[ It breaks him down all over again and he hides his sobs against that wonderful, familiar chest again. He loves this man so fucking much. ]
I never want this to happen again. I want to be me. There's so much I haven't done. I like this me I've made. It's a good person, a fine person, a happy person.
You are, Molly. Nobody has the right to abuse you like that. What they put you through was torture, sweetheart, it's normal to be angry.
[ All he can do is hold on, cheek in Molly's bed-rumpled hair. Fjord gave up trying to brush it the first day, it felt like invading a stranger's personal space; now, he noses into the comforting smell of just Molly, inhaling deeply with a shaky sigh. ]
Think about our ship on the blue sea, the sunshine on our deck. That's where we're going to end up, I promise. That's what is waiting for you. For us.
[ It was torture, Fjord says, and Molly fully agrees. Playing with his worst fear like this? Hurt everybody around him? The fact that he fucking remembers everything, remembers being that empty again? He hates it.
It's kinder to think of the future he's dreaming of, of sun and water and exploring new places. Tanning in the sunlight until they're both several shades darker.
(What if he forgot that, too? His future, his promises?) ]
I think I would like to go to the ship... and maybe I could eat something.
[ He sighs and rubs the back of his neck, fingers tangling in his long hair. He should brush that, have a shower... get other clothes on. ]
I just want to get away from everything.
[ Everything obviously didn't mean Fjord, as he's still leaning to the half-orc, tail wrapped around a leg tightly to make sure he's real and there with Molly. ]
[ A plan of action has been formed! All the more efficiently with Molly looking so tired. ]
I'm going to make us a picnic basket to last a few days, you're going to head upstairs to freshen up and pack whatever you want to bring to the ship. Sound good?
It's a good thing that Fjord can form plans, because Molly can barely string two things together right now. He gives his boyfriend a shaky smile as he tells him what they will do, and nods. He could do that. He could go upstairs and clean up, brush those matted curls and grab some stuff.
He had already moved a lot of things to the ship after their talk about it during the amusement park date, and the tiefling only has to pack some clothes.
...if he could move out of Fjord's space. It feels like he's going to die if he does. ]
[ Sliding a hand up to cup an uninked cheek as he senses that unease, he leans down for a soft kiss. Foreheads together, Fjord smiles for Molly's benefit and lets it crinkle his eyes, warm with relief. ]
I love you. I'll be right here in the kitchen the whole time, I won't leave this room.
[ He feels like an idiot, but that promise makes it easier. He leans in for a kiss and then finally pulls away, taking a deep breath. The smile Molly gives doesn't quite reach his eyes yet, but at least it is a very Molly-smile. ]
[ Fjord makes a show of rooting around in the cupboards for food to steal, finding one of the sacks Caduceus uses for his vegetables. Domestic, trustworthy, just a man finding provisions for their getaway. ]
[ It takes him a while, between filling a bag with some things, having a quick (for him) shower and then primping at least a little bit to make himself feel as much himself as possible. Molly brushes his hair, wondering for the hundredth time if he should cut it... but he leaves the long violet curls as they are, bouncing just at his shoulders.
He spends a longer time than he wants to admit staring at himself in the mirror.
When he finally breaks away, Molly shrugs his coat on and grabs his bag, heading downstairs towards the kitchen again. ]
[ Fjord may have fibbed a bit; he wears fresh clothes, boots and his greatcoat, all acquired elsewhere while Molly was showering, but he is waiting in the kitchen when his boyfriend returns and has two sacks full of provisions. Since the Bagman night he hasn't been keen on personally using the Bag of Holding. ]
Here, Molls.
[ A spike of joy lodges in his chest to see him looking more like himself, even if the scaffolding of appearances is barely holding up in reality for both of them. A kiss is dropped on Molly's lips. ]
All set to go, the others might have to order from the diner for a couple of days but I don't really give a shit. Are you okay to fly to the ship or would you like to walk?
Sure thing, whatever you want. Let's have breakfast on the balcony.
[ Once they head outside he casts Fly on them, holding out a hand for Molly. Flying can be a freefall experience and he offers him something to hold onto through the blustering morning winds, rising at the same pace and keeping an eye on him. ]
[ Molly tosses his bag over his shoulder and then jumps up into the air after the rush of snowflakes on his skin. He loves this spell, loves shooting off like a crazed firework and laugh so loudly it echoes all over the island. Today, though, he keeps his hold on Fjord as they head for the tiny island port and the Ball-Eater.
