recitings | [SC] Ten Years Ahead [Genesis + Clovis]

Sound mind and body. His hand lightly touched his forehead as he slipped out of the underground passage to the surface. He moved to press his fingertips against his eyes as he focused on just the feeling of that pressure before finally leaving the safety of the city below. Supplies are getting just a little low. Clovis mumbled to himself as he fiddled with his cravat. Even if he had gone to dress more casually, he still wore this bit of accessory as just messing with it helped to keep his mind busy.

He let his gaze fall upon his gloveless hands. It had also been awhile since he had given up wearing them, but it seemed almost symbolic in a way. For a prince who never got his hands dirty, he finally was doing so both metaphorical and physical. Raising his hand, he lightly laughed into it before setting off. With his status as a deathscythe, with his weapon ability now known, he felt confident about heading to get supplies on his own. Spirit and Genesis would be most proud of me, wouldn't they?

The prince smiled to himself in a thoughtful manner as he thought of his dear friends now lost. He painted their faces so that he would not forget them, not that he could with the weight on his heart. There was something that I had wanted to say to them. His head lifted a little as he looked across the terrain for any wandering Kishin, but stopped on a familiar face.

"Genesis?"

He paused in his steps as he heard someone call his name. Even after ten years, nothing much had changed about Genesis' facade. He still wore the red duster that was his armor he had in his home world, and the complete SOLDIER uniform that went with it. But with the change of the times and the way he had to survive, he seemed a little more world-weary. And the edge of his coat had begun to fray. His boots had long lost their shine as well.

Turning, he finally saw who called. It was Clovis. His bright blue eyes fixed on him. He remembered how he grew over the ten years of their friendship. Without a word, he began to move forward towards him, slowly. He was still unsure. What would he say?

What would Clovis say to a man who was considered dead a third time?

How strange. His mouth opened as he tried to think of more to say. This had happened before when he met with his younger brother, thinking he had been dead all of this time. He felt his shoulders drop and wonder if he should be jaded to think that Genesis was one who had turned traitor; that there were other Kishin and the like out and about the terrain waiting. Such a sneaky and underhanded attack. No, it does not suit him, at all.

Yet he knew that his belief of what he knew of people may not be the reality of the situation. Clovis still could not let that little bit of hope escape him. His gaze slipped off to the side as it almost hurt to see his dear friend's face after so long. Still, it always returned to it no matter how he would try to look away. Is this more of me trying to acknowledge and accept the things that I may not like?

"Well, what are you, then?" His tone soft, thoughtful. "The Hero? The Traveler? Or, the Prisoner?"

At Clovis' words, Genesis stopped walking again. He remembered. He had left LOVELESS in his room before that last mission with Vergil. He still knew everything by memory, though. It was story he never did forget.

"Even if the morrow is barren of promises
Nothing shall forestall my return"

If he wasn't seeing a mirage, then perhaps Clovis would know-- Clovis would know what his answer was.

Genesis. His hand came up to lightly wipe at his eyes, already feeling tears forming. Clovis thought that he should be far more cross with him, but the other weapon had survived. There is always someone waiting, isn't there? He pressed his lips together before finally walking toward him, remembering a conversation which he had with Colette. The prince could not quite smile as it hurt to do so.

"I'm not sure how I feel about you making me the maiden." The words were careful, but full of the emotion of missing his dear friend. "But I suppose I gave you no other choice." His hand rose to cover his mouth to stifle the soft laugh that had started, sounding almost broken. Please, do not let this be part of the Madness Wave.

Reaching into his jacket, he already felt his face burning red. He could blame it this time on holding back tears rather than the embarrassment that he was feeling. The book was carefully taken and held out to Genesis; Clovis's lips once more pressed together in a thin line. "I did wonder if you were not a little lost without it.

I offer thee this silent sacrifice."

