All That Glitters

AN: I could get used to skipping these things.  Let’s do it again.

 

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Kuromei:  Lo!  More sweet sexiness awaits, and the secret shall soon be revealed!  Hope it will be worth the wait.

 

Sej:  As always, you flatter me.  I claim to be an autodidact with this kind of thing.  Slowly but surely my writing evolves, hopefully for the better.  And of course Jak would try to put the moves on the only other person besides Damas and Samos that has any authority over him!  Seems like Torn didn’t go for it, though.  Ah, well. 

 

Tainted_Emerald:  Yeah, school has started.  It’s not too busy this semester, though, so luckily I’ve had some time to write.  I’m glad the story is still living up to your expectations, and hopefully it will continue to do so!  I’m going to try to wedge some action scenes in here somewhere… I suck at those… gotta get better.

 

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Characters: Belong to Naughty Dog.  And it’s a damn good thing for that ottsel that he doesn’t belong to me, let me tell you…

 

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     Even as he groped in a bedside drawer for the small bottle of scented oil he hoped and prayed was still in there, Jak knew he wasn’t going to go all the way with the redhead.  Not that night.  Daxter was too compliant in his post-pleasure haze, too sleepily trusting as he watched the proceedings over his shoulder with slightly detached curiosity.  Actual sex would hurt no matter how gentle and careful it was—that was just how first times went.  And Jak had sworn on everything there was to swear on that he would not hurt Dax that night in any way.  He wouldn’t break his promise now.

     Finally closing his hand around the oil vial, Jak dropped thankfully back to the bed behind Daxter.  He placed a hand on one slim hip when the redhead tried to roll to face him. 

     “You can stay right there, okay?  Just relax.  Let me do the work.”

     The amused snort he got made Jak smile as well.  Maybe the slave found it funny to have someone else doing all the work for him for a change.  Jak couldn’t say he minded the extra effort.  While Daxter contentedly hugged his pillow, the prince carefully tugged the stopper out of the bottle and slicked up his hand.

     Daxter jolted a bit when the oiled hand slipped between his legs, but to his credit did not panic.  He merely glanced back over his shoulder again, this time looking a little more concerned.  What exactly was about to go on here?

     Jak was quick to reassure.  “It’s alright.  It’s just oil.  This will feel good for both of us.”

     The redhead made a very suspicious face.

     “Hey, I swear!  Nothing happens until you say so, alright?”  Not that he didn’t desperately want to just pull the little brat’s legs open and do what he would.  Far from it.  “Precursors give me patience with you, so I don’t go crazy!”

     At that Daxter smirked, apparently satisfied.  He resumed his original position and let Jak finish, even going so far as to yawn.  The terrible cheek of this boy.  Jak would have to fix that sleepy attitude right away.  Quickly he spread the excess oil on himself and scooted up against Daxter’s back as closely as he could.  It was warm and so very inviting.  Before he could remind himself to stop and announce his intentions, Jak pushed forward between slim, pale thighs.

     This time the slave really did jump.  He gasped in shock and instinctively tried to pull away, but Jak held him firmly against his chest.  He damn well knew this didn’t hurt—it had just come as a surprise.  Dax would get over it in a second.  And indeed, in mere moments he was squirming; not away from Jak, but back against him. 

     They lost no time adjusting to one another’s movements.  Jak’s still-slick hand drifted from his friend’s hip to wrap around Daxter’s suddenly very interested length.  The redhead anchored his arm around the pillow as he was pumped and stroked, the other going over their heads to twist in the covers.  The prince covered that hand with his own free one, and was more than pleased at their connection. 

     “Are we having a threesome with that pillow or something?”

     Daxter whimpered at the teasing words, his eyes fluttering shut, but he didn’t let the soft cushion go.  Well, whatever.  It didn’t bother Jak in the slightest anyway.  This was as close as he felt they could sanely come to perfection.  His friend was there and willing, happily enjoying the night with him, and even if he had been hoping to completely claim Daxter as his own that evening the position they were in now suited him just fine.  One had to be flexible sometimes.

