[Sometimes it was easier to be nothing more than simple soldiers fighting a war. It was their own world, their own principles and the cares of people's opinion for their actions was a long, long distance away. There was no expectation, just hope for survival, that maybe they would come home from the many battles.
Reaper liked to think he had a small touch of that with Talon, brief and fake as it was. In the end, he intended to nest himself deeply for answers and then destroy everything. When he removed himself from this new dream, he told himself. His revenge had meaning still, years after being cast off course of it.
He intended for Jack and Ana to survive at least.]
And yet, you're still running on fumes, aren't you? Pushed to your very limits.
[He looked at their hands, tainted as they were by the sins of their actions. He shifted his in the air to trace fingers over those raised plates under skin. Soft but hard.]
You say that, but if you are exhausted enough, you will. [Stubborn asshole.] This place is safe enough, if that's what it will take for you to not be such a stubborn asshole.
[What his mindset had returned to, why he carried the number 76 on his back so glaringly; those who knew what it meant would know what was coming for them. The rest would only see a number, secretive and buried as the files of the project were these days, only those with the power to dig it up were all likely going to be on the other end of his own last mission.
He didn't expect to come back from it in the end, and perhaps it was the same part that didn't care. Clean up messes as he went, finding what he needed along the way.
There was nothing to return to.]
Can always push further.
[They were almost as if some sort of flexible armor, soft yet hard. 76 kept his hand where it was, letting Reaper examine. Why not, reason he'd taken his gloves off in the first place. Claws were still somewhat curved, but so very sharp.]
Sleep lighter than I used to.
[Which was already light, but given the fact he did sleep outside for so long- well.]
[The anonymity was not lost on him, same as what he went through to hide his own identity as Reaper. Yes, he was known by some in the high ups of Talon, but he made certain that his identity would be kept hidden in exchange for his skills and assistance when it came to bringing Talon to power. He sacrificed who he had to, including whatever was left of himself.
They each had their way of coping. They each had their way of righting the wrongs made against them.]
Can you? You're on the verge of collapse and corruption has spread through most of your body... I think you've pushed enough.
[His fingers drew over the plates, trying to understand them, and if they were the cause of the ice and lightning that often came from 76 when they were aggressive to each other. He lightly dragged his nails over them then he moved to turn it over so he could examine 76's palm.]
If you're tired enough and you're comfortable enough, you should sleep just fine.
[Enough was never enough, always further to go, drag himself if he had to. He could and usually would, but right now he wasn't moving was he. Remaining down and leaning somewhat against both Reaper and the wall. Hadn't he suffered worse before? Kept going while bleeding out and no one was there?
They felt calloused, warm as the rest of his skin. No sign that they were anything but the beginnings of some odd armoring, could even be because of the electricity he could use. Some strange attempt to protect corrupted skin from shock.
His palm was softer, skin still clinging and outlining bone along his fingers. Still blackened like the rest of his hand. More of those red and blue lines were visible, as if the color a little brighter there along the lines of his palm.]
Can sleep just about anywhere, doesn't mean it'd actually be restful.
[He shook his head. No wonder 76 wasn't sleeping. This sort of attitude was what managed to bury Jack Morrison under tons of rubble, and he was almost tired of it. Back then it was frustrating and now it was sort of amusing because of how ridiculous it was.
He passed his fingers over that palm before grasping it in his own. He could use that to pull 76 from the wall so he could urge and force the younger man down to the floor. If they were going to try this sleep thing, he wasn't going to wait much longer. Otherwise he might throttle 76 to sleep.]
Well shut up and lay down. Listening to you self-sacrifice is getting old.
What can I say? My old boss was a real asshole, picked it up from him.
[Dry as could be with that tone, as if part of all of it had been leading up to waiting for the moment to jab that back at Reaper. He did know when to actually stop and rest, but hell if it wasn't hard to convince himself at times- got him hunting down the bastard here, however.
The moment 76 felt himself being pulled? He was dragging Reaper down with him out of reflex, fingers twisting in the grasp. Did go down easily outside of the dragging hold he'd taken of the older man, at least.]
Having issues sleeping, and staying asleep, isn't self-sacrifice you shitlord.
That's a terrible thing to say about the President of the United States. He's your Commander in Chief.
[His tone was just as dry, though there was a definite scolding undertone to it because if 76 was going to make a shitty joke, he was going to dig deeper on principle. He didn't believe for a second that 76 would fight too hard, especially they the younger man could be convinced to lay down.
In order to get what he wanted, he allowed himself to be pulled down as well. He shifted to his side so that the stitched up arm wasn't pressing to the floor and pillowed his head on his arm. He made certain to shift to his to clamp across 76's chest.]
It is when you won't give yourself more than fifteen minutes.
[He shifted his coat to toss it across them both after turning it briefly to smoke. It was as close to a blanket as he was going to allow them for now.]
[Shockingly -and perhaps even more startlingly to 76 himself- The words and mixed tone got a snort of laughter out of him. Abrupt and choked, but it was still a single laugh.
Fuck, that actually hurt his ribs.]
