#glassesblu

Their shifts were always pretty busy with challengers coming to attempt a win against the Subway Masters. Kudari was extra excited that day - he'd seen several trainers at his last challenge that day. No one had managed to best him, but many of them had been on Kudari's radar lately and he was thrilled to see their improvement. As Kudari happily talked about who he thought would finally beat him first, they were making casual rounds through the Subway. It let them check on their agents, make an appearance amongst the regular travelers, and generally stretch their legs.

However, they spotted an Agent hesitating by a restroom that wasn't frequently used by the passengers - it was too far out of the way to see much in the way of traffic. Asking what was going on gained them the answer that a strange unidentifiable sound had been heard, only to be followed by choked sobbing. The agent was in the process of encouraging himself to step inside; if someone was hurt, he needed to help, but it could just as likely be a strange, dangerous pokémon.

Kudari didn't need any more details after the word 'sobbing.' He stepped past the agent without pause, large steps quickly taking him inside. Nobori dismissed the agent with an encouraging word, and followed Kudari in. The confused stiffness of his twin's shoulders as he stood at the doorway of one of the bathroom stalls had Nobori peeking past him.

There, huddled on the floor and completely without clothes, was a young man who looked nearly identical to Kudari. If Nobori had been alone, he would have confused them for the briefest moment until he noticed all the little differences that starkly contrasted his brother from this scared and shaking man in front of him. His brother never looked this harrowed, for example, as though he were tired beyond measure. Not that he let his gaze linger, but he spotted various markings on the man's bared skin; amongst the abrasions and bruises there were also what seemed to be tattoos.

When Nobori's presence was noticed, however, the young man's eyes widened and he hyperventilated himself into passing out. It froze Nobori in place. Nobori knew some people thought he was stern - but that had been the first time anyone had looked *scared* of him. Thankfully, his twin was quick to act, and Kudari's call of "Nobori!" snapped him out of his stupor.

A short hospital stay later, the young man agreed to stay with Nobori and Kudari in their home; though he didn't talk much, it seemed to be accepted as the only option he had. They brought some of their own clothes for him, which fit him perfectly. After he changed out of his hospital gown and into an outfit that mixed black and white, he said his name was Emmet. He knew his way around Raimon, trailing after the two of them as if it was expected of him. Even though he looked longingly at the various display foods in restaurants they passed, he softly denied any offers to grab something for him. It was difficult for Nobori to not give someone who looked like Kudari everything they wanted, but it was also rude to insist. The walk to their home felt longer than ever before, and Kudari carried the conversation the entire way.

For the first few months, not much of their normal life changed. Emmet did everything he could to be unobtrusive. Except for meals, he spent much of his time in the guest room they set up for him. Emmet's relationship with the pokémon was confusing; interactions with them were mechanical, but he was immensely knowledgeable of all their partners food, health, and wellness needs. He offered to do the chores while they were at work; when Nobori and Kudari insisted he should focus on his recovery, his simple answer of 'I still need to be useful' worried Nobori to his very core.

Questions asked of Emmet by Kudari gained a gentle, timid answer; when Nobori would offer the same type of query, Emmet stammered out quick, self-sacrificing responses. Even with matters as trivial as asking for suggestions for dinner were met with a desperate need to answer with whatever would please Nobori. Kudari even confirmed that it wasn't such a way when he was alone with Emmet. It was as though Emmet wanted to avoid upsetting Nobori at all costs. Nobori himself didn't want to upset anyone, especially not someone who looked almost identical to his twin.

Curious, too, was how Nobori noticed Emmet sneaking peeks at him. If Nobori was alone in the living room, the feeling of eyes drew his attention to the hallway, only to catch Emmet dipping back into his room. Shy, or maybe nervous, glances up through his eyelashes when Emmet would join them for meals at the dining room table. More than once, Emmet had settled himself on the floor near Nobori's legs, expectant look in his wide, silvered eyes. Emmet's confusion with Nobori's inaction was mirrored by Nobori's confusion on what was expected of him.

