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

[Gotcha! Can't wait ;)]

[blade_beam]

Until he was spotted he did look like a runt. At 173cm tall and with a toned but slim build, Gladio dwarfed Cloud. In those few, precious minutes in which he was anonymous he was quietly turning his phone over in his gloved hands, trying to make himself look busy enough not to be disturbed by strangers.

A voice pulled him away from his phone and he looked up, putting on a practised smile. The forced bravado of an old friend's persona masking the awkward (and often amusing) introvert underneath who occasionally peeked through from time to time.

"I don't just talk a big game," he pushed his hair back out of his face, trying hard to look smooth and cool. "And of course I'm alright, you don't need to worry about me."

and back. kinda. wanted to post at least once before bed D;

[stonewalling]

"Good!" Suddenly, after that booming voice of his, a large, muscular arm was looping itself around Cloud's shoulders, tucked him in close to Gladio's side. "Because worrying over you wasn't part of our earlier conversation. Which reminds me, let's find us somewhere nice and private, yeah?"

Cloud seemed adamant he could hold his own against the towering man, Gladio was eager to see just what else he was capable of; he was still in awe over the way the guy handled himself in battle.

And now I'm back!

[blade_beam]

That arm only made Cloud feel even smaller than he was, but rather than complain about it he tried to make himself appear bigger - like a cornered animal. He straightened his back and pushed back his shoulders to give the impression of a broader chest and slightly more height. Apart from the size difference, Cloud also noticed how Gladio's arm was surprisingly heavy and warm.

"Do you know where we can go?" He asked, still trying to sound as laid back and confident as possible.

:3

[stonewalling]

"Just so happens that I do. Come this way, blond-and-mysterious." He may not know a lot about Cloud, but Gladio did know that he liked the guy. Trying to play the tough guy by puffing out his chest and squaring his shoulders? Yeah, it was pretty amusing, he'd do him a favor by pretending not to have noticed though.

It wasn't the best, but there was a motel nearby in walking distance, somewhere they could lodge and fool around in private. With his arm still wrapped around Cloud's shoulders, Gladio lead him there.

;)

[blade_beam]

Undeniably glad that Gladio knew his way around better than he did Cloud responded with a nod, letting him take the lead. While there was no denying that Cloud was withdrawn en route to the motel, this didn't mean it was awkward. Bravado aside there was something bright-eyed and keen about the blond as he quietly observed the surrounding, sight lingering on things that he took interest in (like two kids play fighting down one alleyway).

When they finally arrived a mix of feeling self-conscious about his height and what the motel staff might say about this semi-embrace made Cloud try to shrug out of Gladio's grip. "I'm not an armrest." he complained, although there wasn't much annoyance to the comment, it felt more like an excuse than a criticism.

[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."