miner-king:

“Maybe its because we crave it…” Clay mutters. He starts to think that that’s perhaps the truth. Clay knew that he himself always meant well, but was never one for social interaction. It was true that, at least before arriving here, he would try his hardest to help the fellow Leaders of Unova if help was needed. Clay was just one who never knew how to approach these things. Here, he was social, here he wanted attention. ”Because I…I want to help an’ care fer ‘em. Even though I know they might not be here tomorrow.” Life was about giving and taking the burdens of others.

“Mhmm.” Clay gives a determined nod in response. Through thick and thin he’s going to trust Kimblee. Clay didn’t care about Kimblee’s past atrocities. That wasn’t the Kimblee he knows, after all. He just feels like he should love his friend with all his heart. A big part of Clay feels that’s what Kimblee needs, after all, trust, love, and care. Perhaps it would be better if the cowboy lived with him for a while. ”Best hurry on then, eh?” Clay says, rushing towards his trailer.

Kimblee was only barely to make out what Clay had muttered… but he didn’t respond. It was true. So very, very true. Humans were inherently social creatures. That was how they had survived; how they had moved on from their very first days in the world. Working together, becoming a unit. A… community. And he had isolated himself from that pattern, to join the ranks of the inhumane. The homunculi. Had wanted to distance himself from the mistakes and imperfections of humankind. And yet, he had seen it proven that the humans were the stronger. Their imperfections and their problems… were what had helped them to triumph. What an interesting concept.

Love is always a most trying thing, and for Kimblee who was unused to it, especially. It came in so many different varieties, which tended to get quite irksome and confusing, didn’t it? And now, he was slowly becoming integrated into it. Within it, as it were. It was certainly a most harrowing and strangely… grand experience. With a nod, Kimblee followed behind his friend, whistling under his breath until they finally reached the trailer. “Well, here we are. Home sweet home.”

miner-king:

Clay was growing to like life here. It gave him a way to live differently. It gave him an opportunity to love and care for others. It gave him a chance to focus on family and friends. This concept has always been so alien to the cowboy, so at the first opportunity to start over, he took the chance and plunged right in. Perhaps that was a bad decision, and sometimes Clay regrets that. Sometimes he really does wish he alienated himself from everyone else. He snaps to attention at what Kimblee says next. “Yeah, guess I’ve gone too soft fer my own good. Though, who else do the kids have ‘cept us old men, eh?” He gives Kimblee a feeble attempt at a smile, one which looks more like a grimace than anything else.

“Ah, that would be nice. Thanks.” Clay lets out a relieved sigh towards his friend. “I won’t be much o’ a trouble, I promise. I jus’ want ta be near someone I care about, ya know?” He wants to be secure, even if it means staying in Izaya’s old room. “I won’t stay long, either. Jus’ until I can get over this.” He looks off to the side, hoping that he wouldn’t have to burden Kimblee in the slightest.

And Kimblee was growing far too used to it as well. He was soft. Complacent. The former Crimson Lotus… docile and kind. The facade becoming the reality. It was such a strange thing. And people would come and go, but he could never forget them. WOULD never forget them. That was the trouble with photographic memory; it betrayed you in the most unusual ways. But… it had been worth it, hadn’t it? For once in his life, to truly be human. To allow himself to be swayed by true emotion, rather than mere facsimiles of it. But he came back to attention at that rather pathetic attempt at a smile. My… this really was quite hard on Clay, wasn’t it? “Quite. We’re meant to be emotional bedrocks, aren’t we? The ones they can rely on for support…” Although he would never understand why people came to him for any sort of emotional support.

“It’s no problem. None at all.” Someone Clay cared for… hah. How odd it was, to have people who truly cared for you. Not your ability, military prowess, or anything of the sort. But… for himself as a person. A slight smile graced his features. “Come on then. We should get you settled.”

miner-king:

“No, I can’t forget ‘er, not ever.” He shakes his head. “I shouldn’t be keepin’ my hopes up, eh? Who needs that kinda stuff here, anyway.” Clay let out a loud hmph!  ”I’m jus’ upset about everyone everyone leavin’, not jus’ her. Makes me wonder why I’ve grown so attached to people.” Even recently he’s made new friends, like Wolfood and Tavros. Who knows if either of them leave next?

He thinks a bit about Kimblee’s final statement. What he wanted the most at the moment was security. He wanted to be completely certain that he would be by the side of someone who wouldn’t leave him behind. He didn’t care who it was, a friend, a lover, one of his “children”, he just wanted to be close to someone who wouldn’t abandon him. Clay finally lets out a little sigh and gives Kimblee a weak smile.

“Can I stay with ya at yer trailer for a bit? Jus’ a few days, ‘onest.”

“I know, I know.” And he did. Although the gym leader would never admit it, Kimblee could see the fragility of his psyche. After being consumed by his work, Clay was adjusting so well to the presence of people who were willing to take him as a father… friend… lover… And then one day, they were gone. “And you get attached to them, because they get attached to you. And you’re certainly the fatherly type, Clay.”

