#vortice

[for @morimenswrite day 7 - spiral. on ao3 here]

Vortice watches the water spiral down the drain. Nautila watches the water spiral. Sitting on the shower floor, wet tile beneath her skin, Vortice holds Nautila closely. Gently. (She doesn't want to break Nautila. Doesn't want to hurt her. Only wants to keep Nautila safe.)

The water is hot. The shower is running. Nautila sits, arms wrapped around her knees, silent and still, skin pressed against Vortice's own skin. Vortice doesn't try to stir her — only holds her close, holds her gentle. The hot water washes away memories of cold ocean water, of maelstroms, of salt in the lungs and drowning drowning drowning—

Nautila does this, sometimes. Forgets so much that she goes still like a statue, like she's dead.

Vortice just holds her, in those times. Like the most precious of seashells, fragile and easily broken. Gentle, gentle, close and safe.

(Vortice snaps at anyone who gets too close when Nautila is like this. Go away, don't bother, Vortice is keeping Nautila safe and no one else knows to take care of her best. Vortice died for Nautila. Vortice knows Nautila. Vortice and Nautila's lives and deaths spiral around each other — even if they mean well they still hurt Nautila when they act like reminding her of stuff is better. Vortice knows that Nautila needs her time. Nobody else gets it though. So Vortice snaps at them, threatens to bite. Even muzzled, orcas are still orcas and Vortice can still hurt them if they're trying to hurt Nautila.)

Nautila shifts, slightly. Doesn't move other than that though. Vortice starts humming. Maybe a song will be nice for Nautila to listen to, while she's forgetting. Nautila sang pretty songs to Vortice — Vortice can't sing good, but she can hum good.

Vortice lets the water run. Lets Nautila take her time to remember again. (They'll just sit here for a while. Just a while. So, for now—)

Tbh ive never seen the appeal on spending a lot of money on gacha games but morimens is so amazing and Clem was having a rerun

I definitely spent all my resources on her but its fine. Kath and her are my FAVORITES ahh!! My only sadness is that I can't play Vortice on this team comp too

WAAAAAHHHHH This ended up late cuz I was distracted!! Anyways happy birthday to these two 💥💥

@silly-circe @defness