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[power_of_yes]

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[pharadyne]

[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.]

[power_of_yes]

Then hit me again. Or do what you must to get it out of your system. Because I'm not going anywhere, Norton. And you know you don't want to leave me.

[He starts to unbutton the suit with his free hand.]

[pharadyne]

[Norton waits until John has his suit fully unbuttoned before raising his hand to slap him again, not planning to hit quite as hard as the first time, since it's as much to be contrary as out of anger.]

[power_of_yes]

[John allows the hit, taking only a moment to recover before he slides off Norton's jacket, dropping his hand from his hair momentarily.]

Is that all? I thought you were angry.

[pharadyne]

Was that not angry enough for you?

[Instead of another slap, Norton reaches out to press his thumb hard against where "ENVY" is newly engraved on John's shoulder.]

[power_of_yes]

[Though John had carved the word in a while ago, it's fresh only because he has to keep the scars looking right. If they don't scar correctly, he has to try again. There is still a small amount of pride in him. And so when Norton presses his thumb against a fresh mark, he lets out an appreciative hiss.]

Did you wear this many layers on purpose?

[pharadyne]

Of course I did. [He unbuttons his waistcoat and slips it off.] I came here with the intention of being aloof and pitiless. [Aloof clearly isn't happening.]

[power_of_yes]

And did that work for you?

[He pauses, hands on his waist as his fingers dig into his hips.]

Did you come armed?

[pharadyne]

[Norton gives John a look like he's dumb to even ask. Then reaches behind himself, pulls his pistol from the small of his back, and then tosses it away. Then to his left sleeve to remove a small knife hidden there. The knife he doesn't toss away just yet.]

What sin would "snitch" fall under, do you think?