Title: Understanding
Author: cugami
Fandom: Suikoden ( 1 and 2 )
Type: gen (but i'd love to consider this as subtle shonen ai)
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Suikoden is property of Konami
Notes: McDohl is the hero of Suikoden 1 and Jowy is the antagonist (more or less) of Suikoden 2. This is set after the war (end game) of Suikoden 2. Written in 45 minutes with distractions and much staring. Tell me if it's confusing or if it made sense...because for some reason, it makes sense but something's missing which I can't get my hands on and that's what's making this short piece more confusing -_-.

I want to work on this again, one day. That is if this thing improves at all.

written for temps_mort challenge of impossible pairings under 50 minutes.



A man sat, leaning against a stone as if waiting for someone. His eyes were closed and his breathing, even. None of his calm features betrayed the tensed knots stuck in his chest. The only sign of his discomfort were the stiffness of his shoulders or the way his grip around his metallic staff would tighten at the faintest sound of rustling leaves. Despite the inner war struggling in his mind, his surroundings remained as peaceful as it had always been.

The waterfall kept its hushing sound of flowing liquid. The wind blew as strong as it did the last time he was here. And his platinum blond hair threatened to escape the bonds he tied it with because of the wind. Just like that same night when he and his best friend had jumped the ledge and into the water. Just as they had promised each other to meet in this place if they were to survive that fall. And to mark their promise, they left a cross mark on this rock behind him. That was so long ago. And a lot of things had come and gone.

He had been a rich man's son and a friend, a soldier, a comrade, a criminal, an enemy, and a king and now, he was a nobody. Not a friend to the one he would've given his life for, not a soldier to the country he once served, or a comrade to his once best friend. Tonight, he was just a man waiting for something to end.

He heard footsteps, soft and light. It sounded as if the owner was making noise on purpose, to tell him that there was someone else. He looked up, expecting to stare at hazel eyes.

Indeed, he was greeted with eyes of the right color but it missed the luster of life he had known as a child. He had seen this man before, from across the battlefield and behind his once best friend.

The man brought with him a staff, a black metal with its both ends coated in gold. Jowy had seen this man fight before, and despite his ability and strength, he wasn't confident he could go against this known hero who defeated the Scarlet Empire.

"Your friend could not come. The country needs him and..."

Jowy interrupted, "I understand. Did he send you?"

Shaking his head, McDohl replied. "I was on my way to Gregminster and was passing by the falls when I saw someone up here. The rest, I assumed."

And there was silence once again except for the blowing wind and the splashing water against rocks. He was a man, waiting for something to end.

"Where would you be going?"

Jowy thought the man had left. Without averting his eyes from watching the waterfall, he shrugged.

"I bear the Soul Eater, Rune of Life and Death. I've seen and caused what people fear. Another soul in my hands won't make much of a difference."

Jowy understood the implication of the bearer's words. "Are you that cold?"

McDohl stepped closer to where Jowy stood, overlooking the waterfalls.

They situated near the edge, watching the endless silk of falling water. Somehow, Jowy understood. In this silence he stood with life and death, cold and alone but with the knowledge of life as it used to and should be.