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[power_of_yes]

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[pharadyne]

[It doesn't take very long at all for Norton to find out about John's conversation with the wardens about the scopolamine. He doesn't confront him right away, however. For one thing, if there are wardens sniffing around, Norton needs to be careful he isn't anywhere near anything. But once he's sure he won't stumble into a warden search of John's cabin, he comes by at night and knocks on the door, dressed in a windowpane check wool suit over a burgundy jumper. Three layers of fabric hiding away his scars.]

[power_of_yes]

[John had just been about to sleep when he hears the knock and pushes himself out of bed in only a pair of cloth pants, full array of scars and tattoos on display, including the new envy on his shoulder. His hair, without gel, falls freely around his face, but considering that the only person who bothers him this late at night is Carol and she's seen him like this, he doesn't bother trying to get ready.

Instead, he opens the door and blinks to see Norton on the other side.

Phoebe raises her head from the couch, sensing danger before John does.]

I didn't realize we had a date.

[pharadyne]

[Norton smiles brightly at John as he runs his hand down over his bare chest.]

We didn't. I decided to surprise you. Was that inconvenient? [Before waiting for an answer he tries to slip into the cabin around John, his daemon Padget close by his heels.]

[power_of_yes]

[He's not buying it. But he plays along anyway. He lets Norton inside, closing the door behind him.]

I'm hardly dressed for the occasion.

[Phoebe hops down from the couch and shakes herself off.]

[pharadyne]

What occasion? Late night assignations don't have a dress code.

[Still smiling and without any warning aside from a slight coolness in his voice, Norton swings an open palm towards John's cheek to slap as hard as he can.]

[power_of_yes]

[Phoebe doesn't even have time to call out a warning before his palm hits. John's head snaps to the side and he breathes in a moment, the sting of it making him ache. And then he reaches out, aiming to grab swiftly for his throat, though he keeps a hand free, wary of anything sharp coming his way.]

[pharadyne]

[Norton just raises his chin slightly as John grabs his throat, but the smile is gone and his eyes are furious. He has a pistol and a knife hidden under his jacket but he's not reaching for either yet. Padget hisses, back arched and tail lashing, but since Norton thinks he has things under control for now, Padget keeps the claws in.]

Were you trying to get me into trouble or did you just feel like pissing away my hard work for no reason?

[power_of_yes]

[John ignores Padget at the moment, taking a step closer. He's unarmed, obviously, but the hand on Norton's throat is more about control than putting him in actual danger. For now.]

Did you think I had just forgotten what you did to me? Did you think I would just let that go?

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[Norton's eyes narrow, but he smirks.]

And yet I'm still not in Zero. Maybe they just like me more. I wonder if I tried really hard if I could get you put in Zero for it. Again.

[power_of_yes]

[John's smile is dark and he tightens his grip around his neck, moving closer, almost flush against him.] I wonder if you could.

[Phoebe lowers her head slightly, showing horns.]

I didn't name you, Norton. I could have, but I didn't.

[pharadyne]

[John's grasp is tight enough that Norton feels his face turning red, but he can still breath and still speak, so he doesn't try to back away or escape.]

What? Am I supposed to thank you for that? [He rasps, and slips his hand between them to try to grab between John's legs and squeeze in threat as much as promise.]

[power_of_yes]

[He reaches down to grab his wrist. Despite their position, despite the threats, the anger, the fury, his words are a purr:]

Yes. I'd like a thank you for that. Why don't you thank me? I could break your nose again? You do look so pretty in black and blue.

[pharadyne]

But you haven't yet. Waiting for me to say yes, darling? [Norton sneers.]

[power_of_yes]

[He presses against him, not moving the hand holding Norton's wrist, but sliding the one around his neck to grip his hair.]

No. Because you'll just go crying to the wardens, you prideful little fuck. Why don't you just admit that you want this from me, Norton? That you want...me? That there is a part of you that knows you can't get what you want anywhere else.

[Even as he tightens his grip, his words soften and he leans in.]

I didn't betray you, sweetheart. I didn't give them everything. Part of it is safe and sound, somewhere else. But I knew it would get back to you somehow. Even if it didn't get you in trouble, you'd find out.

[pharadyne]

[Norton grins viciously at the entirely correct assumption that if John broke his nose again Norton would use it against him. But the tug on his hair makes Norton gasp in a way that's not entirely pain. He doesn't want to give John any victories, though, not after what he just pulled.]

If you did all that because you desperately wanted me to come visit, you could have just sent an invitation. It's much easier.

[power_of_yes]

[He's close enough to lean down just slightly, their similar heights making it only a simple matter for John to brush lips against his jaw as he speaks.]

But then you wouldn't have come angry. Or armed. [He's only guessing, but it would be stupid for Norton to come without.]

You wouldn't have come knowing that I could have ratted you out, and came close, but didn't.

You still haven't asked me why. In all of this, you haven't asked me why I didn't just give you up.

[pharadyne]

Okay, I'll bite, possibly literally depending on your answer. [He twists his hand a little, as much as he can with John's tight grip on his wrist.]

Why?

[power_of_yes]

Because I don't want to. [He smiles against his skin.] Because I told you before. You understand me.

[He wanted to fuck with him. He wanted to get his attention. Make him angry. Maybe get him in a little bit of trouble with people who already knew the truth. But he didn't want to expose him completely, or he would have done it.]

You're important to me.

[pharadyne]

Not important enough to not rat out. [Norton mutters, and it makes him think about all the other things John knows about him. That he seems to not have told anyone yet. But he could.

Since John's face is so close, Norton turns his head slightly to try to nip at John's ear.]

[power_of_yes]

[He doesn't move away.]

I didn't rat you out. I didn't once say your name. And I won't. Even though you would throw me to the wardens and watch them rip me apart a million times to save yourself from the mere discomforts of Zero.

[pharadyne]

Well maybe you're just a better person than I am. [Not denying what John says. He places a soft kiss on John's ear where he'd just bit it.]

[power_of_yes]

No. We simply have different sins. [He lets go of his wrist but keeps his hand in his hair.] Now, how angry are you?

[pharadyne]

[Norton rolls his hips against John's, half hard, and if he had a sense of shame he'd maybe be ashamed by it. But John wasn't wrong about him; he wants this.]

Not angry enough to draw a weapon, but angry enough that I'm considering slapping you again.

[power_of_yes]

Then let me offer my...deepest apologies.

[He laughs softly at that, Phoebe backing down slightly behind him.

He gives his hair a sharp, but brief tug, hitching his hips against him. John obviously wants this, too.]

But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

[pharadyne]

[Norton whimpers at the pull on his hair and reaches out to grasp John's shoulders. But it's not to push him away, it's to curl his fingers like claws into them.]

Forgiveness is not one of my virtues, I'm afraid. [Although as far as Norton is concerned, being very angry at John isn't a reason to not have sex.]