A guilty flush crept across his cheeks when Nigredo expressed confusion over the conversation and he cleared his throat to explain, but Albedo took the initiative. Silent, Jr. listened as his twin described Norse mythology to their brother, finding it strange for Albedo to respond so helpfully without descending into a bitter tangent — ah, right on time. He groaned inwardly as his twin took note of the parallels between them and Odin’s sons. “That’s not what I was saying about Loki,” he groused under his breath, unfailingly frustrated with Albedo’s ability to twist words. Yet, as the middle brother continued, a small, sad smile ghosted Jr.’s lips. He said, gently, “I’ll stick to my guns. It’s definitely the ideal place.” He didn’t expand on why; maybe one day, this Albedo would understand too.
To Nigredo, he raised a brow with a firm look. “We both took the name up,” he corrected, casually stretching his arms up behind his head to pillow it. He shifted his weight onto his back leg and eyed his brother thoughtfully. The change in the boys was most obvious in Nigredo, and though he was adopting more nonchalant body language as time ticked by, Jr. was still distressed by the youngest’s reactions.
The nonchalance didn’t last long. Albedo’s accusation hit him harder than one of KOS-MOS’ reluctant high-fives and he reeled back, eyes widening. “What the hell kind of question is that?” he demanded, walking forward and finally breaking that respectable distance. The idea that he wouldn’t care was so stupid that he could barely muster the energy to be annoyed by it. Now standing directly in front of his two brothers, he struggled for words, unable to understand how they could come to such a conclusion. He looked at each of them in turn, knowing that there was something he was missing, something that he didn’t get. Quietly, he vowed, “Of course I care. You think I’ve been standing around here trying to figure out what’s up with you guys just to hear myself talk? I’ve missed you.”
Except he really hadn’t meant to admit that. Not right now. Embarrassed, he fingered Freya’s bracelet, thumbing the inset gem — goddammit, he really could use Nakama’s advice right now.
no subject
To Nigredo, he raised a brow with a firm look. “We both took the name up,” he corrected, casually stretching his arms up behind his head to pillow it. He shifted his weight onto his back leg and eyed his brother thoughtfully. The change in the boys was most obvious in Nigredo, and though he was adopting more nonchalant body language as time ticked by, Jr. was still distressed by the youngest’s reactions.
The nonchalance didn’t last long. Albedo’s accusation hit him harder than one of KOS-MOS’ reluctant high-fives and he reeled back, eyes widening. “What the hell kind of question is that?” he demanded, walking forward and finally breaking that respectable distance. The idea that he wouldn’t care was so stupid that he could barely muster the energy to be annoyed by it. Now standing directly in front of his two brothers, he struggled for words, unable to understand how they could come to such a conclusion. He looked at each of them in turn, knowing that there was something he was missing, something that he didn’t get. Quietly, he vowed, “Of course I care. You think I’ve been standing around here trying to figure out what’s up with you guys just to hear myself talk? I’ve missed you.”
Except he really hadn’t meant to admit that. Not right now. Embarrassed, he fingered Freya’s bracelet, thumbing the inset gem — goddammit, he really could use Nakama’s advice right now.