     And Jak made sure to express his thoughts, too.  He purposefully kept their pace slow, trying to draw the experience out.  He kissed and nipped the back of a flushed neck and bright red ears.  He told Daxter how glad he was that the redhead had decided to stay.  How much he was enjoying himself and that he wanted Dax to enjoy himself just as much.  How he hoped they could try the real thing together someday.  Through it all Daxter panted, and listened, and responded to every little touch and movement.

     When he finally came Daxter tossed his head back to land on Jak’s sweaty shoulder with a strangled groan.  His whole body tensed, and Jak gasped as clenching, squirming legs squeezed him tight.  In moments, not bothering to hold back any longer, he followed his friend over the edge.  Rocking shakily against the spent form cradled close to him, Jak was surer than ever that he had found something precious. 

    It was Dax’s contemplative hum that brought the prince back to his senses a few minutes later.  He blinked, a bit surprised to find the slave still lying with apparent contentment in his arms, but relished every moment of it.  “Hmm.  What’s up, Dax?”

     In answer Daxter shifted pointedly, peeling his legs apart.  There was an obvious squelch. 

     Jak finally deigned to notice that his hand was sticky with oil and other miscellaneous substances.  So was the area surrounding his groin.  So were Daxter’s thighs and front and back.  Jak had to grin at his friend’s annoyance.  “What are we going to have to do to keep you clean?  Two baths this evening and you’re dirtier than ever.”

     Silent laughter greeted the remark.  There was only one thing to do.  Jak knew this.  And yet he did it less than willingly.  Placing one more flurry of kisses up the side of his friend’s neck he left the oasis of the bed and headed back to the washroom, only to return a minute later with a wet towel.  Daxter crawled agreeably closer when he dropped back down to the edge of the bed, and the next few minutes were spent contentedly cleaning one another up.

     “As much as I hate to say it, this will have to be the last time we get messy tonight if either of us is going to get any sleep.  You look pretty tired, there.”

     Daxter shrugged, then yawned.  Jak didn’t miss the sidelong look thrown at that favored pillow, just lying there in the middle of the soft bed.  If they pulled back the covers, the sheets and the undersides of the blankets would at least still be dry and clean.  They would be more than comfortable.  This was good, because Jak didn’t think he could handle yelling for someone to bring him a change of linens at this time of night, under these unusual circumstances.  The only person he wanted to see right now was… curling up naked in his bed like a tired kitten. 

     I will not jump on Daxter.  I will not jump on Daxter.  I will not jump on Daxter.

     Willpower had never been one of the prince’s strong points, but he managed to resist spooning up behind the burrowing redhead and instigating round three.  Daxter needed some rest.  He had probably been up that morning even earlier than Jak had, doing some pointless menial labor or other, and had been put under an awful lot of stress that evening. 

     It was the work of a moment to straighten the blankets and put the loose pillows back into some form of order.  Daxter looked up, surprised, when all Jak did was drape the covers over him comfortably before snuffing all but one of the lights and settling himself back in bed a respectable distance away. 

     Jak huffed at the look.  “What?  I’m letting you get some sleep.  I know you don’t like me trying to hold onto you all the time, either.”

     The look on the redhead’s face blended disbelief and exasperation almost perfectly, and Jak knew without a doubt that Dax was once again mentally disparaging his intelligence.  Even without the flick to the forehead that came a moment later it was clear he was being called a moron.  Then, apparently satisfied that he had made his point, Daxter scooted over until he was snuggly beside his larger bed partner.

     “So I get cuddle privileges now that I’ve shown you how good I can make you feel?” Jak asked smugly.  A hard pinch was his instant reward for that comment, and he yelled accordingly.  Insolent little devil.  He couldn’t have been happier when he curled an arm around Daxter and let himself relax.

     There was a quiet sigh.  Sandwiched between Jak and the feather pillow in what might well have been the best bed he had ever slept in, Dax seemed less the worse for wear after his ordeals that day.  In what seemed like only minutes, he had drifted off to sleep while gently petting the hand Jak held against his chest. 

