There’s a lot there. A lot to what Hugh’s said that – well. If Caelan didn’t have reason to like him before, they certainly do now. (They really are grateful that Cassius found him. Found him instead of someone else)
Still, it doesn’t stop the snort from escaping them.
“Cas told you my name, but didn’t tell you about his Garden?” The thought knocks a few teeth out of their mouth, loosens their skin just a little. Their eyes slide over to Cassius’ worm, where the sheepishness drifts off of him like his shell never could embody. “Cassius.”
A little wormy twitch. They roll their eyes. Excited, yes, they’d figured.
“It doesn’t matter if we -” a pause “- jump ships or whatever. It’ll still be terrible because it’s the - fucking air here. It – holds onto you. Onto people. Doesn’t filter out the way it does back home. Probably because of the trees or something. The great outdoors.” A dismissive hand gesture that gets shoved back into their pocket. Any of your ships will get just as bad as this one with time.”
They tilt their head back, rest it against the wall as the overhead light hums through their teeth.
“Cas and I don’t have anyone else but each other. I’m too – dangerous for normal people, and Cas -” A sharp exhale through sharper teeth. “He’s tried. You’re the only one who’s stuck. I know you probably can’t see it – but he likes you. A lot. You've been making him happy. Even without the worm, I'd smell it on you.” Their hand clenches at their side. Unclenches just as quickly. Repeats a couple of times before remaining a fist. “I’m not gonna tear him away from you just because the Song is throwing a fucking tantrum –“
Nails through their palm. Blood down their fingers. The nip of it fades a moment after but it’s enough.
“When Cassius can access his Garden again, it won’t matter how traumatized this place is. Until then, I’ll deal, just like I’ve always done.” A flash of yellow, looking at him over their nose. “Just might mean more skin pipes in the future, though. So – sorry. About that.”
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Still, it doesn’t stop the snort from escaping them.
“Cas told you my name, but didn’t tell you about his Garden?” The thought knocks a few teeth out of their mouth, loosens their skin just a little. Their eyes slide over to Cassius’ worm, where the sheepishness drifts off of him like his shell never could embody. “Cassius.”
A little wormy twitch. They roll their eyes. Excited, yes, they’d figured.
“It doesn’t matter if we -” a pause “- jump ships or whatever. It’ll still be terrible because it’s the - fucking air here. It – holds onto you. Onto people. Doesn’t filter out the way it does back home. Probably because of the trees or something. The great outdoors.” A dismissive hand gesture that gets shoved back into their pocket. Any of your ships will get just as bad as this one with time.”
They tilt their head back, rest it against the wall as the overhead light hums through their teeth.
“Cas and I don’t have anyone else but each other. I’m too – dangerous for normal people, and Cas -” A sharp exhale through sharper teeth. “He’s tried. You’re the only one who’s stuck. I know you probably can’t see it – but he likes you. A lot. You've been making him happy. Even without the worm, I'd smell it on you.” Their hand clenches at their side. Unclenches just as quickly. Repeats a couple of times before remaining a fist. “I’m not gonna tear him away from you just because the Song is throwing a fucking tantrum –“
Nails through their palm. Blood down their fingers. The nip of it fades a moment after but it’s enough.
“When Cassius can access his Garden again, it won’t matter how traumatized this place is. Until then, I’ll deal, just like I’ve always done.” A flash of yellow, looking at him over their nose. “Just might mean more skin pipes in the future, though. So – sorry. About that.”