Talk to Me

AN: Alright, everyone. Chapter IX. Ready for this? Here goes.

Sej: Thank you so much! *heart heart* I’m so glad you liked the last chapter. I’ll do my best to keep up this funk-tastic yaoi groove I seem to have goin’ on here…

killerfox: Apparently Daxter is… *special.* Yeah, that’s the word… Unflappable all the way, until tiny little matters like true love and the mechanics of alternate relationships come up. Fight on, Daxxie, it can only get better from here.

Sione: Isn’t it great when that happens? I love it when I misplace fics and find them again after they’ve been updated. I hope you continue to enjoy this one!

Disclaimer: I don’t own it or profit from it, but I do enjoy bastardizing it an awful lot. Thank you Naughty Dog Inc., wherever you may be.

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“I really don’t see it, Dax. Are you sure it fell under here?”

“Oh, uh, it’s there alright. Just keep lookin’.”

Daxter smiled as, on his hands and knees, Jak made a noise of puzzlement and shoved himself further under the car. Twirling the “missing” wrench in his fingers the ottsel basked in the lovely view of the racer’s tight denim and leather-clad backside, invitingly presented at the perfect level to admire as he struggled under the low riding vehicle. Oh, yeah. The ambiance in the garage sure had improved this time around.

They had been back in Kras City just over a month, and already the situation was better than Daxter had ever thought it could be. Oh, sure, he might have forgotten to give Jak Sig’s message and they might have arrived in town late by a day behind the rest of their team, but Jak had quickly forgiven him the small oversight. After all, he had only forgotten because they had spent the entire day preceding the intended departure date snuggling up a storm and acting, in general, stupidly happy in their new-found liberties with one another. Jak had no choice but to forgive him, really.

“I’m telling you, it’s not under here!”

“Sure it is, pal, sure it is.”

“Then you get it!” With a frustrated growl Jak pulled himself out from under the car, covered from face to elbows in grease, motor oil, and dust. “You’re the tiny one here. Why do I have to be the one who…” He trailed off, gaze suddenly narrowing suspiciously on the wrench in the ottsel’s hand and the mischievous gleam in his eyes.

Daxter shrugged and smiled innocently. “What?”

“You stay small in the garage just so I won’t have the heart to thump you when you deserve it, don’t you.” It wasn’t a question.

The smile widened. “Maybe.”

In reality, he chose to remain ottsel while exercising his vehicular expertise strictly to avoid the problem Jak had just encountered. Orange Lightning’s small size made slipping under and around the Javelin X and their other rides a breeze. Also, all of his mechanics skills had been acquired post ottseldom, and the tools and parts just felt better in his smaller, furrier hands. Not that Jak needed to know any of this.

Jak, meanwhile, had taken on an uncaring attitude. He went about his business pointedly ignoring the fact that he was being closely watched with naughty intentions, almost as if he were unaware of the small orange creature in his space.

//Hot damn, he looks fantastic,// Daxter thought appreciatively, almost purring at the sight. Jak was dirty and mussed, true, but aloof and all but dripping with the feigned haughtiness that befitted a champion racer of his standing. Yowza.

Dax shook himself and glanced around surreptitiously. Ashelin, Keira, and Torn were a bolt’s throw away, huddled over a diagram of the new weapons system that was being installed in Torn’s ride. He had to be careful about ogling Jak while they were all out there working, lest he space out and get tripped over. No one seemed to be paying any attention to him now, though, so he felt justified in teasing his racer just a bit more. Pretending, as Jak apparently was, that he was alone in the garage, Daxter whistled to himself and prepared to get back to work. He did, however, manage to “accidentally” trail his tail along Jak’s leg just above the top of his boot. He laughed quietly and scampered back under the car as the green-blonde shuddered almost imperceptibly. Yeah, this trip was definitely more fun.

Dax had one minor complaint, however. Not that it was a huge problem, but it was proving more and more difficult to deal with every day.

In the month since he had forcibly shoved things out in the open on the relationship front, Orange Lightning had received more pets, cuddles, and chin scratches than he had formerly gotten in a year. His human form too had been subject to a deluge of playful hair ruffles, full nelsons, and, very covertly, hugs and kisses. He could sleep next to Jak in either form without either of them being unduly worried about the consequences. Together they had learned that Jak’s ass was not to be smacked in public and Daxter was not to be swept off his feet bridal-style anywhere near the oily, greasy, slippery garage floor, as bad things would follow either occurrence.

All in all, the whole business was very agreeable to Daxter. Except… No matter what methods Dax employed to incorporate a little more touchy-feely of the advanced type into their everyday routine, Jak never wanted to up the ante.

//Smooches are fine an’ snuggles are dandy, but he’s actin’ like we got together over hot cocoa an’ valentines, or somethin’.//

The ottsel gave a loose bolt a good twist with the wrench, then a light tap to make certain it would not turn any more. He had made a genuine effort to think about the situation in depth, and still failed to see the point of dragging their feet. Having once gotten much further, he was disinclined to wait around much longer for Jak to take the initiative and advance their physical relationship.

//We could die a horrible, painful, fiery, eco-y death every time we hit the track,// he thought realistically, dodging a stray drop of oil. //I ain’t too keen on bitin’ it under any circumstances, but all be damned if I’m goin’ out without gettin’ all’a Jakkie-boy first! Either he makes a serious move tonight or I do. ‘Carpe diem’ an’ all that, right?//

Satisfied with his private resolution, Daxter again began to whistle lightly and moved on to the next bolt. He was soon interrupted, though, when a booted foot very gently descended on the only part of him not hidden under the car. He twitched his tail slightly, the tip of the trapped appendage easily popping free. “What up, Jak?”

“The others are heading in for the evening. Want to pack it in? We got a lot done today.”

“I’m good ta go if you are.” Dax squirmed out from under the car, wrench held firmly in his teeth, and proceeded to shake the dust out of his fur. “The undercarriage is set tight. Nothin’s gonna come loose under there, no way no how.”

“Thanks.” Jak’s huge palm covered the ottsel’s entire head as he fondly ruffled ears and goggles. “Come on, let’s go get cleaned up and find something to eat.”

Ooh, food. Furry ears perked at the magic word. Quickly wiping down the wrench with a greasy shop cloth and dropping it back into the toolbox, Daxter happily followed his friends out of the garage and into the evening light. He sighed contentedly. Three meals a day, his old body back when he wanted it, tinkering and racing to keep him occupied, and Jak to keep him warm and happy. Life could always be better, but not by much. Not very much, at all.

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


“Ugh, I’m *covered* in oil!” Keira laughed, looking herself over in the scuffed mirror over the kitchen sink. “Next time you’re going engine diving, Jak, and I’ll just tell you what to do!”

“What, an’ have the car explode ten feet from the startin’ line? Ya gotta be kiddin’!”

Jak snorted in amusement as Keira struggled to wipe some of the oil off her face with a wet napkin, Daxter bobbing and weaving as he tried to keep balance on her much narrower shoulder. “Dax, get down from there. I get the feeling you’re not helping very much.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“You can have the shower first, Keira.” Jak had to smile. He was talking to the girl, but his eyes couldn’t help following Daxter as the ottsel smugly swaggered into the next room. Little brat… He loved it.

“Thanks, Jak, you’re sweet.” Tossing away the napkin, Keira planted a quick kiss on his dirty cheek before hurrying out. “I’ll be fast, I promise. Oh, and Ashelin says we’re meeting Rayn and going out for dinner! Try to find something nice to wear.”

“Uh… right.”

Bemused, the green-blonde slowly headed for the stairs. There wasn’t much to be found in the way of wardrobe selection in the tiny bedroom of their converted racing headquarters, especially if Daxter wanted to go sans fur, but he would try.

Up the rickety stairs, down the drafty hallway, one, two, three doors down, to the room he and Daxter shared. Jak flipped on the light and moved to the closet, digging through what clothes he had. As he had feared, no formal evening wear had magically appeared in his small clothing collection.

Dropping down on the edge of the bed, he considered his options. //Hmm. Will the girls hate me if I just tuck my shirt in and wipe my boots off before we go?//

Absently, the racer ran his hands over the blankets on the bed. They had been brought along from the place in Haven to help stave off the chiller Kras nights, but so far they had been largely unnecessary. It was, after all, much warmer in bed nowadays. Most nights Jak would drift off with Orange Lightning sleeping peacefully on his chest or tucked under his chin, only to wake up in Daxter’s very human arms. Or with Dax in his arms. Or with both their arms and legs sprawled haphazardly all over the bed and smacking unconsciously at each other for more room. It didn’t really matter, as long as Dax was there.

