Abyss - My Beloved Plutus
Title: My Beloved Plutus
Author: sage_of_llamas (aka Otaku Sage of Llamas)
Pairings/Characters: Jade x Guy and some appearances by Peony, Ryan (OC), Nephry, Luke, and Natalia.
Prompt: Jade/Guy - going blind (either literally or figuratively, it’s up to you)
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: There is an OC and some minor spoilers for the Tales of Abyss game involving Guy’s background and Jade’s eyes.
Disclaimer: Otaku-Sage-of-Llamas does not claim to own Tales of the Abyss and its characters. Rather that privilege belongs to Bandai-Namco.
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It was supposed to be an ordinary training mission for the new recruits to the Malkuth military that graduated from the academy. The only reason why Jade Curtiss enjoyed such days was the opportunity to terrorize the newbies, to the discontent of his assistant Ryan who despite the masculine name was actually female.
Currently, Jade observed as Ryan sparred with the trainees and yelling when they made a big mistake, which led to one recruit peeing their pants. He laughed cruelly as the boy started sobbing and ran off. Ryan sent him a glare before going after the kid.
Nighttime came and the recruits were eagerly sleeping while the colonel and his assistant kept watch. Ryan typically bugged him about his many stories especially concerning the Replica War.
She reached over to draw her sword when a rogue Elephossus charged out of the bushes. Armed with the sword, Ryan distracts the monster while Jade started to cast a fonic arte.
However, the Elephossus soon charged past Ryan and disrupted the casting by ramming into Jade which caused his glasses to fly off. By now, the loud noise of the fight awoke all the recruits who were either scared or had no idea what to do.
His crimson eyes burned as his fonons started to go out of control and emitted an energy blast that destroyed the monster before his body collapses and his consciousness fades to black.
“Colonel Curtiss!” Ryan screams as she sees Jade’s body hit the floor. Worried, she leads the recruits out of the forest and back to Grand Chokmah while she carries the colonel’s body.
She picks the lock of his front door so that she can place him on his bed as one recruit locates a doctor. While the doctor examines Jade, he awakes and his once bright crimson orbs are now dull and glassy.
“Please tell me that you put a blindfold on me,” the colonel says, his voice laced with some concern.
“Sir…” Ryan stutters, her voice starting to crack.
“What is it?” he replies in a cold tone.
“You seem to have lost your eyesight, Colonel Curtiss,” the male doctor explained.
“…my glasses fell of and my fonic sight must of went out of control,” he reasoned but his mind was in denial of this new development.
“Dr. Geronalde, would you be so kind to stay with the colonel as I report to his majesty?” the doctor nods and Ryan bows before leaving the house. She makes a quick visit to her parents before going to the palace.
“Ah, where is my Jade?” Peony greets as she enters the audience chamber and kneels before him.
“I regret to inform your majesty that Colonel Curtiss has gone blind,” her words are blunt and to the point. She sees no need to sugarcoat things in front of the emperor.
“…what? How…!?” tears started to form in his eyes.
“It appears that the fonic arte in his eyes overwhelmed his body as the device he used to regulate it was knocked off by a monster.”
“Understood…you,” the emperor points randomly to one of his guards.
“Yes, your majesty?”
“Get Count Gardios and bring him here,” Peony ordered.
As they waited for the guard to return with Guy, the emperor informed Ryan that she was to take over Jade’s position. She had refused but the emperor insisted that someone needed to take his spot temporarily regardless if it was her or someone else.
“Oh, Gailardia, thanks for coming on such short notice but I have a favor to ask of you.”
“Please tell me it’s not to walk your rappigs again, your majesty,” Guy joked.
“I’m afraid not. This matter is much more serious…I want you to look after Jade.”
“What’s wrong with him?” Guy said in concern.
“He’s blind,” the emperor cried out, covering his face with a hand. Ryan gestured Guy for them to leave Peony alone.
Once they left the audience chamber, Guy asks, “I don’t mean to be rude but who are you?”
“I’m Ryan, Count Gardios,” she bows, “a soldier in the Third Division under command of Colonel Curtiss. Now, I can escort you to his house if you would like.”
“If you would please,” Ryan nods before leading him out of palace.
“I’m glad that his majesty assigned someone like you to Colonel Curtiss…” she finally admitted.
“Why?”
“Well…I would feel very awkward if I had to help him change clothes,” Ryan blushes and Guy chuckles. They sober up as they approach the Necromancer’s home and Ryan does not hesitate as she enters the bedroom.
