Story [L&O:OC] ♡ OTP Challenge #25 ♡ (Jet/Malachi)

Title: Things You Said

Author: Tarsier

Fandom: Law & Order: Organized Crime

Characters: Detective Jet Slootmaekers, Adam “Malachi” Mintock

Description: For the ♡ OTP Challenge #25: Challenge of Challenges! I got Challenge #15 "Things You Said": All-Dialogue Minifics and chose 28. things you said in the dark.

Author Note (feel free to skip):

Spoiler: I reject your reality and substitute my own!

So I kinda rage-quit this couple a little while ago. The canon really just destroyed everything I like about them. But after I cooled off, I decided I could do what I've done with other characters (and why I love fanfic), and just completely disregard the canon I don't like and forget about maintaining perfect (or even accurate) characterization. So I still hate the canon and I don't even care if these characters are at all in-character. That means being familiar with the canon probably makes no difference at all. There are some references to two other of my own stories - one is posted elsewhere but not here, the other isn't even written yet. Hopefully this story stands alone.

Other stories with these characters: The Ghost of You; Drabbles

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28. things you said in the dark​

“What are you doing, Malachi?”

“Stopping.”

“Why?”

“Just…because.”

“Because why?”

“Haven’t you ever just pulled over by the beach and listened to the ocean?”

“No.”

“Well, now you’re going to.”

“It’s dark. Like really dark.”

“Yeah.”

“The last time it was this dark….”

“The blackout.”

“Yeah.”

“When you almost froze to death.”

“I didn’t almost freeze to death.”

“The doctor said 'hypothermia.' ”

“Barely hypothermia.”

“Well…if it’s bringing back bad memories, we can go.”

“No. Let’s stay.”

“Good. Because, you know, I chose this car for a reason.”

“Because it’s fast and expensive and the government is paying for it?”

“Well yes, all that, but also…moonroof!”

“Mm-hmm.”

“You like it?”

“Sure.”

“You ever just look at the stars?”

“No.”

“How’d I know you would say that?”

“I guess they’re kinda pretty. There are a lot of them.”

“You don’t get out of the city much, do you?”

“Why would I?”

“Because…are you shivering? We can go…I didn’t mean….bad memories and all…”

“I didn’t say they were bad.”

“Of course they were. I’ve never been so scared in my life. I thought you might die… Are you smiling?”

“No. Okay, maybe…”

“You’re unbalanced, you know that?”

“Thinking I might die…is the most scared you’ve even been?”

“Umm…”

“...It wasn’t that bad because...you held me. And I felt safe. I’ve never really felt like that before.”

“Oh.”

“So…”

“You want me to hold you now?”

“No, I want you to turn the heat back on. And get us back to the city. It’s late.”

“Actually, technically I think it’s early.”

“Ohhh. I’m going to be late for work.”

“Not if I can help it.”

“Please don’t.”

“Fine. Only ‘cause I don’t want to see you throw up again.”

“I don’t like cars.”

“There’s a lot of things you don’t like.”

“Says the anarchist.”

“You should call in sick. If you don’t want to lie, I’ll just drive really fast.”

“I…no, don’t drive fast. Where are we going?”

“You’ll see.”

“Is it indoors? If you’re taking me somewhere outside, I’ll call the office to report a kidnapping.”

“I assure you it will be climate-controlled and sunless.”

“If I’m missing work for this, it better be good.”

“Hey, Sloot?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m kinda into you.”

“I noticed.”

“So?”

“So what?”

“So are you into me?”

“I don’t know. Ask me again after we get where we’re going.”

 

Superb conversation, full of candor and snark and caring. A delicate balance which I love getting through dialogue only.

 

I like how you captured the feeling of a nighttime conversation that goes along with the prompt so well. And though I don't know these characters, they've obviously been through a lot together.

This was my favorite part, very sweet! And then right back to humorous -- I do enjoy that so much in an OTP, whether I know them or not.

 

@WarmNyota_SweetAyesha Thank you so much! That's just what I was going for

@Kahara Thank you!! Establishing any sort of setting with only dialogue is so hard! I'm really glad it came across!

 

Author Note: All dialogue is a hard but fun challenge! I decided to try a little more, not necessarily part of the official challenge.

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16. things you said with no space between us​

“Malachi, you are too close.”

