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[thirtybits]

"This is Judah's voicemail, no need to leave your number, I'll reply as soon as I can."



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[thirtybits]

...Really? [He debates whether to explain further, but his nervousness manages to loosen Judas' tongue.] I'm usually embarrassed partly because you're right.

[depicted]

[Another pause, this one of a different tone.]

That was an unwise offering of truth, Judah.

[thirtybits]

[It's Judas' turn to pause, and it's long, full of the awful realisation that Dorian is, once again, right. His face lifts from his hands, though they remain suspended.]

...........Oh.

[depicted]

[Dorian's mouth reasserts its smile, and he leans towards Judas.] I think I'll have to take another kiss now. Our conversation has revealed to me that I'll be less likely to kiss you with flushed cheeks than to kiss you when you've turned blue.

[thirtybits]

[Suddenly, Judas has deep regrets. He turns to Dorian, fingers curling into themselves as his hands hang there.

He laughs nervously.] Probably both.

[depicted]

[Dorian reaches over to Judas, pulling him closer by the jaw so he can enjoy a kiss. (Still there is that caution—Dorian cannot abandon his fears even now.)] Good. I enjoy variety.

[thirtybits]

[It's some comfort, it eases the embarrassment and the heat that brings rushing to his head. He tries to use the moment to calm down, steadying his voice.]

I had some idea.

[depicted]

I imagine. [He pulls away, but he's smiling. It is so much better to have back what was threatened.] You really must stop dying. Every absence only makes me need you more.

[thirtybits]

Oh, you mean I should keep doing it.

[Turning it back on Dorian certainly helps too. He grins, giving a nudge with his shoulder.]

[depicted]

So you want me hopelessly dependent! What a malicious thing to say, Judah. I must question your character.

[thirtybits]

Don't you imagine Judas to be malicious?

Besides, if that's the way to keep you interested....

[depicted]

I imagine nothing of Judas, and I take you on your own actions with me, here and now.

[Dorian presses careful fingers to Judas's neck.] I think you're just using me as an excuse to die frequently.

[thirtybits]

That would be a good idea... But then, you haven't been the cause of death for me yet, so it must not be working very well.

[depicted]

Setting aside arguments about doubles, you're forgetting that I stabbed you in the throat once. Right here. [He taps the spot with his thumb.]

[thirtybits]

No, I remember. But I was going to kill myself anyway, you beat me to it to stop me. So I was the cause.

[depicted]

Mm, I could quote something now, but it would be terribly inappropriate. [Emboldened, he kisses Judas's neck.]

[thirtybits]

[Judas' shoulders raise as his chin tilts down, both sensitive and embarrassed.] Would it be? I like inappropriate, you might have noticed...

[depicted]

[At the response, Dorian pulls back so he can look up at Judas.] Is this all right?

[Sorry, Judas. You're going to have to put up with a lot of this.]

[thirtybits]

[He pauses, not sure, at first, what Dorian means. Then he realises his reaction must have come across as afraid, so Judas shakes his head and offers a smile.]

Yeah, it's fine, don't worry. I'm not afraid of you.

[No more than the gut reactions he'd always had, anyway.]

[depicted]

There's a mark of recklessness if I've ever heard one.

[Dorian accepts the reassurance. Aside from when he strangles Judas to death, Dorian has always been cautious about touching Judas's neck. Maybe he should think about the doublethink required for that kind of mindset, but then it wouldn't be doublethink. Instead, Dorian has been wary of getting near something that to him reads as a vulnerability—a place that can and likely was easily wounded. So given permission, he is both slow and indulgent with the opportunity.

But they're not boyfriends, Kido.]

[thirtybits]

[Yeah, Kido, geez. They just make out and talk about what would happen if they were married, regular guy stuff.

With flushed cheeks, Judas eventually places a hand on Dorian's shoulder to gently push him away.]

Ah-- maybe not too much, though.

[depicted]

[At that, Dorian flushes with embarrassment or shame and ducks his head.] Yes, of course.

[thirtybits]

[He can't help smiling in response to that expression, moving his hand from Dorian's shoulder to his cheek.]

You're...always very enthusiastic. It's sweet.

[depicted]

[Dorian sighs and rolls his eyes.] Don't patronize me, I'm only younger than you on technicalities.

[thirtybits]

What- I'm not, I wasn't saying or implying anything about our relative ages! I meant it!