Clay felt his back bristle as Raimundo barked out his demand. He knew they were the monks leader, but the cowboy wasn't in the mood to follow orders; it was easier to disobey someone on the same playing field as him. Besides, he wasn't even getting all that mushy; calling Jack 'darlin' was as natural as breathing to Clay at this point. He could be so much worse.
Though, he opts to merely clench his teeth, and snarl silently towards the Dragon of Wind, as opposed to say a word. Now wasn't really the time to focus on trivial things like word choice, and nicknames. The tension was reaching its inevitable snapping point, but Clay still wanted to slow the pour of fuel onto the growing fire.
Clay was aware enough to know his friends couldn't make sense of any of this; he knew he would struggle if any of them swapped places. He was also aware enough to know he was holding the final piece of the puzzle they had so desperately tried to solve.
Though, it finally seemed like something clicked all together, as he was asked how long this had been going on for. Clay felt his heart stall slightly, his Adams apple bobbing behind his red neck scarf with a thick swallow. His face softened a little, blue hues flickering to the ground with an apparent shame.
Part of him still didn't want to admit to this all; selfishly, he hoped he would wake up, having merely been unconscious from a bad blow. But, despite what others thought of him, Clay wasn't stupid. He knew reality was set in stone, and it was a bitter one. Mulling the answer over, tasting the words on his tongue, he forced himself to speak,
"Remember when y'all ran off with Wuya?"
Clay answered Raimundo's question with one of his own; rhetorical, really, because they all knew the answer, even if it was apart of the past they tried to move on form without any real personal confrontation. The threads of mistrust, and seeds of doubt, had been planted deep - at least, they had been for Clay.
"But...that was so long ago Clay," Kimiko chimed in with the obvious.
"Yeah...it was a long time ago, weren't it," Clay confirmed, "An' as I recall, after Wuya was put back in her box, we were all givin' an invitation by a certain someone to join 'im for ice cream."
So many days had passed since that offer; since Clay had told them he was going. It had been a once a month sort of thing originally, before it seemed that Clay was always leaving for the parlour. At some point between the first scoop, to now, Clay had fallen in love, and he had fallen hard.
The truth was out of the dark, illuminated in a harsh truth. Clay wished the sun would be eclipsed once more, in a foolish attempt to hide it all again.
A desire he wanted even more than anything, as Omi suddenly spoke up. The anger is Clay's shoulders lifted, as instead, guilt began to drown him. Blue eyes brimmed with remorse, as Clay looked up to the youngest monk. He had always had a soft spot for Omi, he had always wanted to keep them safe from harm...but Clay had become one of these things to harm them the most...
He's a coward, that's what he is. A low life, coward that was more yellow than a slice of his Aunt Clarabella lemon-custard pie. He was a deceitful, selfish person that didn't deserve a lick of pity or forgiveness.
But a pity party wasn't worth throwing...
His voice was quiet, barely there, but still held the weight with every bit of regret Clay had in his body.
A weight that continued to grow heavier; too heavy for him, as Omi insister there had to be a better explanation. Clay lifted a hand, and tipped his hat back, lips tugging into a harsh frown. Omi may be trying to convince the others of this 'real plan' Clay must've been happening, but in truth, they all knew Omi was just trying to convince himself that this was the real explanation.
They all knew that wasn't the case...
But then, so suddenly, it all got so much worse. The all too familiar voice of Chase Young broke through the crowd. Clay was immediately back to the offense, keeping Jack behind him as his head snapped so he could stare daggers in Chase's direction. He was ready for any of them to attempt an attack. Even if it would be a losing battle for himself; he would fight until the bloody, and bitter end.
Wuya's own laughter, dark and deep, rung alongside Chase's words. It was clear the two Heylin elders were rather enjoying the show. The fractures were closer to canyons between them.
"Hm...I think Jack should stop playing with his new boytoy and focus on that dream of being evil."
Wuya had no actual problem with Jack, and Clay, dating. It was an insignificant thing to her. She just enjoyed poking, prodding, and winding people up. The fact Clay's face scrunched up in annoyance, proved she succeeded in annoying at least one of them.
The Heylin witches words didn't even chip Jack's shoulders, but Chase's words clearly was enough for him to find his voice as he started to whine.
Clay looked over his shoulder, as Jack finally spoke. He couldn't help but blush, a smile raising to his lips as Jack, proudly stated he was going to run the World with Clay by his side. It was enough for the cowboy to even ignore the smirk plastered on Chase's face,
"Uh, darlin'," Clay spoke himself, softer, calmer, "That's sweet an' all, but I'd rather y'all not take over the World - I'll stay by y'all'side though."
"Clay, heh, now doesn't seem like the time..."
Dojo spoke shakily, his scales on ends with Chase and Wuya hovering around.
"Right...y'all shoul' get moseyin' on outta 'ere."
Clay still insisted on not returning to the temple with them, not at this moment. If anything, he was now digging his heels even further into the mud, thanks to the fact Chase, and Wuya, were now hovering around. Clay wasn't willing to take any risks for Jack's safety.
"I'll be back at the temple, I'd say trus' me, but I know y'all don't."
Yeah, no duh, course none of them trust him right now. Why would they?
Clay shifted, twisting his upper body so he could reach back. His large, gloved hand slipped into Jack's own, fingers slipping together like a lock into a key.
"I'm leavin' with Jack, whether y'all like it or not."
