makinglies | Just the sniffles

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Just the sniffles

[It's very rare that any of the cyborgs ever get sick. After all, when building an advanced super weapon you don't want it to succumb to disease. It's not unheard of, they do still have organic parts, but for as long as Albert had been a cyborg, he'd never once fallen ill.

Until today, that is.

It takes his eyes longer than usual to focus when he opens them in the morning, woken by Jet rolling out of bed. That in and of itself is his first clue, that Jet is up before him. The man may not sleep until noon as he used to but Albert's still usually a much earlier riser, or at least gets up at the same time. Yet here he is still huddled under the blankets while Jet brushes his teeth in his boxers, with absolutely no drive to leave the bed.

His vision is fuzzy, his head aches, and what little real skin he has is cold and clammy (a strange sensation when only roughly fifteen percent of your body is honest flesh) save for his face, which feels hot.

With a groan, Albert curls over with the comforter, his steel-gray hair barely visible peeking up from the bundle of blankets.]

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[He bristled a bit at being called a coward, but it went away the more Joe talked. He was right, after all, Jet was too afraid of what might happen that he wasn't taking a risk. This was probably one of the few times that was the case.]

Yeah...

[But after everything that had happened, how much did he really want to risk? There was just too much he didn't know.]

Joe...what do you think his answer would be?

[Joe wasn't always the most observant as a rule, but he was the only one Jet felt comfortable enough with to ask that.]

I don't talk to him nearly as much as you do, but...

[He smiles again.]

After we came back again, Francoise and I talked a lot. I'd left her twice to go and die, you know? So I was surprised that she took me back as if nothing had happened, but she only said that if you love someone enough to want to make the world better for them to live in whether you're in it or not, then that's someone worth keeping in your life forever.

[He's quiet for a moment, letting that sink in, then tilts his head a little.]

It's the same for you and Albert, isn't it?

[That tinge that had been threatening to grow deeper finally did and spread pink across Jet's cheeks.]

Yeah...I guess so.

[It had been rough at first, but Albert had taken him back even after having died on the guy twice and after having been an idiot for nearly three decades. There were times when he couldn't possibly imagine what it was he was doing right to earn that kind of forgiveness, but whatever it was, it was enough that Albert hadn't let him go yet...that probably counted for something.

But that still didn't mean he wanted to swap rings with the American or anything.

But, Joe was right, Jet hadn't really asked either.

He shook his head.]

I don't know. I'll think about it.

...For now let's finish up with this joint so we can move on to more interesting things than suit-fittings.

What, a bachelor party? You know she'll kill me if there's strippers or anything!

[He totally wants cake though, okay? Lots of cake. And all their friends there of course. The thought is so thoroughly distracting that he leaves off the previous subject for the rest of the afternoon.]

[Francoise's sentiments weren't too far off from her husband-to-be's. She stood in front of the three-paneled mirror, looking at herself in every angle as she appraised the princess-style dress. It was beautiful and she knew she looked good in it, but that didn't stop her nervousness and anticipation from making her fret.]

Albert, it doesn't make my butt look big, does it?

[The outline of her butt wasn't even visible under the fluffiness of the skirt, but she had to ask because--it wasn't too much right? Her hands traced down the form-hugging bodice of the dress as she turned to look at her Man of Honor.]

Edited 2013-10-27 23:16 (UTC)

It does, but it's supposed to in that style.

[He flips through his email, a little irritated that whenever he gets days off approved, they always seem to go out of their way to send him work. Maybe he should just quit and drive trucks again...

He sighs a bit and looks up to appraise the gown more attentively. He can't help but smile to see his dearest friend dressed all in white like that.]

You look wonderful.

[Her hands ran to the skirt of the dress, but she smiled at the compliment, the tension leaving her a little.]

Thank you.

[She sighed, blushing but still just as happy.]

I can't believe it's actually going to happen. I'm so nervous!

After we were taken by Black Ghost, I never thought it would be an option, but then we met Joe and, well, I'm really glad it still is.

[He crosses his legs, making an agreeable hum noise.]

At first I never thought we would be able to work together like we have, but... well, first Chang and Great, now you and Joe. It seems we've all done well for ourselves despite what Black Ghost did to us.

[Or... maybe a little because of it. It would have been completely different had none of them been kidnapped. Then, he would have given anything to have had that been the case. Now? He's happy. He has a wonderful family, a spontaneous and loving boyfriend. He never thought he'd be content with his life again but that's the thing about life; it can surprise you.]

[She smiled softly, thinking of their family, how happy they made her and how wonderful their lives were considering what they could have been.

She stepped off the little platform in front of the mirrors and crossed to the couch Albert was on. Carefully, she arranged her skirt so she could sit next to him comfortably.]

What about you, Albert? Have you and Jet talked about getting married?

[Her mind was already there, so it ran with the idea of what her two best friend's wedding would be like. Of course, she would have to plan every single detail, Albert would likely go too subtle and there was no trusting Jet with something like that.]

We haven't talked about it, no.

