terrariums | Inbox for Duplicity

[He doesn’t know what to say to fill the silence. Nothing he comes up with seems appropriate. So no matter how much Floyd wants to tell Jade about his day, the new things he’s learned, or the silly trick Catfish did the night before, he can only clutch his device and wait, listening to his twin’s footsteps with bated breath.

He only has an oversized shirt on. He didn’t feel like covering himself any more than that, not when he already feels so out of place in his own skin. But the moment he spots Jade across the courtyard, relief already begins to settle in his veins.]

Jade…!

[he cries, dropping his device in the grass when he rushes over, arms outstretched. It doesn’t matter how he looks. He feels perfect; stable and warm wrapped in Floyd’s embrace.]

I’m sorry, Jade. I’m sorry, I’m sorry…

[ Jade's arms come around him easily, squeezing him tight against him as he nestles into his twin's hair. Breathing him in deep as his arms coil them tighter together. No hug could possibly feel tight enough after so long... ]

Floyd...

[ A kiss to the top of his head, his temple, his cheek... all before burying his face into his hair with a deep sigh like letting out a breath he had no idea he was holding. ]

I'm right here.

[Everything is right. Everything is safe. Maybe not tomorrow or the next, but here and now Floyd feels as if he’s finally come up for air. He burrows into Jade’s neck, breathes in the familiar scent of earth and fresh, clean linen… He’s here, he’s here…]

I don’t hate you, I don’t hate you…

[Floyd shakes his head, staining Jade’s shirt with tears.]

I love you more than anything, I promise, Jade, I promise…!

[ Fingers thread through teal hair as he holds him, content to just let him sob into him. His voice soft and soothing in a sound that no one on land probably understands even here--not an actual word, but more a feeling given sound. ]

I love you, Floyd. I promise, too.

[ Even if he might not be the Floyd he knows yet, he's still his twin--his partner. No matter what happens back home he can't imagine--he knows that it can never drive anything between them. So he shouldn't let this city do it, either. Jade holds him tighter. ]

Together forever.

Mhm… Together forever…

[Even more relief washes over him with Jade’s words. Floyd never doubted his twin’s love for him… but their relationship has certainly been tested. This is so brand new—like learning to walk on two leg all over again. But he has Jade again and Jade has him… They can navigate this bump together just as they have a thousand times before.

Sniffling, Floyd lifts his head but doesn’t let go.]

… You haven’t been sleeping.

[he notes, thumb brushing under Jade’s golden eye.]

Not well, no.

[ Though not of anyone's fault but his own. He leans into Floyd's palm as he watches him. His own hands cradling Floyd's face and hair like he's something precious to be held and adored. ]

I imagine you have not slept well lately either.

[It feels beyond wonderful to be held again, especially knowing Jade reserves this for Floyd and Floyd alone. His brother is particular about touch, after all, perhaps more so in this world that encourages it so often.

Floyd turns and presses his lips to Jade’s palm.]

Mn… I kept thinking about you hurting all alone. All that stupid shit I said—

[Tears well up again and roll down his cheeks.]

You’re mine… but I wasn’t there for you.

[ Holding anyone but Floyd like this feels impossible. Even Rook's ~~sometimes insufferable~~ affections don't fall into this level of comfort. Nine months with his previous Dominant helped him with the more technical aspects of the city, but more along the lines of pulling a mask over his eyes. A way to block it out with feeling so he doesn't feel how his skin sometimes crawls.

It's difficult to let himself be touched, even more so to want to be touched, but he never has that thought with Floyd. Never does his skin feel like it's on fire or riddled with goosebumps when Floyd throws himself around him without so much as a warning, just... peace. No desire to pull away or having to fight that urge because it's what the city wants of him. No retreating to his room after sex because the thought of being held feels too much. Just quiet.

It's something he needs desperately still, even if he's getting a little better. His lips come to press against Floyd's cheek. No thought to bottle those precious tears for potions unlike he does for himself in very short supply. ]

You are now.