When they get closer, he takes in the scent of the sea and the slightly colder breeze here. Smiling, Molly finally pulls way a bit to soar just as the sun rises. ]
[ With half his attention on Molly, Fjord floats down to the ship and checks the rigging is still secure on habit. He gives him a wave to let him enjoy the last few minutes of the spell and takes their provisions inside, heading into the corridor that leads to their second home-from-home.
Fresh air pours in through the balcony doors when he unlatches them and Fjord shrugs off his coat to start setting up a breakfast of stolen (warm!) bread made by Caleb and some cheese, meat, and fruit. He can breathe so much easier, it's incredible that Molly came back (even if he went nowhere) and he feels like if he stops the momentum they have he might cry again. ]
[ Molly lands on the balcony just after Fjord opens the doors, smiling a little easier after a whirl through the air. He sits down on the railing and just looks at the half-orc, taking in every little detail so that he can somehow burn it into his mind.
One hand reaches up to rub over the swirling water of his recent tattoo, and he smiles a little bit. That would always be there, it would always be written on his skin. How he loves his friends... but now he knows he needs another bit of ink.
Later, though. For now, he will have warm bread and a good breakfast with the love of his life. ]
[ Molly is hungry, but honestly also a little bit nauseated after all the trauma. He definitely loves the warm bread though, happy to tear off a few pieces from his loaf now and then to snack on - and having a lot of juice.
The melon looks amazing as well (Molly will always love fruit), but he'll save that for now. Instead he just enjoys the moment, enjoys knowing what the ship is, who Fjord is, who he is. ]
[ Companionably stuffing their faces, he finishes off his sandwich in a few bites and starts cracking open the couple of clams he tossed in the sack, easy to transport. Fjord wraps an arm around Molly's side and pauses between swallowing down the slimy seafood, humming happily, to nose at Molly's shoulder. ]
[ Molly figures he's gotten the clams from the waters around the ship, and smiles as Fjord sucks down a few of them. It's gross and hilarious and Molly laughs, leaning close to the half-orc as he reaches for some of the cheese and meat to go with his bread. Not quite a sandwich, but torn into little bitesize treats. ]
[ He has to be honest about that. This was a traumatizing thing, and he's so tired mentally. The idea of just beachcombing, search rockpools and sit with their feet in the (safe) water sounds like just what he needs right now. ]
[ Famous last words; Fjord freezes mid-kiss to that shoulder again, dropping the rest of the melon in his hand. He grunts and pulls back to rub his chest, then gasps as a ripple of pain rushes through his body and his knees give out with a thud, dropping him to the wooden floor in a heap. ]
Argh!
[ All he can think of is the heat suddenly coursing out through his body, warming his skin, and it emanates from his core ... or his stomach? Gasping where he drops forward, he screws his eyes shut to stave off panic. His hair starts to grow and his body adjusts its frame, muscles shifting into something slighter but still as tall. His gasps get ever so slightly higher. ]
[ Molly freezes as well, looking at Fjord in horror. What was happening now? What else was going to be thrown on them in this fucking mess of a place? He's so worried, kneeling down on the floor with him and placing a hand on Fjord's chest like he can heal a heart attack or whatever the fuck this is, but it is... expanding? Softening?
Oh. ]
Where did you get the clams, love?
[ Molly had barely changed at all when he switched sex, but Fjord... well. ]
You're okay, honey. You're fine, it's just some island magic.
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I never want this to happen again. I want to be me. There's so much I haven't done. I like this me I've made. It's a good person, a fine person, a happy person.
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[ All he can do is hold on, cheek in Molly's bed-rumpled hair. Fjord gave up trying to brush it the first day, it felt like invading a stranger's personal space; now, he noses into the comforting smell of just Molly, inhaling deeply with a shaky sigh. ]
Think about our ship on the blue sea, the sunshine on our deck. That's where we're going to end up, I promise. That's what is waiting for you. For us.
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It's kinder to think of the future he's dreaming of, of sun and water and exploring new places. Tanning in the sunlight until they're both several shades darker.
(What if he forgot that, too? His future, his promises?) ]
I feel like a mess.
[ Physically and emotionally. ]
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What do you need?
[ Fjord waits to hear, poised for action. He stares at Molly expectantly, ready to help in any way he can. ]
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[ He sighs and rubs the back of his neck, fingers tangling in his long hair. He should brush that, have a shower... get other clothes on. ]
I just want to get away from everything.
