#i have bastardized jeorge's characterisation sobs

[caciturnity]

on infinite earths - day 8 (late)

Day 8: Futuristic

so I can't write futuristic so i decided to just fuck it all and write a vague psycho pass AU with collars bc collars make everything better

Jeorge slides the cool leather of the collar around his neck, fastening the clasp at the hollow of his throat with a soft click. In reflection, it's surprising that he didn't end up with it any earlier. He looks at himself in the mirror, watching his reflection run its fingers along the edge of the accessory. It stands out starkly against his skin, thick and heavy. The warning sign of a rabid dog.

Despite his parents' best efforts, Jeorge had always known that he'd end up like this. Finding him a job in the police department had practically been delivering him into a lifetime jail sentence, although perhaps that was the intention all along. Jeorge had never really been on good terms with his family. 

When he exits his room, he leaves the top two buttons of his shirt undone. If he has a warning sign, then might as well show it off. As expected, Astram is waiting outside for him, suit shirt buttoned high and leaning on the wall of the corridor.When he sees Jeorge emerge with the collar tight on his neck, he stands straight and his eyes sweep over Jeorge once, then twice. 

"Stings a bit the first few days, doesn't it?" He says, draping an arm over Jeorge's shoulders, falling into old, familiar patterns from their academy days.Astram's gaze is fixed on the nape of Jeorge's neck, and he can't but quietly gloat. Black leather looks good on him, and of course Astram would be the first to appreciate it. 

Jeorge, conscious of the height difference, shrugs Astram off, as per their usual routine. Tomorrow, he'll wear boots with heels. "It's a bit of an itch, that's all. I don't understand why we have to cover them up all the time though. They're just scars by this point." 

Astram's fingers go to his own collared throat, where the nanobots and tracking sensors are buried into his skin, and his brow furrows in thought. "The collars are annoying as hell, but you get used to it. I think it has a symbolic meaning, a display of government control. We're their dogs, after all." 

Jeorge nods in agreement, although he wasn't expecting such a grave answer. Astram is still as serious as he's always been. Of course, it's up to Jeorge to lighten the atmosphere. "But it's a nice coincidence that we've been put together as a team. I didn't think they'd even let us near one another, given our track record." Images of their old hell rousing flash through both their minds, and Astram winces in shame at the same time that Jeorge flashes a satisfied grin.

"Well it makes sense," Astram replies, shrugging his shoulders. "The three of us work well together. Nobody can deny that." By this point, they've reached the door at the end of the hall, and Astram waits for Jeorge to catch up, because he's always had the larger stride, before pushing the double doors open and revealing the ornate office inside. 

Jeorge smiles as he and Astram approach the smartly-dressed woman waiting for them at her desk, completely unruffled despite the change of scenery. "And it's not like she didn't have the both of us whipped in the first place," He whispers, shooting a final remark to Astram before turning to face the Police Chief.

"Hello Midia. Long time no see."