Get your fancy duds on

[jackassjohn.livejournal.com]

[Big Boss sits in a cozy Italian restaurant, gently swirling the wine in his glass. In a moment, he'll be calling fancy_shooting to join him.]

[In the meantime and as he waits for his date, the old soldier simply observes the others in the restaurant.]

[((Come have a fancy dinner with your own date, or bother Big Boss. Replies may be late because school.))]

Comments

[jackassjohn.livejournal.com]

[A mild chuckle at Ocelot's eagerness.]

Leading, I suppose. Being at the head of an army is much different from being one of its soldiers. I've become more...aware of things, I suppose.

[He sips from his own wineglass and smirks. Under the table, his foot runs a little ways up the inside of Adam's leg in a brief caress. A glint of something more than humor enters his eyes as he nearly purrs] You already know some of the other skills I've learned.

[Then, the shod foot is gone and there's nothing but innocence on the old man's face. It was as if Ocelot had imagined the entire thing.]

Can't say I enjoy the paperwork, though.

[fancy-shooting.livejournal.com]

You know, I always thought you'd make a strong leader. I'm not surprised. I think you can handle more than just an army, though--

[He's interrupted by the touch to his leg, freezing in surprise. Was that an accident? He gives John a hard look, trying to understand what's in his head. He remembers the other night with this man, where he continuously suggested that Ocelot's pleasures and feelings were important... but why? Why would he do anything as stupid as putting someone else's desires above his own? It frustrates Ocelot to have his romantic ideas about unconditionally sacrificing himself for Big Boss be displaced.]

...

You took something from me that other night. Do you have it with you?

[jackassjohn.livejournal.com]

[Hmph. Not the direction he'd wanted the conversation to go, but it's not too great a loss.]

I do.

[He's interrupted when the server returns with their food. The Nexus figment is dismissed quickly after he sets their meals before them, and Big Boss continues after a moment of silence.]

Whatever happened to that jammed bullet you used to wear?

[As far as the old man is concerned, that clone was encroaching on his territory.]

[fancy-shooting.livejournal.com]

I used it. On the plane with you. It was a blank, remember?

[He looks at John a moment longer, idly bringing his own boot forward under the table to gently scrape his spur against the man's calf.]

[Then he picks up a fork and starts slowly sucking up a few strands of pasta, drawing the slippery food between his pursed lips.]

[jackassjohn.livejournal.com]

That's right.

[He wanted to remind Ocelot of the loyalty the young man had had back then; the loyalty that Big Boss was reluctant to question even now, after his experiences with betrayal.]

[The pressure on his leg doesn't seem to faze him, but it hardly went unnoticed. Ocelot's lips draw the soldier's gaze, and a hungry glint flashes in his eye.]

[fancy-shooting.livejournal.com]

[He notices the strange look in John's eye. Taking his time to swallow a mouthful of pasta, he taps the edge of his plate with a fingertip.]

Want to try some?

[jackassjohn.livejournal.com]

If you're offering.

[John neatly twirls some spaghetti around his fork and brings it to his mouth. His eye closes briefly and his look of pleasure is matched by the rumble of appreciation in his chest.]

Mm~

[fancy-shooting.livejournal.com]

[Ocelot blankly watches him, feeling his skin warm at the sight. But he's not exactly surprised, he always knew that John had a certain... passion for food.]

...

[Ocelot breathes slowly to calm himself, and reaches for the wine to take a very long sip. He needs it.]

[jackassjohn.livejournal.com]

[Oh, Ocelot's going to need it alright; Big Boss has learned how his appreciation of food can affect whoever it is that's watching him. Over the years, he's perfected that innocent ability into an art form.]

[Which all boils down to the fact that this could be a very long dinner for Ocelot.]

[fancy-shooting.livejournal.com]

[He finishes the whole glass, and looks Big Boss over again as he pours himself another.]

Enjoying it, huh?

You must not get a lot of food like that on your missions...

[jackassjohn.livejournal.com]

No, but I haven't been sent on a mission in some time. The powers that be- [He sneers slightly] -don't care to let a wild card like me off the leash.

[He shrugs his shoulders] I've developed a better appreciation of the little things, like a good meal. And good company.