Haven't written these absolute nerds in forever :)
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He knew he'd found The One when he arrived on Eden-6.
It had hit Alistair Hammerlock when he'd stepped off the small ship he'd called home for some time, the hunter barely having a moment to look around the swampy planet before a tingle ran up his spine. A quick look around showed that he was still alone on his makeshift landing spot, and after a moment, he shrugged and set about making camp. That phantom tingle kept lingering as Hammerlock explored the planet, the hunter growing frustrated the longer this sort of "game" went on. Sometimes he felt it near one of the many bars that littered places closer to civilization, other times he felt it near waterfalls out in the middle of nowhere, the feeling teasing as it was addicting. When he was summoned to the Jakobs estate once it became known the legendary Alistair Hammerlock was on Eden-6, the tingle became a full on electric thrum.
What in the heavens was causing this?!
His answer came in the form of Wainwright Jakobs.
Alistair had been the perfect guest as the current CEO of the company droned on about the estate and its origins. To be truthful, it was rather dull, but his thoughts vanished when they turned a corner, and Hammerlock ran into a man who had his nose in a book with a soft grunt.
"Ah, just the man I was lookin' fer! This here is my son Wainwright, the reason I actually invited ya here for." Montgomery droned on, words going unheard as the hunter stares at the shorter man, who seemed just as enraptured by the hunter. That cursed feeling had finally stopped the moment they had collided, and if Hammerlock was a betting man, it would mean he had finally found his other half.
What a strange notion.
Due to his family and how their name was like a poison akin to the likes of Handsome Jack, Alistair had given up hope on his soulmate. No one would want to be shackled to someone with his past, with his penchant for danger and long stretches of time out on the hunt. Yet, instead of revulsion or any other negative look he'd always imagined on the face of his other half, Wainwright looked...curious. He doesn't get much of a chance to do anything when a rough pat on the shoulder from the elder Jakobs jars both men from their stare off, Alistair pulled away from Wainwright and further into the manor.
He misses the fact that Wainwright is still watching when they head away and further into the home, book on the floor forgotten.
Neither man has much of a chance to speak until they're paired up and sent off on a small hunting expedition, Wainwright kicking up a right fuss while an amused Hammerlock watches in the background.
"Now I don't get why I've got ta go on this damned huntin' party!"
"We're bein' gracious hosts, and since you decided not ta come along the last set, yer goin' on this one."
"We can host Mr. Hammerlock in this manor just fine, yer just tryin' to get rid of me."
"Oh hush, like any saurian would eat you anyways, ol' piece of leather."
"They might be stubborn, but you've got them beat by a country mile."
"Gentlemen, if we are to make good time, we must begin our trip soon." Alistair finally cut in, not entirely sure if the barbs being thrown around were truly in an attempt to cause pain. Montgomery seemed to be more amused than anything as Wainwright left the room with a quiet grumble, Alistair fairly certain he heard some rather colorful curses as the other trailed out of the room.
"Wainwright is just blowin' hot air, the damned boy would rather be readin' in the study than anything else."
"If you say so."
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Wainwright seemed to loosen up when he and Alistair hopped into a provided vehicle, clearly a bit uncomfortable with going out deep into the wilderness. However, once they had driven away from the massive manor and headed past the security gates, he finally eyed the hunter with that same curiosity from the day previous.
"So, what brings a big huntin' legend like yerself down to Eden-6?" It was an easy question to start with, the manufacturer grabbing onto a handle when Hammerlock makes a sharp turn.
"I'd heard the wildlife here is quite a challenge, and I do so enjoy them." The hunter grinned, pulling up his ECHO to check they were still going the right way despite still driving at maximum speed. "I was not expecting to have been seen so quickly, but I doubt many people of my particular reputation visit your planet."
