Categories > Movies > Matrix > Double
Double
0 ReviewsTriNeo. Ghost says that they're practically twins, pratically identical. Trinity doesn't see it.
AN: Written as part of a self-set challenge; to write 26 one-shots of (approximately) a thousand words. Each of the stories are centered around a word, starting with each letter of the alphabet. This is the fourth - D for Double.
The bread baking ceremony is something from the Matrix comic books, so it is vaguely canon. But don't worry, you don't need to have read them for this to make sense.
--
"You know, you two are practically twins."
"We're not that similar."
"Yes you are."
I glance over at Neo, as he bemusedly listens to Morpheus talking about the bread baking ceremony. It's the first time he's seen one. Morpheus always makes sure we're in dock for it, twice a year, every year. I gave Neo a few tips about it - don't leave anything on your plate, take small bites to show you're savoring it - don't chew with your mouth full - but now he's getting the full speech from our captain about the history and importance of the event. And he's trying to look interested. But I can tell he'd much rather be back at our room, with me.
Oh god, so would I.
But, this is important. I turn back to look at Ghost, who has a soft almost-smile on his face. "We are not. We have different eye color, different hair color-" he raises his eyebrows, "His is black. Mine is brown." I state decisively.
Shaking his head, he looks down at his glass. Plain water for him, none of the weak alcohol that's being passed around by the temple maidens. I've only seen Ghost drunk once in our entire time together - he gets righteously angry, and quite entertaining, talking about the importance - and ten minutes later, the futility - of our existence.
Yeah, that was a while ago. He hasn't gone that far since then.
"You should know I'm not just talking about physical appearances. You two just fit. The yin," he nods over to Neo, "and the yang." He looks back at me. I scoff at the reversal of the traditional gender roles. But he has a point. Neo's all... gentle, delicate. I'm harsh and abrasive and masculine. But with him, when we're alone and not working, he makes me feel completely the opposite; feminine, beautiful... wanted. I never realized how much I needed that until he showed me.
"Yeah..." I trail off, still thinking about Neo. Ghost laughs softly, and I smile at him. He gets it. "Sometimes... I just feel like I don't even have to talk with him. I still like to, but..." I lower my gaze and smile again. Ghost said I don't sound like myself when I talk like this. I didn't reply that it actually feels more like 'me' than any incarnation of me he's ever seen - the soldier, the opponent, the friend, the confidante. And even though it doesn't seem quite right to say, being Neo's lover makes me feel really... accomplished. In the way that nothing else ever has.
Not that I'm going to give up my day job to become his concubine or anything. But there's something about his face during our times together... eyes half-closed and unfocussed in concentration, sweat beading along his hairline, lips and cheeks flushed red... it's a sight to be beholden with awe, and honor. I know that Neo could have his pick of the women in Zion, and I know that being the only female who showed the slightest bit of interest in him in the first few months of his real life didn't hurt my case at all. But I remember his face as I pulled back from our first mutual kiss - eyes still closed, a dazed look on his face... and yes, I'm certain that he appreciates me as much as I appreciate him, even if - I don't think - there's so much to appreciate.
Ghost observes my dreamy look with a quiet, "Mm-hm. Practically identical."
I give him a /look/, which usually sends Neo running. On Ghost, it has less than no effect.
"Come on," he nods towards the long tables, "let's take our seats."
--
Our crew's been given the honor of sitting at the head table with the council. As councilor Hamann makes a short speech about the relevance of the day, I look out at the crowd. The crew of the Logos is stuck a few tables away from us, and I'm kind of disappointed. I was looking forward to Sparks' jokes and Ghost's quiet observations on the rest of the crews.
I look down at the small loaf of bread on my plate. Even though it's the only food with flavor, or even texture, that any of us have had in the real world, it's still a lot less impressive to poddies than it is to freeborns. We spent the first decade or so of our lives experiencing taste sensations a thousand times more intense than this, and we can plug back in any time and do it again. Still, I recognize how important it is to Zion, and try to be as respectful as possible.
When the councilor finishes his speech, it's time to eat. Neo doesn't touch his food until I do, and he mimics my movements exactly; I hold my loaf down with one hand, tearing off a strip and raising it to my mouth, watching him peripherally as he does the same.
Mm... it has been a long time since I've eaten anything but synthetic protein glop. And the fresh, crispy bread feels wonderful. Tastes wonderful. The last time I've tasted anything with real flavour was...
I glance at Neo out of the corner of my eye, and try to stifle a smile. He stares at me bemusedly, his mouth half open.
"What?" He asks around the dough.
I shake my head, and reach out for my glass just as he reaches for his. We swallow in unison. I set the glass back on the table, and turn to look at him properly. His eyes are wide in the dim light of the temple, his pupils expanded, erasing the soft brown irises. I can see myself in them. And I'm starting to think, as we move inexorably towards each other, that Ghost may have a point after all.
We kiss, and it feels sacred, even more so than most of our kisses do. In this cavern, surrounded by the remnants of the species, partaking in what can only be called a communion with our humanity, we touch our mouths together and taste the wheat granules on the other's lips. And it feels so right, so human, so holy. So real.