[While Floyd isn’t so averse to physical contact, Jade’s touch still holds precedence above all the rest. It’s more than familiar; it’s necessary. It’s genuine. There’s no expectation to escalate or reciprocate… It simply exists—it completes—and selfishly Floyd indulges.

He wants to give Jade that same comfort whenever and wherever possible. So with those words and that soft kiss to his cheek, Floyd leans in for their lips to touch. It lingers and he savors, heart racing between his ribs, and even when Floyd pulls back he leaves so little space between them.]

I need you.

[he whispers.]

I don’t know who I am without you.

[ Maybe that is it. The lack of expectation. Jade is always so deeply aware of the expectations held for him: back home, here, with every Dominant and other Submissives... Just a role to fill and even experiences he believes might turn out normal end with him exposing himself yet again.

But not with Floyd. Falling into it when it comes feels natural. Comfortable. Like coming home. So he lingers there a little longer in Floyd's embrace, lips pressed together in blissful gentleness. ]

We should sleep together.

[ However they end up, he won't mind. He just knows he doesn't want Floyd to sleep in only half a bed. ]

I need us, too.

[Floyd blinks, surprise evident on his face. He should have expected the suggestion, what with Jade bringing his overnight bag, but… maybe he thought Jade would still want his space. Needless to say, Floyd’s overjoyed.

A smile finally graces his lips as he takes his twin’s hand and leads him up the steps to the front door.]

I’ll show you my room~

[he says as they pass through the entryway. Catfish sleeps at the foot of the spiral staircase, waiting for Floyd to return, and when she stirs at the sound of footsteps she spots Jade and meows in greeting.]

“Did you bring my baby?”

[she asks, following at the twins’ heels.]

[ Jade offers Catfish a smile as she walks beside them, his own voice responding to her easily. ]

"I apologize, she was asleep when I was leaving."

[ Where doesn't matter, but he did notice she didn't even stir when he left unlike others in the apartment. ~~That awful Tsum that nearly shot him when he opened his bedroom door, for one.~~ ]

"I did bring you a present from her, however."

Wow, a present~ Should I have you sign a contract before she accepts?

[It’s a joke, of course; simply reminiscent of what their parents demanded before the twins ever accepted any birthday gifts back home.

Floyd pushes his door open and reveals his room exactly as he left it: half a mess, half pristine. Catfish meanwhile rubs her face against both their ankles and weaves between their legs, her curiosity piqued.]

“Show me, show me. A present from my baby.”

[ He chuckles as he moves to sit on the bed, bringing his bag forward to open it even as the mother of his ~~child~~ own cat hops up onto the bed beside him. ]

No need to worry. I have already prepared a waiver...

[ But is he joking? That is more difficult to say. From his bag Jade withdraws a small toy that Fishcake often cuddles at night before offering it to Catfish. ]

[Floyd sits beside Jade and crosses his legs, later leaning over to rest his chin on his brother’s shoulder so he can watch the exchange more comfortably.

Catfish impatiently sniffs and paws at the bag and when Jade offers the toy her pupils widen with delight. Yes, she’s an excellent hunter, so the textures instantly appeal to her, but most importantly she’s taken with Fishcake’s familiar scent.]

“My baby!”

[she purrs, grabbing the toy in her mouth so she can hop down and proceed to rub her face all over it. Floyd laughs and presses his cheek to Jade’s own.]

A shrimp, huh. You sure Fishcake won’t miss it?

She asked me to bring it the next time that I see you. I have been holding onto it for a few days now...

[ He leans into Floyd's cheek, content to rub them together in gentle affection as he watches Catfish fall in love with her gift. Such a sweet thing... he's glad that Floyd had her during his time alone. ]

She had thought you would like it, too.

Fufu~ It’s pretty goofy.

