Chapter Text
Jackson rolled over in his makeshift bedroom, tucking Jess closer against him as nightmares flashed furiously behind his eyes the moment they closed. They weren’t particularly coherent, mostly raging fire and Joseph Seed’s penetrative eyes finding him wherever he fled. “You cannot outrun the inevitable.” were the words he heard before grumbling and quietly slipping from the uncomfortable bunk and exiting the cell.
Sheriff Whitehorse was sat with his feet up on the desk in the office, looking over a local map as Jackson passed by. His jaw ticked as guilt burned the back of his neck, just as it did each time he saw the office. Virgil didn’t deserve any of what happened to him. Far too pure for this place.
“Deputy!” the older man called out, gesturing him inside.
“Hey Sheriff. You’re up early” he gestured to the clock, reading 5 a.m.
“Technically I’m up late,” he groaned. “Can’t sleep?”.
The deputy sighed and ran a hand across his face, wondering momentarily when his skin had become so rough. “Joseph Seed’s the kinda person that doesn’t seem to fuck off, even when you’re unconscious”.
“Aint that the truth” the sheriff laughed mirthlessly. “Eventually we’re gonna have that man in cuffs or put him in the ground. Frankly, I don’t much care which”.
Jackson nodded in agreement before pointing to the radio. “Anything interesting?”.
“Just your sister. Hopefully the rain‘ll ease up by morning and she‘ll make her way back”.
“She was supposed to be back like twelve hours ago” Jack grumbled.
“Hey, it’s not like we got the weather channel anymore. Couldn’t have predicted it. She’s a tough kid. It’ll be fine.” The sheriff offered a warm smile.
The deputy mumbled a response and continued through the jail, finding his way outside. The rain hit his face immediately, aggressively slicing at him like tiny knives.
“Hey Jonathan” he made his way to one of the new recruits. “Why don’t you go and rest. I’m up now I’ll take watch”.
“You sure? Oh man, I was thinking I was gonna lose my fuckin’ fingers out here. I won’t say no to that offer” the man grinned before sliding down the ladder and rushing inside.
The number of resistance at the jail had halved since Faith’s death, most were sent to defend the outposts taken in Holland Valley, the rest sent to the mountains to push back against Jacob’s forces. Both men were using Faith’s death as an opportunity to expand their regions. Though those headed north hadn’t checked in for a few days, so they were likely caged at St Francis or dead. The weather would hopefully ease up soon and he could regroup with Ivy. He hated to admit it to himself, but having her in Hope County, while stressful, was also reassuring. She should never have come here, never been part of this war but he also knew how much good his sister could do now that she was. She was a machine when she wanted to be, and her assistance would be necessary if he were to continue with his mission. It had to be John. John would be next, he was too unpredictable to be left alive.
*
Ivy had awoken to the sight of Jacob Seed, arguably the most terrifying man in Hope County dozing beside her. She’d collected a glass of water and perched herself on the edge of the bed, watching his chest rise and fall, his body calm. The sun had begun peeking over the surrounding hills and a gentle orange ray sat over the thick red hair on his chest. He looked incredibly sexy and Ivy bit her lip to restrain herself from touching him. His burns and scars were an integral part of him and she wanted the story behind each one, wanted to kiss them all in turn.
She decided to let him sleep, a luxury he was rarely awarded and made her way to the bathroom. Still naked from the night before, Ivy examined her pale body in the cracked mirror and her cheeks burned as the evidence of their tryst from several hours prior littered her skin, bruises in the shape of fingers digging aggressively into her flesh, one that wrapped around her thigh. She chuckled slightly before flipping off her lust tattoo as it seemed to mock her.
The open plan living room slash kitchen was freezing and Ivy rushed to reignite the fire that had smoldered away to nothing during the night. Their clothes, hanging above were almost dry and she decided to deal with the slight chill and dressed herself. The stupid sun the morning prior had tricked her into such a poor excuse for an outfit and her light tee and ripped jeans did little in the way of insulation.
Stepping outside into the fresh morning air brought a slight smile to her face, cold or not, the rain had stopped and the earth had dried up nicely, enough to traverse back down the mountain safely, back to her car, back to the jail, to her brother. The thought should’ve been a relief, or at least made her happy but her smile disappeared and suddenly the small cabin with a sleeping Jacob was the only place that felt safe. Shaking away the thought, she made her way back to the bedroom, leaning down and placing a gentle kiss over the sleeping soldier in way of goodbye. He frowned slightly and Ivy cupped his jaw before giving him one more peck. She moved to leave but squeaked in surprise when Jacob sat up and wrapped both arms around her middle before yanking her back into bed.
“Jacob!”. She wriggled in his grip, barely containing her laughter. “My clothes are still damp”.
“Take em’ off.” he grumbled back at her.
“Stop it. It’s daytime”.
“Even better, I can see all of you”.
Ivy shook her head, deciding it was pointless to argue with him. She pried his big hands from her limbs and stood, dropping her clothes to the floor. Jacob pulled the blankets away, revealing his muscular body and thick cock. God, the sight of his naked body did inexplicable things to her and her core warmed, remembering just how good he felt inside of her. Almost instinctively, Ivy crawled over him and took him into her mouth, running her tongue around the head of him before sinking down.