Forgetting all about his current conundrum Jak smiled, remembering the morning after they had taken that epic leap of faith and had their little talk.

That particular morning he had been sleeping lightly, clutching Dax to his chest, the tip of the redhead’s ear caught in his hand. He had been gently rubbing it with half-conscious fingers, the warm skin feeling like satin. Daxter’s happy squeaks and squirms, not to mention the wonderful but startling feel of their lower bodies grinding together, had eventually brought him fully awake. He had started to stammer a mortified apology--but had been stunned to find it kissed right off his lips.

//What did he say then?// Jak tried to remember. //Something about me being ‘damn cute’ when I panic. Ha. And then that night when Torn called from Kras demanding to know where the hell were we and why weren’t we there yet, he said I’m ‘damn cute’ when I’m angry.// The racer grinned, plucking at a loose thread at the edge of one of the blankets. //If he’s even half serious every time he says that then I must be the most adorable hero-racer-renegade alive.//

“Hey, Jak!” The quick ‘thump thump thump’ of what could only be an excitable ottsel bounding down the hallway met the racer’s ears, intruding on his musings just seconds before Orange Lightning himself bounced into the room. “Let’s get a move on, huh, pal? Hate ta interrupt, but we ain’t got all day. Ya can daydream *after* they drop the filet mignon in front’a me!”

“Right.” Jak stood up and stretched, trying not to smile. “I have no idea what I’m going to wear, though.”

“Gotcha covered. Torn’s gonna lend ya a jacket an’ such.” Looking pleased, Daxter strolled to the closet and shoved the door further ajar. “And as fer yer’s truly, apparently my gear’s still new enough ta qualify as appropriate dinner wear.”

Jak turned away quickly at the flashes of eco that heralded his friend’s return to standard form. After a moment he could hear clinking hangers in the closet and the ‘swish-fwump’ of clothing landing on the bed he had just vacated. Sometimes he wished Dax weren’t *quite* so comfortable in states of complete undress.

Without turning back, the green-blonde cleared his throat. “Is Keira done with the shower yet?”

“I guess. If she ain’t now she will be in a minute.” There was a silent but nevertheless obviously amused pause from the redhead. “I got the robe on, Jak. It won’t kill ya if ya look.”

“Er… sure. I knew that.” Jak didn’t look, though. Instead he set about brushing his hair free of dust and tangles in preparation for washing.

“Hey, Jak?”

“Yeah?”

“Can I ask ya somethin’?”

The racer froze, brush pausing mid swipe. Uh-oh. Dax was using that gods-awful singsong tone that never failed to spell trouble. Jak was somehow sure that somewhere behind his back, eyelashes were being fluttered winningly. “Um.”

“How come,” Daxter asked, suddenly appearing at Jak’s elbow, “ya never wanna… ya know… mess around?”

“Well, uh…” Boy, was this an unexpected and astoundingly bad time and place to begin a conversation of that magnitude. “We do. Do stuff, I mean. We kissed just yesterday.”

“Nah, I ain’t talkin’ kiddy stuff.” Thin but firm arms twined around the green-blonde’s waist from behind. Jak gulped as hands began to pluck restlessly at his belt buckle. “I’m talkin’ stuff like we were doin’ that first day. I know ya remember that, don’cha? There on our little couch o’ lurv, huh…?”

Jak took a deep breath and carefully removed his friend’s roving hands. Little teases like this were becoming more and more frequent from the redhead lately. He was still holding firm in his attempts to keep things moving slow and steady, but the blatant advances were starting to wear on the racer’s resolve. “It’s not that I don’t want to, Dax, it’s just—”

“What, ya worried ‘cause it’s only been a month since we hooked up?”

Jak sighed as Daxter continued to cling like a vine, nuzzling his cheek into the racer’s strong back. “Something like that.”

“Well don’t sweat it, sweetheart. If ya really think about it, what good is datin’ anyway? So it lets ya get ta know the other person, figure out how much it pisses ya off when they leave hair in the drain an’ don’t put the toilet seat down. Big deal. If that’s all datin’ is then we’ve been doin’ it fer years.”

“I really don’t think that’s the same thing,” Jak began, but was abruptly cut off as Daxter rose to his tiptoes to gently nip at the end of Jak’s ear. Oh, no! Ear nibbles! The green-blonde’s mental facilities immediately shut down, his eyes falling almost shut in pleasure. “Ah! Dax, don’t. I can’t think when… when you… ah…”

“Gimme a kiss, big guy,” was the reply that came mumbled around Jak’s ear tip as Dax proceeded to completely ignore any and all protests.

“Wait! Dax, knock it off, we don’t have time for this—”

“We can make time. Just an itty bitty bit, Jak, that’s all I’m askin’…”

“Sounds to me like more of a demand than a request,” Jak gritted. But still, finally, he relented. Moments after he ceased to struggle, the racer found himself being hustled unceremoniously backwards toward the bed. “But come on, Dax, seriously—”

“I know, I know. I’ll be gentle with ya, I promise.”

“What I'm trying to say,” Jak nearly yelled before forcing his voice back to a reasonable level, “is… uh… are you sure you really want to go any further? I mean, not like we’re going to do anything too deep right now—” he shot a suspicious look at the innocently whistling redhead who was busy shutting the bedroom door “—but I guess I just don’t want you to think you have to do anything to please me, alright?”

He was a bit put off when Daxter turned away from the door to stare at him like he was insane. “Yer kiddin’ about that, right, Jak?”

“No, I’m not. You said yourself you only got into this in the first place to make me happy.” Jak was now cautiously circling the bed, being slowly stalked around its perimeter. “I just want you to be sure that it’s still what you want, too. There’s no reason to rush it. We can take as much time as—”

“Jak.” The green-blonde knew he was in for it when Daxter put his fists on his hips. “In case ya haven’t noticed, I’ve been tryin’ ta get back in yer pants fer a month! Look at me. I’m chasin’ ya around the freakin’ bed, here. I totally, definitely, absolutely, unquestionably, want ta hit the sack with ya. Satisfied?”

Jak’s ears drooped meekly as he smiled. “I guess?”

“Yeah, ya guess. Now sit down, you said yerself we don’t have a lot’a time.” With that the redhead impatiently shushed him, pushing and pulling until Jak was situated to his liking.

Back in his original spot at the edge of the bed, only now with his friend standing before him in the too-large robe, the green-blonde tried to shake off a sense of unease as Daxter started messing with the lapels of his racing jacket. “You locked the door, right?”

“Um…” There was a pause, another jacket fiddle, then an absent nod. “Yep.”

“You’re sure?”

“Sure I’m sure.” The heavy garment was slid off his shoulders. “Lay back, would ya?”

“Daxter, I mean it,” Jak warned as the long fingers against his chest slowly began to push his upper body back against the bed. “Just for a few minutes. So don’t start anything too—”

“Jak.” The redhead laughed quietly. “Shut up.”

Jak did. What else could he do with Dax suddenly leaning over him, hands braced on his shoulders and eager lips pressed firmly against his? The racer’s legs were still hanging off the bed, though. As the kiss began Jak swung them the slightest bit, booted feet tapping lightly on the warped floorboards in an attempt to diffuse some of this odd nervous energy.

//Why am I so wound up about this?// he wondered a trifle worriedly.

Very soon, though, he gave himself a mental shake. It was infinitely more pleasant to think about Daxter’s hands trailing along his bare arms and chest, gently stroking his face, and delving quickly into his hair.

//I’m probably just rankled since I know we won’t be able to do anything more than this right now,// he figured. //Gotta concentrate. Why fidget and waste the time we have?//

Mind made up, Jak started to kiss back in earnest. His own hands jumped from Daxter’s shoulders to gently but firmly massage their way over his friend’s back, down to the robe sash knotted around the redhead’s small waist. He hissed quietly, arching up the least bit when Daxter nipped at his collarbone and began to toy lightly with his chest. The racer’s fingers curled reflexively, palms rhythmically squeezing and rubbing the slim hips they rested on.

Daxter purred back in response, easing one knee up onto the bed to rest beside Jak’s thigh. The action pulled the robe looser and the green-blonde couldn’t help but let one hand ease up under the fall of it, fingers brushing the soft skin they found there. A breathy moan from Daxter was his reward as the redhead crawled completely onto the bed, straddling Jak’s lap.

“See, buddy? I knew you’d come around.”

