Musebox #1

[sixthdeadliest]

Who: Knight and Six
What: A little spat between partners over rumors floating around.
When: Early days at Providence back when they were partners.
Where: Providence HQ
Warnings: Suggestive themes in places.


Six had come to a conclusion: He'd had just about enough with Knight's current behavior.

He glared at the back of his partner's head, frowning deeply. A few of the other grunts scooted out of the way as they walked down the hall.

He waited until they were in a largely-deserted hallway before he grabbed his partner and pinned him against the wall. He leaned forward to glare into the other man's face.

"Knight, we need to talk."

Comments

[inknightwetrust.livejournal.com]

Knight grunted and flattened himself against the wall - mostly because that's all Six is leaving room for. Here he was, splayed in a spread eagle position, Six leaning over him, their faces inches apart - oh, God dammit! He glanced up and down the hallway, checking to see if there was anyone around to see this. Damn, after all this hard work, he didn't need Six stirring up more rumors! He scowls, leaning his head against the wall, as far back from Six's as he could manage.

"So talk, don't throw yourself at me!"

[sixthdeadliest]

Six was entirely unaware of just how such a position could look so compromising. To him, this was just how to get the upper hand in the conversation.

At Knight's words, he smirked. "I find it easier to keep your attention if you can't get away."

[inknightwetrust.livejournal.com]

Knight grimaced at Six's choice of words, glancing around again. There were a couple grunts strolling by now, and he swore he could hear a soft snigger. He wrenched himself away and stepped back, being sure to keep a healthy distance between himself and his partner.

"Okay, p... Six. You've got my attention," he scoffed. "Hurry up and tell me what you want."

[sixthdeadliest]

Six frowned, crossing his arms. "I want to know why you've been acting so strangely for the past several days, partner."

He stressed the last word, letting Knight know that he'd noticed the switch to his name.

[inknightwetrust.livejournal.com]

"Acting strange?" He knew exactly what Six was talking about, but shot him a questioning look nonetheless, glancing around at the few grunts who were gawking at the spectacle - one of them had a camera phone. He looked at Six again. "I'm not acting any different."

[sixthdeadliest]

The grunt with the camera phone attracted Six's attention. He turned his head to give his most menacing glare at the man.

"I'd suggest putting that away," he said with glacial calm that promised nothing good for the man's health should he refuse to do so. "And that all of you find something better to do. Is that clear?"

Without waiting for a response, he turned his full attention back to Knight. He frowned deeply. "Knight."

He put all of his confusion and frustration into saying his partner's name, getting across that he'd definitely noticed the change in behavior and wondered what he'd done to cause it.

[inknightwetrust.livejournal.com]

Knight watched them scatter, then glared at Six. "What does it matter, anyway? I'm not doing any worse on the battlefield. Whatever it is, it's not interfering with m work, it shouldn't be a problem."

[sixthdeadliest]

"It's throwing off your rhythm in day-to-day life. Eventually whatever it is is going to creep onto the battlefield. I'd rather have it out now before we reach that point."

Six met him glare for glare, not backing down.

[inknightwetrust.livejournal.com]

"My rhythm? What, because I have a life outside of Providence?" He ducked around Six, attempting to continue down the hall the way he'd been going. "Maybe you should look into getting one too."

[sixthdeadliest]

Six reached out to grab at Knight's wrist, intending to keep him there.

"I don't have an issue with you having a life outside of work, but the fact you've been acting odd around me is worrisome. You didn't even want to spar the other day."

[inknightwetrust.livejournal.com]

"Don't touch me!"

Knight is glancing around the hallway for the umpteenth time already. The grunts had scattered but he still didn't want even a glimmer of a chance of being seen like this. Having a conversation about feelings. Especially not while practically holding hands!

"Damn it, Six, why have you gotta be all touchy-feely with me? Maybe that's why I don't want to spar!

[sixthdeadliest]

Six jerked his hand back on command, for once openly shocked by Knight's reaction.

"Touchy...? Knight, what on Earth are you talking about? Most of the time, it's you who's touching me. Except for lately. Now you act like I've got some sort of plague."

He really had no idea just how wrong that statement sounded.

"I know you've got issues with germs, but I swear I haven't caught anything."

[inknightwetrust.livejournal.com]

"Stop it," Knight hissed, burying his face in his palm, "Six, just... stop talking!" He shakes his head, checking around yet again before daring to lean in close. "This is exactly why people are... saying... things about us!"

[sixthdeadliest]

Six gave Knight an incredulous look. "And just what things are you so worried about?"

Honestly. Rumors? That was the issue? Knight hadn't paid them much mind before.

[inknightwetrust.livejournal.com]

"They think you and I are..." He stepped in close, motioning between them, but he grit his teeth when he tried to say it. "That we're... you know!"

Whatever it was, it sure had him flustered.

[sixthdeadliest]

"That we're what? Because there's a lot of theories flying around about us up to and including you sold your soul to the Devil to acquire me."

Six's frustration was only increasing.

