#033 - [ACCIDENTAL VIDEO/AUDIO]

[amethystsregret]

Faster!

[Tsuzuki's voice is heard calling as a Finder rolls out of camera view. The gollem finds him quickly again. He's running in a training room full of pillars. A crack of lightning is heard, making the Finder roll to the left.]

You have to move faster! Your body needs to more instantly! You can do it!

[The Finder gasps for air as he hides behind a pillar. His gollem is with him. It peaks out to see Tsuzuki, flying in the air with a glowing talisman in his hand. His hand is on his hip.]

If you can get it once today, we'll call it a day, okay?

Sounds... good... Mr. Tsuzuki...

[Tsuzuki swings his talisman sending a bolt of lightning toward the pillar. The Finder sees the light and dodges away.]

Good work, Shawn. You're done for the day.

[The feed dies on Tsuzuki, landing on the ground with a smile.]

[[ooc: One of Tsuzuki's training sessions got recorded. He's hard at work, trying to prepare our Finders in dodging! I'm back everyone! Sorry I was gone so long. Chelsea got Bronchitis at the con, so I've been checking on her all week.]]

Comments

Re: [Video]

[inyourf-ace.livejournal.com]

Hang on I'm coming.

Re: [Video]

[amethystsregret.livejournal.com]

Ace...? [He gasped. Ace was coming to see him? Oh no! This didn't seem fair to the pirate. He felt terrible, weighting him down with his pains when he'd wanted to help him. Ace was doing fine, and he was the one burdening him. He didn't want to bring someone else down...]

[Action]

[inyourf-ace.livejournal.com]

[Hugs Tsuzuki before the older man can stop him and refuses to let go.]

No wonder you drink. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring up things that would-- I didn't know. [Leans his head against Tsuzuki's.] I won't let him touch you, got it?

Re: [Action]

[amethystsregret.livejournal.com]

It's not your fault, Ace. Please don't feel that way... [With Ace's charm, he knew he couldn't escape his grasp. He glanced behind him at the taller man. He shouldn't have to feel this way. It wasn't a burden he should carry... He nodded in response.] I got it...

Re: [Action]

[inyourf-ace.livejournal.com]

No you don't! Stop trying to protect everyone else from how you feel and protect yourself!

[Back of his shoulders ripple flames.]

Re: [Action]

[amethystsregret.livejournal.com]

[Leaning his dark-haired head back, Tsuzuki felt the heat from Ace's back. It was comforting. He'd never been afraid of fire, especially since he'd met Suzaku. He could still remember the embrace of the Great Fire Bird the day he nearly let Mariko kill him. Suzaku had said something similar to what Ace just had. He closed his eyes, whispering...]

I don't know how to do that...

Re: [Action]

[inyourf-ace.livejournal.com]

[Hugs harder.]

Then I'll protect you. And you can trust me. I'm never turning my back on you or walking away or giving up. I'll never desert you or run away. Got it?

Re: [Action]

[amethystsregret.livejournal.com]

Never...?

[He smiles with his eyes closed. That sounded so nice. He reached his hands up to touch Ace's forearms.]

Thank you, Ace. Thank you...

Re: [Action]

[inyourf-ace.livejournal.com]

Yeah never. So don't you forget it, okay? [Hugs tight.] No matter what happens you've got your shiki.

Re: [Action]

[amethystsregret.livejournal.com]

I won't. You won't let me either, so I won't worry. Hm...

Re: [Action]

[inyourf-ace.livejournal.com]

Good.

I won't.

Re: [Action]

[amethystsregret.livejournal.com]

But you shouldn't forget to be there for Smoker. He comes before me after all, right? [He glanced up at Ace. Yes, a lover should be closer than a friend...]

Re: [Action]

[inyourf-ace.livejournal.com]

He knows my friends and family come first. He's a friend too, but no, he doesn't come before you.

And I was your shiki before I started dating him anyway.

Re: [Action]

[amethystsregret.livejournal.com]

[He gaped with surprise. Why would he be more imporant than Smoker? He recalled the talk he had had with Smoker about Ace. The marine seemed very dedicated emotionally; at least, he gave that impression with the jealous face. He didn't want to come between them, not when they were both his shiki. He longed for their happiness. What could he say to keep that intact?]

Really...?

Re: [Action]

[inyourf-ace.livejournal.com]

Yes.

[Action]

[amethystsregret.livejournal.com]

[He looked dumbfounded. He hadn't heard that from someone. Ace really was his best friend. He just didn't know what to do with a best friend. His eyes teared up as he tried to speak.]

Th-Thank you...

[Action]

[inyourf-ace.livejournal.com]

[Just grins.]

You're welcome. [Leans on affectionately.]

[Action]

[amethystsregret.livejournal.com]

[He covered his face before the tears began to fall. He was already called a cry baby enough, but he couldn't help it. It was almost like having Luka back. He quivered, clinging to the strong arm as he cried.]

Re: [Action]

[inyourf-ace.livejournal.com]

[HUGS TIGHTLY AND REFUSES TO LET GO.]

It'll be okay. Anything that wants to get to you has to go through my fires of hell first, and I'll beat them back. Just say the word. Whenever you need it, I'll come running. [Biting back his own tears.]

Re: [Action]

[amethystsregret.livejournal.com]

[He nodded his head quickly. He didn't know what to say, but he wanted Ace to know how grateful he was to hear those words. Taking several shaken breaths, he finally said...] Thank you... Thank you, Ace...

[Action]

[inyourf-ace.livejournal.com]

You've got it.

Re: [Action]

[amethystsregret.livejournal.com]

Sorry... I'm such... a... crybaby... I know... it's not very... manly...

Re: [Action]

[inyourf-ace.livejournal.com]

Sometimes it takes a really manly guy to be able to admit he wants to cry at all.

Re: [Action]

[amethystsregret.livejournal.com]

"You... You really... think so...?" He turned his head to look up at the pirate. Tears were still falling, but his breathing was beginning to even out. Tatsumi had always told him to be a man and take things in stride. It was so wonderful to hear someone tell him it was alright to cry...

Re: [Action]

[inyourf-ace.livejournal.com]

"I know so," Ace leaned his head against Tsuzuki's. "We all cried when Thatch died, and Pops the manliest guy I ever knew."