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geekystudmuffinTitle: Lips That Have Smiled, Eyes That Have Shed Tears - Chapter 6/12
Fandom: The 100
Pairing: Bellamy/Jackson, mentions of Abby Griffin/Jake Griffin
Rating: NC-17/FRAO
WC: ~82,000
Characters: Bellamy Blake, Jackson, Octavia Blake, Aurora Blake, Marcus Kane, Inspector Grus, Abby Griffin, Clarke Griffin, Monty Green, Jasper Jordan, various OCs
Warnings: Bullying, minor character death, alcohol abuse
Notes: We're posting in chapters, but this is not a WIP. We also stayed mostly canon-compliant, but hand-waved a few things while writing this. The Ark doesn't have a limited supply of water in this fic. The timeline of Monty & Jasper's arrest is moved up a bit. And Jackson's backstory is AU, as this was written before 3x10, "Fallen", revealed info about Jackson's mother. Also, neither of us speak Hindi, so the single sentence we wrote in Hindi was googled. If you speak Hindi, and we got it wrong, our feelings will not be hurt if you correct us. :)
Summary: Bellamy Blake isn't one of the privileged on the Ark. His life as a guard cadet would be a lot easier if he weren't trying to keep his mother's secrets and protect his sister. What Bellamy doesn't realize is just how much a certain doctor has figured out about his problems, and how much Doctor Jackson wants to help.
Previous Chapters: Chapter One, Chapter Two - Part One, Chapter Two - Part Two, Chapter Three, Chapter Four, Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Jackson had been stuck in his rooms for five days before he went to Medical to see if Abby would clear him for light duty. His ears had stopped ringing, food was tasting better, and he wasn't as dependent on acetaminophen every four hours for his headaches. The biggest lingering problem was that he still tired easily. He stood outside Medical for a few minutes before going inside, hoping to clear any sign of tiredness from his face, then went in… and was promptly shooed back out by Abby and Clarke.
He scrubbed his hand over his face as he went back to his rooms. He hadn't shaved since he'd been injured, and was starting to look scruffy. Maybe the fact he hadn't even felt like fixing that gave him away. He'd have to shave before he went back to work.
Of course, for now the benefit of the scruff was how sexy Bellamy seemed to find it. The evening before, Bellamy had worked his mouth over Jackson's jaw until Jackson forgot himself and asked for a blow job on the grounds that he didn't have to do anything but lay back and enjoy it. That was when Bellamy told him that he wanted to give his first blow job to Jackson when he was sure Jackson could fully enjoy it, and Jackson had felt mildly guilty.
Jackson had started playing chess by himself when no one was supposed to come by, and then re-scattering the pieces on the table again when it was nearing times that he expected visits from Abby, Clarke, or Bellamy.
When Bellamy got in after work that afternoon, he had a smile on his face. "Someone ratted you out," he said, coming over to kiss Jackson hello. "Abby says you are not cleared for work for another two days."
Jackson's heart sank a little. It had almost been a week!
"I don't appreciate how happy you look about that," he muttered. "Someone ratted me out for what?"
"Stopping by Medical," Bellamy said. "But that turned out to be a good thing, because it actually made Abby okay what I'm about to tell you." He kissed Jackson again. "My mom agreed to dinner tonight. And Abby says it's fine for you to walk over to Factory Station."
Jackson blinked at him for a moment, surprised. He was pleased, obviously, but suddenly flustered. "But it's dinner time now, Bell," he said, getting up and going to the bathroom. "I need to shave, and…" He pressed his hand to his forehead, wondering what to change into from his t-shirt and jeans.
"You don't need to shave," Bellamy said, following him and wrapping an arm around his waist from behind. He grinned at Jackson in the mirror. "You're incredibly appealing just as you are. And she knows you've been recovering from a concussion. She wouldn't want you to go to any trouble."
Jackson sighed, leaning back against him. Bellamy felt nice and strong against his back, and Jackson couldn't deny he liked Bellamy looking at him like that. Maybe he should let Bellamy enjoy the slight beard for a couple more days. "You told her I got hurt?"
"Mm," Bellamy hummed in the affirmative. He lowered his head and kissed Jackson's neck. "I think it was your bravery in standing up for the lockup kids that won her over," he murmured, lips still against Jackson's skin.
Jackson snorted. "I just did what I had to," he said, then turned around and kissed Bellamy. "Thank you," he murmured, kissing Bellamy again. "For convincing her."
"I just convinced her to meet you," Bellamy said, his expression going a little anxious for the first time. "I can't promise she'll...give her blessing, or whatever. But she was impressed with your moral judgment." He leaned in and kissed Jackson slowly, one hand stroking his jaw.
Jackson made a happy noise into the kiss, hoping to distract Bellamy from his apparent anxiety. "It'll be okay. She'll love me by the end of the night," he said, smiling and hoping he wasn't wrong. "At least let me change first."
"Just into a nicer shirt," Bellamy said. "I'm not going to wear my uniform." He kissed Jackson one more time and then pulled away to go change.
Jackson watched as Bellamy went over to where his bag was still on the floor. He was still turning over the idea of offering a drawer, and was starting to feel slightly guilty that he hadn't yet. He'd realized, belatedly, that Bellamy had referred to Jackson's place as "home" the other day.
Jackson decided to let it go for now, and went to pull on a button-up shirt and tie.
He was still fumbling with the tie when Bellamy came back, wearing a sweater and jeans. "You don't need that," Bellamy said, his fingers closing gently on Jackson's. "You'll make me look bad." He smiled and gave Jackson a very obvious once-over. "You already make me look bad."
"She's your mom," Jackson protested, but he let Bellamy tug the tie out of his collar. "I'm sure you could never look bad to her." He leaned in and kissed Bellamy again.
"I think your mother and my mother are very different people," Bellamy said darkly. But he kissed Jackson again, more slowly. "We shouldn't wait much longer to leave," he said. "I told her we'd bring dinner to her. She doesn't like crowds."
"Oh," Jackson said, surprised. This was going to be more intimate than Jackson had expected. He wasn't surprised Aurora Blake didn't like crowds, though. From everything Bellamy had said, she didn't seem to like much of anything.
Anxiety suddenly hit Jackson. He drew a slightly shaky breath, but tried to keep his expression even. "Okay, let's go."
Bellamy nodded and headed for the door. He paused to make sure Jackson locked the door behind them, then they headed for the mess hall. From there it was a short enough walk to Section Seventeen of Factory Station, but Jackson found himself a little worn out at the end of it, which didn't help his nerves any as Bellamy balanced his tray in one hand and knocked at the door of his own home.
Jackson wondered why Bellamy wasn't just letting them in. Then he reminded himself that Bellamy said his mother didn't like surprises.
But if she'd agreed to this, it shouldn't be a surprise. Jackson reminded himself that Aurora Blake was… a little weird.
It felt like they stood there for a while, and Jackson tried not to let Bellamy's nervous body language make him more nervous. And then the door was opening, and Jackson had a split second to regret not insisting on shaving before he was pushing a warm smile onto his face. "Mrs. Blake," he said. "Thank you for having me over."
She looked at him for a second or two, then said, "Come inside, Doctor," and stepped aside. After a moment, she added, "Bellamy says he's been staying with you."
Jackson darted a glance at Bellamy, then stepped inside. "He has," he said, heart suddenly thudding in his chest. "It's nice to have company for a change. And you can call me Jackson. I'm not here as a doctor."
She made a thoughtful noise. "Jackson, then. Please sit down." She gestured to the table in the center of the room, and Jackson saw she'd spread it with a tablecloth. Well, it looked like it might be a bedsheet, actually, but it had embroidery around the edges. He glanced at Bellamy, who was blinking stupidly at the table.
"Yeah, sit down," Bellamy said. "You know Doctor Griffin said you should take it slow." He put the tray of food on the table.
"I'm fine, but thank you," Jackson said. He was actually grateful for the offer to sit. The walk here combined with his anxiety was tiring him out. He moved around the table and took a seat, but made sure to keep his posture straight. "I hope the day's been treating you well," he said, trying another smile on Bellamy's mom.
She looked at him for a moment, then brought a teapot over to the table. "I brought some work home with me, actually, but Bellamy scolds me for working late. Bell, either help me or sit down. You're hovering, and it makes me nervous."
Bellamy chuckled faintly and went to get the teacups.
"Do you take sugar in your tea, Jackson?" Bellamy's mother asked.