Jak growled a little at the smirk in his friend’s voice. Why that cocky little… In retaliation he gripped the small waist he held harder, ignoring the redhead’s startled squeak and forcing them into full contact. Raising his own hips he established a slow rub and grind rhythm, smirking himself when Daxter moaned again, louder, blue eyes rolling back.

For the life of him, Jak couldn’t figure out his earlier reticence. This was perfection. Daxter willingly squirming and bouncing in his lap, making all manner of enticing little noises, robe falling off one shoulder revealingly, tight rear pressed blissfully against the racer’s prominent arousal--all of it was perfect. Now, if he could only get those damned clinging pants undone.

Reaching down, Jak groped for and slid open the buttons on his jeans. Daxter, however, failed to notice what Jak was up to. Gripping his friend’s shoulders tightly as he moved with single-minded purpose, the oblivious redhead abruptly dropped back down into Jak’s lap, the hem of the single large garment he wore flipping up over his thighs. To the intense shock of both parties, Jak suddenly found his fumbling hand full of… well, Daxter.

“Um.” Jak reddened brilliantly. He didn’t know what to say or what to do, and could only stare dumbly down at the hand that seemed frozen around the most intimate part of his friend. Should he apologize? Should he let go? Or... should he keep going?

“Well fer Mar’s sake, Jak, *do* somethin’ with that!” Dax’s impatient, almost frantic outburst finally broke the awkward silence. “Ya can’t just start the engine an’ let it idle, it’s bad fer the parts!”

Flushed, panting, and wide-eyed, bare from the waist down, perched in his lap just where the racer needed him most, the redhead had never looked so good to Jak. Fighting down an abrupt surge of smoldering desire, he gulped a ragged breath and tightened his fingers experimentally, making Dax gasp sharply and buck into his hand. The response thrilled the former hero. Now was his chance to repay Daxter for that first day, to make him feel just as good as he had made Jak feel then.

//No big deal. This is no big deal. He’s just the same as you are and you can do this to yourself, so you’ll do it to him just fine. It’s no big deal.// His unconscious babbling trailed off as he steeled himself and carefully began to move his hand.

A choked sound escaped the redhead. “Jak… wow,” he stammered, rocking into the warm, firm grip. “Damn, pal, that’s great. Faster now, please?”

Jak grinned. He aimed to please. Gaining confidence, he pumped his fist slowly up and down the hot length in his grasp, increasing the speed and pressure as he did. This wasn’t so hard. Well, it *was* hard, but not in a bad way. Stroke up, drag thumb over the smooth head. Stroke down, fingers tease the underside until his hand met wiry red curls. No problem. He had been right; it was a lot like touching himself, only better, because now it was Dax he was touching and Jak was at the perfect angle to see and hear and feel the effects he was having on his friend.

Daxter was whimpering now, probably without even realizing he was doing so, and he cried out in earnest when Jak tightened his grip again. Throwing his head back and arching desperately into the attention, Dax reached behind him to unsteadily grip Jak’s knees for leverage. The racer’s eyes nearly glazed over at the sight.

//Precursors, what a view!// Without thinking, Jak leaned up to snake his free arm around Dax’s lower back. Kissing the smooth curve of his friend’s jaw, he thrust up and ground them together fiercely.

“Meek, meek, meek!”

Jak froze. Daxter’s eyes shot open in horror, hands flying up to cover his mouth so fast that he nearly overbalanced and tumbled off Jak’s lap. As the racer watched in utter delight, the redhead’s face behind his tightly clasped hands rapidly turned the same vivid shade as his hair.

“Ah, I get it.” Smiling, Jak let a hand wander up to almost shyly brush his friend’s burning cheek. “That’s not an ottsel noise. That’s just a Daxter noise.”

“Shut up!” Despite his intense embarrassment, or perhaps because of it, Dax all but slammed Jak backwards across the bed once more, falling forward onto the green-blonde’s chest to crush their mouths together almost frantically. Still smiling into the kiss, letting his eyes drift slowly closed, Jak didn’t protest. As they lay there together still dirty, sweaty, tangled up in one another, messing up each other’s hair and the bed covers, just one all-consuming thought echoed in his head.

//I love you.//

“Guys? The shower’s free now. Guys…?”

Jak stopped dead as Daxter tore their mouths apart. The high color quickly draining from his formerly red face, the redhead’s panicked eyes shot from the door--which it now became painfully clear to Jak was not locked--down to their obvious states of extreme excitement and back again. As creaking footfalls in the hallway came ever closer to their room, they locked gazes briefly.

“Do *not* move,” Dax growled. Then, before Jak could stop him and just as the door began to swing slowly open, he collapsed against the racer’s chest with his head pillowed on a broad shoulder. Shutting his eyes tightly the redhead went limp, putting on a convincing performance of innocent sleep as Keira stepped into the room.

Mortified, Jak could not speak, let alone move.

It seemed to take a moment for the girl to register what she was seeing. When she did, though, a wide smile spread across her pretty face. “Aww. He’ll fall asleep anywhere, won’t he?”

Jak was dumbstruck. //Is she for real? How can she not take this the wrong way? Okay, the wrong way is the right way to take this, but… Damn it, that robe’s about to fucking fall off him—//

As the racer lay there dumbly with arms over his head and barely-dressed Daxter stretched out on top of him to cleverly cover the obscene bulge in his undone pants, Keira casually strolled further into the room. Stooping, she scooped up the ottsel-sized, grease- and oil-splattered pants abandoned on the floor, adding them to the collection of apparently dirty clothes and towels draped over her arm.

“I wish you guys would put this stuff in the laundry basket,” she hinted with a melodramatic sigh. “I don’t want to think about what this floor would look like if I didn’t come up here and get it.”

Jak didn’t answer, staring mutely at the ceiling. He could still feel his friend’s arousal pressed hot and tight against his own, and was blushing so hard it literally felt like his face was on fire. //Thank you, Daxter. Thank you for getting me into this entire goddamn mess. Oh, look, my ears just got so hot I think they spontaneously combusted! Now I’ll just lie here and wish quietly for death.//

“You don’t have to be so embarrassed, Jak,” Keira finally giggled, countering his marked silence. “I wish you could see how sweet you two look. It’s just like before. You know, when you were little boys. When we were all back home.”

Jak flinched as she leaned over them to poke affectionately at the tip of his nose and run a hand through Daxter’s sunset hair before heading toward the door. “You know what? Don’t wake him up. He worked really hard today.”

“But…”

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll tell everyone that you two will meet us at the restaurant later on, so you can just let him sleep for a little longer, okay?”

“S-sure.” He forced himself to breathe, to answer her civilly. This could work in their favor. No way was he in any condition to come downstairs now. “Thanks.”

“Welcome.” With a nod and a smile Keira quietly slipped out, carefully pulling the door closed behind her. “See you later.”

The green-blonde listened intently as she disappeared down the hallway. He still couldn’t quite believe what had happened. All things considered, they had just gotten insanely lucky. He was still incredibly flushed when Daxter’s head lifted off his chest a moment later, curiously looking to the door Keira had just gone through.

“Wow. That was a pretty close one, huh, Jak?” he asked conversationally, a quick hand suddenly moving to cup the racer through his dirty jeans. “Good thing she’s still pretty naïve. Well, where were we, hot stuff?”

There was a pronounced thud as Daxter hit the floor.

“Don’t you ever pull a stunt like that again,” Jak growled.

“Hey, you went along with it!” the redhead whined, rubbing certain sore areas that had first made contact with the hard wood of the floor. “Why’s it all my fault?”

“Because I told you we didn’t have time to get into anything right now, but you talked me into it and started something anyway! And you said you were sure you locked the door!” Not knowing what else to do, Jak opted for grabbing up his brush again rather than giving Daxter the smack he soundly deserved.

The redhead was pouting a bit now, ears drooping. “Would ya feel better if she had figured it out, pal?”

Jak sighed. “No. But my point is, I don’t want us in situations where *anyone* can find out we’re together right now. Not that I think Keira will care when we tell her, but the others… that might be different. And we don’t need a rift of any kind in the team right now, understand?”

Daxter perked up considerably, accepting both the helping hand off the floor and the loving chuck under the chin offered by the former hero. “Right, I got it. Don’t think I don’t listen when ya tell me important stuff, sweetheart.”

“Good. Don’t worry, Dax. You’ll get your chance to brag. We’ll tell them after the racing’s all over and done with.” Jak grinned slowly and resumed brushing his hair. “Still, we did pretty much just lie to her, you know. Don’t you feel even a little bit sorry for that?”

