aerialassault | Appointments

[Cliff reached out and grabbed Souji's hand. It was loose enough for Souji to escape if he so wished, but he wanted to make his point clear.

If he could find words.

As well spoken as he was when the situation called, he had learned long ago that even the most understanding of words didn't mean anything. Though he had spent his adult life working long and hard for his cause, one that would hopefully pave the way for others to work together and build a more egalitarian future, he had a hunch that he would end up being just one name among dozens in a couple hundred years....if even that.

If they were even allowed to have a future, from what he heard in that other place. 'Server Shut Down' sounded so cold compared to the reality. There was even no guarantee that his fate would end up the same as Fayt's, if his suspicions about how these different realities worked were true. For all Cliff knew, odds were that he could end up dead as well.

There was no way for him to know.

He didn't look at Souji, and didn't move. He only held that hand.

Souji deserved thanks too. He had helped Cliff experience something that he had always envied in other men.

A life of balance, of dedication to both loving his work and loving a family.]

[The gesture took him by such surprise that he almost snatched his hand away out of instinct. It wasn't pity or sorrow in the touch, but gratitude and understanding - neither of which Souji had much experience in receiving. He looked at Cliff's hand, still frozen from the shock, and then felt the tension in him begin to dissolve. His shoulders relaxed and his weight shifted slightly as his instinct backed down, allowing him to feel his friend's warmth and the comfort inherent in that. It was such a simple motion, one whose power he'd never really understood until now. He still had so much to learn about people.

Souji squeezed Cliff's hand lightly in return and, crossing his free arm over the top of his knees, laid his temple against it. From here he could see Saizou sitting nearby, watching them quietly, and he could hear Cliff's steady breathing as he looked away. It was strange to hold hands with someone, but at the same time, it made him feel better than all his running and hiding combined. After a moment, he closed his eyes as he tried to memorize this new feeling for however long Cliff decided to let it last.]

[It was amazing, what the little things could do. The palpable tension in the air around them slowly started to abate with Souji's silent acknowledgement and acceptance of what little Cliff had to offer-- Cliff breathed a sigh of relief. This was one less person he had to run after.

For now.

Cliff didn't withdraw his hand from Souji's grasp. The decision to stay or leave was Souji's alone, as it should have been. Cliff didn't have the right to force his way through Souji's heart. He would only leave s wounded man in his wake and break something that was so hard to attain.

Trust.

He slowly lifted his eyes up from the floor and settled his gaze on Souji's face, just taking in the peaceful expression for a few moments before he decided to speak.]

Yanno. I'm not gonna force you to do anything that you don't want. It's your life, your choices, and you don't need to answer to anyone about it. But, as your friend, just know that I'm going to concern myself with you and...well, hope that one day you'll let me through.

Things aren't perfect, but no one expects them to be. Life...is hard. But, [He flashed Souji a small, reassuring smile,] that doesn't mean you've gotta go it alone.

[He could feel Cliff shift as he began to talk and Souji relaxed his grip. His words were familiar, things he knew intellectually, and somehow being told them reminded him of what other people often said about him. For all his years and his deadly force, Souji was so very much a child. Usually it never embarrassed him, but suddenly he felt his ears turning a little red as he looked up from his headrest. Rather than let the embarrassment show, he smiled back at Cliff and nodded slightly as he pulled his hand away. He pillowed his head on top of both arms and turned his gaze fully toward Cliff.]

You sound like you're proposing. Or you're being old. I can't decide which.

[His lips quirked up in an amused smile at his own teasing and then he winked at Cliff, relaxing a little more. He understood what the man really meant and he let it show in the appreciative smile that hid beneath his mirth.]

Hey-- why does everyone say I'm old?

[But it was true, and he wouldn't deny it. He had twelve years on Souji, and seventeen on Fayt. It did make him old...in all of the strange ways he didn't know how to handle.

Cliff scratched his neck, contemplating the veracity of the words and the sincerity in Souji's voice.]

Aah-- maybe you're right. Old guys like me get to wanting things...

It doesn't matter.

[He returned Souji's teasing grin.]

Would you marry me? It was fun playing house with you!

[He laughed a little and shrugged.]

I used to tell Hijikata-san the same thing and he'd get this really angry wrinkle right there. [Souji reached up and pointed between Cliff's eyebrows.] I think old people get that, but you didn't, so you must not be that old.

[He pulled his arm back and then laughed again.]

And I would, but I don't know if you'd want to marry me. I'm not as good a cook as I was in our pretend house.

