terrariums | Inbox for Duplicity

[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.

[ It's easy to relax like this so entangled with Floyd. Arms and legs, foreheads pressed together... His own eyes falling closed as he simply breathes even as Catfish hops up onto the bed to stand on his side with small legs that feel like a dagger into his side. Made only worse by her deep kneading and purring.

He's had far worse than a few bites and bruises. He likely will again, too. ]

It is nice to know our limits together so intimately. Though if someone else hurt you without your permission...

[ Well. Floyd has already experienced that anger, hasn't he? They would just need to take their revenge together again. ]

Catfish, knock it off.

[Floyd pushes at her just as he does when she chooses to wake him up before sunrise some mornings. She flops over, curled up instead at Jade’s back. Silly thing…

Floyd hums, his smile widening just a touch.]

Uh-huuuh~?

[Go on, Jade. He wants to know the details.]

[ Floyd is so much crueler to his daughter than Jade is... If it were Fishcake he would have let her bury her claws into him for as long as she liked until she grew comfortable and settled. It was practically a nightly routine at this point... ]

I would begin by telling them in extensive detail what they have done to you without leaving even a single detail unnoted.

[ Even with their eyes closed like this his hand finds Floyd's cheek, thumb stroking it over. ]

Then, I would give them back every ounce of pain that they caused you before breaking whatever they used to hurt you. Fingers or hands...

[ A kiss to Floyd's forehead. ]

I would pull free every single one of their teeth if they dared to bite you.

Edited 2024-06-06 19:00 (UTC)

[Jade’s far more tolerant and patient than Floyd in all situations, is all. … Yet his twin is still just as capable of horrifying feats of violence. He’s more precise, more calculated— He knows how to hurt people in ways that matter.

Imagining it done for Floyd’s benefit warms his heart and, giddy, he wiggles his legs as he’s kissed. Gruesome for most, to be this tickled over promise of revenge. But it’s like he told Rook: he’s fucked up, he’ll always be fucked up… and he likes it that way.]

Aha~ I’d wanna see all that~ You’re good at makin’ guppies cry.

[Floyd nuzzles into Jade’s palm, his twin’s cold skin so soothing against his cheek. Then,]

Would you kill for me?

Edited 2024-06-06 19:28 (UTC)

Wouldn't you?

[ It's an easy answer. It's already something that they know one day will come to pass... but for being a first, he can't imagine wanting to do it for anyone but Floyd. Even Azul--their Azul...--would be secondary to that. Choking the life out of someone or driving his claws, teeth or a knife through their jugular... he would do it without hesitation if someone dared to harm a hair on Floyd's head.

He's calmer, of course. He knows his twin can handle himself fine and that he very likely would encourage that sort of pain onto himself so long as he was able to lash out in turn... but it's different. Wanting to be hurt versus being hurt indiscriminately. Which brings another conversation to mind. ]

...Hm.

[Blood was already on their hands the moment they were born into the Leech family, so naturally there are expectations to adhere to when they return home. But beyond that—]

Without a second thought~

[Floyd might not possess the same level of finesse as Jade, but his sincerity remains true. For Jade’s sake, he’ll dispose of anyone and leave the rest to rot.]

Hm? Somethin’ on your mind?

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