“I’m back, Colonel Curtiss,” Jade nods and reaches for her small hand, seeing if he can recognize his assistant by touch.
“Judging from the footsteps, you brought a guest,” he runs a curious finger across her palm. Ryan watches with a sad look on her raven haired face.
“Yes, I have Count Gardios with me, sir.”
“Ah…it’s been a while, Guy…” Jade’s hand leaves Ryan’s and seeks out Guy’s, who extends his hand without any hesitation. He noticed that the skin was rougher, noticeably more masculine than the woman’s hand.
“Umm…Master and Lady Curtiss plan to visit you soon…” she said nervously, scratching her head.
“You told them?” his voice was ice cold and it caused Ryan to shudder a bit.
“I’m sorry. I only told my mother and she informed the Lady without my permission.”
“Huh?” Guy stutters in confusion.
“It’s a good thing you didn’t become a servant because you would make a horrible one,” he teases, causing Ryan to smile.
“Sir, you are making Count Gardios even more confused…” Jade laughs as he stops touching Guy’s hand.
“Anyways, I shall now take my leave.”
“Oh, already?” he says in an amused tone.
“Sorry, Colonel Curtiss but I must.”
“Alright then and please do try to convince them otherwise on paying me a visit,” now it is Ryan’s turn to laugh. The colonel’s adopted parents were rather stubborn and almost nothing could stop either one of them when they set their mind on something. The silent doctor follows her out of the house.
“So what are you doing here, Guy?” Jade asks as he attempts to rise out of bed but Guy pushes him back down.
“I am not a child, you know,” he complains.
“I know that but Peony ordered me to watch over you.”
“Did he now…? I will be sure to thank him properly later,” the colonel mutters sarcastically.
“Jade…” Guy reaches for his hand,” It’s going to be hard adjustment and you need someone to help you get through it.”
Jade sigs,”…suit yourself.”
The doctor had purposely left behind a walking stick for the Necromancer and guy thinks it would be best to get Jade used to walking now that he cannot see. But first, he decides that Jade should change out of his uniform into something more comfortable.
The blond searches the dresser which is overrun with the same military uniform but he manages to find a white long sleeved buttoned shirt and a pair of black slacks.
Guy blushes in embarrassment as he strips the colonel of the uniform, who resists at first at getting assistance in changing clothes, and catches an eyeful of the older man’s toned body, he was in good shape for a man in his late thirties.
He resists the urge to caress the other man’s chest and tease the pert nubs that were a pale pink color. Shaking his head to clear the naughty thoughts, Guy helps place the more comfortable clothing on Jade’s body.
After he was completely dressed, Jade was handed the stick and inspects the feel of shape of it with his fingertips.
His world was filled with nothing but darkness now and he would have to rely heavily upon his other senses, especially touch and hearing. They start off with Jade just walking inside of his house as the older man was not quite ready to venture out into the outside world.
“This is rather tiring for an old man like me,” Jade comments as he guides himself onto a chair without any assistance successfully.
“You’re not that old.”
“A young person like you wouldn’t understand.”
“Try me.”
Weeks and soon months go by, Jade has adjusted to being blind quite well as he is starting to be able to recognize people by touch. Emperor Peony and Ryan make frequent visits. And somehow, Ryan managed to stop the Curtiss family from visiting their adopted son.
Guy does not understand the odd feelings including lust he has been developing for Jade as the time they spend together progresses.
Currently, Guy was cooking dinner in the kitchen and talked to Jade who as in the small dining room. He hums as they talk about their adventures in the Replica War.
“Oh, I received a letter from Natalia saying that she is trying to organize a reunion.”
“Hmm?” Jade sips his tea.
“Basically, she wants to see everyone again…”
“Mhm…”
“You don’t sound interested, Jade.”
“She was thinking about having it in Keterburg because of the spa and the casino…” Guy continued but Jade was silent, his lips in a thin line.
“Jade, what’s wrong?”
“Hmm? What makes you say that?”
“I’ve been around you long enough to tell when something is bothering you,” Guy says as he brings out some plates of food onto the dining table. After nagging Jade for an hour, he reluctantly complies to attend the reunion.
The actual reunion party was in a banquet hall at the Keterburg Hotel. Everyone was surprised to see the colonel without his glasses using a walking stick enter with Guy by his side.
Jade had refused to let the public to be aware of his blindness so only Peony, Ryan, Guy, and some other select few knew.
“Nii-san,” Jade heard Nephry’s voice cry out and he knew it was her arms that smothered his body in a warm embrace.