Edited 2010-09-18 09:12 (UTC)

"Loveless. Act five," Genesis murmured, reaching out to take the book. He saw Clovis' hands and recalled how they once were constantly clad in gloves-- pristine and perfect. But now, they were here, exposed to him. His gaze lingered over them. Out of all he knew in Death City, Clovis was one of those he had missed the most.

"... it feels like it had been so long."

His words were distant, more like a spoken thought than something he wanted to convey to the other man. His red leather-gloved hands held to the edges of the book. And his eyes washed over it: the white leather cover and the fading gold lettering pressed into it. Genesis couldn't bring himself to think of anything in full coherence. All in his mind were a jumble of thoughts: Clovis' hands, the golden letters on the book, the wasteland surrounding them, the need for rest...

He stood quietly, as if caught in a trance of some sort.

"A year." His eyes closed as his head tilted up just a little. Showing a bit of the petulant prince that he once was as he was about to complain on how long it had been, and how terrible it was of Genesis to have everyone think that he was dead. To have him think that he was dead. Once the words had slipped out, his joy slipped a bit to a strange feeling. Not quite sorrow or anger, as it was the same relief as before, but little exasperated with Genesis for what he had done.

"Staying out here as we are leaves us open to attack." Especially since he was resiting the urge to cling onto Genesis and cry. Cry like he had when Spirit had died. Once more, he brushed at his eyes. Many poetic words and feelings came over him as he lightly shook his head, feeling like it was the poem and man that brought it about him.

Reaching out, he took his friend's wrist to start to lead him back into the new Shibusen. Words piled and caught up in his throat. I shall return a little to myself and be a little selfish when I am able. His steps were unsteady, but he would blame that on the desert sand rather than the idea that he was just feeling that unsteady.

Wordlessly, without any thought, he followed Clovis. Somehow, to Genesis, all it mattered now that he could finally be safe after the long year of wandering and having to battle Kishin Eggs and Witches on his own. And that didn't even include how he had to battle the Madness Wave every single day since he disappeared from Shibusen. He was fully capable of it, being a deathscythe himself, and knowing how to battle his own madness but the toil it took clearly had an effect on him. Safety was something foreign to Genesis now.

Supplies can wait just a bit. Clovis rationalized as he once more entered the pathway toward the underground city. It was strange to hold Genesis's wrist, almost embarrassing. I am a little too old for this ridiculousness. His head gave a slight tilt like he was recognizing his thoughts without wanting to admit to them. To live ten years past the time that he was supposed to die, it was strange to think in those terms.

Still, he felt just like his younger self when they were well into the underground city and realized that he was still holding onto the other's wrist. That it was not a hallucination brought on by the Madness Wave. His steps halted as his shoulders dropped before he straightened his posture to continue with more purpose to return to his room. The tightness in his chest had returned in full and made his steps that much more difficult, but he would not embarrass Genesis by making a scene where anyone could walk through the passages to see.

Door open and closed of his room, before he turned to rest his head against the other's chest. All the crying that he wanted to do upon seeing him finally came forth. His arms came to wrap around the man's neck even as he did continue on as he was. Few years ago, he would not even be willing to cry save unless he was completely alone. Thinking it shameful to show such weakness.

Was Clovis... crying? Genesis' arms slowly closed around the other man and held him close. It was strange... so terribly strange that for once, someone was crying for him. He was never comfortable for situations like these. But... perhaps he was too tired and world-weary to even feel any greater discomfort. He took a deep breath and sighed.

His arms grew a little tighter around Clovis. A silent assurance that he could cry all he wanted against him.

Alive. He's alive. His eyes closed as more tears slipped out before finally finishing with his sobbing. He couldn't help but smile a little at himself in an ironic manner. What a child that he must look like, yet he did not have the same reservations to it before. His throat still shaking just a bit as the crying died away. Clovis did not take a step back as he did pull his head away to look up at Genesis.

"You should have told us that you were alive." A light scolding, all that he could convince himself of being able to say.

