Prisonstuck VIII, continued from LJ

[badpirattitude]

[For someone who claimed he didn't need to rest, the Psiioniic has been sleeping for a long time.]

[Dualscar supposes a manic episode like he had earlier could really take it out of a troll, not to mention the fight in the prison the day before, and being a prisoner, and before that on the run, and before that a slave, and everything else running backwards through the Psiioniic's entire miserable life. Besides all that, living with him, Dualscar, can't be easy, even if it's only been a day, and he half-expects the Psiioniic to ask him to be returned to the prison when he wakes up.]

[Dualscar hasn't slept at all, not really. He can doze in a recuperacoon, but to really sleep, he needs to be underwater. There's nothing physically preventing him from sleeping on land, but for the mental tick that forces his gills open an hour into sleep and leaves him gasping painfully for breath a moment later. He knows well enough why that happens, but he pushes it away every time it creeps into the corners of his mind, nibbling at the edges of his sanity like a longtailed squeakbeast. Either way, he's still curled around the Psiioniic, spooning up behind him while he sleeps, and waiting for him to awake.]

[Waiting, and thinking about all they spoke of the day before.]


polariity

[What, go back to a prison and away from this glorious library? Dualscar, please. You underestimate the Psiioniic's utter nerdery.]

[You also underestimate his affection for you, but that's okay. In all honesty, he isn't quite sure of its depths either. A part of him that still has reservations about this whole thing- which is a rather large part- isn't sure he wants to know.]

[As awakening comes to him, he's aware of the presence still at his back. It's comforting to have that again- someone being there. All this time around other trolls has left him with this need for someone, anyone, to be there.]

[Gently, just to show he's awake, he guides one hand down to lay over Dualscar's.]


badpirattitude

[Either that or he underestimates his own appeal. Dualscar knows he's good at blackrom, but anything even faintly red and he's completely lost. He's spent most of the time while the Psiioniic slept convincing himself that he's irreparably screwed up everything.]

[But then the Psiioniic puts his hand over his, and Dualscar makes a soft, surprised sound. Before he can overthink it, he curls his fingers through the Psiioniic's, joining their hands together.]


polariity

[Funny, sounds like every other moment of his life, too.]

[As the slime warms around their fingers, faintly, he wonders what this makes them. He half knows, half doesn't. They've never said anything to one another about it, just awkward steps with neither of them knowing the way.]

You're alright?

Comments

[polariity]

[Ow fuck shit- another startled bark before the Psiioniic begins catching the ones thrown at him and tossing them back.]

Yeah, didn't you know! Height of wooing idiotic theadwellerth like yourthelf!

[badpirattitude]

[Don't tease him like that, Psiioniic... Dualscar is so clueless about red rom that he might actually take you seriously.]

[Orange peels sure are flying fast and furious in here, although it's slowly beginning to dawn on Dualscar how ridiculous this is; he has a naked troll in his kitchen, throwing orange peels at him and yelling about how he doesn't know anything about romance. The vicious sneer starts to fade from his face, and the rumbling, agitated whale noises are starting to be replaced by hitching sounds that are almost laughter.]

[polariity]

[The laughter only makes him throw harder, face heating up.]

Thut up!

[badpirattitude]

[Nope, too late. Laughter is something that is happening here.]

All right, all right, I surrender!

[Dualscar holds his hands up in defeat, laughing openly now.]

[polariity]

[There's one last toss and then the Psiioniic is stuff all of the peeled oranges into his sylladex in a huff. His face is pure bright yellow from both some slight exertion but mostly embarrassment.]

You're a prick.

[And he has a nice laugh. Not that Psii will say it.]

[badpirattitude]

So I've been told.

[Dualscar grins at him, all sparkling good humor now. Well done, Psiioniic, you've managed to shift him back towards happy again.]

And you should probably put some clothes on before you catch a cold.

[Dualscar laughs one last time, then snaps his fingers at the kitchen drone, which has been hovering in the corner. He points to the fallen peels, and the drone gets to work, cleaning them up.]

You knoww, if you wwant, wwe could probably get you something wwith your sign on it, or something yelloww at the very least. Wwould you like that?

[polariity]

I'll put on clotheth when I'm good and ready.

[Now he's just being difficult to be difficult, crossing his arms and still yellow as a lemon. His ears twitch slight as Dualscar speaks. The indignant look on his face lessens up at the mention of his sign and idly he rubs his hand over his chest.]

...Yeah. That'd be nithe.

[badpirattitude]

All right. I'll see about ordering some neww material, then.

[He glances at the Psiioniic up and down, then grins, rubbing at his face tiredly.]

You'll be the death of me yet, Psii.

[Dualscar turns then, and starts leaving the kitchen.]

I'm going dowwn to my quarters to get some sleep. I trust you can find your wway back to the library on your owwn?

[polariity]

[There's only a shrug in response to that, and then he watches as Dualscar begins to walk away.]

Yeah... I can do that.

[Finally making up his mind, he starts to walk after him.]

Hold on. You forgot thomething.

[badpirattitude]

[Dualscar stops, looking over his shoulder.]

Yeah? Wwhat's that?

[polariity]

Ithn't it obviouth?

[Coming to a stop besides Dualscar, the Psiioniic lays a hand on his shoulder and leans in close, kissing the seadweller sweetly at the area where his jawline and fin meet.]

Good day, 22.

[Than he slips past him, chittering at his drone to follow him to the library.]

[badpirattitude]

[Dualscar watches him go, one hand drifting upwards and resting on his face, where the Psiioniic had just kissed him. Then he turns and retreats to his own chambers, under the water, where he stares at the ceiling for a long time before falling asleep.]