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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]

What are you even talking about now? You're a strange, strange man. But just because you're so strange, doesn't mean I am and want to be called something like that.

[depicted]

Are you sure? I can never guess with you.

Come visit me. I want to know what they wrote on you.

[thirtybits]

Pretty sure (not entirely? Go ahead and try it on for size if you want)

Sure, it's pretty funny, actually. You'll like it.

[But he doesn't want Dorian or anyone else to see the other. First he brushes hair over from the left side to completely cover his forehead, trying to make it look natural. It doesn't work, it looks silly. He presses his lips together but can't think of anything better to remedy the situation. This is why he hasn't gone to the clinic yet, maybe he shouldn't go to Dorian either. But now he's already agreed, he can't just take it back so quickly.

So he sacrifices a little from what covers his face, and a little more from the side to cut until it's thick enough with curls to hide his forehead. Still silly when he insists on keeping his face partially hidden too, but now it's closer to proper bangs, at least.

When he finally does arrive, it's the longest he's taken in answering a request for a visit for sure.]

[depicted]

[It's always hard to tell around here, and up in his piano tree, working out the notes of a movement from one of Schumann's piano sonatas, he doesn't spot anything at first. More and more he has taken to living up here in his tree. More and more he has liked it over all other kinds of living.

But for Judas, he lets the song trail off with a smile.] You took your time.

[thirtybits]

[He pats his hair down just to be sure, and returns the smile.]

Yeah, sorry. You don't have to stop playing.

[depicted]

I can't pay attention to you when I am paying attention to the piano. [Dorian drops out of the tree, and as so often happens, he lands with a painful crack that he promptly ignores. In the two steps it takes him to get to Judas, it's gone already.]

[It's at that point that he lifts his eyebrows.] Trying something new?

[thirtybits]

Then you need to continue it for me later.

[It looks painful. But by now Judas is used to Dorian breaking a few bones on landing, so the only reaction is a slight frown.]

Something like that... [Self-consciously, he places a palm over the left side of his forehead.] Any good?

[depicted]

[Dorian pauses for a moment, considering it. Then he steps to the side and takes Judas's arm in his.] It would have done better with your robes. Finishes the look with a head-covering, yeah?

Come sit at the lake with me. [Not a question. Dorian is already leading Judas off without waiting for the response.]

[thirtybits]

I do need to keep the sun off, and you just can't wear a hat with curly hair.

[He smiles and quietly accepts the change of location. He certainly won't complain, when he likes to sit by the water, and has no thought for being dragged around by Dorian anymore.]

[depicted]

[Only when Dorian has Judas settled beside him does he pry at the agreed upon question. He doesn't touch the obvious one.] So? What is it they wrote that I'll find so amusing?

[thirtybits]

[After loosening his tie, Judas unbuttons the first few of his shirt to pull the collar aside. He gathers up the hair that falls about his neck and holds it up so the ring of words isn't blocked.]

I mean, I was kind of upset at first, but it's actually pretty funny now that I think about it.

[depicted]

[Dorian stares at it a moment before he works out the meaning. It isn't exactly from an area of culture where he tends to hang out.]

Well.

It is fair.

[Sure enough, a smile is winning its way out as, the more Dorian thinks about it, the funnier it gets.]

[thirtybits]

See? That's exactly how I felt. A little confused, pretty offended, but then... [He laughs, shaking his head.] Well it's true, and they even did it like a noose, that's real attention to detail! What about you, what did you get?

[depicted]

[Dorian half-smiles, and he holds up his hands. They're perfect, of course, but he explains himself.] Across the lifelines. 'Lonely boy' on the right, 'like all the others' on the left. And—[A pause, and he points to his forehead.] 'Guilty.'

They were things my—my childhood friend said to me, before I stopped him. I understand the point he was making, and so I understand the point our hosts were trying to make. Of course, I would reply that it's their own doing that I don't take care of the problem, so there were are: absolutely worthless commentary, at the end of it all. Thus I got rid of it.

[thirtybits]

They do seem to mostly be reminders of things we already know.

[He shrugs. Though the indication of the forehead makes him feel guilty for trying to pass his off as nothing. It's not as if it's a secret. But he doesn't like this reminder, or having someone else force it on him. What do they know about the state of his forgiveness!!]

You're still a show-off.

[depicted]

[This smile that flickers onto Dorian's lips is more affectionate.] Jealousy is an ugly trait, my dear traitor.

[thirtybits]

And yet I remain jealous you don't need to worry about the consequences of cutting or burning off the writing. I look like enough of a mess when you strangle me.

[depicted]

[He touches a finger to the hollow of Judas's throat, all arrogance in his presumption of possession.] You look like a very attractive mess when I strangle you, as it happens. At least in my eyes you do.

But that is the point of the portrait. My actions don't have consequences for me. That's why I almost kept the writing on me. It has been a very long time since anything has left a mark.

[thirtybits]

Your perception is a bit skewed. [He raises an eyebrow to Dorian.]

Maybe they'll give you something less patronising next time and you can finally have the scar tissue you've always wanted.

[depicted]

Don't be unfair. [He wraps around Judas and pulls him in so he can kiss his shoulder.] I'll give you the acid. You can burn the skin until the writing is illegible, and then you can go in to Dr Banner and have him fix it up.

[thirtybits]

[With a small laugh, Judas wraps an arm around Dorian in return and kisses his jaw. He will be unfair. And he will laugh about it.]

Ah, well, being a doctor, I'm sure he doesn't have a problem with hearing of suicide, so it doesn't really matter. And I'm pretty sure I made a few jokes in poor taste about that kind of thing the first time I met him. At least, I assume so, why wouldn't I.

[OTHER WRITING ??? NOPE NONE]

[depicted]

I know that wouldn't trouble him. [Dorian glances at Judas. His eyes flicker up to his forehead, then back down to meet his gaze.] But I prefer your old hairstyle.

[thirtybits]

[Oh. Judas chews his lip to fill the silence put on by his pause.]

Yeah it's kind of dumb like this, I definitely don't plan to keep it. I'll brush it into place once I see the doctor. ...Sorry, you were honest with me.

[depicted]

Yeah, well, you are sweet when you're distraught over lies of omission. [He touches Judas's cheek to guide him for a kiss.] You don't owe anyone your secrets, you fool.