nilchance: original art from a vintage print; art of a woman being struck by lightning (black winged bird)
[personal profile] nilchance
Title: Throws His Shadow
Authors: [livejournal.com profile] nilchance
Rating: Adult
Pairing: JDM/Misha Collins
A/N: Sequel to If Bird or Devil. Jeff's a dom, and Misha is his boy.



On the morning Misha's due back in town, Jeff wakes early to his cell phone is vibrating nearly off the nightstand. Without opening his eyes, he reaches for the phone and flips it open, grumbling out a "h'lo?"

He expects Misha, but the voice in his ear is Jensen's. Funny how quickly it's become familiar. "Is your boytoy back in town yet?"

"Why hello, Jensen. No, it's no trouble that you're calling me at--" Jeff glances at the alarm clock, "-- 7 in the frigging morning. I'm certainly not sleeping."

"Well, you're up now." Jensen sounds hoarse. Jeff can hear traffic in the background of his call. Apparently those in the revenge trade keep a 9 to 5 schedule. "Is he back?"

"Misha," Jeff says, emphasizing the name, "isn't in until later, and you can wait until I call you. How'd you even get this number?"

"You need to tell your desk girl not to hand out your information so easy."

It's on the tip of Jeff's tongue to ask when he started owning people, but given Jensen's attitude, he doesn't want to know the answer. Besides which, Jensen has a point and he's trying to keep Jeff safe. With a sigh, Jeff sits up and turns the light on. From Misha's side of the bed, Bisou lifts her head and grumbles. Jeff pats her and stands up, searching for his slippers.

"I'll tell her," Jeff says. "She wasn't around for Renee's death. She doesn't know better."

"She should. You all should know better." There's a bristling silence, like Jensen wants to tear into Jeff, but he says only, "Fine. Call me. But I don't want to lose too much time."

"Hey." Jeff pads into the kitchen, listening to the steady huff of Jensen's breathing. Turns on the coffee machine. It's usually ready by now, Misha settled on the couch sitting meditation. "It's been months. Is there some rush on this I don't know about? The killer headed out of town, or--" Another death, another girl. "Or whatever. But if it's like that, I need to know."

"You don't need to," Jensen mutters.

"Goddamn it, Jensen, I'm trying to help you but I can't if you're going to dig your heels in on every detail like--"

"I'm trying to keep you out of it, Morgan. It's for your own good." When Jeff snorts, Jensen talks over him. "You could go to jail. You could get yourself or your boy killed. Or, hell, anybody at the club he decides to use to hurt you."

"Yeah, and what about you? Who's looking out for you?"

Jensen doesn't answer, which is answer enough: it's not a priority.

Jeff sighs, leaning his hip against the counter. In the voice he uses for scared subs and kicked dogs, he says, "You know she wouldn't want this from you."

"What the fuck do you know? She didn't even tell you she was married." There's a terrible weight to the words. Jensen carries it, Jeff thinks, carries the knowledge that he didn't know Renee until she was gone. And there's nothing Jeff can say to change that. With that same leaden voice, Jensen says, "Call me when your boyfriend gets in."

"I will," Jeff says, but the line's already dead.
****
Though Jeff's world has changed, LAX remains the same: crowded, commercial, chaotic. It only seems louder than the last time, every sharp clatter of suitcase wheels fraying his nerves. He paces, drumming his fingers on the tea he brought for Misha. He took Bisou on a mile run before he came and even that hasn't taken the edge off. He hasn't felt like this before--

Liar. You know when you felt this last. Before the cops turned up at your door with a goddamn warrant for your arrest.

-- and he doesn't like the feeling, like dogs on edge before a quake.

Something's coming.

"Looking for some company, honey?" asks a voice in his ear.

Jeff turns and Misha's there, looking like miles of bad road. Abrupt enough that Misha's suitcase hits the floor, Jeff hauls Misha into a fierce hug and is rewarded by Misha's warmth, his scent, his arms closing around Jeff and squeezing him back. Eyes closed, Jeff kisses his way down Misha's face until he finds his mouth and lingers there. Misha tastes like cheap airline coffee and kisses like he was gone much longer than a few days.

If they weren't in public, if Jeff couldn't still hear the airport loudspeaker, Jeff doesn't know if he'd stop. But he breaks away, breathing ragged, and feels Misha sway on his feet.

"Heh." Steadying Misha, Jeff hands him the tea. "Hi. Here, it's probably cold."

There's color in Misha's face. Touching his mouth, Misha smiles wryly. "Is it caffeinated?"

