![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
[ That seems to be a common theme. Nasty monsters outside and depending on where you lived. ]
Oh. Yeah, not everyone cared for ShinRa, huh? [ He remembers Jim's words on the topic and how it's done some messed up things. But he can't help but remember what Cissnei was trying to tell him. ]
So she kicked some ass and saved the day from monsters. Did you become friends then?
Oh. Yeah, not everyone cared for ShinRa, huh? [ He remembers Jim's words on the topic and how it's done some messed up things. But he can't help but remember what Cissnei was trying to tell him. ]
So she kicked some ass and saved the day from monsters. Did you become friends then?
[ The mention of ShinRa again admittedly gets Zack looking at the floor a moment, thinking of a few conversations that seem so far away now. But at least at the mention of Cissnei again... There's the faintest smile to him. There and gone. ]
I was pretty lucky I did meet and befriend her when I did or otherwise me and Cloud... Well, me and Cloud would have been in a hell of a lot more trouble later. [ He bites his lip at the thought, glancing over at his bag. It doesn't take long for him to decide to drag it over though, stuffing a hand in the side pocket and pulling out a random pair of keys that ought to be familiar with Zell in the days where he tried to organize Zack's... organized hot mess. He tosses them to him lightly. ]
She followed me back to Cloud the first time I ran into her. She could have used him against me, but she got the Turks off our tail and gave me these instead. They were to her bike at the time.
I was pretty lucky I did meet and befriend her when I did or otherwise me and Cloud... Well, me and Cloud would have been in a hell of a lot more trouble later. [ He bites his lip at the thought, glancing over at his bag. It doesn't take long for him to decide to drag it over though, stuffing a hand in the side pocket and pulling out a random pair of keys that ought to be familiar with Zell in the days where he tried to organize Zack's... organized hot mess. He tosses them to him lightly. ]
She followed me back to Cloud the first time I ran into her. She could have used him against me, but she got the Turks off our tail and gave me these instead. They were to her bike at the time.
[ It's a familiar, well-worn rut in Jim's mind, one that's nearly impossible for him to break out of on his own. He needs to hear those words now; he may need to hear them over and over again, in the months and years that he hopes are coming.
When Zell pulls him close, he comes slowly, but when they're together again he's wrapping his arms to cling and leaning into the hand on his jaw.
You can still make things right.
Zell's right. He can fix this. He can fix everything, he's just got to try, and it started with apologizing to Zell for ignoring him. Zell - and Zack, and Kunsel, and even Mochi - are the people that have stuck with him even when he probably deserves to just be dumped in the snow somewhere. And they did it because they cared, or maybe - Jim hopes - they saw something there worth hanging onto even when it's a lot of trouble. Jim takes another wet, ragged breath and tightens his hold again. ]
Stay with me. Please. I'll be the person you see, somehow.
[ He breathes out in relief when he feels Jim holding on tight. He's not pulling away. Curling his arm around to rest against Jim's lower back as he nuzzles against the side of his face. Zell doesn't have a problem with repeating it as many times as Jim needs to hear it. ]
I don't plan on being any where else.
[ Pressing a kiss against his hair line. Working his hand up and down Jim's back in a soothing motion. ]
I'm staying with you. I want to stay even after you become that person.
[ Because it's what partners do and because he loves him. He's hoping this goes beyond just waking up tomorrow, next week, and next month. He's hoping to spend the rest of his life being able to kiss this same face. ]
I don't plan on being any where else.
[ Pressing a kiss against his hair line. Working his hand up and down Jim's back in a soothing motion. ]
I'm staying with you. I want to stay even after you become that person.
[ Because it's what partners do and because he loves him. He's hoping this goes beyond just waking up tomorrow, next week, and next month. He's hoping to spend the rest of his life being able to kiss this same face. ]
[ The place-that-should-not-be-named. There were so many questions he had on it, but he knows this wasn't the time or place. His focus was on their mutual red headed friend as he tries to put it all together. Catching the keys and looking them over. ]
That was awesome of her. [ He says it like it's surprising. He clarifies immediately ] She did something against them, huh? The Turks. She told me they were family to. [ Giving a little bit of a smile. ] Guess she likes you a lot. [ And then the weird part of the story pokes him. Quirking his brows as he looks up at Zack. ] Why were they on your tails?