"Please," he said, but he suddenly felt awkward sitting here while Bellamy and his mother served him. "Is there anything I can help with? I'm really not going to break."
Mrs. Blake paused then, her gaze steady on his face. After a long moment, her expression softened just a fraction. "No, Bellamy said you were hurt," she said. "Because you stood up for the children in the Skybox. Bellamy had a concussion once--though I expect you know that."
"I do," Jackson said. "He wasn't my patient yet then, but I reviewed his records pretty thoroughly when Abby transferred him into my care." He blinked, suddenly realizing he was talking like a doctor. "Anyway, I only did what was right for those kids. The majority of them are good kids who deserve to have someone looking out for them." He huffed. "Not that the 'bad ones'," he said, making air quotes, "don't deserve that too."
Bellamy's mom hummed thoughtfully, but he couldn't help noticing that she added a second lump of sugar to his tea before she offered it to him. "I'm afraid Bellamy hasn't been entirely...forthcoming...with me regarding your relationship," she said, darting a glance at Bellamy, who was just about to sit down at the table next to Jackson. "How long is it that you've been seeing one another?"
"Well, we've known each other maybe eight or nine months," Jackson said, glancing at Bellamy. "We didn't start dating until… maybe two weeks ago?"
Bellamy grinned at him, though Jackson thought it looked strained. "That was when I finally got you to leave Medical for a few minutes," he agreed, "but of course I'd wanted to spend time with you for a few months before that."
Mrs. Blake was looking at Jackson rather than her son, her gaze frank in its appraisal. "You don't find it awkward, dating a patient?" she asked, her tone deceptively mild.
Jackson felt like he'd just been doused in cold water. He swallowed hard and looked down at his tea. "I-- I…" He curled his fingers around the cup and took a sip. It was too sweet, but it was a distraction. "I attempted to transfer him out of my care when things got… when it became obvious to me that I liked him. But the doctor I work under is also on the council, and wasn't able to take him."
"Mom." Bellamy's voice was full of reproach. "I've already told you I trust J. I trusted him as my doctor, and I trust him as my boyfriend, and I trust him to be able to separate the two roles."
His mother looked at him for several long moments, then sat down at the table with them. "I suppose I can't complain, since you're a grown man," she said to Bellamy.
Jackson wasn't sure what to say now. She clearly didn't approve of his decision to date a patient, and he couldn't tell her Abby had sanctioned it and make Abby look like a bad doctor too.
He became aware that the room was uncomfortably silent now, though. He cleared his throat. "You said Bell scolds you for working late," he said. "He does the same to me." He forced on a smile that he hoped looked natural. "What is it you do?"
Bellamy's mother gave him a look that felt challenging somehow. "I'm a seamstress, doctor," she said quietly. "I take other people's worn clothes and try to turn them into something someone with little pride might be willing to wear."
Jackson was aware of Bellamy glowering at his plate, but Bell didn't actually say anything. He must be so used to his mother that he didn't notice her manner--or so embarrassed by her manner that he couldn't think of anything to say.
By the challenge in her gaze and the fact that she'd called him doctor again, she obviously thought he would judge her. Was she like this with people she perceived as having a more "well-respected" profession than hers, or was this because she just plain didn't want Bellamy dating him?
He kept his gaze as open as possible. "Do you enjoy it?" he asked calmly, taking a bite of his food.
The look on her face told him she hadn't expected that question. She was silent for a moment, then said, "I'm good at it. I suppose I take satisfaction in that."
He nodded. "That's better than nothing," he said. He speared another bite of food on his fork. "Both my parents were farmers," he added. Maybe that would be enough to show her he wasn't as privileged as she had assumed. He might be a doctor, but he was nothing like Clarke Griffin.
"Really?" she asked, her gaze sharp on his. She was silent for a couple of heartbeats, then said, "Bell worked very hard to get an appointment to the guard, you know."
Jackson felt Bellamy tense next to him, but Bell didn't actually say anything.
"I'm sure he did," Jackson said. "I don't know a lot about what it takes to get accepted in guard training, but I'm sure they're selective." He glanced over at Bellamy and smiled at him, sliding his foot over next to Bell's under the table. "Maybe one day he'll be keeping me safe when I'm in the Skybox."
He saw Bellamy relax just a little. "At the rate you're going, you won't need me to keep you safe," Bellamy said, his voice low. "Once those kids know they can trust you, you'll be the safest guy in lockup." Then, to Jackson's surprise, Bellamy reached over and took his hand. "Someday everyone will realize what a good man you are," he said softly.
Jackson felt his face go hot and he ducked his head. "I don't need everyone to know," he said. He couldn't make himself look back at Bellamy's mom now, and he didn't want to let go of Bell's hand. So he picked up his fork with his other hand and tried to clumsily get another bite of food balanced on it.
He could still feel Mrs. Blake's gaze on him, like it was burning into his skin. There were several seconds of silence, then finally she said, "Bellamy has been...very adamant that you support him in his career." Her tone was non-committal, but there was an openness that hadn't been there before.
"Yes, ma'am," he said, looking back up at her finally, even though his cheeks were still very warm. "Abby wanted to pull him off duty to care for me after I was hurt, but I told her not to." Nevermind that Bellamy had also offered to take off his work for Jackson. She would probably just get pissed at him if he told her that.
Mrs. Blake watched him for several seconds. "Being a guard is very important to him," she said finally. "I remember the day he first mentioned it to me...he was young, but I felt it was worth calling in a favor to secure him an appointment." Her tone was that of a woman strolling down memory lane, but her posture was still tense.
Jackson smiled faintly. "He's lucky to have had you in his corner," he said, trying not to think about what Bellamy thought that 'favor' had been. "My mother quit tutoring other kids to help me study when I told her I wanted to be a doctor. I guess we were both lucky." He squeezed Bell's hand and dropped another bite of food off his fork. He was eventually going to have to take his hand back if he was ever going to take another bite of food.
Bellamy made a quiet noise and let go of his hand. He must have noticed how difficult it was for Jackson to eat. "I can still sew a pretty mean whipstitch, though," Bellamy said, grinning faintly at Jackson. His leg pressed gently against Jackson's under the table.
"I offered to take time off after Jackson's concussion," he said. "But J wouldn't hear of it. He let me stay with him overnight, but he flat out insisted I go back to work the next day, Mom. He puts me ahead of whatever it is he wants." Bellamy's leg pressed more firmly against Jackson's. "Which means I need to have a serious conversation with him about his priorities."
His mother didn't crack a smile, but Jackson saw her expression soften just a little more. "He's putting you first, Bellamy," she said softly, and met Jackson's gaze. "That's how love works."
Oh, God. Jackson felt his eyes widen, and he lowered his gaze away from hers quickly. He busied himself with his food for a moment, trying to figure out how to respond to that.
He was pretty sure he did love Bellamy. He might have bolted from this room earlier if he didn't. But it still felt too soon to say it, and he certainly didn't want to say it the first time in front of Bellamy's mother.
The room felt too quiet for too long, and tension seemed like it was coming in waves off all three of them. Jackson reached for something to say. Anything. "I, uh…" He scrubbed a hand over his cheek. "I apologize for my appearance. I'm normally much more clean-shaven."
He heard Bellamy snort, but then Bellamy's mother said, "That really isn't necessary, Doc--ah, Jackson." She wasn't looking at Jackson, though, but at Bellamy. "I am willing to concede that...perhaps...I might have been overly hasty in my judgment."
Jackson felt Bellamy's leg press against his, but Bellamy only said, "Might have been?"
Jackson glanced between them for a moment. Was she admitting maybe that she'd been too quick to judge him? It seemed that way, which was a good start, even if Jackson still didn't feel very comfortable. "I obviously don't have a kid, but I'd imagine I'd be very protective." Aurora Blake was beyond protective, but he kept that to himself.
"This was supposed to be about you getting to know Jackson," Bellamy said after a few heartbeats. He didn't sound unhappy, but his words were crisp. "Jackson's mom was a farmer with a genius for languages. I...never met her...and I don't know a lot about J's dad." He glanced over at Jackson with an apologetic expression on his face.
Jackson cleared his throat. "He was a farmer too. He liked it. He was just… sort of an average guy, I guess. A good man." He shrugged. "He got cancer when I was eleven. I watched him go through multiple surgeries and treatments, but nothing helped and he died a year later. That was what made me want to be a doctor."
"I didn't know that," Bellamy said softly. He was looking at Jackson with a warm expression.
