iamonlythevirus-blog

[iamonlythevirus-blog]

Alex nodded. "You're different, though, Cross." His voice was soft, and he rolled onto his side, looking at the bigger man. Cross didn't treat him like everyone else did. And how he appreciated it. "And you are more than welcome for this."

Something Special || Closed RP w/ capt-robert-cross

“Well, I shouldn’t wonder why.  Everyone treats you like shit, you’re less inclined to want to do anything nice for anyone.  I know the feeling, trust me.”  He scratched at his jaw lightly, then checked the ground for a safe place to flick his ash.  ”I am grateful for this though.”

[iamonlythevirus-blog]

Alex straightened, sighing. "No." He wasn't used to people not trying to kill him on sight. He crossed his arms, taking a deep breath. "Let me try that again. Hi. Is there anything you need?"

+shutterclick-kaboom

Saiga raises an eyebrow right back, a cigarette hanging out of the corner of his mouth as he leans against a wall. He takes a moment to answer, wiping off the lens of his camera with a soft cloth and inspecting the glass for more grime before letting it hang from the strap around his neck. “From you? Nothing.” He comments with a shrug, taking a drag and blowing smoke out of his nose. “Why? You offended that someone spotted you?”

[iamonlythevirus-blog]

Alex smiled at him, leaning back on the blanket. "It's been a long time since I've wanted to do anything like this," he said softly. He didn't even remember the last time he'd gone to this much trouble to do something for someone. 

Something Special || Closed RP w/ capt-robert-cross

He eyed Alex sharply for a minute, his expression inscrutable, then let the joke slide without comment.  ”Well, awesome,” he said, then downed the rest of his beer, sitting up and putting the bottle on the cooler.  He pulled out his cigarettes and lit one, taking a long drag, then he leaned back again, letting the smoke out away from the virus.

[iamonlythevirus-blog]

"I can think of plenty of ways," Alex joked quietly, before shaking his head, looking back at Cross. "Not at all. Just don't light anything else on fire," he said, the joking tone still in his voice.

Something Special || Closed RP w/ capt-robert-cross

“Yeah.  Damned straight, and don’t you forget it, or I’ll have to find some way to remind you.”  He laughed and nudged the Virus’ shoulder lightly.  Then he took another drink of his beer before looking to Alex.  ”You don’t mind if I smoke up here, do you?”  He held up the nearly empty bottle of beer.  ”I could keep the butts in this, so our little lair stays neat.”

[iamonlythevirus-blog]

"Manly? I'll say..." Alex smiled at Cross, biting his lip a bit. "Definitely manly." And very attractive. But he wouldn't say that out loud. At least, not yet.

Something Special || Closed RP w/ capt-robert-cross

He scowled a little at being called adorable, but said nothing yet, unwrapping a candy and popping it into his mouth.  ”I am not adorable, I’m manly as hell, get it right.”

[iamonlythevirus-blog]

Alex glanced at the candy, a little puzzled at first. He grinned, looking back at Cross. "That's adorable." He took one of the little candies, unwrapped it, and popped it into his mouth. "Thanks."

Something Special || Closed RP w/ capt-robert-cross

He closed his eyes, relaxing and enjoying the fresh air.  The smell of parts of the city on fire and the infected was hardly noticeable up here.  He took another drink of his beer, then set it aside, fishing some candy from his pockets.  Little fruit flavored hard candies.  He set the pile on the blanket and looked to Alex.  ”You can have some if you want.  I have a bit of a sweet tooth, and always have candy on me.”

[iamonlythevirus-blog]

Alex smiled, nodding. "I'm glad you did, too." He sat up a little, taking a sip of the soda. "I do, and I will. Thanks." He leaned back again, eyes still on Cross. 

Something Special || Closed RP w/ capt-robert-cross

“Well, I keep my word, Alex.  I said I would give you the chance.  And I’m glad I did.” He smiled and leaned back again, propping himself up on one elbow and taking the beer in his free hand to take a drink.  He set it back on the esky carefully.  ”Thanks again.  And you have my number, you know how to contact me if you want to arrange something.”

[iamonlythevirus-blog]

Alex smiled, a little shyly, and nodded. "I'd love that," he murmured, moving his hands behind his head as he looked at the sky. "And thanks for coming up here. It means a lot."

Something Special || Closed RP w/ capt-robert-cross

“Hahaha, I’m glad someone thinks I deserve a break.”  He didn’t let the Virus’ hand go right away, though, squeezing back gently before finally releasing him.  ”We should make this a habit of ours, come here and relax together once in a while.  You made a really nice little den of the place.”

[iamonlythevirus-blog]

"You deserve the break," he said in return, smiling. "And you'd very welcome. But you don't need to thank me. I want to help you." Alex took Cross's hand and squeezed softly, before releasing it.

Something Special || Closed RP w/ capt-robert-cross

“I am under a lot of stress, but it’s what I’m used to.  I’ve been in the military since I was eighteen, and doing the hard jobs since I was twenty, so it’s just something i have gotten used to by now.  But a break is nice.”  He sighed.  ”And very welcome. Thanks, Alex.”

[iamonlythevirus-blog]

"I'm glad..." Alex murmured, leaning back a bit. "You must be under a lot of pressure. I thought you might need somewhere you can relax, and not have to worry about anything. Not work, not infected. Nothing." He'd truly wanted to give Cross something peaceful.

