[He intends to say words in response to what she says, but he can't even get one through before the laughter bursts out of him, loud and heaving through his chest. Holy shit. Oh my god. He fumbles his phone out of his pocket and finds the message, playing it hurriedly, but he's still laughing so he probably misses half of it anyway.]
Holy shit, Lup, we haven't pulled that con in years, oh my god, this is classic. This is the best thing you could've possibly done. Oh my god. I bet he tried to cover it up and was just terrible.
[Taako couldn't have planned something better for their first meeting even if he tried. Kravitz is going to scream when he finds out Lup is actually his sister. Lord, he can see it now.]
[Even if the two of them are laughing their asses off together, just the sound of her voice coming in over his phone sends the woman into another fit of hysterical cackling, her eyes squeezing shut at the full force of it. There's already tears streaming from her eyes, all of the irritation she'd felt a moment ago completely disappeared under this life changing revelation.]
And we weren't even working together on this one! It just fucking happened! [Sure, they've had a million twin moments over the years, but there's just something about conning her own brother's boyfriend without any clue of his identity that just really knocks her over.] Holy--I'm going to throw up.
[Lup reaches out to rest a hand on Taako's arm, to keep her from laughing herself straight to the floor, and draws in what's supposed to be a calming breath, but she can't help but keep giggle along anyway.] Ugh, he was so fucking smug, I had to rub his nose in it. Though when I first brought it him being an awful racist, he looked like was going to cry.
[He's leaning on her, too, as he loses it, finally just having to stop the message and pocket his phone before he drops it on the ground. Perfect. Absolutely perfect.]
He's actually, uh, kind of a nice guy. I mean, look, everyone we know is an asshole, so I'm not gonna sit here and pretend that he's not a total dick sometimes. But uh. Y'know.
[He wants to talk about something that was said-- well, one thing in particular, but he doesn't really know how to segway into it, and trying to say it will probably only make him more nervous. So he doesn't, focuses on a different admission.]
We were, uh... I mean, we were dating before this, we just weren't. Last time I saw him he wasn't doin' so hot, so, uh, guess we made the jump into making it official or whatever today seein' as there might not be more of it later.
It's hard for Lup to just turn off her giggles completely, especially after getting hit by a bout of hysterical laughter like that, but her expression shifts from the big funny to something softer, her gaze focused intently on Taako while he speaks. This is about him and this guy, Kravitz or whoever, but Lup can't deny the happy warmth that spreads through her chest at her brother's words. Considering how difficult it had been to get him talking to her before, the fact that all of this is coming to her so unprompted really means something special to Lup. He could have just continued the goof, laughing and making fun of Krav with her, but here he is, opening up before Lup has to ask him to.
It's all the proof that Lup's ever needed that he hasn't left her behind, that his new life still has room for her.]
Don't think I'm not going to give him just as much shit as you gave Barry. [One hundred years worth, thank you muchly. Lup slides an arm around Taako's shoulder and drags him to her side, bumping hips.] But I'm happy for you here, Taako. You better tell him all about me. Also, I'm gonna need a list of his weaknesses and greatest fears. Just in case.
[The whole bit about the future is a little ominous but Lup just gives her twin's shoulder a squeeze, shooting him a grin.] So, my brother's dating the grim reaper? That is what you said, right?
[He can feel himself smiling just a little when she takes him seriously, when she's just going to... let him keep doing this. Not that he ever really needed her permission, not that he needs anyone's. But it's still hard for him to remember sometimes that she's by his side, that he's not just alone. And even though wanting to talk to someone about anything is still super foreign, it makes him feel lighter for it to be her.
He does let her move towards him, though, immediately back to rolling his eyes.]
Listen, please drag him. I haven't figured out his weaknesses yet but he yells at Merle a lot? There's somethin' there, I bet.
... And okay, yes, he might kiiiiinda be the grim reaper. Or one of them? Situation's not super clear. Anyway, super undead, so now we both kinda have skeleton boyfriends. Or uh, you will or whatever.
[He's rolling his eyes at her, so Lup naturally has to lean in to press a ridiculously sloppy kiss to his cheek. Just because. Does a sister need any further reason than that?]
Oh, hun, you know I'm good for it. I'll drag his ass to the Astral Plane and back, just to keep him on his toes. Oh! [And it's like a light bulb popping on over her head, Lup's eyes go wide in delight, grin widening excitedly as she bumps shoulders with her twin.] Deffo gonna need to do the whole 'if you hurt my brother' speech on him. What's gonna make him more nervous? Me popping by his place unannounced or sending a super ominous message about needing to talk soon? Gotta get the max freaked out payoff on this one, so you better answer honestly.
[Just two elves talking about scaring the shit out of one of their boyfriends. No biggie.]