Aurora Blake cleared her throat. "That must have been difficult for you," she said. "Losing him at such a young age."
"It was," Jackson admitted. "I was too young to really understand it. I just felt like I should have been able to fix it." He huffed a laugh. "At twelve." He shook his head and took a bite of his food.
He felt Bellamy's leg press against his, but it was Aurora who spoke. "You seem to have a strong desire to help people. That's...admirable." In his peripheral vision, Jackson saw Bellamy lift his head to stare at her.
"Thank you, ma'am," he said. It felt strange calling another adult 'ma'am', but she hadn't given permission to use her name, and he wondered if 'Mrs. Blake' was even correct. She might prefer Ms. "My mom died when I was nineteen, which was worse because I was already apprenticing as a doctor and still couldn't help her. But… that was five years ago. We used to play chess all the time, so I was really happy to find a new partner in your son."
She looked from Jackson to Bellamy, and Jackson thought he saw her shoulders slump a little. A moment later she straightened and reached for the teapot. "More tea, Jackson?" As she poured, she said, "I...can't pretend to be happy you two began this relationship while Bellamy is still in training, but...I want him to be happy."
Jackson nodded. "I want that too," he said softly.
She nodded, too, and looked over at Bellamy, who looked more wary than happy. But when Bellamy saw Jackson looking at him, he smiled and took Jackson's hand.
Jackson squeezed his fingers and smiled. They were almost done eating, so Jackson didn't bother trying to finish with his non-dominant hand. His appetite was satisfied anyway.
He sipped his tea as the conversation continued in stops and starts. He was fairly certain he hadn't won Aurora over at all, but she seemed a little less tense and defensive by the time they were stacking plates and trays to take back to the mess.
As they stood to say goodbye, Jackson grabbed the stack before Bellamy could, and refused to give it up.
"Thank you for having me, Au-- ma'am," he said, smiling.
"I enjoyed talking with you, Jackson," she replied, and gave him a hint of a smile in return. "I'm sure we'll see more of each other."
Bellamy huffed a breath and kissed his mother's cheek. "See you later, Mom," he said, and led the way out the door.
Jackson waited for Bellamy to close the door before giving Bell a crooked smile. "I'm not positive, but I think she tried to smile at me just then."
Bell laughed, though it sounded more resigned than amused. "It looked like she tried," he agreed. "It took me a while to get over the tablecloth, honestly." He reached for the trays again, and this time Jackson let him have them.
Jackson hummed a thoughtful noise as they walked toward the mess, trying not to let on how tired he was suddenly feeling. Aurora Blake had been… a little exhausting. "I think she thought I would be more… pretentious, maybe. Which is surprising, because you don't seem like someone who would put up with that."
"I honestly have no idea what my mom thinks most of the time," Bellamy said. "We...haven't really been as close as we used to be, the last few years. But I guess we'll see." He gave Jackson a smile that looked almost as tired as Jackson felt. "Thanks for making such an effort. I know she's difficult."
"I deal with difficult people all the time," Jackson said, shrugging. "I'm dating one, actually."
"Ouch," Bellamy said, looking sideways at him. "I'll do my best to be worth the effort."
Jackson smiled. He wanted to lean over and kiss Bellamy, but he wasn't sure Bell would want him to here in the middle of Factory Station. "You are worth it."
Bell laughed. "Good to know."
Jackson lifted a hand to touch Bellamy's back as they walked, and once they dropped their plates and trays off at the mess, Jackson lowered it again to curl Bellamy's fingers in his.
They didn't have much to say in the walk back to Jackson's quarters, and Jackson felt his mind wandering to the way Bellamy's mother had brought up love… and to Bellamy's bag still on his floor.
When they slipped inside Jackson's quarters and locked the door behind them, Jackson tugged Bellamy into his arms and kissed him thoroughly, his fingers sliding into Bellamy's hair.
"M'glad your mom is warming up to me," he whispered when he pulled away, smiling at Bell.
"Mm, enough about my mom tonight," Bellamy murmured, and kissed him again. "God, you're sexy."
Jackson snorted. "Not like you," he whispered. He kissed Bellamy again, sliding the hand not in Bell's hair to his ass.
Bellamy pulled back just enough to glare at Jackson. "When I tell you you're sexy, you're supposed to say you know you're sexy," he said. "Not tell me I'm sexier. Because I'm not. You're hot and smart and competent and scruffy and sexy as fuck, and you don't get to argue with that."
Jackson stared at Bellamy for a moment, then laughed faintly. "I… wasn't arguing. I'm pretty confident about how I look," he said, giving Bellamy a teasing kiss. "And I know you like to look." Another teasing kiss. "You just happen to look better to me." Another kiss.
Bellamy finally gave a reluctant laugh. "And I just happen to disagree with you on that," he murmured. "But I'll let it go. This time." He kissed Jackson more hungrily, one hand cupping Jackson's jaw.
God, this felt good. Dangerously good, because Bellamy would probably cut him off before things got too heated. And if he didn't, Jackson might be inclined to ask for a blow job again.
Jackson made a hungry noise into the kiss and deepened it, tightening his arms around Bellamy before pulling away breathlessly. "Can we continue this in bed?" he panted. He wasn't about to admit he was tired, but if they could lay down, he'd be fine.
Bellamy made an amused noise. "Sounds like a good idea to me," he said, slipping his fingers into the waistband of Jackson's pants.
Jackson's brows shot up. Bellamy had been avoiding anything below the waist since Jackson had been hurt, and surely he wouldn't be teasing Jackson now if he wasn't prepared to follow through. He gave Bellamy a crooked grin. "Did 'Doctor Griffin' clear me for that?" he teased.
"Yes, and please don't ask for details," Bellamy breathed, his lips against Jackson's ear. "Please." He kissed Jackson slowly, urging him backwards towards the bed.
Jackson let Bellamy guide him back. He tried to enjoy the kiss, but suddenly his mind was racing with questions. Had Bell and Abby really discussed whether sex was okay? Who brought it up? How detailed had they been about what was and wasn't okay?
Bellamy didn't want questions, though, so Jackson tried to put them aside. For now. "I guess," he panted, "this is one way to help me rebuild my stamina."
"Especially," Bellamy breathed, "since all I want is to suck you." His lips were demanding against Jackson's, and Bellamy traced a line of hungry kisses against Jackson's jaw.
"God, I want that," Jackson panted, pressing into Bellamy's mouth. Had Bellamy only asked about oral sex because Jackson had requested it a couple of days prior? Abby probably would have gone into more detail, even if he had.
Stop thinking, he told himself, letting Bellamy push him down onto the bed and climb on top of him.
"You are so--impossible," Bellamy panted, kissing his jaw, "--to resist." His mouth trailed along Jackson's jaw, using lips and teeth both. "Want you so much."
Jackson sucked in a breath at the feel of Bellamy's teeth, his fingers closing in Bell's hair and then releasing. His body was suddenly thrumming with renewed energy. "Good thing you can have me then," he whispered.
Bell made a hungry noise. "Can I?" he breathed, his lips against Jackson's ear. "Have you, I mean?" His arm slipped around Jackson's waist, pulling his body firmly against Bellamy's.
Jackson shivered at those words, which sent a thrill through him that was both excited and nervous. What had happened to Bellamy only wanting to suck him?
It felt like ages ago he'd trusted anyone to take him, but he'd already promised Bellamy that he was willing with him. And after a week of only being able to kiss Bell, Jackson's body was hungry for any kind of touch. "Yes," he whispered. "Anything you want."
"God," Bell breathed in his ear. "I can hardly wait for that, when you're a hundred percent again." His teeth closed gently on Jackson's earlobe and Bell pulled back slowly, sending another shiver through Jackson. Bellamy pushed back up, giving Jackson a heated look as he unbuttoned Jackson's shirt. "For now..." He didn't finish the sentence, just leaned down to press slow, wet kisses down Jackson's chest.
"For now, this is good," Jackson whispered, arching into Bellamy's mouth. His fingers stroked through Bellamy's hair, while his other hand slid across Bellamy's strong shoulders. "Really good."
He felt Bellamy's breath puff against his stomach as Bell laughed. Then his fingers were undoing Jackson's jeans.
God, Bellamy wasn't wasting any time, was he? "Mmm, Bell," Jackson hummed. "Seem… eager."
"Want me to slow down?" Bellamy asked, sliding his hands back up to Jackson's stomach. He lifted his head, giving Jackson a look full of mischief. "I can slow down."
