Working up a sweat [Roy + Leon]

[LEON NOEL]

No, Leon couldn't hear the face that Roy was making, but he smiled anyway, knowing it was being made. When he heard the response about the bells, that was all the tone he needed to have full satisfaction over his own jabs. At least, until the belled collar bit, which made Roy laugh before he could even finish the thought. That was for the best, since Leon didn't want to hear anymore about anything involving Roy in a collar, and he sure as hell didn't want any accidental questions about it, dear god. Not images he wanted.

"I said your shoes, not your toes. Like a dog tag, except not quiet, so I can hear you sneaking around," he pointed out, knowing that Roy knew exactly what he was talking about with the dog tag thing; in the field, soldiers, airmen, seamen and privates alike all wore one of their dog tags around their neck and one attached to a boot, just in case the pieces somehow got...separated. Also in case one tag was lost, for identification purposes. They all had a rubber case around the tags to keep them from clinking against things and giving their position away, but since Leon wanted to hear Roy moving around, he was talking a bell, probably tied to the laces of his shoes. That wasn't too much to ask, right?

Yeah, right. He'd known it would get shot down even before he said it, but he was still going to give Roy a hard time about it, just like he knew how much his friend hated his full first name, and had still said it. Personally, Leon didn't see the problem with it, Royal not being that bad. Humbert was, but not Royal. Whatever, if Roy wanted to give him such easy ammunition, he'd take it. "That's enough about a collar, though, you freak. If I ever find out you're wearing one around me, I'll hang you by it," he threatened, and whether or not he was serious was left to Roy to be decided, since he kept a fantastic poker face as he said it.

That was the end of the teasing from Leon for a moment or so, though. Roy, obviously unable to help himself, threw out another random little question that he didn't want an answer to, and Leon's face blanked with his 'no', and fortunately, was cut off by Roy's apology and instructions out the door. He'd take it gladly, and at least Roy was figuring it out, even if Leon was still waiting for the other shoe to fall. Maybe when they were at the pub, or after? At some point, Roy would bring it up, and what would he say? He didn't know, but--DAMN IT, AGAIN WITH THE QUESTIONS, WHY.

"I can follow you if you talk. I want to hold onto your arm because it's easier to keep track of where you're going, but I don't want it to be uncomfortable or awkward," he answered in that same neutral tone, and only after the words left his lips did he scowl once more in Roy's general direction. Talk about awkward? If Roy didn't stop with the damn questions soon, Leon was either going to snap at him or smack the hell out of him with his cane, just to shut him up. The absolute worst part of the whole questions thing was the personal questions that he ended up having to answer honestly, usually in ways that he never would have. It made him crazy.

[ROY THEOREN]

"Dog tags. Heh, yeah." Roy went uncharacteristically silent for a bit after that. He didn't even have his dog tags anymore. In a fit of pique, he'd thrown them into a river in the middle of nowhere, just before they'd discharged him. Fuck them and their rules and their orders that were nothing more than institutionalized murder. Fuck the way they treated him for doing the right thing.

He missed the tags, though. He regretted throwing them away. He'd never felt so naked in his life.

Wrapped up in his seething over the idiocy of the military bureaucracy, Roy nearly missed Leon's remark about wearing a collar. He caught up with a retort only a beat too late. Timing was everything in good banter, and Roy just didn't have it this time. "Yeah, well... your face," he muttered lamely. It didn't even make any sense. Whatever.

When Leon rattled off that whole bit about wanting to hold on to his arm, but not wanting it to be weird, Roy paused and really listened. There was that strange, blank, maddeningly familiar speech pattern again. Almost as if he would start speaking in cryptic rhyme if pushed too hard. And where had that thought come from, anyway?

"Listen, Leon," Roy began carefully, avoiding any questions, "I have a feeling that if I ask you outright, you'll have to tell me whether you want to or not, so I'm not gonna ask. This thing with you and answering questions, though. It's interesting, and if you care to share anything about it with me, I'm all ears. But I'm not, strictly speaking, asking. So's we're clear on that."

