John Jones is a manhunter (johnjones) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2012-12-21 08:43:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, applejack, big mcintosh, j'onn j'onzz (martian manhunter), nymphadora tonks |
Who: Applejack, John Jones, Big McIntosh, and Tonks!
When: December 10th
Where: AJ and Tonks’ place
What: Big Brother Surprise!
Rating: Low
Status: Complete
Big McIntosh was not exactly someone who you’d miss, most of the time. Not if you saw him, anyway. Tall as tall could be, he topped 7 feet, barely, and had shoulders wide as all creation. His muscles, while not showy, had a tendency to bulge shirts, and rip those not designed to stretch. But Big Mac didn’t rightly care. He was just who he was. And he didn’t mind looking loud, because he was quiet, and no one ever expected that. He had a tendency to walk softly, and to move quickly. It was something he learned at a young age, when he was trying to learn all about the apple business, and all about the orchard, and wandered even where he wasn’t supposed to go. Raised on a orchard with hands and people who enjoyed life, Big Mac didn’t stay sheltered for long and had a laid back sort of philosophy about people, sex, and fun. All of it was good, in his opinion, as long as nobody got hurt.
Now, in approaching his middle sister, younger than him, but not the youngest, he wanted to surprise her. He found a place a ways from where she lived, a little run down, but, important to him, near some fruit trees, which happened to be owned by the owner of the place he was renting. A little finagling and haggling, and he was paying part rent in working the trees. Within the first few weeks of his stay, the small orchard started looking so much better, his rent was cut to nearly nothing at all. Big Mac figured when the owner tasted his fruit jam, which’d be ready in a few weeks, that nearly nothing would become a full nothing... or something.
Anyway, having settled in, and working some business negotiations already in the city, he was ready to approach AJ. And so, one fine evening, when the air was cool and the night was clear, he was at her front door, and knocking, bent a touch down to not loom so much.
AJ came to the door at the sound of the knock. She was carrying a glass of holiday egg nog, and wearing christmas lights around her neck. It was Christmas time, and she was being extra jolly so that she wouldn’t miss her family too much. Pretending they were around was the only way to remind herself that she wasn’t alone, that her family loved her and she loved them, even though they weren’t physically close to one another.
When she pulled open the door and saw her brother standing there, she blinked. Her jaw dropped. “Big Mac?” She asked, then her face broke into a huge grin and she jumped forward to wrap her arms around him, spilling egg nog all over the front porch. “What are you doing here?
“Hello, little sister. Surprise?” He hugged her and smiled as he inhaled her scent, as always, almost like home. He grinned as he lifted her in his hug, and nodded. He liked hugs. When he slowly lowered her, he grinned again.
“Thought I’d come by to say hi to my new, not so neighbor.”
“New... neighbor??” AJ asked, her face lighting up like Christmas had come two weeks early. “Seriously?? Well... come in, come in!” She said, then ushered him in through the doorway. “Don’t let all the cold air in.”
It hadn’t even occurred to her that John was sitting on the sofa waiting for her to return. The movie they’d been watching was still paused.
Big Mac smiled as he followed her in and glanced around. “Don’t mind if I do.” Looking at the place, he nodded. “Nice place you have here. This is where you and Tonks live, yeah?” He was making an extra effort to talk more tonight, seeing as she seemed a bit surprised.
“And yes, new neighbor-ish. I have a place a ways away. Not far enough to not be close enough for a hop over to see my little sis now and then, though. “
John heard the voices and smiled, assuming one of her or Toiks’ friends was over. He had no problem waiting, and settled back to think, pulling out his phone to check the messages since he had kept it on silent tonight.
“Yeah, this is our place. Well, her place. I’m just renting a room.” AJ said, giving him a smile.
Winona could see Big Mac from the other side of the sliding glass door, and she started to go crazy, scratching at the glass and barking. She’d only JUST gone out to pee on the trees outside, and now she wanted back in to see her favorite big brother!
“...I can’t believe you’re renting a place out here and didn’t tell me!” AJ said, frowning as she led Big Mac past the living room to the sliding glass door so she could let the dog in before she broke something.
