Talon!76 concept/blurbling
So I've seen a number of Talon!Jack ideas floating around where they brainwash him to hate Gabe, which are all of course fabulous, but - what about an AU where it's the opposite?
What about an AU where they turn Jack using his complete and utter devotion to Gabriel Reyes?
It would start in about the same place, of course: the rift between Gabe and Jack that leaves them both vulnerable to outside influence. At Gabe's side they have people whisper in his ear about how Jack stole everything from him, about how he deserved so much more; put more pressure on him via his black ops missions, because like hell I don't believe some of Overwatch's fall had to do with a UN-infiltrated Talon. The missions get darker and more brutal and he loses more people, and it tears him up inside, isolates him from everyone and especially from Jack.
The hit Jack quieter, more insidious. It'd have to be balanced pretty carefully, and probably a lot of it happened toward the end. The friendly reminders of how he and Gabe used to be everything to each other. The wistful remarks about the good old days, drawing up the memories of simpler times when they were together and in love and they both had hope for the future. They get Gabe's voice synthesized and drop a few meticulously-crafted messages that implied there were still feelings there, vague enough that even if the two of them talked face to face, Gabe's frustrated reactions would still be seen as in-character.
The explosion happens. Talon swoops in quickly - because who else would be the fastest on the uptake than the people who ordered it in the first place - but by the time they reach the two, only Jack is still breathing. They leave Gabe in the rubble to be found much later (and far too late) by Angela, who will bring him smoking and screaming back to life. But Jack, they take. Jack, they have Plans for.
And Jack wakes up in some carefully-controlled safehouse, blind (because fuck yeah blind!Jack alright) and disoriented, but gloved hands stroke his hair and Gabriel's voice soothes him back to sleep and he feels safe for the first time in a long while. The next time he wakes up Gabe explains how they both got caught in the blast, how he got badly burned by the fires: why his face is Wrong when he eventually allows Jack to run his fingertips across his burn-scarred cheeks. He wears thick clothes and armor most of the time because his skin is so sensitive, and Jack doesn't question it, like he doesn't question why Gabe's voice is so crystal clear even while his own rasps raw and rough from smoke inhalation.
After that it's just a matter of molding Jack into what Talon wants. The safehouse is locked down because that's the only place they are Safe, and it isn't good for Jack to go Outside. Gabe takes care of him as he heals, encourages him to depend on him. He tells Jack that he's sorry, that he still loves him, and Jack clings to the words because they're what he's been wanting to hear them for so long. He relies on Gabe for information on what's happening post-explosion; he relies on him for food and guidance and emotional support. Relies on him for the occasions where he's too touch-starved to settle for layers of cloth between them and cradles Gabe's scarred hand against his cheek, fleeting contact that he learns to crave more than anything.
By the time Talon deems him ready to leave, he's entirely Gabe's, body and soul.
They hook him up to a visor that gives only the simplest of outlines and set him to work. Gabe tells him that Overwatch was corrupt, and he believes it. Gabe tells him who they have to kill, and he does it. Gabe says that they're working for Talon now and Jack's half-hearted protests are quieted with gentle touches and the plea of 'Trust me'.
And he does. Absolutely.
When Reaper joins Talon, years later, masked and searching for vengeance and answers, it takes a while before he's trusted enough to meet Soldier 76, one of their top agents. When he does it's like a nightmare unfolding, Jack's baby blues masked with a red visor, his arm wrapped around the waist of a helmeted and armored man, sunshine-bright smile turned on the faceless helmet that speaks with Gabe's voice. A gloved hand curls around Jack's shoulder and Jack leans into the touch like he's desperate for it, barely giving Reaper a glance as he passes by with his imposter of a partner.
And behind Reaper's own bone-white mask, Gabriel Reyes has to fight to keep himself from screaming.