[He folds his arms, putting his phone in the interior breast pocket of his blazer.]

I'm not certain if he would want to. Things are calm and going well between us. I don't want to provoke anything uncomfortable.

[Jet's never once mentioned anything about marriage. They'd talked about staying together forever, and Albert takes that quiet seriously; as far as he's concerned, they may as well be married, but something about adding rings into their existing equation seems as if it may be an uncomfortable prospect for the younger man and so Albert simply hasn't even brought it up on his end either.

Not to mention, with all their history and how close he believes them to be, to get rejected with that question would be devastating and shake his perception of their relationship. He doesn't want to do that, not in the slightest.]

He's uncomfortable enough ever confronting the fact that I was previously engaged.

Well, I think that would be the case for almost anyone, don't you? Besides, that might be the reason he's never mentioned it, or perhaps he's never even thought of it.

[Those bright green eyes of hers were pinned to him with one of her 'don't you dare lie to me' looks.]

Say he was interested, though, would you be?

Or he's just not the marrying kind. It's been years and he's not exactly one to hold his feelings in for too long. He would have said something.

[He leans forward, resting his chin on his laced fingers in thought, eyes vacantly staring at the base of a mannequin across the way.]

If he was... Well, it's a little complicated but on the whole, yes.

[He smiles softly.]

I can't imagine my life with anyone else now.

[She smiles just as softly because of that smile; she sometimes wished she could take a picture of Albert's face when he talked about Jet and show it to him, because she was fairly certain he didn't realize just how much love was clearly written there.]

I think you should give it a shot, he might surprise you.

If anyone can ask something without directly asking it, it's you. With everything that's going on, I'm sure you could find an opportunity.

[He chuckles and leans back again.]

I'm not certain about that. There's also the possibility that I scare him off by asking.

[He sounds light and joking but in all honesty if Jet took it poorly Albert would be devastated and that fear makes him cautious. Jet's slammed the door behind him for much less, and even if it's been years since he'd come back, he's still a bit skiddish that Jet will find some reason to disappear again. It's just a feeling, against all logic, but it still frightens him to think he could wake up to an empty bed. He has to wonder if Francoise ever feels that same fear but he doesn't think it appropriate to ask only a week before her wedding.]

Oh, Albert.

[The expression she gives him is a mixture of amusement and exasperation.]

How long have you two been together? And how many times has he come back? He hasn't even left for quite a while, we might even be approaching a record.

[Now it's definitely amusement, but she reaches out to put her hand on his.]

It's something I think you should consider, but I won't push you; it's better if it comes up when you're ready.

[She stood again and sighed, smoothing out her dress as she looked at it one more time.]

How about I get out of this thing and we go get some lunch?

Actually.

[He stands as well, a mischievous grin playing along his lips.]

You have somewhere else you need to be.

[There is a bachelorette party, after all. He'd roped in some of the ladies who he knows Francoise is friends with at the foundation, and some of her colleagues from the local ballet school where she part times. Not that he's informed Francoise of this until just now.

He refuses to tell her any more than what he's said, shooing her off to the dressing room.]

* * *

[The ceremony was lovely and officiated by none other than Great Britain, who somehow (internet) had become a minister. The reception was even better, everyone dancing and having quite a good time, and after hours of photos, boogieing, free flowing wine, and delicious cake, thinks are finally starting to wind down.

After making certain GB and Chang got to their cab safely, the evening finds Albert sitting contentedly at one of the tables, jacket off and bow tie undone to hang loosely at his neck, nursing a scotch with a soft smile as he watches Joe and Francoise dance in a slow circle, her head on his shoulder and a blissful smile on Joe's face. It's a perfect picture.

The conversation from the week before is still on his mind, and he has to wonder if they'll perhaps ever be celebrating his own marriage. It really wouldn't change anything between him and Jet as far as Albert's concerned. He's never going anywhere as it is. He's committed. It would simply make it official. But that formality makes it concrete and he's still not sure what Jet would think of it, so he hasn't breathed a word of it to his partner.]

[It's a couple minutes later when Jet flops down in the chair next to the German with a sigh. He's in a similar state of dressed down, but he's left his coat and bowtie elsewhere and his shirt was unbuttoned by a few buttons at the top.]

I can't remember the last time I went to a wedding...but this one was pretty good, I'd say.

['Pretty good' was an understatement, it was beautiful and went off without a hitch. As much as he liked to torment his best friend, it was good to see him and the woman he saw as a sister finally happy together like they ought to be.

He leaned his head back and smirked over at his partner.]

You haven't danced with me all night long. Coward.

[He keeps watching the happy couple dance for another minute or so, taking a drink from his glass, and then turns to Jet as if he'd just noticed his presence.]

Hmm, did you say something?

[He knows very well what Jet asked, he's just avoiding it. He doesn't dance. He has an excellent sense of rhythm and it's not that he isn't graceful when he wants to be, he just can't reconcile his grace with his rhythm. Wires get crossed somewhere (no pun intended) and he can't seem to make his feet move along in the correct way.