“…” Kimblee was silent a bit at the question. But then he gave Clay a light smile. “You’re quite lucky that Izaya vacated his room about a month or so back. It means you’ve got a place to stay… for as long as you like.”

miner-king:

”She’s gone, Kimblee…” He barely manages to choke out, looking down at his feet. Clay’s so upset, he can’t even manage to speak Elesa’s name. The cowboy starts to shake a little in anger, fingernails digging into the palms of his hands. “Not jus’ her, either. There’s others. Others that ain’t here anymore. I’m jus’ so frustrated. Every time. I know things get better fer me, but…” But, it sure doesn’t feel like it. Not at all in the slightest.

She… She being the woman, Elesa. For a moment, Kimblee wonders how good it would feel to see the Ringmaster go up in a cloud of brimstone, fire, and smoke, for hurting his friend in this way. For hurting so MANY in this way, taking people away from them when they bored him. Then again… life was like that. Still… did the Ringmaster remember them? The faces of the people whose relationships he’d shattered, whose hearts he’d broken in this way.

But no… those were the thoughts of the other Kimblee, weren’t they. The thoughts of the Red Lotus. “… There’s nothing we can do, though, is there? Except to never forget them, or what they’ve done for us. …I really am sorry about Ms. Elesa, Clay.” She’d meant so much to Clay. And he’d thought things were meant to be. Apparently, it wasn’t so…

“If there’s anything I can do. Anything at all.”

miner-king:

crimson-alchemist:

[Kimblee raised an eyebrow, surveying the circus. He’d been gone a while, ever since that unfortunate gender-changing incident, so coming back to what seemed to be a very conflicted circus was rather… unusual.

And some familiar faces weren’t here. Could it be… A soft sigh escaped him. Of course, people had left. it was bound to happen…]

Clay’s glad to see that Kimblee was still here. If he wasn’t, the cowboy wouldn’t know what to do. He can’t fathom a day without his closest friend around. Poor Clay’s heart didn’t need to break anymore than it already did. Bloodshot and tired eyes flicker towards his friend’s as the cowboy gives him a hug. He doesn’t care who may be watching, he’s just happy that there was still someone left.

“I’m happy that yer still here…” He says in a muffled voice before pulling away. “I’m really happy that yer still ‘round here. I’m afraid o’ losin’ ya, I guess.”

And Kimblee was quite surprised at his friend’s abrupt and rather intimate gesture… but he knew that if the cowboy was acting like this, then something serious must have happened. So he didn’t hesitate in returning the gesture in kind. And he wasn’t so conscious about it anymore. How unusual…

He pulled away, nodding slightly. “I don’t think I’ll be leaving any time soon. At least, I hope not. But… who was it?

[Kimblee raised an eyebrow, surveying the circus. He’d been gone a while, ever since that unfortunate gender-changing incident, so coming back to what seemed to be a very conflicted circus was rather… unusual.

And some familiar faces weren’t here. Could it be… A soft sigh escaped him. Of course, people had left. it was bound to happen…]

linebeckofthesea:

-Just like Kimberly said, Linebeck ran off to the city, a place she’d usually stay away from, but there was something inside of her that told her that a change of clothes really was necessary. Odd. It was like she had to be even more fabulous than she knew she already was! There was a few problems… Like, she didn’t actually know where the shop was which just lead to her wandering around and jumping in fright a few times, but, she was a treasure hunter and was basically born for these things! So, she found the shop after awhile. 

Rifling through the garments, she finally found one which, if she may be so bold, looked ravishing on her. Yes, she was a beautiful woman indeed. She even let her hair down!

With these new clothes (And jewelry, who cared if it had gone missing), she walked with a new bounce in her step, and decided to show of to Kimberly and whoever else may care.-

Walking into the city, Kimberly shivered a little. The sweater was nice and warm, but this skirt was much too breezy, and quite annoying. But, she had to see for herself how this would turn out…

And saw…

“Linebeck? Ah… wow, that’s a very nice look for you.”

And she was genuinely impressed by the figure before her. Linebeck cleaned up surprisingly well… or would Becky be better, since Linebeck was female now?

linebeckofthesea:

-And she looks down confused.-

What are you talking about. Mr dress shirt is buttoned up all the way!

GAH!

If you’re so smart, then get me some clothes! 

-pout-

And Kimberly pouted back, raising an eyebrow.

“I don’t even know your measurements, smart guy. But I know where we can get you better clothes. There’s an abandoned shop in the city. It’s where I got my outfit, and I think there might be something for you there….”

Why was she even doing this? Perhaps it was the female hormones. Man, she couldn’t wait till this was over and done with…

linebeckofthesea:

Why?

It’s not like I even have any… And I’m still the same person! It doesn’t matter! 

-Sorta.-

“You may be the same on the inside, but on the outside… well… your clothes don’t fit… normally. Like, you know…”

How does one say this without sound awk- Screw it. Tact is for gentlemen, and Kimberly was no lady. Not like this.

“You can’t just go gallivanting around without a bra. You have boobs now! And your clothes aren’t covering anything! “

linebeckofthesea:

Oh, you’ll find me! 

-She raised her arms, showing how baggy the coat was.-

I’ll still be wearing this wonderful outfit! It’ll be easy to scout me out! 

“Ah…”

She pursed her slips slightly, looking at how baggy Linebeck’s clothes were. No… it simply wouldn’t do.

“Um… have you considered wearing… other clothes? More… feminine clothes, since you’re like this now…”