[OPEN]

[i_love_squats]

Who: Zack Fair (i_love_squats), OPEN
When: Tonight
Where: The city streets
Format: Paragraph, past tense
What: Zack’s taking things into his own hands, against better judgment.
Warnings: Slightly angsty.

Comments

The more, the merrier! :D

[i_love_squats]

Zack had been expecting someone eventually -it was only a matter of time before he was caught on his personal patrols-, but he hadn’t been expecting this seemingly friendly blonde guy who he hadn’t seen before. He saw the man’s reservation to get too close, saw the note to his weapon, and blinked. It had never occurred to the ex-SOLDIER that he could be confused for the killer until this moment, as he watched the guy stay out of range of his rather significant sword. And would it be such a strange thought? He was a capable fighter, strong, fast, with a blade almost as tall as he was.

Shiva.

His face broke into an easy grin, one he meant, one he felt¸ as he slid his hands into pockets. Anything to put the situation at ease.

“Couldn’t sleep,” he admitted. Didn’t want to sleep was the real truth, but it all went hand in hand. “‘Sides, I could say the same thing about you, couldn’t I?” Pot, meet kettle. Kettle, pot.

One gloved hand emerged from his pocket, and he extended it, open, waiting to be shook. “Name’s Zack.”

And he thought he could have made it work, a nonchalant patrol with one other person, maybe even walk the guy home (place wasn’t safe, after all) while looking down all the alleys they passed. That dream was dashed, though, when he heard approaching footsteps. More footsteps. The rest of the night was gone, was a wash, and he knew it before he heard the young guy speak.

Poor kid. He had seen him around before, but with the question asked, he assumed it wasn’t the same one; not surprising since people had a tendency to come and go in Anatole. Scratching the back of his neck, Zack didn’t even try to hold back the laugh that bubbled at his lips, letting it out, loud. Sure, it wasn’t polite, but how often do you hear conversations start like that?

“New, huh? You’re probably in the starter apartments, right?” Zack reached over and ruffled up Roxas’ blonde hair, boundaries and personal space be damned. He remembered how confused and lost when he had first gotten here, so he couldn’t really blame anyone, could he now?

“I can lead you back there, no problem. You really should have a marker, a tall building you can see from anywhere that will help you determine how far you are from your place and what direction you’re going in. Really helps, ‘specially in places you’re not too familiar with.”

He looked back to the first stranger, a smile on his lips. “You should come along, too. Not safe here at night anymore. Not by yourself.” And he didn’t even think of how hypocritical that sounded as he started walking.

“Why are you two out anyway?”