“Reckon you’d better let her in before she goes and breaks the door down. Knowing her, she would, too.” Big Mac smiled and waved at the man in the living room as he was led past. He wondered briefly at who it was before AJ let Winona in and he was attacked by slobbery kisses and bouncy dog-ness. He easily hauled Winona off the ground into a hug too, and ruffled her fur, petting her nice and hard.
“It was a secret. Couldn’t let you in on it, if you were the one being kept secret from, AJ.”
He poked her as he let Winona down again.
John blinked to be waved at by the... very large man. The man who looked a lot like... oh! That must be Big Mac. Huhn. This might be a very interesting night.
AJ gave a little laugh. “Well, all right, then. If you insist.” She shook her head, then led Winona and Big Mac back into the living room where John still was sitting. She cleared her throat to get his attention.
Big moment.
“John, this is my brother, Big Mac.” She moved her hand from one to the other. “Mac, this is John. My boyfriend.” She’d told him a little bit about John, but she’d never used the word ‘boyfriend,’ and she certainly hadn’t told her brother how serious things were getting between herself and the detective.
John rose and extended his hand, meeting Big Mac’s look and hand simultaneously. Nerves flared, but when he looked at AJ, he smiled. Nothing could be righter. “Hello, Big Mac. Nice to meet you. AJ’s told me a lot about you.”
Big Mac looked at this man, and at his sister, shaking John’s hand as he watched them, and he smiled. She loved this fellow and he her, that much was clear as day. Maybe this was a good thing after all. “I reckon it’s good to meet you, too, John. Anyone who can make little AJ as happy as you do deserves a chance to show himself true.”
He glanced around the room, then back to the two, and his face flushed. “I went and interrupted you two, didn’t I? I’m real sorry, AJ, John. Y’all must think me rude as all heck.”
“No no, it’s okay,” AJ said, grinning at her brother. She stepped over to John and took his hand, lacing her fingers with his. “We were just watching a movie. Do you want to join us? I want to catch up, I want to hear all about your place here, how long you’ve been hiding from me.” She said, grinning.
Now, that was an interesting suggestion, but before he said yes, Big Mac had to be sure. Big Mac looked at her, then at John, raising one eyebrow.
Is this okay with you? was obvious on his face and John nodded, gesturing the man in. “Come on, sit, we can get you a drink. I’ve been wanting to meet one of AJ’s family soon.” he held her hand tight. Meeting the family, suddenly, oh boy.
Big Mac nodded, then, and grinned. “I’d be obliged. Been walking a mite bit and could use a water if y’all had some to spare.”
“We’ve got more than water, Mac,” AJ said, moving around the sofa to get her boys seated. Then she’d go into the kitchen and get some drinks. “Beer, juice, milk, hot chocolate...” She was having hard cider, herself. “Tonks should be home soon, too.”
“I reckon a hot chocolate wouldn’t go wrong, then. A touch of warmth on a cold day would be nice.” Big Mac spoke slowly, but surely, and his smile was warm as he considered the two, and mostly his little sister. She’d changed some, even since Thanksgiving, but still and all, she was AJ, his little Applejack. And he was glad she was happy.
John smiled. “You said near-neighbor. Where did you settle on, for a place out here?” He knew the prices could be dear sometimes. If he needed to, he might be able to help Big Mac find a place a little cheaper. Just in case.
AJ left her brother and her boyfriend in the living room for a moment, hopping into the kitchen to grab a fresh round of drinks. She wasn’t going to have another hard drink in front of her brother--that would be weird. So she poured each of them a hot chocolate and put them on a tray to carry back into the living room.
Big Mac grinned as he glanced after AJ, then peered at John. “How long y’all been seeing each other?” Brotherly concern, though mostly curiosity, shone in his voice.
John smiled as he shook his head. “Weeks, now. More than a month. We just met one day and then... somehow here we are.” He still felt like he was the luckiest man alive.
Tonks headed into the house feeling completely shattered, the mark she had been watching for the past week had decided to try and run when she confronted him and Tonks really hated it when they made her run, especially so late in the day.
Entering the front door she called out “Hey AJ, it’s just me. Hi John” she added since she figured they’d still be watching a film, “Am I interrupting because I can...oh Hello” she stopped mid sentence as she walked into the living room and noticed somebody she didn’t recognise.