[ Everything obviously didn't mean Fjord, as he's still leaning to the half-orc, tail wrapped around a leg tightly to make sure he's real and there with Molly. ]
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[ A plan of action has been formed! All the more efficiently with Molly looking so tired. ]
I'm going to make us a picnic basket to last a few days, you're going to head upstairs to freshen up and pack whatever you want to bring to the ship. Sound good?
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It's a good thing that Fjord can form plans, because Molly can barely string two things together right now. He gives his boyfriend a shaky smile as he tells him what they will do, and nods. He could do that. He could go upstairs and clean up, brush those matted curls and grab some stuff.
He had already moved a lot of things to the ship after their talk about it during the amusement park date, and the tiefling only has to pack some clothes.
...if he could move out of Fjord's space. It feels like he's going to die if he does. ]
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[ Sliding a hand up to cup an uninked cheek as he senses that unease, he leans down for a soft kiss. Foreheads together, Fjord smiles for Molly's benefit and lets it crinkle his eyes, warm with relief. ]
I love you. I'll be right here in the kitchen the whole time, I won't leave this room.
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Alright. I'll be back in a moment.
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[ Fjord makes a show of rooting around in the cupboards for food to steal, finding one of the sacks Caduceus uses for his vegetables. Domestic, trustworthy, just a man finding provisions for their getaway. ]
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He spends a longer time than he wants to admit staring at himself in the mirror.
When he finally breaks away, Molly shrugs his coat on and grabs his bag, heading downstairs towards the kitchen again. ]
Love?
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Here, Molls.
[ A spike of joy lodges in his chest to see him looking more like himself, even if the scaffolding of appearances is barely holding up in reality for both of them. A kiss is dropped on Molly's lips. ]
All set to go, the others might have to order from the diner for a couple of days but I don't really give a shit. Are you okay to fly to the ship or would you like to walk?
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(It's enough to make him function.) ]
Let's fly. I don't think I have ever actually used the gangplank.
[ They either flew or he Misty Stepped up on the deck... but hey, he knew the word! ]
We can pretend we're home.
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[ Once they head outside he casts Fly on them, holding out a hand for Molly. Flying can be a freefall experience and he offers him something to hold onto through the blustering morning winds, rising at the same pace and keeping an eye on him. ]
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When they get closer, he takes in the scent of the sea and the slightly colder breeze here. Smiling, Molly finally pulls way a bit to soar just as the sun rises. ]
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Fresh air pours in through the balcony doors when he unlatches them and Fjord shrugs off his coat to start setting up a breakfast of stolen (warm!) bread made by Caleb and some cheese, meat, and fruit. He can breathe so much easier, it's incredible that Molly came back (even if he went nowhere) and he feels like if he stops the momentum they have he might cry again. ]
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One hand reaches up to rub over the swirling water of his recent tattoo, and he smiles a little bit. That would always be there, it would always be written on his skin. How he loves his friends... but now he knows he needs another bit of ink.
Later, though. For now, he will have warm bread and a good breakfast with the love of his life. ]
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Come on in and help yourself, if you're as starving as I am.
[ First? Making himself a big sandwich. ]
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The melon looks amazing as well (Molly will always love fruit), but he'll save that for now. Instead he just enjoys the moment, enjoys knowing what the ship is, who Fjord is, who he is. ]
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This is so much better.
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[ A bit of fruit chases away the salty tang of the clams, munching some melon slices before he kisses Molly's cheek. He's thoughtful like that! ]
Do you want to stay here for a few days? We can go beach-combing and chill out, look for shells in the rock-pools or whatever.
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[ He has to be honest about that. This was a traumatizing thing, and he's so tired mentally. The idea of just beachcombing, search rockpools and sit with their feet in the (safe) water sounds like just what he needs right now. ]
I want that. I want us.
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[ Famous last words; Fjord freezes mid-kiss to that shoulder again, dropping the rest of the melon in his hand. He grunts and pulls back to rub his chest, then gasps as a ripple of pain rushes through his body and his knees give out with a thud, dropping him to the wooden floor in a heap. ]
Argh!
[ All he can think of is the heat suddenly coursing out through his body, warming his skin, and it emanates from his core ... or his stomach? Gasping where he drops forward, he screws his eyes shut to stave off panic. His hair starts to grow and his body adjusts its frame, muscles shifting into something slighter but still as tall. His gasps get ever so slightly higher. ]
Mo ... Molly?
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Oh. ]
Where did you get the clams, love?
[ Molly had barely changed at all when he switched sex, but Fjord... well. ]
You're okay, honey. You're fine, it's just some island magic.
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