For stonewalling

[blade_beam]

After a series of back and forth messages Cloud finally agreed to meet a total stranger in a nearby market. He couldn't really say why he'd agreed to do it, perhaps he was bored, lonely or a bit of both. The playful jostling for power had made him think back to something, or more specifically, someone. But when he tried to recall that person he couldn't remember a name or a face - just a familiar, warm feeling.

About half an hour after the last text Cloud could be found loitering at the edge of the marketplace. He stood out in the crowd with that shock of blond hair and vivid green-blue eyes. A few minutes passed before he sent what he thought would be a final message.

Comments

[stonewalling]

If Gladio noticed the things Cloud stared at in interest, he didn't make any mention of it. He was more than welcome to stop and get a closer look at whatever it might be; Gladio might be eager to see what the little guy had in him, but he was in no rush.

The sudden complaint and shrug didn't exactly come as a surprise, though it still got a raised brow. "Yeah? You make a decent one." Gladio dropped his arm just before they made their way into the motel lobby, half tempted to instead slap Cloud's bottom. Better they not make a scene, at least for Cloud's sake.

"We need a room. Clean. Spacious. Can you help us?" It was more of a demand than anything else, Gladio casually leaning against the service desk as the man behind grabbed them a key, too focused on Gladio's stern face to really notice Cloud and make any judgements about them. "Thanks. Let's go." He led the way back out and down to their room. "You sure you up for this?"

[blade_beam]

As Gladio made the arrangements Cloud awkwardly loitered behind him, as if unsure what to say or how to interact with the staff. Instead he observed and found himself engaged in how direct and confident Gladio was in the exchange. That sort of confidence reminded him of someone, who exactly he couldn't put his finger on, before he told himself that it reminded him of himself when he was in peak condition.

Yeah, that's right, he was confident. Only the confident made to SOLDIER first class.

When Gladio took the key to the room and almost as very second that he turned to face Cloud, Cloud made an enormous effort to come across as that cool, confident mercenary he was supposed to be. "Okay." He replied, pushing his fingers through his hair as if it needed fixing.

This place seemed quiet and Cloud secretly appreciated Gladio having taken note of that in his request. When they got to the door that question caught him off guard for a moment before he insisted "Of course, I told you not to worry, right?"

[stonewalling]

You know, that marked the second time his spiky-haired friend did that, brushing a hand casually through his hair like that. Something Gladio sometimes did, though not intentionally. The larger man paused, gave Cloud a calculating look, smirked, and - forgive him, Cloud - ruffled his hair.

He didn't need to put on a facade for Gladio. Still, he can't say he's not a little flattered and impressed, but Cloud had his respect and impressed the hell out of him when they fought side by side. The guy was no slacker, at all.

"Yeah. Yeah, you did." The tall bodyguard scoffed in amusement and glanced around the deserted lot aside from a few cars, then back to Cloud. "In that case..." Kneeling down, he quickly scooped the shorter man up onto his shoulder. He carried him inside like that and tossed him down playfully onto the waiting bed.

[blade_beam]

There was something about having his hair ruffled like that that made him think back to a time he couldn't quite recall. When someone he cared about very much used to do that exact same action. But whenever Cloud tried to remember who that was the face was blurred and voice obscured. However, he could tell from his hazy memories that they were older and taller than him and had black hair - just like Gladio. Could the person he forgot be--

--That train of thought was cut off when he was suddenly hoisted into the air like he weighed nothing. Without meaning to, Cloud gasped and found himself gripping the shoulder he'd been placed on to try and regain some of his lost balance. "I-I can walk!" He insisted, feeling very self conscious and nervous that that feeling was going to show in his face.

Before he could truly complain about the situation he felt himself falling and then flopping onto the bed - out of breath even though he hadn't done any of the heavy lifting.

There was a bit of a deer in headlights look to him for a moment as he readjusted to gravity. It passed as quickly as it came and Cloud attempted to get back some of that 'cool' attitude from before. "You caught me off guard with that, that's hardly fair."