“I have to read the screen if I’m going to save your butt.”

“What part of reading requires breathing on my neck?”

“You are a delicate flower, aren’t you?”

“Seriously!”

“Fine. Better?”

“Slightly.”

“Your algorithm is off.”

“What?”

“It’s not going to work.”

“It’s fi—ugh…”

“I’ll fix it.”

“Fix it from over there!”

“I need the keyboard!”

“I’m getting a cup of tea.”

“Bring me something.”

“Get your own.”

“I’m cleaning up your mess!”

“It’s not—I don’t need your help.”

“Frick, I thought that would work.”

“Move over, I’ll fix it.”

“No, you have to—“

“Personal space!”

“I’m just—”

“Oh my g—”

“You and your tea…”

“My tea? You knocked—”

“Kriff, it’s everywhere. Where are you going?”

“To get paper towels!”

“Hope it doesn’t ruin the keyboard…”

“Here.”

“….So sorry—didn’t mean to barely touch you just now.”

“Just...forget it.”

“Maybe we should take a break.”

“We are taking a break. That's what it's called when you aren't working.”

“Hey, could you look at me for a second?”

“What?”

“What is it about me, that rubs you so wrong?”

“I just don’t like it when people get in my space. And that seems to be a special talent of yours.”

“Kinda hard to share a computer and stay six feet apart.”

“If I was Stabler I don’t think you’d be brushing elbows every two minutes.”

“What, you think I’m coming on to you?”

“Aren’t you?”

“What’s a little innocent flirting between colleagues?”

“Ugh. Just go. I got it from here. Go home.”

“Fine. I don’t need this in my life.”

“Good.”

“...Sloot?”

“What?”

“…Never mind.”

*~*~*

23. things you said the next day ​

“Sloot.”

“What are you doing here?”

“I work here.”

“I told you to go home.”

“My parole officer overruled you.”

“Fine. Whatever.”

“I brought you something. Overpriced tea from the café down the block…. What? It’s not poison, don’t look at it like that.”

“I…why?”

“You like tea right?”

“Is this…a peace offering?”

“What? No. I was there anyway. All I do is flirt, remember? You should probably throw it in my face. But don’t because it’s hot.”

“This is…actually pretty good. Thank you.”

“So am I allowed to go back to work?”

“I’m not the boss of you—”

“—Kinda seems like you are sometimes—”

“—your parole officer is.”

“I’ll try not to brush your elbow. Heaven forbid you have to touch me.”

“Just don’t breathe on my neck and we’re good.”

“Hmm… just don’t breathe on your neck… that leaves a lot of places I can breathe…endless possibilities.”

“I will call your parole officer.”

“You know you missed me.”

 

Love the snark... the flirty seriousness from each. She's not pushing him away or pulling away as much as she could.

 

love the dialogue. The characters are vivid and perfect for the challenge

 

@WarmNyota_SweetAyesha @earlybird-obi-wan Thank you so much for reading, and for the kind comments!!

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Author Note: This next part is a major AU. It takes place later than the above, but it is not where those scenes are headed.

Spoiler: Feel free to skip

So after canon messed everything up, my brain insisted on taking the canon nonsense to its logical conclusion. The resulting story does actually feel like it might make a decent L&O storyline. It's in my head, but it isn't written and likely never will be. Anyway, this would be at the very end of that story. Jet has Issues here. Canon didn't giver her the issues, but it gave her the reason for the issues.

31. things you said right before goodbye​

“Malachi.”

“What do you want, Jet?”

“You’re leaving…just like that?”

“Yeah.”

“But…you risked your life. For me.”

“Who told you that?”

“Dr. Huang.”

“A psychiatrist and a fed. I knew I couldn’t trust him.”

“No one’s ever fought for me before.”

“It wasn’t for you. We’re over. We’ve been over.”

“Please, Malachi. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

“Don’t give me that. Look, I know you have problems—”

“I’m still the same person. I’m still a really good coder.”

“There’s more to life than computers.”

“You think I don’t know that?”

“You’ve got my pity. But you’ve lost my respect.”

“Where are you going?”

“Somewhere far away from here.”

“Please don’t leave—”

“Don’t touch me.”

“I didn’t mean…”

“So long, Sloot.”

“Someday, you’ll come back… we can try again.”

“Only in your dreams.”