You're an absolute asshole.
[76 was still trapped in the sudden positioning on the floor, squirming enough to at least try and get himself in to a half comfortable position- even if he couldn't help how he froze with that coat suddenly across him, fingers twitching a bit.
[Well, well, that was an unexpected sound. He never would have thought that 76 would loosen up enough for a sound of amusement, but he was going to take what he could get at the same time. Perhaps there was a sliver of chance that their peace could be maintained for a little longer.]
Now there are no truer words spoken.
[He loosened his grip so that 76 could squirm to a more comfortable position. Only once the younger man settled did he return his grip now that they were covered. He sighed through his nose, tipping his head so his bangs fell over his face.]
Shut up and try to get some sleep. This may be your best opportunity for a time.
[There was a faint wheeze, mostly until the sharp bit of pain in his chest subsided and he could pretend said asshole hadn't startled a chuckle out of him.
Could get comfortable on his own side, even if he wasn't completely a hundred percent on having his back to Reaper, but with the arm trapping him as he was... better than he alterative. Back rested against the other's chest, letting out a breath as he pulled his own jacket within reach over and. Well. Rolled it up in to a makeshift pillow long enough Reaper could get his head on it or deal with it shoved against his forehead.
I think everyone who has known me ever could agree to that.
[He had earned something rare and hard-fought at one time. Now that it was over and the bit of amusement had subsided, he would say nothing more about it lest it encourage 76 to attempt something in return.
Did he ever expect to get a laugh out of 76? No. Did he accept it as part of their peace? Of course.
He let 76 wiggle and shift about as necessary, but he remained still and solid behind the younger man. He was also content to warm himself on the blazing furnace that was 76's body heat, absorbing it like a stone until he too had obtained a seemingly normal body temperature. That made him drowsy and humming softly at the agreement they reached.
His last act was to shift his other arm under the blanket that was his coat so he could set his head on 76's rolled up coat.
Like old times. It was a thought that would keep him up for another hour yet, but he was self-aware enough to ponder without considering self-destruction as his only option. Finally, he closed his eyes and allowed himself to attempt sleep.]
[There was a noise in his throat, not quite a grunt, that at least sounded like some agreement. Even if a laugh had snuck out of him, didn't mean he was anywhere near going to voice the thought of 'Most only ever got to experience that side', enough was enough.
No room for it.
76 had enough body heat to share, since despite the chill that seemed to always come with his own shadows, he was pretty much still a furnace. Had been since the program- or at least that had cranked up the fact he always ran a little on the warmer side. Came in handy for colder climates, and at least regulated in the heat.
At least they both had settled, and it did take a while for 76 to do anything more but partially force himself to relax. Fighting would be... a waste of what energy he did have left, and he had not come here to start another one as easily as either of them could send things that way. So he was quiet, breathing.
Took a little while, but he did finally doze off a little.]
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chiming
no subject
Date: 2021-12-02 04:00 pm (UTC)From:Reaper liked to think he had a small touch of that with Talon, brief and fake as it was. In the end, he intended to nest himself deeply for answers and then destroy everything. When he removed himself from this new dream, he told himself. His revenge had meaning still, years after being cast off course of it.
He intended for Jack and Ana to survive at least.]
And yet, you're still running on fumes, aren't you? Pushed to your very limits.
[He looked at their hands, tainted as they were by the sins of their actions. He shifted his in the air to trace fingers over those raised plates under skin. Soft but hard.]
You say that, but if you are exhausted enough, you will. [Stubborn asshole.] This place is safe enough, if that's what it will take for you to not be such a stubborn asshole.
no subject
Date: 2021-12-03 12:06 am (UTC)From:He didn't expect to come back from it in the end, and perhaps it was the same part that didn't care. Clean up messes as he went, finding what he needed along the way.
There was nothing to return to.]
Can always push further.
[They were almost as if some sort of flexible armor, soft yet hard. 76 kept his hand where it was, letting Reaper examine. Why not, reason he'd taken his gloves off in the first place. Claws were still somewhat curved, but so very sharp.]
Sleep lighter than I used to.
[Which was already light, but given the fact he did sleep outside for so long- well.]
no subject
Date: 2021-12-03 01:48 am (UTC)From:They each had their way of coping. They each had their way of righting the wrongs made against them.]
Can you? You're on the verge of collapse and corruption has spread through most of your body... I think you've pushed enough.
[His fingers drew over the plates, trying to understand them, and if they were the cause of the ice and lightning that often came from 76 when they were aggressive to each other. He lightly dragged his nails over them then he moved to turn it over so he could examine 76's palm.]
If you're tired enough and you're comfortable enough, you should sleep just fine.
no subject
Date: 2021-12-03 02:01 am (UTC)From:[Enough was never enough, always further to go, drag himself if he had to. He could and usually would, but right now he wasn't moving was he. Remaining down and leaning somewhat against both Reaper and the wall. Hadn't he suffered worse before? Kept going while bleeding out and no one was there?