One day, Nobori and Kudari had a split shift which left Nobori at home during the day. Thinking he could bond with Emmet over food, he began to make them a lunch with foods that usually cheered Kudari up right away. Not long into his preparation, he felt eyes on his back. Making sure to be as casual as possible, he smiled over his shoulder at the shy man peeking out from behind the kitchen doorway. Asking if Emmet would like to help, a relief warmed Nobori's chest when Emmet nodded and stepped into the kitchen fully. Although Emmet stayed mostly quiet through it all, they made the food together, and shared a pleasant lunch.

It was the first time he and Emmet felt like twins; despite sharing Kudari's face, Emmet felt as though he wasn't quite sure how to be a twin. Nobori wasn't sure what made him think such a thing - up until a few months ago, they were complete strangers. Perhaps he'd just always expected an inherent connection with his twin, and to feel that lacking in a man who was identical to Kudari challenged what he'd always known.

But, he felt the lunch had been a good start. Hopefully, Emmet would find comfort in being around them and be less hesitant to share his needs. With that in mind, Nobori very excitedly told Kudari of his shared lunch with Emmet when his twin came home.

--~~*~~--

When Emmet had dragged himself through the portal, he had no idea what he would find or that he would even survive it. But, it was an improvement either way, because something within him knew he was not going to survive where he was. And so, he'd fallen through, hoping against hope that he could be free.

Finding himself once again in the Battle Subway, he felt the hiccup holding back his tears escape his throat, interrupted only when someone with his own face (and white clothes) stared back at him. The moment of confusion was shattered when his brother peeked over the shoulder of Himself, and everything went black.

The realization that it was not actually his brother came when he awoke in the hospital. The person was Nobori, not Ingo, and the Him he saw was Kudari. Still, they looked almost exactly like he and his brother, though Ingo's gaze was more neutral and less like a glare.

But that could be a farce.

How many times had others believed in Ingo? How many times was he ignored because Ingo's natural expression was a frown and everyone knew it? He himself had been fooled. Thinking that maybe *maybe* this time his brother would be kind for once.

The soft tones that Nobori tried to use were sweet but what was hidden behind it? Did Kudari believe him? Was Kudari safe? Kudari's smile seemed real. Kudari chatted happily with him and Nobori and never held back his words. Kudari was firm with Nobori sometimes. They discussed things and shared input. Kudari easily held Nobori's hand - it was not forcefully taken.

But it could still be a farce.

He took to watching Nobori when he could. Most of the time, Nobori would try to smile to him, and invite him to join whatever he was doing. Nobori offered sweets and attention and kind words. He gently helped Kudari take care of their pokémon, and laughed along with his brother. Chores were shared, when Emmet himself did not complete them, and never was Emmet even expected to contribute.

Nobori never touched him without asking, inappropriately or otherwise. Nobori did not regiment his day or restrict what foods he could eat. Nobori did not take advantage of Emmet sleeping, or when he was not feeling well. Nobori's concern for him felt sincere, but he struggled to accept it was real. Nobori looked confused at him anytime he offered himself to him - his certainty that Nobori would try and gobble him up just like Ingo seemed to take the man by surprise.

But it could still be a farce.

Trust in Kudari was easier - they had the exact same face, the same smile though Kudari's was brighter. Emmet felt a strange connection to Kudari, as though he were looking at himself. When Nobori would ask something of him, checking Kudari for approval helped navigate conversations. Taking Kudari's hand felt safer.

Kudari's smile made him feel... happy. And soon, with Kudari's assurance allowed him to believe that he could trust Nobori too. That Nobori would not try to hurt him. That Nobori was good and kind and Kudari loved him with all of his heart. Nobori was his strong and brave older twin, and Kudari trusted him with no question.

It was strange, but welcome. Emmet wanted to trust Nobori, and with Kudari there, he could try.

And then, Kudari said he had a good idea.

--~~*~~--

Emmet was scared of Nobori. Kudari thought that was verrrry surprising. After all Nobori was definitely not scary. Nobori liked bad puns and cheering people on. Nobori took his coffee so full of cream and sugar that it might as well not be called coffee. Nobori cried in joy when Chandelure made an especially cute sound. How could that be scary?

