[Adam stops moving when Iggy speaks a name he hadn't heard in so long. It sobers him in an instant and takes everything in his power not to push the other man off him.]
Angelica? How do you know that name?! [Adam is a well of emotions now. The bright warmth he had been feeling replaced by a wall of anger and fear. He does not like to be known, and he likes even less that his fun time seems to know the most intimate of secrets he carries.]
[He knows that what he's done will ruin everything between them. No more good paying dates, no more mind blowing sex, no more fun between them. For the thousandth time, Iggy wishes he wasn't what he is.
[A lot of different emotions seem to happen all at once.
He settles on something akin to anger. He is very not amused and it is clear. He shifts from underneath the other and stands in front of him. When he does that the figure that Iggy had been focusing so on moves closer to Adam. She reaches out, she can't really touch him but she tries nonetheless. For obvious reasons Adam can not feel the attempt at quiet intimacy.]
This is not a game Ignatius.
How do you know about Angelica?
[He asks pointedly. The figure looks at Iggy and she apologizes for Adams anger, stating he's always been like this, she moves her hand to rest lightly just on his cheek and a he gives Iggy a secret, something only the two of them could know.
[Iggy stays on the couch, looking up at Adam with wide eyes. This situation has the potential to turn very ugly - he is, after all, alone with a man physically stronger than him. Nobody knows he's here. And Adam is more than rich enough to make problems vanish.]
I'm not playing games. I'm sorry. I'm sorry, but I'm not. I only know what she's saying. I can see her, I can hear her.
[He can see Adam isn't buying it. But then the ghost throws him a lifeline.]
She called you her dove. She loves you so much. She just wanted to make sure you're okay.
[Adam has made people disappear for less. But while he is angry, and somewhat confused, he's not much in a murderous mood. Especially when the other mentions her nickname for him. No one had ever had a pet name for him before Angelica. Adam suddenly looks desperate to see her, he figures it is pointless to try but he still does.]
My angel?
[He offers quietly his tone is soft, sweet. She smiles when she hears it and she sheds a few tears. It'd been years since she'd heard her name on his tongue. She stops in often, just to see. Never once forgetting about him. She never lingers, she always knew what he was. He had told her and she had been one of the only who had never cared. And even now, it seemed Adam had not forgotten either.]
[Iggy relaxes a little bit, the initial fear replaced with resignation.]
She checks in on you a lot. She says she knows what you are, and she never cared about that. She really loves you, so much.
[Iggy starts to collect himself from the couch. His clothes are not in the living room, but he's just going to abandon them. He can get his bag from the hall and call an Uber outside.
The ghost sees him moving, and when Iggy speaks it's as much to her as Adam.]
I'm sorry. I'm sorry, I have to go, I can't do this. I don't want this, I don't do this anymore.
[He tries to scoot away from Adam so he can stand.]
[Oh no. Absolutely not. Adam whips back around to face Iggy eyes wild.]
Sit. Down.
[Adam is not about to have a piece of his soul ripped out without an explanation. No sir.
He looms over the other now, it would be best to do as he says because he is not in the mood for games anymore. His eyes meet Iggys with an intensity unlike anything he's shown before.]
How do you know about Angelica? What do you mean you can see her?
[Well the good news is she's gone. One of the smartest people Adam had ever met, this seemed like a moment which didn't involve her. But she'd be back, and something about the lingering energy stated as much.
But Adam was very much still there and very much... curious.]
Of course she is dead. She's been dead for ages.
[He watches the other, it is clear there is a lot to unpack here. Adam feels, almost bad for the other but he isn't about to let this go.]
You can see spirits? [It is what he just said but he wants confirmation.]
My family are Spiritualists dating back to the fucking Fox sisters. But real. I've seen dead people since I was born, I used to talk to them for church and for private sèances... if you Google my family you can find a news article about me as a little kid even.
You have no business knowing, I have never spoken of her to anyone. [He feels raw right now, it's been a long time since he's felt in such a way. Angelica had been his deepest wound... Adam looks old and exhausted from thinking of her being near once more.
But he listens to the other, and realises perhaps he is just as raw. The aggressive stance that Adam has taken with the other eases and Adam just about collapses in a chair across from the other. If the other wanted to leave, he would not force him to stay any longer. This is a lot.]
I have heard the name. I know the stories. I figured there was some truths in it.
I suppose no one that experiences such things does.
[It's not Iggy's fault, and Adam should know better. It's just... a very old wound, and yet somehow still so raw.
He wants to be furious and instead he is just... tired. Apparently it makes him loose tongued. Something about Iggy and the moment just makes him open that scab. He'll probably regret that, but right now it just is.]
She was beautiful. In so many ways. I have never met another like her.
You don't spend a lifetime with someone and not know that.
[There is a moment now, he feels it, he could just walk away. But instead he rises from his seat and walks over to Iggy. He reaches out to brush fingers across the young mans cheek. This is probably the end of this, which is a shame.