They felt calloused, warm as the rest of his skin. No sign that they were anything but the beginnings of some odd armoring, could even be because of the electricity he could use. Some strange attempt to protect corrupted skin from shock.
His palm was softer, skin still clinging and outlining bone along his fingers. Still blackened like the rest of his hand. More of those red and blue lines were visible, as if the color a little brighter there along the lines of his palm.]
Can sleep just about anywhere, doesn't mean it'd actually be restful.
no subject
Date: 2021-12-03 02:18 am (UTC)From:[He shook his head. No wonder 76 wasn't sleeping. This sort of attitude was what managed to bury Jack Morrison under tons of rubble, and he was almost tired of it. Back then it was frustrating and now it was sort of amusing because of how ridiculous it was.
He passed his fingers over that palm before grasping it in his own. He could use that to pull 76 from the wall so he could urge and force the younger man down to the floor. If they were going to try this sleep thing, he wasn't going to wait much longer. Otherwise he might throttle 76 to sleep.]
Well shut up and lay down. Listening to you self-sacrifice is getting old.
no subject
Date: 2021-12-03 02:27 am (UTC)From:[Dry as could be with that tone, as if part of all of it had been leading up to waiting for the moment to jab that back at Reaper. He did know when to actually stop and rest, but hell if it wasn't hard to convince himself at times- got him hunting down the bastard here, however.
The moment 76 felt himself being pulled? He was dragging Reaper down with him out of reflex, fingers twisting in the grasp. Did go down easily outside of the dragging hold he'd taken of the older man, at least.]
Having issues sleeping, and staying asleep, isn't self-sacrifice you shitlord.
no subject
Date: 2021-12-03 05:05 am (UTC)From:[His tone was just as dry, though there was a definite scolding undertone to it because if 76 was going to make a shitty joke, he was going to dig deeper on principle. He didn't believe for a second that 76 would fight too hard, especially they the younger man could be convinced to lay down.
In order to get what he wanted, he allowed himself to be pulled down as well. He shifted to his side so that the stitched up arm wasn't pressing to the floor and pillowed his head on his arm. He made certain to shift to his to clamp across 76's chest.]
It is when you won't give yourself more than fifteen minutes.
[He shifted his coat to toss it across them both after turning it briefly to smoke. It was as close to a blanket as he was going to allow them for now.]
no subject
Date: 2021-12-03 05:14 am (UTC)From:Fuck, that actually hurt his ribs.]
You're an absolute asshole.
[76 was still trapped in the sudden positioning on the floor, squirming enough to at least try and get himself in to a half comfortable position- even if he couldn't help how he froze with that coat suddenly across him, fingers twitching a bit.
Reaper was that serious about this?]
Is not.
no subject
Date: 2021-12-03 05:44 am (UTC)From:Now there are no truer words spoken.
[He loosened his grip so that 76 could squirm to a more comfortable position. Only once the younger man settled did he return his grip now that they were covered. He sighed through his nose, tipping his head so his bangs fell over his face.]
Shut up and try to get some sleep. This may be your best opportunity for a time.
no subject
Date: 2021-12-03 05:54 am (UTC)From:[There was a faint wheeze, mostly until the sharp bit of pain in his chest subsided and he could pretend said asshole hadn't startled a chuckle out of him.
Could get comfortable on his own side, even if he wasn't completely a hundred percent on having his back to Reaper, but with the arm trapping him as he was... better than he alterative. Back rested against the other's chest, letting out a breath as he pulled his own jacket within reach over and. Well. Rolled it up in to a makeshift pillow long enough Reaper could get his head on it or deal with it shoved against his forehead.
Better than nothing.]
Fine, fine.
no subject
Date: 2021-12-03 05:37 pm (UTC)From:[He had earned something rare and hard-fought at one time. Now that it was over and the bit of amusement had subsided, he would say nothing more about it lest it encourage 76 to attempt something in return.
Did he ever expect to get a laugh out of 76? No. Did he accept it as part of their peace? Of course.
He let 76 wiggle and shift about as necessary, but he remained still and solid behind the younger man. He was also content to warm himself on the blazing furnace that was 76's body heat, absorbing it like a stone until he too had obtained a seemingly normal body temperature. That made him drowsy and humming softly at the agreement they reached.
His last act was to shift his other arm under the blanket that was his coat so he could set his head on 76's rolled up coat.
Like old times. It was a thought that would keep him up for another hour yet, but he was self-aware enough to ponder without considering self-destruction as his only option. Finally, he closed his eyes and allowed himself to attempt sleep.]
no subject
Date: 2021-12-04 12:11 am (UTC)From:No room for it.
76 had enough body heat to share, since despite the chill that seemed to always come with his own shadows, he was pretty much still a furnace. Had been since the program- or at least that had cranked up the fact he always ran a little on the warmer side. Came in handy for colder climates, and at least regulated in the heat.
At least they both had settled, and it did take a while for 76 to do anything more but partially force himself to relax. Fighting would be... a waste of what energy he did have left, and he had not come here to start another one as easily as either of them could send things that way. So he was quiet, breathing.
Took a little while, but he did finally doze off a little.]