Resistance: Chapter 6

[gaiages]

Resistance - Chapter 6
Fic Table of Contents

Fandom: Final Fantasy XIV
Perhaps it takes one to know one, or perhaps someone just needs to state the obvious.


CWs: none

Lord, someone get through to my idiot boys, please

Also Cid totally did this to Nero and he's a bit like "oh gods I'm not letting this happen again", this is a CidxNero divorced dads household

Other links: Tumblr | AO3

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"You've been around camp for a while now. What happened?"

Laurent looked up from cleaning his gunblade and tsked at the Garlean staring down at him. "You. What do you want?"

"I have a name, you know—"

"I didn't ask for it."

"Well, you're certainly agreeable company, aren't you?"

Laurent frowns as he sets down a few gears in a huff. "How do I get you to leave me alone, Cid?"

"Oh, so you do know my name! I'm touched." Cid sat across from Laurent, an obnoxiously bright smile on his face. Hells, what is with this man?

"You're in a good mood for someone whose pupil has been abducted."

Cid's smile falters slightly. "You can be as rude as you want, I'm not leaving until we chat."

There's only one reason he'd be so interested in me, of all people… Laurent glares at Cid for a moment longer, before sighing and wiping the grease off his hands. "...Fine."

Cid nods, then turns away slightly, staring at a spot on a tent. "No one knows anything about Kris. It's always been more than being a private person—if anyone tried to ask about him, he'd always steer the conversation elsewhere. Or just silently glared until they went away. I wonder where he learned that from…"

Laurent rolls his eyes, and Cid chuckles before continuing. "I… know a bit more about Kris, though it wasn't on purpose. When Livia Junius came to Eorzea—"

"Livia? The Witch of Dalmasca?" Laurent doesn't raise his voice, but anger is writ plain on his face.

Cid nods gravely. "When she came to Eorzea… she captured the leaders of the Scions… and killed the rest. Kris was away on a mission when the attack happened, but when he returned…" He shook his head. "Eventually, the two fought as Eorzea pushed against the Garleans. When he confronted her, Kris had forgotten about our linkpearl, and mentioned the Barheim Incident and the comrades he lost…"

"...She's dead, then?"

"Yes. Good riddance." Cid gives a frustrated wave before continuing. "Anyway, he asked me not to tell anyone about him being Dalmascan, and I'm no fool—I wasn't about to face the wrath of the Warrior of Light by sharing an easily kept secret.

"But I felt for Kris. It was clear this whole business of saving the world weighed heavily on him. Nor did it help when the Eorzean Alliance turned against him, and he saw more of his allies killed. Those grieving are quick to point fingers at the person they think should have stopped it…"

Cid frowned, though there was a hint of sadness to it. "I tried to offer what support I could, not only on the behalf of the Ironworks but… well, as a friend. He was always reluctant to take the latter, though."

Laurent sighs softly, crossing his arms. Eir… you always pretended not to care, but you always tried to save everyone. But you always took it so hard when you couldn't. It's little wonder then… He thought back to their reunion, and how Kris said the lies were to protect Laurent—and only now realized the pain Kris failed to hide in his eyes, the pain he ignored when swept up in his own emotions.

"Why do you think you're here?" Cid's pointed question brought Laurent out of his ruminations. "Here at camp, cleaning your gunblade and counting inventory instead of being on the frontlines? You're clearly capable of holding your own out there."

Laurent knitted his brow. "He's upset I didn't make it in time to save Mikoto…"

"Well, Kris is upset, but not at you. He blames himself. He always does." Cid's expression is a mix of sadness and exasperation. "He just doesn't want the same to happen to you. He doesn't want to see you hurt."

Laurent looks at Cid and gives a frustrated sigh. "I understand, I do, but—"

"Would you have done anything different?"

"...What?"

"If it were Kris that was at risk of being hurt, and you had the power to stop it, even if it meant leaving him or making him hate you… Would you do it?"

Laurent's eyes widen and he quickly breaks Cid's gaze. Would I…? I already did… at the village… He clutched at a crossed arm with his hand, staring at the rings on his fingers.

"Seems I've hit a pain point. I won't pry."

Gods, this man, he's so strange… Why does he care so much? "Why are you telling me all this?"

"Because I had some similar issues, and the two of you are idiots that'll never talk to each other. I'm just pushing things along so I don't have to keep watching you two squabble. It's annoying."

Laurent almost snaps back at the Garlean, but stops and chuckles instead. He sounds just like Gemna used to. She wasn't wrong…

Cid raises an eyebrow. "Not quite the reaction I expected from you."

"Ah, it's just… you reminded me of someone. My old mentor." Laurent shakes his head, then picks up one of the gunblade's gears again, wiping it carefully with a cloth. "...Thank you, for caring about Kris."

"That's what friends are for, are they not?" Cid looks at Laurent through the side of his eye. "Even ones that are incredibly rude whenever you talk to them."

Laurent rolled his eyes as he began cleaning another gear. "You're the one that bothered me."

"...How in the hells anyone puts up with you is a mystery—"

A sudden commotion cuts Cid's retort off, and they both look towards the soldiers rushing past. Strange, what's happening? It can't be an attack, it's too calm…

"Best see what's happening this time." Cid stands up, stretching his back as he looks back at Laurent. "You coming?"

"I suppose I must." Looking at the disassembled gunblade with annoyance, he stands up and heads to the command tent.

** **

"Settle down, everyone!"

Kris cast tired eyes over the gaggle of soldiers that have rushed the command tent. Word spreads fast… He could hear some of them talking about how the 'southern front is won' and how it was 'time to retake the Castrum'. It's about time, really.

These past few weeks have been a blur for the Warrior of Light. The battles were nigh neverending, but he managed to carve a path through the Garlean forces and secure a route to Castrum Lacus Litore. We'll be there soon, Mikoto. Just hang on a little longer.

Something catches Kris's eye, and he turns his gaze to spot fuchsia eyes staring at him from the crowd… and a mess of silver hair right next to him. Godsdamnit Cid, what did you do this time?

"Alright, listen up!" Bajsaljen's voice cuts through the chattering, and the soldiers fall silent to listen to their leader. "It was hard-fought, but the time has finally come—it's time to drive the Garleans out of the Alermuc Fortress and free the Southern Front from their tyranny!"

Kris keeps a straight face as cheer rings out from the crowd. Hard-fought for who, exactly…?

"Tomorrow, at dawn, we lay siege to the castrum. Make your preparations now, and get some rest. Dismissed."

The soldiers quickly disperse, eager to prepare for the assault. Kris sighs. I can't shake this exhaustion, but soon… Once Mikoto's safe, he'll rest. Surely, the Resistance can keep it together for a day or two without him. First, though…

He quickly scans the crowd again, and spotting Laurent, he works his way around the soldiers to him. "Blade Elja."

"I—Yes?" Laurent quickly turns around and fails to meet Kris's gaze. Huh, what's with him? No matter…

"Have you rested enough? I'll need you when we march on the Castrum tomorrow."

"...I see. I'm useful now, am I? I'm shocked you're not asking me to defend the camp instead."

"I never said you weren't useful. I only said I needed you to rest."

Laurent doesn't bother to hide his frustration. "Fine. Yes, I'm well-rested. I'll make sure no Garlean stabs you in the back tomorrow."

"You needn't be so testy." I'm far too tired for this… "I'll see you at dawn, then." Kris turns around and makes for his tent before the other Viera can respond.

** **

Cid watches the two talk from a short distance away. He can't hear their words, but their body language clearly indicates that their conversation isn't pleasant.

Gods… they really are idiots…

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