[ he doesn't bother to respond to the last message bobby sends him and, instead, just makes his way from the up to the down for the apartments. he's done this song and dance of moving through the two different parts of duplicity — knows the ins and outs and what he needs to do and not do, so. it's not so much of a problem for him. just takes him a little since he's not some portal creating witchy magic type like he knows in his life here.
it's been awhile since he's been here — been in the apartments, but he still remembers them and with coming here, a ton of memories flood him in ways that make his steps slow. he knew this would likely happen with coming here and yet, he still did. maybe he wants to hurt right now. maybe he wants to be haunted by memories with those who have been gone for so long now. sometimes he does this. forces himself to feel the pain he tries to hide and shrug off. because it reminds him he's still alive. that he's not entirely disconnected from himself.
cigarette in mouth, he knocks on the door bobby has for himself and stands there. shoulder pressing against the wall, looking down to the floor as he waits. ]
[ Bobby, for the most part, is actually waiting for John's reply. When it never came, part of him assumed he's not coming anymore, while another, the one that prevailed, is busy arranging the meager space this city provided him. It's not much. He doesn't have a lot of furniture.
Sometimes, he still can't believe he's been seeing John more and more lately. He didn't think it's possible, but if he allowed himself to hope, then perhaps he can allow himself to sink into this reality.
A reality that slightly startled him when he hears that knock on his door. Opening it, Bobby smiles when he sees his former best friend. ]
[ steve's love language is undoubtedly acts of service, so he's not so certain that he's all that great at giving gifts.
but, he wants to treat bobby to something special. special gifts for someone rather special to him. several days before bobby's birthday, he sets off to the same store they'd gone to before the bridgerton ball first and picks up a couple of things there. goes to another shop too, specific thought in mind that's luckily able to become manifest.
he delivers the gifts himself, obviously, a small card tucked at the top of three boxes wrapped in simple kraft paper, tied together with twine. there's a nice and seemingly plain journal in one, a shirt in another, and a pair of navy blue trousers and nice dark blue jeans in the third.
the card reads --
Happy Birthday, Bobby. Looking forward to spending your day together. Hope you can forgive me for copying one of your gifts. I got the journal at a magic store. Only you'll be able to open it, in case you need somewhere that's really private now and again. It has a spell on it so only the first person who opens it can ever do so.
Bobby. I'm sorry that I'm letting you know like this. I'm currently in the Down. I've had an unpleasant encounter at one of the checkpoints in the Up and taken up room at Ororo's place here.
[ He wants to explain why he left like this, but not over text. ]
If you want to, please join me here. The place is empty for the time being, it would just be the two of us.
[ Reading "had an unpleasant encounter at one of the checkpoints in the Up" has Bobby worrying immediately. His brows furrow the more he reads the text, heart racing and hands shaking a bit. But as soon as he's finished, his reply is instant. ]
Of course, Erik. I'll be there in a sec.
[ He leaves their flat, makes sure everything's fine, before locking it and proceeding to the Down. It will take some time before he arrives, though, because as it is, he gets branded in one of the checkpoints. ]
[ He pauses for a few moments trying to figure out what to say here. ]
Earlier, I saw you. Well, not you. More like your ghost and you were fighting someone. Someone I actually know - John. I didn't realise you were from the same world.
[ Of course Duplicity will also randomly show everyone this specific memory. Wonderful. As if the trauma of his coming out isn't bad enough. Now people also get to see how John tried to kill him. ]
Yeah, we are. [ A pause on his end as he tries to think of how to address this. ]
I hope this doesn't change your perception of John. [ Sure he tried to murder him but that was months ago, now, years even for John. He doesn't want the other to feel like he's the bad guy again. ]
[ Don't look now, but some guy covered head to toe in red and black and that unmistakable pleather collar fitted around his neck. He flicks open the doors to the Abyss like he's making some grand entrance, even popping his hip slightly as he surveys the bar. He's been here before, led by the Abyss' owner, but the last time he was here, Bobby wasn't. A missed opportunity, one that Wade's not going to pass up on again.
Sidling up to the bar, he slips into one of the empty stools and excitedly drums his gloved fingers on the bar. ]
Look at you! You're really putting the man in Iceman these days, aren't you! [ He snort-laughs. ] When did this happen? Must've lost the invite to your graduation. Time flies!
[ Does this motormouth know you from Xavier's? Kinda. ]
[ Bobby's used to different customers in the Abyss. There are a lot of people with various ticks and mannerisms and overall personalities so when Wade walks in covered head to toe in his Deadpool costume, Bobby doesn't even flinch or act surprised. He just continues cleaning a glass with a wash cloth. Another night during his shift, really. Even when Wade sits on the stool, Bobby just smiles at him, ready to take his order.