Daxter looked offended. “Sure I’m sorry.”

“You are?”

“Yeah, sorry I didn’t ask her ta come play, too! She may be a little slow on the uptake but damn, our little girly friend’s still mighty fine!”

Jak rolled his eyes heavenward as Daxter cackled evilly. “You’re horrible. You know that, right?”

“I know ya don’t sound mad at me anymore. An’ goin’ by what Keira just said, I also know—” here the redhead’s tone dropped once again to a more sultry timbre “—that in just a few minutes we’re gonna have this place aaaall ta ourselves. Wadda’ya think of *that,* big guy?”

“Hmm.” Jak pretended to think it over as Daxter inched closer, reaching out to play coyly with the green goatee. He allowed it when Dax slowly slipped into his arms, and even when lean hips once again began to nudge suggestively against his own. “I think…”

Daxter grinned back, eyes half shut in smug expectance, their lips barely apart. “Yeah…?”

“I think I’m going downstairs and taking a shower.” Ignoring both the unspeakable discomfort in his pants and the utterly flabbergasted look on his friend’s face, Jak stepped away and dug into the battered chest of drawers for a clean towel. “And then I think we’re going to dinner. And after that, I’m pretty sure we’re going to apologize to everyone for being late.”

He had to smirk as he ducked out into the hall, Daxter’s disbelieving shriek echoing after him. Ha. Serve him right. It was about time Dax learned that two could play the teasing game.

“Jak, wait! Ya can’t do this, Jak! Jaaaak!!”

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

“Jak?”

“Yeah?”

“There’s a door between us, buddy.”

“Yeah, I guess there is.”

“I can’t get it open, Jak.”

“Good. Now we know the lock works.”

Daxter sighed, leaning heavily against the bathroom door. First attempt to get Jak in bed: failed. He wasn’t about to give up, though, even if it meant stalking the racer into the shower. Fancy food at a ritzy restaurant somehow seemed much less appealing now that the perfect chance for alone time with Jak had presented itself. And, now that Jak knew how serious he was about continuing the whole business, the redhead was sure it would be a snap to persuade him to skip the silly dinner in favor of other, much more fun, activities. First, though, he had to talk his way past the barrier that separated him from his green-blonde goal.

“So… can I come in?”

“No.”

Daxter’s face and ears fell. That had a very final-sounding ring to it. “Aw, please? We always take a shower together, pal!”

“We do when you’re ottsel. Not tonight. I know exactly what you’d do if I opened that door right now.”

“I’ll be good,” the redhead insisted. “Cross my heart. I’ll even change back if ya want me to. Just lemme in? Please, Jak? It’s cold out here.”

There was no response, the rushing water of the shower as it warmed the only sound. Daxter waited with bated breath. Then, finally, a heavy sigh from the other side. Jak unlocked the door and pulled it open slightly, a towel around his waist and half a smile on his face. “Get in here.”

With a cheer of victory and a flash of eco, Orange Lightning happily scurried through the small crack offered and into the warm, steamy sanctuary within. “Thanks, pal, ya won’t regret it!”

“I better not,” Jak grumbled, reaching out to gather up the discarded robe. “You said you’d behave, remember that.”

“Yeah, I’ll be good,” the ottsel promised with an angelic grin. He could only hope Jak didn’t see the furry fingers he had crossed behind his back… “Last one wet’s a lurker’s dinner!”

Jak snorted, letting the door swing closed. “You’d have been a lurker’s dinner a hundred times over without me.”

“Details, details.” Waving off the former hero’s claim, Daxter pulled back the shower curtain and hopped into the tub. While not nearly as large or well furnished as the baths at the palace in Haven City, just having a tub at all was something of a luxury. Sighing happily, the ottsel eased under the hot spray.

“Move over.” A foot unceremoniously nudged Dax out of the way as Jak dropped the towel and stepped in. “Wash fast. I got a hold of Keira and she said they’re still waiting on a table, so if we hurry we won’t be too late.”

“Right-o. Soap?” Daxter held up his hands, the better for Jak to supply him with the shampoo that Orange Lightning was too short to reach the shower ledges for. When he had a sufficient handful Dax moved to the end of the tub, the better not to be stepped on, and began to work the slippery gunk into a lather in his greasy fur. “So, Jakkie-boy.”

“Yeah?”

“Can ya believe I went an’ made the dumb animal noise back there? Yeesh, talk about unsexy!”

A sudden splash and a rasping, choking sound came from the racer, as if he had been startled enough to gasp with his face under the stream of hot water. Daxter used the moment’s pause to stare unabashedly up at his friend’s nude form, appreciating every drop of water and soap suds that dripped out of his silky hair and sluiced down his lean, muscled body. Oh, yeah. Another seduction attempt was so incredibly worth the risk of a firm kick to Orange Lightning’s wet, furry hindquarters.

Jak finally regained the ability to breathe, and thus to speak. “What? There’s nothing wrong with you making that noise.”

“Sure there is, pal. Especially when I ain’t even fuzzy.”

“There’s no difference. It’s just something you do, is all. No big deal.”

“Nah, it’s weird.” Covertly, Daxter scooted closer to Jak’s bare legs, still careful to avoid being accidentally trod on if the racer had soap near his eyes and couldn’t look out for him. “I mean, no matter what part’a me ya got yer fantastic hands wrapped around or how good yer sexin’ me up, I should be able ta keep a handle on the stupid noises I make in bed, right?”

Jak shivered, the light tremor barely noticeable as Daxter’s wet fur brushed the slick skin of his calf. It was obvious that the blatant discussion of their earlier activities was having the effect Dax was looking for. The green-blonde turned pointedly away, reaching fumblingly for the bottle of conditioner.

“Dax, I don’t care what noises you make when we’re doing... that. Can we change the subject?”

“Nah, I don’t think we can.” He was enjoying this little trip down memory lane as well, and intended to do something about all the sexual energy that was being very shamefully ignored as it built up in the small tiled room. “I kinda like this topic. But move over, will ya? I gotta rinse.”

Jak had his face back in the spray, the sluicing water washing the last of the conditioner from his hair. Orange Lightning grinned, a feral Cheshire cat. It was time to strike. Eco crackled and bounced over, around, and through the flying water drops and tiled walls.

It took all the willpower Daxter had not to pounce the moment Jak spun to face him. “Ya gonna move, or what?”

“You said,” Jak began slowly, an incomprehensible expression on his face and a catch in his voice, “that you wouldn’t do that.”

The redhead cooed happily, trying to reassure his friend and simultaneously keep the leer off his face. “No I didn’t. I said I’d change ottsel if ya wanted me to, and I did. But now I gotta get this shampoo off, an’ it’s faster rinsin’ skin than fur. Ain’t we in a hurry, Jak?”

That did it. At the reminder of their time constraints, Jak slowly shuffled toward the back of the tub. It was a tight squeeze now, especially when Dax moved to the front and they brushed rather obviously against each other along the way. Jak, however, was pointedly ignoring what had happened, perhaps trying to convince himself that he was as safe now as he had been when his shower companion was two feet tall and fluffy. It was a futile defense. As far as Dax was concerned, he had won molestation rights the moment Jak saw that he was human and didn’t leave the immediate premises.

//If he didn’t want it he would’a jumped out,// he reasoned. //Sounds like an invite ta me!//

“Pass the cloth.” Jak’s voice was already husky. He stared fixedly at everything that wasn’t Daxter, holding out his hand for the requested washrag.

Dax handed it to him with a minimum of fuss, intent on getting his friend’s guard down. He had to hurry. If he couldn’t lure Jak in before they were done washing, he would lose his chance. That in mind, he stepped back from the spray and reached for the moisturizer. “Now then, what were we talkin’ about?”

“We weren’t talking about anything. Just wash.”

“Nah, there was somethin’… oh, yeah. I was sayin’ how much it’s killin’ me ta not grab yer ass right now, ya freakin’ cock-tease.”

Jak nearly lost his slippery footing in shock. “Why are you doing this?!” he exploded, righting himself quickly and backing away until he fetched up against the rear wall of the tiled tub area. Eyes wild and face flushed with more than the heat and steam, he looked like he was being driven half crazy. Daxter was damned glad.

“Well, excuse me fer thinkin’ ya might wanna take a couple’a minutes ta finish what we’ve tried ta start twice now! Five minutes give or take is not gonna make that much difference. I mean, let’s be realistic, Jak. When else will we have the golden opportunity ta jerk each other off in the shower without everybody else wonderin’ what the hell’s goin’ on in here?”

