closed thread for purgatio

[putrefaction]

[So he might have given someone a gift. Not just any gift, of course. He gave the gift of "expression", and boy, did he pick the apropos time. That someone would likely resort to extremes in the face of limitations, excuse the pun.

Such as killing the recipient for the accompanying words. Nigel supposes he should care, but honestly, it's rather well-deserved. And not in the way one would think.

The man smirks, pleased, and twirls his headset (used for his speech recognition software, aptly named Dragon).]

"You're the best worst brother I've ever had." Yes. Did my good deed for the day.

Comments

[purgatio]

[ From behind come arms, small and ones that should not be there at all, to drape around shoulders as a voice purrs into an ear-- ]

That counts as a good deed, mm?

[putrefaction]

[A slender pair of arms fall over his shoulders, and his heart near bursts from the contact. The headset goes flying. From his mouth comes a series of words better described as keysmashing in certain circles.

No one can blame him for the reaction. Alan isn't home, and Nigel had only just hit send a second ago. So no one can blame him.]

--and just when did you learn teleportation?

[purgatio]

[ Pleased is nowhere close to Albedo's state of mind. He had passed pleased milliseconds ago, and honestly-- The last time he had been able to have contact with an adult male was Dai, and even then, that was nearly a year ago, give or take a universe.

Therefore, the child chirps, and flicks a tongue out to the curve of Nigel's ear. ]

Since I was awarded free rein. [ Or reign, perhaps. He smiles. ] Are you displeased?

[putrefaction]

[It is hard not to shiver at the touch, but restraint is what Nigel aims for and manages to do. All because of a question.

Could Nigel say he is displeased?

He exhales slowly, before chancing speech.]

Displeased about the snake hissing in my ear?

[He can't help breaking out into a genuine smile.]

Absolutely.

[purgatio]

[ Albedo smirks where he is. ]

Perhaps I should let go and leave, then, if I'm so unwanted.

[ His voice shifts into dramatics, subtle and mocking, with only a paper thin border of actual hurt around it. ]

I was recently told I'm the worst brother, after all.

[putrefaction]

[Ah. And here, things grace awkward. Nigel drops his smile and only blinks.]

Displeasure isn't disgust. And you're the best worst brother. There's a difference.

[A glorious, mile-wide chasm of differences.]

[purgatio]

[ And here as well, Albedo would drop his hands from around the other in mild annoyance at the shift, and treads to lean against the desk before Nigel instead. ]

Displeasure tastes of a lack of want, for the record. And whether or not I know what you mean, I'd like to state my disbelief at the worst part.

[ He tilts his head in almost thought, then rolls his eyes instead, something genuine in the following expression. ]

You know very well I'd do anything for your existence.

[putrefaction]

[There is pointed silence. Then:]

I was kidding. You are very wanted--

[Nigel swallows with difficulty.]

--and yes, I know. I do. You're just--

[--the only brother he's ever really had. Out of the variations.]

[purgatio]

[ You are very wanted is still statement enough to make Albedo's skin grow more sensitive, to make his heart skip beats in his chest. He will always, always, be vulnerable to brothers, and this is no different.

What he says, this Nigredo, Nigel, is altogether wanted by the thing Albedo is.

And what the other is struggling to speak is also understood. Albedo nudges Nigel's leg with his foot in acknowledgement, and smiles, makes it easier. ]

I'm just difficult, mm? It's not the first time it's been pointed out. At any rate.

[ His expression grows more angled, predatory. ]

I have a bit of free time. Care to spend it with me?

[putrefaction]

Perhaps. Perhaps not.

[They are all "difficult", in the end, but Albedo is waiting with a sinister expression, and Nigel does not have all day to contemplate on natures.

He gives an exaggerated look of contemplation.]

Certainly. What are we doing?

[purgatio]

[ What a bothersome person. Who likely would agree to anything Albedo would suggest. If he were any other, he would test this theory.

However, he is not--is only himself.