But it's when he drops his X-Men code name that surprises him. To be fair, he also uses it as a username whenever he texts people but he doesn't know this guy, haven't seen him around these parts yet. And how did he know about his graduation? ]
Uh, do I know you? [ Not really the best opener for a customer, but something tells him this isn't just an ordinary customer. ]
[ Eloise made these cute little invitations so Anthony has one delivered to Bobby with a note: Bobby,
My sister is organizing a day at the beach and encouraged us to invite a few friends. If you are free, you are welcome to come visit the chaos that is our typical family gatherings. It would be nice to see you again.
[ When the pictures shows up in Jeanne-Marie's messages, she initially rolls her eyes and begins to get annoyed. She thinks it's just sent to her again, because she catches that the username is different.
[ a misfire if there ever was one! not intended for the whole network or to bobby specifically, but his inbox is where steve's text lands. he types it up and sends on the morning after he's been brought to the dom jail for not signing a contract in time. whoops. ]
You know anyone who needs a contract?
[ blunt. brief to the point. that he means submissives is a given, right? right. ]
[ For a moment, Bobby just stares at Steve's message with a perplexed look. He's not sure whether or not this is intended for him, but the implications of this message takes precedence. ]
Steve? Did you mean to send this to me?
What's going on?
[ Though he kind of has an inkling on what exactly is going on. ]
‼️ATTENTION‼️ 💀👻ALL HALLOWEEN🎃🕸 HOES😙💅 ITS TIME TO GET ☠️SPOOKY💀 YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS👏 GET 👊FISTED👊 BY A 💀SKELETON 💀SHOVE✊🍭 CANDY 🌽🌽CORN🍬 IN YOUR👉PUSSY😽 AND 🙅DONT🙅♂️ FORGET TO SUCK😩🙌 SOME 💏DRACULA💉 DICK🍆💦😫 SO PUT 🔛 YOUR 👗👑COSTUMES👘👒 AND GO 🚪DOOR TO DOOR🚪 👀👅💦BEGGING😩 FOR THAT 😍GOOD GOOD😍 SEND THIS TO TWELVE1️⃣2️⃣ ☠️SPOOKY👻 🍑SLUTS🌮 TO 👁️ SHOW💁 THAT YOURE READY TO GET SOME 🍫CHOCOLATE🍫 COVERED 🍆DICK🌽
[ Listen, you're important to Wade. Unfortunately for YOU, that means you're invited to attend Wade's birthday party on the 22nd, which is surely a debauched night of drugs, drinks, karaoke and arts & crafts. Come celebrate his annoying life and he'll shower you with gifts. ]
Bobby will receive a simple wrapped package with a note wishing him a Happy Holidays from Tim. Inside there will be a set of hand wraps that Tim has had him use during their training sessions and a mouth guard; both in an ice blue.
[ She promised she would get in touch about this, so here she is! ]
Bobby, I will be providing a snow day for some winter games and activities at the center in the Down next week. Were you still interested in setting up a rink for skating?
[ Upon receiving the message, Bobby immediately reads the post attached for more details. A post made by two people he doesn't know. His attention's immediately caught by the use of the word magic. ]
Sure, I'm up for it. Especially since I think this is a fundraiser of some sort.
But did this person actually referred to our powers as magic? [ Not that it's anything new. Both Anthony and Simon also think it's magic. ]
[ Things are still awkward. But Bobby had asked about this before things had gotten messy, and knowing Bobby, that means he’s concerned about it. And, awkward or not, she doesn’t want him worrying. So: ]
[ It takes a minute or two before Bobby replies because things have been awkward ever since. The exchanging of gifts during the holidays really helped, though! But the awkward is still there.
Still, he's relieved to have received the message, enough that it puts a smile on his face. ]
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text; un: pyro
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text; un: pyro
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Curious about my sex life now?
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it's been awhile since he's been here — been in the apartments, but he still remembers them and with coming here, a ton of memories flood him in ways that make his steps slow. he knew this would likely happen with coming here and yet, he still did. maybe he wants to hurt right now. maybe he wants to be haunted by memories with those who have been gone for so long now. sometimes he does this. forces himself to feel the pain he tries to hide and shrug off. because it reminds him he's still alive. that he's not entirely disconnected from himself.
cigarette in mouth, he knocks on the door bobby has for himself and stands there. shoulder pressing against the wall, looking down to the floor as he waits. ]
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Sometimes, he still can't believe he's been seeing John more and more lately. He didn't think it's possible, but if he allowed himself to hope, then perhaps he can allow himself to sink into this reality.
A reality that slightly startled him when he hears that knock on his door. Opening it, Bobby smiles when he sees his
formerbest friend. ]Hey. Come in.
