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[threelayers]

[A tinny, electronic voice comes on the other line. The message recorded is very obviously a 'default' setting of the fluid, available to any user. It displays no name or identity.]

The person you're trying to reach cannot answer the phone right now. Please leave a message with your name and number after the beep and we will return your call.

[What? Were you actually expecting her to record a voice message?]

Comments

[threelayers]

[That got a reaction. Neo looked hurt. She looked mad. She knew Emerald was aware of the wrongness of what had happened, but it still felt in that moment like a betrayal. Her body quivered and she had to breathe for a moment.

But she didn't leave. She didn't meet Emerald's eyes but she didn't leave. Swallowing, she took a minute, breathing slowly. Finally, she typed, and it felt important because o what she had just said.]

The real one wouldn't. She'd promise but never deliver.

But I need to know.
Do you still want her to kiss you?
Even now?

[hallucinogem]

[her eyes were briefly closed, but she swore she could feel Neo's emotional state change all the same. she swallowed, made a little noise from her throat. tried her voice out to see if she could actually use it, because this needed to come from her, and not some computer. the only thing giving her words any conviction was the twisting feeling inside her as she said them. the pain meant it was real.]

It makes me sick. [she swallowed again.] Thinking about doing anything with her. Any time I think about it I just remember how she made me ruin my own life.

[threelayers]

[And similarly, it needed to come from Neo's lips. She abused this sometimes, ut she only did this for Emerald. Moving her lips up to her ear, she whispered faintly, right before embracing her.]

'Then I believe you, and I forgive you. I love you.'

[Really what she'd needed to hear was that, just that. She could accept that it had been a curse on those words alone, but as she clung to her, she had to admit that she appreciated that Emerald had specifically told her. She might never have found out otherwise, but hearing it from her, not from some damned curse forcing her to admit it or painting it on her ass or something... it meant a lot.]

[hallucinogem]

At least someone still can.

[it sent shivers down her spine to hear those words from her girlfriend's mouth, but she couldn't stop herself from letting her true emotions shine through. as much as she hated them... as much as it felt like she was already a broken record.]

I don't know what I'm going to do next. But I'm probably gonna need to lean on you a lot.

[threelayers]

[She sighed and leaned back to give her a nod. One hand reached up and pressed to Emerald's cheek, dragging her thumb under the eye, taking any tears with it while she smiled. Yeah, she expected that, and she was entirely ok with it. But she was ok with close, fused relationships. Emerald relying on her was just comfortable, but she didn't want her to have to. She knew that could lead to problems.

But... but that was a problem for tomorrow. She typed this time again, easing back a little.]

We can worry about that tomorrow.
Tonight, you're here with me.
And every tomorrow I will be there for you.

[hallucinogem]

[she tried her best to let the tension run out of her body at hearing that. it wasn't going to be okay again for a while, not with everyone else. but with Neo... with Neo, whose heart was bigger than her body sometimes, Emerald knew that she'd always have a home. nothing would take that away from her.]

I love you. [quiet, but not weak.] Thank you for not leaving.

[threelayers]

[She mouthed 'I love you' right back, and finally pressed her lips in against Emerald's. It was clearly not the sort of kiss that said she wanted to do anything more, but a supportive thing, affectionate. She wanted her to appreciate and feel that closeness in the moment, given how much she felt out of her own mind right then.

They'd have to figure out tomorrow, but for the moment she was content to just be here today. And she'd always be there for her as long as she had any say in her own mind.]