John turned when she entered and waved, grinning. “Hello, Tonks.” He liked AJ’s roommate. She was nice, smart, and she seemed like a good person.
Big Mac turned as well, all 7 feet of muscled him and raised a hand, nodding with a smile. “Hello.” His voice was low, sort of like a cross between a purr and a rumble, and rolled out of him like a slow beaten drum. “Pleasure to meet you, Ma’am. I’m Big McIntosh.”
AJ came into the room just after Tonks, holding the tray with the hot chocolate. She broke into a grin at the sight of her roommate, but she could instantly tell that something was wrong. She logged that away to check on later. “Hey! You’re home early. This is my brother, Big Mac.” She set the tray down on the coffee table, and moved around it to linger next to John. “He’s moved to town, and surprised me.”
Tonks smiled at John as he said Hello then turned her smile to Big Mac, who really did live up to his name. “Nice to meet you too, Big Mac” she said amiably, if he was anything like his sister he would be very easy to get along with, “Nymphadora Tonks, but please call me Tonks” she told him.
She shot a grin at AJ, “That’s a good sort of surprise” she said.
Big Mac smiled at her and offered her his hand, nodding. “A pleasure, Miss Tonks. I hope ya don’t mind me invading without announcement like this, but I wanted to surprise little AJ, and she’s a right hard one to surprise.” He nodded, talking more than normal.
John chuckled. “I could get you a drink. Join us.” he waved a hand at the couch and chairs.
AJ glanced over at her brother, a little surprised and amazed at how much he was talking. He was usually so monosyllabic. She flopped down on the sofa and reached for a cup of hot chocolate to sip. “There’s more on the stove,” she said to John. She’d made a whole batch.
Tonks stepped forward to shake Big Mac’s hand her smile coming easily in response, “Oh please come visit anytime” she told him, “Surprises are great and surprising your sister is even better”
She nodded at John with a grateful smile, “That would be great thanks” she told him as she took a seat in a chair near the couch. Looking at Big Mac she asked, “So you’ve moved into the area?” she asked interestedly.
Big Mac smiled at the pretty woman, and shook her hand, and nodded to her. “Thank ya. I might rightly do that. The company seems more pleasant in here.”
John headed into the kitchen to pore more hot chocolate, somewhat amused by the evening.
Big Mac nodded again to Tonks again. “Eeyup.”
AJ smirked a little as she watched Tonks with Big Mac, then hopped up and off the sofa so she could follow John into the kitchen. Once they were there, she reached for a mug to help him fill it for Tonks, and then stepped up beside him and wrapped an arm down and around his waist. She figured maybe Tonks and Big Mac could talk for a moment while she stole a kiss from her boyfriend.
Tonks was aware of AJ leaving and assumed she’d gone to give John a hand, and probably steal a moment or two alone with him. She hadn’t expected a visit from her brother after all or that Tonks would be home so early.
“Are you in the apple business too like AJ?” Tonks asked him, content to just make light conversation with Big Mac. Despite his size Tonks thought he had a comforting rather than imposing presence. It was really rather interesting.
Big Mac grinned at Tonks, nodding as she spoke. She was very pretty, and had a nice way about her. He was curious, and she was AJ’s roommate, which made him even more so. “Eeyup. Worked back at the Jackson Apple Farm, back home. Built things a bit, and handed it over to my little sister, and some workers, most ways. AJ had a good idea.”
He didn’t like to talk, but he had to explain, a little.
Meanwhile, John was rather pleased AJ had come in, and had taken the opportunity to kiss her, and snuggle her, right against the refrigerator door, rather intensely. He had fairly forgotten, for a moment, Big Mac, and Tonks, and the fact they were home.
AJ was grinning. Of course, she hadn’t planned to come into the kitchen and kiss John like this. She’d planned to come in and help him collect up something for Tonks to drink now she was home. But when she’d wrapped her arms down and around her boyfriend, she’d gotten very distracted. And suddenly they were kissing hungrily against the fridge door while Big Mac and Tonks talked in the other room.