And, once again, he didn't notice the oddly suggestive phrasing.

[inknightwetrust.livejournal.com]

Knight clenches his teeth harder, letting out a hiss of frustration. "That we're... you know, partners! Instead if just... partners."

[sixthdeadliest]

"...There's a difference?"

Six's frustration was temporarily replaced by confusion. It was the same word after all.

[inknightwetrust.livejournal.com]

Good God, did he really have to say it out loud?! Damn it all, much as he loved Six - guy love, he specified quickly - he could be so out of it sometimes. He didn't talk much about his childhood but judging how awkward he could be he knew it hadn't been normal. Why couldn't he see where he was going with this?!

Knight threw up his hands in frustration. "Gay, Six," he cries, "they think we're gay! Together!"

[sixthdeadliest]

If Knight was expecting a volatile reaction, he was about to be sorely disappointed.

"...Oh. Is that all?"

WHAT IS WRONG WITH LJ TODAY?!

[inknightwetrust.livejournal.com]

Six's stoic reaction caught Knight off guard, and he could only sputter in disbelief. What the hell was he so calm about? Did Six not hear him right?

"What do you mean, 'Is that all'? After all the shit we go through for this organization, cleaning up the messes the grunts can't do themselves, you want them going around telling everyone you're into men?!"

It's being a bastard. B|

[sixthdeadliest]

"Not really, but their speculation about my personal life has nothing to do with my job performance. It doesn't matter to me except irritate me that they're wasting their time gossiping like old women at a quilting bee instead of doing their own training so I don't have to waste my time and energy cleaning up after them."

He put his hands in his pockets. Now satisfied with having identified what was getting under Knight's skin, he was already turning his mental attention towards his afternoon training.

[inknightwetrust.livejournal.com]

Knight stared.

"What, that's it? This is your reputation on the line, here!" He shook his head. "How can you just let it slide when the base is over here laughing at you -- at us -- for looking like a couple of homos?"

[sixthdeadliest]

"My reputation was made with these..." He pulled his hands out of his pockets to form them into fists. "...and this." He partially drew the sword on his back before letting it slide back into its sheath and lowering his hand again. "I fail to see how whoever I may or may not choose to bed has any effect on that. If I need to prove that it doesn't, I'll willingly demonstrate my skills to that person or persons via one-on-one or one-on-many combat. Whether it's armed or not makes no difference to me."

He raised an eyebrow, mutely asking if that was an acceptable response. Knight was the more socially adept of the pair so he would know.

[inknightwetrust.livejournal.com]

Knight was just slack jawed at how nonchalant Six was being over this. But their... their reputation! How could he let the talk like that go on and not even quirk an eyebrow? Jesus, did he seriously want to be known as some kind of queer?

Unless...

"You're not, you know... actually into guys, are you?"

Of course not, that was ridiculous. He already knew Six was into women. Just... making sure, that's all.

[sixthdeadliest]

"Not that I've ever noticed," Six said. "Why? Are you?"

Had Six actually thought about it, he probably would've realized what a incredibly dumb question that was. Especially given Knight's earlier freak-out.

[inknightwetrust.livejournal.com]

"Wh-- no! Of course not!" Knight sputtered, completely flustered. "Why? Do you think I am?"

[sixthdeadliest]

"No. Though to be honest, I never put much thought into it."

Six was wholly unconcerned about what he considered a non-issue.

[inknightwetrust.livejournal.com]

Knight, on the other hand, was suddenly horrified that maybe something he'd said or done had somehow implied maybe he could be. After all, "not that I've noticed"? What kind of answer was that? Was that something people just noticed one day out of the blue?

Not that he'd be into guys, no way. Couldn't be. Right? Of course not. I mean, if anyone would notice, he'd be the one, right? The signals everyone else was noticing was just them reading way too far into things. No way he was into Six.

...Not that he'd mind, I mean, if he were into guys, hypothetically, Six would be the best choice. I mean, they already had a bond closer than brothers. And Six wasn't bad looking - lean figure, athletic, sharp... wait, was he supposed to notice that sort of stuff? That's normal, right? Crap! Damn! Shit!

"Me, neither," Knight finally mumbles, forcing a smile.

[sixthdeadliest]

Six looked at his partner, giving him the shadow of a smile. He was completely and utterly clueless about the inner conflict Knight was having with himself.

Though now that he'd thought about it, he hadn't really put too much thought into a permanent relationship with anyone. True, he'd eye a woman with a nice set of legs from time to time, maybe even flirt with her if he was feeling playful, but it never got serious.

He shrugged it off. He didn't have time anyway for anything permanent. Besides, he already had a relationship with Knight. Not a romantic one like the grunts would snicker about, but a comfortable, close bond that he didn't want to lose.

OOC

[inknightwetrust.livejournal.com]

((Did you post a comment and then delete it? I saw a reply but I can't find it anymore))

Re: OOC

[sixthdeadliest]

((Not intentionally. I'll repost it just in case.))