At that the racer inhaled sharply, eyes finally darting up to meet Daxter’s own. He swallowed, looking quickly away again. “So, you… liked that, I guess?”

The redhead grinned triumphantly. Honestly, he wondered why Jak even bothered playing hard to get. //Heh. Love may conquer all, but lust keeps ‘em conquered.// “You bet I did, pal. Didn’t I tell ya so earlier?”

“Yeah, but--”

“But nothin’. It was fantastic.”

He wasn’t lying, either. So far in their non-platonic, more-than-just-best-friends relationship, most of his thoughts had revolved around how he could make Jak feel good. ‘Ask not what your hero can do for you, but what you can do for your hero’ had become his working motto from the first. However… He couldn’t deny that being Jak’s sexual play toy earlier that evening had been hell’a fun, and he wanted more. Like, now. And while also getting his way with Jak, of course.

“That’s good.” Jak sounded half choked. “I’m glad.”

“You liked it too, didn’t ya?” Purring, Dax edged nearer, hoping to unobtrusively convey not only his acceptance of but also his desire for some touch. “Ya liked gettin’ me up against the ropes.”

The green-blonde, now at full attention, declined to deny it either verbally or physically.

Dax snuck ever closer, inch by inch, until there was barely space for the steam and mist to eddy between them. “So. Wadda’ya say, babe? Wanna try that again?”

Jak didn’t answer. Instead he stepped forward, a last move that finally brought them together from knees to chest.

Daxter sighed in relief. He had his quarry hook, line, and sinker. //Swear ta the fuzzy guys, if a phone rings I am going ta kill somebody.//

Oh, well. At least there was no possible way Jak could now worry about what time it was. He was far too preoccupied kissing the redhead, very gently, as if he were the one who had first advanced and wasn’t sure if he would be welcomed. Daxter put that uncertainty to rest immediately, though, kissing back and wrapping his arms around Jak’s strong, slick waist.

There were things to be said about getting amorous in the shower, he mused absently. The warm waters of Sandover had always been one of his favorite places to play around when he was younger--those rare occasions when neither Jak nor lurker sharks were about, of course--and now he remembered why. Everything was slick and warm and… wow. The heat and the wet was beyond delicious, especially when Jak’s hands fell lower to grasp his hips, fingers curling around to softly tease the sensitive skin of his waistline. The hot spray against his back, Jak’s hot body against his front. If he wasn’t careful he could completely lose sight of—

//Holy fuck!// Daxter bit back a startled squeal as Jak’s hand wrapped around him. He should have expected it, really, but… he had other plans that he couldn’t forget about.

However. He had needed this for close to a month, and he would be an idiot not to take it while it was offered. Biting his lip slightly to keep any more embarrassingly unmanly noises at bay, he allowed himself to lean into that heavenly grip.

//Alright, just fer a minute. Just a little before I turn the tables. Just a… just a little…// Damn, but was it hard to think. He thrust forward mindlessly, shoving himself against Jak while trusting almost entirely to his friend’s arm still firmly around his waist to keep him on his feet. Slipping and falling on his ass during such an activity was not something he cared to experience.

“Okay, Dax?” Jak whispered into one dripping ear.

“Ye… ye-aaah.” It was a moan and he didn’t even try to hold it back. This was considerably more enjoyable than even his vivid imagination had figured it would be. //Should’a known Jak’d take care’a me.//

The way things were going now was almost identical to how their relationship had evolved when Orange Lightning first came on the scene. Though they had been good friends even before that life-altering incident, it had taken Daxter weeks to fully trust that Jak wasn’t going to let him fall off his shoulder, no matter how high he jumped or how deep he dove in search of power cells and Precursor orbs. It had taken much longer for Dax to let Jak pet him, and longer than that for the touches to get beyond anything more than a casual stroke of the fur from time to time.

Now he was learning to let go and trust Jak in a different way. A really nice way.

“Why do you do that?” the racer suddenly asked, unconsciously slowing his motions.

Dax hissed at the change of pace. “Increasing rate of hand, pal. Precursors, thanks! D-do what, now?”

“Why do you lean back like that? You were doing it earlier, too. I just wondered.”

With a start the redhead realized that, rather than clinging to Jak, he was indeed arching backwards. Though his lower body was still as close to the green-blonde as it was possible to be, his head and upper body dipped far back over the warm, steady bar of Jak’s arm. “Dunno. I guess… I guess I just figured ya’d… gods, JAK! I figured ya wouldn’t let me fall.”

He barely got the simple sentence out over the gasps, groans, and whimpers, but apparently Jak understood. “You’re right. I’ve got you. But come closer, now?”

Jak gave one easy tug and, with a dizzying twist that somehow left him with a choking mouthful of shower water, Dax found himself fully upright and back in his friend’s tight embrace. //Shall we dance?// he wanted to joke, but the words froze in his throat as he realized one very important thing: he could move much better in this position. In seconds his mind was once again entirely devoted to the task at hand—Jak’s hand, and keeping it pumping around him.

Coherent thought was next to impossible. He was close, so close, and there was no one to interrupt, and he could get there if only—Jak crushed him close and purred. A deep rumble of a sigh that Daxter felt vibrating right through this friend’s chest and down to the tips of his fingers and toes.

The redhead swore viciously and, with the last self-control that he possessed, shoved Jak and his exquisite hands away.

Jak was dumbfounded, to say the very least. “Dax, what in—”

“—the hell do ya not understand about the first time bein’ fer *you?!*” Nearly snarling in frustration, something he had never done before, Daxter crossed his arms over his chest and leaned helplessly against the wall in an effort to regroup somewhat. “Ya can’t do that ta me! It’s been a friggin’ month since I touched me, an’ here you come an’ try ta—”

“It’s not my fault you quit touching yourself when I wouldn’t let you touch me!” Jak had blushed a deep crimson. “Either let me finish that or do it yourself. We have to leave soon.”

“Will ya get off the time, already?!” That was it. Daxter was bound and determined to get Jak’s total and complete attention, even if it took… well… actually, why not try something extreme? Shoving off the wall, he dropped to his knees in front of the racer, who stepped back in alarm.

“Daxter, what are you doing? Don’t you want to go eat? Dammit, I thought you said you were hungry!”

“Oh, I *am* hungry, pal.”

The look of utter panic on his friend’s handsome face and the tremble in his voice when he realized what Daxter was getting at was incredibly satisfying, and the redhead smirked smugly as he reached up to get a grip on Jak’s slick, smoothly muscled thighs. Now, he just had to figure out how to do this.

He had tasted Jak before, so that wasn’t the problem. When he had impulsively sucked the slippery essence off his own fingers during their first encounter, it had largely been for the same reason he had eaten that grasshopper in front of the green-blonde when they were eight: shock value, pure and simple. Finding out afterwards that the taste was strange but really not bad at all had been a fortuitous side effect. Actually taking Jak in his mouth, though… well, that was another matter entirely.

//If he can think about a freakin’ dinner appointment during a blowjob, then… well, I’ll just make sure he won’t be able’a think at all!// Determined, Daxter sized up the challenge. Literally. //Kinda wish he wasn’t so… ah… big, though. Alright, let’s do this. What did that book say?//

Stay calm, breathe through your nose, and don’t try to take more than you can easily handle, if he remembered correctly. And to make things easier, Jak didn’t seem inclined to struggle. In fact he appeared frozen in shock, so Dax had no trouble getting the upper hand when he slowly reached out and wrapped long fingers around the base of the racer’s straining arousal.

Jak hissed, biting back what sounded suspiciously like a strong obscenity. His head was thrown back, eyes shut tightly. Dax frowned. “The show’s down here, big guy.”

He couldn’t have Jak spacing out, mind wandering, because he didn’t want his friend thinking about anything else. Nada. Nil. Nothing. No *one.* Only when Jak pushed sopping wet strands of green-blonde out if his face and looked down, wide eyes finally meeting Daxter’s, was the redhead satisfied. Taking a deep breath he squared his shoulders, gulped surreptitiously, and leaned forward.

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

//Oh, Precursors. Oh, fuck.// Once Daxter called for his undivided visual attention, Jak couldn’t tear his eyes away from the spectacle between his legs. //What if he hates it? What if I choke him? What if—oh my gods!//

It was absolutely everything the racer could do to keep his hips still as Daxter leaned forward ever so slightly and tentatively licked the very tip of his erection. In his deepest, darkest dreams Jak had looked down on this view, but the reality of it was enough to make him grip double handfuls of red hair and slam himself as far down that fantastic throat as he could--if he didn’t know it would hurt his lover.

