Twice Two

As it turned out, Nymphia and Big Atlas shared some qualities, which probably attracted Plane to them. Both were straightforward and easy to talk to. They immediately found common ground and the next day were already confidently calling each other friends. A long walk through the city led them to a house that didn’t particularly stand out among the others but made Atlas stop. She looked at the windows thoughtfully, prompting Nymphia to guess. ‘Is this her house?’ Nymphia asked more as a statement than a question. ‘Yes,’ Atlas confirmed, turning to her. Atlas’s eyes seemed to silently urge her to drop everything and go inside to find out everything as soon as possible. Nymphia read this in her gaze and sighed hesitantly. How long would she keep chasing Plane and trying to get something out of her? The idea of this visit had been doomed from the start — Plane had been closed off, and she remained so. And her confession of love hadn’t moved anything at all. ‘Do you think it’s worth it?’ Nymphia broke the silence. ‘Probably,’ Atlas replied. ‘If you want, I can keep you company.’ ‘No, no, I’ll try on my own. And if nothing comes of it again today, I’ll leave — I have nothing to do here.’ ‘Don’t,’ Atlas protested. ‘Don’t give up. She just needs a little more time. Now that you’re around, she won’t be able to try to push you out of her mind anymore.’ ‘Maybe then you can tell me what the hell is going on?’ Nymphia raised her voice. ‘You must know what she’s done.’ ‘I can’t say. That would be a betrayal to her.’ ‘God, you’re so damn annoying…’ Nymphia wailed. ‘You’ve set up Madrid Court secrets, and I’m supposed to run around figuring it all out. Am I some kind of damn Nancy Drew?’ Atlas said nothing, turning her gaze eloquently to the house. Her look carried equal parts exhaustion and hope for the long-awaited outcome. Nymphia sighed again and, without further words, headed toward her fate. The door was opened by a sweet woman whom Nymphia immediately recognized from the finale shoot. Yelena looked surprised. ‘Good afternoon. If you don’t remember me, I’m Nymphia.’ ‘I remember,’ Yelena said with a light smile typical of Plane and gestured her inside. Once inside, Nymphia looked around and immediately felt that this was the place Plane considered most like home, despite the angry words thrown in a fit of rage long ago. Plane always radiated the warmth of this home. It didn’t compare to Nymphia’s apartment, where Plane had been forced to stay for several months. No wonder it had been so difficult for her to be there for so long. Even Nymphia, who wasn’t particularly attached to her living place, felt like staying for a while. ‘So you remember me?’ Nymphia asked, her eyes scanning the surrounding items. ‘Of course. You’re the most important thing my child has.’ Nymphia’s breath caught at these words. She — the most important thing Plane had? That couldn’t be — why had Plane never admitted this herself? Was it easier to tell her mother? ‘Can I see Plane?’ Nymphia asked, getting to the point. ‘Plane’s not home. She’s shopping for dinner. It’s her turn to cook today — now she does it willingly.’ ‘What?’ Nymphia was surprised. Plane willingly cooking? What was happening on this planet? ‘She should be back in about half an hour. We can have some tea and gossip in the meantime.’ Gossip with Plane’s mom? Life hadn’t prepared Nymphia for this. They settled at the spacious table, and another surprise awaited her. Cookies, personally baked by Plane. She wouldn’t have believed it if not for the slightly burnt edges Yelena tried to scrape off unnoticed with a knife. ‘Why have you never visited us before?’ she asked once they started tea. ‘Plane enjoyed your hospitality for so long, but she never invited you. I hope it’s not because you were intimidated by me?’ ‘No, not at all,’ Nymphia shook her head, trying to come up with an explanation. ‘It’s just… I… I had a lot of shows… I… couldn’t… take a break… That’s it. But now I’m here, and I really like your city.’ ‘Wait,’ Yelena interrupted. ‘Where are your things? You stayed in a hotel?’ Nymphia was puzzled by the question. She didn’t want Yelena involved in all the fuss. For a moment, Yelena looked embarrassed, as if imagining exactly why Nymphia might have booked a room, but Nymphia interrupted the flow of inappropriate thoughts. ‘I didn’t want to inconvenience you, so I’m staying with Big Atlas for now. You know her, right?’ ‘Of course,’ Yelena continued awkwardly. ‘Plane told you I might object to your staying here?’ That had to be stopped immediately. Yelena was ready to spin theories, creating her own version of events. ‘No, of course not. I’ve been wanting to meet you for a long time, and as soon as I had the chance, I came straight over.’ Well, that sounded believable. And partly it was true — Nymphia wanted to know everything about Plane, not just what she was hiding.  

