The New Guardian (Part 1; Librarian!Ezekiel)

Ezekiel remembered the day he became the librarian. He was maybe, fourteen or fifteen. He remembered the day he was assigned his first guardian. Eve was kind-hearted and practically his mum.

He also remembered the day she died. Stabbed by Dulaque as they tried to mend the Loom of time. He remembered mourning for days.

Ezekiel sat at a desk in the Library, when a man with a plaid shirt came strolling in with a white envelope and Charlene in tow. She seemed flustered with this man. Ezekiel stood, grumbling.

Already he had a new guardian? Wasn’t he allowed some time to mourn his old one?

“It seems you have a new guardian,” Charlene said, sounding unnamused.

“We just lost Eve,” Ezekiel shouted, yelling up to the ceiling. “You couldn’t wait?”

“What’s he doing?” the man asked, turning to Charlene.

“Talking to the Library,” she answered.

“Why?” he asked.

“Because I’m upset I’m stuck with you until one of us dies. Most likely me, but I went ten years with my former Guardian. It’ll probably be you before me.” Ezekiel says. “What kind of training have you had?”

“Training?” the guy asked, southern accent coming through in his speech.

“Like fighting training. Have you had any?” Ezekiel was becoming annoyed. Not to mention he wasn’t a fan of the accent, either.

“Uh... i mean, I get into bar brawls a lot. But I always come up on top.”

Ezekiel rolled his eyes. “Right, well, I’ve got work to do.”

“I’m Jacob, by the way,” the man said, ignoring Ezekiel’s last statement.

Ezekiel stared at him for a moment before grabbing his books and scampering off to his office.

Jacob sighed and looked at Charlene. “Get use to the layout of the place. He’ll come find you for a mission. or if he wants to talk.”

Jacob nodded and looked around as he wandered off to get use to the place that would be his new home. He was glad to be out of Oklahoma. away from his dad.

Ezekiel found Jacob studying in the Annex. Jenkins seemed to enjoy the company, though it was silent. The southerner seemed to be enjoying the book.

“What are you reading?” Ezekiel asked, sitting down across from Jacob. What was the harm in getting to know his new Guardian.

“Stephen Hawking’s last work,” Jacob said, looking up at the Librarian. “‘Soft Hair on Black Holes.”

Ezekiel stared at him, eyebrows raised. “Uh...”

“You haven’t read it?” Jacob asked, sounding astounded.

“Well, I haven’t had the time to. I’m always off finding some artifact, or trying to save the world. I really don’t have time for reading,” Ezekiel shrugged.

“Well, when you do get the chance to read it, it’s a great read and I think you’d enjoy it.”

“I’m probably too dumb to understand it,” Ezekiel said, shrugging a bit.

“You’re the librarian,” Jacob said, smiling and looking up at him in the eyes. “Give yourself some credit.”

Ezekiel’s cheeks heat up slightly. “Well, I’m not a strong reader. Dyslexia.”

“Well, I can help you.”

The clippings book freaked out besides them.

“Duty calls,” Ezekiel said, standing. “Maybe later.”

~TBC~

Written in the Stones (Leverage Crossover)

Prompt: Jacob thinks that his twin brother, Eliot, is dead but Ezekiel knows the truth. And, the truth may ruin their relationship... forever.

Jacob was feeling down. He always felt down this time of year. It was around the time where he and his dad got the message that Eliot had died while in service.

Ezekiel curled up to his cowboy, head on his chest as he stared up at Jacob. He watched as Jacob stared blankly at the ceiling. He frowned a bit, his stomach twisting.

He knew the truth about Eliot. He’d run into the long-haired male while trying to steal the same thing. He remembered those misty, blue eyes as he faded into unconsciousness after being stabbed.

“Are you okay?” Ezekiel asked Jacob.

“Yeah. I’m fine, darlin’,” Jacob told him softly, wrapping an arms around Ezekiel’s smaller frame.

Ezekiel moved closer to him, nuzzling his shoulder a bit. “What are you thinking about?”

Jacob was quiet for a moment. Did he want to tell Ezekiel about having a dead twin brother? A little bit.

“I’m just... thinking about home,” Jacob finally announced softly.

“You hate home, love.”

“I’m thinking about my past. Not specifically my dad.”

Ezekiel sat up, hugging himself for a moment. He jumped when Jacob wrapped his arms around him.

“Your brother is alive,” Ezekiel blurted, covering his mouth and hugging himself again when Jacob recoiled from Ezekiel as if he’d been burnt.

“You’re lying.”

“I don’t lie, Jacob. I would never lie about this.”

“You’re lying. I was told he was dead by the US army,” Jacob said, standing and towering over Ezekiel, threateningly. ”He’s dead.”

“They never found a body,” Ezekiel said. “Right? Usually they’ll find a body, but they didn’t, did they? Explain that, Jacob.”

Jacob sputtered for a moment. “I think you should go.”

Ezekiel looked up at him with large, hurt eyes. All he saw was cold, unforgiving ones. He left as requested. He gave Jacob one last glance before exiting the room.