//Lover. Lover. He’s really my lover.// Like a mantra, focusing on the repeated words helped keep his resolve not to move until Daxter was ready strong. His best friend and his lover. His everything.

Jak concentrated on breathing and propped his back against the wall, feet sliding wider apart for better purchase. Falling now would definitely not be a good idea. There was nothing to hold onto, though—slippery wall, smooth tiles slick with water and soap no matter where he reached.

Eyes still on Dax, he was nevertheless caught off guard when the redhead surged forward and swallowed as much of Jak as he could. Which was only a little more than half way, but still. It was hot and tight and wet; not as hot as the temperature of the water, but all the better for the dizzying contrast. For those three or four seconds before Daxter pulled away, valiantly trying to hide the fact that he was gagging slightly, the racer was in heaven.

Dax grinned up at him ruefully, almost apologetic, and rubbed quickly at his throat. “Uh, sorry. Let’s try that again.”

Jak opened his mouth to protest, to tell Dax to go easy and not force himself, but before he could that mouth returned with more confidence. This time Dax aimed for only halfway down his shaft, while the hand that wasn’t holding Jak’s hip firmly massaged the base. That felt just as good, and the green-blonde officially abandoned all efforts at coherent speech. He simply relaxed, and felt.

Jak reveled in the steamy air and the hot spray of water against his chest and arms, the soothing sounds of dripping moisture and splashing droplets. Combined with the magic currently being worked on his body the sensations were altogether amazing. Yes… he was glad Daxter had followed him in and broken his promise of good behavior.

In moments the redhead had established a rhythm, which grew faster and more sure every second. The soft sounds he made around Jak’s length were driving the racer crazy, and despite his best efforts he began to thrust shallowly in time with his friend’s movements. When Daxter’s front teeth scraped ever so gently down the length of his hypersensitive flesh, he lost control and bucked forward with a yell.

“Dax,” he gritted, trying to reign himself in, “Dax, sorry—”

The redhead pulled back long enough to answer, breathing hard and absently licking at the corner of his mouth in a way that made Jak absolutely wild. “S’okay,” he gasped, “y’can move. Just… easy, not too hard, okay?”

Jak didn’t have it in him to answer, as Daxter went right back to his self-imposed task of driving the racer ballistic with pleasure. This time, when that torturous mouth returned Daxter’s free hand also rose and cautiously cupped his testicles. Jak bucked again, mind systematically shutting down under the onslaught of sensation. Stifling a growl, he finally allowed himself to reach for his friend. Now that he didn’t have to hold himself back entirely, he allowed his hands to roam without fear of gripping too tightly. His fingers stroked through the redhead’s dripping hair and over his face and ears, making Daxter shudder and moan around him.

The vibrations, the increased suction, the steady stroking and massaging—Jak knew he wouldn’t last much longer. Frantically he tried to spread his legs wider, to give Daxter all the room he could. One foot rose of its own volition to rest on ledge of the tub, leaving the racer precariously balanced on one leg. If he didn’t fall on his ass when he climaxed it would be a miracle, but—right now it was just too good.

So absorbed was he that he barely even noticed when Daxter’s hand left off absently twining in the emerald curls around his base and very slowly began to sneak elsewhere. Even when, with the barest start, he did notice the clever digit gently exploring his entrance, he couldn’t be bothered to protest. //Alright. That feels alright. There has to be some good reason people do this, so it’s alright.//

And in fact it continued to be alright, up to the point Jak was poised at the brink--thrusting single-mindedly, moaning continuously, and ignoring the fingers buried inside him. Then, without warning, those fingers twisted. The former hero jumped as if he had been shot with a KG taser gun, a shriek like that of his dark eco form enraged escaping to echo piercingly around the small room.

He was grateful at least that Daxter was where he was; had he been within easy reach of Jak’s mouth, the green-blonde knew he would have bitten him. As it was he only jerked at his friend’s hair and shoved himself into his mouth almost brutally, his release nearly choking the redhead before Jak could make himself let go and pull back. Finally, though, his grip loosened and his shaking ceased. Realizing he’d had his eyes clenched almost as tightly as his hands, he slowly opened them and glanced down.

Daxter was still on his knees, coughing rather pitifully as the falling water slowly washed away the faint trail of write trickling down his chin. He happened to glance up, though, caught Jak’s horrified stare, and grinned back somewhat uncertainly.

“So, uh… did I do okay? Jak?”

Jak’s legs refused to support him any longer. With a moan he slowly collapsed until he was beside Daxter, cramped in the crowded tub but unable to think of anywhere else he’d rather be. Gathering his friend to him in a crushing embrace, he didn’t even try to talk. He merely attempted to convey, with his hands, and mouth, and tongue, everything he desperately needed to say.

It took approximately thirty seconds to bring Daxter, still painfully aroused, over the edge, a cacophony of blissful cries nearly making Jak purr with happiness and pride. And when the redhead pulled just a little too hard on the shower curtain in unsuppressed ecstasy, the aluminum bar that held it up tumbling down on top of them as they lay sated and panting under spraying water that was at last beginning to cool, neither of them could do more than laugh.

- - - - -

It was more than half an hour later when they finally emerged from the bathroom. Though the hot water supply was nearly limitless, fueled by the industrial heater in the conjoined garage, they had finally been forced to get out of the tub or risk shriveling to prunes. However, Jak’s flustered blush had returned full force, and he knew it had nothing to do with the humid heat of the shower.

Trying his best to refocus his thoughts away from what had just happened, the racer busied himself adjusting the length of the sleeves on the jacket Torn had left out for him.

Daxter trailed out behind the green-blonde. Judging by the huge grin on his face, he appeared extremely self-satisfied.

Jak spared his friend a glance and wished he hadn’t. That smirk was an infuriating, humiliating reminder of his shameful lack of willpower where Daxter was concerned. “I will never buy your ‘I’ll be good’ again, you know that.”

Daxter merely smiled slyly, roughly toweling his thick hair. “It’s like they say, big guy. All’s fair in love an’ war.”

Jak didn’t respond. The tight black pants of the redhead’s racing outfit were riding low and unbuttoned on his sinfully slim hips. Jak forced his eyes away. “Better blow it dry, Dax. Everyone’s waiting for us.”

“They can wait a little longer.” Suddenly and without warning Daxter dropped the towel, advanced on Jak, and grabbed his wrist with an air of great purpose.

Jak’s mouth went immediately dry. “Dax—?”

“Come on, Jak. You an’ I both know we don’t need ta be at that dinner.”

The green-blonde couldn’t think, not with Daxter so close. He couldn’t let himself give in again. “Dax, no. Not now. We have to get over there. Rayn’s hosting. She’ll want to know all about what we’re doing with the cars and our progress tackling the new courses. We can’t not show up and piss off our sponsor.”

“Sig an’ Keira an’ the lovebirds can tell her all about all that stuff.” The redhead leaned closer imploringly, bright blue eyes searching Jak’s. “They’ll never miss us. Let’s stay home, pal. We can grab somethin’ outta the kitchen an’ just…”

Jak shuddered at light grip around his wrist, the pads of his friend’s fingers gently brushing his pulse point. Such a light hold, but one he couldn’t bring himself to shrug off. Daxter was so slight he seemed almost frail, but with all his strength the former hero couldn’t break away. Didn’t want to, really. He thought unbidden of the bed upstairs in the borrowed room that was so much bigger that their own, the old blankets and new pillows brought from home spread invitingly across it and already disheveled by their earlier play. Jak was sure that with the slightest word, the tiniest nod of encouragement, Dax would dash up the stairs toward that bed in an open invitation to be chased. Or even better, Jak could scoop him up and take those stairs two at a time, the redhead slung over his shoulder shrieking with laughter until he was tossed onto the sheets and Jak followed him down.

“Jak…?” The barest tug at his captive wrist brought the racer back to reality. That beseeching gaze was still on him. “It’ll… it’ll probably be awhile before we get another chance like this, ya know? Where we’re alone, an’ everybody’s gone, I mean. Prob’ly not ‘til we’re back in Haven...”

The others wouldn’t be back for hours. The sudden thought of the freedom they had now, alone together in the empty headquarters, was dizzying. And also more than a little frightening. Right then, at that very moment, Jak had no reason in the world to refuse his friend’s silent request. But for some reason, he still couldn’t say yes.