He was fun, different.
Except he didn't realise just how different it all was.]
[It was only a matter of time. If he knew Iggy saw ghosts he would have warned him, at least he'd like to think he would.
Either way it was out now.
He thumbs idly at the others tears. It's a simple, sweet gesture. One he has yet to offer to the younger man, not that he hasn't thought about offering them before.]
You do not get to dictate my actions and feelings. Do not assume yourself to do so. [Just a hint of quiet annoyance.]
She remains in my memory, and always shall. But she knows she and I will never cross paths.
I doubt she will let herself be known to you again. [He can almost be sure of that. Despite not really understanding the entirety of how this works.]
Only I will say who I see and when I feel like seeing them.
[It hurts a little to hear. He is really unsurprised. He knows how much they cared for one another but it is a bit strange to hear she is still with him.
But in a way he is also thankful to know it. Even if it is strange, but he doesn't linger on it. He can't.]
Of course I do. Why would I not? I told you, I have never spoken a word about my angel. To anyone. Ever. No one knows I was her dove. What reason would I have to consider you a liar?
As you should be. Never assume yourself to be privy to my desires.
Most people don't have the same understanding of the unknown as I do. I have seen things people can not fathom. [A pause.] Though I would be a liar if I said seeing spirits was not a new one. But people with abilities is not something new to me.
[When the other asks if he was mad there is another pause. The simple answer is yes. But only because Adam feels exposed and he never lets himself be as such.
But something about the other man makes him feel at ease with him knowing, because there is something more than just the enjoyment of good sex between them. As Iggy said earlier. He reaches out again to the other pulling him close for a hug. It's a quiet, simple, act of companionship.]
[Iggy stays silent. It seems prudent - he's still not entirely sure Adam's not going to kick his ass. When he is reached for he freezes, but the second he's pulled into a hug he relaxes completely.
Iggy's arms come up to wrap around Adam's body, holding him as tight as he can.]
I'm so sorry. I wasn't trying to pry, honest to God I wasn't. But I couldn't ignore her.
I don't know anything else, I promise. I'm not psychic or anything like that.
[Another tight squeeze.]
Thank you for not being angry with me. I know it's upsetting.
[He'll be spared, for today. He's not much in the mood, especially if Angelica is near. She always had a way of calming him down, he was better with her.]
She would never be ignored, she was the daughter of this affluent logger in the Great Lakes. She marched right up to me at this party and told me I was coming to her house for dinner. It wasn't a question, or really an offer. It was a statement.
[He is upset, that much is truth, but it is here. There is no taking it back now.]
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The brown hair throws him off. Since they had been speaking about Trina he shakes his head.]
No, not really. She was African American.
[He keeps his hands on the others ass but pulls away a bit to meet the others gaze.]
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[He has to pull his gaze away from the woman watching them. He looks at Adam and tries a smile, but it falters badly.
She says her name.
Still trying to smile, a single tear escapes him. He hates this. But he can't ignore her.]
Who's Angelica?
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Angelica? How do you know that name?! [Adam is a well of emotions now. The bright warmth he had been feeling replaced by a wall of anger and fear. He does not like to be known, and he likes even less that his fun time seems to know the most intimate of secrets he carries.]
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He swallows hard.]
Because she just told me.
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He settles on something akin to anger. He is very not amused and it is clear. He shifts from underneath the other and stands in front of him. When he does that the figure that Iggy had been focusing so on moves closer to Adam. She reaches out, she can't really touch him but she tries nonetheless. For obvious reasons Adam can not feel the attempt at quiet intimacy.]
This is not a game Ignatius.
How do you know about Angelica?
[He asks pointedly. The figure looks at Iggy and she apologizes for Adams anger, stating he's always been like this, she moves her hand to rest lightly just on his cheek and a he gives Iggy a secret, something only the two of them could know.
She calls him her dove.]
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I'm not playing games. I'm sorry. I'm sorry, but I'm not. I only know what she's saying. I can see her, I can hear her.
[He can see Adam isn't buying it. But then the ghost throws him a lifeline.]
She called you her dove. She loves you so much. She just wanted to make sure you're okay.
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My angel?
[He offers quietly his tone is soft, sweet. She smiles when she hears it and she sheds a few tears. It'd been years since she'd heard her name on his tongue. She stops in often, just to see. Never once forgetting about him. She never lingers, she always knew what he was. He had told her and she had been one of the only who had never cared. And even now, it seemed Adam had not forgotten either.]
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[Iggy relaxes a little bit, the initial fear replaced with resignation.]
She checks in on you a lot. She says she knows what you are, and she never cared about that. She really loves you, so much.
[Iggy starts to collect himself from the couch. His clothes are not in the living room, but he's just going to abandon them. He can get his bag from the hall and call an Uber outside.
The ghost sees him moving, and when Iggy speaks it's as much to her as Adam.]
I'm sorry. I'm sorry, I have to go, I can't do this. I don't want this, I don't do this anymore.