But. Emmet was still scared.

He didn't want to talk about it but Kudari was patient. After months and months, Emmet finally admitted that he wanted to trust Nobori even though he was scared. And of course Kudari would help! He didn't want anyone to be afraid of his older brother. And Nobori was so sad every time he talked of Emmet shrinking back from him. The enthusiasm Nobori showed when Emmet actually made and ate lunch with him was sweet. It was proof that Emmet was ready to move forward on the tracks.

Kudari wanted to form a harmony between his brother and Emmet.

So he decided on an excellent strategy! It took a little set up but Kudari was determined. The concept was simple. Kudari and Nobori would go to bed like normal. After Nobori fell asleep, he would get out of bed and switch places with Emmet. Kudari knew it would be lonely without Nobori in the spare bedroom. But he could manage it for one night. And if Emmet could switch back if he wanted to at any point.

In the end, Emmet did not switch back until early in the morning before Nobori woke up. He worried that if he stayed longer Nobori would notice. It was probably true! But Nobori didn't seem to notice. Nobori's soft, sleepy smile upon seeing Kudari as he woke up was normal. He gave Kudari a good morning kiss like normal before they sat up in bed. Nobori stretched and suggested breakfast like normal. His enthusiastic "Good morning!" to both Kudari and Emmet was normal.

But this time, Emmet returned the good morning with just as much fervor. Kudari smiled into his morning protein shake as Nobori noticeably perked up. Encouraged, Nobori began to talk excitedly with Emmet as he continued to make breakfast. In fact, Nobori talked with Emmet even through eating breakfast too. Watching them both, Kudari thought it was good that he planned this for the weekend. Otherwise, Nobori would have talked until they were late for work.

Sometimes, even the words of Emmet were not enough to calm the fear in his heart. Most times, his brother’s voice and presence would allow him to feel a temporary comfort, wrapped around him as if a blanket. Emmet was kind, playful, and worked tirelessly to keep his mind occupied on anything but self-loathing. When Emmet smiled at him, he felt light, as if he was floating. Emmet had always made him feel some kind of way, and it was only recently that he realized it was a positive thing.

Ingo wished, more than anything, that he could forget what he was, leave it behind as he grew older. If he could have been human from the start, he and Emmet could have lived side by side for their entire lives. They could get normal jobs, live in a regular house; Emmet was so smart and enthusiastic that he could do anything he set his mind to. Coming home from work to see Emmet welcoming him would be a dream come true.

However, every day, he was reminded just how different they were, how incompatible their existence together was. 

A copper tang of thrumming blood tickled his senses, flaring his nostrils in his already restless sleep. An ear flicked, and he tried hopelessly to will himself back to dreaming. But a body, sighing sleepily, shifted closer towards him, soft skin pressing against his fur and bringing an all too welcome warmth. 

Conflicting feelings warred within him. 

He yearned to pull the body closer to him, hold it tightly in his arms, feel it draw into him and merge with his essence. To have it be one with him, the final ultimate completeness, would soothe whatever it was that threw itself at his rib cage day in and day out desperate to burst out. A deep inhale of the scent of the body brought him to salivating.

Repulsed, he blearily cracked open his eyes and drew his tongue around his snout. Salivating was ridiculous; it was not as though he would swallow Emmet through his mouth. At least, he didn’t think that’s how it went. Consume by absorbing. That was the impulse, the drive that gnawed at him, and it was all he could think of some days. 

Still half asleep but unable to truly drift off, his mind wandered without much of his own input. His thoughts were foggy, instinct-driven, and he hugged Emmet closer to himself to act as a tether in case his own thoughts became too much. Tilting his snout down to ruffle it through Emmet’s hair, he drew in a long inhale in hopes of calming his nerves and centering his thoughts. 

What would he be like if he consumed Emmet? The thought sprung unbidden to his mind as he tried to concentrate on Emmet’s presence. Would he become Emmet, since he knew him so well, or would he be a corrupted version, just like that changeling that ate Elesa? Would he become kind, then? Would he be able to look at even the worst being and see good in them? Would he become so certain of himself, able to watch the world with a smile? Would he finally become good?

