Canon: Maiden Rose

[resisting_this]

It always seems as though there are infinitely more choices when one is starting out, in comparison to as when things draw to a close. But when the end of everything comes- whether you struggle or resign yourself; unfortunately it is still very much 'The End'.

A person does wonder how differently things might have turned out, had the decisions been unlike those which paved this journey. Or if it was always fated or designed from the start to collapse in upon itself as it has.

Regardless.

....I'm done, aren't I?

Soldiers willingly race to the very Ends of the Earth to fight for the cause they are striving for. But once everything they sought to defend and hold dear no longer exists...

Shouldn't they be cut free?

Or are they condemned to occupy the ruins and forever chase after ghosts?

Comments

[tinfoil_angel]

That is when soldiers become builders.

[resisting_this]

To drastically change roles from one extreme to the other...

It is far more difficult than merely revising one's title.

[tinfoil_angel]

But it's a better goal than laying down.

[passportpapers]

There was always some man where there're ghosts. That man's worth the hunt.

[resisting_this]

[He was never meant to see Klaus again. Where he'd come from- that ship had sailed a very long time ago. So having the other show up at his proverbial doorstep in the very moment where all hope was lost? It winds him in one fell swoop.

This is one of the few moments where finding a decent footing and articulate words simply aren't going to come without a struggle. Not that Taki won't immediately toss up the guise of nonchalance. Far be it from him to allow Klaus to see how shaken he truly is.]

..Is that so?

[passportpapers]

So I've heard. Your boys in Intelligence, you pay them to know how people think. Ask them, if you won't take my word on it.

[resisting_this]

Don't think anything you say wouldn't be scrutinized, with ample sources sought out to ensure your claims have backing. At least in any other circumstance.

At the moment all those resources are out of reach.

You are the only one left at my side.

1/2

[passportpapers]

...Taki. Get up.

2/2

[passportpapers]

I don't care what brought you on your knees. I didn't put you there, so get up.

1/2

[resisting_this]

....

[Funny that Klaus should say so. Only because nothing in this world but the other man, or more accurately the lack of his existence, could ever break Taki- let alone so completely.]

2/2

[resisting_this]

No matter the wound- nothing could coerce me to willingly fall so low.

[Exhales. Despite the words themselves, their tone holds very little bite.]

You should know better, Klaus.

[passportpapers]

I know to load a gun, take aim and kill when you give word. I know enough.

[ His cynicism softens. ]

I know as much as you'll let me rip from you. That's what I know.

[resisting_this]

Enough for what, exactly?

[To survive? To be an effective tool? To bind the two together in a twisted semblance of dependent loathing? Certainly not 'enough' to understand. Otherwise- the knowledge wouldn't need to be stolen in the way it always is.]

[passportpapers]

Enough to bite your fingers and grovel at your feet.

[ Good dog. ]

[resisting_this]

[Does his best to tolerate and evade the particular phrasing here.]

Yet neither of those seem very useful for my goals.

['Good' isn't the word Taki would use. But the latter title doesn't suit his opinion of Klaus either.]

I require you to obey. [A beat] ...Nothing more.

[passportpapers]

[ A glimmer of sobriety, coming to one knee. ]

I defend your ambitions, your honour, your body and your cause, until your own sword should strike me down. I've sworn as much. I stand by it.

[resisting_this]

[ With that kneel comes his own outstretched hand, as if on instinct. It's reaching. Yet neither visage nor posture change one iota; as if refusing to acknowledge that Taki is in fact searching for Klaus' own hand. It's a custom between them. One which roots itself in a place far from ceremony or duty. ]

I would never believe otherwise.

[ A deceptively casual statement, for the incredible degree of faith it implies. ]

[passportpapers]

[ He hosts the offered hand in his larger ones, lips pressing on each knuckle. This is one gesture he doesn't care to besmirch with passion. ]

Tell me what to do for you. [ Perhaps too honestly. ] I'll do it.

[resisting_this]

...