Tonks was oblivious to what was happening in the kitchen as she sat in the living room with Big Mac, listening as he told her about working on the farm. “I’m an only child but I’ve always thought it must be great to have siblings, someone to play with when you’re little and then share things with as you grow up” she shrugged with a smile, “Grass is always greener I guess”
Big Mac nodded, eyes warm. She was interesting. “What do you do, for work?” Curiosity drove his words, though he sort of thought it was cute, how she smiled. He maybe drifted a touch closer.
“Having siblings is fun... and sometimes frustrating.” he nodded.
John, in the meantime, was completely forgetting about their guests and roommate. His hands were sliding into places they probably should not at the moment, as he kissed AJ, and ground against her. Suddenly, he was rather hungry for things other than food, and pressed against AJ, that would be all too apparent.
“I’m a bounty hunter” she told him, hating the way it always sounded so she hastened to explain, “I’m mostly employed by bail bondsmen to find people who have jumped bail and are on the run. I’m also a skiptracer so if you ever lose someone I’m your girl” she joked with a grin, “Not exactly what people expect when they meet me” she admitted. Most people assumed she did something quiet or less confrontational.
AJ broke her mouth away from John’s, now breathless and feeling incredibly naughty. She was probably as turned on as he was, though it was much less obvious on the outside. Her breath was coming in harsh gasps as she tried to make her brain function. “...we’re in the kitchen,” she whispered. “My brother and Tonks are just around the corner.” They shouldn’t do anything more than kiss. They didn’t want to get caught.
Big Mac nodded as he listened to her. She sounded fascinating. “Sounds like an interesting job.” His grin grew wider.”I imagine not. Gorgeous woman, most people wouldn’t see it, but yer strong.’
John smirked as he slid a hand down her body and then into her pants, and fingers teased as they explored her, his eyes naughty.
His voice was barely a breath.“Mmm, true. naughty of us...” he kissed her again. mind definitely on doing things they shouldn’t
Oh, damn, AJ couldn’t stop it even if she wanted to. There was a tiny part of her that wanted to, a tiny part of her that knew it was naughty. She didn’t want to get caught by her roommate or her brother. But it felt so very good. She kissed him long and hard, enjoying his attentions. Pulling away, she took a deep breath. “Later,” she whispered, reaching her hand down to teasingly rub at the front of his pants. “When we’re alone.”
“It definitely has its moments” Tonks told Big Mac before smiling softly at his compliment, “Thank you” she replied, “I can generally hold my own”
John nodded. He could wait. Probably. he stroked a hand down her body, then sighed as he stepped back. He kissed her and smiled.
Big Mac nodded. “How long have you lived with AJ?” He was adapting to calling his little sister that. rather than her name. Of Apple Jack. Hmm. He watched Tonks and nodded.
AJ reluctantly pulled away from him and straightened her clothes. Then she went to pour Tonks a cup of hot chocolate, and brought the mug out into the living room where hers, Big Mac’s and John’s were all sitting on the coffee table waiting for them.
“A few months now” Tonks replied, “I got really lucky in the housemate department” she added just before AJ re-entered the room. She appeared slightly dishevelled and Tonks smirked shooting her a knowing look.
John might have groped her as she made her way out, maybe. Then he nodded and walked out, smiling softly.
Big Mac smiled a little. “She’s a good girl.” He glanced at his sister, and then laughed. “Most of the time.”
He glanced at Tonks, then and his smirk grew wider. “And you? Are you a good girl also?”
AJ blushed as she came into the room, straightening her shirt a little and running a hand over her hair. She grinned at Tonks, then gave a little gasp and shook her head as she looked at her brother. “Don’t be crass,” she said, moving to sit next to Tonks on the sofa. “I’m a very good girl.”
Tonks snorted at AJ’s answer before she could stop herself so she attempted to cover with a cough which, by the looks she got, failed completely.
She shot Big Mac a grin, “Me? Well now I think you’ll have to get to know me better and judge for yourself” she replied.
Big Mac ignored his sister, and then chuckled. He snerked and smiled a little. “I’d like that. You seem like someone to get to know.”
He glanced at the other two, then smiled wider. “Do you like spaghetti?”