Something Special || Closed RP w/ capt-robert-cross

“Well, it’s an excellent start.”  He laid back, one knee up, and put one arm under his head, picking out the constellations he could see and recognize.  Not many, but enough to have something to do.  He was unaware of the way Alex was staring at him, and he was at peace.  He took another drink of his beer, and then set it on top of the cooler, thinking.  ”What made you decide to do this in particular, though?”

[iamonlythevirus-blog]

"I told you, I'd prove to you how I much I care," Alex said, smiling, and stretching out on the blanket. He grabbed a soda from the esky. He looked over at Cross, deciding that was a much better view than the sky. But he was glad the other man was enjoying it. "I'd hoped you'd like something like this."

Something Special || Closed RP w/ capt-robert-cross

He settled more comfortably on the blanket with a sigh, and then dug through the little cooler, choosing a beer.  He popped the cap off with his teeth, and pocketed it, then turned to Alex with a smile.  ”I misjudged you, Alex, this is perfect.  I need some place to relax, and this isn’t something I would have thought of on my own.  Thanks.”  He took a drink of the beer, then looked to the sky again, taking in the stars that he could see.   Light pollution from the city made it difficult to see much, but what one could see was beautiful.

[iamonlythevirus-blog]

Alex grinned, sitting beside Cross. "You mean those ones," he said, gesturing towards a small, partially hidden esky, that held a few alcoholic, and non-alcoholic drinks. "I'm glad you like it. I... I wanted to do something for you. So you could relax, without any worries," he told the other man softly.

Something Special || Closed RP w/ capt-robert-cross

Cross chuckled, stepping over the lip of the doorframe automatically, and letting Alex lead him by the hand into the area.  When he was told he could open his eyes, he did so, and was silent for a good, long moment, looking around.  It was… amazing.  Really beautiful, and peaceful.  he glanced up at the stars, and had to fight a small smile.  ”It looks great, Alex.   I love it.”  He tugged Alex now, leading him towards the blankets.  He chose one and sat down on it, letting go of Alex’s hand.  ”A couple of drinks would be the only way you could improve this, it’s really amazing, Alex.”  He gave the Virus that smile of his again, briefly, before looking back up to the stars again.

[iamonlythevirus-blog]

"It's not, I promise," Alex said softly, opening the door and leading Cross through. "Ok, you can open them." The rooftop was clear of rubble, and cleaned. Someone who had lived here before had set up a small patch of grass and a little garden. Alex had fixed it up a little, with some blankets spread on the grass. It was dark now, and you could clearly see the stars from the roof.ca

Something Special || Closed RP w/ capt-robert-cross

He was going to protest at the handholding, but he decided not to, allowing himself to be dragged along.  He really didn’t mind it, actually, and he still had one hand free to smoke, so he did so as they walked, enjoying the night air.  He finished his cigarette just as they reached the apartment, and stomped it out.  He followed Alex up the stares, his grip on the Virus’ hand a little tighter.  At the request, he sighed, but complied.  ”This better not be a prank,” he muttered.

[iamonlythevirus-blog]

Alex smiled, slipping his hand into the other's, and gently tugging him in the right direction, towards the abandoned apartment building. It didn't take long for them to get there, and Alex let him up the stairs. They reached the door, and he turned to Cross. "Close your eyes," he requested quietly.

Something Special || Closed RP w/ capt-robert-cross

Cross had sensed the Virus coming, being infected himself, but he planned to keep that to himself for as long as he could.  He turned as Alex touched his shoulder, and did his best to keep the smoke away from the other— a habit.  ”A surprise?”  His dark brows furrowed as he considered, and then decided to trust the Virus.  ”Alright, show me.”

[iamonlythevirus-blog]

Alex landed in the alley, spotting Cross. He approached the other man quietly, touching his shoulder. "I have something for you," he said softly. The rooftop garden was only a block or two away. "But it's a surprise." He was... strangely excited about this. More than he'd been about anything in a long time.

Something Special || Closed RP w/ capt-robert-cross

It had been a long and harrying day on base.  Between drama with the soldiers, and having to take his team out to take out a hive, it hadn’t been the most pleasant day in recent memory.  He had walked to the base that morning, so now he was walking home.  He paused at the mouth of an alley, pulling out a pack of cigarettes and shaking one out.  He put the pack away and pulled out his Zippo, lighting the cigarette, and took a drag.  

Putting the Zippo away, he blew smoke out in a dragon’s plume and started walking again, headed home.

[iamonlythevirus-blog]

Something Special || Closed RP w/ capt-robert-cross

Alex finished setting up, and stood back to look at his handiwork. He'd fixed up an abandoned rooftop garden (one which he'd probably destroyed in the first place) and located a couple of blankets. He'd spread them out on the ground, where they could see the darkening sky, and the stars. He wanted it to be, above all else, peaceful and relaxing.

He leapt lightly off the roof, slowing his descent with the fire escape. He hit the ground heavily, and left to find Cross.

[iamonlythevirus-blog]

"Of course. I'll come see you soon, I promise." Alex smiled at Cross gently, pulling him into an embrace. "Very soon." He released him, and turning, walking towards an alley.

+capt-robert-cross

He waved it off.  ”I’m done chasing people.  To old and tired to chase people.  You come find me when you want to see me.”  He shook his head.  ”If this… turns into something serious, I’ll start coming to find you, but until then, my chasing days, in that respect anyway, are over.”  He gave Alex’s hand a return squeeze.  ”But I will be happy to see you if you do come back.”