Jak stared helplessly at Daxter. For a few seconds there was silence, Dax cocking his head searchingly. Finally, though, the redhead chuckled ruefully, releasing the racer’s arm.

“That’s a no, right? Ya don’t hafta say it, big guy, I can take a hint.”

“Dax…” Jak didn’t know what to say. His ears listed back miserably.

“Hey, no big deal. Some other time. Dang, then I guess while we’re at it I prob’ly ought’a apologize fer pushin’ ya so much tonigh—whoa!”

Without fully realizing what he was doing, Jak grabbed his friend and pulled him close, holding him to his chest almost fiercely. Dax shouldn’t be the one to apologize here. It wasn’t his fault Jak didn’t know what he wanted. “Sorry,” he murmured into one curiously twitching ear.

“Jak…?” Daxter returned the spontaneous embrace, but the puzzlement was evident in his cautious tone. Chin resting on the green-blonde’s sinewy shoulder, he tried to pull back a bit and see the expression on his friend’s face. “You okay?”

“Maybe. I don’t know.” Jak tightened his hold and sighed, making the redhead squirm at the puff of warm breath in his ear.

“Ya gotta talk ta me, pal,” Dax finally ventured. “I can’t know how ya feel if ya don’t speak up.”

“Believe me, when I know how the hell I feel you’ll be the first to know.” Jak tried to laugh, but it came out bitter even to his own ears. “I guess I just keep getting mixed up. First I think we shouldn’t screw around, but I don’t know why I think that. Then we get started—you get us started—and it’s fantastic. It really is, Dax, and I love it. I love everything we do. But then…”

“Then we always wind up gettin’ interrupted,” Daxter finished with a wry snort. “I agree, that’s gotta stop. But, ya know, there ain’t anybody here right *now*…”

“I know. So there’s no reason for me to feel like we shouldn’t…” Jak blushed brilliantly, looking away as his ears drooped even further in obvious embarrassment. “Yeah. Like we shouldn’t. But I still can’t get over feeling like… like it’s just not time, you know?”

“No, I don’t know, pal, sorry. I have no idea what yer talkin’ about.” Jak nearly panicked before the redhead laughed, holding up his hands complacently. “But that doesn’t really matter. Now I know yer not ready yet, and ya finally got the idea that I’m all for it whenever ya are ready. We know the basics, we know what’s what. And that’s what counts, right, understandin’ each other?”

The racer managed to chuckle weakly. “Tess would be proud of us.”

“Yeah, she sure would be.” Daxter finally stepped back, laughing. “Speakin’a Tessy-kins, I haven’t talked ta her in a couple weeks. I better give her a ring when we get back or she’ll think we forgot about her.”

Jak blinked. That was it? Dax was willing to accept his verdict and… change the subject? Just let it go? Very softly Jak reached out and caught the redhead’s sleeve in two fingers as he tried to turn away. When Daxter looked back at him questioningly, without a trace of annoyance in his eyes, the racer honestly felt like he had done something wrong in breaking the evening’s mood. “I’m really sorry, Dax.”

It was a surprise when Dax reached out in turn and grabbed his goatee, tugging his head up and down by it somewhat painfully. “Jak, listen. It’s just sex. We’ve been fine without it till now an’ we’ll be alright without jumpin’ each other fer a while longer. Now let it go an’ lets go eat before our so-called team puts a bounty on our heads, huh?”

“Right.” Jak hurriedly went back to his neglected jacket cuffs while Daxter busied himself finding his new boots. Despite their agreement, though, Jak was still thinking. //I know he says it’s no problem, but it is. He’s done all this for me already. I owe it to him to do what he wants! Soon. I have to make myself give in and go all the way soon! It’s not like that’ll really change anything between us at this point… will it?//

He was so busy fretting that he didn’t notice the knocking until Daxter yelled at him.

“Jak? Hey, Jak! Get the door, will ya? I can’t find my other shoe.”

“Huh?” Coming back to the present, Jak finally registered the polite, yet somehow impatient-sounding knocking from the front of the base. “Oh. Yeah, sure.”

Quickly making his way to the door, Jak wondered. It was strange that someone should be looking for any of them, especially this late in the evening. All the pieces and parts they had delivered to the garage usually came much earlier.

“Sorry, we didn’t hear...” His quick apology for keeping whoever it was waiting was cut short as a blinding, choking, stinging cloud of tobacco smoke hit Jak right in the face, immediately making him cough and wheeze. “What the—?!”

“Oh, Ah do apologize, dear boy. Ah had my doubts anyone would get around to answering zee door tonight, or Ah would have exhaled zee other way.”

Jak’s hackles immediately rose, his guard going up to full alert as he stared down the highly unwelcome visitor. “What the hell are you doing here?”

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

Daxter heard the row from inside.

“Uh-oh.” In moments he was behind Jak, shoving the taller racer aside with a boney, well-placed elbow to the ribs. “Whoa, Jak! Down, boy!”

Looking highly amused, Razer took a calm drag off his cigarette before dropping and daintily crushing it on the step. “Good evening, Daxter. Just zee rat-boy Ah wanted to see.”

“Heya, dickhead,” Dax answered agreeably. “What’s up?”

The redhead felt pretty silly standing there with only one boot on, firmly holding Jak back to keep him from getting in the intruder’s sophisticated face, but hey. Over the last month he had nearly forgotten his demeaning stint cleaning the posh racer’s house, and the book he had borrowed had really helped clear a few things up. The least he could do was be polite to the guy.

“Ah believe you have something of mine zat needs to be returned,” Razer answered frankly, already rummaging for another smoke. “You aren’t zee only one who comes to me for advice on certain delicate subjects, unfortunately. There are others in line.”

“Daxter, what the hell is he talking about?” Jak hissed from the sidelines, obviously clueless and hating it. “How does he know who you are human? What did you accept from this dirt bag?”

“Chill out, Jak. It’s all under control.” Patting the green-blonde’s chest soothingly, Dax waved off Jak’s concern and motioned the other racer inside. “Cough up the book, I gotcha. Ya can come in fer a sec, I guess. No one’s home ta break any bones, other than Killer, here.”

“Ah noticed. Why do you think Ah waited until zee rest of you were gone before paying my leetle visit?”

“Wait a second, how did you know our team isn’t here?” Jak was practically growling as his enemy stepped inside their safe zone, and Dax harbored the fleeting hope that his hot-headed friend had the self control to leave their opposition intact for the next race. Razer wouldn’t be all that much fun to challenge on the track if he didn’t have all his limbs.

“Ah have my subtle ways.”

“You were spying on us!”

“Maybe.”

“So there are no witnesses and you walked right onto enemy turf alone. Give me one good reason not to kill you,” Jak snarled.

“Alright.” Finally locating a lighter, Razer casually lit another cigarette. “There are several good reasons you shouldn’t kill me, but zee one zat immediately springs to mind eez zat your annoying leetle beau doesn’t look like he wants you to.”

For the first time, Jak seemed to notice that Daxter was putting his whole weight into trying to pull him away by the arm and having absolutely no effect. “Dax?”

“Don’t you ‘Dax?’ me, buster! I told ya ta knock it off!” Flushed in the embarrassment of being ignored, Daxter very nearly stamped a foot. “Yer takin’ this all wrong! He lent me that damn book I was readin’ a couple weeks ago an’ now he wants it back, end of story. He ain’t lookin’ fer trouble, fer a change.”

“Book? You mean the one about…” As realization dawned, Jak balked. “Eww, are you serious?!”

“And are you sure you are following zee instructions correctly?” Razer’s smirk widened as he looked the green-blonde up and down. “Dear Jak seems a leetle too… hmm, how shall I say zis…? Stressed, for someone who eez finally getting laid.”

Daxter felt his ears go back without his permission. The jerk had been there five minutes and was taking potshots at the condition of their sex life. Still, there was no reason to lie about the obvious. “Yeah, well… ‘bout that.”

“Razer. It had to be Razer.” Fortunately Jak, standing frozen with one hand over his face, didn’t seem to have heard the comments. “Razer. It’s a wonder the whole damn track doesn’t know by now. Razer…!”

“Yeah, Razer!” Dax yelled, exasperated beyond measure. “Lemme just go get that, uh, that book…”

“Hmm. Don’t just yet, mah carrot-topped leetle friend.” Surprisingly, Razer airily dismissed the need to rush. Meandering over to the sofa, he propped his feet up on the coffee table and made himself at home. “Ah am sensing something out of place in mah favorite racing brats’ relationship. Perhaps there eez something Ah might do to help?”

