theattic | MY ROOMMATE, SATAN

"You c-could be onto something!"

Roman shared a laugh--it felt good to laugh. As raring to go as he was to take advantage of people, he had to admit it felt...nice...to be nice. EUGH. If Suur were lurking around, Roman could be sure they were doing that horrible i-told-you-so smirk they always did. Angels. Rats with wings!

"Thanks again for the sandwich. What was in it?"

It wasn't like he'd tasted it at all.

"I don't think I want to follow that trail much longer though. It could get bad real quick." Like when he was conceived, there were still no doors. Were his parents into that? He wasn't going to ask that question, or at the very least, wasn't going to answer it.

He'll glance over at the break room where the rest of his lunch was, an identical sandwich and an apple, wondering if his SOLDIER metabolism could make it to the end of his shift if he gave the rest of it away. That was the problem with the big muscles and enhancements, it needed energy to run proper. "Just your regular old ham and cheese. Got a tomato on there and some lettuce for something green. I've..." He hesitates, swallows and then stands anyways. "I've got another one if you're still hungry?"

You never stop being a hero, no matter how small the task.

From the outside, Roman hadn't had any idea how big or small of an establishment the flower shop was. He easily imagined Zack slapping the sandwich together from the little fridge everyone shared. The hesitation makes it obvious.

That had been his sandwich.

And from the look on Zack's face, Roman could only marvel aloud, "You're not k-kiddin', are you?"

He shook his head. A creature of opportunity, he was. But a fool he wasn't. If he took too much, he might not get anything else in the future.

"Nah, man, I was just c-curious. Thought about makin' my own sometime. Maybe with a fiver for flavor."

Roman flashed Zack a charming, flat-toothed grin.

Edited 2016-07-04 03:37 (UTC)

"I wouldn't offer it just to take it away," He returns, almost looking offended at the suggestion. He had just been about to walk back and get it when Roman turns him down, hand on the doorframe into the small backroom. His hair, being a few inches taller, touched the top of the frame, and he turns, looking back at Roman.

"Well, if you're sure. I wouldn't mind. It's not like I'm going to blow away. You on the other hand, kid?" He smiles right back, "Don't tell me no if you're hungry. It doesn't cost a thing, promise."

Roman took his turn to hesitate. He weighed his options. Tomato.

"If you insist!" He wasn't going to deny food a second time. "I'll take any flowers you're planning to throw out t-too!"

That was only partially a joke.

Zack nodded, walking over to the small fridge and taking his sad little lunch box out, pulling the sandwich out and taking the apple for himself. He was a little hungry and perhaps if he nipped it in the bud, he wouldn't get so grouchy later. He's not sure there are any stock getting ready for a turn over though, and he'll hand the sandwich to Roman when he comes back in, settling behind the counter, "I don't think there is anything out today, but maybe this week. They don't last as long when it's cold like this."

He'll take a big bite of apple and look up as someone walks by the front window, perhaps a little more seriously than any clerk should, but it's just a regular passerby so he continues on with his apple, crossing his legs on the stool again. "Where are you from anyways? I assume not from around here?"

Like a well-seasoned magician, Roman made that sandwich disappear too before speaking up. "There it is. T-tomato. S'perfect."

He'd remember this. He really hoped Suur wasn't watching.

"C-couldn't say."

And wouldn't say.

"Farmers choice. Perks of working for a florist in a small town," He winks, feeling himself finally start to relax again. There were some habits that never died, no matter how life got you down and he couldn't help but want to push a little when Roman denied him any information.

He'll lean forward, raise a brow and hit him with those eyes of his that he had forgot he was supposed to be hiding. They were a favorite feature, and again, some habits died hard. "Couldn't? Not even for me? That's too bad..."

Roman found himself leaning back a little, surprised by Zack's sudden interest. Beneath his jacket, he felt his hackles raise. What was with this guy's eyes? They were attractive, sure, but there was something...that made him worry.

And what if he was going to turn him over to the police? Out of the goodness of his own sandwich-bestowing heart no doubt but he was not someone who wanted to deal with uniforms!

"I'm just passing through. Don't want any t-trouble."

Zack can tell his push is taken as a threat and he'll sit back up again, knowing that look, the body language because he's so familiar with it himself now.

"Okay, okay. I was just curious is all." He'll reign it all back in, nodding to the shop door. "Anyways, I figure you can stay in here till close, but I'm not sure about tomorrow. I'm not on shift every day, and I can't have people loitering either, unfortunately." He didn't make up the rules, his boss did, but he figures if it's just for today, he won't get much trouble for it. That and he did tend to bring in customers even during slow periods. Something about his pretty face...He tried not to let it go to his head.

Roman stayed tense for a few more moments before his shoulders fell slack.

"Thanks." It wasn't a smarmy thanks like his previous gratitudes. "Don't worry. I'll probably be on the other end of the city by t-tomorrow. I'll try to let people know what a good shop this is though. Y'know. K-karma 'n all."

In which Roman was an enormous believer. When it suited him.

"It's cool. I know how cold it can get out there." Knew how small men like Roman could be susceptible as well, though at least he isn't visibly sick. He'd have offered to look up shelters in the area if he had seen something physically wrong with him. As it stands though, he's not thinking he wants that kind of help.

Instead he'll finish off his apple, toss it in the trash and stand, moving around the store to water some of the plants he had neglected earlier, fluff up a display or try not to hit his head on the various hanging baskets. "I don't have any honeysuckle in here, but I'll let you take one on your way if you're going to spread the word around."

Roman found his eyes following the apple core into the bin before he could stop himself. DAMN GOAT URGES. He was glad that Zack started to move around though. It gave him something else to focus on. Roman watched in awe as the flowerman navigated his way around the hanging plants.