“Fuck! Ivy!” he groaned, now fully awake as he grasped a hand into her hair and yanked her off.
She glanced up at him, a little breathless. “Yes?”.
“What’s gotten into you today?” he asked, still with a vice grip around her cherry curls.
“You mean, right now? I’m kinda hoping… you” she grinned, looking all too pleased with herself.
He studied her for a few seconds before chuckling and releasing her. “Go ahead”.
“Thank you” Ivy chirped before returning to her ministrations, placing a gentle kiss to his toned stomach before taking him deep into her mouth. His head tipped back and he grit his teeth, trying to push away the feeling curling its way down his spine as she swirled her tongue around the head of his painfully hard cock. He wouldn’t hold out like this and he wanted to fulfil Ivy’s wish before they parted ways.
“Time you fill you up” he growled and Ivy let him slip from her mouth with a smile that flashed sharp white teeth. She began making her way up his body, her legs on either side of his thighs. She looked as though it was a struggle to open her legs wide enough to accommodate the size of his body, biting her lip as she settled herself. He decided to allow her to struggle, knowing fully he was about to roll her onto her front and pound her from behind.
“You okay up there?” he smirked, running his thumbs over her hip bones and she shifted to find a comfortable place.
“I’m… fine” her brows furrowed as she shifted her hips, her hands slipped between her legs to grasp him. She groaned in frustration as he grasped her wrists.
“Are you going to keep stopping me?” she snapped. “Cos I can leave you be if you’d like”. Ivy began to move away before Jacob pulled her up to his mouth, kissing her hard and forcing his tongue between her lips. She moaned into the kiss as he sat up, still holding her against his chest. His hands disappeared entirely and she fell backwards with her legs kicking out. Somehow he caught both of her ankles and flipped her over. She barely had time to catch up, an audible “oof” leaving her as she found herself face down on the bed, head spinning.
“I feel like I’m on some kind of rollercoaster” she snorted.
“Ready for the ride of your life?” She could hear the smirk on his lips.
“That was terribl-ah!” he cut her off with one of his thick fingers slipping into her, a few gentle pumps before adding a second.
“It’s real fun shutting you up”, Jacob jabbed playfully, continuing to fuck her with his fingers. “Think you‘re ready for me?”.
“Oh we’re asking now, huh?” Ivy groaned, still making quips despite her legs beginning to tremble.
“I’m pretty sure I warned you last night”. The fingers of his other hand trailed across a large blooming bruise of her thigh.
She giggled as he removed his fingers and yanked her hips back to him before running his hands over her ample ass. His thumb brushing dangerously close to her other hole.
“You gonna fuck me or not?” Ivy huffed, peering over her shoulder.
“Mhm,” Jacob purred “just deciding where”.
“Hey! Don’t even think about it, Seed!” she began shuffling forward. He laughed and pulled her back.
“Fine… but I am having this at some point”. He squeezed her ass.
“Sure ya are”.
All conversation evaporated for both of them as he pulled her legs further apart and pushed into her.
*
Ivy exited the shower, prepared to finally leave this dingy cabin behind. Opening the bathroom door, Joseph Seed’s voice froze her.
“ -or seen anything for a couple of days. You wouldn’t happen to know where she is, would you?”.
She caught her breath as she realised it just the radio. Relief turned instantly back into fear as she awaited Jacob’s response.
Please don’t bring him here…
“Got no idea, Joseph. I’ve been busy”.
Ivy felt a deep warmth settle in her chest as she realised he’d lied to his brothers… for her.
“I apologise brother. I‘m simply concerned about our lamb”.
Ugh
“I’m sure she’s fine. She’s strong”.
Ivy smiled and leaned her head against the door.
“Indeed, well, don’t hesitate to call if you discover her location”.
“Will do. But, if she needs time, we should let her have it. She’s dealing with a lot”.
Ivy’s smile disappeared, her eyes widening as another wave of warmth coursed through her body and a feeling she thought she’d never experience again.
Oh no… no no no…
Ivy shook her head and flew to the bedroom, slipping her clothes back on in record time. The radio call had ended and she made her way to the living room, offering Jacob a small smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
“Okay. Um, I’m ready to head out”.
“Ivy” he stepped around into her field of vision, frowning when he noticed her refusal to meet his eyes. “Come back to the center with me”.
“No” she answered curtly.
His frown grew. “You know where you’re meant to be. The last 24 hours proved that”.
Have to make him go away.
“This last 24 hours was a… fun distraction”.
He took her chin and pulled her eyes to his. A pinched brow illustrating his confusion.
“What happened?”.
“Nothing!” she snapped, pushing his hand away and collecting her pack from beside the fireplace.
He stepped in her way as she moved to leave.
“Have I upset you?” his voice uncharacteristically gentle.
“Yes… No.. I… It doesn’t matter. I have to get back to the jail. My brother needs me”.
She brushed past him, opened the door and yanked it shut behind her.
Jacob caught the door before it hit the frame, swinging it open.
“Ivy, tell me what‘s wrong!” he demanded.
She continued to traverse her way down the hillside, a tear slipping down her cheek as she pretended not to hear him. She just needed to get back to normality, back to the prison. Despite her loud heavy breathing, all she could hear were Jacob’s words over and over.
‘’What happened?’.
What happened!? Oh nothing much. I just fell in fucking love with you.