 

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     Much later that night a cool wind blew in from the mountains in the east.  It ruffled the drapes over the windows and the doorway that lead out to the small balcony, then swirled around the spacious room.  Jak woke from a light doze.  He half sat up in bed and looked around groggily. 

     It was still night.  That was good.  Daxter was still soundly asleep beside him under the warm covers.  That was even better.  He had stayed awake long after the redhead succumbed to exhaustion, just so he could savor the moment.  When he had finally gotten to sleep it hadn’t been all that deeply.  He should probably try again, though, or the coming day and its flurry of pre-battle preparations would not be kind.  There was still plenty of darkness left to be enjoyed before the sun came up and reality called.

     However, Jak didn’t find that sleep would come back so easily.  Though his rest should have been undisturbed with the object of his affections snuggled easily in his arms, his brain seemed to have taken the lull in the action as a cue to kick into overdrive.  He couldn’t help but lie there and think.  And as he thought, he began to worry.

     I’m going to have to be in the middle of the action almost constantly from now on, he thought uneasily.  How the hells am I going to be able to keep Dax close enough to make sure nothing happens to him?  I can’t keep him up on the front lines with me.  That’s way too dangerous. 

     Jak shot a look down at his friend’s relaxed features.  It strengthened his resolve—Dax accompanying him into the fray was definitely out.

     No way.  He’s smaller than most and he doesn’t even know how to fight. So what else can we do?  I guess he should be safe enough inside the palace, pending none of the invaders manage to get past our lines.  But then we still have to worry about Dad…  I have no idea what he’s planning to do to keep me and Dax apart.

     And the thought made him unexpectedly angry.  For the first time, with a start, he realized exactly how unfair their situation was if Damas was actually serious about separating them.  From that point on their friendship would be considerably more complicated.  And for what?  On what grounds?

     So Dax is a boy.  So what? Jak seethed silently.  It’s not like everyone else in this kingdom doesn’t fool around that way.  It’s not looked down on or anything.  Half the soldiers have same-gender partners, and no one gives a damn about that!  Okay, yeah, so I’m the heir to the throne.  I’m still marrying Keira.  There’s no reason I can’t have Daxter, too.  It’s just ludicrous. 

     The prince took a deep, deep breath near Daxter’s hair that smelled like bath soap and dried herbs.  He tried to relax a little.

     Okay, Jak, calm down.  It’s alright.  You don’t even know if the old man was serious.  What’s the worst he could do?

     To make sure he never had the free time to seek Jak out Daxter could be given enough tasks for three people, more work than he could ever accomplish on his own, and be run into the ground with exhaustion.

     Just don’t think about things like that.  We won’t let that happen.  He snuggled in closer to his friend in reassurance, more for himself than the sleeping redhead.

     There was also the distinct possibility that Dax could be given to one of the favored nobles as a household slave, and be taken away from the palace.  If that happened it was almost certain they would never see each other again.

     Jak twitched uncomfortably.  What was with these horrible imaginings?  Surely he still had plenty of time to think of a way to make Damas forget all about Daxter, especially in light of a coming war.  The king had much bigger problems on his mind now.  Most likely he wouldn’t even spare a moment thinking about—

     —handling the issue by tossing the problematic slave to the soldiers for entertainment value and stress relief in the barracks when the fighting was done.  It wasn’t a terribly uncommon occurrence when servants or slaves made trouble, even if most of the unfortunates chosen for the punishment were female.  And the soldiers had shown interest in Dax before…

     The very contemplation made Jak want to tear someone’s face off.  Daxter was HIS.  His friend, his lover, his favored pet if the redhead would only allow it.  No one else was allowed to have him.  No one.  Not even with the king’s permission. 