God, that's still a trip. How the hell did we get here? If you'd have told me back before the Institute that we'd both be boning skeletons, I'd have been very concerned.
[He laughs, even if he's calling her gross and smacking at her as she does it. Nasty. But he does seem to think about her question, tapping a finger to his chin thoughtfully.]
Uhh... gotta go with ominous text. He's, uh, he's a worryer, good at thinking on his feet. If you just show up he'll roll with it, so deffo get him thinking for a few days. As few details as possible.
[You are the worst, Taako.]
Ugh, I know right? Not to mention that you're also all bony sometimes. Or will be. You'll get there.
[He gives her an affectionate little pat, like she's a kid asking when her baby teeth will fall out.]
[This is exactly why they are so inseparable, even when they do bicker and fight. Because Lup would give Taako the same honest answer about Barry if Taako had ever needed it. Because loyalty to each other (and to the dragging of each other's significant other's) is always priority number one. This is why they are so impossibly tight, even if there's a sixty year time difference between them.
Kravitz can expect a text from her soon.]
Weird, but also kind of sick. [Lup's into the idea of her being a weird skeletal ghostie, but that's not a surprise. Her tastes are all over the place.
After the high tension weighing her down since the night before, Lup's feeling so light as she leans against him, her head flopping down onto Taako's shoulder.] So, we're like, good and shit?
[No hard feelings about the Lucretia thing, is what she's really asking. Because Lup's going to keep seeing her, keep spending time with the woman, even if Taako's pissed at her. She's family, Lup can't just leave her behind.]
[Even as the topic shifts right back into unpleasant waters, Lup feels much more secure now with Taako's cheek mashed into her head, the steady beat of his heart in her ear. For how long it took them to find their steady footing again, she feels like they've finally made it, every familiar piece slotting into place again.
It's what Lup expected, honestly, and maybe it's even a little of what Lucretia deserves, but all of that is between her brother and her friend. After what he went through, Lup wouldn't dream of forcing the other woman on Taako so soon. Lucretia may hurt now, but he had to live years hurting alone. They'll figure it out in time. They can wait until Taako is ready.]
Taako, you know I'm not going anywhere, right? I may spend time over there, but this is my home. [Lup doesn't gesture to the room, she only squeezes his hand, right where their fingers are intertwined. He's her home.] I know you're only asking cause you want to move in your reaper boy-toy in my place, but it just isn't happening, bro. Lup is here to stay.
[Ready is a strong word, Lup, and she of all people should get that. He's never ready. He's not going to be. Lucretia remains that remnant of that person she made him into, that piece left fragmented from Lup that she could never truly understand. To him, Lucretia is the barrier between them. How can he be ready to confront that? How could he want to?
But he snickers in response, hopefully proof enough that he's brushing off the seriousness of the question.]
Yeah, because Krav wants to be anywhere near the dick squad. No thanks.
[But he does keep their hands close. Fingers locked. The steady bridge between their beating hearts.]
You better be. 'Mm not losing you again. Especially to her.
[He won't let Lucretia build that wall again. He just won't.]
[Lup knows it's a long shot, to think that Taako would ever really forgive Lucretia and be ready to go back to the way they were before, but she has to believe their family won't stay fragmented like this forever. She just has to.]
You say that like I had a choice. [As if Lup would want to be anywhere else. Their new home is an absolute nightmare and she has adored almost every second of it.] But I'll add that to my list of ways to torment him in the future. Thanks.
[Lup settles against her twin and closes her eyes, focusing in on the familiarity that always rushes through her when he's nearby. His steady breathing, the beating of his heart, the warmth of his palm against hers. Lup loves Lucretia. Has never had a female friend she's been as closely intertwined with, both before their journey or during her time in Hadriel. And she hasn't experienced what she will in the future nor has she met the woman that Lucretia will inevitably become, but that doesn't change the fact they are family and she'd do just about anything for the other woman.
But even that love and loyalty doesn't stop the firmness of Lup's tone when she answers.]
You won't lose me again, Taako. Not to anyone, but especially not to her. I promise. She can't touch us.
[He squeezes her hands as she speaks, letting his breath hitch just a moment that only she can hear. Lucretia is beyond complicated for him now, a hundred years all but scrapped in affection between them. If she didn't think he deserved those memories, she can keep them. He just wants Lup. He just wants to be whole again.
He can feel the emotion creeping up his throat, so he pulls back, chuckling at her quietly.]
Nobody can fuckin' touch us.
[He'll never let anyone do that again.]
C'mon. It's still early. Pretty sure we've got enough for some killer pancakes in the kitchen if you wanna see Mags weep tears of joy.