A ragged gasp of breath pulled his focus out from the pinpoint it had become. Emmet, still asleep, let out a labored whine as though he were having a nightmare, brow dotted with sweat. 

With a gasp, he loosened his grip on his brother. The static charge of power dissipated between them, and in an instant Emmet relaxed again. Muttering a light groan, Emmet burrowed back into his arms, seeming to not notice the tremor in Ingo’s grip.

Consume whispered in the back of his mind, and he could feel the same static fizz at his fur.

“No!” he desperately whispered, ears back and tears beginning to prick hotly at the corner of his eyes. He couldn’t bear to not have Emmet by his side, even if his entire being wanted to pull Emmet within him. Within him, Emmet would no longer be able to smile at him, press kisses to his face, tell him he loved him…

There was no way that absorbing Emmet could be better than any of those things. 

Squeezing his eyes tight, he attempted to stop the shaking that threatened to rattle his very bones. Consume rumbled louder in his mind, but he thrashed his head back and forth. A mantra of ‘no no no no no’ started in his head, and white blossomed behind his eyelids. 

“Ingo?”

Eyes snapping open, he looked down to see Emmet blinking sleepily up at him. “E-Emmet?” he croaked out, throat drier than he expected.

“Did you have a nightmare? Don’t worry. Emmet is here.” Reaching up towards him, Emmet’s hand was cool and soft, turning the shaking to shivering. He was covered in fur, he should not have been cold and yet…

“Yes... You are here,” he said, voice cracking with tears. “Thank you for being here, Emmet.” His brother must have realized how much he wanted to hold him, even through his hesitation, because he shimmied upwards in the nest they had made. In his new position, he held Ingo’s snout against his chest, pressing kisses to Ingo’s forehead in a mirror of how Ingo had previously held him. 

“I am Emmet. I won’t leave Ingo’s side. Ever.” His brother’s words are firm, allowing for no argument, and he let his eyes shut once more. A shuddering breath was the only sound he made as the tears finally spilled over, wetting his fur and Emmet’s chest.

The door to their apartment opened, shut with a soft click, and then he heard silence.

Normally, when Nobori returned home after Kudari, he announced his arrival with a boisterous call of "I'm home!" eager to hear Kudari's return call of 'Welcome back!' It was, of course, reversed when Kudari was the one coming home later. Either way, they always made sure to be loud enough that they could hear each other anywhere in their apartment. It was a joyful reminder that they were together again, being forced separate for work or a solo shopping trip.

Curious, Kudari turned his head slightly, calling out "Welcome home, Nobori-nii-san?" He turned the usual confident exclamation into a question, with Archeops making a quizzical chirp alongside him. Normally, he and his brother would work the same days, even if their shifts didn't completely line up. But, yesterday Kudari had a fever, and it hadn't broken until this morning, long after his shift would have started. To make up for it, he spent the day caring for their pokémon and had delivery timed for around when his brother would get home.

Silence still, outside of the rustling of a coat being taken off. He heard a heavy sigh moments before his dejected older brother came into sight. His shoulders, usually strong enough to carry the world, were lowered. He'd taken off his cap at the door, running a hand through his hair. Eyes shut, he looked like he hadn't slept for a week, despite only last night having been affected by Kudari's illness. And even then, Nobori had looked alright this morning.

"Nii-san?" he tried again, as his twin rounded the couch. Nobori's frown was deep, an actual frown compared to how his mouth normally rested. In response, the corners of his mouth dipped some as well, worry evident in his eyes. It had been a long time since he had seen his brother look so defeated.

Without a word, Nobori flopped onto the couch, draped over his lap. It looked quite uncomfortable, and Nobori turned to face the back cushions, legs pulled up. Not allowing his brother to be uncomfortable after what was clearly a rough day, he shuffled towards one end. Archeops climbed up to perch on the back, and once his adjustments were finished, Nobori's head rested in his lap. Placing one hand over Nobori's eyes, he used his other hand to caress through his hair.

