Victuals & Vehemence - Septiplier

Chapter Ten

Jack whittles for a long while, and Mark lies beside him. It is strange to see an alpha so willing to lay back, exposing their stomach and neck with ease. He even covers his face with his hat, leaving him blind and trusting beside the omega. Jack ponders how their interactions have gone so far. Mark seems to break through every barrier Jack has put up, getting him to confess things he has not discussed with anyone. The omega resents that. Not only are his instincts dragging him to the alpha, but even his rational mind seems to want to give Mark everything. However, that's clearly not rational. Divulging such deep secrets, exposing such intimate parts of one's heart to a practical stranger, is irrational and foolish. He decides he must be more guarded with Mark. Be prepared for the sneaky attack that tries to slip between the cracks in his armor.

Eventually, Jack's stomach growls, hungry after a morning of nibbling teasingly on cookies and marching through dusty streets. The omega stands and pockets his knife, wading through the small stream back onto the bank. The grass is soft beneath his wet feet, and it crunches and rustles with every step. He makes his way to where Hades is grazing in the shade of a tree, sunlight dripping onto the horse's back from leaks in the roof of leaves. Jack digs in his saddlebag, pulling out a few apples and some crackers. Not a hearty lunch, but it will do for now. He turns to walk back, seeing Mark sitting up and watching.

"I have jerky if you'd like some," he offers. Jack nods, expression guarded as he carefully steps back into the stream to get to the rock. The alpha stands and goes to his own horse, pulling out some jerky, and heading back. The two sit on the stone in the middle of the stream, eating quietly. Jack takes a piece of jerky, tearing off a bit. The alpha smiles lightly as Jack's eyes light up.

"I've never had jerky like this," he comments, chewing on the piece thoughtfully. It's delicious and salty, but a bit more tender than jerky is generally.

"I make it myself when I get the time," Mark explains, munching on one of Jack's apples.

"What meat?"

"Anything I can get my hands on," the alpha murmurs, eyes glinting.

"What's this one specifically?"

"A cougar," Mark replies nonchalantly. Jack chokes a bit at the admission. This man is something else.

"Why?"

"He attacked my camp while I was traveling- no need to waste perfectly good meat. I know how to butcher better than most, due to my profession," the alpha says, eyes sparking with amusement at the omega's shock. Jack frowns, pensively rolling the piece of dried meat over between his fingers for a moment.

"Waste not, want not?" the omega muses, thinking it over before continuing to eat the jerky.

Mark hums in agreement.

"So, what did you do this morning before you followed me like a creep?" Jack asks brazenly, taking a big bite out of one of his apples as he leans back, supporting his weight on a palm flat against the rock.

"Sat in the telegram office with Felix and Robin and went over several other cases of the Angelmaker, describing what I could from pictures. They relayed a lot of the information back to the Edmundson's. Apparently, my medical insight is invaluable," the alpha says, eyes carefully watching Jack. The omega doesn't hold eye contact, instinctively looking down.

"Oh?"

"Yes, so Felix is considering asking the agency to put me on the posse's payroll. I told him it would be an interesting experience. However, I have some business in California to attend to first," Mark says. The omega freezes, baring his teeth at the creek.

"No, you can't join," he snaps. Mark raises a brow.

"Oh?"

"You can't," Jack says matter of factly, angrily ripping off another piece of jerky. Though he tries to slow down as he chews. Guard oneself against the small dagger that seems to find the cracks in the armor.