[ His command needs no great ruminating over. In fact the words hover, resting heavy and unforgivably eager on Taki's lips; unspoken. He has an answer the moment Klaus asks it of him- because it's echoed within his mind all along. From the very start of this companionship, if not before, this has been his internal mantra. Yet Taki doesn't utter a word. Not until the last vestiges of sensation ebb away from where every kiss had burned it's touch into skin. ]

Don't leave my side.

[ If one were not paying attention they might fail in catching a slight turn of that cradled hand. That or the way fingertips tenderly graze a portion of the chiseled jawline within reach. ]

[passportpapers]

[ He stills for a moment; nods imperceptibly; mulls over his words, if not for the proper reply, nor the sincere one, then at least for what will earn Taki some peace of mind. ]

Doable. Scouts haven't left word to expect a raid, or ambush. I'll watch your sleep.

[resisting_this]

[ For all Taki knows, Klaus actually misses the flash of his exposed underbelly; so to speak. As if the man had blinked in the second Taki was pressing his boundaries and letting slip a moment of vulnerability long enough for actions to say what words cannot.

So why does disappointment weigh upon his shoulders when he managed to escape any scathing remark or announcement of this show of affection; weakness? ]

Ah. [ A thoughtful pause. ]

I haven't heard from anyone in the Division for some time now.

[ The duality of meanings hangs in the air between them. But he doesn't dwell- and instead withdraws the once extended hand to hide it away. The shield of gloves work well enough; bandaging up traces of what feels like so many holes Klaus places in his defenses. ]

[passportpapers]

[ He lingers on his knee a moment longer, head hanging tiredly. His neck's sore. His shoulders - the wounded one, most of all. ]

Say...

[ His fingers knit where Taki's trousers meet his boots, tucking them in, drawing out the folds aesthetically. As if they were still in military school, readying for inspection. ]

...there. The hell do they give you clothes so big for?

[ This man is... this man, their leader is so impossibly slight. ]

[resisting_this]

[ Those strong hands are deftly brushed away as Taki lowers; moving to offer a now gloved hand and the wordless invitation to aid Klaus in standing. He should have known. The almost impossibly faint air of injury ought to have been read long before now. Klaus was typically fluid in his movements; no matter his size or how brutish the task was. To miss that was to forget who the man in front of him really was. ]

It's nothing to fuss over.

[ Perhaps Taki simply hadn't experienced a penchant for spending much time on meals recently. Even still, he wasn't overly concerned that the once-tailored uniform hung a smidgen loose these days. No one but Klaus would have even noticed as that remained one of very few things he could not directly control while putting on the air of a good appearance. ]

Can you stand- or do you not wish to?

[passportpapers]

[ There's something about those slivers of pity from this man, whom he can't fail - something that shames him. Finds his jaw clenched, sends his teeth gritting. This won't be it. Injury, disability, war use, trauma, morphine addiction - this won't be what sends Taki looking at him as if he's another man in his employ, a mere man to be protected.

Better a threat and a nuisance than that. Better hated than pitied. His arm bolts up, aiming for the lapel of Taki's coat to try to pull him forward, down. ]

Plan to sink to my level if I don't? Sir? Suppose maybe you've learned to like it there.

[resisting_this]

[Even if Taki hadn't been all the more slender but instead rested, well fed and with a mind at ease- The odds still would have been in favor of Klaus' grasp landing it's hold. The element of surprise cannot be so easily outrun, no matter how swift one might be.

It goes without saying that there's little turning back in the instant muscular arms seek to drag Taki to the ground. The sheer strength Klaus harbors remains a force unto itself, one Taki cannot free himself from. Only give into.

With a little quick thinking and luck he does manage to break the fall onto both knees and a sore palm; simultaneously avoiding gravity's inclination to drag him against the man responsible for this. However, none of this salvages his ego or the bruised and tattered state Taki's pride now lays in.]

...Tch. Are you delusional?

[Even if he felt up to inquiring on or even listening to whatever reasoning that had compelled Klaus to turn on him, both hands appear far less compassionate. If anything they revoke the wordless amnesty between the two comrades and rise, fingers wrapping around the wrist belonging to each of Klaus' hands. The touch is neither careful nor violent; simply task-oriented and determined to remove the other man's hands from his attire.]

You're the only one who enjoys this.