aerialassault | Appointments

[He glanced down, as if trying to look at Souji from his vantage point, and grinned.]

Can I just go with 'all of the above'? [He asked, his voice was light with laughter. Relaxing into the moment, Cliff reached for Souji's hand once more.] You're something else. I just wonder, what made someone like you go for an old guy like me?

Mmm? [He didn't move his hand away when Cliff reached for it; instead turning his palm up so they could actually hold hands more naturally. Somehow, being here, with the water and steam and privacy, Souji thought it might be okay to be affectionate. So long as no one saw them, it was fine, right?]

There's more to you than just 'an old guy,' you know.

Besides... [He gently twisted the strand of hair in his fingers, twirling it together.] I could ask you the same thing.

[Despite knowing what Souji was, Cliff still wanted this. Most would have been scared or intimidated, but not him. In his own way, Cliff was very unique. His personality was attractive and his straightforward nature was different from everything Souji knew. Even if he might eventually leave to go back to his own war, Souji knew he wouldn't regret what happened between them. After giving up on ever finding anyone to care about him, Cliff had shown up out of the blue like a shock of lightning. He was different - special.]

You'd just laugh at me if I told you why.

Nah, I don't think I'd laugh, [he said, squeezing that hand nestled in his-- all affections were fine while they bathed in the privacy of the steam and each other's company. There would be no giggles between voyers and conspirators later on.]

But, if you'd rather hear my side of things first...

[Cliff pulled back and dared to look at Souji straight in the eyes.]

...You're funny, and your fierce like some kinda wild animal sometimes. You know how to make someone's day no matter how rough it is...

And you're strong. I don't need to worry about you getting hurt or falling behind. Even if you do, I know you'll give 'em hell and do what you can to make 'em regret it.

[He smiled. The very things he listed were the very reasons why he bothered with trying to find love back in his world. There were few that he could trust to be strong enough and self-sufficient enough to manage with him and his chosen line of work. While Quark wasn't an established party in Luceti, the dangers and risks with the nature of this world were the same-- and Souji, who had been here for five years and who seemed so broken and fragile sometimes, still managed to keep moving forward with a smile on his face despite these and any odds.

Cliff admired that strength, and his strength as a warrior.]

[When Cliff suddenly pulled back and looked him right in the eyes, Souji was a little stunned. It wasn't often that he found himself on the opposite end of such an intense gaze and he'd never been told things like what Cliff said. Wild animal aside, of course. He'd been called that, but never in a good way and Souji could barely hide his wide-eyed surprise at how Cliff was opening up to him.

He was wrong about one thing though; Souji wasn't strong. He was barely holding together enough to make himself seem normal, and yet Cliff was calling him strong. But Cliff was smiling and Cliff didn't know about how Souji spent his early mornings or what happened to books that would never interest him. It was a small part of his life that he couldn't really share because no one would ever really understand. It was insanity - even the Hijikata from the other world had called it that.

But Cliff didn't know, and so Souji smiled back, raising a hand to touch the Klausian's cheek.]

You think too highly of me, Cliff-san. But thank you.

I wish I could tell you all the reasons why, but there are so many and I've never been very good at this. [He turned his hand around, running the back of his fingers down Cliff's jaw slowly.] But you are important to me, more important than I've let anyone become since I left home. I would fight by your side and die for you, if you asked it of me. In our own way, that is how samurai define our affections.

It's fine. You don't need to say anymore. [Smiling, he reached out and took a lock of Souji's hair between his fingers, idly playing with it while he spoke.] I think I understand...

[It was such an old style of morality that was almost wholly foreign in his era, as people didn't define themselves by their particular roles any longer. A soldier was just a man, not a paragon of justice. Trust between warriors, such as what Souji described, was an intimacy entirely of its own.]

[Souji smiled faintly, hoping that Cliff did understand. He was still new to the idea of affection apart from devotion. The only way he knew how to show someone he cared was to fight and die for them. He had never known if his affections had been returned at home, but here, at least, he did. Now he just had to learn how to show his loyalty and his feelings without needing to die for it; the gods only knew if he could.

He pulled his hand back and watched Cliff play with his hair. He'd done the same thing to the Klausian a moment before and yet he felt his face turning pink at the role reversal.]

I suppose I should trim my bangs, hm? I could tidy up your hair, too, if you'd like.

[The little affectionate gestures were what encouraged Cliff to notice the details in the first place. Those hands pulling his hair back and tying it into a tail, those same hands brushing bits of dust or glitter from his shoulders, the covert entries to leave little surprises, and the general fussing were just hints at the thoughts that had remained unspoken.

They made Cliff wonder if he was doing enough. The many things that called for his attention never did lend themselves towards him being any good with relationships like this, but he wanted to to do right by Souji.

