Chapter Text
Fuck, it hurt, holding Jack while she wept, the sobs wracking her exhausted body, but Riddick knew she needed to let it out. She’d been so strong when he couldn’t, so fucking impressive, but he knew her – he was starting to think better than himself – and knew she needed the release. Needed to let out all the fear and pain she’d shouldered since Shirah came to her.
Damn bitch. Gone now though, and while he didn’t take Shirah at her word, he did feel different. Wasn’t something he could quite put a thumb on, like an itch in his bones he’d known his whole life had suddenly relented. He saw the visual change in Alexander, same with his scent and demeanor. The man seemed lighter, too. Jack probably couldn’t tell the difference, only being Furyan for a few weeks, but she’d done that for them.
She’d faced down a fucking god and won. Won for them all, his fucking amazing, perfect, beautiful mate.
He smoothed a hand up and her spine as she cried, coming back time and time again to her nape as he whispered to her, nonsense and everything. Promises he’d never made, not in so many words. Her words would take some time to get used to – him being worth fuck all, but she continued to crack the armor he’d built over his life to protect the truth: That deep down, yeah, he’d longed to be part of the human race and not just some fucking animal.
Didn’t mean he was gonna change into some kind of fucking saint, he thought with a mild smirk as he leaned up to kiss Jack’s cheek, nuzzling her. He could admit maybe there was a place for him beyond just her and the life they’d made from loving each other. Maybe he could make more room. Hell, Alexander and Imam had weaseled their way in, but Jack made that first crack. Saw him, like she said.
“We’re okay,” he rumbled against her cheek. Jack started to settle, the sobs quieting to sniffles and wet hiccups. He carded a hand through her hair, then lifted her chin when she tried to hide her face. All red and puffy; he couldn’t help a small chuckle.
She wiped her nose. “What?” Another hiccup, sounded like it hurt.
“Just wondering if you don’t have the shit end of this bond, baby girl,” he said. When her brow furrowed, he traced the tear tracks still damp on her redden cheek. “Like you’re letting this out for both of us.”
Her expression softened, her smile crooked. Another sniffle. “That I’m crying for both of us?”
He shrugged. She might have opened him up emotionally since he’d known her, more since he loved her, but that didn’t mean he was about to dwell over all this shit. She snorted, gathering enough of that feeling over their bond.
She traced his cheek, miming his motions for the tears he didn’t have. “I guess I do it enough for both of us.”
“With all the shit we’ve fucking been through in the last, what? Three months since I came back? Honestly surprised you ain’t crying all the fucking time.”
“You’re such a fucking ass!” Jack laughed and punched him in the shoulder.
He grunted like it hurt even though she knew better. “Ain’t news.”
She rolled her eyes, resting her forehead against his with her eyes closed. “And we’re not even close to done yet.”
“Lady Marshall.”
Her delicate hands tightened on his shirt and whispered, “Riddick, I’m scared. If they find out I’m…”
“I’ll keep you safe, both of you.”
“I know, I just…”
When she opened her eyes, they shined at him, that gorgeous animal he’d given her reaching. She’d been cut off from him, then chased him down and had to hold both of their animals. Had to hold his Alpha under her skin. Riddick inhaled, fighting back his heating blood. He’d felt this before, when they’d argued and she’d pulled his Alpha without realizing it. Now that it was gone from her hold, it left her feeling weak and vulnerable. She needed to feel safe, but she was so fucking exhausted.
Then she whispered, her voice barely a breath against his lips. “I just need you.”
Riddick would have expected the animal to jerk the leash at such a blatant invitation to claim his mate, but it didn’t. And he realized as he read her emotions over their bond and tasted her scent, that as much as her animal drove her need to feel safe, this wasn’t what this was about. She loved him so entirely, that coming so close to losing him she needed to be with him, be as close as they could humanly be.
The words hurt him, because he desperately needed the same, but he still asked, “You sure?”
“Yes,” came the answer, and then it was a frantic fight to wrestle their clothes enough out of the way for her sink down on him, and they both let out sharp exhales as their bodies joined.
Fuck, she always threatened to burn him alive, always so slick and hot, but for a few seconds they just sat there, lips smashed together, breathing each other in, her tears on their lips. His woman, his. And he was hers. Fucking always. He thrust gently and she met him, a small sob breaking past her lips.
“Don’t cry, I got you.”
Slow and desperate at the same time, and she cried while he made love to her, but their bond was flooded with love and affection and how good it was, how much they both needed this, and he whispered to her with each roll of their hips together, more promises, anything she needed, wanted, he’d give it all for her. Together, together, together. He pushed it across the bond, everything words would never quite cover.
Found himself lost in her, in her answering emotions. He’d felt it before, the depth of what he meant to her, the entirety of it, no different now in it how forcefully humbled him. Found himself losing it, thrusting faster, chasing that feeling only she could give him.
Shit, he was about to spill, heat and sensation cresting, and he’d been entirely focused on her but not the sex, but then she came with a desperate cry of his name, and he lost it, she dragged him with her, he never had a chance. It was blinding, vastly different than so many of their encounters, so god damn poignant it made his fucking chest ache.
“Fuck,” he whispered against her skin, his head swimming. He barely had the sense to rearrange their bodies on the couch, melting into each other as he pulled the blanket around them. Couldn’t have her get chilled, he thought in a haze, fucking ship was so damn cold.
Riddick remembered Alexander, telling him he could reach him if he needed anything. As he smoothed Jack’s hair back and kissed her one last time, he felt the sleep taking her, knew he was right behind. Laid down with her tucked tight against him. And he let himself trust, like Jack had taught him.
Found that connection with their Omega. Brother. Friend. Family. All still fucking foreign, but Riddick was getting there, he realized, and yeah, he might even be starting to appreciate it.
He let Alexander knew they’d be sleeping, that they were okay, and he felt a nudge back of confirmation – faint, unobtrusive, and completely unsurprised they were fine.
Riddick chuckled, closed his eyes and let sleep come. They fight on tomorrow, together.