Jackson let out a breathy laugh. Part of him did want this to last longer. But his cock had other ideas. "Far be it for me to tell you what to do," he managed.
"You're still recovering. I don't want to tire you out too much." Bellamy grinned at him and lowered his head again, kissing his way to the waist of Jackson's jeans.
Bellamy's mouth being so close to Jackson's aching cock was almost too much right now. "You have a point," he panted.
Bellamy chuckled and sat back. "Need to get you out of these," he said, tugging at the waistband.
Jackson licked his lips, watching as Bellamy pulled open his jeans, then he lifted his hips as Bellamy tugged them down.
He expected Bell to pull down his boxers, too, but instead Bellamy bent down again and brushed his mouth over the cloth, hot breath gusting against him. Bell's fingers inched the waistband lower, but he was teasing now.
"God," Jackson breathed, arching against the bed. He tugged Bellamy's hair gently, just to show how much he wanted more, but not enough to push Bellamy for it. He had to remember, even though he was dying for Bellamy's mouth on him, that Bellamy hadn't done this before.
He didn't look the slightest bit nervous, though. Not yet.
"Yes," Jackson moaned.
Bell made an amused noise and mouthed at his cock through the cloth. "Sexy," he murmured, teasing Jackson's boxers down another few inches. "Like getting you worked up." He darted a glance up at Jackson's face, and Bellamy was definitely smirking just a little.
God, no, Bellamy wasn't nervous at all. Clearly, he'd taken notes on any and all blowjobs he'd ever received and was putting that intel to good use now. "Doing a good job of that," Jackson panted, trying to make it sound like a complaint, though he was pretty sure Bellamy would know it wasn't.
That turned Bellamy's smirk into a genuine grin and he tugged Jackson's boxers down the rest of the way...but moved over to kiss Jackson's hip instead of giving his cock the attention it wanted. Bellamy's hand traced circles on Jackson's other hip, but finally his mouth moved closer. "J," Bellamy breathed, and finally--finally--took Jackson in his mouth.
Jackson gasped, fingers tightening in Bellamy's hair a little, and then he let out a low moan. "Yes, Bell."
Bellamy hummed faintly and sucked, working his tongue against Jackson. He took his time with that before beginning to bob his head. He didn't go too deep, but from the faint noises he made, he was clearly enjoying himself.
Jackson tucked a hand behind his head so he could watch more easily, and let his other hand continue to ride the top of Bell's head. He wanted that wet heat around more of his cock, but he wasn't going to dare push it. What Bellamy was doing felt amazing, anyway, and the sight of his cock disappearing into Bellamy's mouth was making it even better. "So sexy," he whispered.
After a little while Bellamy grew bolder about taking him deeper, and finally Jackson could sense some of Bellamy's caution. Obviously, Bell hadn't been nervous about doing this, but he wasn't going to be reckless. He was studying Jackson's reactions to what he did and finding out how far he could go.
"So good," Jackson said, stroking his fingers through Bell's hair. He let his eyes flutter shut and focused on Bellamy's lips on him and the way it made him feel, instead of on Bellamy's comfort. Bell didn't 'know what he was doing', per se, but he obviously knew what he was comfortable with. "Bell," he murmured.
Bellamy hummed in acknowledgement, and he obviously had been paying attention enough to realize what that did to Jackson, because this time he drew it out. He took Jackson deeper still, paused briefly, and went back to the shallower motions, but his fingers curled loosely around the length that wasn't in his mouth.
Jackson let out a low groan as Bellamy started stroking his hand at the base of his cock in rhythm with the bobbing of his head around the top. "Fuck, Bell," he managed, writhing against the bed a little and trying not to let his hips jerk.
That earned him another noise of acknowledgment and Bell started bobbing his head in earnest.
Jackson moaned, but much to his dismay, the exhaustion was returning again, threatening to ruin this. He was already close, though, his body tight with need, so he strained for release. "Close," he panted. "Hum."
Bellamy did as he was told, taking him in deep and humming. His hand slid to cup Jackson's balls lightly.
That was enough to send Jackson over the edge, and he came with groan. He felt Bellamy pull back quickly, and Jackson dropped his hand away. But fortunately, Bell didn't pull entirely off, just enough to suck at the head of Jackson's cock until Jackson was done.
Bellamy finally sat up. "God, you're sexy," he murmured, and when Jackson looked at him, he was licking his lips and looking incredibly pleased with himself.
Jackson was still catching his breath when Bellamy settled against his side and kissed his jaw. "Oh, God," he breathed.
"I take it that was satisfactory," Bellamy said, grinning at him.
"More than satisfactory," Jackson murmured. He ducked his head to kiss Bellamy slowly, vaguely aware of Bellamy's excitement against his hip. He'd have to take care of that in a minute, but the renewed energy he felt when they'd started kissing had completely crashed for now. "Talented mouth," he whispered.
Bellamy kissed him again, draping an arm across Jackson's chest. "Good." He trailed kisses down Jackson's jaw to his neck. "Love the scruffy Jackson look."
Jackson chuckled lazily. "I'm glad," he said. "Don't get too used to it, though. Abby didn't seem quite as impressed as you are." He pulled Bell closer, stroking his fingers over Bell's shoulder.
Bellamy made a disappointed noise. "Have to enjoy it for a couple more days," he murmured.
"I'm not going to complain," Jackson said, then nudged Bellamy with his hip. "Let me rest another minute and I'll take care of that for you."
"Only if you feel okay for it," Bellamy said. Jackson wondered if he'd noticed his exhaustion, or if he was being overprotective again. Bellamy nuzzled his face against his neck and sighed softly.
Bellamy seemed so pleased, and it made Jackson smile. He turned his head so that Bellamy's messy hair was pressing against his lips. "Can I give you an IOU?" he murmured in an indirect admission of how tired he was, hoping Bell wouldn't be disappointed.
He felt Bellamy laugh a little, and then he said, "I wore you out," in a very smug tone of voice.
Jackson snorted. "The concussion helped," he teased.
Bellamy's arm tightened around him and he lifted his head. "Can I get you anything?" he asked, and brushed his lips against Jackson's jaw. "How long's it been since you took your pain medicine?"
"Don't worry about it," Jackson told him. "I'm okay. Just want to lay here with you." His head hurt, but not enough to take anything. He stroked his hand over Bell's back. "Preferably with less clothes, though."
Bellamy made a contented noise and kissed Jackson. "I need a drink anyway. It wouldn't be any trouble." He didn't pull away yet, though.
"It's really okay, Bell. I'm just tired." Jackson kissed him again. "Get undressed while you're up," he said, grinning faintly.
"Yes, sir," Bellamy said, grinning. He sat up and tugged his sweater off, folding it hastily and crossing the room to drop it on his pack. He didn't waste any time stripping down to his boxers, then he padded across the room to get a bottle of water and check the lock before flipping off the overhead lights and heading back to the bed.
Jackson had his clothes off too by the time Bell got back to bed, but he found himself still looking off in the direction of Bell's pack even after the lights went out. When Bell settled against him again, Jackson closed his eyes and stroked his fingers through Bellamy's hair. He wondered if he should really be thinking about saying what he wanted to, so he settled with, "Might fall asleep on you fast."
"I did drag you out all over the Ark tonight," Bell murmured. He propped himself up for a second and Jackson heard him taking another drink. "Need any?" Bellamy asked.
Jackson smiled. "Sure," he said, taking the bottle and lifting his head enough to drink without spilling. When he lowered the bottle, he kissed Bellamy briefly, then decided to just come out with what he was wanting to say. "So I was thinking, if you want to, I could clear some space for you in a drawer," he said, his heart thudding. "So you don't have to live out of your bag. If you want."
He felt Bellamy's breathing hitch. There were a couple of painful seconds of silence, and then Bellamy whispered, "Really?"
Jackson huffed a breath. "Really."
Bellamy kissed him hard. "Yes," he breathed. "I'd like that."
Jackson felt his lips tug into a grin. "You don't have to move out of your mom's place or anything. I don't want her to freak out. But I want you to have space here," he whispered, kissing Bellamy again.
"Yeah, she might freak out a little if I moved out entirely," Bellamy said softly. "But I like the idea of having space here." He made a happy noise and snuggled closer to Jackson. "Thank you," he whispered.
Jackson stroked his fingers through Bell's hair, feeling the tug of sleep return through his happiness. "You're welcome."
