lionturtle | ( back from the dead )

[ The deafening explosion of the building resonated throughout Aoi's entire body despite being some distance away from it. Disoriented, all he could do was stare after the smoke and fire in confusion and horror as thoughts of his partner, Ali, flash at the forefront of his mind. What could he do?! Go inside to see if he could find evidence that he was dead and leave? The chances of him surviving were so slim and yet Aoi held hope that he was still alive, if barely. He got up to his feet, preparing to head for the base they were supposed to infiltrate, but the sound of sirens made him hesitate. Sirens, gunfire, and enemies began to pour out of the sides of the shelters surrounding the building that had just exploded, meaning it would be difficult for Aoi to move past them without getting killed.

He should have stayed with Ali. He should have just stayed inside the base even if it meant Ali breaking his arm to make him listen. Aoi's power may have been used to its limit for that night, but he wasn't useless like Ali had said was. He wouldn't have gotten in his way like he said he would.. Even if he did end up breaking one of his limbs, he should have remained by his side and maybe they could have avoided this kind of catastrophe. Who knows?! Maybe it was Ali who caused the explosion, but --

The force of the base began to move out into the forest, where Aoi was currently taking cover. If he didn't leave soon, he'd be undoubtedly caught and apprehended, or worse. Aoi continued to crouch and inch as close towards the open space as much as he possibly could, eyes darting over the fire in hopes of catching a glimpse of a familiar form past the flames. They hadn't come to this country alone, but the rest of their speciality group had separated from them earlier on in the night to investigate rumours of another base. Calling for backup now of all times could prove disastrous, if they happened to be in a similar kind of predicament. He'd have to wait it out until morning, re-group and plan. Right now, all of his instincts were screaming at him to make a move, to risk the mission for his partner's sake. They had known each other only a little under a month and he didn't exactly hold Ali in high regard, but he was still his partner, his responsibility. The shock of the explosion was making it impossible for him to articulate the flood of emotion as grief or disappointment.

Regardless, he wouldn't make it out of this place alive on his own. He could easily re-trace his steps out of the forest and back to an open road, but he would still be in the middle of nowhere, in enemy territory.

The enemy-line began to breach the bush, forcing Aoi to think fast and make a move. He decided to move back and maybe circle the area in hopes of finding a gap in their defences. He wasn't leaving here until he knew for sure Ali was gone. ]

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[ Taking a sip of the drink, Aoi initially makes a face, not having anticipated the bitter taste of alcohol in the drink. But he shrugs and proceeds to continue sipping at it without even questioning why Ali might have decided to go out of his way to get him a drink. After all, he kind of owed it to him! ]

Not for too long. Another day and they'll probably be contacting us again.

You're lucky you came out of all that mostly unscathed. Are you sure you don't need another day or two of rest?

[ it's not as bad as it seems... okay, so he was thinking that they might make use of their time together. but it's hardly like he was counting on it. Aoi's always seemed like such a prude. maybe a drink or two will lighten him up a bit. besides, he could use that sympathy angle to his advantage.

he chuckles a little at the face he makes, but then goes on amiably. ]

Come on, you say that like I have a choice. And even if I did, resting all day... sounds pretty boring to me. If I'm alive, I might as well live a little.

[ knocking back more of his drink, he nudges Aoi in the arm with his elbow. ]

And what about you? It does seem like you're enjoying your freedom.

Freedom? Come on, I did this for you. [ An obvious sarcastic joke. He swings his legs over to the side of the lounge chair, making room for Ali without indicating that the spot beside him was for him. Ali usually just took what he wanted, after all. ]

Your hearing might not be the same ever again. I bet there's still ringing in your ears. [ His legs stretch out in front of him, flip flops dropping from his feet as he reclines as much as he can without anything supporting his back. He takes another long sip from his drink, eyes daring from the pool to the hotel. ] I was about to head back. I fell asleep out here and I don't want to do that again.

[ He feels only a bit bad about abandoning the guy after he just got here, but he was seriously considering a nap, now. Plus, he was getting a bit of a burn on the bridge of his nose and shoulders. ]

How nice of you.