"Sorry," Jeff says, not meaning it. Misha looks like he could stand to sleep for a year. He grabs the suitcase by its handle and lifts, grunting. "God, did your mom send back a suit of iron or something?"

"Worse. Aunt Sage's cake." At Jeff's groan, Misha tells him, "Told you not to say you liked it. I can get that, y'know."

"What am I good for if not heavy lifting?"

Misha smirks and reaches for Jeff's free hand, twining their fingers together. "I can think of a few things."

There's a man by the exit, staring at them through narrowed eyes. Jeff stares back, unblinking, until the man turns his face away and bares his throat...

"Thanks." Misha's voice breaks his reverie. It's hesitant, a note in it that raises Jeff's hackles. "The tea's good."

Jeff hums and slides his fingers up, rubbing a thumb over the worn leather of Misha's cuff. Misha stumbles, his breath hitching loud in his throat, and Jeff pins him down with a smile.

"Oh," Misha says faintly.

There's a slinking, predator's satisfaction at hearing Misha submit with a touch. Stroking the buckle with the pad of his thumb, Jeff murmurs, "Boy, what I'm gonna do when I get you home."

In the reflection of the high gloss walls around them, Jeff sees Misha sink, relaxing under the words.

Jensen can wait a few hours. This... it's Jeff's center, his place to ground out the weirdness and the violence of the past few days. He already feels better for having Misha in his hands, and if it's sweeter for shackling Misha's wrist in his grip, Jeff can admit it in silence.

"How's your mom doing?" Jeff says, casual. Normal.

"Same old. As much trouble as ever." Misha's smiling, Jeff can hear it, but did he hesitate a moment before answering? No. Of course not. It's paranoia, the same that had Jeff thinking Misha warned him off a green eyed boy. "She cuffed herself to a tree, y'know, and Aunt Pepper was no help..."

So they kill the minutes until they can get out of the recycled air, mild conversation with no edges. Later, out of the public eye, Jeff can tell him about Jensen. After.

They take the elevator to their car. Once they're out, Jeff drags in a deep breath of air. He turns back to tease, "Miss those exhaust fumes?"

Misha stares past him, eyes wide.

"Mish? What--" Jeff looks towards whatever Misha's staring at, and stops dead.

There's a living cloud of dark birds, wheeling above the garage, darkening the sky. All Jeff sees are wings, casting a shadow above the cars. Above their car.

Not just birds. Ravens, like the one that fractured Jeff's windshield.

"Jeff," Misha says behind him, weary. "I think we need to talk."

Date: 2008-11-17 12:51 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] gretazreta.livejournal.com
God, this is good.
This is so, so good.
*shivers*

Date: 2008-11-17 09:50 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] nilchance.livejournal.com
*beam* Thank you!

Date: 2008-11-17 01:12 am (UTC)
tabaqui: (d&jpale)
From: [personal profile] tabaqui
Ooooooh. Oh oh oh. So much hurt and grief and need and fear and....just....
*hands*

Lovely.

Date: 2008-11-17 09:50 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] nilchance.livejournal.com
Thank you so much!

Date: 2008-11-17 01:13 am (UTC)
ext_16597: (Default)
From: [identity profile] ysbail.livejournal.com
Wow, oh wow ... a supernatural murder mystery ... I think I'm in love.

Date: 2008-11-17 09:51 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] nilchance.livejournal.com
*beamface* \o/ Thank you!

Date: 2008-11-17 01:30 am (UTC)
ext_21638: (Default)
From: [identity profile] spae.livejournal.com
O_O

*waits*

Date: 2008-11-17 09:51 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] nilchance.livejournal.com
\o/

*types*

Date: 2008-11-17 01:35 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] lomer.livejournal.com
*flails* Everyone needs to talk! Ravens and Jensen and murders! So much talking needs to happen! I can't wait for more of this. *g* I love this 'verse!

Date: 2008-11-17 09:51 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] nilchance.livejournal.com
*laugh* Thank you so much!

Date: 2008-11-17 10:01 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] lomer.livejournal.com
I also dig your icon. "Indolence" is one of my favorite words as well as "indulge". As in "I'm just indulging in the moment" as opposed to "I don't want to get off the couch."

Date: 2008-11-17 01:43 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] qwertypoiuq.livejournal.com
Lord, I absolutely can't wait for more, and for a little clarity from Misha!

Date: 2008-11-17 09:51 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] nilchance.livejournal.com
Pft. Clarity? What's that?

Thank you!

Date: 2008-11-17 01:57 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] doctor-dorothy.livejournal.com
This is fabulous -- very creepy, and very addictive.

Date: 2008-11-17 09:52 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] nilchance.livejournal.com
Thank you!

