//eyes on me

[worlds-serpent.livejournal.com]

[After a room had turned Liquid into a perfectly healthy version of himself that actually looked forty-two rather than death warmed over, his mood had improved considerably. Add that to the fact that he had finally reconciled with his Otacon, and things were definitely looking up for him.]

There should be one around here somewhere.

[So now they were walking through the halls in search of a kitchen--some calm and quiet time between the two of them was long overdue.]

[Locked to vestri_vires]

Comments

[vestri-vires.livejournal.com]

[He laughs softly.]

Why am I not surprised to hear that?

[Otacon is also glad for that, too. <3]

[worlds-serpent.livejournal.com]

When you've survived as much as I have, just having something not kill or maim you is enough to let it pass as relatively harmless.

[He laughed, working on making two cups of tea.]

[vestri-vires.livejournal.com]

...I see.

[His mood takes a downturn at that. James really has been through a lot...]

[worlds-serpent.livejournal.com]

...It was a joke, Hal. Don't be so miserable.

[vestri-vires.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry.

[Getting up, he approaches James, slipping his arms around his waist from behind and resting his head on James' shoulder.]

All that's in the past, right? So I shouldn't let it get to me.

[worlds-serpent.livejournal.com]

...

[That was a pleasant surprise. Liquid leaned back against Otacon just slightly, a sincere smile on his face.]

That's right.

[vestri-vires.livejournal.com]

[He closes his eyes, enjoying the closeness, the intimacy of this. The smile on his lips is just as sincere.]

Then I'll try not to. [For you.]

[worlds-serpent.livejournal.com]

...

I love you, Hal.

[He couldn't quite articulate how much he'd missed his Otacon--that was close enough.]

[vestri-vires.livejournal.com]

...I love you too, James.

[His arms tighten a little around James' waist. How could he have ever let this man go?]

[worlds-serpent.livejournal.com]

[Because he was a victim of selective stupidity.]

You know, love, it's not easy to finish making this tea with you hanging on me. Not that I particularly mind it.

[vestri-vires.livejournal.com]

[He lets him go, but not before pressing a light kiss to his jaw. Instead of returning to his seat, he leans against the bench.]

You're right, I'm sorry.

[worlds-serpent.livejournal.com]

[Liquid wasn't blushing just slightly. It must have been a trick of the light.]

You apologize far too much, Hal. [He smirked, holding out a cup of tea for the engineer while taking one for himself.]

[It had been a long time since he had been home in England, but the blond still prided himself on his ability to make a flawless cup of tea.]

[vestri-vires.livejournal.com]

[He takes the cup with a slight smile.]

Thanks.

[Sipping it leisurely, he smiles.]

As delicious as always.

[worlds-serpent.livejournal.com]

You're damn right it is. [His smirk grew just a little wider at that.]

[vestri-vires.livejournal.com]

You always make the best tea, James.

[worlds-serpent.livejournal.com]

I'm careful to make sure I do everything to the absolute best of my ability.

[He glanced pointedly at Otacon with a mischievous smirk.]

Everything.

[vestri-vires.livejournal.com]

[Hal goes a little red at that, though he smiles.]

I have to agree.

[Quickly he takes a sip of his tea so he has the chance to stop his cheeks burning.]

[worlds-serpent.livejournal.com]

[Otacon was embarrassed. Mission accomplished.]

[Snickering, Liquid took a drink of his own tea while slipping his free arm around Otacon's waist.]

[vestri-vires.livejournal.com]

[He leans into Liquid without thinking, smiling into his cup. His cheeks are still burning.]

[worlds-serpent.livejournal.com]

[Liquid didn't say a word for aminute or two, quite content to stay like that for a bit longer.]

...it feels like I haven't seen you in forever.

[vestri-vires.livejournal.com]

...same here.

[His meaning is a little different. Even when they'd been together, it had been like they were apart. He hadn't really "seen" Liquid then, not wanting to look, to see that handsome face filled with the sadness or hatred he knew the man surely must feel.]

[worlds-serpent.livejournal.com]

...I want you to know I never hated you. I was angry, certainly, but I didn't hate you.

[Hatred came easily for Liquid, and it always had. He could despise someone so easily for the smalest of things, from his father for treating him miserably right down to Raiden somany years ago just for being irritating. And even though it had felt like Hal stabbed him in the chest...that burning hatred simply never came into play.]

[vestri-vires.livejournal.com]

[He closes his eyes, resting his head on James' shoulder. It hurt, somehow, to realise Liquid hadn't hated him. He'd been so sure that the man would never forgive him, that he'd hate him forever... But he was relieved, as well.]

I wouldn't have blamed you if you did.

[worlds-serpent.livejournal.com]

I won't lie, I certainly tried to. I thought if I did, it would be easier. That perhaps it wouldn't bother me as much.

[He sighed, setting down his cup of tea and tightening his hold on Otacon.]

But I couldn't. I simply couldn't hate you after all we'd been through together.

[vestri-vires.livejournal.com]

[There are tears pricking at his eyes and he blinks them back.]

I thought... I'd ruined everything. That you'd hate me forever.