Chapter Seven
Fandom: The 100
Pairing: Bellamy/Jackson, mentions of Abby Griffin/Jake Griffin
Rating: NC-17/FRAO
WC: ~82,000
Characters: Bellamy Blake, Jackson, Octavia Blake, Aurora Blake, Marcus Kane, Inspector Grus, Abby Griffin, Clarke Griffin, Monty Green, Jasper Jordan, various OCs
Warnings: Bullying, minor character death, alcohol abuse
Notes: We're posting in chapters, but this is not a WIP. We also stayed mostly canon-compliant, but hand-waved a few things while writing this. The Ark doesn't have a limited supply of water in this fic. The timeline of Monty & Jasper's arrest is moved up a bit. And Jackson's backstory is AU, as this was written before 3x10, "Fallen", revealed info about Jackson's mother. Also, neither of us speak Hindi, so the single sentence we wrote in Hindi was googled. If you speak Hindi, and we got it wrong, our feelings will not be hurt if you correct us. :)
Summary: Bellamy Blake isn't one of the privileged on the Ark. His life as a guard cadet would be a lot easier if he weren't trying to keep his mother's secrets and protect his sister. What Bellamy doesn't realize is just how much a certain doctor has figured out about his problems, and how much Doctor Jackson wants to help.
Previous Chapters: Chapter One, Chapter Two - Part One, Chapter Two - Part Two, Chapter Three, Chapter Four, Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Jackson had been stuck in his rooms for five days before he went to Medical to see if Abby would clear him for light duty. His ears had stopped ringing, food was tasting better, and he wasn't as dependent on acetaminophen every four hours for his headaches. The biggest lingering problem was that he still tired easily. He stood outside Medical for a few minutes before going inside, hoping to clear any sign of tiredness from his face, then went in… and was promptly shooed back out by Abby and Clarke.
He scrubbed his hand over his face as he went back to his rooms. He hadn't shaved since he'd been injured, and was starting to look scruffy. Maybe the fact he hadn't even felt like fixing that gave him away. He'd have to shave before he went back to work.
Of course, for now the benefit of the scruff was how sexy Bellamy seemed to find it. The evening before, Bellamy had worked his mouth over Jackson's jaw until Jackson forgot himself and asked for a blow job on the grounds that he didn't have to do anything but lay back and enjoy it. That was when Bellamy told him that he wanted to give his first blow job to Jackson when he was sure Jackson could fully enjoy it, and Jackson had felt mildly guilty.
Jackson had started playing chess by himself when no one was supposed to come by, and then re-scattering the pieces on the table again when it was nearing times that he expected visits from Abby, Clarke, or Bellamy.
When Bellamy got in after work that afternoon, he had a smile on his face. "Someone ratted you out," he said, coming over to kiss Jackson hello. "Abby says you are not cleared for work for another two days."
Jackson's heart sank a little. It had almost been a week!
"I don't appreciate how happy you look about that," he muttered. "Someone ratted me out for what?"
"Stopping by Medical," Bellamy said. "But that turned out to be a good thing, because it actually made Abby okay what I'm about to tell you." He kissed Jackson again. "My mom agreed to dinner tonight. And Abby says it's fine for you to walk over to Factory Station."
Jackson blinked at him for a moment, surprised. He was pleased, obviously, but suddenly flustered. "But it's dinner time now, Bell," he said, getting up and going to the bathroom. "I need to shave, and…" He pressed his hand to his forehead, wondering what to change into from his t-shirt and jeans.
"You don't need to shave," Bellamy said, following him and wrapping an arm around his waist from behind. He grinned at Jackson in the mirror. "You're incredibly appealing just as you are. And she knows you've been recovering from a concussion. She wouldn't want you to go to any trouble."
Jackson sighed, leaning back against him. Bellamy felt nice and strong against his back, and Jackson couldn't deny he liked Bellamy looking at him like that. Maybe he should let Bellamy enjoy the slight beard for a couple more days. "You told her I got hurt?"
"Mm," Bellamy hummed in the affirmative. He lowered his head and kissed Jackson's neck. "I think it was your bravery in standing up for the lockup kids that won her over," he murmured, lips still against Jackson's skin.
Jackson snorted. "I just did what I had to," he said, then turned around and kissed Bellamy. "Thank you," he murmured, kissing Bellamy again. "For convincing her."
"I just convinced her to meet you," Bellamy said, his expression going a little anxious for the first time. "I can't promise she'll...give her blessing, or whatever. But she was impressed with your moral judgment." He leaned in and kissed Jackson slowly, one hand stroking his jaw.
Jackson made a happy noise into the kiss, hoping to distract Bellamy from his apparent anxiety. "It'll be okay. She'll love me by the end of the night," he said, smiling and hoping he wasn't wrong. "At least let me change first."
"Just into a nicer shirt," Bellamy said. "I'm not going to wear my uniform." He kissed Jackson one more time and then pulled away to go change.
Jackson watched as Bellamy went over to where his bag was still on the floor. He was still turning over the idea of offering a drawer, and was starting to feel slightly guilty that he hadn't yet. He'd realized, belatedly, that Bellamy had referred to Jackson's place as "home" the other day.
Jackson decided to let it go for now, and went to pull on a button-up shirt and tie.
He was still fumbling with the tie when Bellamy came back, wearing a sweater and jeans. "You don't need that," Bellamy said, his fingers closing gently on Jackson's. "You'll make me look bad." He smiled and gave Jackson a very obvious once-over. "You already make me look bad."
"She's your mom," Jackson protested, but he let Bellamy tug the tie out of his collar. "I'm sure you could never look bad to her." He leaned in and kissed Bellamy again.
"I think your mother and my mother are very different people," Bellamy said darkly. But he kissed Jackson again, more slowly. "We shouldn't wait much longer to leave," he said. "I told her we'd bring dinner to her. She doesn't like crowds."
"Oh," Jackson said, surprised. This was going to be more intimate than Jackson had expected. He wasn't surprised Aurora Blake didn't like crowds, though. From everything Bellamy had said, she didn't seem to like much of anything.
Anxiety suddenly hit Jackson. He drew a slightly shaky breath, but tried to keep his expression even. "Okay, let's go."
Bellamy nodded and headed for the door. He paused to make sure Jackson locked the door behind them, then they headed for the mess hall. From there it was a short enough walk to Section Seventeen of Factory Station, but Jackson found himself a little worn out at the end of it, which didn't help his nerves any as Bellamy balanced his tray in one hand and knocked at the door of his own home.
Jackson wondered why Bellamy wasn't just letting them in. Then he reminded himself that Bellamy said his mother didn't like surprises.
But if she'd agreed to this, it shouldn't be a surprise. Jackson reminded himself that Aurora Blake was… a little weird.
It felt like they stood there for a while, and Jackson tried not to let Bellamy's nervous body language make him more nervous. And then the door was opening, and Jackson had a split second to regret not insisting on shaving before he was pushing a warm smile onto his face. "Mrs. Blake," he said. "Thank you for having me over."
She looked at him for a second or two, then said, "Come inside, Doctor," and stepped aside. After a moment, she added, "Bellamy says he's been staying with you."
Jackson darted a glance at Bellamy, then stepped inside. "He has," he said, heart suddenly thudding in his chest. "It's nice to have company for a change. And you can call me Jackson. I'm not here as a doctor."
She made a thoughtful noise. "Jackson, then. Please sit down." She gestured to the table in the center of the room, and Jackson saw she'd spread it with a tablecloth. Well, it looked like it might be a bedsheet, actually, but it had embroidery around the edges. He glanced at Bellamy, who was blinking stupidly at the table.
"Yeah, sit down," Bellamy said. "You know Doctor Griffin said you should take it slow." He put the tray of food on the table.
"I'm fine, but thank you," Jackson said. He was actually grateful for the offer to sit. The walk here combined with his anxiety was tiring him out. He moved around the table and took a seat, but made sure to keep his posture straight. "I hope the day's been treating you well," he said, trying another smile on Bellamy's mom.
She looked at him for a moment, then brought a teapot over to the table. "I brought some work home with me, actually, but Bellamy scolds me for working late. Bell, either help me or sit down. You're hovering, and it makes me nervous."
Bellamy chuckled faintly and went to get the teacups.
"Do you take sugar in your tea, Jackson?" Bellamy's mother asked.