[LEON NOEL]

Obviously, Leon had no way of knowing what had happened to Roy's dog tags, or why he was discharged, for that matter. He could know with just the right question, but without being asked anything that would lead him to that information, he remained ignorant and didn't really do more than consider the strangeness of his friend's behavior. Why was everyone being so weird today? First Mercy this morning with the strangeness and the feeling sick, and now Roy was all kinds of odd (though in all honesty, just running into him was weird enough, so whatever). Leon was torn between wondering if he was also not really being himself, or if maybe it was something that he was doing inspiring people around him to be unusual. Thinking back, he decided against that because he really hadn't done anything that could have inspired it, and merely tilted his head curiously at his friends bitter words, short kind of laugh and then silence.

It got weirder when Roy missed a cue in their banter and then responded late with a really lame response that didn't make any actual sense, but he didn't dignify it with a response of his own, instead just letting it all go. It wasn't like he wasn't busy enough with the truth that Roy's question had inspired, anyway. He'd have personally been just fine with continuing on as though the ridiculous answer hadn't just been given, but Roy...well, Roy didn't really go along with that unspoken cue.

Did Roy ever?

Oh man, and it started with 'listen', as though he could do anything other than listen at this point. He scowled harder than he already had been at that, completely not liking any of what followed it, but at least there were no questions. It all meant that Roy had figured out his weirdness, and while he was avoiding it right now, would that continue to be the case? "I have the feeling that you're correct in assuming I would have to tell you whether I want to or not, so not asking is just fine with me. Walk with me."

He really didn't want to discuss it, and whether Roy actually did as he said, he started down the street in the direction the man had told him to, his red and white cane before him to keep him out of trouble and help him figure out where everything was. If Roy didn't keep up, he'd lose the conversation, that much was for sure, and since this was the same direction as home, Leon would totally just keep going if he didn't get instructions as to where to stop. "I don't know why it happens, but it's been about a year. I was on a mission in Africa, took a shot to the leg and got caught in the head by some flying debris, and that was all it took. A few days later, we made our rendezvous, and my sight was gone, despite what I'm sure were the doctor's best efforts," he explained, smirking a little at the end. Whether he really believed it was their best efforts or not, it had happened.

"For whatever reason, I woke up still blind and with this weird habit of answering questions completely honestly, whether I knew the information, or not. If I didn't know, there was the bonus of 'seeing' it or whatever while I answered. It's not fun, I don't understand it and I pretty much hate it, but it happens, anyway. Thank you for not actually asking me about it, because I don't know if I really even want to know what I'd have said," he finished, and then went totally silent. Let Roy chew on THAT tale.

[ROY THEOREN]

It may have been years, but Roy knew Leon pretty well, or at least thought he did. Being in training together had taught him a lot about how his friend operated, out of necessity. It was enough to know that this was not the same Leon he'd crawled through mud and razor wire with all those years ago. Or, he was, but there was a fundamental difference in him that was as blatant as though he'd had it tattooed on his face. (And at that analogy, Roy felt a small pang of regret that he'd never get to show Leon any of his new tattoos.)

So, when Leon grimly agreed with Roy's observation and asked Roy to walk with him, Roy made sure he was right at Leon's side, listening. He remained within easy reach and kept his footsteps loud enough to hear so Leon could tell where he was, just in case he wanted to take Roy's arm, but Roy didn't make a big production out of offering. He listened to Leon's story, absorbing it, and formulating more questions that weren't questions.

"It seems a bit like what I went through," Roy mused aloud, half to himself. "Like something just... woke up in me, one day. Not exactly the same, but still... It makes me wonder if anyone has tried asking you the right questions. Like maybe, if someone asked, you could understand why it's happening."

He huffed out a breath through his nose. "This is some serious Twilight Zone stuff, mate. I think I'll need that drink."

