//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]

H-hey! ...am I really that bad?

[worlds-serpent.livejournal.com]

A bit.

But...I do like it when you worry about me.

[vestri-vires.livejournal.com]

That's good, because I worry about you a lot, James.

[worlds-serpent.livejournal.com]

You'll likely be doing it a bit less now. I'm done fighting, Hal. Permanently, unless the situation forces otherwise.

[vestri-vires.livejournal.com]

[He smiles and nods.]

That's true, but I'll still worry about you. I always do.

[worlds-serpent.livejournal.com]

There's no need to, you realize. I can take care of myself.

[vestri-vires.livejournal.com]

Even so! I still worry. It's just the way I am.

[worlds-serpent.livejournal.com]

It's kind of sweet, really.

[vestri-vires.livejournal.com]

...it is?

[He sounds rather surprised by that statement.]

[worlds-serpent.livejournal.com]

Definitely.

[vestri-vires.livejournal.com]

[He laughs softly.]

It's a good thing you think so, then.

[worlds-serpent.livejournal.com]

Yes, perhaps it is.

[vestri-vires.livejournal.com]

...do you remember the day we met?

[He leans against the counter, looking thoughtful.]

I feel like my life has gotten much better since I met you. Even when things were frightening and all I could do was worry, I felt like my life was improved just by knowing you. Just by having you there, everything seemed brighter. It still does.

[worlds-serpent.livejournal.com]

Vividly; a week or so before the rebellion.

[Liquid didn't answer for a second or two, thinking about this.]

...Would you like to know something, Hal?

[vestri-vires.livejournal.com]

...what is it, James?

[There's a tentative note to his voice, as if he's expecting James to say something he isn't going to like.]

[worlds-serpent.livejournal.com]

You...changed me, Hal. Drastically. I was a cold, cruel individual before I met you...and I was alone.

I couldn't go back to being like that even if I wanted to, and it's thanks to you that I'm like that.

[vestri-vires.livejournal.com]

...James...

[He's startled to hear such a frak confession out of Liquid. It's true that he was a different person when they first met, but the thought that he'd contributed so much to it... it's overwhelming.]

I'm glad that you changed. You're not alone now, and I like you the way you are. You don't frighten me. But I don't think it was all thanks to me.

[worlds-serpent.livejournal.com]

You definitely had a large part in it, I assure you.

[vestri-vires.livejournal.com]

...really? Wow. I feel... sort of like I did something really special without knowing it.

[worlds-serpent.livejournal.com]

Perhaps you did.

[vestri-vires.livejournal.com]

Whatever I did, I'm glad I did it. I'm even gladder I got the chance.

[worlds-serpent.livejournal.com]

I'm quite pleased as well, Hal.

[vestri-vires.livejournal.com]

[Smiiiile.]

That makes two of us, then!

[worlds-serpent.livejournal.com]

I suppose it does, doesn't it?

[vestri-vires.livejournal.com]

Hey, James?

[He sinks down into a chair, leaning his head on his hand.]

Are there a lot of those weird rooms from before?