You And I Collide

[Baron Tseng]

It had been too good to be true. Freedom was finally upon them. When the sun had first touched them after so many years, Baron had just closed his eyes and soaked it all in. To be in space for their entire loves, to be teased with the earth's air for only a few months, only to be enclosed once more. It was not something Baron would ever take for granted. But . . . he knew this all came at a terrible price. There were already tensions with another returning civilization and as a result, they had lost one of their doctors. Still. They could only move forward from here. More good news was bestowed upon them when there was word that most of those who had gone up into space had returned. Baron had of course been concerned for them. He considered Monty a dear friend, and not knowing if they had even made it up there alive . . . well, Baron did not dwell on such negative thoughts anymore.

They were here -- apparently -- and Baron was determined to find them. Or him rather. The bunker was in a bit of choas with the new arrivals and readjusting. Despite them being free, many stayed in the comfort of their designated rooms. It was after all they had known for so many years. And . . . many of them were not the same after some of the horrific events that unfolded. And the horrific things they were forced to do. Mind over matter. That was what he had to keep reminding himself. And where he could offer support to others, he had. But right now . . . he was in search of someone he had not seen for six years.

It was as if fate had heard his request to find him, because while moving down the halls of the bunker, Baron collided into someone. His hands instinctively reached out to brace the other before they fell, Baron's hands rested on the other person's arms. An apology was on the tip of his tongue until he saw who it was that he had collided into. Surprise numbed him and realizing his hands were still on now who was recognized as Monty's arms . . . Baron took advantage. Instead of saying anything, he wrapped his arms around Monty and gently pulled him in for a hug. "I think we're past apologies," he told him as he closed his eyes, a soft tease in his voice-- not that they ever actually apologized when they ran into each other.

Tag: Monty Green

[Monty Green]

Earth had never treated them fairly, but Monty had missed it while he'd been stuck up in space for a further six years. Not the challenges of surviving on the hostile planet, but the colours and the way it overwhelmed his senses after spending far too long in a space station that wasn't exactly designed to stimulate the mind. However, the one thing he missed the most during those six years was the people he'd left behind. He'd had a few of his friends up on the Ark that he knew that he didn't have to worry about, but so many more had been left behind on earth with no way for him to know if they were alright. The moment they'd arrived back on Earth, Monty's main mission was to discover if his friends were okay- which friends had survived the six years apart, if any had at all.

Walking along the halls of the bunker, it was hard for him to find his way around, the unfamiliar surroundings disorienting him but it was something he needed to do. So far he'd at least caught a glimpse of everyone he needed to, to put his mind at ease- all but one. When they'd first met, Monty had been initially distrustful of Baron, but over time that distrust had given way and dissolved into affection until Monty could confidently call the man his friend. Right now, he was a friend that Monty couldn't seem to locate, it filled him with anxiety and so far no one had been able to point him in the right direction. Six years was a long time and Monty was already aware that the number of people that were in the bunker had dropped significantly, it was entirely possible that his friend wouldn't be there.

Just as the thought entered his mind, Monty felt himself collide with another person, almost losing his balance until a pair of hands steadied him. He was just about to utter an apology when he looked up and his eyes locked with Baron's for the briefest of moments before he was pulled into a hug. For a second, Monty didn't react to the gesture- freezing with surprise but once the shock of literally running into the man yet again had left him, he found his own arms wrapping around the other man's back. "You're okay" he muttered, trying to keep the emotion out of his voice as he hugged Baron, beyond relieved to discover that he hadn't lost another friend during the six years they'd been separated.

Baron Tseng

[Baron Tseng]

Baron felt the relief continue to wash over him. Though he knew through word of mouth that Monty was alive, it was different to see it for himself. To feel the man in his arms. It felt more . . . real. As fate wasn't exactly always kind to them with all that everyone had endured. He continued to smile, taking in his Monty's words. The uncertainty of whether the other was alive for six years, finally washed away with the reality of the situation. They were both here, and even if it wasn't for long . . . at least they had this moment to find solace in the fact that the other had survived for so many years.

"So are you," Baron answered. He slowly drew back his head, the smile still upon his lips as he took in the sight of Monty. "I can't tell you how good it is to see you Monty," he expressed. "Are all of you back?" He asked, knowing Monty had a partner and friends that he had gone to space with. Baron hadn't heard of anyone not making it back, but he wanted to ask just to be sure.

Tag: Monty Green

[Monty Green]

Monty was beyond relieved to be reunited with his friend, to find that after all the years they'd spent apart that he was okay. Monty wouldn't be forced to mourn another friend,  they'd lost so many people throughout the years, he didn't know what he'd have done if he'd returned to the ground to find that he'd lost Baron too. A smile appeared on his face as he drew back to look at Baron again "you got older" he said, his tone teasing and light. They were all older, no longer the people they'd been when they'd first arrived on Earth all those years ago. So much had changed, including the people they were.

"I missed you so much" the words were sincere and held so much affection for the older man, he had so much to say, so much to tell him but not enough time to say it in. At the question, Monty hesitated slightly, the situation was complicated. "Most of us are" he answered truthfully, hoping that Baron wouldn't think less of him and the others for leaving their own behind "It's complicated, we had to leave some people behind... But it's not permanent" as far as he was concerned it wasn't permanent, eventually the rest of his friends would be back on the ground, with the rest of them where they belonged. "How has it been down here?" he asked, not sure if he wanted to hear the answer, considering there were a lot less people in the bunker now than there had been six years ago.

Baron Tseng

[Baron Tseng]

Baron smiled at Monty's teasing remark. How refreshing it was, to see that the weight of whatever Monty had to endure -- for he knew that it must have been far from easy -- had not broken him down. That he was still able to offer such a light hearted remark. And it only filled Baron's heart with more joy that he was reunited with his dear friend. "Is that your way of saying you found a grey hair on my head?" Baron teased back. "But so did you," he added on, raising his hand to give a slight ruffle to Monty's much shorter hair now. The years showed, but not in his spirit. The years showed on all of them Baron imagined. His soft smile returned, his hand going to Monty's shoulder. "I missed you too," he told him sincerely, looking into his eyes with relief and happiness.

He took in his next words, explaining that most of them had returned . . . that they had to leave some people behind temporarily. "What matters is that you're all alive. And those who could make it home, did." He was certain that there was a story behind that, and Baron would ask at the right moment. Right now, he was still basking in the joy their reunion elicited. He forced his expression to remain, though his smile lessened, it was still upon his overall expression. "It's been, challenging." That was the best word he could use to describe it. "But probably no more than what you had to go through." Because everyone had their own sets of challenges. "I'm just. . . so happy you're here, Monty," he told him genuinely, giving his shoulder a bit of a pat.

Tag: Monty Green