[LEON NOEL]

Roy wasn't wrong in thinking that he knew Leon pretty well, even Leon would admit that; at the most, Roy might have underestimated him for the things he was capable of and the training he'd received after they parted ways, but he was also blind now, so maybe it wouldn't be underestimation after all. It was hard to tell, considering he hadn't been in any kind of difficult situation since his injury (unless taking a wrong turn and getting completely lost on his way to the grocer counted, and he'd figured that out without too much trouble), but there was no helping that. He wasn't stupid enough to think that he was at the top of his game, and nobody else would have humored him even if he had wanted to think it.

Whatever. That didn't mean that Roy didn't know him, just that he wasn't entirely aware of certain factors that might not matter, anyway. Roy was now aware of his blindness and the weird questions thing, so he was already well on his way to getting to know the things that he wasn't already familiar with. It wouldn't take long to understand that Leon wasn't as comfortably himself as he used to be, but that wasn't so hard to believe, considering the shake-up his life had endured. He was much better than he'd been right after the injury. Of course, he was just as aware that there were things he didn't know about Roy, and though he hadn't asked him and didn't plan on doing so too early on in their re-acquaintance, he wasn't forgetting that there was a reason Roy was no longer in the military. He'd get there, no sense in pushing the man away too quickly by asking the big questions.

Ironic, those thoughts on his part when Roy went on to mention that he was wondering if anyone tried asking Leon the 'right questions'. "Wait, what you went through? Woke up? What are you talking about?" he asked, faltering in his concentration for a moment and turning his head up to Roy. It was a habit from having sight, turning as though you were looking at a person, and while he didn't always do it now that he couldn't actually see them when they spoke, people seemed to find it reassuring and prefer it. He was, blind or not, pretty aware of body language and how to deal with other people. Sometimes, he didn't give a shit and wouldn't do anything to make others more comfortable with something that he hated so much, but most of the time, he tried.

A second later, he turned his head away, almost like he was looking at his feet while he walked and thought, both considering what Roy had said and focusing in on what he was feeling with the cane and his own feet. How far along the sidewalk was he? He'd lost track when Roy mentioned that about something waking up. "I don't know that I want anyone asking any questions about it, 'right' or not, but I guess you make a good point. You're not kidding about the Twilight Zone stuff," he agreed, nodding a little and figuring based on a few feet of sidewalk that were less even that he hadn't gotten any further than he expected.

Twilight Zone, right. If it weren't for Mercy having seen it all, and he was pretty sure he'd come up with things that she knew he couldn't know and that maybe she didn't want him to know, then he wouldn't be sure that he wasn't losing his mind and imagining it. Roy could now be a witness to it, as well, it seemed. Lucky him, but at least he wasn't crazy. "Is this place on this street, or is there a turn somewhere?" he asked, mostly just interested in keeping track of where he was going. He had to find his way home after this.

[ROY THEOREN]

When Leon asked what had happened to him, Roy wasn't sure if he was ready to explain that all just yet. Well, one day I decided I couldn't kill an innocent woman and her children because there's another person living in my head who tells me things that don't always make sense, but I can't ignore it. "It's... a long story, and I don't really know where to begin. Let's get our drinks first, and I'll tell you all about it."

Leon seemed to withdraw a little when Roy suggested that someone maybe just needed to ask him the right questions. Roy was burning with curiosity. He knew better than to push, though, so he refrained from the barrage of questions that was building inside him. One thing at a time. He had a feeling they were both going to need some drinks in them before they were prepared to know the truth behind this bizarre situation. Roy had a strong inkling that their respective strangeness was related, somehow. Some other consciousness within them, compelling them to behavior they wouldn't have normally developed on their own. Especially in Leon's case, where his quirky new talent bordered on supernatural.

"We can work our way up to that. I'm not going to rush into it," Roy promised, trying to reassure his friend. "I want to understand what's going on, as I'm sure you do, but I'm not going to rip the answers out of you. That's not my style."

Leon paused for a moment, apparently to gain his bearings, and asked how much further the bar was. "It's just here in front of us about twenty more feet, on the right," Roy told him. "Almost there."

Automatically, Roy reached over to touch Leon's elbow, as if to assure him that he was still right there, or maybe an unspoken offer to let Leon hold on to him as they walked. It was just a brief press of his fingers. As his hand fell away, however, he felt a strange... something inside him. Sort of like the Other was turning over in his sleep, except the Other was most definitely awake, so that didn't make any sense. He stirred, though, one way or another. It seemed likely that it was in response to being so close to Leon.

