[Free and Easy]

[snakenbake.livejournal.com]

[There's this young Big Boss lurking around the first floor. He doesn't want to venture too far in case his kid or the recently injured little Ocelot needs him, but he's pretty sure that won't be the case. Regardless, he wants to be responsible, so he's only muddling around on his floor. He's currently in the kitchen, of course, just milling around while he waits for his coffee to finish brewing.]

Comments

[snakenbake.livejournal.com]

[And he casually turns to look and is met with the Ocelot that wasn't so nice to him.]

[systemismine.livejournal.com]

Expecting someone else?

[He takes a few steps forward, handing John the box. Inside is a packet of cigars and a small package of chocolate.]

[snakenbake.livejournal.com]

Technically...no.

[John glances away again, immediately remembering the last conversation they had. It didn't end so well. He doesn't know what he did wrong...]

[systemismine.livejournal.com]

Another me, then.

[He closes his eyes.] I apologize for the way I behaved towards you, John.

[snakenbake.livejournal.com]

Yeah?

Well...don't worry about it.

[systemismine.livejournal.com]

No. You didn't deserve to be swept up in my affairs.

Things have become... complicated between myself and your older self.

[He bows his head slowly.] But that was not your fault in the slightest.

[snakenbake.livejournal.com]

_Hnh.

It's fine. Whatever.

[He snatches an empty coffee mug from the cabinet, failing to mask his hurt and irritation.]

-but I'm not him. I'll never be him. once

[systemismine.livejournal.com]

I will make it up to you. Somehow.

[One of the advantages of being older than John was he knew almost everything there was to know about him.]

_{If you will let me.}

[snakenbake.livejournal.com]

...

[He isn't as forgiving as his Son, especially at this age, however he is just as curious, if not more so.]

Oh yeah?

[systemismine.livejournal.com]

[Snake? Forgiving? Snake was the one that gave him the bruises he's currently sporting right now. Purple never went well with a tan.]

Name your price and I will do it. _{Maybe then I can do something right to please one of you.}

[snakenbake.livejournal.com]

Huh?

[He turns to face him and gives the old man the strangest look.]

What the Hell?

[systemismine.livejournal.com]

If there is anything you require, I will do it for you.

[snakenbake.livejournal.com]

Umm.

[He rubs the back of his head. This is just so weird to the young commander.]

_{I don't...have anything...that needs...}

[systemismine.livejournal.com]

Perhaps not right now but should the issue arise, you can rely on me.

[Why did he feel like he should be flashing some sort of agency card at him...?]

[snakenbake.livejournal.com]

...Alright?

[Awkwaaaarrrrd!]

Um. You...want some coffee?

[systemismine.livejournal.com]

[Adam began to massage his temple.]

No. I am going to rest. It has been a hectic week. Caffeine will only keep me up.

[snakenbake.livejournal.com]

[John rubs the back of his head.]

Hnh. Okay.

[He can't relax around this Ocelot like he used to. He just feels awkward and uneasy.]

...

[That doesn't stop his mind from wandering, however.]

So...

[systemismine.livejournal.com]

Thank you for offering. Perhaps I will take you up on it some time soon, if you wouldn't mind the company.

[He's trying so hard to patch the seams that have split between them.]

... What?

[snakenbake.livejournal.com]

Want some water or something?

[He was going to pry further but he decided to let it go for now. Like Adam said; it was none of John's business.]

[systemismine.livejournal.com]

... Yes. I would love some water.

[He crookedly walked further into the kitchen.]

[snakenbake.livejournal.com]

Alright.

[That helps a little, having a task to occupy his nervous hands. He turns and opens the cabinet, fetching a pint glass for Adam. He turns on the tap for some cold water and fills the glass.]

Is this fine, or do you want some ice?

[systemismine.livejournal.com]

[He can sense the nerves but he's uncertain what it is that's provoking that reaction.]

It's fine as it is.

[He takes a slow stride towards John, easing his long fingers around the glass.] What's the matter?

[snakenbake.livejournal.com]

[John gives him a look.]

You expect me to just...be over it- [He snaps his fingers] -like that?

[Taking a deep breath, he sighs out his words.] Whatever I did, I'm sorry; I don't care if I am apologizing for my other self or that I shouldn't meddle in your affairs...but of I am going to take that sort of abuse, count me out.

[Yeah, he might still be a little hurt.]

I don't treat you like your younger counterpart. I don't blame him for things you have done, and I sure as Hell won't blame him for this.

[systemismine.livejournal.com]

Did I say that I expected you to forgive me talking out of line to you in an instant? Of course not.

You have done nothing wrong, and I understand I was out of line for taking my bitter behaviour out on you.

_{Just a bitter old man that has long-gone past his chance.}

Which is why I came to you now. The sooner I apologized, the quicker we can attempt to move past the tension.

I waited fifty years for you before, John. I can just as easily do it again.

[He looked so very calm at that moment.]

[snakenbake.livejournal.com]

fifty-?

_{Jesus Christ.}

Why would you wait that long for anyone?! [That's crazy talk!]