[They've both had more than enough of emotions for the day. For all of the outbursts they've been through in the last month, the two honestly are gonna need at least a year to recharge after this. Give them a fucking break, Hadriel.
Lup lets Taako pull back, but she keeps their fingers twined together loosely, unable to let go completely yet. After that earlier admission, Lup knows things between them are the best that they've been since her arrival in this place. She can let go of Taako and she'll still feel his heartbeat in every breath she takes, read his body language in every flick of hair over his shoulder or every hint of a smile curling across his mouth. But even if she knows they're fully connected, she still wants to feel his palm beneath hers.
It isn't about worrying that they aren't the same people anymore or thinking that he's straying from her. She just likes being close to her brother. That's all. It's one of the best comforts she can find in Hadriel.
So with his hand in hers, Lup gleefully drags Taako towards their bedroom door, ready to throw it open and race him to the kitchen.] Let's blow his fucking mind, hun. Never too early to make Mags cry.
[They'll never be a point where he'd reject her hand. They're back. The month's been rough, and he's been gone and lost for so long. But she's back, so he is too. It'd feel like a fairytale if he gave a shit about any of that. Then again, a heartless man wandering for 10 years in search of something lost probably sounds like a great story to the person who doesn't have to live it.
He follows, ready to bolt and pull her along.]
Last one there has to do dishes!
[And they're off, hand in hand, knowing they'll get there together.]
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Holy shit, Lup, we haven't pulled that con in years, oh my god, this is classic. This is the best thing you could've possibly done. Oh my god. I bet he tried to cover it up and was just terrible.
[Taako couldn't have planned something better for their first meeting even if he tried. Kravitz is going to scream when he finds out Lup is actually his sister. Lord, he can see it now.]
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And we weren't even working together on this one! It just fucking happened! [Sure, they've had a million twin moments over the years, but there's just something about conning her own brother's boyfriend without any clue of his identity that just really knocks her over.] Holy--I'm going to throw up.
[Lup reaches out to rest a hand on Taako's arm, to keep her from laughing herself straight to the floor, and draws in what's supposed to be a calming breath, but she can't help but keep giggle along anyway.] Ugh, he was so fucking smug, I had to rub his nose in it. Though when I first brought it him being an awful racist, he looked like was going to cry.
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He's actually, uh, kind of a nice guy. I mean, look, everyone we know is an asshole, so I'm not gonna sit here and pretend that he's not a total dick sometimes. But uh. Y'know.
[He wants to talk about something that was said-- well, one thing in particular, but he doesn't really know how to segway into it, and trying to say it will probably only make him more nervous. So he doesn't, focuses on a different admission.]
We were, uh... I mean, we were dating before this, we just weren't. Last time I saw him he wasn't doin' so hot, so, uh, guess we made the jump into making it official or whatever today seein' as there might not be more of it later.
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It's hard for Lup to just turn off her giggles completely, especially after getting hit by a bout of hysterical laughter like that, but her expression shifts from the big funny to something softer, her gaze focused intently on Taako while he speaks. This is about him and this guy, Kravitz or whoever, but Lup can't deny the happy warmth that spreads through her chest at her brother's words. Considering how difficult it had been to get him talking to her before, the fact that all of this is coming to her so unprompted really means something special to Lup. He could have just continued the goof, laughing and making fun of Krav with her, but here he is, opening up before Lup has to ask him to.
It's all the proof that Lup's ever needed that he hasn't left her behind, that his new life still has room for her.]
Don't think I'm not going to give him just as much shit as you gave Barry. [One hundred years worth, thank you muchly. Lup slides an arm around Taako's shoulder and drags him to her side, bumping hips.] But I'm happy for you here, Taako. You better tell him all about me. Also, I'm gonna need a list of his weaknesses and greatest fears. Just in case.
[The whole bit about the future is a little ominous but Lup just gives her twin's shoulder a squeeze, shooting him a grin.] So, my brother's dating the grim reaper? That is what you said, right?
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He does let her move towards him, though, immediately back to rolling his eyes.]
Listen, please drag him. I haven't figured out his weaknesses yet but he yells at Merle a lot? There's somethin' there, I bet.
... And okay, yes, he might kiiiiinda be the grim reaper. Or one of them? Situation's not super clear. Anyway, super undead, so now we both kinda have skeleton boyfriends. Or uh, you will or whatever.
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Oh, hun, you know I'm good for it. I'll drag his ass to the Astral Plane and back, just to keep him on his toes. Oh! [And it's like a light bulb popping on over her head, Lup's eyes go wide in delight, grin widening excitedly as she bumps shoulders with her twin.] Deffo gonna need to do the whole 'if you hurt my brother' speech on him. What's gonna make him more nervous? Me popping by his place unannounced or sending a super ominous message about needing to talk soon? Gotta get the max freaked out payoff on this one, so you better answer honestly.
