Comments | template_logs: A Piece of Peace

firebranded in template_logs

A Piece of Peace

Feb 17, 2008 02:08

Characters: Axel (Original) and Axel (Template)
Setting: THEIR NEW HOUSE. Yes, it's round.
Time: A day or two after the completion of the Valentine's plot.
Summary: For better or for worse, the Axels are settling in - kind of. a little bit - with each other. This means sharing a few things about themselves they can't or won't with anyone else.
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template (axel), original (axel)

Comments 28

firebranded February 17 2008, 10:08:10 UTC

The signals were easy enough to spot, mainly because Axel had been looking for them. He listened to the commentary in silence and simply waited, watching, feeling no surprise when the other ended up finding something other than the fire to look at. There were a lot of things he could say, stupid jokes or corny reassurances, but that wasn't how Axels did things. Instead, he didn't say anything, simply taking the few steps required to put him behind the twin.

Usually he was the one getting a surprise embrace from behind, but Axel figured a change would do the twin some good. His arms went loosely around the other's waist, chin resting on his shoulder.

The position was natural by now, Axel more comfortable than he'd been in a long, long time. Or ever, maybe. When he had just held someone, or been held? Never. Never, not since he'd actually had a life. Funny, how right it felt now.

Maybe he should say something, even if that wasn't usually what Axels did. "It's okay."

reborn_fire February 17 2008, 10:19:05 UTC

Huh, funny. Him actually being comforted and by another Axel, no less. This definitely would have to go down on a calendar. That didn't stop him from slumping backwards into the embrace and relaxing his muscles. He barely even heard the words his twin uttered. Maybe he just wanted to stop thinking about everything for once instead of letting his thoughts roam where they shouldn't.

"This place isn't even like my old house." The words came without his knowing, probably a shock to both him and the other. He froze, voice caught in his throat now and oddly ashamed. It was enough to jerk himself out of that comforting hold. The hell was he doing?

"Heh, sorry about that." It took effort to speak now, and Axel made sure his back was facing the other Axel. "Don't know what the hell I was saying." Because it wasn't like it mattered anymore. That's why people moved on from the past. It was dead and should stay that way, right? Of course. "Probably should sleep."

firebranded February 17 2008, 10:34:20 UTC

Did he ramble like that when he wanted to avoid saying what actually needed to be said? Axel hoped not. It was so obvious it was painful.

"Of course it's different. It's round," he pointed out, more or less ignoring the rest of what his twin had been going on about. His tone was calm, almost detached, maybe a kind of signal to the other that, whatever he said, whatever he confessed - because it was a confession, wasn't it? One of them would think of it that way, at least - Axel wasn't going to do anything drastic in response.

An opening. That's what it was. An opening to talk, if he wanted. "If you're tired, which bedroom do you want to use? I don't know what you're used to."

"You can tell me what your home was like" was what that translated to in Axel's head. Hopefully the twin would get it.

reborn_fire February 17 2008, 10:44:55 UTC

Axel almost chuckled; the twin was so obviously, very new to the whole comfort thing, and hearing him try brought a rueful smile to his lips ( ... )

firebranded February 17 2008, 10:57:57 UTC

Axel didn't believe not. Over the not-remembering part, that is. He didn't even have to look at the expression on his face. Those lost years were in his voice when he spoke, catching at his words, weighing them down and cutting them short. Even the way he stood gave him away, so closed off and stiff it was like he was getting ready to hold off the world if he had to.

It was really too bad the other would never be able to fool him; if there was anything a Nobody knew well, it was memory.

"What was your brother like?" Axel asked after a moment, again letting the twin choose what he wanted to say and how he wanted to say it. He doubted he'd really be able to force a straight answer out of him, and really, he didn't want to. The only encouragement he did try was a touch of softness in his voice when he asked his question.

It wasn't pity. Wasn't sympathy, either, but at at least it was there.