[In a good way. Floyd eyes the toy as Catfish bats it around, though after a while Jade’s returned affections prove to be far too distracting. … How did he manage to hold himself together while Jade was away? For weeks, for months— Each time feels more agonizing than the last. Because while Floyd knows he isn’t truly alone in this world, no other presence grounds him as well as his twin’s.

With a hum, Floyd turns and presses a gentle kiss to Jade’s jaw—once, twice—before burrowing his face in his neck to do the same.]

I missed you, Jade.

[He doesn’t care how many times he says it.]

[ Shoes are carefully slipped off as Jade brings his legs up onto the bed so his arms can more easily come around his twin's body. Gloved fingers sliding into matching teal hair as he exposes his collared throat for Floyd's attention. He lets out a low hum of contentment... Not necessarily pleasure, but just comfort. ]

I missed you, too.

[ He'll say it as many times as they need to. Forever, even. ]

Even though I knew it would pass... I missed you all the same.

[Catfish takes the opportunity to attack Jade’s shoes while she’s at it. There now. All of that should keep her busy for a while.

… As comforted as he feels by Jade’s words, Floyd pauses when his lips touch the edge of his twin’s collar. He isn’t wearing his own since he isn’t outside, so why should Jade have to? Reaching around, he hooks his finger beneath the collar and gives it a little tug.]

Take it off.

[he quietly insists.]

Mm...

[ Would the city somehow know if he does? No, he thinks it would be fine... he's already planning to spend the night here and he always removes his collar to sleep either way. It's a brief freedom from the city's insistence--not that Rook would force him to keep it on around the apartment, it's just a choice Jade makes that the hunter doesn't question. It's what he did with Belial and Jamil, too. Pidge being the only exception due to the lack of requirement during their brief contract.

Seven, that all feels so long ago now. Jade pulls back just enough to reach behind his neck to unclasp the violet collar so he can set it on the nightstand. It may be new, but he can't bring himself to just throw it on the floor. ]

[Floyd waits patiently as Jade slips his collar off and once it sits on the nightstand (alongside all the snack boxes Floyd's been stocking up), he throws his hands up in celebration.]

Yay~!

[he exclaims before wrapping his arms around Jade's shoulders and falling onto his side.]

Now we can cuddle better!

[ He lets himself fall with him, leaning forward to nuzzle him with a gentle appreciation. His neck (still bruised in lighter browns and purple, but mostly well on the way to healed up now) brushing against Floyd's own. ]

I look forward to it.

[ For emphasis one of his legs throws itself over Floyd's, hooking his ankle between them to trap it between his own. It might not be the same as how they hold their tails together underwater, but he admits there is something nice to feeling so entangled. ]

[Floyd is immediately receptive, tangling his legs around Jade’s on pure instinct. There’s no water to work against, no sand or coral to anchor themselves to… Just them and their silly, less flexible land limbs. But, to Floyd, any part of Jade is still Jade no matter what it looks or feels like, and right now he couldn’t be more comfortable so long as they’re together.

He settles with a sigh… but upon seeing those faint markings on Jade’s neck, Floyd pauses to trace the edge of one with the tip of his finger. Bruises aren’t an uncommon sight in this world, especially on necks and collarbones, but considering Jade’s lost an eye before… Floyd can’t help but feel a twinge of concern.]

… Does it hurt?

[He won’t coddle him. He just wants to know.]

Not anymore, no.

[ They had been extremely tender the first few days considering the broken skin, but the painting left on his neck in vibrant bruises had been a pleasant distraction from his thoughts. Especially when the leather of his collar would rub against them. ]

I hardly feel them now. Your teeth and hands have left me far harsher reminders.

[Well… if Jade says so, then Floyd believes him. He won’t bother to ask where they came from or why. If it’s not impeding him or causing him severe pain, then there’s no need to fret, right?]

‘cause I know you can handle it~

[Giggling, Floyd traces his finger up to gingerly touch Jade’s earring instead—proof of their tenacity, cunning, and will to survive. His eyes slip shut then, resting for the first time in weeks.]

Nobody handles me better than you.

Inbox for Duplicity

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