[A look. Cliff stared at Souji, clearly dumbfounded.]

Why's cooking so important? I know a few people who kick me out of the kitchen all the time because they wanna do it on their own.

[He couldn't figure out the reason either. It wasn't like he tried to burn the noodles he was wanted to boil, after all. It just somehow happened when he was busy ~~annihilating~~ squishing the cucumber for the sauce. That was exactly how spaghetti worked, wasn't it?]

Besides, it ain't you're cooking that matters. You're a friend. [He took full advantage of his rights as an old man to reach forward and ruffle Souji's ponytail.]

That's the part that matters.

[Why wasn't cooking important? Souji was also just as dumbfounded as Cliff was for a moment, then laughed away the ruffling of his hair.]

When you find someone who is a good cook, you'll understand. I would have liked to introduce you to my friend if she were still here. I think she could have changed your mind.

[He could cook, but he was nowhere near as good as Ayumu. Not that many were. Souji let his head roll to the side, his temple resting against his arms again, and thought for a moment on the absurdity of their situation. He smiled at Cliff and his optimism, heartened by his words even if the weight of his future hadn't fully lifted.]

I'll have to take lessons, I guess.

Yeah. Well...

[He didn't really need Souji, or anyone, to cook for him. It wasn't his fault that no one else appreciated his art!]

You can take whatever lessons you want. I'm not gonna complain about getting free food out of it if you need someone to test it either.

[Headscratch. Cliff looked away, clearly pondering the strangeness of the situation himself. Souji was a friend, but he didn't deny that there was more affection than there was before.

Maybe he could fill Souji in on a few details. Someday.]

Then why don't you and Fayt-kun come by for dinner sometime? Kohaku-chan doesn't eat save for milk and honey, but she appreciates the company.

[Saizou snorted and Souji lifted his head to look at him. The pig was staring, wondering why they were still here if they were no longer hiding. That was a good question, of course, but Souji tilted his head back, considering his options. When he spoke, he was still looking at Saizou, even if his question was directed at Cliff.]

Have you eaten yet?

No, I haven't.

[Cliff was still looking out the window as he spoke, watching the clouds move by on the currents that carried them. It was funny. The sky was always the same no matter what world he travelled to. Distant, and filled with clouds that lazily watched the world like it was some kind of tv drama.

He wondered what this counted as.

Souji's suggestion was the basic idea of a family dinner, complete on a sunday evening with some kind of meticulously prepared but homey entree and pie for dessert. Just like those old dramas he occasionally heard Earthlings talk about.

It sounded like it could be fun.]

...We'll need to include Nel in this too. She's one scary lady when she's left out.

[Then family dinners or not, it was decided. It would be good to have people over again. The house could get quiet with just the two of them there and maybe Kohaku could bring some of her friends, too. Souji always felt better when he was surrounded by people, especially at meal times. He smiled at Saizou first, then turned his gaze to Cliff.]

Oh, I assumed she'd be coming with Fayt-kun. Or were they not together in your world either?

[Cliff also liked the idea of it. He missed the loud, boisterous camaraderie of his fellow Klausians on the Diplo, or even the misadventures in the inns during his travels through Aquaria and Aeriglyph.

Cliff tilted his head and raised an eyebrow, as if in askance at Souji.]

Together? No way! She's one tough lady back home. An intelligence operative, if you will.

[He paused. Perhaps that was too modern a term to understand.]

Uh...wait. You'd probably call her a Ninja.

[He laughed openly at that, feeling more like his old self now as he rocked back a little.]

Oh! Yes, I told her that once and she was very confused. She's very cute, even if she could probably kill me in my sleep.

[Not that it was likely to happen what with how lightly he slept, but he recognized talent when he saw it.]

They made such a cute couple though. ...I wonder how they are holding up.

Knowing the two of them? They're both fine.

[Cliff didn't need to check in on them to know it was true. You travel around unknown territory in the 'custody' of an imposing runologist and spy for long enough to fight dragons and survive a war...and you become very familiar with eachother's methods and ways.

It was like how he was becoming with Souji, and the return of that old smile was a flag for him to investigate.]

...how 'bout you? Feeling better?

[Fine, huh? If Cliff seemed so sure about it, Souji wanted to take his word for it. He knew he could trust Cliff, but at the same time, he wouldn't be completely reassured until he saw them himself. He didn't know Fayt and Nel as well, even after playing pretend as family for a week, so he was naturally worried about them.