"Please," he said, but he suddenly felt awkward sitting here while Bellamy and his mother served him. "Is there anything I can help with? I'm really not going to break."
Mrs. Blake paused then, her gaze steady on his face. After a long moment, her expression softened just a fraction. "No, Bellamy said you were hurt," she said. "Because you stood up for the children in the Skybox. Bellamy had a concussion once--though I expect you know that."
"I do," Jackson said. "He wasn't my patient yet then, but I reviewed his records pretty thoroughly when Abby transferred him into my care." He blinked, suddenly realizing he was talking like a doctor. "Anyway, I only did what was right for those kids. The majority of them are good kids who deserve to have someone looking out for them." He huffed. "Not that the 'bad ones'," he said, making air quotes, "don't deserve that too."
Bellamy's mom hummed thoughtfully, but he couldn't help noticing that she added a second lump of sugar to his tea before she offered it to him. "I'm afraid Bellamy hasn't been entirely...forthcoming...with me regarding your relationship," she said, darting a glance at Bellamy, who was just about to sit down at the table next to Jackson. "How long is it that you've been seeing one another?"
"Well, we've known each other maybe eight or nine months," Jackson said, glancing at Bellamy. "We didn't start dating until… maybe two weeks ago?"
Bellamy grinned at him, though Jackson thought it looked strained. "That was when I finally got you to leave Medical for a few minutes," he agreed, "but of course I'd wanted to spend time with you for a few months before that."
Mrs. Blake was looking at Jackson rather than her son, her gaze frank in its appraisal. "You don't find it awkward, dating a patient?" she asked, her tone deceptively mild.
Jackson felt like he'd just been doused in cold water. He swallowed hard and looked down at his tea. "I-- I…" He curled his fingers around the cup and took a sip. It was too sweet, but it was a distraction. "I attempted to transfer him out of my care when things got… when it became obvious to me that I liked him. But the doctor I work under is also on the council, and wasn't able to take him."
"Mom." Bellamy's voice was full of reproach. "I've already told you I trust J. I trusted him as my doctor, and I trust him as my boyfriend, and I trust him to be able to separate the two roles."
His mother looked at him for several long moments, then sat down at the table with them. "I suppose I can't complain, since you're a grown man," she said to Bellamy.
Jackson wasn't sure what to say now. She clearly didn't approve of his decision to date a patient, and he couldn't tell her Abby had sanctioned it and make Abby look like a bad doctor too.
He became aware that the room was uncomfortably silent now, though. He cleared his throat. "You said Bell scolds you for working late," he said. "He does the same to me." He forced on a smile that he hoped looked natural. "What is it you do?"
Bellamy's mother gave him a look that felt challenging somehow. "I'm a seamstress, doctor," she said quietly. "I take other people's worn clothes and try to turn them into something someone with little pride might be willing to wear."
Jackson was aware of Bellamy glowering at his plate, but Bell didn't actually say anything. He must be so used to his mother that he didn't notice her manner--or so embarrassed by her manner that he couldn't think of anything to say.
By the challenge in her gaze and the fact that she'd called him doctor again, she obviously thought he would judge her. Was she like this with people she perceived as having a more "well-respected" profession than hers, or was this because she just plain didn't want Bellamy dating him?
He kept his gaze as open as possible. "Do you enjoy it?" he asked calmly, taking a bite of his food.
The look on her face told him she hadn't expected that question. She was silent for a moment, then said, "I'm good at it. I suppose I take satisfaction in that."
He nodded. "That's better than nothing," he said. He speared another bite of food on his fork. "Both my parents were farmers," he added. Maybe that would be enough to show her he wasn't as privileged as she had assumed. He might be a doctor, but he was nothing like Clarke Griffin.
"Really?" she asked, her gaze sharp on his. She was silent for a couple of heartbeats, then said, "Bell worked very hard to get an appointment to the guard, you know."
Jackson felt Bellamy tense next to him, but Bell didn't actually say anything.
"I'm sure he did," Jackson said. "I don't know a lot about what it takes to get accepted in guard training, but I'm sure they're selective." He glanced over at Bellamy and smiled at him, sliding his foot over next to Bell's under the table. "Maybe one day he'll be keeping me safe when I'm in the Skybox."
He saw Bellamy relax just a little. "At the rate you're going, you won't need me to keep you safe," Bellamy said, his voice low. "Once those kids know they can trust you, you'll be the safest guy in lockup." Then, to Jackson's surprise, Bellamy reached over and took his hand. "Someday everyone will realize what a good man you are," he said softly.
Jackson felt his face go hot and he ducked his head. "I don't need everyone to know," he said. He couldn't make himself look back at Bellamy's mom now, and he didn't want to let go of Bell's hand. So he picked up his fork with his other hand and tried to clumsily get another bite of food balanced on it.
He could still feel Mrs. Blake's gaze on him, like it was burning into his skin. There were several seconds of silence, then finally she said, "Bellamy has been...very adamant that you support him in his career." Her tone was non-committal, but there was an openness that hadn't been there before.
"Yes, ma'am," he said, looking back up at her finally, even though his cheeks were still very warm. "Abby wanted to pull him off duty to care for me after I was hurt, but I told her not to." Nevermind that Bellamy had also offered to take off his work for Jackson. She would probably just get pissed at him if he told her that.
Mrs. Blake watched him for several seconds. "Being a guard is very important to him," she said finally. "I remember the day he first mentioned it to me...he was young, but I felt it was worth calling in a favor to secure him an appointment." Her tone was that of a woman strolling down memory lane, but her posture was still tense.
Jackson smiled faintly. "He's lucky to have had you in his corner," he said, trying not to think about what Bellamy thought that 'favor' had been. "My mother quit tutoring other kids to help me study when I told her I wanted to be a doctor. I guess we were both lucky." He squeezed Bell's hand and dropped another bite of food off his fork. He was eventually going to have to take his hand back if he was ever going to take another bite of food.
Bellamy made a quiet noise and let go of his hand. He must have noticed how difficult it was for Jackson to eat. "I can still sew a pretty mean whipstitch, though," Bellamy said, grinning faintly at Jackson. His leg pressed gently against Jackson's under the table.
"I offered to take time off after Jackson's concussion," he said. "But J wouldn't hear of it. He let me stay with him overnight, but he flat out insisted I go back to work the next day, Mom. He puts me ahead of whatever it is he wants." Bellamy's leg pressed more firmly against Jackson's. "Which means I need to have a serious conversation with him about his priorities."
His mother didn't crack a smile, but Jackson saw her expression soften just a little more. "He's putting you first, Bellamy," she said softly, and met Jackson's gaze. "That's how love works."
Oh, God. Jackson felt his eyes widen, and he lowered his gaze away from hers quickly. He busied himself with his food for a moment, trying to figure out how to respond to that.
He was pretty sure he did love Bellamy. He might have bolted from this room earlier if he didn't. But it still felt too soon to say it, and he certainly didn't want to say it the first time in front of Bellamy's mother.
The room felt too quiet for too long, and tension seemed like it was coming in waves off all three of them. Jackson reached for something to say. Anything. "I, uh…" He scrubbed a hand over his cheek. "I apologize for my appearance. I'm normally much more clean-shaven."
He heard Bellamy snort, but then Bellamy's mother said, "That really isn't necessary, Doc--ah, Jackson." She wasn't looking at Jackson, though, but at Bellamy. "I am willing to concede that...perhaps...I might have been overly hasty in my judgment."
Jackson felt Bellamy's leg press against his, but Bellamy only said, "Might have been?"
Jackson glanced between them for a moment. Was she admitting maybe that she'd been too quick to judge him? It seemed that way, which was a good start, even if Jackson still didn't feel very comfortable. "I obviously don't have a kid, but I'd imagine I'd be very protective." Aurora Blake was beyond protective, but he kept that to himself.
"This was supposed to be about you getting to know Jackson," Bellamy said after a few heartbeats. He didn't sound unhappy, but his words were crisp. "Jackson's mom was a farmer with a genius for languages. I...never met her...and I don't know a lot about J's dad." He glanced over at Jackson with an apologetic expression on his face.
Jackson cleared his throat. "He was a farmer too. He liked it. He was just… sort of an average guy, I guess. A good man." He shrugged. "He got cancer when I was eleven. I watched him go through multiple surgeries and treatments, but nothing helped and he died a year later. That was what made me want to be a doctor."
"I didn't know that," Bellamy said softly. He was looking at Jackson with a warm expression.
