#because i do have a lot of thought vis a vis when lup's absence was actually A Thing bc i dont think it was immediate!!

[holdmecloser-gandydancer]

“What part of “I was unconscious for that part” do you not understand?” w taako :O??

From this prompt list! (Still accepting!!)

When you know someone long enough, you start to pick up on their habits. Their vocabulary becomes your own and you become uncertain of what idiosyncrasies are whose. Sometimes it feels like you’re cut from the same cloth. Sometimes it feels like you’re the same cloth split in twain.

-

One hundred years is an unfathomable amount of time to truly understand a person. Barry believes himself to be one of the foremost experts in understanding Lup, second only to Taako. Taako, who has had endlessly more time to become attuned to all the different facets of her personality. Between the two of them, Lup is hardly a mystery.

So when they first find Lup’s note, they’re not worried. She’s written enough notes in the same vein. Truthfully, it’s not a surprise. Lup only really goes off on her own when she’s trying to reason through something major. She’s not done it in a while but they could both see the signs. If she says she’ll be back soon, then she’ll be back soon.

-

When three days pass without a word, they’re more annoyed than worried.

“You know, you’d think she could spare a minute on a Sending cantrip,” Taako snarks over breakfast.

Barry just nods, unease pooling in his stomach. He’s certain this anxiety is unwarranted. She said she’d be back soon. Soon is relative.

-

When a week passes without a word, Barry is worried. Taako is furious.

“When I decide to galivant to gods know where, I at least have the decency to take someone with me. Or, I dunno, fucking tell someone where I’m going.” Taako fumes.

Barry knows a lot of this is a show. He knows Taako’s barely picked at his meals the past two days. He knows he’s worried, too. Just has a funny way of showing it.

-

When ten days pass without a word, Barry isn’t sure how much longer he can just do nothing about it. Taako’s finally starting to crack.

“Barry, did she…did she say anything before she left? O-or did she take anything weird with her?” Taako’s bordering on frantic one night on the deck of the Starblaster.

“Taako, she left while I was asleep. You know as much as I do,” Barry’s tired. He misses Lup and he’s just. So. Tired.

“You sleep next to her, Barry! You didn’t notice anything wrong?” Taako’s voice is accusatory and all sharp edges.

“What part of ‘I was unconscious for that part’ don’t you understand?” Barry snaps, his words practically dripping venom.

Barry doesn't apologize because he know he doesn't need to.

The fact that Taako doesn’t snap back confirms one thing for Barry: Taako is scared.

-

When two weeks pass without a word, Barry and Taako wordlessly agree that this is no longer a normal scenario. So they get to work, searching tirelessly for Lup. Lup, perhaps the brightest being in either of their lives. Lup, who has become an enigmatic mystery.

-

And when two months pass without a word, Barry is forgetting Lup’s face. Taako’s already forgotten her. And he’s blasting Barry and Barry is forgetting and falling and dying and dead. Barry is dead. Taako is alone. And Lup is lost.

#thanks ise! #also uh. wow this got sad ! sorry bout that! #because i do have a lot of thought vis a vis when lup's absence was actually A Thing bc i dont think it was immediate!! #taz #taz balance #tazb #the adventure zone #blupjeans #technically i guess #barry bluejeans #taako #reese writes #also please lmk if anyone wants me to tag for that one line abt taako eating/not eating in the week passes paragraph! #if my timeline is a little funky... no it's not 🥰