It was over a week since the start of their separation when he saw the fire. It hadn't drawn his attention at first, the distant crackling easily mistakable for the wind pushing dried leaves. The smell of smoke was what caught him, his eyes turning to the town- the buildings were surrounded in a thick, black cloud, an ominous orange flickering a second telltale sign of what was happening within. He'd been told she tried to burn down the city once, but he couldn't find it in him to care to find a reason now. Probably because she was a Pyro- creating fire came naturally to her, was something she needed every now and then. It was like the hunt for him, the absolute need to get away from the caging walls of the city. She needed it, but she didn't need him, and he didn't need her. That was how things should have been from the start, he told himself. Distance. No attachment. It complicated matters.
It was with seeming disinterest that he tore his gaze from the sight, going back to his work, carefully tying vibrant green feathers to his modified rifle. He propped the gun on his knee, taking a moment to rub some of the stiffness from the joint. That simple act made him reconsider- from his knee to the hand that rubbed it, the ache pushed through him, memories brought back from the sensation. He paused, looking at his hand, once-broken fingers now back in place, injuries fading with those who knew what caused them. Not that Sniper would ever forget that masked vigilante, appearing out of nowhere, demanding his weapons and treating him like a criminal—
He was upright in an instant, gun in hand, realization hitting him as he turned to the burning city; the shadows of the trees before him reached toward his feet like tendrils, trying to pull him closer. He'd been beaten to a bloody pulp for simply aiming among civilians, despite the fact he never intended to actually fire. Someone actually lighting the town ablaze was not only going to attract attention, but would inevitably bring trouble. If the masked man was still in Paradise, there was no way he'd let her get away with what she'd done... and certainly not alive.
He'd lost track of the days since he'd last seen her, yet Sniper was tearing back toward the city as fast as his limbs could carry him. Teriyaki followed until RED called back for him, ordering the pup to remain at the camp- and stay he did. He was a good dog, one with the qualities Sniper admired, but were so lacking in his fellow man: he was loyal, obedient.
And so was his master, though his loyalty was to another. RED choked back pain from his knee as he scaled a tree with record speed, drawing his gun once he'd reached the top. Setting the scope to his eye, he scanned the burning city, skimming along the tops of buildings, trying to find anyone- namely her or him. The flames that licked the sky blocked his view; he was never going to find her that way. He holstered his gun again, sliding down the branches to the ground. That left only one option.
With his hand on his knife, he entered into the city's walls, headed straight for the chaos. He'd died by fire just before he'd been brought to Paradise; however, the flames were no longer what terrified him. Far worse was the thought of losing her, that he could have protected her and did nothing. That was something he could not let happen, for her sake and his own. The anger that had swallowed him was gone, unadulterated trepidation left in its wake. They needed each other, even if neither party would admit to it.
Loyalty, obedience. These were qualities Sniper had more than he knew.
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branchandroot
Sob, comment limit.
Date: 2012-04-30 05:48 am (UTC)It was with seeming disinterest that he tore his gaze from the sight, going back to his work, carefully tying vibrant green feathers to his modified rifle. He propped the gun on his knee, taking a moment to rub some of the stiffness from the joint. That simple act made him reconsider- from his knee to the hand that rubbed it, the ache pushed through him, memories brought back from the sensation. He paused, looking at his hand, once-broken fingers now back in place, injuries fading with those who knew what caused them. Not that Sniper would ever forget that masked vigilante, appearing out of nowhere, demanding his weapons and treating him like a criminal—
He was upright in an instant, gun in hand, realization hitting him as he turned to the burning city; the shadows of the trees before him reached toward his feet like tendrils, trying to pull him closer. He'd been beaten to a bloody pulp for simply aiming among civilians, despite the fact he never intended to actually fire. Someone actually lighting the town ablaze was not only going to attract attention, but would inevitably bring trouble. If the masked man was still in Paradise, there was no way he'd let her get away with what she'd done... and certainly not alive.
He'd lost track of the days since he'd last seen her, yet Sniper was tearing back toward the city as fast as his limbs could carry him. Teriyaki followed until RED called back for him, ordering the pup to remain at the camp- and stay he did. He was a good dog, one with the qualities Sniper admired, but were so lacking in his fellow man: he was loyal, obedient.
And so was his master, though his loyalty was to another. RED choked back pain from his knee as he scaled a tree with record speed, drawing his gun once he'd reached the top. Setting the scope to his eye, he scanned the burning city, skimming along the tops of buildings, trying to find anyone- namely her or him. The flames that licked the sky blocked his view; he was never going to find her that way. He holstered his gun again, sliding down the branches to the ground. That left only one option.
With his hand on his knife, he entered into the city's walls, headed straight for the chaos. He'd died by fire just before he'd been brought to Paradise; however, the flames were no longer what terrified him. Far worse was the thought of losing her, that he could have protected her and did nothing. That was something he could not let happen, for her sake and his own. The anger that had swallowed him was gone, unadulterated trepidation left in its wake. They needed each other, even if neither party would admit to it.
Loyalty, obedience. These were qualities Sniper had more than he knew.