That was awesome of her. [ He says it like it's surprising. He clarifies immediately ] She did something against them, huh? The Turks. She told me they were family to. [ Giving a little bit of a smile. ] Guess she likes you a lot. [ And then the weird part of the story pokes him. Quirking his brows as he looks up at Zack. ] Why were they on your tails?
[ Awesome really feels like an understatement in his eyes. Lifesaver seems more appropriate. But the thought dies pretty quick in his throat. A lot do, really. It's hard to focus on Cissnei when he's dropping a question like that.
Zack bites his lip briefly as he glances away. ]
You already know the gist of what happened at Nibelheim with Sephiroth, right? How he burned down the village. I was on that mission with him, too. So was Cloud.
[ Rubbing the back of his neck uncomfortably, he leans back on the wall, closing his eyes. ]
So, we were witnesses that could'a told the world what really happened. And with Sephiroth being this big figurehead for the company, imagine how the public would's reacted.
Zack bites his lip briefly as he glances away. ]
You already know the gist of what happened at Nibelheim with Sephiroth, right? How he burned down the village. I was on that mission with him, too. So was Cloud.
[ Rubbing the back of his neck uncomfortably, he leans back on the wall, closing his eyes. ]
So, we were witnesses that could'a told the world what really happened. And with Sephiroth being this big figurehead for the company, imagine how the public would's reacted.
[ Being around a group of guarded individuals forced the teen to look for signs and the lip biting is one of those signs. He's used to watching for that particular tell from someone else in their group. The next sign comes in Zack's hand on the back of his neck.
It's like when he tripped over the scars under Zack's shirt or when they touch on Angeal. There's something there that Zack doesn't want to touch. Zell isn't sure what part. Cloud? The reason they were running? More Sephiroth? Before he could think hard though, a question is already tumbling out. ]
Wait. They were hunting you over just being witnesses? How long were they hunting you for? [ Since he knows there was a gap. It's been a while since Kunsel seen Zack before coming here, right? ]
It's like when he tripped over the scars under Zack's shirt or when they touch on Angeal. There's something there that Zack doesn't want to touch. Zell isn't sure what part. Cloud? The reason they were running? More Sephiroth? Before he could think hard though, a question is already tumbling out. ]
Wait. They were hunting you over just being witnesses? How long were they hunting you for? [ Since he knows there was a gap. It's been a while since Kunsel seen Zack before coming here, right? ]
[ There's a certain hesitance at first. He licks his lips and breathes. ]
...They hunted us down for about a year.
[ Regardless of how steady he tries to keep his voice, there's something of an edge to it. But Zack just shakes his head and pushes through, regardless. ]
ShinRa's... complicated. There's a lot of good people in it. A lot of people that joined because they honestly did wanna help people. But it's a company. And unfortunately, it's the big shots that make the final calls and if they want you out of the picture, they'll spin whatever story makes it work for them, especially if they're afraid.
[ He adjusts his posture, leaning on a bent knee now instead. ]
And they had plenty to be afraid of. There's a lot of people who don't like ShinRa and they have good reason to after some of the stuff I've seen. So, if word got out that their war hero burnt a village to the ground in cold blood, they would have suffered a big blow. Better to make it sound like he died tragically, you know?
...They hunted us down for about a year.
[ Regardless of how steady he tries to keep his voice, there's something of an edge to it. But Zack just shakes his head and pushes through, regardless. ]
ShinRa's... complicated. There's a lot of good people in it. A lot of people that joined because they honestly did wanna help people. But it's a company. And unfortunately, it's the big shots that make the final calls and if they want you out of the picture, they'll spin whatever story makes it work for them, especially if they're afraid.
[ He adjusts his posture, leaning on a bent knee now instead. ]
And they had plenty to be afraid of. There's a lot of people who don't like ShinRa and they have good reason to after some of the stuff I've seen. So, if word got out that their war hero burnt a village to the ground in cold blood, they would have suffered a big blow. Better to make it sound like he died tragically, you know?
[ Putting Mochi down and petting the cat as he tries to fit the information in. No matter how it's spun though, Shinra's actions weren't right to him.