“Idiot,” Ezekiel cursed to himself. “I’m such a bloody idiot.”

He was packing a bag. He was going off to find Eliot. He wanted to give his... ex boyfriend closure.

He shouldered the backpack and took a deep breath. He walked into the annex and looked up at Jenkins for a moment before looking down. “You and Mr. Stone have a bit of a falling out?”

“Kind of,” Ezekiel said before explaining the entire ordeal to the caretaker.

“I see... You are going off to find Mr. Stone’s long lost brother.”

“I’m telling the truth, Jenkins. I am. I don’t lie. I may be a thief, but I don’t lie,” Ezekiel said, taking a deep breath to calm himself. “I have to do this or... Or Jacob will never be able to trust me ever again.”

“Where do you need to go, Mr. Jones?” Jenkins said, moving towards the globe. “I will cover for you.”

“Boston. I need to go to Boston,” Ezekiel said,

He’d been up the entire night running searching for Eliot and he’d found him in Boston, but that was all he’d gotten.

“I need a more specific location, Mr. Jones,” Jenkins drawled.

“McRory’s bar,” Ezekiel decided. It was one of his favorite bars.

“Very well.”

Ezekiel stepped into the bar, stumbling slightly and looked around. He took a seat in the corner and out of the way. He set up his laptop and plugged it into the outlet.

“Can I get you a drink?” A ginger girl asked.

“Just a beer is fine,” Ezekiel said, looking up at her with a slight smile.

She walked away and he didn’t look up when someone else walked over.

“I’ve already gotten my ord-” He was cut off by a hand wrapping around his throat.

His eyes widened as he looked up into the familiar eyes of Eliot Spencer. He let out a croak, trying to say something, but his throat was being crushed and he couldn’t breathe. He was starting to panic.

“Eliot, let the kind man go,” a voice said, comingup besides the long haired man.

Suddenly, Ezekiel could breathe again. He took gasping breaths of air, pressing himself against the wall of the booth, keeping distance between him and Eliot.

“What are you doing here?” Eliot growled, hands on the table. “I told you to never come after me.”

“I know.” Ezekiel’s voice was small. “It’s about Jacob.”

Eliot’s eyes widened. He sat down across from Ezekiel, waving off the people who’d gathered around them. They dispersed after a hesitant moment.

“What about him?” Eliot asked, eyes narrowing again.

“He... I told him you were alive and now he wont talk to me and it hurts. He always listens to reason but now he’s not and he hates me. He won’t even talk to me. I... I really messed up, but he was so sad. I just wanted to make him feel better.”

Eliot growled. “You told him I was alive?”

“He mopes around for days on end around the anniversary of finding out you “died”,” Ezekiel said, putting finger quotes around died. “I couldn’t keep it from him any longer. He deserves to know you’re alive.”

“Where is he?”

“I’d have to bring him to you.”

“Why can’t you bring me to him?” Eliot narrowed his eyes.

“We’re not allowed to let outsiders into our line of work. I learned that the hard way. I can’t bring another person. Last time they stole something important and almost ruined Christmas.”

Eliot leaned in. Ezekiel could smell the apple shampoo and the familiar cologne from the other.

“I’m going to tell you this once, and only once,” Eliot said, eyes narrowing. “You’re going to bring me to my brother and I wont kick your ass.”

“Fine, but the others are going to be really mad at me if you steal anything,” Ezekiel said.

Ezekiel pulled Eliot into the annex through the backdoor. He laughed slightly when he watched him stumble.

Eliot growled at him and Ezekiel shut up immediately.

“Where are we?” Eliot asked, looking around. His eyebrows scrunched together.

“Welcome to the Library, mate,” Ezekiel said.

“My brother works in a library?” Eliot said, sounding disbelieving.

“Not /a/ library,” Ezekiel said, shaking his head. “/The/ Library.”

“I don’t get it. My brother could barely read a book for school,” Eliot said. “Why would he be a librarian.”

“Don’t be ignorant. You’re brother is the smartest man I know,” Ezekiel said. “He must’ve been hiding his intelligence from you.”

Eliot frowned.

“Jones, who are you-” Ezekiel whipped around to see Eve standing in the doorway to the Annex.

“Uh, colonel, meet Eliot Spencer. Retrieval specialist and twin brother of Jacob,” Ezekiel said, motioning to Eliot. “Eliot, meet Colonel Eve Baird.”

Eliot puffed his chest out, eyes narrowing. “NATO-terrorist team?”

“How’d you know?” Eve asked, sizing up Eliot.

“You have a very distinctive stance,” Eliot said, shrugging.

“Keep an eye on him for me, Baird. I have to get Jacob.” Ezekiel ran from the room

Jacob was sitting in his room. He was trying to focus on the book he was reading, but it wasn’t working.

“Come in,” he called, hearing someone knock at the door.

Ezekiel pushed it open. “Jacob?”

“Go away, Jones,” Jacob snarled.

“No,” Ezekiel said, finally standing up for himself. “No. You need to get your head out of your arse.”

Jacob looked up, startled when Ezekiel stood up for himself.