"Not as such, no." Hammerlock must have finally realized that speed was not that necessary as he finally let off the gas somewhat, the greenery no longer a blur as they headed to wherever they were going. For a while, they drove in a silence that was, at the start, awkward but soon companionable as Wainwright began to point out various beasts and the sorts of places they liked to hide. Hammerlock pulled over beside a waterfall, and when dusk blanketed the planet, the native pointed out that the massive tree beside the water would be the best place to set up camp for the evening.
"We're awful close to some saurian nestin' sites, so sleepin' on the ground ain't it."
"For someone who seemed displeased for the hunt, you've been quite informative." Hammerlock made sure they covered the vehicle up with large leaves before hauling their packs out of the trunk, turning to toss it to Wainwright, only to find the man heading for the large pool of water. "Where are you going?"
"Best we get cleaned up down here before we head up." The Jakobs shed his jacket when he was a few feet from the water, clearly not minding that he had company. "C'mon, the water is nice and cool too."
"Uh, as you wish." It wasn't the first time Hammerlock had bathed in close quarters with other people, having lived with the Crimson Raiders on a planet that barely had water on the best of days. Not once had his eye strayed in those times, yet for some reason, he couldn't stop himself from looking over at Wainwright as they both quickly washed off the sticky humidity from their skin. Something within him was telling Hammerlock to go over, to touch the deeply tanned skin he caught flashes of when the southern man stepped under the outer part of the waterfall.
It was quite infuriating.
However, they both finished cleaning off and quickly dressed as the night grew ever closer, the southerner finding a small alcove about ten feet off the ground for them to spend the night in. It was a little bit of a squeeze, but Hammerlock had slept in worse, merely starting a small fire to cook their dinner as the forest fell into complete darkness.
"I must say, this planet is absolutely stunning."
"That's a rare compliment." Wainwright glanced up from the book he'd brought along, watching Hammerlock follow what had to be a familiar ritual from his previous hunts. "Most people say it's a pass, and that the name is a misnomer."
"Oh it is, but every world has its own beauty." The hunter laughed, setting his hat aside to dab at some sweat on his brow. "The humidity could be forgone, however."
"If I could change somethin', it'd be that." He agreed, his book forgotten as he watched the hunter cook.
Ever since he'd run into the taller man, Wainwright had been holding back his absolute glee at finding his One.
In his youth, Wainwright never gave the thought of a soulmate much attention. He focused far more on being reckless and traveling until he settled down rather quickly. Being the heir to one of the major gun corporations, however, made him a target, and once he found that being at home wasn't the worst thing half the time, Wainwright found his contentment in a good book and a glass of whisky. As the years ticked by and age settled on his body, Wainwright thought about settling down, hoping that maybe his other half might show up on his usual yearly PR tours. Instead, the damned man showed up in his house, of all things, being dragged around by his father and looking quite bored with the tour that could last up to hours. However, despite knowing that Hammerlock must have felt that rush of energy when they touched, he seemed...well, Wainwright wasn't sure, maybe surprised? Caged?
Well, Wainwright was not the most patient man.
He struck after they had eaten one of Hammerlock's vacuum-packed meals and cleaned up, the fire casting a cozy light in their alcove as the distant noises of wildlife filled the air.
"You mind if I ask ya somethin'?" Hammerlock was sitting across from him fiddling with his sniper rifle, practiced hands disassembling and cleaning the parts one by one.
"By all means." Glancing up, Wainwright found himself temporarily transfixed by the soft blue glow of Hammerlock's mechanical eye, internally wincing at not having noticed the prosthetic beforehand. "Is something the matter?"
"Sorry, didn't realize you've a mechanical eye 'till just now." Hammerlock clearly wasn't expecting that answer, lips twitching up in an amused smirk.
"Usually, most ask what happened; I don't believe I've met someone who didn't notice at first glance."
"Well, I blame my own blasted eye then." Wainwright shook his head, setting his book aside.
"Oh?" Leaning over his gun, Hammerlock looked at the younger Jakobs, noting that both eyes seemed organic. He was about to say something when he noticed that Wainwright's left eye was not quite focused on the hunter, the pupil slightly enlarged. "I was wondering why you brought along a shotgun on a hunting trip."