Date: 2008-11-17 02:19 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] bathsweaver.livejournal.com
Ooooooh...

Date: 2008-11-17 09:52 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] nilchance.livejournal.com
*flail* Icon!

Thank you!

Date: 2008-11-17 02:41 am (UTC)

Date: 2008-11-17 09:52 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] nilchance.livejournal.com
*laugh*

Thank you!

Date: 2008-11-17 04:36 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] livrelibre.livejournal.com
Yay, please Misha tell us what's going on. . .

Date: 2008-11-17 09:53 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] nilchance.livejournal.com
Heee! Thank you.

Date: 2008-11-17 05:54 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] monica-catch22.livejournal.com
Holy cliffhanger, Batman! Gah!

Date: 2008-11-17 09:53 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] nilchance.livejournal.com
*laugh* Oh, yes. You expected otherwise?

Thank you!

Date: 2008-11-17 06:13 am (UTC)
poisontaster: (All Tied Up)
From: [personal profile] poisontaster
Oh, yummy. I really love the relationship between Misha and Jeff. Which is no surprise to either of us, as much as we talk (and agree) about stuff, but still. No matter how much we talk about it, I'm never going to be tired of strong, loving portrayals where the mutual need and adoration is so evident. And there just aren't enough people who can write power politics without correlating it to weak/strong, giving both characters strengths and weaknesses that are no greater or lesser than the other. I also love how you blend the supernatural elements with a very real and grounded normalcy of the every day. It's something I struggle with a lot and I wish I could do it as well.

Date: 2008-11-17 09:54 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] nilchance.livejournal.com
Heee. *toes the ground* Thank you.

See, I think your supernatural/"normal" integration excels, it's so seamless.

Date: 2008-11-17 06:50 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] gypsy-atavari.livejournal.com
Oh gosh what is going on?? So many portents of doooooommmmm

This story is so intriguing!

Date: 2008-11-17 09:55 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] nilchance.livejournal.com
Time for the doom song?

Thank you!

Date: 2008-11-17 07:22 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] atypia.livejournal.com
Freaky bird occurances! WOOT!

Date: 2008-11-17 09:55 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] nilchance.livejournal.com
*laugh* I've seen too much Hitchcock, what can I say?

Thank you!

Date: 2008-11-17 08:54 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] niccy07.livejournal.com
Oh god this is so good. I love this story! And not just because of the hot, hot sex. Ii can't wait for the next part!

Date: 2008-11-17 09:56 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] nilchance.livejournal.com
Thank you! \o/

Date: 2008-11-17 11:33 am (UTC)
ext_19832: (Default)
From: [identity profile] cream-fudge.livejournal.com
I just say goosebumps. Goosebumps all over my body... *shudders*

This is so friggin' good! Can't wait for the next installment.

Date: 2008-11-17 09:56 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] nilchance.livejournal.com
Hee! *glees* I'm glad you liked it. Thank you!

Ohhh, Trinity.

Date: 2008-11-17 11:56 pm (UTC)

Date: 2008-11-17 04:27 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] jedi-diplomat.livejournal.com
Wow...this is so so SO interesting. I lurve it muchly!

Date: 2008-11-17 09:57 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] nilchance.livejournal.com
Your icon made me choke tea.

Thank you so much!

Date: 2008-11-19 04:34 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] iwwfw.livejournal.com
God, the air just sizzles and sparks between them and then you go and interrupt it with ravens. No fair!

Something about the chill in the air makes this 'verse absolutely the perfect one to read.

Date: 2009-02-03 03:40 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] realpestilence.livejournal.com
I can really feel the pull between Jeff and Jensen, here; and between Jeff and Misha...and an *awareness*, I guess, between Jensen and Misha. They don't see each other clearly, just through the lens of Jeff, but I'm thinking they'll both be in for some surprises.

Love how Jeff's dom side is coming out, with him carrying the suitcase, growling at the rude guy, just *waiting* to properly get Misha in his hands. It really does make him feel better to take care, and to fit himself into the top role. I've read a lot about how comforting subs find it to surrender, so it would follow that tops would find similar comfort in taking control of a situation or a person's needs.

I feel bad for Jensen-finding out what his wife was up to, that she hid her needs from him and concealed him from the people who helped her deal with them...and it seems to me he's discovering more of his own needs, looking into this other world. Again, many aspects of grief and guilt that could be hitting him, here. Did he drive Renee to her death? He's got to be wondering that, even if he knows it's not true. Jensen just seems to painfully young and vulnerable in his pain.

I'll have to do the rest later...I'm not doing them any kind of justice, but I wanted to say *something*! *falls unconscious*

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