HOW DID PEOPLE GET TO BE SO TALL? It wasn't fair!

Sure, sure, Roman could easily stretch himself upward, tall enough to meet Zack's eye, but that would take so much effort. Like keeping one muscle clenched all day long. It took enough of his magic reserves to appear human. Or to appear at all.

"By the t-time I get to where I'm going, everyone in town will know about this place."

"Don't wear yourself out though, I'm sure all that energy could be better spent somewhere else." The shop would be fine, though it was nice of Roman to offer. In any case, he'll make his rounds and then sit back on the stool, sighing heavily.

Welp. Not much else to do till close. "What are you going to say when you tell people about the shop?"

Roman watched him make his rounds. His eyes lingered on the various leaves and buds. If he hadn't already developed a liking for this guy, he would make a note to break in later and sample a few. But no. He didn't want stock going missing on Zack's watch.

The young man drew himself up and rattled off his spiel as though he'd already spent hours practicing it. "Only that it's the best florist in t-town--a stunning array of local and exotic blooms all season, any season, with informed and friendly service to boot."

He took a grand, sweeping bow.

Zack stared at Roman a moment, really looked at him, and then laughed. He couldn't say he was informed. Sometimes he had to look at the tags to tell which flower was which, though at least that didn't mean he didn't care. "You should write advertisements. Or yelp reviews."

And while he didn't think he was bad at what he did, the praise wasn't usual. He was more suited to fighting, and yet here he was, getting a shining review on his flower caretaking. "You really know how to make a guy feel like he's doing a good job. Thanks."

Roman stood tall again and beamed, his slyness returning now that he was finally fully relaxed.

"I used to be a t-tutor. A little encouragement can go a long way!"

Some days he lurked around on college campuses and made a few green bills off desperate students just before finals.

Zack smiles a little at his comment, nodding, "Yeah...I used to do that too. Mentoring was pretty fun." He missed it, honestly, but it wasn't like he could waltz back and take over training again. Not that he'd want to. All the young hopefuls, dragged down to the science department after him...it made running like this seem like he was abandoning them, but he had made the decision just the same as they had.

Maybe it would be different for them. And yet...it probably wouldn't. There came the guilt again.

"You have a favorite subject?"

Roman's grin only grew and he went back to propping his elbow on the counter.

"I deal in what many c-consider the worst subject of all..." He let those words hang in the air for a moment. "Advanced mathematics.

Zack was afraid the word 'science' was going to come out of his mouth like some dirty swear. Thankfully it didn't, though he was aware that advanced mathematics did go hand in hand with science, that was okay.

"I don't think I ever got to far in that. Just the basics, you know?" He shrugs, unsure of what all he should say on this, "Did you attend college somewhere?"

"For a while..." Roman trailed off. There was some sadness in that. He missed school. It was expensive and tough, but he'd liked it. Sure he could technically go for free now. Be a ghost in the back of class sponging up all that information but...he couldn't connect with anyone. It felt hollow now.

Besides. He had to make room for street smarts.

"I don't wanna t-take up all your time. I think I'll mosey on over here behind these mums and c-catch some shuteye until you need to kick me out."

It was a few hours of more quiet. Zack had actually offered the guy a spot in the backroom, thankful for the lack of security cameras aside from the one monitoring the front and the desk. He didn't mention that to Roman of course, just said it was okay, and let him sleep. He had a few customers, but it was a good day, a slow day like it usually was in the colder months and when it gets to closing, he ushered the both of them out and locked up.

He said his fair wells, went on, and went back to his sad little apartment and ate a heavier dinner than usual, having given away his own lunch. He sat next to the telephone like he usually did, wishing that Aerith wasn't constantly under surveillance, that maybe he could call her, if she even wanted to hear from him, and went to bed without having made the call.

It was routine again for quite a while, the snow coming down every other day, Zack refusing to buy a coat until it really got cold because he honestly didn't need it. But same old, same old. He sighed at the counter, waiting for a customer, and tapped his foot against the floor, wanting to be anywhere but the little personal hell he had applied and committed to.

And all would go as usual as the sun wheeled overhead, hidden by grey clouds. When it was time to leave, though, Zack would not find himself entirely alone.

"Maow."

It was almost more of a squeak than a meow and it came from the throat of a thin, rust-colored cat that was standing in Zack's boot prints on the sidewalk just as he'd finished locking up. The critter was a shorthair, had darker brown socks and an odd-shaped blotch on its back. Or maybe that was just dirt. It was honestly hard to tell.

Zack, who had almost jumped at the sound, froze in the locking motion, looking down and clutching at his chest to exhale when he spotted the cat. "You. You were going to give me a heart attack." He informs the little cat, finishing turning the lock and crouching down near it. Most animals didn't so much mind him as much as they had when he had first escaped. The scent of Mako still clung after years of infusions even before capture, the mark of a SOLDIER, but the lasting cling of those four years of excessive use were finally starting to fade away.

"You look like you need a friend, huh? It's too cold outside for you buddy." He'll extend a hand, slow, gentle. He wasn't so much a cat person, but the growing loneliness was starting to get to him, and a companion would be a nice change. "Here kitty, kitty!"

The cat just blinked back at Zack with large yellow eyes, not the least bit bothered by how startled the man was.

"Aowm," it insisted when the florist crouched down to say hello. The cat drew its head back and let off a series of little snorts as it went through the motions of apparently getting his scent.

Roman found it much easier to pretend to be a cat than a dog. Cats were fucking aliens. Aloof, unpredictable. It was far easier to notice something being Wrong with a dog.

He dipped his head and wiped the entire side of his face down one side of Zack's hand.

I'm starving, you gargantuan porcupine!

Look how cute he was! Certainly worthy of another sandwich!

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