After All This Time...

[tiger_ken]

[1]

[It's late at night at Sakihama base. And the only people up this late should be workaholics, and those with active night lives.

So who then, is that you catch out of the corner of your eye?]



Hm... Must be around here somewhere...

[One of them is clearly female, a woman likely in and around her late thirties, but in remarkable physical form. The other...]



Did we really have to do this at night dear? If it were the day, we could at least track him back to his quarters.

[The other is practically her male counterpart, similarly aged, equally fit. He bears something of a resemblance to a certain young pilot...]

Or perhaps...

[Suddenly, he turns on his heel, and throws out a quick series of shuriken, aimed to pin an unfortunate eavesdropper to the walls by their sleeves!]



We could ask them?



Sounds like a plan. Where is Kentaro Torao's room?

[2]

(OOC: Feel free to enter this prompt from the previous by changing the prompt number when you wanna timeskip)



So... my baby boy really has become a man...



Be honest, we surprised you didn't we son?



...

Comments

[break_the_nine]

[Leos remained absolutely dead silent, looking back and forth between them.]

You're right Ken. Your parents made a huge mistake because they were just too wrapped up as ninjas that they forget things that normal people wouldn't.

You suffered because of that...

But...

[He pulls out an emergency pudding he's been keeping (one he obtained thanks to Ken no less) and just bops it to the forehead of the son of the ninja duo.]



At the same time they knew you. They knew and believed that you'd be able to stay alive and take care of yourself. And you even managed to do it without any of their help.

Ken. I know you're angry with them and you've got every right to be. But I'm asking you as your friend to forgive them.

Mr and Mrs Ken's Parents? You made a mistake and your son was really hurt by it. I don't know how its done in ninja families... but I think you should do everything you can to make it up to him.

All of you guys are ninjas and I know its probably really weird... but the world's a dangerous place as it is and Ken and I almost died a lot of times. I know you two would have had your share of close calls..

So try to stay together. Alright?

[tiger_ken]

...Leos...

[Ken holds the pudding in his hands, as if considering all the world's questions on the face of the cup.]



Interesting words, young man. And I would say we've gotten enough indication of our misstep, so...



Dear? Is something wrong?



*Sniff* S-Sorry. I-I understand what you're saying... Leos... and I'm just so happy that Ken has such a wonderful boyfriend...



...

[break_the_nine]

EEEH!? No no! You've got the wrong idea! Ken and I are like brothers! He's like one of my first friends since... since that day happened for me.

[Leos trails off as he rubs his arm self consciously with a small sad smile, looking aside. His modifications meant that he had a hard time telling if he was crying or not, especially if he kept his voice steady]



I'm... not well. And I'm not entirely human anymore either. I doubt anyone would want broken, stapled up and used goods like me.

I'm not sure if I'll ever be ready or able to love again either...

[He stares at one of his hands. He could still feel her there. Her blood. He remembered her voice, her smile.]

[-Promise me you'll keep smiling Leos-]



[Leos lets out a sudden laugh.]

But if Ken's interested in guys I'm pretty sure I can help him find someone! Call it a best friend's duty!

[tiger_ken]

Well, even if you two aren't together that way, its nice to see he has such a wonderful friend. He had trouble with this growing up...

[Ryuko appears right in front of Leos, and pulls him in for what should be a comforting hug...

But may end up suffocating Leos instead. For two big reasons.]



Dear, I thought that was our special thing!



Kill me now...

[break_the_nine]

.......

[Which brings up an interesting question. Does Leos actually need to breath anymore given his cybernetic implants from becoming human PLUS? If not then maybe its his stupidity. Because he doesn't seem to be affected by the lack of air at all and simply hugs back.]

[Were Willis, VG, Kakizaki or Toby (god rest his soul) here he would have given them a thumbs up.]