“I’m sick and tired of you not listening to me,” Ezekiel continued. “I don’t lie. I may be a thief, but I /don’t/ lie. I would never lie to you about something like that. You were so sad and I couldn’t stand seeing you sad like that.”

Ezekiel stared at his feet. “Now- Now I want you to come with me. I have to show you something.”

Jacob rose to his feet. “Okay.”

Ezekiel reach out a shaking hand. Jacob didn’t take it. Ezekiel understood why. They were still on pause.

Ezekiel lead him into the Annex to where Eve and Eliot were laughing. Jacob’s mouth fell open and tears started to stream down his cheeks.

Eliot smiled brightly seeing his brother. He opened his arms for a hug and received one.

It was silent for a moment before Jacob pulled away from his brother and punched him square in the face.

“What the hell, Eliot! Why did you pretend to be dead? Where have you been this entire time? How come Ezekiel know you were alive but I didn’t?” Jacob asked, sky blue eyes ablaze with fury.

“Because we ran into each other a time or two. The second time I stabbed him because he got to what I was going after first,” Eliot said, shrugging.

“Yeah, your brother and i have a past. He doesn’t like me much,” Ezekiel said, shrugging.

“Jones, I’m so sorry,” Jacob apologized, pulling the Australian close and brushing his lips against Ezekiel’s. “I’m so stupid to not believe you. I know you don’t lie, and yet, I was in so much denial I thought you were lying.”

Ezekiel pressed his lips against Jacob’s. “Next time, you won’t get off so easy.”

Jacob tilted his head to the side for a moment. “Uh... What?”

“You’ll find out soon enough.” Ezekiel turned to Eliot. “Time to get back to your team, Eliot. Just go right on through that door and you will be right back in Boston.”

Eliot nodded and moved towards the door and paused, turning back to Eve, Jacob and Ezekiel. “Don’t be a stranger, Jake. You can even bring Ezekiel along with you if you ever want to come hang out in Boston for a bit.”

Jacob smiled a bit, arm still around Ezekiel. “I’ll make sure you send you a call if I ever want to meet up. Maybe start a bar brawl somewhere for old time’s sake?”

“Yeah, I’d like that.”

Family was reunited and trust was mended. It was a good day for Ezekiel Jones and Jacob Stone.

The New Guardian (Part 2)

Wow, I actually forgot I was writing this AU. So uh, here you go. Here’s the next part.

Jacob stared down at the clippings book, completely mystified. “So, this book tells you everything-”

“No, you wanker, it tells me about wrong goings in the world,” Ezekiel cut off Jacob. “Or, one wrong going powerful enough that it needs me, the librarian.”

“And me?” Jacob asked, following Ezekiel as he moved through the annex.

“And you. Guardians follow the Librarians and keep them out of trouble,” Ezekiel told him, grabbing a hoodie and putting it on over his button up shirt and throwing the previously worn lab coat aside.

Jacob nodded. Right, keep him out of trouble. How much trouble can a twenty-five year old get into?

It turns out that he can get into a lot of trouble. Ezekiel is a sneaky bastard and likes to disappear at a moments notice.

“Jones, you better show yourself right now! This is not a game,” Jacob shouted, spinning a bit to look for the librarian in the trees.

He spun around, hands flying up to guard his face hearing a twig snap behind him. His eyes narrowed. He was ready to fight. He was relieved seeing it was Ezekiel.

“Don’t do that, Jones,” Jacob growled. “Don’t do that to me. I’m pretty sure Charlene would’ve killed me if I had lost you or you had gotten killed, so please, Ezekiel, don’t do that again.”

Ezekiel looked upset for a moment, but shook it off. “I found where the artifact is, Stone.”

“Good. Let’s go. Don’t disappear on me this time, yeah?” Jacob suggested.

Ezekiel nodded and broke off in a spring in the direction he must’ve come in. Jacob hurried after him, grumbling to himself.

Jacob grumbled to himself as he sat on a stool in the annex, nose bloody, shoulder dislocated and ankle sprained; all because Ezekiel decided to disappear again

Ezekiel handed him some bandages and an ice pack. He looked upset and very apologetic. He pressed a tissue he’d been hiding somewhere into his nose.

“I-”

“No,” Jacob growled. “It’s my turn to speak.”

Jacob paused for a moment to see if Ezekiel was listening. He was.

“I told you no more disappearing acts. If this is going to work, you’re going to need to listen to me too, ‘Zeke. Okay? You can’t just disappear on me like that.”

Ezekiel failed to make eye contact with Jacob, busying himself with putting the ice pack on Jacob’s ankle. It was swelling a bit, but he’d be able to walk on it no problem.

“Look at me man. It’s not you-”

Jacob was cut off by lips pressing against his own. His eyes were wide before they shut for a moment.

“I was scared,” Ezekiel said. “I was falling and I wasn’t sure if anyone was going to be there to catch me.”

Jacob smiled, a slight shade of pink on his cheeks. “I’ll always be here to catch you.”

Jacob kissed him again, this time a little passionately.