"Figure I can make a right distraction if needed." He grinned, his beloved shotgun just within reach. "Works fine for me."
"Worry not, I shall not let any beast close enough for you to need use of your weapon." Neither man could ignore the protective tone that laced the simple statement, and the hunter awkwardly looked down at his gun. "Sorry, I-"
"What's there ta be sorry for? Don't think you're that blind to see what's goin' on, pardon the pun." Wainwright grinned as Hammerlock couldn't stop the snort that escaped him, that soft blue light flickering back up to fixate on him. "Didn' think I'd meet ya in my own home."
"Neither did I, all things considered." It's the first time the man has looked almost bashful, fiddling with the scope in his hands and looking away from the Jakobs' gaze. "Quite frankly, I never expected to find you at all, although the irony of finding you on a planet I've always wanted to hunt on is not lost, rest assured."
"Aw, I'm flattered." The joke doesn't seem to land with the other, and for a few minutes, they sit together as the fire crackles and jabbers howl in the distance. "Mind tellin' me why you're bracin' for somethin'?"
"I..." Nothing in his grand vocabulary seemed to be the proper word for what Hammerlock wanted to convey, a veritable first. "I am a Hammerlock."
"...yes?" Wainwright adjusts his posture as he keeps his gaze on the fire, giving Hammerlock as much room as they had, being inside a tree and all.
"My family name is poison to most, and while I've not been in their company for many years, it follows like a plague. It would most likely be in your health and my limited supply of sanity if I simply just...maintain my solitude." It felt like a skag was disemboweling Alistair as he carefully spoke the words he'd prepared many years ago, but it truly would be for the best if he kept the Hammerlock name from disinfecting something he'd only dared to dream of.
He was not expecting Wainwright to start laughing, looking up at the Jakobs in pure surprise. True, he wasn't sure how his soulmate was going to react, but the laughter that seemed to shake his entire body was not it.
"Why now that is just the stupidest excuse I ever did hear!" Wainwright finally wheezed out when the laughter passed, the amusement turning to fury now. "You're goin' to throw away this because of your damned family? Like hell you will!"
"It's truly for the best!" Alistair retorted, quickly moving his disassembled rifle aside. "If not that, surely you are aware that I take on legendary beasts that can, and have in the past, killed me! I cannot inflict that life on someone else!"
"Well it ain't your decision, I ain't some weak little fling you're gonna toss aside."
"You are being too stubborn for your own good!"
"Damn right I am." With that, Wainwright got onto his knees, and dragged Hammerlock into a kiss before either of them could regret it. Not that they would, the moment they connected, it was like the entire universe just ceased to exist save for each other. The Southerner had maybe a few seconds before Hammerlock was pressing him back against the wall of their alcove, kissing him like he would drown without the contact, not that he damn well minded. The hunter was a damn attractive man and owned it with a grace hardly seen in the galaxy, grinning like a giddy teen when they both eventually needed air. "See? Not goin' anywhere."
"No." The poor guy seemed too stunned to speak, and the smile on his face was something that Wainwright was already treasuring.
"Saurian got your tongue, darlin?"
"Yes?" The manufacturer chuckled and gently pushed the taller man back, the movement seeming to reboot his brain as he scurried back with a blush. "A-Apologies."
"No need, I enjoyed that."
"I did as well."
With that, Eden-6 became less of a prime hunting spot and more of a prospective home, a thought that made Alistair's head spin. True, he'd lived on Pandora ever since his father had used the planet as a punishment turned unexpected salvation, and he'd become fond of the place when he thought of friends and allies. Yet now it failed to hold a candle to this swamp-esque planet with its cursed humidity, all for a man with a nasty temper and charm that could turn a bandit sane he'd met only a day previous.
Not the strangest thing to ever happen to him, but easily the best.