     With absolute certainty the green-blonde knew how a situation like that would pan out.  Daxter would fight, just like he had fought that night.  But unlike Jak, the soldiers wouldn’t be so kind as to stop their advances at the first sign of unwillingness on the redhead’s part.  They didn’t give a damn about Daxter as a person.  All they saw was an annoying little slave brat who caused more trouble than he was worth, and if he were ever at their mercy when they knew there would be no punishment for what they did to him… 

     Dax would be hurt, no doubt about it.  Perhaps hurt badly.  And if Damas wanted to be a cold bastard and go to extremes, which he could and would do, there wouldn’t be a damn thing Jak could do to help his friend.  A cold, seized feeling took hold in Jak’s chest despite the warmth of the shared bed.  He wasn’t used to feeling helpless, but in this case it seemed that he didn’t have much of a choice about what to feel. 

     We could leave, he thought, grasping for any kind of solution.  With the faster leaper lizards we could be gone before the sun comes up.  No one would know we left for at least a while.  We could make it.  We’d go to the mountains and get out of this stupid desert and just enjoy life, and—

     Jak chuckled a little bitterly.  Lovely thoughts, but entirely impossible.  There was a battle on the immediate horizon, perhaps even an all out war.  Spargus needed its warrior prince.  He couldn’t just abandon his people in their first serious conflict since they had left Haven City so many years ago.

     Why can’t this just be as simple as I thought it would be?

     The green-blonde sighed.  He tried to bury his face in Daxter’s neck for comfort and inspiration, but found his nose pressed against something hard and flat.  What in the world?  It took Jak a moment of squinting in the dark to realize that his face was touching Daxter’s slave collar.  The more he was forced to come into contact with that thick gold band the more he despised it.  He fingered it moodily, absently noting that it was warm with his friend’s body heat, while the thoughts and emotions inside him twisted and coiled like angry sand snakes.

     The night slowly slid by as Jak struggled to strategize, hugging his redhead and staring out the window until the stars grew dim.  It took him almost until dawn to think of a painful, but perhaps entirely necessary, solution.

 

- // - // - // - // -

 

     “Hey, Dax.  Good morning.”

     The redhead started as he awoke, blinking rapidly and pushing himself up a bit from the sheets.  Then he paused, looking around in surprise. 

     Jak chuckled.  He smiled reassuringly from his pillow next to Daxter as the smaller boy got used to waking up in an unfamiliar part of the palace.  The sun’s rays were just beginning to creep over the horizon and in the window, lighting the room with a peaceful golden glow.  Daxter’s collar glinted brilliantly in the light.  Jak blinked hard and looked away. 

     “Did you sleep well?”

     Daxter nodded amiably before he dropped back to the mattress and wriggled around under the covers to face Jak.  The little smile that showed his front teeth was heartwarming.  It spoke of restored trust and the expectation that Jak would tell him what was going to happen next.  Which Jak would, of course.  He just didn’t want to.

     Cutting to the chase was a necessary evil, no matter how much he might want to just lie there and cuddle and enjoy the redhead in his bed.  They might not have much time.  He had to do this now, before anyone could be sent up to fetch either one of them away.  The prince took a moment to collect himself, took a deep breath.  Daxter watched curiously and waited. 

     “Dax, listen.”

     The redhead’s ears perked accordingly.

     “You know that things are going to get… complicated now, right?”

     A slow nod.  A slight frown.  Maybe he didn’t understand completely, having already been escorted out of the hall the night before when the king made his final threat.  Jak struggled to explain in the simplest, least painful way possible. 

     “My dad doesn’t want us to be around each other anymore.  At all.  You know he thinks you’re distracting me.  He told me that after last night he’s going to make sure I don’t have anything else to do with you.  I don’t really know why he thinks it’s so wrong for us to be together, or what he’s planning to do to keep us apart.  But he’ll do something.” 

     Daxter was frowning openly now, looking confused and indignant.  Jak agreed wholeheartedly. 

     “Yeah, I know.  It’s not fair.  But I don’t think there’s anything I can do about it.  I doubt I can change his mind.  I can’t change someone else’s mind if he’s already given them orders to do something about us.  People obey him before they obey me.” 