"I love you," we whisper in unison as we break apart. He grins at me with a dazed look in his eyes, and I realize I'm wearing the exact same expression on my face.
Yep, practically twins.
My double.
--
Reviews are love. :)
The bread baking ceremony is something from the Matrix comic books, so it is vaguely canon. But don't worry, you don't need to have read them for this to make sense.
--
"You know, you two are practically twins."
"We're not that similar."
"Yes you are."
I glance over at Neo, as he bemusedly listens to Morpheus talking about the bread baking ceremony. It's the first time he's seen one. Morpheus always makes sure we're in dock for it, twice a year, every year. I gave Neo a few tips about it - don't leave anything on your plate, take small bites to show you're savoring it - don't chew with your mouth full - but now he's getting the full speech from our captain about the history and importance of the event. And he's trying to look interested. But I can tell he'd much rather be back at our room, with me.
Oh god, so would I.
But, this is important. I turn back to look at Ghost, who has a soft almost-smile on his face. "We are not. We have different eye color, different hair color-" he raises his eyebrows, "His is black. Mine is brown." I state decisively.
Shaking his head, he looks down at his glass. Plain water for him, none of the weak alcohol that's being passed around by the temple maidens. I've only seen Ghost drunk once in our entire time together - he gets righteously angry, and quite entertaining, talking about the importance - and ten minutes later, the futility - of our existence.
Yeah, that was a while ago. He hasn't gone that far since then.
"You should know I'm not just talking about physical appearances. You two just fit. The yin," he nods over to Neo, "and the yang." He looks back at me. I scoff at the reversal of the traditional gender roles. But he has a point. Neo's all... gentle, delicate. I'm harsh and abrasive and masculine. But with him, when we're alone and not working, he makes me feel completely the opposite; feminine, beautiful... wanted. I never realized how much I needed that until he showed me.
"Yeah..." I trail off, still thinking about Neo. Ghost laughs softly, and I smile at him. He gets it. "Sometimes... I just feel like I don't even have to talk with him. I still like to, but..." I lower my gaze and smile again. Ghost said I don't sound like myself when I talk like this. I didn't reply that it actually feels more like 'me' than any incarnation of me he's ever seen - the soldier, the opponent, the friend, the confidante. And even though it doesn't seem quite right to say, being Neo's lover makes me feel really... accomplished. In the way that nothing else ever has.
Not that I'm going to give up my day job to become his concubine or anything. But there's something about his face during our times together... eyes half-closed and unfocussed in concentration, sweat beading along his hairline, lips and cheeks flushed red... it's a sight to be beholden with awe, and honor. I know that Neo could have his pick of the women in Zion, and I know that being the only female who showed the slightest bit of interest in him in the first few months of his real life didn't hurt my case at all. But I remember his face as I pulled back from our first mutual kiss - eyes still closed, a dazed look on his face... and yes, I'm certain that he appreciates me as much as I appreciate him, even if - I don't think - there's so much to appreciate.
Ghost observes my dreamy look with a quiet, "Mm-hm. Practically identical."
I give him a /look/, which usually sends Neo running. On Ghost, it has less than no effect.
"Come on," he nods towards the long tables, "let's take our seats."
--
Our crew's been given the honor of sitting at the head table with the council. As councilor Hamann makes a short speech about the relevance of the day, I look out at the crowd. The crew of the Logos is stuck a few tables away from us, and I'm kind of disappointed. I was looking forward to Sparks' jokes and Ghost's quiet observations on the rest of the crews.
I look down at the small loaf of bread on my plate. Even though it's the only food with flavor, or even texture, that any of us have had in the real world, it's still a lot less impressive to poddies than it is to freeborns. We spent the first decade or so of our lives experiencing taste sensations a thousand times more intense than this, and we can plug back in any time and do it again. Still, I recognize how important it is to Zion, and try to be as respectful as possible.
When the councilor finishes his speech, it's time to eat. Neo doesn't touch his food until I do, and he mimics my movements exactly; I hold my loaf down with one hand, tearing off a strip and raising it to my mouth, watching him peripherally as he does the same.
Mm... it has been a long time since I've eaten anything but synthetic protein glop. And the fresh, crispy bread feels wonderful. Tastes wonderful. The last time I've tasted anything with real flavour was...
I glance at Neo out of the corner of my eye, and try to stifle a smile. He stares at me bemusedly, his mouth half open.
"What?" He asks around the dough.
I shake my head, and reach out for my glass just as he reaches for his. We swallow in unison. I set the glass back on the table, and turn to look at him properly. His eyes are wide in the dim light of the temple, his pupils expanded, erasing the soft brown irises. I can see myself in them. And I'm starting to think, as we move inexorably towards each other, that Ghost may have a point after all.
We kiss, and it feels sacred, even more so than most of our kisses do. In this cavern, surrounded by the remnants of the species, partaking in what can only be called a communion with our humanity, we touch our mouths together and taste the wheat granules on the other's lips. And it feels so right, so human, so holy. So real.
"I love you," we whisper in unison as we break apart. He grins at me with a dazed look in his eyes, and I realize I'm wearing the exact same expression on my face.
Yep, practically twins.
My double.
--
Reviews are love. :)
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