“I know you’re still into me.”

“I want you to be happy, Sloot. I think you can be happy. It’s just not going to involve me.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

“I’m not coming back.”

“I’ll be here…"

 

I wonder which of them will wind up being right about that.

 

Will they meet again?

 

@WarmNyota_SweetAyesha @earlybird-obi-wan Thank you so much, as always, for reading and commenting! I didn't initially plan to write this, but I hate to leave unanswered questions...

32. things you said right after hello​

Seven years later…

“Jet! Wait up! It’s me, Ad—Malachi.”

“I know who you are.”

“So you are avoiding me. I registered with a different name, hoping then you’d show.”

“You said you never wanted to see me again.”

“I was really mad. But I’m over it.”

“You shouldn’t be.”

“It’s been a long time.”

“I’m sorry. That I hurt you. And—”

“Don’t be. I mean there are things you should be sorry for, and I appreciate the apology. There are things I should apologize for too. But, despite everything, meeting you was pretty much the highlight of my life.”

“Don’t say that.”

“It’s the truth.”

“That’s really sad for you.”

“I assure you it’s not.”

“Please—”

“—Where are you working now anyway? Still busting the bad guys, I assume?”

“No, I left that job right after… I’ve been a programmer for FaceUnion since then.”

“What?! You’re using your talent for that monstrosity?!”

“That’s what you said about my last job.”

“They didn’t deserve you either.”

“Well, the new job’s better for my mental health.”

“I’ve got an even better idea—we’re hiring coders. You should work for us.”

“…I don’t think so.”

“We’re working on the next big thing. Everyone says that, but we’re legit. You’re going to want in on this. And we need you—the guys we have now, not one of them could even qualify for this competition. Man, I miss working with actual talent! But I’m not in charge of finances or hiring anyway. I’ll give you Sebastian’s card. Think it over. Email him if you’re interested.”

“…I’ll think about it.”

“Good.”

“Okay, well…”

“Hey, Sloot?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m still kinda into you.”

“Why wou—wait, did you let me win?”

“Not saying. I guess you’ll never know…unless maybe if you talk to Sebastian.”

 

I like that, a lot, that the spark is there still and who knows, maybe working in an environment that fosters creativity and isn't full of toxicity and sociopath-hunting ... will be good for any resuming of a relationship.

 

love to see them still being friends

 

@WarmNyota_SweetAyesha Yay, I'm glad you like it! You make a very good point about sociopath-hunting not being conducive to heathy relationships....

@earlybird-obi-wan Awesome, I do too!


Author Note: I think I kinda like grown-up Malachi! So much I might....continue this? Definitely didn't see that coming when I started the challenge. I think I'm done with all dialogue - I'm afraid it's starting to get repetitive, which is sort of intentional but is probably on the brink (if not past the brink) of being too much. I don't really want to write anything technical or even really exciting, but there is some interesting character stuff I'm tempted to play with. So, uh, stay tuned, I guess, if you like older Jet and Malachi? No promises, but maybe there will be more in the future.

Thanks so much, to anyone who read! It was a fun challenge, I'm glad I got to participate.

 

things you said after the battle​

"I don't think they're going to invite me back."

"At this point, I don't think they're going to invite me back."

"I thought you said it was an established group. I assumed the there would be a bigger boss than a couple of trolls."

"I guess they were trying to ease you in."

"Oh. They didn't seem to like it when I killed everyone on the second turn."

"No, Jet, I don't think they did like that."

"I'm a necromancer. I made them more powerful."

"And also dead."

"Undead."

"Still not a great thing for a healer to be."

"There were too many healers in that group."

"Yeah... Maybe we should start our own group."

"Hmm... maybe with fresh characters?"

"Definitely. We'll need a Dungeon Master. You know anyone?"

"Someone with a lot of time on their hands... Someone a bit more on-trend. At least enough to have heard of a kalashtar, or be willing to research it... I know someone like that! Actually, we know someone like that."

"Constantine? Does he even have computer privileges?"

"I don't know. But I'll see what I can do."

 

Nice blend of candor and teasing about hard memories and making apparently good ones now Car with moon roof and the stars and ocean. Speaking for me, what's not to LOVE?

 

@WarmNyota_SweetAyesha Thanks so much!! I'm so glad like it!! I'm hoping to have more with these characters soon