At least it didn't take him seven years to notice this. It was a start.

He chuckled when he saw Souji flush under the attention and pulled back-- maybe it was too much.]

If you don't mind trimming it, then I won't say 'no'.

[Once more, it was Souji doing something for him. He would need to find some way to return the little gestures.]

Edited 2014-02-06 19:55 (UTC)

It's something I've become accustomed to doing.

[And it was a little something he could do, a little bit of devotion he could show to someone who meant something to him. It'd been so long since he'd had such a chance that the idea almost felt foreign, like remnants of a dream he'd almost forgotten being brought back by a random scent passed on the street. Souji tucked the loose bit of hair behind his ear and smiled faintly, hoping that he didn't look too sheepish suddenly.]

I can do it now or later, whenever you'd prefer.

[Cliff sighed, knowing full well that such gentle, affectionate, and almost motherly gestures were as much a part of Souji's manner and person as his protectiveness and his blade.

It was beautiful.

Reaching out, he gently touched Souji's shoulder and hoped that he wasn't breaching any unspoken rules.]

Later, [he said,] we've got plenty of time for it.

If that is what you wish.

[Souji smiled back at him and reached up, touching his hand briefly. It was a gentle unfamiliar touch, but he liked it and he smiled to show it. He let it linger, then slid his hand away, trailing his fingers down Cliff's hand.

Which reminded him. He looked at his fingertips and made a face, holding the semi-wrinkled tips up for Cliff to see.]

I think this is how plums look after the pickling season, don't you?

[He studied Souji's fingers intently for a moment before he lifted his hand and studied his own.]

...huh. Can't say I've tried pickled plums, but we do look kinda like raisens right now.

Maybe it's time we retire to the bathhouse then? [He smiled and stood, grabbing his towel to wrap around his waist.] If you'd like I can work the tension out of your shoulders with a massage - I used to do it often at home.

Alright, [he said, joining Souji.] But only if you let me do you, too.

[The little displays of affection were always too one-sided for his tastes. He needed to fix that.]

[He'd never actually received a massage himself, so he had to stop for a moment to think. Would he enjoy having a massage? Hijikata certainly seemed to, so maybe it was pleasant and thus okay for him to partake in as well. He tilted his head to one side as he thought, then straightened and smiled, nodding.]

Alright. But let's get inside, hm? It's far too cold out here.

Uhm-- right

[In the summer they could have made themselves comfortable on the deck, but that was impossible in January. Suppressing a shudder from the sudden chill, Cliff hurried back toward the dressing rooms. Whatever supplies were available inside-- he wasn't sure, after all-- he knew that they would make the most of it.]

[Souji followed after him, not quite shivering as much as Cliff was, but then he was used to suppressing such things in favor of staying quiet on long, dark nights watching for enemy movements. Once they were back into the bath house, he reached for Cliff's hand and tugged lightly on it.]

Thank you. For bringing me here.

[Cliff looked down at Souji in surprise when their hands touched, and was taken aback by the bittersweet sincerity that he read in the warroir's smile.]

No, [he said, pulling Souji near.] Thank you.

[It was only a few steps before he was closer to Cliff, looking up at him with a half smile.]

It was my pleasure to spend time with you, Cliff-san. I hope you know that I will always be willing to spend time with you.

Yeah, I do, [Cliff murmured, smiling himself.] And I hope you realize the same.

I had an idea of the sort.

[He smiled back and then squeezed Cliff's fingers lightly before letting go.]

Now, we best get changed before we catch a cold or someone comes in and wonders why we're both standing in towels, hm? When we get back to the village, we can do massages - it'll be like one of those spa things people talk about.

Yeah, it will be, though I can't say I've ever been to one.

[He had ideas. The media and stories from friends are great ways to keep informed.]

So, [he said, his grin taking a mischeivous turn,] your place or mine?

That depends on whether you want Saizou to help or not.

I'm sure he wouldn't mind walking up and down your back.

Mine, then.

[He didn't want to risk the little guy actually trying to bite him. Though Cliff didn't mind Saizou, there wasn't much love that was lost between them.]

Besides, it'll give you a chance to meet Voomy. He's been very patient about waiting.

[Souji laughed, one hand held up to cover his mouth.]

I'll have to put a ribbon on him, then, for being such a good patient-- [Whatever he is. ...round thing.] --thing.

Shall we go?

'Machine'.

[Cliff chuckled when he offered Souji the correct word, idly wondering about how many other things he would need to explain while they had time.]

Yeah, let's get outta this cold, man.

Jan. 10th | 3pm | Hot Springs

ahappylie - 2014-02-19 02:28 (UTC) - Expand