Aurora Blake cleared her throat. "That must have been difficult for you," she said. "Losing him at such a young age."
"It was," Jackson admitted. "I was too young to really understand it. I just felt like I should have been able to fix it." He huffed a laugh. "At twelve." He shook his head and took a bite of his food.
He felt Bellamy's leg press against his, but it was Aurora who spoke. "You seem to have a strong desire to help people. That's...admirable." In his peripheral vision, Jackson saw Bellamy lift his head to stare at her.
"Thank you, ma'am," he said. It felt strange calling another adult 'ma'am', but she hadn't given permission to use her name, and he wondered if 'Mrs. Blake' was even correct. She might prefer Ms. "My mom died when I was nineteen, which was worse because I was already apprenticing as a doctor and still couldn't help her. But… that was five years ago. We used to play chess all the time, so I was really happy to find a new partner in your son."
She looked from Jackson to Bellamy, and Jackson thought he saw her shoulders slump a little. A moment later she straightened and reached for the teapot. "More tea, Jackson?" As she poured, she said, "I...can't pretend to be happy you two began this relationship while Bellamy is still in training, but...I want him to be happy."
Jackson nodded. "I want that too," he said softly.
She nodded, too, and looked over at Bellamy, who looked more wary than happy. But when Bellamy saw Jackson looking at him, he smiled and took Jackson's hand.
Jackson squeezed his fingers and smiled. They were almost done eating, so Jackson didn't bother trying to finish with his non-dominant hand. His appetite was satisfied anyway.
He sipped his tea as the conversation continued in stops and starts. He was fairly certain he hadn't won Aurora over at all, but she seemed a little less tense and defensive by the time they were stacking plates and trays to take back to the mess.
As they stood to say goodbye, Jackson grabbed the stack before Bellamy could, and refused to give it up.
"Thank you for having me, Au-- ma'am," he said, smiling.
"I enjoyed talking with you, Jackson," she replied, and gave him a hint of a smile in return. "I'm sure we'll see more of each other."
Bellamy huffed a breath and kissed his mother's cheek. "See you later, Mom," he said, and led the way out the door.
Jackson waited for Bellamy to close the door before giving Bell a crooked smile. "I'm not positive, but I think she tried to smile at me just then."
Bell laughed, though it sounded more resigned than amused. "It looked like she tried," he agreed. "It took me a while to get over the tablecloth, honestly." He reached for the trays again, and this time Jackson let him have them.
Jackson hummed a thoughtful noise as they walked toward the mess, trying not to let on how tired he was suddenly feeling. Aurora Blake had been… a little exhausting. "I think she thought I would be more… pretentious, maybe. Which is surprising, because you don't seem like someone who would put up with that."
"I honestly have no idea what my mom thinks most of the time," Bellamy said. "We...haven't really been as close as we used to be, the last few years. But I guess we'll see." He gave Jackson a smile that looked almost as tired as Jackson felt. "Thanks for making such an effort. I know she's difficult."
"I deal with difficult people all the time," Jackson said, shrugging. "I'm dating one, actually."
"Ouch," Bellamy said, looking sideways at him. "I'll do my best to be worth the effort."
Jackson smiled. He wanted to lean over and kiss Bellamy, but he wasn't sure Bell would want him to here in the middle of Factory Station. "You are worth it."
Bell laughed. "Good to know."
Jackson lifted a hand to touch Bellamy's back as they walked, and once they dropped their plates and trays off at the mess, Jackson lowered it again to curl Bellamy's fingers in his.
They didn't have much to say in the walk back to Jackson's quarters, and Jackson felt his mind wandering to the way Bellamy's mother had brought up love… and to Bellamy's bag still on his floor.
When they slipped inside Jackson's quarters and locked the door behind them, Jackson tugged Bellamy into his arms and kissed him thoroughly, his fingers sliding into Bellamy's hair.
"M'glad your mom is warming up to me," he whispered when he pulled away, smiling at Bell.
"Mm, enough about my mom tonight," Bellamy murmured, and kissed him again. "God, you're sexy."
Jackson snorted. "Not like you," he whispered. He kissed Bellamy again, sliding the hand not in Bell's hair to his ass.
Bellamy pulled back just enough to glare at Jackson. "When I tell you you're sexy, you're supposed to say you know you're sexy," he said. "Not tell me I'm sexier. Because I'm not. You're hot and smart and competent and scruffy and sexy as fuck, and you don't get to argue with that."
Jackson stared at Bellamy for a moment, then laughed faintly. "I… wasn't arguing. I'm pretty confident about how I look," he said, giving Bellamy a teasing kiss. "And I know you like to look." Another teasing kiss. "You just happen to look better to me." Another kiss.
Bellamy finally gave a reluctant laugh. "And I just happen to disagree with you on that," he murmured. "But I'll let it go. This time." He kissed Jackson more hungrily, one hand cupping Jackson's jaw.
God, this felt good. Dangerously good, because Bellamy would probably cut him off before things got too heated. And if he didn't, Jackson might be inclined to ask for a blow job again.
Jackson made a hungry noise into the kiss and deepened it, tightening his arms around Bellamy before pulling away breathlessly. "Can we continue this in bed?" he panted. He wasn't about to admit he was tired, but if they could lay down, he'd be fine.
Bellamy made an amused noise. "Sounds like a good idea to me," he said, slipping his fingers into the waistband of Jackson's pants.
Jackson's brows shot up. Bellamy had been avoiding anything below the waist since Jackson had been hurt, and surely he wouldn't be teasing Jackson now if he wasn't prepared to follow through. He gave Bellamy a crooked grin. "Did 'Doctor Griffin' clear me for that?" he teased.
"Yes, and please don't ask for details," Bellamy breathed, his lips against Jackson's ear. "Please." He kissed Jackson slowly, urging him backwards towards the bed.
Jackson let Bellamy guide him back. He tried to enjoy the kiss, but suddenly his mind was racing with questions. Had Bell and Abby really discussed whether sex was okay? Who brought it up? How detailed had they been about what was and wasn't okay?
Bellamy didn't want questions, though, so Jackson tried to put them aside. For now. "I guess," he panted, "this is one way to help me rebuild my stamina."
"Especially," Bellamy breathed, "since all I want is to suck you." His lips were demanding against Jackson's, and Bellamy traced a line of hungry kisses against Jackson's jaw.
"God, I want that," Jackson panted, pressing into Bellamy's mouth. Had Bellamy only asked about oral sex because Jackson had requested it a couple of days prior? Abby probably would have gone into more detail, even if he had.
Stop thinking, he told himself, letting Bellamy push him down onto the bed and climb on top of him.
"You are so--impossible," Bellamy panted, kissing his jaw, "--to resist." His mouth trailed along Jackson's jaw, using lips and teeth both. "Want you so much."
Jackson sucked in a breath at the feel of Bellamy's teeth, his fingers closing in Bell's hair and then releasing. His body was suddenly thrumming with renewed energy. "Good thing you can have me then," he whispered.
Bell made a hungry noise. "Can I?" he breathed, his lips against Jackson's ear. "Have you, I mean?" His arm slipped around Jackson's waist, pulling his body firmly against Bellamy's.
Jackson shivered at those words, which sent a thrill through him that was both excited and nervous. What had happened to Bellamy only wanting to suck him?
It felt like ages ago he'd trusted anyone to take him, but he'd already promised Bellamy that he was willing with him. And after a week of only being able to kiss Bell, Jackson's body was hungry for any kind of touch. "Yes," he whispered. "Anything you want."
"God," Bell breathed in his ear. "I can hardly wait for that, when you're a hundred percent again." His teeth closed gently on Jackson's earlobe and Bell pulled back slowly, sending another shiver through Jackson. Bellamy pushed back up, giving Jackson a heated look as he unbuttoned Jackson's shirt. "For now..." He didn't finish the sentence, just leaned down to press slow, wet kisses down Jackson's chest.
"For now, this is good," Jackson whispered, arching into Bellamy's mouth. His fingers stroked through Bellamy's hair, while his other hand slid across Bellamy's strong shoulders. "Really good."
He felt Bellamy's breath puff against his stomach as Bell laughed. Then his fingers were undoing Jackson's jeans.
God, Bellamy wasn't wasting any time, was he? "Mmm, Bell," Jackson hummed. "Seem… eager."
"Want me to slow down?" Bellamy asked, sliding his hands back up to Jackson's stomach. He lifted his head, giving Jackson a look full of mischief. "I can slow down."