[He tries to scoot away from Adam so he can stand.]
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Sit. Down.
[Adam is not about to have a piece of his soul ripped out without an explanation. No sir.
He looms over the other now, it would be best to do as he says because he is not in the mood for games anymore. His eyes meet Iggys with an intensity unlike anything he's shown before.]
How do you know about Angelica? What do you mean you can see her?
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I mean I can see her.
She's dead. She's dead, and she's here to check in on you, because sometimes they do that.
[He is so tired all of a sudden.]
I know it sounds stupid. But I'm not lying. I see dead people, okay?
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But Adam was very much still there and very much... curious.]
Of course she is dead. She's been dead for ages.
[He watches the other, it is clear there is a lot to unpack here. Adam feels, almost bad for the other but he isn't about to let this go.]
You can see spirits? [It is what he just said but he wants confirmation.]
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[Iggy draws his knees up and hugs them.]
Yes.
My family are Spiritualists dating back to the fucking Fox sisters. But real. I've seen dead people since I was born, I used to talk to them for church and for private sèances... if you Google my family you can find a news article about me as a little kid even.
[He sounds so resigned.]
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But he listens to the other, and realises perhaps he is just as raw. The aggressive stance that Adam has taken with the other eases and Adam just about collapses in a chair across from the other. If the other wanted to leave, he would not force him to stay any longer. This is a lot.]
I have heard the name. I know the stories. I figured there was some truths in it.
I did not think I should suffer them.
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[Iggy is too tired and scared to move now.]
I'm sorry.
...she was really pretty.
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[It's not Iggy's fault, and Adam should know better. It's just... a very old wound, and yet somehow still so raw.
He wants to be furious and instead he is just... tired. Apparently it makes him loose tongued. Something about Iggy and the moment just makes him open that scab. He'll probably regret that, but right now it just is.]
She was beautiful. In so many ways. I have never met another like her.
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[He nearly crying now.]
She loves you so much, Adam. Even now.
I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I never wanted you to know.
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[He shakes his head.]
You don't spend a lifetime with someone and not know that.
[There is a moment now, he feels it, he could just walk away. But instead he rises from his seat and walks over to Iggy. He reaches out to brush fingers across the young mans cheek. This is probably the end of this, which is a shame.
He was fun, different.
Except he didn't realise just how different it all was.]
It's fine. We all carry secrets.
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I didn't know. Every other time I've been over, your place has been empty.
You won't ever want to see me again. I know that.
So just...
[He sits up tall, gathering himself.]
I want to say this: I really liked you. Not because of the money.
I'm sorry I ruined this. But she needed you to know.
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Either way it was out now.
He thumbs idly at the others tears. It's a simple, sweet gesture. One he has yet to offer to the younger man, not that he hasn't thought about offering them before.]
You do not get to dictate my actions and feelings. Do not assume yourself to do so. [Just a hint of quiet annoyance.]
She remains in my memory, and always shall. But she knows she and I will never cross paths.
I doubt she will let herself be known to you again. [He can almost be sure of that. Despite not really understanding the entirety of how this works.]
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[Iggy looks up at Adam, confused.]
She might. It's not her fault. She just likes seeing you.
You believe me?
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[It hurts a little to hear. He is really unsurprised. He knows how much they cared for one another but it is a bit strange to hear she is still with him.
But in a way he is also thankful to know it. Even if it is strange, but he doesn't linger on it. He can't.]
Of course I do. Why would I not? I told you, I have never spoken a word about my angel. To anyone. Ever. No one knows I was her dove. What reason would I have to consider you a liar?
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...I don't know. [He scrubs at his eyes with one hand.] I don't know, it's just people usually don't.
[Timidly:]
Are you mad at me?
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Most people don't have the same understanding of the unknown as I do. I have seen things people can not fathom. [A pause.] Though I would be a liar if I said seeing spirits was not a new one. But people with abilities is not something new to me.
[When the other asks if he was mad there is another pause. The simple answer is yes. But only because Adam feels exposed and he never lets himself be as such.
But something about the other man makes him feel at ease with him knowing, because there is something more than just the enjoyment of good sex between them. As Iggy said earlier. He reaches out again to the other pulling him close for a hug. It's a quiet, simple, act of companionship.]
No. Not truly.
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Iggy's arms come up to wrap around Adam's body, holding him as tight as he can.]
I'm so sorry. I wasn't trying to pry, honest to God I wasn't. But I couldn't ignore her.
I don't know anything else, I promise. I'm not psychic or anything like that.
[Another tight squeeze.]
Thank you for not being angry with me. I know it's upsetting.
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She would never be ignored, she was the daughter of this affluent logger in the Great Lakes. She marched right up to me at this party and told me I was coming to her house for dinner. It wasn't a question, or really an offer. It was a statement.
[He is upset, that much is truth, but it is here. There is no taking it back now.]
So is it just spirits then?
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