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The heartfelt conversation was interrupted by Plane’s sharp voice, ‘Nymphia? What are you doing here?’ Nymphia, not flinching from the surprise, stood up and spread a sincere smile. Plane’s breath caught for a moment, feeling an unbearable urge to hug her and shield her from the world. But she couldn’t allow herself that. If she hugged her like that now, in front of her mother, the whole plan would fall apart. “What the hell plan?” Plane thought angrily. “You weren’t going to get close to her at all, but yesterday you confessed your love and kissed her. Shit!” Nymphia didn’t rush to show her joy physically. She looked at Yelena and said, ‘I came to visit you and your mom. I’m so glad you’re back.’ Plane sharply turned her attention to the bags she’d been holding. Ignoring what was happening, she began unloading groceries and putting them away. Yelena clicked her tongue disapprovingly and crossed her arms. ‘Andy, why didn’t you say your friend was in town? Do you think it doesn’t concern me at all?’ Plane wanted to answer affirmatively, but arguing with her mother lately was pointless, so she said with mild irritation, ‘My friend wanted to surprise everyone and didn’t warn anyone.’ Nymphia smirked. ‘The surprise turned out very well,’ Yelena said. ‘I’ve long wanted to meet Nymphia in person, but honestly, I didn’t expect you to introduce her. So it’s no surprise that our first meeting wasn’t your initiative.’ Plane rolled her eyes. ‘Who taught you manners?’ Yelena continued her lecture, prompting a quiet laugh from Plane. ‘I watched the whole 16th season, you see, and my son didn’t have the sense to invite the winner over, given your relationship. Or not?’ she added sarcastically. ‘What are you making up?’ Plane exclaimed. ‘What season?’ ‘Do you think I don’t care what you do? I watched your season from start to finish. I can’t say I understood everything you did there, thanks to RuPaul, but it was hard to look away.’ Plane wasn’t the only one stunned. Nymphia, whose family had no interest in watching Drag Race, couldn’t imagine such a scenario. ‘And what do you think?’ she asked, seeing Plane needed a moment to recover. ‘Nymphia, you impressed me from the start. From the very first second.’ Nymphia froze — the first thing she’d shown the world had been a banana dangling between her legs. Judging by Yelena’s serious face, her words weren’t meant literally. Plane, having recovered, giggled into her fist. ‘Everything you showed was incredible. I don’t even understand why you begged Plane to give you that lousy immunity.’ “If only she knew how many times Nymphia begged for it and what she was willing to do for it,” Plane thought with a smirk. ‘And what about me?’ she demanded of Yelena. ‘You were brilliant,’ Yelena beamed. ‘Everything I said in the finale matches what you showed. I was charmed.’ ‘Then why didn’t you tell me you watched?’ Plane asked, offended. ‘Oh, Andy,’ Yelena waved her off. ‘If I’d shared my opinion, I’d have had to talk about your behavior too, and you’d be upset again.’ ‘What’s wrong with my behavior?’ Plane burst out. ‘You were such a grump. Criticizing almost everyone,’ Yelena replied. ‘You never act like that. Why did you make a fuss?’ ‘Because Plane acts that way.’ ‘That’s why you didn’t get the crown. No offense, Nymphia.’ ‘You can thank your lineage for that,’ Plane replied sarcastically. ‘Don’t worry,’ Nymphia interjected. ‘Plane will get her crown when she returns to All Stars. Maybe she’ll even behave more reservedly.’ ‘Don’t count on it,’ Plane grumbled. ‘No one gives a crown for pretty eyes, right, Nymphia?’ Nymphia leaned closer and whispered, ‘But they might give you something else.’ Plane blushed with embarrassment and, to occupy her hands, started cooking. Yelena realized it was time to leave the two alone but had one more question. ‘Did you immediately become friends, or were you rivals from the start?’ ‘My dear mom,’ Andy said pompously, ‘as soon as I saw my main rival, I fell in love at first sight. So I’m incredibly happy to have a boyfriend like Leo.’ Yelena nodded approvingly and left so as not to disturb the couple. ‘A boyfriend, huh?’ If Nymphia were a cat, she would have been swishing her tail furiously. ‘What’s wrong?’ Plane asked calmly, glancing at Nymphia while leaning on the counter. ‘I thought you’d like it if I called you that.’ ‘Leo.’ ‘First, you push me away and say we can’t be together anymore for no clear reason. Now we meet again, and you introduce me to your mom as your boyfriend.’ ‘I told you yesterday I love you, and I don’t throw words around.’ ‘Then explain what happened,’ Nymphia demanded insistently. ‘I can’t,’ Plane said again. ‘And looking into your eyes, I can’t forget it. I don’t know what the hell is going on, I’m confused, but I haven’t stopped loving you, no matter how I try. Maybe I need more time.’ ‘Oh, for crying out loud!’ Nymphia exclaimed. ‘I told you you can say whatever you want. Why do you decide everything for me again? Let me choose for myself: to forgive you or not. I don’t even know what I’m supposed to forgive you for. Or not forgive…’ ‘Fine,’ Plane exhaled. ‘I’ll do it tomorrow. I’ll perform and tell you everything. And give you that choice. I’ll accept any decision you make.’ ‘Thank you, Planey,’ Nymphia nodded with a sad smile. ‘I’m glad you dared. I promise I’ll try not to make rash decisions. And maybe I’ll need time to process everything. We’ve been in worse situations.’ ‘Thank you,’ Plane whispered and pulled her close. They could have stayed hugging until late evening, but the old clock Yelena brought from Leningrad rang loudly, signaling it was time to start dinner, which Nymphia had promised to help with.  