He pushes off the desk and leans close, placing his hands and weight on Nigel's hips, smiling. ]

Each other, possibly. Though honestly, I'd really just like to spend time with you.

[putrefaction]

[What a pervert. One can wonder if he's always been as such. Nigel honestly does not care to touch the memory.

Ignoring the pink tinge on his cheeks, Nigel laughs like a good sport and ruffles Albedo's hair.]

And spend time we shall!

[purgatio]

[ He takes the ruffling good-naturedly, closing his eyes at the touch. ]

Well...

[ He murmurs, distracted by contact. ]

You could give me a tour of your house, if you can't think of anything better to do. How do you entertain guests normally?

[putrefaction]

Well, normally, I take out my shotgun, and Al--

[Wait. Bad move.]

And now I'm absolutely forbidden from entertaining guests. A tour of the house is also the pinnacle of dull. Bed there, couch there, that sort of thing.

[But Nigel has an idea.]

Why don't we go outside?

[purgatio]

[ The mention of another is more than unwanted, and Albedo thins his lips at the mention, obvious. He's unwilling to let it mar things today, however, and ignores the sentence as if it was never said.

He straightens, blinking sedately. ]

Outside, is it? I'm fine with that.

[putrefaction]

[Nigel dodges a hefty bullet, and all is right in the world for Albedo agreed to go outside. The man drops his hand and pushes back the chair to stand.]

Outside, then.

[The Kane household's backyard is of modest size and thanks to someone's efforts, pretty well-kept. It holds a small shed to one side, but it is the garden on the other that Nigel strides to.]

I know I'm severely lacking in masculinity, but don't laugh, alright? I worked hard for this.

[purgatio]

[ Albedo smirks a bit at that, and follows passively. ]

I've never thought you to be lacking.

[ --And I should know, is the unsaid, obviously stated. ]

--But this is yours?

[ The garden, the collection of greenery and colored flora. It spoke of time--"I worked hard for this"--and effort, and it is more than Albedo could claim of anything really.

It crossed his mind before, in fragments, and did so again now-- The thought that he envied these two, to near a violent level, for the pair to be able to live as they were, with no interruptions or games placing themselves in the way.

To find life, and to live it, in whatever way is seen best.

Sorrow presses at him deeply--he turns his face away. A small voice gives truthfully: ]

...It's pretty.

[putrefaction]

[Ignoring the potential perversity in Albedo's remark, Nigel lapses into silence. He finally reaches down to touch rosemary.]

No.

[More another's memento, a method in linear memory. To remember in ways he longs for. He pulls away to drop a hand on Albedo's head.

The boy is sad, and from link and intuition both, Nigredo understands. But it is not the thing to touch on.]

It's a penance, to be honest.

[purgatio]

[ The glance away comes opposite now, and a stark violet gaze fixes on Nigel. ]

Penance...

[ Is the repeat, and there are no emotions attached. Albedo watches, and eventually... ]

...You're a fool, you know.

[putrefaction]

I'm a person filled with regrets and hapless attempts at reconciliation.

[Nigel smiles evenly.]

Of course, I'm a fool.

[purgatio]

[ To that, Nigel gets a small brother coming over to hold him around the waist, pressing his face into him. ]

...Here, at least, they aren't hapless.

[putrefaction]

[...It's adorable. So much so that he can cry.

But Nigel does not. Instead, he pats his brother's shoulder.]

You think? Some might say I've been wasting my time.

[purgatio]

[ Albedo hands fist around the cloth at Nigel's back, and he holds himself to the other more fiercely. ]

You're not. You haven't been. You play too much into regrets, little brother, but there's nothing worthless in your acts.

[putrefaction]

[He settles his hand at the child's back.]

...I'm glad to hear that.

[purgatio]

[ He gives a soft sound of appreciation, and leans into Nigel. ]

It's the truth.

[putrefaction]

[A chuckle. He can't help the sound.]

You are one for truths, I'm learning.

[purgatio]

Just now?

[ There's an amused sort of feigned disbelief. ]

My, my, how dense you are.