“Huh? Really?” Amazed, Daxter watched a carefully executed smoke ring dissipate as it floated by. “Ya think ya can help? I mean, I already read the book—all of it—an’ it didn’t help much beyond basic mechanics.”

“The book has facts, boy. Ah have experience.”

Daxter unconsciously bit his lower lip, thinking the proposal over. What could Razer do to help? Why would he even care? But… there was always a chance. Could they really afford not to at least listen? That thought settled that. “Alright. If that’s what floats yer boat, I’ll tell ya what’s up an’ we’ll see what ya can do. Jak!”

“Huh?” The green-blonde jumped at the sound of his name, seeming to shake off his momentary stupor. “What?”

“Come on, yer way late. Ya gotta get goin’ and get ta that dinner.”

“You’re right. We’ve gotten sidetracked enough.” Straightening his jacket, the green-blonde motioned Razer off the couch. “You, out. We’re leaving.”

“Whoa, pal. Hold yer leaper lizards, there.” Dax fondly patted his puzzled friend’s shoulder, directing him gently toward the door. “I mean, *you* go ta dinner. Solo.”

“What?”

“I’m gonna stay here an’ talk ta this guy fer a while. Just ta see, ya know? He might be able ta tell me somethin’ that’d help.”

Jak glared, hostility back in full force. “No! Dammit, Daxter, he's tried to kill us all to win a race! Do the words ‘mortal rival’ ring any bells? No way in hell I’m leaving you alone with him!”

“Jak, trust me. I can look out fer myself. I mean, I hung out at his place fer hours that night I got the book off’a him an’ I’m still alive. Right, jerkface?”

Razer nodded sagely from the couch where he was occupied looking for an ashtray he wasn’t likely to find, as no one on the team smoked. “As much as Ah hate to admit it, after a while he was too entertaining to shoot. And he fixed mah sink.”

Jak wavered, looking at the clock. Dax had a feeling he knew what was going through his friend’s mind. “Look, just go, okay? Just make up somethin’ ta tell everybody when they ask where I am. Trust me. I ain’t gonna get in trouble. B’sides… in the highly unlikely event of an emergency, I know where yer gun is.”

Razer snorted somewhat inelegantly, muttering under his breath. “Of course, it eez always about zee guns. Such low lives. No finesse whatsoever, you savages!”

“Uh, excuse me? Who was threatening *me* with a gun when I was at *whose* place?!”

“Those were special circumstances. Ah had every right.”

“Pfft, as if! Quite makin’ up stupid excuses, ya moron!”

“Rat!”

“Nancy!”

Suddenly, against all odds, Jak relaxed almost visibly and managed a muffled laugh. “Alright, Dax. I guess you do have a handle on this. If you’re sure you’ll be alright, I’ll leave.” Almost as an afterthought, though, he put a hand on the redhead’s shoulder. “But you know there’s probably nothing we can do but wait for me to figure myself out, right?”

“Yeah, buddy, I know.” Dax was surprised but pleased at the effect a little quasi-friendly bickering could have on Jak’s sense of who was safe to be around and who was not. Helpfully he reached up to adjust the collar on his friend’s borrowed jacket. “Don’t have too much fun without me, huh? Oh, and bring me back somethin’ tasty.”

“Yeah, sure.” He wanted to kiss Dax goodbye--or at least, Daxter hoped he did--but with Razer in attendance Jak opted for the classic hair ruffle. “I’ll be back soon." His parting comment lingered like the thinly veiled threat it was as the green-blonde racer gathered keys and wallet and, rather reluctantly, headed out.

Daxter waved absently as the door swung shut, not really sure what he should be feeling. //Hmm… pissed about him tryin’ ta baby me like I’m still trapped tiny, furry, an’ defenseless, or flattered over him tryin’ ta protect me ‘cause he’s madly in love with me? Hard choice…//

“You must be pleased.” Razer’s casual remark settled the inner debate. “It’s obvious you have quite zee influence over Jak.”

“Nah, not really.” Dax tried to suppress the fond grin doing its best to weasel onto his face. “He’s done that since we were kids, is all. Blows me off most’a the time, the big ass, but if I really want somethin’ he’ll do it fer me.”

“All zee better for you. Now, tell me. What seems to be zee matter here, hmm?”

“I’ll tell ya, but ya prob’ly can’t do anythin’.” Daxter fidgeted, suddenly nervous. What if Razer had seen their situation before and had really bad news? “I mean, I know ya think yer smart an’ all, so I’m just warnin’ ya…”

“Well then, tell me and we shall see.” Very daintily Razer slipped off the sofa, dropped the remains of his cigarette in a dirty coffee cup on the table, and sashayed over to the redhead. Smiling in that disturbing way of his, he slipped a finger under Daxter’s chin and raised his somewhat startled face until they made eye contact. “As Ah said before, dear boy, Ah only wish to… *help* you.”

Taking a deep breath, Daxter did his best to ignore the other’s close proximity and began his tale of woe. “Well, I guess it really started the day after ya gave me that book…”

Razer smiled, sat back, and listened.

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

To be continued…

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

(2nd)AN: I still hate the end of this chapter, hate it with a passion, but I had to finish it before semester finals have a chance to start and immobilize all my free time until mid December. I hope you guys at least find it satisfactory.

Another small note… Yes, be prepared for the fic to be longer than I thought it would be. At least two more chapters here, maybe three.

Aaaaaaaaand… are we all done? Yes, we are! Soooo, on with the outtakes!

- - - - -

Torn: Is it just me, or have the kid and the rat been acting really weird since we got here?

Ashelin: Yeah, I guess you could say that. They keep staring at each other in the garage.

Keira: I’ve noticed it, too. And Jak’s been really nervous lately.

Sig: You all don’t suppose…?

Torn: (screams) Oh my God, the rat’s turned carnivorous! It’s gonna eat Jak!

- - - - -

Keira: *giggle* You don’t have to be so embarrassed, Jak. It’s just like before. You know, when you were little boys.

Daxter: (sits bolt upright) Little?! Ya call this little, toots? How ‘bout *that*, is that little?! Huh?!

Keira: EEEEK!!! Perverts! (slaps them both and runs away crying)

Jak: *dies*

- - - - -

Ottsel Dax: *nibble nibble*

Jak: (laughs) Dax, stop biting my ear! It tickles!

Dax: Mmm, can’t help it, big guy. Ya look good enough ta eat. ((purr))

Jak: *happy blush*

Torn: (points and screams) He’s doing it! He’s trying to eat Jak!

Keira: *cry* Nooooooo, Jaaaaak!

Dax: Wha?!

- - - - -

Ashelin: Alright rat, if you promise not to try to eat any more team members, we’ll untie you and take the muzzle off.

Keira: (soothingly) Don’t worry, Jak, you don’t have to be afraid any more! He won’t do anything bad to you again.

Ottsel Dax: *pissed off muffled noises*

Jak: *sigh* If only you knew…

- - - - -

Jak: *gasp! * moan! * AAAHH!

Dax: (smirks) Yeah, that’s right, baby. I know I’m fantastic.

Jak: No, you idiot, I got soap in my eyes!

Dax: … I’m done.

- - - - -

Jak: *gasp! * moan!* Precursors, Dax, where’d you learn to do this?!

Dax: From Tess. I yell ya what, that broad can give one amazing—uh… I mean…

Jak: …

*SLAP~!*

Dax: (rubs red cheek) Yeah, I prob’ly deserved that.

- - - - -

Dax: (highly seductive) You an’ I both know we don’t need ta be at that dinner.

Jak: Goddam it, Dax, did I not just get you off?! You have the sex drive of a rabbit, I swear to God!

Dax: No, I have the drive of an ottsel! If yer gonna insult me, at least have the decency ta get yer small furry animals right!

Jak: (highly sarcastic) Oh, sorry. Entirely my bad.

Dax: Damn straight. …now let’s go screw.

- - - - -

Jak: What the hell are you doing here?

Razer: Well, Jak, Ah must confess. Since getting to know dear Daxter Ah can’t seem to get him out of mah head, and at last Ah could not stay away any longer. Dare Ah say it…? Yes, yes Ah do! (drops to one knee with a bouquet) As crazy as it sounds, Ah am in love with Daxter!

Jak: *blink blink*

Dax: *blush* Aww, really? (flutters eyelashes)

Jak: Oh, hell no.

- - - - -