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When dinner ended, Yelena, caught up in chatting with Nymphia, decided to share her enthusiastic thoughts about Nymphia’s Drag Race achievements. She seated the pair in the living room and quickly found the episode she wanted to discuss. ‘I don’t recognize this woman,’ Plane whispered to Nymphia. ‘A year ago, she would have wanted to disappear if anyone saw me in drag.’ Nymphia winked. ‘See how my win influenced her.’ Plane wanted to object, but Yelena interrupted, and everyone focused entirely on watching.  

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Time flew by, and when Nymphia realized it was time to leave, Yelena stopped her at the door. ‘Nymphia, where are you going? I thought you’d stay the night. You don’t think I interrogated you just to throw you out at night?’ ‘I don’t want to tire you with my presence,’ Nymphia answered modestly, a bit embarrassed. ‘Nonsense!’ Yelena exclaimed. ‘If anyone’s tired, it’s me.’ Nymphia wanted to protest, but Yelena interrupted again, ‘I saw Plane holding herself back so hard not to freak out at what she thought were silly questions.’ Plane remained silent in agreement. ‘Go to Andy’s room. I won’t disturb you, good night!’ Plane and Nymphia exchanged awkward glances, as if it was the first time they were going to share a bed. ‘Here you are!’ Plane finally said, gesturing for her to follow. ‘Make yourself at home and don’t hold back.’ Nymphia moved ahead but paused and turned to Plane. ‘If you want, I can leave. I don’t think Yelena actually meant to make me stay.’ ‘She’s right,’ Plane said seriously, taking her hand and leading her to the room. ‘No wandering around an unfamiliar city at night. Besides, I want you to see where I live.’ ‘If you forgot,’ Nymphia snorted, not resisting, ‘I saw your room when you were settling on the bed and reaching into your pants.’ ‘But it’s not just limited to the bed,’ Plane pushed the door open, and Nymphia entered the space she had imagined many times since their last shoot. Nymphia approached the shelves with wigs, most of which she had seen Plane wear on Instagram. ‘Are there any new ones you haven’t worn?’ she asked. ‘Yes,’ Plane stepped closer. ‘I’ll be performing in one of them tomorrow.’ She pointed to a gorgeous light blonde wig that perfectly suited Plane. ‘All Atlas’s work. At a big discount as friends,’ Plane smirked and picked up another — long, chestnut-colored. ‘I think this one will look great on you.’ Nymphia watched in awe as Plane carefully put it on her and positioned it in the mirror. She marveled at how perfectly it matched her eyes, even though she always wore contacts. With this wig, she didn’t need them. ‘You look amazing, baby,’ Plane whispered, and Nymphia felt goosebumps run over her skin. ‘I imagined how you’d look on stage with me tomorrow. My heart skips at the thought.’ ‘I’ll think about it,’ Nymphia whispered back, unable to tear her eyes from Plane’s reflection. She turned, but Plane had already stepped away, rummaging in a drawer of clothes. ‘I don’t have anything your size,’ Plane said, ‘so don’t be surprised if, while tossing in your sleep, you wake up in the morning with your pants down.’ ‘Sounds tempting…’ Nymphia murmured, realizing how double-meaning Plane’s words could be, though Plane clearly didn’t intend it. When they were in bed, Nymphia didn’t try to touch Plane, even though she wanted to, given how long they hadn’t seen each other and hadn’t lain this close. Plane turned to her side and looked at Nymphia’s back with sadness, understanding what she was feeling. Plane could have simply cuddled her from behind until morning, but the guilt living inside her for two months forbade another contact with Nymphia. ‘Everything will be decided tomorrow. No regrets, no excuses, no hope.’