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ninception2018-06-19 12:46 am
kamex) wrote in ninception2018-06-19 12:46 am
[OPEN POST] His Dark Materials AU
In the world of His Dark Materials, everyone is born with a daemon, a manifestation of one's soul. The daemon is often, but not always, the opposite gender of the one a person identifies as. Every daemon takes on the form of an animal, and that animal will often switch at will until the person comes of age. They're both talking animal companions, and also your soul! How neat!
There are a few social customs that come with this:
-You should never touch another person's daemon without explicit permission; it is, after all, quite literally poking somebody in the soul
-Daemons are almost always the opposite sex of their human counterpart
-Daemons, especially those between couples, will often snuggle together
-Addressing another person's daemon is weird and usually not done
-Daemons can feel their human's pain, and humans can feel their daemon's pain.
-Physical separation from one's daemon causes enormous pain, both physically and mentally.
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It's one of those things he just... avoids. It's not like he isn't rash, hasn't done stupid things, but Sam doesn't suddenly change his mind out of the blue, without even thinking about it.
But there had just been something... off about everything on Amelie's Beach. Almost like it had been set up for Sam's benefit. It didn't help that he'd warped into what was clearly a very... different sort of situation than he'd anticipated. He'd been told Higgs was responsible for Amelie's kidnapping, responsible for her being unable to leave, not... someone who would kneel before Amelie. Making it perfectly clear who the person with all the power is, and it sure as hell wasn't Higgs.
The final straw had been Higgs completely giving up during their fight. Just stopped, like he'd lost the will to even pretend he wanted anything to do with their fake rivalry.
Maybe it was because Higgs has never triggered his aphenphosmphobia, but in that moment, Sam had moved before consciously thinking about it, and pulled Higgs into an embrace.
It's been months since then, and Sam and Fragile haven't spoken much since then— he can't blame her, but he does miss her. Die-Hardman, absolutely not at all, given what Sam's learned. At least he still has Lou, currently asleep in her crib, With Althea, his daemon Pallas cat, in her ever watchful way, looking over Lou even when Sam can't.
...sometimes he's not so sure he made the right decision, but Higgs has never even hinted at violent urges.
Not to mention how Althea and Higgs' daemon manage to be physically affectionate in a way Sam just isn't. Not in the same way.
Of course, Sam is still nearly silent for large amounts of time, but he's fairly certain he's gotten used to Higgs constant presence, and need for attention.]
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Except for Sam. It's kind of hilarious, but Higgs isn't about to complain. He's not a complete moron. It's just strange. Strange that they're something more than fake-rivals. Shit, Higgs doesn't know what to do with himself now that the connection to Amelie is gone.
Heal, he guesses.
His daemon is right at home, though, slinking around his ankles before pouncing on Sam's. It makes Higgs chuckle. ]
Playful gals, ain't they?
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It's... surprising.
[Though Sam has warmed up to Higgs tremendously. It's not a surprise she'd be just as comfortable.]
She's always been better at expressing things 'n me, though.
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[ Higgs's daemon--Valencia, because of course--butts her head against Althea's before pawing at her for attention. It's funny; Higgs had never been too inclined to let anyone touch his daemon, but Althea? And even Sam? There was never a doubt he would. ]
Pretty cute.
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Althea responds to the need for attention by rubbing up against Valencia, giving a quiet laugh as she does.
Sam reaches out to touch Higgs on the side of his face. It's still strange to think about, finding himself in this situation.
He might not be saying a whole lot, but the fact that he and his daemon are both at complete ease makes his feelings obvious enough.]
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But he's still Higgs, so he nudges his face against Sam's hand. Like a damn cat. ]
You're gettin' better.
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[It's terse and awkward, but Higgs can definitely read the thanks for the sincerity Sam means.]
I know I'm not very good at this.
[But Higgs' reaction is a positive one; it gets the corners of Sam's lips to turn upwards.]
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You hear me complainin', Sam?
[ Because he's definitely not. What he does do, though, is turn his head just slightly to kiss his palm. ]
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The pink tinge on his face isn't exactly something he can stop.]
I didn't... say I thought you were.
[He cares about Higgs; that much is true and obvious. But that doesn't mean this is something that's easy to articulate.]
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Just makin' sure.
[ It's... strange, to have Sam care about him. After everything. He rests his hand over Sam's, giving it a squeeze. ]
Doin' alright?
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I'm fine. Would let you know if I wasn't.
[It's not like he's ever been shy about it.]
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'Course you would. Glad I can count on it, though.
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[That's probably the closest he can get to admitting how much he cares about Higgs.]
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[ Another kiss to his palm, gentle and brief. ]
Pretty sure we both knew that, though.
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That he never had a problem with Higgs at all is still something he's getting used to.]
Pretty sure.
[It's the closest he can get to a smile, the way his lips turn upward.]
'n Lou's really come around to you, too.
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He doesn't know what to make of it... but it's a warm kind of thing, how he feels. ]
You think so, huh? [ There's a strange, new softness to his voice. ] Guess you know the kid best.
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Yeah, Higgs. She cries for your attention half the time.
You're her papa.