[ They've settled into a kind of uneasy rhythm. It's hard, because they're still sharing a bed but Wu isn't into the shape that Mako is and Mako isn't into the shape Wu is, but Wu still makes her laugh more than she should, still tells animated stories about all the other people caught like this that make Mako choke on her morning tea. She still gets that warm little curl of affection, and it catches her off-guard. It's hard not to run a hand over the small of Wu's back or press fingers into his hair to pull him into a kiss, because Mako's so used to the easy affection they've been rebuilding at home. She does it a few times, startles them both with it.
Mako has started leaving the loft earlier just to stop herself, and anyway, they're running low on food. Willful Machine is a bit of a wasteland this time of year, full of cold-weather crops and the few expensive ones that could be grown in greenhouses, preserved fish and meat Mako won't touch.
Mako's good at bargaining, though. She manages to get a 5-pound bag of potatoes and some late winter greens, a single knob of fresh ginger and some yellow-gold root the vendor promises tastes like citrus when grated.
She also manages to get asked no less than 20 times what happened by various acquaintances who also think she's supposed to be a guy, and peppered in flyers for some party she vaguely recalls Wu talking about. No less than five of them make their way into her bag, and spill back out when she's lugged everything back home and is pouring potatoes onto the counter to sort and wash. ]
—they don't have leeks, I guess, so we're gonna have to use that onion powder you found, did you still find that?
[ She digs for another potato, grabs the flyer instead, and groans. ]
[ The thing is, Wu is still in love with Mako, and while this Mako is different, she's still Mako, and that seems to override other things for him, like Mako's gender and her body. Maybe he doesn't feel the same deep attraction to her like this, but she's still Mako, and those few moments when Mako pulls him in and kisses him, Wu still melts against her, reveling in the closeness, in the intimacy that he craves so desperately. He just doesn't think that much about it afterwards, or it gets weird. Is Mako cheating on the other Wu? Is he cheating on his Mako? He doesn't know. They're the same, but not, and this is the Mako he's with now and it's all far less weird than it should be.
He looks up from his Omni when Mako gets back, a little smile on his face ]
Of course we're going to the party! You can't tell me that the other Wu doesn't love a party. Really?
[ Because if she doesn't, then there's more different here than their genders. ]
I did find the onion powder, but I couldn't tell you what you did with it.
That's fine, as long as we have it. Other me organizes things the same way, at least.
[ That's the parlance they've fallen into, more or less: other me, other Wu. They're a mismatched set, two pieces of what's supposed to be a whole trying to fit themselves together. Mako leaves the potatoes to start filling up the sink. ]
And other you is obsessed with parties. Figures that'd be the same. It's a fancy party, though. You—uh, she—got this fancy sparkly dress... thing. Poofy. Like the one in the video.
Which-- [ Oh, it doesn't take him long to figure that one out and he perks up with a gasp ] The wedding dress? Oh, boy! I love that one. I got--
[ Well, that gets him up off the couch, running to his ever-growing closet to grab the outfit he was gifted, another Lil Nas X inspired one. He comes back out, holding it up to his body ]
Boy, I would wear that dress, too. Hah! But then it would be like we're getting married, wouldn't it? At least, on Earth, that's what that dress means.
[ But, no, he wouldn't want that, either. And his face flushes hot, that Mako doesn't immediately shut the idea down. His eyes search her face for a moment before he sets the suit back down on the back of the couch ]
Well, no. I really don't. I know last year's was kind of terrible, but it was fun until it wasn't! And this isn't Deerington, Madame Generosity is throwing this party! And I trust her. She's the patron of night walkers, after all.
[ And, a point to Wu's in Mako's head, they did get together in January at the party last year, drawn together in the pool by the dizzy heat and the unreality of the whole thing. Mako's own cheeks flush a soft blue at the memory, and she coughs and turns back to her sink full of potatoes. ]
It's tempting fate to go to something like that. They're all gonna be fun 'til they're not. But... I guess I haven't heard any reports of things going south. Yet.
It's going to be just fine, Mako! And if it's not, we've made it through worse. I know! [ He dashes over to the kitchen island, slamming his hands down on it excitedly ] Let's get you a new outfit! Something that fits! What kind of clothes do you like to wear?
[ Mako just groans and scrubs at a particularly dirty potato. ]
Not all girls like sparkly stuff and silks, Wu. We've had this conversation a hundred times.