     Worry and the beginnings of dread were the last things Jak wanted to see on his little friend’s face.  He sat up and Daxter scrambled to do likewise, the sheets falling from narrow shoulders to pool around his waist.  “Okay.  So you see why we have a big problem.”  Daxter nodded, giving Jak the incentive to charge ahead.  “Well, I think I know a way to fix it.  At least, part of it.  It’s… it’s not an answer I like, but I’ve thought about it since last night and it may be the only option we’ve got.”

     Dax stared, completely at attention.  Jak cleared his throat with some difficulty before continuing.

     “You have to leave, Dax.  By yourself.”  Even if sending him away was the last thing Jak wanted.  Even if it hurt just to think about the seemingly breakable redhead wandering alone in the wastelands with a bare minimum of survival supplies and no one to protect him.  “And you have to go soon.  This evening.”

     A head of flaming hair was shaking in denial.  Daxter’s ears were laid back almost completely. 

     “Yes, yes you do.”  Jak tried his best to sound firm, commanding.  “You can’t stay here.  Something very, very bad could happen to you if we don’t get you away from Damas.”

     An incredibly frustrated gesture met the statement.  Daxter had tried running away before, countless times!  If he couldn’t escape then, how could Jak expect him to manage now?

     “This time will be different.  I’ll make sure of it.”  Jak was more than determined.  “We’ve got an enemy army marching toward us.  Everything will be in an uproar.  Everyone will be distracted.  This is the perfect time for you to sneak out.”

     The slave had gone perfectly still and quiet.  His gaze unsettled the prince a bit.

     “Look, don’t worry.  It’ll be easy.  I’ll make sure you get different clothes, some food and water.  Once you sneak out of the palace all you have to do is find somewhere to hide in the city until nightfall.  The traders’ market ends tonight.  You can slip out the gates with the rest of the travelers.”  A lump was trying to form in his throat.  He ignored it.  “Head for the mountains.  The troops from Haven are coming from exactly the opposite direction.  Hide and sleep in the daytime, travel at night—you’ll be safe.” 

     Unless there were marauders who also moved by night.  Unless there were nocturnal metal heads or other large predators.  Unless any number of unfortunate things happened to a lone traveler with no skill at self defense. 

     Slowly a hand stretched out and landed on Jak’s arm.  Hesitant eye contact was made.  Daxter looked afraid to be hopeful as he cocked his head and asked a silent question, and Jak hated the answer he had to give.

     “No.  I can’t go with you.”  He had to look away from that hurt face.  “I’m sorry.  I wish I could, but I’ve got to stay.  I’ve got to fight for my kingdom.  That’s about the only thing Dad was right about.”

     The redhead huffed loudly, an insubordinate glare in place.  Well, maybe he didn’t feel like leaving after all, then.  Maybe he wanted to stay here where Jak was.  Where his friend was.  Only imagining the lewd, cruel laughter of faceless soldiers as they toyed with their prey gave Jak the resolve to stand firm and unrelenting.  The thought of blood and semen running down the pale, slim thighs he had made quiver with pleasure just hours ago.  Maybe he was overreacting… but maybe he wasn’t.

     Jak growled.  “You’re going if I have to drag you to the gods-damned gate and throw you out myself.”

     Now the glare he was getting radiated something akin to betrayal.  It quite resembled the look someone might acquire if they had been teased, tricked, used, and tossed aside just as they were ready to admit feelings for the jerk who had run them through the emotional wringer.  Abruptly Daxter turned away and tried to leave the bed.  

     “Dax, it’s not like I’m throwing you away!”  Jak lunged forward and grabbed before he could stop himself, pulling the struggling slave to him in a tight, tight hug.  “You’re my best friend, and I—Precursors, I think I’m in love with you!  That’s why you have to get out of here!  I don’t think I could stand it if something happened to you, if I was here to see it happen and couldn’t help.  So please, just leave while you’ve got the chance.  Okay?”

     It seemed to take a moment for the words to sink in, but when they did the squirming to get free and the angry noises immediately stopped.  Daxter went still in Jak’s arms, accepting the somewhat desperate embrace, ears flicking to and fro in surprise.

