story for children. He's been in the jungle at night. He's faced down the tiger. He's witnessed the savagery of mankind. There isn't anything to fear anymore.

Jason shoves the gun against his face and Vaas simply rolls his head, pressing against the muzzle so that he can keep his eyes on him. That isn't impossible when Jason leans like he does, but the intention is there. I'm not afraid of you.

A wide, wild smile curves his mouth when he feels Jason's against his ear. This show of power is good. It's a step in the right direction, but he doesn't think Jason has taken it to heart yet. Doesn't think he really believes it. ]

I'm not afraid either, Jason.

[ Ignoring the gun like it isn't even there, Vaas lifts his hands and twists, catching either side of Jason's head between his hands and rearing back so that he can look him in the eyes. There's something a little like pride in his voice when he speaks. ]

You have been reborn. [ Leaning forward, he presses a kiss to the center of Jason's forehead, a light brush of lips like a benediction, then leans back and drops his hands. ] And when you embrace what you are, Jason, you will be magnificent.

[dudebro]

[ It would be so easy to just unload the rest of the clip in Vaas right now. So easy. It's point-blank range. Surely that would be something. Maybe if it didn't kill him, it'd hurt him enough to put him out of commission for a little while. Right? Right????

Goddamn it, Vaas makes him so angry. He doesn't want him to. He doesn't want Vaas to have this kind of power over him but he does and Jason isn't really sure how to stop it from happening. That's annoying. Real fucking annoying. Especially because he doesn't want the whole burden of being angry. He didn't really get this angry before going to Rook. He doesn't know how to shake it, either. He's just so angry about everything that happened to him, to his friends. And he knows it's not all Vaas' fault, but it started with him so it's hard for Jason to let that go.

Maybe he should go talk to someone here. Maybe that'll help him figure out how to sort out his feelings about everything. Gay as shit, but whatever. Might be better than just being fucking pissed all the time. Burying it down isn't going to help. Maybe talking will. Or else he'll probably do something he probably shouldn't.

Jason jerks away from Vaas, nearly swinging a punch to crack his stupid nose. He can see it all go down in his mind's eye, but he doesn't do it. Just stands there burning with rage. ]

Jesus Christ. [ His free hand is lifted and he scrubs the back of it over his forehead as if he could take away that feeling of Vaas' lips. ( It doesn't work. ) ] You're a lunatic.

[shabby]

[ It's a shame they can't get along. Without the fate of the island hanging in the balance and Hoyt and Citra, Vaas thinks that maybe he and Jason could have a lot of fun together. Back on Rook, there'd been too much other shit getting in the way. Stress. Hoyt. Citra. The Rakyat. Jason's fucking friends.

Here, there's like... Vaas isn't sure. They're in space. There should be aliens in space, no? But he hasn't seen any. Hasn't seen anyone he knows except for Jason. It's kind of like a new beginning. A second chance.

Except Jason's scowling at him and hates him and all he did was give him his shit back. ]

Yeah. Maybe. [ He shrugs, then turns away and wanders off toward the tree he'd been sitting in earlier. ] It's a big place, outer space. You have your shit back. You don't want to talk to me, okay.