Genesis broke out of his reverie at the sound of Clovis' voice. He breathed. There were so many reasons why he never told anyone that he was still alive. They would have gone to find him. They would have made him return to the frontlines. And he may not have been able to see what Vergil had become. Idly, a hand moved a little higher to play with some strands of Clovis' soft, golden hair in a fond, comforting manner. No. He didn't have to tell him all these reasons in his mind.

"I'm sorry."

Clovis opened his mouth to say something, before he bit it back. That was the younger self who would yell and posture without saying what it was that he actually wanted to say. He was comforted with his hair touched so, as he closed his eyes to sort through his feelings and thoughts. To not say something cruel or heartless in this reunion. He should have taken Genesis to Death the Kid rather than hide him away, but there was so much that he wanted to say to him.

"You needn't apologize, because you came back." A pause. "Would you like to rest?" Not quite what he wanted to say, yet, but he had to be somewhat courteous before he began talking on what it was that he wanted to say. If he started, Clovis wondered if he would actually be able to stop.

There was a pause of silence for a moment. Genesis' fingers still gently playing with Clovis' hair. So soft. It made him close his eyes. A year. And for some reason... no. Clovis didn't need to hear it. Clovis didn't need to know that Genesis missed the feel of physical affection-- something of baser desires. No.

He let his fingers fall from that lock of hair.

"Yes. It's been long since I've felt any proper rest."

"We could find you a room, or you could rest in my bed if you don't feel that you can wait for us to locate a free one for you." Clovis gestured lightly about his meager offerings, but willing to let all that he has for his friend.

Holding onto his cravat for a moment, he tugged a bit at the material. He supposed that he could wait until Genesis had slept to say what he wanted, but he also felt that a year of silence on his part was almost too long. It might have been too long and it felt that he would lose his nerve.

"I always thought kindly of you, Genesis." Clovis was able to manage to get out, rushed words. "It's silly to call a crush all the time, does it? Infatuation, then?"

It was one surprise after the other, Genesis was starting to find. First, finding Clovis out in the wasteland. Then now... Clovis' feelings for him. Goddess. And only a moment ago, he felt the incredible urge to seduce him-- to lead him into bed for his own selfish comfort.

"Clovis..." Genesis' shoulders lowered in defeat. How was he going to deal with this? He was never good with affection without a touch of lust. Feeling a little more lost and uneasy than he was earlier, his only answer was to hold the Prince a little tighter.

"I suppose that I would never tell you," Clovis lightly twisted the front of his cravat even as he was so close to the object of his affections. Pulling his hands away from the material, he set his hands lightly on the man's shoulders. His face was already feeling more than a bit red in turn.

"I suppose that it was a bit selfish to pull you away from others who would have liked to know that you survived so that I may confess to you," His gaze slipped away slightly, supposing that he should take the fact that he was still being held as something positive. "But even at my age, I feel embarrassed about these things. I do need to convince myself to say them or else I won't ever be able to do so."

Another pause. "So thank you for taking my confession and all the words that came after so kindly."

Goddess.

In all his weariness and all the surprises and the almost dream-like feel of everything, Genesis needed something more real. He couldn't stand only words. He wanted to know that this wasn't some hallucination the Madness Wave had cast over him.

With a frustrated groan, he leaned in and kissed Clovis passionately. He couldn't take it-- he couldn't take how everything felt unreal. He needed this touch to tell him he was still in reality.

The initial response was to completely still in surprise. It was equally embarrassing to admit that the only kisses that he shared were amongst his family on either cheek or forehead. His fingers curled and uncurled on his shoulders with some uncertainty before his arms once more wrapped around his neck. It helped to steady him so that he could respond properly.

It couldn't be with the same passion, but something of innocent and naive submission that he would not have otherwise shown when he was younger. Eyes closed so that his face would not turn any more red while he looked into Genesis's, but it did not help much as it only made the kiss itself that much more for him.