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text; un: pyro
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Am I not always annoying to you, though?
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delivered to bobby's doorstop, morning of July 13th
but, he wants to treat bobby to something special. special gifts for someone rather special to him. several days before bobby's birthday, he sets off to the same store they'd gone to before the bridgerton ball first and picks up a couple of things there. goes to another shop too, specific thought in mind that's luckily able to become manifest.
he delivers the gifts himself, obviously, a small card tucked at the top of three boxes wrapped in simple kraft paper, tied together with twine. there's a nice and seemingly plain journal in one, a shirt in another, and a pair of navy blue trousers and nice dark blue jeans in the third.
the card reads --
Happy Birthday, Bobby.
Looking forward to spending your day together.
Hope you can forgive me for copying one of your gifts.
I got the journal at a magic store. Only you'll be able to open it, in case you need somewhere that's really private now and again. It has a spell on it so only the first person who opens it can ever do so.
-Steve ]
text; un: magneto ( dated 27/07)
[ He wants to explain why he left like this, but not over text. ]
If you want to, please join me here. The place is empty for the time being, it would just be the two of us.
text | un: iceman
Of course, Erik. I'll be there in a sec.
[ He leaves their flat, makes sure everything's fine, before locking it and proceeding to the Down. It will take some time before he arrives, though, because as it is, he gets branded in one of the checkpoints. ]
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text; un: pyro
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Yeah, why?
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text; un:a.bridgerton
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I do. I bartend at a couple of bars so it's kinda part of my job. Just light liquor, though, if I'm gonna drink.
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voice; un: Mr Barrow (mem share: Bobby vs John)
[ He pauses for a few moments trying to figure out what to say here. ]
Earlier, I saw you. Well, not you. More like your ghost and you were fighting someone. Someone I actually know - John. I didn't realise you were from the same world.
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Yeah, we are. [ A pause on his end as he tries to think of how to address this. ]
I hope this doesn't change your perception of John. [ Sure he tried to murder him but that was months ago, now, years even for John. He doesn't want the other to feel like he's the bad guy again. ]
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text; un: pyro
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text; un: magneto
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Why'd you ask?
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Action; At the Abyss
Sidling up to the bar, he slips into one of the empty stools and excitedly drums his gloved fingers on the bar. ]
Look at you! You're really putting the man in Iceman these days, aren't you! [ He snort-laughs. ] When did this happen? Must've lost the invite to your graduation. Time flies!
[ Does this motormouth know you from Xavier's? Kinda. ]
no subject
But it's when he drops his X-Men code name that surprises him. To be fair, he also uses it as a username whenever he texts people but he doesn't know this guy, haven't seen him around these parts yet. And how did he know about his graduation? ]
Uh, do I know you? [ Not really the best opener for a customer, but something tells him this isn't just an ordinary customer. ]
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oops pre-caffeinated me is very forgetful lmao
hehe you're good!
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Delivery
My sister is organizing a day at the beach and encouraged us to invite a few friends. If you are free, you are welcome to come visit the chaos that is our typical family gatherings. It would be nice to see you again.
Regards,
Anthony ]
[ log here! ]
un: aurora (exactly the picture discussed)
What.
What?? ]
Bobby, how did you get this picture?
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I had it in my device. Sorry it got sent to you. I think the city's leaking our photos and sending them to random people on the network.
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text ☆ un: rogers
You know anyone who needs a contract?
[ blunt. brief to the point. that he means submissives is a given, right? right. ]
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Steve? Did you mean to send this to me?
What's going on?
[ Though he kind of has an inkling on what exactly is going on. ]
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a housewarming party invitation 💐 open to +1s
attached is a handwritten note -- ]
Dear Mr. Drake,
We should most like if you are able to attend. Please do bring a friend if you should like.
With regards,
Daphne ]
Text | UN: Lushmage
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I'm guessing you sent this by mistake, Dorian?
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text; un: poolboy
Christmas gift
I managed to find one. Merry Christmas!
-Rogue
[ And in a wrapped package: an actual slip and slide. ]
Delivery
backdated to Christmas Eve
Merry Christmas!
M]
un: Storm; text
Bobby, I will be providing a snow day for some winter games and activities at the center in the Down next week. Were you still interested in setting up a rink for skating?
[ She attaches a link, too. ]
Some additional details, for your perusal.
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Sure, I'm up for it. Especially since I think this is a fundraiser of some sort.
But did this person actually referred to our powers as magic? [ Not that it's anything new. Both Anthony and Simon also think it's magic. ]
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text; un: r0gue
I signed a contract.
Just so you know.
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Still, he's relieved to have received the message, enough that it puts a smile on his face. ]
That's good. With who?
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text; un: pyro
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Happy Valentine's to you, too, John.