     “I promise I won’t forget about you,” Jak offered quietly, grateful that he was being allowed one last chance to hold his friend.  “I hope you won’t forget me.  Maybe we’ll even see each other again sometime.  I’d… I’d come find you when all this stupid mess with Praxis is finished, if I knew where to look.  Keira wouldn’t mind.  She likes you, too.  She’ll miss you.”

     Alright, he was babbling now and he knew it.  Trying to delay the inevitable even though he knew they were losing precious time as the sun climbed ever higher and the palace awoke.  Jak let a strand of silky red hair slip through his fingers and sighed.  At least Daxter seemed to have finally agreed with him.  The next step was to get him some inconspicuous clothes, gather some gear together, and find a way to sneak him out of the palace grounds before anyone noticed that neither of them had been seen that morning.  Lost in his planning, the prince thoughtlessly ran his hand through Daxter’s hair and down the back of his neck.  It stopped on the collar.

     Dax was trying to make him feel better, now.  He petted Jak in return, messing up green-blonde bed head even further.  With a comforting sort of sound he put his arms around the prince’s much broader shoulders and hugged.  Jak smiled slightly.  Using his light hold at the nape of his friend’s neck he gently tugged Daxter closer until their foreheads touched.  The clasp of the collar was hard under his fingers.

     “Know what else?”

     The redhead blinked curiously, almost cross-eyed from their close proximity.  He looked puzzled, but entirely trusting.

     “When I’m in charge,” Jak whispered softly, tapping at the small latch, “this will be very, very against the law.”  And he twisted as hard as he could. 

     There was a startled squawk from Daxter as he was jerked to the side with the force of Jak’s movement and the latch of the collar snapped cleanly off.  Ignoring the throbbing of his fingers Jak reached behind Daxter’s head, caught the now-free ends of the metal band in either hand, and pulled.  The soft gold gave easily, and in a moment the mangled collar fell to the bed between them.

     For a second it seemed like what had happened had failed to dawn on the redhead.  He stared at Jak sorely, obviously miffed, and raised a hand to rub at the side of his neck where the unexpected tug had made the skin red.  Then his hand actually met skin, not metal.  Jak had to smile at the almost frightened look he received.

     “Yeah, it’s gone.  One less thing for us to worry about.  You probably never deserved it in the first place.”

     Stunned but happy tears were gathering at the corners of big blue eyes.  Nearly overwhelmed, Daxter ran his hands all around his neck.  It was really true—for the first time in years, no constant symbol of servitude.  His lower lip quivered as if he might cry, but for only an instant before a huge grin broke through instead. 

     Jak let out an “oof!” as his lap was abruptly filled with an overjoyed former slave and that grinning mouth forcefully met his own.  Lips locked, tongues tangled, hands clutched, and Jak had never regretted anything less.  Until a loud, jarring knock at the door abruptly destroyed their moment.  They pulled apart immediately, both staring at the source of the interruption. 

     Another knock.  “Prince Jak?  Your highness, are you awake?”

     The voice was Sig’s.  Jak swallowed a curse and tried to pull Daxter closer again, into a more protective hold.  Damn his own hesitance!  Their chance to get the redhead out without detection might be ruined now, all because he hadn’t wanted to let go so soon. But then, all at once, he found that he had no choice but to let go.  His palms where they wrapped around Daxter’s upper arms suddenly felt as if they were touching fire.

     “Ah!  What the—?!”

     It all seemed to happen in the blink of an eye.  When Jak recoiled, a blinding glow that resembled nothing so much as the flash of activated eco enveloped the room.  He had a panicked second, before he was forced to shield his face, to realize that it was coming from Daxter. 

     What the hell?  What the HELL?  What is that?  Is Dax hurt?  Was there a curse on that collar or something to keep people from taking it off?!  If he’s hurt I’m going to fucking kill Samos—!