[Just two elves talking about scaring the shit out of one of their boyfriends. No biggie.]
God, that's still a trip. How the hell did we get here? If you'd have told me back before the Institute that we'd both be boning skeletons, I'd have been very concerned.
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Uhh... gotta go with ominous text. He's, uh, he's a worryer, good at thinking on his feet. If you just show up he'll roll with it, so deffo get him thinking for a few days. As few details as possible.
[You are the worst, Taako.]
Ugh, I know right? Not to mention that you're also all bony sometimes. Or will be. You'll get there.
[He gives her an affectionate little pat, like she's a kid asking when her baby teeth will fall out.]
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Kravitz can expect a text from her soon.]
Weird, but also kind of sick. [Lup's into the idea of her being a weird skeletal ghostie, but that's not a surprise. Her tastes are all over the place.
After the high tension weighing her down since the night before, Lup's feeling so light as she leans against him, her head flopping down onto Taako's shoulder.] So, we're like, good and shit?
[No hard feelings about the Lucretia thing, is what she's really asking. Because Lup's going to keep seeing her, keep spending time with the woman, even if Taako's pissed at her. She's family, Lup can't just leave her behind.]
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Ugh, I guess. Really twisting my arm here into adoring you. Pretty sure this counts as kidnapping.
[He lets his hand slide down, twisting his fingers with hers, and speaks again, quieter.]
I'm not going to see her. I know I can't, fuckin. Stop you. But I'm not.
[There's only... a hint of fear there. Something he doesn't want to ask, but it's the last thing he needs before this can be done.]
You're not moving out, right?
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It's what Lup expected, honestly, and maybe it's even a little of what Lucretia deserves, but all of that is between her brother and her friend. After what he went through, Lup wouldn't dream of forcing the other woman on Taako so soon. Lucretia may hurt now, but he had to live years hurting alone. They'll figure it out in time. They can wait until Taako is ready.]
Taako, you know I'm not going anywhere, right? I may spend time over there, but this is my home. [Lup doesn't gesture to the room, she only squeezes his hand, right where their fingers are intertwined. He's her home.] I know you're only asking cause you want to move in your reaper boy-toy in my place, but it just isn't happening, bro. Lup is here to stay.
no subject
But he snickers in response, hopefully proof enough that he's brushing off the seriousness of the question.]
Yeah, because Krav wants to be anywhere near the dick squad. No thanks.
[But he does keep their hands close. Fingers locked. The steady bridge between their beating hearts.]
You better be. 'Mm not losing you again. Especially to her.
[He won't let Lucretia build that wall again. He just won't.]
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You say that like I had a choice. [As if Lup would want to be anywhere else. Their new home is an absolute nightmare and she has adored almost every second of it.] But I'll add that to my list of ways to torment him in the future. Thanks.
[Lup settles against her twin and closes her eyes, focusing in on the familiarity that always rushes through her when he's nearby. His steady breathing, the beating of his heart, the warmth of his palm against hers. Lup loves Lucretia. Has never had a female friend she's been as closely intertwined with, both before their journey or during her time in Hadriel. And she hasn't experienced what she will in the future nor has she met the woman that Lucretia will inevitably become, but that doesn't change the fact they are family and she'd do just about anything for the other woman.
But even that love and loyalty doesn't stop the firmness of Lup's tone when she answers.]
You won't lose me again, Taako. Not to anyone, but especially not to her. I promise. She can't touch us.
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He can feel the emotion creeping up his throat, so he pulls back, chuckling at her quietly.]
Nobody can fuckin' touch us.
[He'll never let anyone do that again.]
C'mon. It's still early. Pretty sure we've got enough for some killer pancakes in the kitchen if you wanna see Mags weep tears of joy.
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Lup lets Taako pull back, but she keeps their fingers twined together loosely, unable to let go completely yet. After that earlier admission, Lup knows things between them are the best that they've been since her arrival in this place. She can let go of Taako and she'll still feel his heartbeat in every breath she takes, read his body language in every flick of hair over his shoulder or every hint of a smile curling across his mouth. But even if she knows they're fully connected, she still wants to feel his palm beneath hers.
It isn't about worrying that they aren't the same people anymore or thinking that he's straying from her. She just likes being close to her brother. That's all. It's one of the best comforts she can find in Hadriel.
So with his hand in hers, Lup gleefully drags Taako towards their bedroom door, ready to throw it open and race him to the kitchen.] Let's blow his fucking mind, hun. Never too early to make Mags cry.
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He follows, ready to bolt and pull her along.]
Last one there has to do dishes!
[And they're off, hand in hand, knowing they'll get there together.]