Accepting Jack’s apology, Jacki fished him out of the glass using her straw. Wanting to go home and - truthfully - sensing he was reaching his limit, Zoe decided to put her ex away, stashing him back in her bag. Pathetic though it was to admit, Jack was relieved. In here, he almost felt safe.

Zoe and Jacki finished up their conversation and squared the bill before going their separate ways, promising to meet up again soon.

“Make sure you don’t kill Jack in the meantime!” Jacki joked as they parted.

Jack tried to get some sleep in Zoe’s bag as she walked home, but the ride was too bumpy for any form of relaxation. Soon, he was retrieved and dropped on to Zoe’s nightstand.

“That went well!” She said, laying on the bed and scrolling on her phone. “When Jacki saw you, I really thought she was going to freak out. But, she took it pretty well.”

Jack didn’t respond. He watched her, waiting for whatever new torture method was about to come his way.

“And you were especially good!” Zoe smiled at Jack like he was a baby. “I mean, mostly. You were a little rude at first but Jacki saw to that, didn’t she?” 

“Yes, goddess.”

Zoe laughed. “It was so weird hearing you call Jacki that! I don’t know if I liked it… made me feel less special, y’know? Maybe you should call me something else, and still call all my friends ‘goddess’…”

“Your friends? You mean, you’re going to show me to… all of them?!” Jack couldn’t hide the tremor in his voice. 

Zoe scoffed. “You think Jacki can keep a secret?! I bet she’s already told everyone! They’ll be dying to see you like this!”

“Oh god…”

“Hey, don’t be like that.” Zoe made a pouty face. “All you need to do is remember your manners and do as you’re told and you’ll be fine. You don’t want to be punished anymore, do you?”

“…No, goddess.” Jack answered truthfully. He hated being treated this way, but he feared the consequences of not playing along even more. Seeing Zoe’s friends was no longer a matter of choice, it was inevitable. His only option was to be good and maybe - just maybe - he wouldn’t have to endure any further humiliations at the hands of the giants who outmatched him. 

The afternoon turned into the evening, and Jack wondered what Zoe had planned tonight. He hoped she would fall asleep and let him do the same, but he suspected he was in for a late night…