It was terribly hard to reconcile the need to feel another's heat with the romance he felt that Clovis deserved. At the way Clovis only returned his kiss so meekly, Genesis felt himself even more conflicted. True, he had imagined holding the man and kissing him, but this was totally different.

Clovis' first had to be with someone with a little more sanity. Someone whose mind wasn't full of nothing but base needs. With a soft groan, he pulled back. And even slower still, he let go of the other man.

"... I need rest."

An even softer noise as the kiss broke, something between a sigh and actual word. His arms were still around Genesis's neck even after he was released from the other old. He took in a bit of air upon realization before pulling his arms back to himself. It was childish to hold them behind his back; his eyes closed as he could still feel the warmth of holding and being held.

Shaking his head, he rubbed the side of his face as he nodded. "Of course, you do. That was what we were also talking about." Clovis let out a soft laugh before pivoting on his heel so that he could turn down his bed for Genesis. Still, he could not stop himself from smiling.

His head rose as he thought to say something once the covers were pulled over, before sighing instead. "I think it's quite sad of me to still be embarrassed and flustered over such things, but I'm happy to be able to show this side in front of you, Genesis."

Drawing close, Genesis' gloved hand cupped Clovis' cheek. His eyes were hazy with fatigue, yet they still were vibrant as they were years before. Things will be better once he woke up recovered. Maybe then he could treat Clovis as he deserved to be treated.

"There is nothing to be embarrassed about."

Silently, he went about the business of removing his coat, his gloves and his boots. He paused, though-- he was used to sleeping naked.

"... these clothes are uncomfortable. Would you mind if I removed them?"

Another smile appeared readily as soon as he felt the other touch his face, leaning his head just a little more into it. Even after a year, you still have the same look about you. I wonder how different I must look to you. Even if it was a year, he had gotten rid of so much of his posturing and guarded words so that people would not see him as how he was.

"Of course."

Clovis did step away so that he would not get too much into Genesis's way as he made himself comfortable for his rest. He did pause upon the question, though. The idea of the man sleeping naked in his bed did bring a new reddening to his face as he looked off to the side. I am really being very silly right now. But he had not felt the desire or need to lie with anyone. His thoughts on such manners being overly romantic and idealistic to want to be placed into reality. Not to mention that he knew no idea how to go about asking anyone into that situation.

"I wouldn't mind." He shook his head once after the long pause. The words that he should probably leave so that Genesis could have some privacy went without saying, and yet there was a very small part of him that through the romantic thoughts and blushing, did want to see him so before finally excusing himself to leave.

But to Genesis-- or at least to Genesis' weary mind at the moment, Clovis was always the same petulant golden kitten he once was ten years ago. He may physically look different, but it was hard for Genesis to see the man as anything else. As soon as he heard the permission from the other man, he begun to strip down without any hesitation, all his clothes piling up on the floor at his feet until nothing was left on him.

To a weary mind, politeness was something not necessary. Whether Clovis did or did not spare him any privacy was no matter to him. It would be the same thing if Clovis wanted to lie next to him or not later on. All that mattered to Genesis right now was that he could rest so he may think more clearly as soon as he had recovered.

He begun to move slowly towards the bed now, pulling back sheets so he could lay himself down...

The only coherent thought left in his tired mind now was simply Clovis.

His hand touched the door before turning looking toward Genesis. Upon catching sight of skin, he turned his head quickly back toward the door. Really? It was an automatic response and rush of embarrassment. Clovis set his hands against mouth as he thought of just how foolish he was being, but more than that, he should have left so much sooner. His eyes closed as he heard the other both get in and comfortable in his bed.

He did turn back so that he could walk over to fold the clothes at the foot of the bed. It really would do no good if his friend were to wake to wrinkled clothes. May have been a selfish wish to just not have to leave the man's side so soon; to find some reason to stay a little longer. One finished with the task, he stared at Genesis for a time. His hands twisted together for a time as he felt very young all of the sudden before reaching over to brush a bit of the other's hair away.

"I am overjoyed that you returned to us safely."

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