When Cliff asked after him, he paused and looked over. Cliff was still concerned and Souji didn't want to worry him any longer. Even if he wasn't 'better' per say, he no longer needed to hide so he smiled back at Cliff as if nothing were wrong.]

Once I sleep, I'm sure I'll be fine. Before that, would you like to get something to eat?

Once you sleep, huh?

[He lifts an eyebrow, not believing Souji was telling the entire truth for a moment but also not verbally calling him on it. He had gotten Souji to think, and that was enough of a success for him.

Cliff laced his fingers together and stretched, easing out the tension in his shoulders and neck from sitting like that for their entire conversation. He paid no mind to any cracking joints. It was just the normal reward for knocking heads and being knocked back for twenty-odd years. It was simple, like his mentality on the shift itself.

There was never a reason to hide because there was nothing to be hidden.

Groaning as he worked out tight muscles, Cliff pulled himself to his feet and shot a mischeivous glance at Souji.]

I'm always up for getting something to eat. [He jerked a thumb over his shoulder.] Let's go.

[--but, instead of heading directly toward the door, he moved to bodily grab Souji.

It was all in good fun. Don't flail too hard.]

[Those cracking joints made Souji raise an eyebrow of his own. For a fighter, it made sense for someone to have a few kinks here and there, but the way Cliff's shoulders popped, it sounded like he hadn't relaxed or had a massage in far too long. As he climbed to his feet, Souji made a move to follow.]

I could help you tak--

[But was cut off mid-sentence as Cliff suddenly grabbed at him. Even when it was just between friends, Souji had never been very good when it came to sudden movements and when Cliff grabbed at him, he instinctively twisted to get out of the way. Maybe it was his fatigue or maybe it was just that Cliff caught him by surprise, but he felt arms grab him around the waist and hoist him up as he made a very undignified sound of surprise. He almost hit his head on the ceiling as he rose up and over the Klausian's shoulder, still trying to find a foothold in the increasingly strange reality going on around him. Down below, he could hear Saizou grunting and oinking up a storm as he ran around Cliff's feet, looking for a place to bite him.]

Whoa-ho~~

[Cliff laughed as he danced around the agitated little pig and struggled to hang onto the flailing Souji.]

Hey. Hey now--!

[A sidestep. He placed his free hand on a wall to maintain his balance as Souji kicked fruitlessly at the air and scrabbled for a hold on his shoulders, his shirt. Another hop to dodge Saizo. He was glad he was wearing his boots that day...]

Edited 2013-08-26 22:43 (UTC)

[The momentary panic passed and Souji began to settle down, having found a place to grab onto Cliff's shirt in the back so he didn't slide one way or the other. Unfortunately, Saizou didn't seem to be getting any less agitated and as Cliff dodged, the pig kept attacking. It wove in and out between his feet, nipping at his heels.

Meanwhile, having calmed down, Souji finally laughed a little.]

He thinks you're kidnapping me.

Oh, I'd say he's got the right idea.

[Cliff laughed and whirled around the little pig until he saw an excellent opening to take. He tightened his hold on Souji.]

'Abduction' is on my rap sheet...not that he cares. You holding on tight back there?

Apparently he cares a little bit. [If his biting at Cliff's heel is any indication. Souji tightened his grip on the back of Cliff's shirt and tried to turn his head to look at his friend a little better.]

Yes, but where are we going?

Out!!!

[Sidestepping the Saizo once more-- and still glad for his boots-- Cliff took a few steps back before he launched himself down the hall, clear over Saizo and next to the door.

He flashed the pig a grin.]

Haha~ See ya!

[A sharp kick sent the door down and he bolted down the hall. He could only maintain the speed for a brief charge, but he would find an escape.]

Well, I cou--

[Anything else he could have said was cut off by the sudden movement and the bolt to the door and down the hall. Despite his bumpy ride, Souji could see Saizou squealing and tearing off after them in a dead-heat chase. It was all he could do to keep from laughing in between trying not to fall off and also trying not to hit his head on the ceiling as the Klausian fled to make good on his escape. Saizou was kicking up puffs of lint and dust as he ran after them and squealing bloody murder.]

Aw--damn that pig!

[He could feel the pig's murderous intent boring into him as he fled, leaping down the staircase level by level until they reached what Cliff would define as a 'safe' height.

There was a plan. There was always a plan.

Cliff rounded a corner into the hallway on the third floor, using the frame as a pivot to further his momentum.]

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