John, in the meantime, was covering his laughter as he died of this exchange. Fuel to tease AJ acquired.
Damnit. AJ was rather pink, sitting on the sofa, hugging her hot chocolate mug to her and trying not to grin. She hated getting caught being naughty. Especially by her brother. Yuck. But still, she was exclusive with someone she loved very much. So it shouldn’t be bad or shameful. She turned to look at John and stuck her tongue out at him.
Tonks smiled in response, "I'd like to think so" she told him before watching the teasing. She felt almost sorry for AJ who was now blushing quite a lot, but it was rather amusing that the pair of them had made it so obvious that they'd been having a little fun in the kitchen.
Big Mac nodded, noting her not answering and smiling lopsidedly. “Aj is a good woman, and she’s found someone worth her time.” He surveyed them and then spoke directly to his little sister.
“About time.”
He grinned at her then and nodded. “You should come by my place next time.”
"Now that I know you're in California, I will." AJ said, grinning. "This is going to be the best Christmas ever," She clapped happily.
John nodded, snuggling close to AJ as he sipped his drink. Even with surprise big brother, it sounded like fun. “I think it’ll be a very merry one, anyway.”
After nodding, Big Mac turned to Tonks and grinned wider. “What are you doing this evening, ma’am?”
Tonks was also looking forward to Christmas, she’d spent it at Lily’s in the past though last year had been on her own, there was no way she would have gone home, so having friends around would make a nice change. “I have no plans” Tonks told him explaining, “I didn’t expect to be back this soon”
AJ reached her hand up and took hold of John’s, then laced their fingers together. “It will be. I’ve got a closet full of presents already, just need time to wrap. And now I don’t have to ship yours cross country,” she said, smirking at Big Mac. But she went quiet when he started asking Tonks what she was up to that night, and gave John a little smirk.
Big Mac grinned. “Would you care to have dinner with me?” His smile grew. “I’ll cook.” He glanced at AJ, one eyebrow raised. then smiled a little. “I brought your presents with me. Only one more I need to get.”
But he turned back to Tonks to wait for her answer.
“Thank you, I’d love to” Tonks replied with a bright smile and a nod at the unexpected invitation, “Let me go change” she added standing, “Feels like I’ve been in these clothes way too long today”
Big Mac nodded. “Sounds good.” He grinned as he said it, then pointed at AJ. “Tomorrow, lunch, at noon, little sis.” He grinned. “Tonight, have fun.”
He nodded to John , who was snickering now.
AJ was a little shellshocked. She blinked, watching after Tonks's retreating form as she went into her room to get changed, then turned to blink at her brother for a moment. “Lunch. Tomorrow. Right.” She said, giving him a smile.
But that was strange. Was her roommate going out with her brother??
Tonks changed into a fresh pair of jeans and a nicer top running a brush through her hair and giving herself a quick spritz with her favorite perfume before heading back out. She was looking forward to spending a bit more time with Big Mac, he seemed nice and she needed nice.
Big Mac grinned as he waited, and nodded to John and AJ. “See you then.” he turned to greet Tonks as she came back and shook his head. “Well, now, ain't that a sight for sore eyes? You sure do clean up right gorgeous.” He spoke softly. He extended his hand. “Shall we go?”
John grinned and turned to AJ. “I think we’re being abandoned.” He chuckled.
AJ was still staring as if she couldn't believe it, after a moment, though, she decided it was a good thing. Her brother was a good man and Tonks was an amazing woman. She just hoped they wouldn't end up hating each other. "That's okay," she said to John, "we can finish our movie."
“I’m sure that’s your plan” Tonks good-naturedly teased her friends with a grin and a wink before gesturing to Big Mac to lead the way with a bright smile.
John grinned as he watched them go. “Well... I’ll be. Big brother huh? You weren’t kidding... did he just show up, smile a bit, invite you to lunch and then manage to hit on and take out your roommate?”
AJ shook her head a little, turning back to John and cuddling close against him. “I think that’s what just happened. I’ve never... I definitely wasn’t expecting that.”
John laughed and cuddled her. "well now we have the house alone and we can talk about that talk we had yesterday..."
Fin...