[ But she knows Wu isn't going to let it go. Not the party, not the fancy outfit. So, after another potato is scrubbed off, Mako sighs and flips around again. ]
If—if—we could find something simple, then. Sure. Okay. But you have to rein it in. No sparkles.
[ Mako admits, smiling despite herself. Even if it's aimed at her, even if it makes her uncomfortable, Wu's enthusiasm is an infectious thing. It's always hard not to just get tugged along for the exciting ride, pulled into the tide of Wu's excitement. Sometimes Mako feels like driftwood caught in the current, but.
It's cute. Even on Wu like this. He really is the same. ]
Loose sounds nice. So does black.
[ Although... Mako pictures it, briefly, and then looks at her own hands. ]
You think my hair's long enough to, uh. Do anything with?
[ This is more engagement than his Mako has ever given him when he tried to talk clothes, and Wu is beyond excited. He dances around the island, sidling up to Mako, and reaches up to touch her hair. She is barely taller than him like this, which is weird, but also kind of nice, that they're at the same level ]
We can! Some clips, some curls. I think you'll look swell, baby.
[ The pet name slips out without him meaning for it too, and he laughs nervously, pulling his hand back. ]
[ Mako's stomach does a strange little contract-heat-flutter thing at Wu so close, at the easy pet-name. That's always happened when Wu gets this close and apparently it doesn't matter which kind of Wu. Her cheeks are a soft blue, flushed with blood. ]
Uh—I'll... leave it in your hands. Even like this you probably know what you're doing, huh?
[ Wu doesn't step back immediately, smiling softly at her. At least he hasn't lost Mako completely. He can still have this, these little moments which, honestly, he treasures more than most of the other things. Kisses and sex are great, but closeness, intimacy, knowing each other so well? That's what he loves more. ]
I'm just washing these. You wouldn't believe how much dirt the farmers think they can get away with leaving.
[ When did Mako become picky about this? Dirty potatoes are better than trash potatoes, but you know. It was probably when she had to start washing them all the time, filling the sink with muddy water. She still feels kind of spoiled saying that and then thinking about going shopping. ]
We gonna need anything to trade for all the stuff you want to get?
[ It's kind of cute, the amount of effort Mako puts into this. It's so domestic, which is something Wu never really thought about, but he really likes. He leans on the counter next to her as she works ]
It's just one outfit. It's really not that expensive here.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
action; also early january
Mako has started leaving the loft earlier just to stop herself, and anyway, they're running low on food. Willful Machine is a bit of a wasteland this time of year, full of cold-weather crops and the few expensive ones that could be grown in greenhouses, preserved fish and meat Mako won't touch.
Mako's good at bargaining, though. She manages to get a 5-pound bag of potatoes and some late winter greens, a single knob of fresh ginger and some yellow-gold root the vendor promises tastes like citrus when grated.
She also manages to get asked no less than 20 times what happened by various acquaintances who also think she's supposed to be a guy, and peppered in flyers for some party she vaguely recalls Wu talking about. No less than five of them make their way into her bag, and spill back out when she's lugged everything back home and is pouring potatoes onto the counter to sort and wash. ]
—they don't have leeks, I guess, so we're gonna have to use that onion powder you found, did you still find that?
[ She digs for another potato, grabs the flyer instead, and groans. ]
The party. Everyone wants us to go to the party.
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He looks up from his Omni when Mako gets back, a little smile on his face ]
Of course we're going to the party! You can't tell me that the other Wu doesn't love a party. Really?
[ Because if she doesn't, then there's more different here than their genders. ]
I did find the onion powder, but I couldn't tell you what you did with it.
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[ That's the parlance they've fallen into, more or less: other me, other Wu. They're a mismatched set, two pieces of what's supposed to be a whole trying to fit themselves together. Mako leaves the potatoes to start filling up the sink. ]
And other you is obsessed with parties. Figures that'd be the same. It's a fancy party, though. You—uh, she—got this fancy sparkly dress... thing. Poofy. Like the one in the video.
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[ Well, that gets him up off the couch, running to his ever-growing closet to grab the outfit he was gifted, another Lil Nas X inspired one. He comes back out, holding it up to his body ]
Boy, I would wear that dress, too. Hah! But then it would be like we're getting married, wouldn't it? At least, on Earth, that's what that dress means.
