Toxic

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Feeling his brother's hand in his, Ceph clutched it and closed his eyes completely. He wasn't sure what was happening, but he knew that he was suddenly very proud of his twin.

Despite his delirium, when he felt Andy kneel next to his bedside, he opened his tired eyes and looked at his twin. "Things happen for a reason, Andy." He said with a soft smile. "For better or worse, fate always provides, we just need to be able to see it."

He smiled more and relaxed slightly where he was. "....Andy? If I survive this..." He paused. "Would it be okay if I started courting Nerys?" She was his responsibility, after all.

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<sub>After a long silence, Andy mulling over that kiss Sine gave him. It felt so good, but wrong. She was married after all and... he didn't even get to say he loved her back. But he did. He was just down in the dumps now and barely moved when Ceph turned his head to speak to him. Man he was still functioning?

"... Well, fate's always hated me anyway. So does God." But then he blinked. Oh shut up, Andy! "... Maybe you're right. Fate gave me back my sibling, and gave me a chance to see Sine again, and gave me a couple of sons. I should at least take that in stride."

Andy was mulling in a bit more of an optimistic lull, that is his eyes snapped open when Cepheid spoke again.

"You are going to survive, this, I-wait... what." Did he just say.

Did he just...

HE WANTED TO COURT NERYS?!

".... You're kidding me. Are you really serious?" Pause. Andy's face turned into a sourpuss. "You are, aren't you."</sub>

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"Oh, I don't think so." Cepheid said. He smiled again as Andy finally agreed. "See? For better or worse, Fate guides us all down the right path, we just need to be able to see the road signs she puts up, you know?" Normally, he wouldn't try to be this philosophical with Andy, but right now he could get away with it.

His brother's reaction was very amusing to the delirious Cepheid, and he chuckled lightly as Andy attempted to come to terms with what he just asked. When Andy's expression went from surprised to sourpuss, he laughed even harder, wincing at his shoulder but still grinning. "Yea, I'm serious." He said. "I don't know if I'm am or not, but... I think I might be in love with her. I want to pursue it more, see if I'm right or not." He paused. "It wouldn't be right if I didn't run it by you first. She's your responsibility, after all. Despite being my brother, you're the closest thing to a dad she has."

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<sub>Andy felt a little better after Ceph said that, of course now that was ruined when the discussion revolved over to Nerys and... his brother... wanting to court her. Oh God. This was insane. This was a family tangle vine waiting to happen! He gritted his teeth and then glared at Ceph.

"You have no idea how lucky you are to have waited until Sine was out of the room. She's the aunt-mother figure to Nerys...!" Andy rolled his eyes so most of the whites were showing and he groaned.

"You think you're in love with her." He spoke, deadpan and dry. This just... wow. "That's kind of the problem. i'm her father figure and... you're my identical twin brother, it's just so... weird."</sub>

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When Andy glared at him, he actually laughed. "Is she?" He asked casually, still smiling.

"I think so, yes." He said, his expression softening from amusement to what looked like affection. "You know you can't just turn these things off, Andy." He said, looking at his brother. "Yes, you are her father figure, it's your job to protect her... Do you really trust her with anyone else?"

Yes, he just played that card. If nothing else, Andy knew that Cepheid would never harm Nerys in any way. He'd even already taken a bullet for her, dragged his bleeding arse all the way to the ship to get help, and then all the way back so he could tell them where she was. Yes, the family tree would get a little tangled, but it wasn't like Nerys was biologically related at all!

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<sub>Andy grumbled like an angry child when his brother laughed. Seriously! He was taking this so lightly it was beginning to irritate him. Now what was he to do?

"Yes, Sine is." he spoke up finally, but then when Cepheid pulled that card, Andy opened his mouth, closed it, opened it again, but he couldn't think of any way to retaliate with that. Because he was right. There was nobody else he could trust, no man, but Cepheid, to date someone fragile like Nerys.

"Touché, twin brother. You win." He sighed. "She'll probably be happier anyway. She's always been a shy, uncomfortable girl. Awkward around people."</sub>

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Andy's grumbling only made Ceph laugh even more. Of course he was taking it lightly, though the fact he was feverish and hopped up on pain meds was likely most of the problem here.

He looked up at his sibling, smiling almost mischievously as he knew he had won. He didn't think anything else really needed to be said. Well, there was one thing.

"You have my word, I'll never do anything to hurt her, or let her get hurt." He said. "Despite the fact that it would kill me if I did, you'd probably get to me first." He chuckled.

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<sub>Andromeda would stand up, finding himself recovered enough to grab the bag of medicine and picking up his brother carefully. Man this guy was getting heavier. He would leave through the window though. He didn't want to see Sine right now.

"Right, well you're gong back to the ship with me." He spoke up, trying not to move that shoulder injury. The girls needed him anyway. Plus Cepheid looked like he needed sleep.

The trek back would be slow and painful though, but Andy would make it with his brother. He wasn't going to let go of him, ever.</sub>