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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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[depicted]

[Dorian laughs, which unsettles the branches. He has to move fast, scrambling under fallen ground so that he can grab a branch with his one arm.]

Congratulations, Judah. You have won yourself the right to continue doing all the manual labour between us. [And then, with hard effort, Dorian swings his feet up to a branch. He nearly slips off but is able to gracelessly get hold of the trunk. Carefully, he pulls himself to his feet.]

But how I regret falling now. Robes being what they are, I'd love to be above you.

[thirtybits]

[Judas turns red in an instant, pushing at the skirt of his robes to make sure he's covered.] Sh-shut up! Of course that's what you'd jump to right away...

[He grabs hold of the branch to pull himself up into a sitting position.] But I've already been nude in front of you, so, there's nothing to see anyway.

[depicted]

[Dorian seems pretty amused by that last comment.] You still have so much to learn. Context matters far more than actual questions of visibility.

[Dorian gauges a branch above him, steadies himself, crouches, and launches forward. With the best effort he can, he grabs hold and scrabbles up, one level closer to Judas now.]

[thirtybits]

No, I know that very well. Too well. That's why this time you'll have no such luck.

[He looks down, watching Dorian climb.]

[depicted]

'Too well'? What is that meant to mean?

[For his next daring trick, Dorian realizes that the collapse of branches barred the ones he'd need to get to it directly. So instead, he edges along to the end of this branch and makes his way into the tree one over.]

[thirtybits]

Being an awkward and easily embarrassed virgin, it should be obvious. I'm used to casual nudity, but...others not so much.

[Judas can't help laughing a little, watching Dorian make his way over.]

[depicted]

These strange modern times, hm? [Dorian makes his way up from branch to branch, then crouches low to make it under clustered branches and slip back over to Judas's tree.] From my perspective, it isn't so bad. You've seen what I had to wear back when I was truly young. It was all button-up dresses, button-up waistcoats, and button-up emotions. In the modern world, we're free.

[thirtybits]

You must already know I'm a fan of the modern age! It's better in every way. Plenty of the same flaws, but plenty are also fixed, or otherwise made better. I definitely prefer it!

[depicted]

I do know. [With one final effort to scramble up onto a branch, Dorian makes it up beside Judas. He settles down beside Judas.] And yet. [He slips his fingers between the folds of Judas's robes. Gently, he tugs on the fabric.]

[thirtybits]

What, my clothes? We always wear these in the house and in Heaven. And they're better for doing things outside. I like suits, though. And obviously I wouldn't walk around like this in the city.

[depicted]

I know that. [But he doesn't explain. He just pulls on yellow fabric, half-pulling it around himself.]

[thirtybits]

Then, your point...?

[He smiles a little, pulling it from his belt to drape half over Dorian's shoulder.]

[depicted]

Not important.

[He tugs the far end around himself, tangling his fingers in the warmth of the fabric. He leans his head against Judas's shoulder, which requires some slumping, and closes his eyes.]

I disagree with Matthew 26:24. Happy birthday, traitor.

[thirtybits]

[He startles. Not because of the head on his shoulder, that is actually pretty nice.] ...I don't know about that. If not that, I should have at least died earlier. But...thanks. [He leans his head back against Dorian's.]

[depicted]

Agree to disagree. [With his free hand, he finds Judas's and holds it close.]

[thirtybits]

I guess I can accept that...

[Another small smile finds its way in and with it, Judas kisses Dorian's forehead. And then he goes back to resting his head on top of Dorian's own.]

Thanks. For not trying to force me.

[depicted]

Wouldn't want to push you. [the tiniest smile that Judas can't see] Might drive you to kill yourself.

[thirtybits]

Heh. Well, you know how it is.

[It's said lightly, but with the thought of Dorian's own suicidal tendencies in mind. Seeing that, he suddenly knows how others feel about him.]

[depicted]

I do. [Dorian thinks of sunrises, and he sighs and grips Judas's hand a little tighter.] Don't worry. Can't get any worse as long as we don't believe it has gotten better.

[thirtybits]

It would be pretty difficult to get any worse, anyway. At least we can understand eachother. It doesn't make it better, but, for me, it helps.

[He squeezes Dorian's hand.]

[depicted]

For me too. [he thinks about jumping—not to die, just to make sure they get the meat before some wild animal does. But he is comfortable here, with his hand in Judas's, wrapped in ancient cloth and resting on long-dead bones. He doesn't feel like moving.]

[thirtybits]

[It's good he doesn't. Right now, Judas would be terribly disappointed. Although he wouldn't, or couldn't, voice it.] ...Really? I'm glad. I...really want to be able to help.

[depicted]

Really. [He raises Judas's hand to his lips for a brief touch of lips, then lets it fall with his.] Thank you. For being born. For everything.

[thirtybits]

[He tenses, biting his lip. 'It would be better if you had never been born', words from the mouth of the Son of God. And yet, now Judas is being thanked for it. He doesn't know how to take that. For a long while he's silent, staring down at their hands as his head shifts downwards.]

...Thank you.