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[ Mako says this sort of absently, watching Wu hold up the... can it be called a suit? It seems to be lacking the shirt part, open at the front. ]
The one I got probably isn't here, and Other Me's isn't gonna fit me. Anyway, don't you think the party's a bad idea?
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[ But, no, he wouldn't want that, either. And his face flushes hot, that Mako doesn't immediately shut the idea down. His eyes search her face for a moment before he sets the suit back down on the back of the couch ]
Well, no. I really don't. I know last year's was kind of terrible, but it was fun until it wasn't! And this isn't Deerington, Madame Generosity is throwing this party! And I trust her. She's the patron of night walkers, after all.
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It's tempting fate to go to something like that. They're all gonna be fun 'til they're not. But... I guess I haven't heard any reports of things going south. Yet.
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[ It's not a new question, but it's asked with such excitement that Mako is caught a little off-guard, half-twisting to look at Wu. ]
You know. Clothes. Cover you up, keep you warm. Not too... like that suit.
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[ Not fun, Mako! Wu groans and falls against the island dramatically ]
This is a party, Mako! They're not supposed to be practical. You really don't like pretty things? Sparkles? Silks?
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Of course I'm the same. Why would that have changed.
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[ Obviously, Mako! Girls like that kind of stuff! No matter that he has ample proof that this isn't true in the women he knows in Trench ]
Don't you want to dress up, just once?
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Not all girls like sparkly stuff and silks, Wu. We've had this conversation a hundred times.
[ But she knows Wu isn't going to let it go. Not the party, not the fancy outfit. So, after another potato is scrubbed off, Mako sighs and flips around again. ]
If—if—we could find something simple, then. Sure. Okay. But you have to rein it in. No sparkles.
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[ He punches the air and is practically vibrating with excitement ]
Yes, you're going to look so good, Mako! And no sparkles, I promise. Simple, understated.
[ He looks at her, holding out his hands like a director, framing her ]
Black? Red? A silk slip, clingy but loose. Oh, boy, yes! Wow, the other me must have so much fun dressing you up!
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[ Mako admits, smiling despite herself. Even if it's aimed at her, even if it makes her uncomfortable, Wu's enthusiasm is an infectious thing. It's always hard not to just get tugged along for the exciting ride, pulled into the tide of Wu's excitement. Sometimes Mako feels like driftwood caught in the current, but.
It's cute. Even on Wu like this. He really is the same. ]
Loose sounds nice. So does black.
[ Although... Mako pictures it, briefly, and then looks at her own hands. ]
You think my hair's long enough to, uh. Do anything with?
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We can! Some clips, some curls. I think you'll look swell, baby.
[ The pet name slips out without him meaning for it too, and he laughs nervously, pulling his hand back. ]
I mean, yes. We can do something.
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Uh—I'll... leave it in your hands. Even like this you probably know what you're doing, huh?
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[ Wu doesn't step back immediately, smiling softly at her. At least he hasn't lost Mako completely. He can still have this, these little moments which, honestly, he treasures more than most of the other things. Kisses and sex are great, but closeness, intimacy, knowing each other so well? That's what he loves more. ]
We should go! After you're done cooking.
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[ When did Mako become picky about this? Dirty potatoes are better than trash potatoes, but you know. It was probably when she had to start washing them all the time, filling the sink with muddy water. She still feels kind of spoiled saying that and then thinking about going shopping. ]
We gonna need anything to trade for all the stuff you want to get?
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[ It's kind of cute, the amount of effort Mako puts into this. It's so domestic, which is something Wu never really thought about, but he really likes. He leans on the counter next to her as she works ]
It's just one outfit. It's really not that expensive here.
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Forgive me if I don't trust your definition of what's expensive, your Majesty.
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I have money now! Like, real money! I know how to handle it.
[ An iffy statement, at best. Wu certainly isn't responsible with money at all, and would rather buy the best than save anything, still ]
Ugh, is your Wu as happy as I am to not be a "majesty" anymore?
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She's thrilled about it. Couldn't wait to give up the throne. Said being Queen would've been a disaster for her skin.
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[ At least the other him knows what's up ]
Come on, Mako! Those potatoes have to be clean. Let's go shopping!
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[ But she does hurry up, smiling to herself at that familiar tone. ]
You're really not that different.
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