What is your problem? he demanded of the Other. He never knew if the Other could hear him, or if he chose to ignore him most of the time, but this time he got an answer.

Mirror, mirror...

"Mirror, mirror?" Roy echoed, sounding distant and confused, as if he were deciphering some secret code. The question wasn't directed at Leon, and it wasn't even a proper question, but that pesky question mark slipped out of him all the same.

[LEON NOEL]

Obviously, Leon knew a thing or two about 'long stories,' 'I don't really know where to begin' and 'drinks first,' so even though he was interested in the answer, he tightened his jaw and nodded, internally bracing himself for something he might not want to hear. He didn't know if there was something wrong that he hadn't noticed because he was without his sight, or if it was something deeper. What had happened? Roy was a good person, always had been, but Leon knew that the military could change a person; he was a prime example, whether anyone he knew now ever realized it, or not. Leon didn't have the issue that Roy did about killing and having a conscience, not anymore. He wasn't a monster, but his training had purely been survival, and so he'd been stripped down to his most basic components to learn to do what he must. He could kill whoever he had to, and had on more than one occasion. It was unfortunate, and he was sure to be disappointed in himself when he finally found out about Roy's discharge.

Another part of that whole thing about Roy being such a good person? The man wasn't willing to 'rip the answers out' of Leon, even though it seemed certain that they would get them if Roy asked. Leon, on the other hand, probably would have asked if it had been someone other than himself with this affliction. He could be compassionate, but he was very straightforward and efficient; dancing around this subject for too long because of someone's feelings wasn't something he would have dealt with. It being himself with this strange questions compulsion made it all kinds of different for him, but he could admit that he would have felt differently if it wasn't him. He wouldn't even have been able to blame Roy if the man had done it, anyway, but he probably would have tried. Being angry at someone didn't necessarily require a logical reason.

There was probably more to Roy's situation than either of them realized, as well. That lent all the more weight to the questions that Roy should have been asking him, since there was so much the Brit could learn from the answers he'd get, but he didn't. Roy was a good person, and he made it clear that he wasn't going to take advantage of the strange situation, which Leon did appreciate. He didn't even have the grace to feel bad about knowing that he wasn't sure he'd have done the same if it was someone other than himself. Instead, he nodded and offered a soft 'thanks', paying attention to the instructions being offered about the location of this bar they were going to, and the touch at his elbow didn't strike him as anything unwanted or unexpected. Instead, he automatically took the arm that was being offered, but he still used his cane; it wouldn't do him any good to be lead around without knowing how to get to and from the new place on his own.

Leon couldn't boast that he'd felt whatever Roy had, only that taking Roy's arm was comfortable and felt familiar, even though he'd never done it before. He chalked it up to being around someone that he'd been close to once upon a time, and didn't think any further on it. It didn't have the same flavor of weirdness as his compulsion, so why would it strike him as odd? It didn't, not until Roy tossed some comment out about a mirror, to which Leon turned a questioning 'look' up to him before his expression blanked out again.

"That would be correct," he replied in that empty, neutral voice, not even necessarily aware that it had been a question, but Roy didn't seem capable of going too long without dropping that bit of punctuation into his dialogue. Leon should have expected it, but he didn't, and he didn't understand the question, or even really the answer. He got a brief flash of a dark stone room with a mirror on the wall, then cold, and it was gone. What the hell was that? He released the other man's arm suddenly, like he was the source of the cold, confused. "Roy, what?"

[ROY THEOREN]

Even if Leon would claim he wasn't a better person than Roy, at least where prying into his friend's business was concerned, Roy appreciated that Leon didn't insist on knowing everything that had happened all at once. It was going to take Roy a little time to just arrange things in a coherent order in his head. The last several months had sort of been a blur. The missions he'd been assigned, the incident that had gotten him discharged and turned his whole life upside-down, his relocation to New York... It was rather a lot to take in all at once. Roy liked to tell a good story, but this one needed more care than others in the construction. How to introduce the Other, especially. It wasn't an easy concept to explain without sounding like a complete nutter.