Jackson let out a breathy laugh. Part of him did want this to last longer. But his cock had other ideas. "Far be it for me to tell you what to do," he managed.
"You're still recovering. I don't want to tire you out too much." Bellamy grinned at him and lowered his head again, kissing his way to the waist of Jackson's jeans.
Bellamy's mouth being so close to Jackson's aching cock was almost too much right now. "You have a point," he panted.
Bellamy chuckled and sat back. "Need to get you out of these," he said, tugging at the waistband.
Jackson licked his lips, watching as Bellamy pulled open his jeans, then he lifted his hips as Bellamy tugged them down.
He expected Bell to pull down his boxers, too, but instead Bellamy bent down again and brushed his mouth over the cloth, hot breath gusting against him. Bell's fingers inched the waistband lower, but he was teasing now.
"God," Jackson breathed, arching against the bed. He tugged Bellamy's hair gently, just to show how much he wanted more, but not enough to push Bellamy for it. He had to remember, even though he was dying for Bellamy's mouth on him, that Bellamy hadn't done this before.
He didn't look the slightest bit nervous, though. Not yet.
"Yes," Jackson moaned.
Bell made an amused noise and mouthed at his cock through the cloth. "Sexy," he murmured, teasing Jackson's boxers down another few inches. "Like getting you worked up." He darted a glance up at Jackson's face, and Bellamy was definitely smirking just a little.
God, no, Bellamy wasn't nervous at all. Clearly, he'd taken notes on any and all blowjobs he'd ever received and was putting that intel to good use now. "Doing a good job of that," Jackson panted, trying to make it sound like a complaint, though he was pretty sure Bellamy would know it wasn't.
That turned Bellamy's smirk into a genuine grin and he tugged Jackson's boxers down the rest of the way...but moved over to kiss Jackson's hip instead of giving his cock the attention it wanted. Bellamy's hand traced circles on Jackson's other hip, but finally his mouth moved closer. "J," Bellamy breathed, and finally--finally--took Jackson in his mouth.
Jackson gasped, fingers tightening in Bellamy's hair a little, and then he let out a low moan. "Yes, Bell."
Bellamy hummed faintly and sucked, working his tongue against Jackson. He took his time with that before beginning to bob his head. He didn't go too deep, but from the faint noises he made, he was clearly enjoying himself.
Jackson tucked a hand behind his head so he could watch more easily, and let his other hand continue to ride the top of Bell's head. He wanted that wet heat around more of his cock, but he wasn't going to dare push it. What Bellamy was doing felt amazing, anyway, and the sight of his cock disappearing into Bellamy's mouth was making it even better. "So sexy," he whispered.
After a little while Bellamy grew bolder about taking him deeper, and finally Jackson could sense some of Bellamy's caution. Obviously, Bell hadn't been nervous about doing this, but he wasn't going to be reckless. He was studying Jackson's reactions to what he did and finding out how far he could go.
"So good," Jackson said, stroking his fingers through Bell's hair. He let his eyes flutter shut and focused on Bellamy's lips on him and the way it made him feel, instead of on Bellamy's comfort. Bell didn't 'know what he was doing', per se, but he obviously knew what he was comfortable with. "Bell," he murmured.
Bellamy hummed in acknowledgement, and he obviously had been paying attention enough to realize what that did to Jackson, because this time he drew it out. He took Jackson deeper still, paused briefly, and went back to the shallower motions, but his fingers curled loosely around the length that wasn't in his mouth.
Jackson let out a low groan as Bellamy started stroking his hand at the base of his cock in rhythm with the bobbing of his head around the top. "Fuck, Bell," he managed, writhing against the bed a little and trying not to let his hips jerk.
That earned him another noise of acknowledgment and Bell started bobbing his head in earnest.
Jackson moaned, but much to his dismay, the exhaustion was returning again, threatening to ruin this. He was already close, though, his body tight with need, so he strained for release. "Close," he panted. "Hum."
Bellamy did as he was told, taking him in deep and humming. His hand slid to cup Jackson's balls lightly.
That was enough to send Jackson over the edge, and he came with groan. He felt Bellamy pull back quickly, and Jackson dropped his hand away. But fortunately, Bell didn't pull entirely off, just enough to suck at the head of Jackson's cock until Jackson was done.
Bellamy finally sat up. "God, you're sexy," he murmured, and when Jackson looked at him, he was licking his lips and looking incredibly pleased with himself.
Jackson was still catching his breath when Bellamy settled against his side and kissed his jaw. "Oh, God," he breathed.
"I take it that was satisfactory," Bellamy said, grinning at him.
"More than satisfactory," Jackson murmured. He ducked his head to kiss Bellamy slowly, vaguely aware of Bellamy's excitement against his hip. He'd have to take care of that in a minute, but the renewed energy he felt when they'd started kissing had completely crashed for now. "Talented mouth," he whispered.
Bellamy kissed him again, draping an arm across Jackson's chest. "Good." He trailed kisses down Jackson's jaw to his neck. "Love the scruffy Jackson look."
Jackson chuckled lazily. "I'm glad," he said. "Don't get too used to it, though. Abby didn't seem quite as impressed as you are." He pulled Bell closer, stroking his fingers over Bell's shoulder.
Bellamy made a disappointed noise. "Have to enjoy it for a couple more days," he murmured.
"I'm not going to complain," Jackson said, then nudged Bellamy with his hip. "Let me rest another minute and I'll take care of that for you."
"Only if you feel okay for it," Bellamy said. Jackson wondered if he'd noticed his exhaustion, or if he was being overprotective again. Bellamy nuzzled his face against his neck and sighed softly.
Bellamy seemed so pleased, and it made Jackson smile. He turned his head so that Bellamy's messy hair was pressing against his lips. "Can I give you an IOU?" he murmured in an indirect admission of how tired he was, hoping Bell wouldn't be disappointed.
He felt Bellamy laugh a little, and then he said, "I wore you out," in a very smug tone of voice.
Jackson snorted. "The concussion helped," he teased.
Bellamy's arm tightened around him and he lifted his head. "Can I get you anything?" he asked, and brushed his lips against Jackson's jaw. "How long's it been since you took your pain medicine?"
"Don't worry about it," Jackson told him. "I'm okay. Just want to lay here with you." His head hurt, but not enough to take anything. He stroked his hand over Bell's back. "Preferably with less clothes, though."
Bellamy made a contented noise and kissed Jackson. "I need a drink anyway. It wouldn't be any trouble." He didn't pull away yet, though.
"It's really okay, Bell. I'm just tired." Jackson kissed him again. "Get undressed while you're up," he said, grinning faintly.
"Yes, sir," Bellamy said, grinning. He sat up and tugged his sweater off, folding it hastily and crossing the room to drop it on his pack. He didn't waste any time stripping down to his boxers, then he padded across the room to get a bottle of water and check the lock before flipping off the overhead lights and heading back to the bed.
Jackson had his clothes off too by the time Bell got back to bed, but he found himself still looking off in the direction of Bell's pack even after the lights went out. When Bell settled against him again, Jackson closed his eyes and stroked his fingers through Bellamy's hair. He wondered if he should really be thinking about saying what he wanted to, so he settled with, "Might fall asleep on you fast."
"I did drag you out all over the Ark tonight," Bell murmured. He propped himself up for a second and Jackson heard him taking another drink. "Need any?" Bellamy asked.
Jackson smiled. "Sure," he said, taking the bottle and lifting his head enough to drink without spilling. When he lowered the bottle, he kissed Bellamy briefly, then decided to just come out with what he was wanting to say. "So I was thinking, if you want to, I could clear some space for you in a drawer," he said, his heart thudding. "So you don't have to live out of your bag. If you want."
He felt Bellamy's breathing hitch. There were a couple of painful seconds of silence, and then Bellamy whispered, "Really?"
Jackson huffed a breath. "Really."
Bellamy kissed him hard. "Yes," he breathed. "I'd like that."
Jackson felt his lips tug into a grin. "You don't have to move out of your mom's place or anything. I don't want her to freak out. But I want you to have space here," he whispered, kissing Bellamy again.
"Yeah, she might freak out a little if I moved out entirely," Bellamy said softly. "But I like the idea of having space here." He made a happy noise and snuggled closer to Jackson. "Thank you," he whispered.
Jackson stroked his fingers through Bell's hair, feeling the tug of sleep return through his happiness. "You're welcome."
Chapter Seven
