Post MoM AU, general post

[use_everything]

And then one day, it was over.

The memory of how it happened was hazy. Perhaps it was as simple as being ported out, perhaps there was a great experiment, bringing together physicists, chemists, alchemists and scientists to get something WORKING. But like the memories of that time, that other dimension, singular events come and go, like a dream, or an age past.

From the very start, however, there were changes.

Comments

[dendarii]

[ For Mark to recognize him, mostly. But he doesn't know if that's even possible right now. ]

I want you to see that you have a choice. A real one. Not whatever Galen thinks you should do.

[jacksonian]

[ He shakes his head, tense and jerky - ]

Why do you care? Why do you care if I live or die?

[dendarii]

Because we're brothers. I know you don't know me very well, but ... I want to change that.

[jacksonian]

[ Another shake of his head. ]

Your definition of brother is insane. I'm a clone. An unasked-for, uncommissioned clone.

[dendarii]

And that's different from a twin brother how, exactly?

[jacksonian]

[ Sharper, harsher still - ]

A twin brother is wanted.

[dendarii]

[ As soft as Mark is sharp: ]

We want you. Just because you're a surprise doesn't make you any less wanted.

[jacksonian]

That's crap.

[ His shoulders hunch. ]

The only reason a clone is ever wanted is just to be used.

[dendarii]

[ Miles just shakes his head. ]

That's not the case. I swear it to you, my word as Vorkosigan.

[jacksonian]

[ He gives a choke that's sort of like a laugh. ]

Galen taught me that Vorkosigans are all killers and liars.

[dendarii]

And I've done both. But not as much as Galen thinks. And never, ever for something like this.

[jacksonian]

Still makes the word of a Vorkosigan worthless.

[dendarii]

[ Miles falls silent for a moment, thinking. (For everyone with an open link, there's a dangerous, familiar sense of stepping off a precipice ... but Mark is with him. It'll be fine.)

He goes into Mark's room. Sits on the bed in there and looks up at his brother. ]

Then I'll give you something else. To prove it.

[jacksonian]

[ Mark doesn't follow him in - not fully. He hovers at the threshold. ]

Like what?

[dendarii]

[ Miles stays where he is, then. ]

I'm going to put my life in your hands.

[ And then, quite abruptly, Miles' small form is replaced by an even smaller one. ]

[jacksonian]

[ Mark, of course, doesn't shout with terror; he's not the sort to react that visibly. Instead, he stiffens, and draws in a sharp breath, and a tremor runs through him. His eyes widen. He doesn't say anything; he just goes pale, his gaze flickering over Miles and over the room as he tries to figure out if he is fucking going crazy. ]

[dendarii]

[ Good. That gives him a chance to come closer. He flutters up to perch (gently) on Mark's hand. ]

I think you could snap my neck very easily like this. Steal my clothes, walk downstairs and pretend that something had gone horribly wrong.

[jacksonian]

[ That suggestion gets a reaction from him, a full-body convulsion that ends with him frantically waving his hand to dislodge Miles. With an edge of panic in his voice, he grates out at him - ]

Get - get off. Get away from me.

[dendarii]

[ Whoops. Miles flutters back then, perching on the antique wooden dresser instead. ]

You're not going to. I know you're not going to.

[jacksonian]

[ He leans against the doorframe, breath quick as he fights off a small panic attack. And he nearly shouts back at him: ]

Well, stay the fuck away, so that I can't!

[ And then he wraps his arms around himself miserably. What if this is programming? What if I'm not even in control? They trust me, but I don't even know who I am... He feels crazy right now. Miles turned into a fucking bird. ]

[dendarii]

[ This is really not going the way he planned. For now, he stays where he is. If only to give Mark enough space to recover. ]

You didn't believe me.

[jacksonian]

[ He leans his head against the doorjamb and moans - ]

I didn't believe what?

[dendarii]

You're part of our family. And we don't to use you for anything else. I want a brother ...

[ The longing in his voice is keen for a moment. God, he misses the relationship he'd had with Mark on Earth. Complicated, messy, but dammit if they don't love each other in their own ways. ]

[jacksonian]

[ There's a moment, and then he slides down to sitting, huddling in a little ball on the floor, defensive. Defensive not just of himself, though: he doesn't want to be able to - lunge for Miles, to hurt him... ]

I don't even know who I am. I don't even know...what I am. Six months ago I was at the clone-creche, and then...Galen. And then this...

[dendarii]

[ Miles flutters down to the floor. Still safely out of reach, but closer. ]

You're Mark. That means whatever you want it to mean. And you can stay here while you figure that out.