Speaking of the Other, what the hell had gotten him all worked up, suddenly? He was using whole words and everything. That was new. Roy was deeply unsettled by the experience. In fact, he'd been so wrong-footed by the internal conversation that he'd forgotten himself and dared speak aloud in a manner that might be interpreted as a question. In front of Leon. Again.

Balls.

Roy introduced his forehead to his palm, then sighed. "Sorry, sorry," he muttered. Then, after realizing what Leon had just said, he blinked and did a double-take. Before he could blurt out another question, however, he caught himself and carefully modulated his tone and his wording. "I don't think I quite understood that, Lee. It sounded like you were just agreeing with me, though about what, I couldn't really say."

It was starting to make sense, though, in a sort of completely messed up way. Leon compulsively answered any questions put to him with utter honesty. Quite a lot like a certain mirror from a certain fairy tale...

But that was stupid. Wasn't it? People didn't walk around with fairy tale characters living inside them. It just... wasn't a thing.

Roy couldn't hear the Other offering any further input on the matter, but he had the distinct sensation of smug satisfaction emanating from him. The absolute wanker.

[LEON NOEL]

It was funny that Roy was so concerned with trying to figure out how to explain what had happened with his discharge and what he called the 'Other', considering how Leon's little story had come out. Could it really be all that much stranger? At least Roy didn't seem to have some weird compulsion to answer questions; actually, he definitely didn't, since Leon had asked him questions already and he hadn't exactly answered them. Leon was fine with that, but it meant that Roy was better off already.

Of course, Leon wasn't aware of the whole 'awake' thing that Roy was dealing with, or the random thoughts and 'conversations' or whatever going on in the man's head. Leon didn't have that trouble internally, just the compulsion to answer and the usually unwanted information dump that came with the answers. That was pretty bad, but having the voices in his head would have just made it worse. He would have been glad of that, at least, if he'd known. They'd have to have this conversation at some point.

Some point, because Leon wasn't so sure he wanted to have it now. He was actually pretty interested in the prospect of having a drink or two, even if he wouldn't let himself get drunk; he hadn't gotten good and trashed since his injury, mostly because he didn't want to deal with being drunk AND blind. It just sounded like a bad combination, just like Roy's curiosity combined with Leon's last answer. It prompted an irritated expression from the blind man, like he was pissed that his words had betrayed him, and in a way, that was true. He didn't know anything about what he'd just said or what had happened, but he didn't like humoring the weirdness. His life had gotten strange enough without delving into fairy tales or whatever 'mirror, mirror' meant. To be honest, if Leon were to guess without that weird compulsion, he'd have thought that 'mirror, mirror' was some kind of military code; he'd known the government to use all different types of codewords for missions, operatives and projects. Still, that didn't make much sense, because if they'd pulled some kind of experimental thing on him before they released him, why release him?

This was why he hated wondering about this. He was no conspiracy theorist, and it made him feel paranoid and like a crack-pot.

"That's fine, I didn't understand it, either," he said quickly, wondering how best to dismiss the conversation without being an asshole to this friend he hadn't seen in years, when his phone rang and saved him the trouble. By the ringtone, it was obviously Mercy, which wasn't terribly surprising, but considering how unwell she'd been feeling earlier in the day, he was all about a prompt answer when he fished the phone out of his pocket and offered a quick, polite apology for having to take it to Roy.

After he'd offered a short hello as an answer, not even a question because he wasn't in the dark as to who he was talking to, there was a beat of silence on the other end that was unexpected. Maybe she'd pocket-dialed? Then came the sound of her voice, all uncertainty. "Hi. Um, are you busy?"

Yeah, something was definitely wrong, because she didn't typically ask him random questions like that. She made statements out of them so that he could respond the way he wanted instead of the way he had to. He bit on his lip a moment, trying to think quickly and figure out a way around it, but he failed just as he did any time he tried. "Yes, I was invited out for a drink and we're right outside the building."