“What happened to you?” she sobbed into his shoulder, the tears wetting his clothes in that spot.
“Why did you hide this from me!?” he doesn’t say anything as he rubs his sister’s back calmly. Guy leaves the siblings alone so that they could have some privacy as they talk.
Luke leaves his conservation with Natalia and Tear to run up to him like a little child as he tackles him to the floor in a hug.
“Easy now,” he messes up Luke’s hair with his hand.
“Hey, I haven’t seen you in ages! And you have been staying with Jade?” Luke whined, getting off Guy so that he can stand back up.
“What’s wrong with Hade?” he says seriously, his eyes narrow in a glare.
“What? Are you in love with him or something? That’s gross!” Guy growls before he punches Luke right in the face, causing him to fall to the floor and clutches his nose that started to bleed.
“What the hell was that for!?” he shouts and everyone else’s attention shift immediately to them, the room becomes silent.
“Honestly, grow up!”
“So you do!” he accused.
“Hey, stop this,” Natalia runs over to grab Guy’s arms as he tries to land another blow on Luke, whom is restrained by Tear. However, the two boys glared at each other. Guy forgave Luke for a lot of stupid shit he did but he was having a hard time digesting this.
Were these odd feelings harboring in the pit of his stomach…love?
Love…such a strong word, laden with heavy weight.
Guy never thought he could be capable of loving someone due to his phobia of women. Sure, he enjoyed at looking at their feminine features and talking with them but if he entered a relationship with one…his phobia would prevent him from making love to a woman.
And Guy was not sure if a purely platonic relationship would hold together for a long time.
As for other men, he was not repulsed about the idea of having a relationship with one but never gave it much thought before. Guy had a lot of respect for Jade as a seasoned soldier and brilliant mind.
He was well versed in medical knowledge, literary works, and mathematics. Though to Guy’s dismay, Jade did not know a lot about fontech, which was his passion, and made the point that he only created the theory. Dist was the one who built the machinery.
When Guy suggested that he pay a visit to the former God General, Jade laughed before refusing to go with him. So, he did not go, not wanting to leave Jade all by himself. Becoming blind, made him a bit vulnerable.
Also, he had complained once about being bored as he was no longer able to read his books or do much of anything else. Though, Guy became his source of entertainment as the colonel teased him constantly.
The rest of reunion was uneventful. Luke kept his distance and Guy stayed by Jade’s side, who was also accompanied by his sister. Nephry offered them a place to stay in the Governor’s mansion instead of the hotel.
Jade sits on the bed facing Guy after changing into pajamas,” What did Luke say to make you so angry?”
“Umm…it was nothing.”
“Oh? Nothing caused such a violent reaction? I know it takes a lot to make you mad, Gailardia. Even after Akzeriuth, you weren’t angry at him. You left the party to return to his side,” Jade’s glassy eyes seemed to pierce the very core of his being.
“He made a rude remark.”
“Oh, you’re not going to share?”
“It was Luke just being ignorant…”
“Gailardia. I can tell that your voice is uneasy. I may be blind but I am certainly not an idiot. Why won’t you tell me?”
“I…” Guy started but stopped himself.
Instead of words, the id inside of his brain made him act out as he captured Jade’s lips with his own. Jade gasped and his hands searched for his shoulders to push at them as his mouth sought freedom.
However, Guy did not back down, his tongue probing forward into the colonel’s moist cavern. Guy’s mind feels like he is flying in the clouds as he enjoys the soft feel of his lips against his own.
He takes a deep breath once he releases Jade from the intense kiss.
“So did he accuse you of being gay?” Jade says in an oddly amusing tone, quickly regaining his composure.
“Something along those lines…”
“I see…”
“Jade, I’m sorry about that,” he lowered his head to avoid seeing Jade’s face.
“Do you regret kissing an old man like me?”
“No…” he stutters.
“Then why are you apologizing?” Jade roughly grabs his chin and his eyes widened as those soft lips devour him, causing Guy to slowly close his eyes.
The darkness covering his vision allows him to concentrate on this intimate meeting of their lips. Words are not needed but their throats vocalize their sounds of pleasure.
Guy lets out a sigh of disappointment as the impassioned kiss finally ends. They both pant, seeking out their lost breath and try to regain it.
“Jade,” he calls softly caressing the man’s face.
“Do you have feelings for me?” he touches Guy’s hand that is lavishing affection upon his cheek.
“I love you,” Guy states firmly as he brings the hand on top of his own to his lips to place a gentle kiss upon it.