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[ You know when a film plays a flashback, but they want to make it extra titilating, showing you only a brief glimpse of something benign and yet clearly erotic, like lips parting to sigh with some kind of fuzzy filter over everything? That's pretty much what goes through Gladio's mind right now.

His mouth on a tattoo that's not so faded and scraped away with scarring. These two Genjis are one in the same. Gladio drops his gaze away, suddenly pissed at himself. It's so obvious! He's careful to keep that anger pointed internally, keeps his voice neutral. ]

How did I miss it?

[ Gladio says mainly to himself, then seizes the malfunctioning limb and starts to unfasten it from Genji's body. Ports hiss as various pressure points are released, allowing him to start investigating the cause of his lack of mobility. ]

...Hand me that canned air. [ He needs to make sure nothing is lodged in some of these parts. Blow out any dust or sand. ]

[ Having a limb removed is always an odd sensation, because he feels it until he suddenly doesn't. His phantom limb syndrome had almost entirely vanished since his mental state had improved. It did happen extremely rarely however, usually in moments like this, Genji feels a little off kilter for a moment until his body seems to right itself. ] Hm? I don't believe you missed anything.

[ Oh, if only you knew. He reaches over with his other arm and hands him the canned air. ] It's probably some plant debris from that last mission I was on.

[ It's arguably weirder for the man removing said limb, who eyes the cyborg carefully for signs of discomfort before awkwardly hefting it's weight onto his lap. Taking the canned air in hand, he peers first into the shoulder socket and applies a sharp hiss of air into various nooks and crannies. It leaves the metal cooler to the touch with each application, but he's pretty sure he's seeing results. ]

Pretty sure I missed the part where you and I first met.

...When you were younger. And me older.

[ Gladio says in a low voice, between blasts of air. He straightens up and starts non-chalantly attending to the limb next. ]

[ He can very vaguely sense the canned air being sprayed into his joint; it's an odd sensation, but it isn't unpleasant at least. He closes his eyes at he lets Gladio work, thinking of how he'll repay him for doing this for him. Might as well splurge and get some real ramen for dinner one night...

But then when he speaks again and the bursts of air in his joints stop, Genji's spine goes ram rod straight. He turns around awkwardly since his sense of balance is slightly off, eyes wide. ] What did you just say?

[ There isn't any confusion on his face though, the exact opposite. More like... the whiplash of realization. Dun dun. ]

Pretty sure you've known about this longer than I have, Genji. Do I really need to repeat myself?

[ It's matter of fact, that assertion Gladio makes, but it's not said unkindly or harshly. He lifts a hand out and gently insists with a push that he lay back onto the cushions, rest while he attends to his detached limb and - more importantly - let him see his face as he does so. ]

...It's all starting to add up.

[ He looks at him for a long moment before he focuses on the limb. Blasts it with some air as he examines the ports and other hard to reach areas for blockage. Why Genji seemed to yield to a kiss and then tore away from it just when he thought there was something that felt like a spark. Usually that meant things escalated, so when he suddenly withdrew, the reason was a mystery until now. ]

Do you wanna talk about it?

[ Genji's almost a little blindsided, trying to figure out how he suddenly knows... but maybe the hair was the key? He doesn't know and he supposes it doesn't really matter. He had just assumed Gladio didn't remember it at all and that ended up being wrong.

Genji does shift and turn so he's leaning back against the couch, his brows pinched together. ] I do. I had tried to bring it up but something always seemed to get in the way... I ended up assuming you just did not remember.

[ His expression turns a little pained. ] I apologize if I ever made you uncomfortable, Gladio.

[ The tension leaves Gladio in increments, starting from the brows, then shoulders and finally his mouth. He sighs. ]

Knock it off, you did nothing like that.

[ But he's also not going to dwell on it, draw attention to the fact that he was the one who was just as swept up in that one fairie light incident. Just that it explains a whole lot why he pushed him away. It's because he remembers the hot mess that is Gladio's future, isn't it? ]

If anything, I owe you an apology. I can understand why you'd wanna have nothing to do with me after seeing me at my worst.

It says a lot about you that you'd still want to be friends. [ Gladio looks up from his work and back to Genji, offering him a grateful smile. ]

...Thanks.

[ That just makes Genji's expression look even more pinched. All his attempts to just forget the incident had just made him think about it more, and that kiss on the balcony had been sort of like popping a balloon until he got a hold of himself. But knowing now that Gladio remembers as well...

He shakes his head and tries to move, teetering the one side a little bit before he catches himself. ] No, you don't need to apologize. It had nothing to do with that.

[ Genji looks down at his hand a moment, closing his eyes at the memory. ] If anything, I should be the one saying that. There's a reason I don't talk much about how I was when I was younger... I was selfish and arrogant and I didn't care about anybody else.

[ He looks back up, shaking his head. ] I— pushed you away before because I thought you didn't remember, and I thought it was unfair to you. It had nothing to do with the person you were then.

...Wait.

[ Gladio leaves the limb in his lap, eyeing Genji as he struggles to sit up enough to look at him. Struggles even more with his response. ]

So you mean to tell me you've been avoiding me because you thought you hurt my feelings?

[ His tone is vaguely incredulous, amused. Just how old do you think he is, Genji? ]

[ That causes Genji's brows to shoot up considerably. ] No, it isn't that—

[ He rubs between his eyes and sighs. ] I thought you didn't remember what had happened between us. So I felt that if we... continued that night on the balcony I would be taking advantage of you.

[ Genji looks back to him, managing to look a little sheepish. ] I value your friendship, Gladio. I wouldn't want to harm it.

[ Hoooh, is that how it is. Gladio relaxes a little more, enough to continue that teasing tone of his, as if nothing's changed. ]

You've literally entrusted your body to me, I'm pretty sure I knew how highly you regard our friendship.

[ Gladio leans in and presses the detached arm against the socket in his shoulder, his other hand bracing high up on his thigh for leverage. ]

...Thanks for being considerate, but I'm not a kid... old man.

[ Gladio smirks over him, adding a flicker of a wink before he pulls back and suggests: ]

Try it now. Can you lift it any higher?

[ Something about that makes as brief dusting of pink go across his cheekbones and he huffs, rubbing under his nose. ] I suppose so.

[ Although, goodness, the warm hand on his thigh. Thankfully the sudden rush of his nerves activating again is enough to distract him from that. He sees that wink and playfully rolls his eyes, but smiles back. ] I know you're not. I just tend to... overthink things.

[ He rolls his shoulder then lifts it up, managing to raise it above his head without any whirring or clicking. Genji beams. ] Wonderful! Thank you very much. I'll have to repay you.

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