"I am sorry, Kudari, to make you-"

"Shhh, don't apologize." Nobori brought his hand up to touch his wrist in gratitude. He knew what Nobori was trying to say, anyway. His silly brother always felt the need to apologize for anything he thought inconvenienced someone, no matter how much he needed it. Nobori thought himself a burden for things he would never judge anyone else for. In this case, he was probably apologizing for making Kudari fuss over him after just being sick. "I'm here for you."

Nobori stayed quiet for a while after that, and he filled the empty air with gently humming a few of Nobori's favorite songs. Keeping his hand over Nobori's eyes, he caressed and massaged any pressure points to relieve his twin's tension. Slowly, slowly, he coaxed the stress to leave his beloved older brother's frame, and he felt him relax.

Smiling, he ducked down to press a soft kiss to Nobori's lips, comforted by the gentle upturn of his brother's mouth. Eager to make that smile wider, he peppered a few more kisses there, before moving to press more to his brother's forehead and temples. He blew a puff of air into Nobori's bangs, followed by a peck to the exposed skin. A nuzzle pulled a chuckle from Nobori, who blindly reached up to caress his cheek with the hand closest to him.

"Kudari," Nobori said, his sigh of contentment now. "I'm home."

"It's a bit late for that, Nii-san, but welcome home," he chuckled, still not moving his hand from Nobori's eyes. Tickling behind his brother's right ear, he laughed harder as Nobori squirmed in surprise, a bubble of laughter and startled sounds mixing together.

"Ku-Kudari! No! S-Stop!" his brother all but squawked, and he finally removed his hand from its place so he could spread the tickles out to parts not yet desensitized. Nobori rolled in place on the couch, trying to get out of his twin's grasp to avoid the tickles. But he loved winning more than (almost) anything else, and his prize was his big brother's joy, vocalized in laughs and gasped pleas to stop tickling him.

"What's the password?" Leaning in, he mercilessly continued, Nobori having tried to sit up as another attempt to escape him. But too bad! He anticipated the exact movement of his brother, pressing a kiss to his cheek as a consolation prize, even as he continued.

Laughing through tears, Nobori gasped out his best guess, "Kudari is an angel!"

Pausing momentarily, he gave Nobori a touched expression, cheeks dusting with pink. "Aw! Nii-san! You're so sweet!" A beat, and then he leaned forward, catching Nobori in a particularly sensitive part. "But wrong!"

"Ack!" Nobori almost toppled off the couch in his attempt to avoid the onslaught, but Kudari tugged him back into his arms to blow at the skin behind his ear. "Kudari is the best!"

"Wrong again! But I am the best, so I will stop." Nobori clung to him, trying to get his laughter under control. He nuzzled his older brother, giving him a squeeze. "The password was 'Kudari has the best big brother.'"

Finally calming himself enough to speak more evenly, Nobori stayed in his arms. "That's a very long password to ask of someone who is being tickled." He pressed a kiss to Kudari's jaw, returning the squeeze just as tightly. His day still seemed to weigh on his mind, but at least he didn't look like he was about to cry anymore. HIs brother was strong, someone he looked up to above anyone else in the world, and to see him look as defeated as before hurt.

"But true!" He kissed all over Nobori's cheeks and forehead, before his brother tilted his head and pulled him down for a real kiss. Gently, he let his brother take control of their kiss, setting the pace to slow and sweet. Face cradled in Nobori's hands, his older brother's thumbs caressed his cheeks, fingertips brushing his neck.

Once they finally parted from the kiss, Nobori put their foreheads together, staring deep into his eyes. "I love you, Kudari. Thank you." When Nobori smiled at him, his heart soared and he nodded, their foreheads rubbing against each other.

"I love you too, Nobori!" In the end, Nobori didn't tell him what had caused him so much grief that day, but when he returned to work the next day, he made sure to lighten his brother's load at every opportunity. He jumped in whenever the depot agents brought work to his brother, and encouraged Nobori to join him on the Multi Trains instead of running their separate lines.