So he'll change the subject.]

It was a beautiful ceremony. Look how happy they are. Frankly, I'm glad our Francoise found someone suitable.

[Y'know, instead of some punk that Jet and Albert would have to chase off. They would have too, if anyone seemed like they'd intentionally hurt her.]

[Jet scoffs and shakes his head.]

Whatever.

[He knew Albert was just avoiding the topic, but that was fine. Dancing wasn't really fun without a willing partner anyway. He'd just have to steal Frannie for a dance again sometime.

His attention shifts to the newlyweds and his smirk turns into a soft smile.]

Yeah...it's about time, really. If Joe'd had the nerve to ask her himself, it probably would have happened years ago.

[Which only reminded him of the conversation he and Joe had had, the same one he'd been trying to ignore all night long. It was hard not to think about weddings when you were involved in one.]

Guess I can't blame him, though, it's hard putting yourself out there like that.

[Hard like saying that three word phrase for the first time or even just admitting you have feelings for a guy in the first place. But maybe he should...he'd already sort of insinuated that he was thinking about it, right? Maybe Albert would bring it up.

Unless he didn't want to talk about it.

Round and round his thought process went and he reached out to snag Albert's scotch so he could take a sip.]

It is.

[He glances at Jet snatching up his glass, an affectionate smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.]

Being afraid of rejection, of losing what you already have...

[Fingers drum lightly on the tablecloth as Albert's gaze falls again on the white and black that is Francoise and Joe slowly revolving on the dance floor to "The Way You Look Tonight".]

It's a terrifying prospect, even if the other possible result would be worth it. That's a supreme amount of trust to show someone.

[He humms his agreement and returns the drink, his eyes still on the couple, but his mind firmly on the man beside him.

It was a lot of trust to show someone and everything indicated there'd be nothing wrong with asking Albert how he felt about it for himself. Even if he wasn't interested, it wasn't like Albert would phrase it in such a way to purposefully hurt Jet or anything, he'd do the complete opposite and try to do it as gently as possible.

He knew that, at least.

And, while the blond would like to think he could do the same--even if he wouldn't be giving that kind of answer--he was notorious for sticking his foot down his throat, so he'd likely just end up messing things up. Maybe he should be the one to do it and let his partner handle the part that required tact.

Maybe.

Or maybe he could continue sitting there in silence. Being a coward.]

Hey....Al...have you, you know, ever thought about it? You know, trying to get married to someone again?

[Not with him, obviously, just in general.

Yeah.

He was just going to pretend the heat in his face was from the alcohol he'd ingested tonight.]

Yes.

[The answer comes perhaps a bit too quickly and Albert's gaze remains fixed on their friends with a subtle shift of intensity. He's no longer paying attention to the gentle sway of newlyweds; his attention has turned decidedly inward, but he doesn't look at Jet out of fear that the one word was the wrong one.]

Rather, I've given it thought.

[Such a difference. Not.]

[That was a quick response and Jet almost chickens out with it. Did that mean he'd thought about it and decided against it or that he'd thought about it and liked the idea?

....he'd already come this far, if he was going to stick his foot in it, he might as well do it all the way.]

...And...would you want to? Get married?

[His voice went a little softer and it was incredibly impossible to look over at the other cyborg now. Surely he was about to die on the spot from this much insecurity and embarrassment. But, although his face's color was growing by the second, he somehow managed to keep his voice even despite the lower volume.]

Maybe to me?

[Right. Breathing. Keep breathing. That's a thing he needs to do. He'd stopped for a second.

Slowly, carefully, he turns his head to look at Jet, a blush painting his own cheeks and the tops of his ears. With a very deliberate movement, designed as if Jet were a bird that would flit away at any sudden motion, Albert reaches over and places his hand over the blond's, his expression falling into something bewildered and overwhelmed but altogether loving. It's not unlike the look he gives Jet when they make love, or even just when he passes by Jet in the kitchen and feels compelled to plant a kiss on his cheek before going on about his day. He may have doubted it in their darkest moments, when Jet had left and he hadn't been certain if he'd ever see Jet again, but he'd never doubted their feelings for each other and if Jet's asking him this...]

My life is better for having you in it.

[He squeezes Jet's hand, murmuring softly against the backdrop of the music. He's totally not tearing up, shush.]

There's no worthier cause to dedicate it to than you.

[Jet's face is on fire and he's finally able to get his eyes to their hands before finally finding Albert's face.

With that expression on him and those words slowly processing, he finds his mouth has gone dry and he can't find anything to say. Albert had always been better at words than the blond and now...something like that, he didn't know what to say to it. He wasn't that eloquent.

So he defaulted. Slowly, he turned his hand under Albert's and threaded their fingers together. Once his eyes are locked with his partners, he was certain every emotion he was feeling was clear in his eyes, but he could also see how wet those silver eyes were threatening to be and that loving look in full that was directed at him, was there because of him. It made him smile a little as he leaned forward, his other hand reaching across to Albert's cheek, as he pressed their lips together gently.]

Just the sniffles

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