New Perspective ~ A Handsome Jack x Reader Story

Chapter Thirteen ~ Quelle Surprise

          There were a couple moments in that big blue digitized tunnel where you couldn't feel a thing. You were used to this - an absence of anything for the time being whenever you were traveling between regions. You rather liked it - temporary, sublime solitude. However, this time there was a weight in your hand that you couldn't ignore. But, this wasn't something that bothered you. In fact, you quite enjoyed the company. 

          After a short time, you and Jack ended up on the other end of the fast travel station. There, inside of Pierce Station, you landed softly on your feet with him. However, in that split second, you realized something: Jack was wearing his psycho mask. Would everyone in Sanctuary be suspicious of him for wearing that? Would some shoot at him assuming he was a marauder that made its way into Sanctuary somehow? 

          "So, this is Sanctuary?" Jack whistled, peeking out of the window to buildings and people walking aimlessly on the streets. "Kind of, well... pitiful. As expected, though." Jack spun away from the window and walked forward, heading toward the exit. Quickly, you grabbed his arm and squatted so you were out of sight, pulling him down with you. "Hey-! What the hell-?" Jack began, but you shushed him urgently. 

          "Your psycho mask, you can't wear that here - not unless you wanna get shot," you warned him, eyebrows furrowed as you thought of what to do as a solution. Jack looked back at you, and you could tell behind the mask he was staring at you with confusion. 

          "Well, what do you expect me to wear?" He asked, throwing his hands up in the air to emphasize his puzzlement. You took your time to answer, looking to the side as if it would help you think faster. As you looked to the side, your eyes fell on the wall of posters, fliers, and graffiti. 

          "Nothing," you responded, your eyes locked on the posters. 

          "I'm sorry, what?" Jack pried, clearly unsure of what you mean. You pointed up at the defaced poster of Hyperion - the one specifically with Jack's face on it. 

          "Do you look just like your mask? I mean your actual face," you asked him, looking back at him. His eyes stared at the vandalized poster, as you could tell a scowl was playing on his lips at the graffiti on his face. Then, his shoulders straightened up slightly, his face slowly turning back to you. 

          "You're not implying what I think you're implying, are you?" Jack replied dangerously, his voice edging on anger. 

          "Jack, we don't have any other option! Would you be recognized or not?" You pushed on, slightly unnerved at his cold anger. He was silent for a while, as you could feel him glaring at you from behind his mask. 

          ".........only people from my past would really recognize me. Others would probably have to squint," Jack huffed, looking to the side. He crossed his arms in front of his chest. "But I'm not doing it." 

          "You need to if you want to step an inch outside of this station without being shot by the vault hunters here!" You attempted to convince him, frowning at how he was acting. But, you couldn't quite blame him. Handsome Jack was built upon his mask. No one saw his face and lived to tell about it. At least, not Hyperion workers...

          Jack glared to the side for a long time, ignoring what you were saying. You stayed silent, not prying further for a while, letting him carve into the silence with his anger and frustration. Just as you were going to pipe up, he uncrossed his arms as his hands moved up to his mask. However, they paused right as he gripped the sides of his mask. His breath seemed to be shaky as his eyes looked back at you for a quick second before dipping his head down. His hair fell over his face as he pulled the mask off, and for a while he stayed like that. The whole time, you didn't dare say a word.