Barely a breath later, he continued in a more human tone of voice, jaw clenching a little to betray his irritation at the fact that he had to respond in ways he didn't want to. Yes, technically, he was busy, but who ever admitted they were when they were out like this? He wasn't too busy to talk to her, that was for certain. "So, no, I'm not actually busy, sorry. What's up?"

"Oh. God, sorry. Shit. Sorry. I'm not thinking straight, but okay. Do you think you could... get away, for a bit?" she asked, and he took a deep breath at the second question in just a moment or so. She wasn't kidding when she said she wasn't thinking straight, which was worrisome.

"Yes, I can extract myself," he told her flatly, then sighed, shoulders slumping a little as she groaned on the other side of the phone, obviously realizing what she'd done. He hated this so much. "Honey, what's going on?"

"Soooorry. I just...think," she started, which yeah, was making him even less certain of the rest of whatever she had to say. What was so wrong? She wasn't usually so weird about talking to him. The rest of her words came out rushed, which wasn't surprising once he actually registered what she said, but made it hard for him to prepare himself. "That maybe I might be pregnant and I don't want to be alone when I take the test."

He was in the process of taking a few steps away from Roy for the privacy she seemed to want for this conversation when the news hit him. "You think what?" he asked, voice lowering and betraying his complete and utter shock at the potential, and no, he wasn't totally paying attention to his surroundings as he walked, and that was entirely his fault. He knew that this was another part of the sidewalk that was pretty uneven, so he usually stayed away from the right side so that he didn't trip, and right then, he wasn't really thinking. All he could think about was the words that had left her mouth about thinking she was pregnant, that she wanted him there while she took the test, and when his toe hit a portion of the sidewalk that was sticking up, he was even less prepared for it than he'd been for what Mercy had told him.

He pitched forward and went down with shocking speed, already cursing before he even hit the ground. His phone skittered away as he focused on trying to catch himself, and no, it was definitely not his most impressive display of grace. It was very possible that he'd skinned his hands, elbows or knees, but he was definitely not letting that on. Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck. He could barely hear sound coming from his phone wherever it had fallen, and then there was Roy to worry about. Between his curses, he was certain to assure Roy (and Mercy, if she was close enough to hear him through the phone) that it was okay. "I'm fine, I'm fine, don't ask any questions, I'm fine!"

Yeah, because he really wanted to be forced to explain what he'd just done and where he'd hurt himself. That was totally perfect for his pride.

[ROY THEOREN]

Leon was quick to dismiss what had just happened as no big thing, which smacked of hijinks to Roy-- but before he could call Leon on it, someone else called Leon. On his phone, that is. Roy huffed and stood back a few steps to give Leon some privacy on his phone call, though the panicked, strident voice of a woman came through loudly enough that Roy caught most of the conversation anyway. Oh, so Leon had a... girlfriend? Wife? He hadn't seen a ring...

Before he could ponder more on the subject, Leon had agreed to go to wherever his lady caller was, and had turned to do just that. And made a magnificent faceplant into the concrete.

"Oh, shit!" Roy hissed, diving forward belatedly. He was too late to catch his friend, but he did manage to keep the runaway cell phone from bouncing into the gutter. Score one for him. He scrambled for it, accidentally hitting the 'end call' button as he did so. Leon was barking at him not to ask any questions, which aborted the "Are you okay?" that was going to be Roy's next line. Because, well, he had to learn to stop asking things sometime. It was going to be a tough habit to break.

Instead, he said, "Here, let me give you a hand up."

Roy hooked a hand under Leon's arm and got him back on his feet. After a quick glance over to make sure he wasn't bleeding profusely or broken anywhere, Roy deemed him fit to stand on his own. Then he pressed the cell phone into Leon's hand before he could forget to return it. "Here, your mobile. You, er, well the call dropped."

After a pause, Roy said, "You need to be getting home, I gather. All right, if you go straight forward the way you're facing for half a block, you'll come to the gym again, and from there I assume you know the way back to the subway. If you want, I can come with you, just until you've got your bearings." He sounded resigned, but understanding. The girl had sounded really upset about something. "We'll catch a pint later. I'm sure we'll run into one another again, eh?"