It hit similar to how the original proprietor to Garden wanted to give the SeeD's head over on a silver platter. To make their group out as renegades going on their own agenda. ]
That's just stupid. [ There is a piece still to Zack's words that isn't fitting in, but at the moment his focus is on just how unfair it was. ]
I get ShinRa has done some good. Cissnei made sure I knew that, but that still doesn't excuse hunting you guys down just to cover shit up. That's messed up.
It hit similar to how the original proprietor to Garden wanted to give the SeeD's head over on a silver platter. To make their group out as renegades going on their own agenda. ]
That's just stupid. [ There is a piece still to Zack's words that isn't fitting in, but at the moment his focus is on just how unfair it was. ]
I get ShinRa has done some good. Cissnei made sure I knew that, but that still doesn't excuse hunting you guys down just to cover shit up. That's messed up.
That's one way to put it. Messed up. Unfair. Dishonorable. [ Zack rattles off the words one after another, but there's no bite to them like there might have been months ago. There's too much he's already worried about. Too much that's already messed up, unfair, and dishonorable. They live it day to day there.
It's tiring.
Zack closes his eyes, arm on his knee now and gesturing with his words. ] There was a lot'a stuff like that with ShinRa though. I just... There were a lot of good people under them, too. People who really did wanna help people. I know Cissnei cared a lot- hell, she was the one that let me know my folks were fine after that reactor blew at Gongaga. And you know Kuns, too. There were plenty'a people like that. We just wanted to do something good.
[ He shrugs a little. ] I guess... maybe I hoped if I stuck with it, I could be there to do the right things. You know? I wasn't ever expecting something like that. I mean we stopped him. That was what we were supposed to do.
It's tiring.
Zack closes his eyes, arm on his knee now and gesturing with his words. ] There was a lot'a stuff like that with ShinRa though. I just... There were a lot of good people under them, too. People who really did wanna help people. I know Cissnei cared a lot- hell, she was the one that let me know my folks were fine after that reactor blew at Gongaga. And you know Kuns, too. There were plenty'a people like that. We just wanted to do something good.
[ He shrugs a little. ] I guess... maybe I hoped if I stuck with it, I could be there to do the right things. You know? I wasn't ever expecting something like that. I mean we stopped him. That was what we were supposed to do.
[ Something about Zell's movement - or the way he's sliding - unbalances Jim. He wobbles, trying to maintain balance, but it's no use: he's going down.
The thing about Jim, though? ]
- I hate to lose.
[ Which is why he's rolling over and grabbing Zell on his way down. ]
The thing about Jim, though? ]
- I hate to lose.
[ Which is why he's rolling over and grabbing Zell on his way down. ]
[ Zell is taken by surprised by this sudden betrayal. Down he goes with Jim. ]
Whoa! [ He does try to angle them so his weight doesn't land completely on Jim. Laughing as soon as they are on the ground. ]
You fell first. [ It counts as a loss, right? ]
Whoa! [ He does try to angle them so his weight doesn't land completely on Jim. Laughing as soon as they are on the ground. ]
You fell first. [ It counts as a loss, right? ]
We fell at the same time!
[ Jim's laughing too. ]
That makes it a tie.
[ Zell is dating a dirty cheater. ]
[ Jim's laughing too. ]
That makes it a tie.
[ Zell is dating a dirty cheater. ]
A tie, huh?
[ He can live with that.Look at him enabling this.
Moving his hand to Jim's side as he tries to locate his ticklish spots. ]
Does that mean we both get what we want?
[ He can live with that.
Moving his hand to Jim's side as he tries to locate his ticklish spots. ]
Does that mean we both get what we want?
[ Jim is attempting to roll away from any tickling, but matters are complicated by the mat. He's going to be caught up in it if he's not careful. ]
Depends - Zell! - depends on what you want.
Depends - Zell! - depends on what you want.
[ Jim's laughter is one of his favorite sounds. With the attempt at escaping, Zell decides to just lay his weight squarely on his boyfriend as he goes in to his cheek. ]
Me? What about you? [ Grinning, while folding his arms on Jim's chest. Resting his chin on top. ] Pretty sure you already know what I want.