[ he knows that he's joking and all, but it's a more agreeable conversation than most they've had. bodes well. and it's true. Ali has no trouble taking what it is that he wants. for the moment, it's a seat beside Aoi, but he's smiling at him with just a bit more interest than usual, so maybe what else he wants will soon become clear.

talking about it would sound bad, not to mention he's not interested in chatting with Aoi like they're friends, but he'd already had quite a time trying to endear himself to a woman in the lobby who was having none of it. so maybe his partner's not his first choice, but he might also be a more viable option. he's just making the most of his relaxation and all that.

following Aoi's gaze back to the hotel, he looks between the building and him with a hand coming down to the recliner. ]

What? You're going back already? Is the sun making you tired?

[ but then, he's not really disappointed... ]

Ah, well, I'll go with you. I guess I could use a rest after all.

[ Aoi is just a pretty boy, Ali.

He does notice his unusually good mood, however, and thinks of it as nothing but him being calm in a luxurious environment. Most people would be in better moods, had they had the chance to relax in a place where people could service your whims.

He imagined Ali had been taking advantage of whatever he could.

Pressing the cold glass against his neck, he nods in response to Ali's question, finding it odd that he wasn't poking fun at him for once. He liked to undermine him whenever possible, so the lack of comment is a welcome change. ]

Sure. You can head up there first if you want. I'm going to go see if they have something for sunburns at the front desk.

Thanks for the drink. [ He raises it up and nods before tossing his head back to finish the rest of it. He makes another face.

So bitter. ]

[ pointing it out at all is almost making fun of him. close enough. but he'll save his teasing for later because it strikes him as the wrong time to say something that will put Aoi off tremendously. there are a lot of things he doesn't find the need to explain and his attitude is one of them.

that being said, he's getting back up just a minute after sitting down in the first place because for now, he's all kinds of agreeable. even if he's smiling a little wider at his reaction to the drink. without comment on it, it comes off more like he might be finding it endearing. figures, he thinks, that a pretty, rich boy like him wouldn't like bitter things.

returning the raise of his glass, he takes a few steps towards the hotel backwards. ]

I'll see you there then.

[ when he turns, the smile he keeps to himself is vaguely more sinister. but for what it's worth, he does what he says he's going to and heads up to the room. ]

[ Aoi nods once he's up and walking, hopping up to his feet himself with a crunch of ice between his teeth. He seems to be confused by Ali's new, refreshing attitude, but he doesn't seem to pay much mind to it, if the way he simply nods and walks off is any indication. He seriously figures that this might just be Ali when he's calm and not stressed over dangerous missions. Though, that was when he seemed happiest.

It takes a bit, but Aoi arrives at the room shortly after Ali stepped in, carrying a bottle of aloe vera in hand. He tosses it up idly, meeting eyes with the other man with bored interest. ] Hey.

Do you ever burn? [ Since he's got darker skin, maybe he doesn't have to worry about the sun as much. ]

[ it doesn't take him very long, so by the time Aoi arrives, Ali hasn't quite gotten to lounging on the bed like he'd planned. he's stripped off his shirt, left it in his path and is splashing some water in his face in the mirror. when the door opens, he looks over his shoulder and he grins when he gets another candid view of his sunburned face. ]

Nope. Your pasty ass isn't so lucky, huh?

[ turning back towards him, there's a remarkable change in atmosphere made up entirely of aggressive body language. his stance is stronger, his chest broader and he steps in on Aoi as if staking him out. an unashamed gaze travels steadily down his body and he reaches to yank the bottle out of his hand. ]

Why don't you let me help? Partner.

I'm not pasty. [ He throws him a look, though a part of it is humoured.

But the curve of his lips soon falls into a flat line once the other man turns and smiles in his direction. Aoi can't exactly articulate what's off about him, but something about his posture strikes him as deliberately set. He even takes note of his stride, eyes flickering to his feet to watch him make a beeline straight for him.

But he looks back up in time to catch Ali's eyes roaming down the length of his body. It's definitely unsettling, but it confuses him more than anything else. He doesn't even have enough time to gather his thoughts and logic before the other man is grabbing the bottle straight out of his hands. ]

Wh-what? [ He blinks rapidly as if to dispel the sudden shock freezing up his entire body. It was so uncharacteristic of the man that Aoi has half a mind to accuse him of being an imposter. ]

( back from the dead )

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HHAHAHHAA OMG

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