Damn, damn, he had to stop putting those little questioning fillers at the end of his sentences. They just crept in there.

[LEON NOEL]

Shit shit shit shit. Roy was quick to help him up, which wasn't unexpected, but damn, Leon didn't want help from anyone ever if it was possible. Still, Roy grabbing his phone was incredibly useful, and he thanked the man for all of the help as well as for not asking if he was alright. For as bad at not asking questions as Roy had already proven himself to be, he listened well enough when told not to ask, and that was the best that Leon could expect. He did feel bad that he had to take off on him, but considering the thoughts running through his head right then, he wasn't really focusing on that. He and Roy could catch up later, but he had to get to Mercy. Could she be? Shit.

What if she was? He wasn't so sure that he could handle that, though he'd obviously have no choice. Hadn't they been careful? That didn't always matter, but how shitty would it be if they were the exception to the usual rule? He was blind, for Christ's sake, and it wasn't like he could even say that he'd completely adapted to it; he was trying, and he was making fantastic headway, but how was he supposed to take care of a baby? God, what did Mercy think? Was she panicking over the thought of having a child with him? They hadn't seriously discussed kids ever, not more than a 'maybe someday' kind of thought, and he definitely would have wanted to marry her first. He wasn't even certain if she'd want to marry him now, let alone have children. Fuck. Fuck.

Yeah, he had to go. "Thanks, Roy, sorry, emergency at home. She'll be calling back any second, I'm sure," he said, frowning just a little as he ran his fingers over his phone looking for damage. It was a tough little bit of technology, but that didn't mean it wasn't breakable. It seemed okay except for a few dings, but it wasn't the first time he'd dropped it or knocked it off of something, so he was sure it'd be okay. In the meantime, Roy went on explaining how he could get back to the gym, and he did smile a little at that.

"We're between my place and the gym right now, I got it. Thanks," he said, rolling his shoulders back almost like he was brushing off the whole embarrassing fall, and that's partially what he was doing. He wasn't going to acknowledge the fact that it happened now that it was over. His palms, one elbow and knee stung, but that was unimportant. It hadn't happened. Nope. On with his day. "I'll catch you later, R--"

Oh, did he need to get one last question in before they parted ways? Really? Damn it! "Yes, in three days," he responded blankly, then scowled and started screwing around with his phone to call Mercy back. "Anyway, see you then, I guess."

He offered up something of a wave as he started off in the opposite direction of the gym, calling his girl back to assure her that he was on his way, would see her in a few minutes, and that nothing was wrong. Yeah. Nothing was wrong. Right.

[ROY THEOREN]

Leon was, Roy mused, rather like a cat in a lot of ways. Not just the man's lithe figure and natural grace, which hadn't really changed despite everything that had happened to him in the past few years, but the way he acted when that grace actually failed him. Like it had never happened. If Leon were a cat, he would have been sitting there licking a paw or something, as if to say, "What, totally meant to do that, you saw nothing, MOVING ON..." Roy wasn't buying it, of course, but he thought it was amusing all the same.

Resisting the urge to ask more questions, Roy said, "Well, I still owe you for that drink. Hope everything is all right at home, mate." He could do this. Already he was getting better at not asking questions, ignoring his few slip-ups since he'd cottoned on to the fact that Leon couldn't help but answer everything that was put to him. Which was still, frankly, really fucking weird. It should have felt weirder, except for that bizarrely reassuring sense of familiarity Roy had-- and that was fucking weird, too, when he took time to think about it.

Still, he slipped when he tacked that "eh?" at the end of his last farewell, and sure enough, Leon answered with uncanny predictive ability. Roy wouldn't even question the accuracy of that statement; somehow, he knew it was correct. He would see Leon again in three days. And wasn't that just a ball of crazy? Especially the part where it made perfect sense to believe him.

"See you then," he echoed, feeling slightly disconnected from the surreality of this entire situation. Maybe he'd go and have that drink on his own, after all.

-END-