Me? What about you? [ Grinning, while folding his arms on Jim's chest. Resting his chin on top. ] Pretty sure you already know what I want.
[ It's exactly what Jim needs to hear, judging by the wordless, wounded noise he makes as Zell kisses him. He believes it, and is surprised at himself for believing it; so few people in his life have stuck around, but he knows that Zell will no matter what. Even if he never lives up to what Zell thinks he is...
But he wants to. ]
So what do we do?
[ Because he knows this is one thing he can't fix on his own. ]
But he wants to. ]
So what do we do?
[ Because he knows this is one thing he can't fix on his own. ]
Oof.
[ Zell's heavy, alright, but it's a good heavy. Like a thick quilt on a cold night. ]
To get off guard duty for a week?
[ Jim pretends to guess. ]
[ Zell's heavy, alright, but it's a good heavy. Like a thick quilt on a cold night. ]
To get off guard duty for a week?
[ Jim pretends to guess. ]
[ Laughing as he shakes his head. ]
No. [ He's going to take Jim seriously. ] I like guard duty.
[ He can watch Jim and sometimes get Jim's company or snoring. Giving a quick kiss against his chin. ]
Is that what you want? To get off guard duty? [or get off while on guard duty ]
No. [ He's going to take Jim seriously. ] I like guard duty.
[ He can watch Jim and sometimes get Jim's company or snoring. Giving a quick kiss against his chin. ]
Is that what you want? To get off guard duty? [
[ In normal circumstances, the first idea that pops in his head would come tumbling out. This moment is a lot more special than that. It's more important, so Zell is churning the thoughts around in his head. Rubbing circles against his boyfriend's back as he presses another kiss against the corner of his eyes. ]
We try. [ Pulling his head back to try to meet Jim's eyes. ] We work on each issue. [ A look overtakes him as he figures out an idea. ] Do you want to try something now? [ A pause and then he hastily adds: ] It's completely up to you, Stars. We can try whenever you're ready.
We try. [ Pulling his head back to try to meet Jim's eyes. ] We work on each issue. [ A look overtakes him as he figures out an idea. ] Do you want to try something now? [ A pause and then he hastily adds: ] It's completely up to you, Stars. We can try whenever you're ready.
Maybe it is.
[ Zell will just have to find out later. ]
Hmm. Want me to carry you around all day tomorrow?
[ Time for more ridiculous guesses! ]
[ Zell will just have to find out later. ]
Hmm. Want me to carry you around all day tomorrow?
[ Time for more ridiculous guesses! ]
[ Kissing against his neck. ]
Wrong again. [ There is a pause as he thinks about it though. ] I would be impressed if you could do that. [ Grinning, and then he moves a hand to slide it under Jim and rest on his rear. ] Want a hint?
Wrong again. [ There is a pause as he thinks about it though. ] I would be impressed if you could do that. [ Grinning, and then he moves a hand to slide it under Jim and rest on his rear. ] Want a hint?
[ For once, it isn't Jim that finds Zell first, though he's not far behind. Instead it's a floating pink blob that seems to have a sense for when something's wrong, and he's trying very hard to nuzzle Zell's cheek if he'll let him. He is making noises that sound a lot like Jim, though, small shoosh-it's-okay noises, and that seems to be attracting Mochi to Zell's side as well.]
[ Zell can be found sitting on the floor in one of the far rooms with a tablet out when the pink critter finds him. Smiling at the nuzzle as he looks at Morph. If the situation wasn't so shitty, he might have laughed at Morph's impersonation. Then he spots Mochi coming over to investigate as well. ]
Hey, you two. [ His voice is hoarse with emotions. It wasn't just one friend or two. There were too many names he recognized on that list. Drawing in a breath as he rubs Morph with a finger and offers his palm to the cat. ]
Hey, you two. [ His voice is hoarse with emotions. It wasn't just one friend or two. There were too many names he recognized on that list. Drawing in a breath as he rubs Morph with a finger and offers his palm to the cat. ]
Edited 2017-01-11 10:06 (UTC)
we put
all dolls
up on stands in place
ithink some thing op en ed ?
wewill check
door
to mor row
all dolls
up on stands in place
ithink some thing op en ed ?
wewill check
door
to mor row
Page 27 of 60