[ Ephemera makes a strangled noise and screws his good eye closed even as Felix guides his hand to his throat. Thumb over his pulse. Proof of life. And then he presses their foreheads together and it's like the old days, something instinctive. Something coded deep. Felix's hand on his throat, Ephemera's hand on his. Mirrored. They could hurt each other.
Could. Probably will, by the end. Ephemera tried to beat him to death once. That wasn't so long ago. And even now, he can't say why he stopped. It just happened and then there was a moment in the middle where the ground shifted. And then it was over.
He shudders, good eye still closed. The world feels too fucking loud. Screaming at him. And he shifts his grip to cup the back of Felix's neck instead. Shield the implant. ]
Please. I can't - Isaac, I can't.
[ A mistake. That isn't his name. This isn't who they are anymore. ]
no subject
Could. Probably will, by the end. Ephemera tried to beat him to death once. That wasn't so long ago. And even now, he can't say why he stopped. It just happened and then there was a moment in the middle where the ground shifted. And then it was over.
He shudders, good eye still closed. The world feels too fucking loud. Screaming at him. And he shifts his grip to cup the back of Felix's neck instead. Shield the implant. ]
Please. I can't - Isaac, I can't.
[ A mistake. That isn't his name. This isn't who they are anymore. ]