     Jak’s mind raced frantically and he wiped wildly at his watering eyes, desperate to at least see what was happening.  Not that he could do much in the grand scheme of things if the Sage’s preventive magic was indeed having some sort of terrible effect on his friend, but not knowing what was going on was worse. 

     The shocking spectacle was over almost as soon as it had begun.  Literally seconds had passed by the time Jak was able to refocus on his friend, but it was enough time for the damage to be done.  The burning in his hands subsided.  The glow faded.  And where the skinny redhead had been sitting only moments before, something small, orange, and fuzzy blinked back at the prince.

     Jak stared.  The animal stared back.  Its long ears twitched.  Then, as another impatient knock sounded at the door, what was unmistakably a smirk flashed across its little orange- and yellow-furred face.  A very Daxter-like smirk.

     “Thanks, pal.  I totally owe ya one!”

     The path to the balcony was wide open, and the critter formerly known as Jak’s redhead immediately took full advantage.  The green-blonde watched silently, his mouth hanging open, as it leapt from the bed without a backward glance and bounded toward freedom on long, gangly legs.  A thick, lengthy tail disappeared behind the fluttering curtain just as the bedchamber door swung open.

     “Your highness?”

     Jak blinked rather dumbly as Sig peeked in.  “Uh… yes?”

     “Sorry to disturb you, but King Damas has sent word that you’re to report to Torn at the training grounds immediately.”  The soldier was looking at him strangely.  Well, even more strangely than would be normal given the fact that he was sitting naked in bed and probably looking like he had seen a ghost.  “Prince Jak?  Is everything alright?”

     “Yes,” Jak heard himself say.  His own voice sounded very distant, almost as if he were dreaming.  “Everything’s fine.  Tell my father I’ll be down in ten minutes.”

     “Yes, your highness.”  Bowing slightly, Sig pulled the door shut once more.  His heavy boots echoed down the corridor.  In a moment there was nothing left but morning silence.

     “Dax?  Daxter?!”

     Jak bolted out of bed.  He tripped over the rug and half stumbled onto the balcony, looking frantically from one end of the small terrace to the other.  Nothing.  There was no sign of any living creature, let alone the one that Daxter seemed to have suddenly become.  He peeked over the edge of the stone railing, almost dreading what he might see on the ground far below.  But there was nothing there, either.  Only the gardens, peaceful in the early morning sun.

     Draped disbelievingly over the rail as the cold, hard truth finally began to sink in, Jak could only think one thing.

     Oh, gods.  Oh dear, sweet gods.  I turned my best friend into a weasel!

     And as the prince of Spargus had a personal crisis, far out across the wastelands a cloud of dust rose high into the blinding blue of the sky.  The forces of Haven were about to reach their destination.

 

-//-//-//-//-

 

To be continued…

 

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

(2^nd)AN:  Don’t smite me, guys.  I tried, really.  College has the unfortunate side effect of eating lives.  *scuttles away to avoid thrown slippers*  

 

Well, anyway, Jak’s gone and done it.  He disobeyed direct orders, took the collar off, and look what happened.  He had just better get his crap together before the forces of evil (?) arrive on his doorstep.  Tune in next time to find out what, exactly, has happened here—and what might happen in the near future!

 

Outtake time.

 

- - - - -

 

Jak:  *smirk* Are we having a threesome with that pillow or something?

 

Dax:  //Yeah, I wanted ta say no, but she just totally insisted I let you join in.//

 

- - - - -

 

Jak:  Don’t worry, Dax!  I won’t let those horrible monsters lay a finger on you!  *sob!*

 

Dax:  (being squished in a hug) //So, this is the pot totally calling the kettles rapists…//

 

- - - - -

 

Sig:  (salutes) I’ve asked the prince to report for duty, sir.

 

Torn:  Very good, soldier.  Now, as I was saying— (glances randomly toward the palace) Jak, what the hell are you doing?!  Get off the damn balcony, boy, you’re naked!!

 

Spargus Army:  (stares in awe and wonder)

 

Torn:  *face-palm* They don’t pay me enough to deal with this…

 

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