random loose threads

[driftsintobuffetline]

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2016
January 29 - Returning from Submarining
February 13 - What are you thoughts on MARRIAGE?
February 16 - Day 1, Soviet Occupied Import Cities
March 12 - They were supposed to talk about Miles and Greg, but talked about themselves instead
April 14th - Kinks, Tatts, and Power Suppression
June - Admiring the Ring
July 27 - Hermann's New Car
After the Kaiju Test - Need a New Apartment

Comments

[driftsintobuffetline]

You're not just saying that, right?

Please mean it.

"I like being your long-term plan," he said, breaking apart the pieces of orange and eating one with a cheeky grin that was meant to cover his anxiety. "But I want you to know, I'll marry you again and again, if I have to. I will marriage-counsel the hell out of you or marry you again, because I'd rather scream at you for five years than not talk to you for three again. That is MY long-term plan, to just...not let you go again."

He broke off another piece and held it out in front of Hermann's face, so he wouldn't have to get oniony hands on it if he wanted to eat the orange slice.

"I mean, we have 'irreversibly altered one another'--wasn't that what you said? That's exactly what you said, what you wrote. I can't very well let you go now, huh? Besides, you have to admit, that was pretty romantic. You could count 'telling a relative stranger that you and I are sort of soulmates' on your tally of courting achievements. A point...half-a-point, at least. It counts." And not just because he wanted to add to Hermann's tally to expedite marriage, but because it was a pretty sweet way to describe their relationship--romantic or otherwise--and surprising, and Newt had been touched. And Hermann deserved to know that, even if Newt had sort of told him so already.

[mathemagier]

Of course I mean it.

Hermann ignored the orange slice in favor of regarding Newton with equal measures of fondness and wonder. In this moment, he wouldn't trust himself with a ring. Here he was worried about Newton growing tired of him when the man fully intended to drag him through years of counseling before considering a divorce. And even then.

He cleared his throat, glancing back down to the onion positioned under his knife.

"Yes well, we're not counting half measures. And I'm almost positive at least one of those things was before we'd even established a relationship." But Newton remembered all the same. How sweet.

"I can tell you that if you ever seek a divorce, I will absolutely contest it and be as unreasonable as possible at every hearing."

[driftsintobuffetline]

A soft ripple of relief followed the thought, like a held breath slowly released. He ate the offered slice instead and tried to look away from Hermann's very gorgeous brown-eyed gaze.

Half measures should count. So much of their progress has been in tiny, subtle half-steps before Hermann's overwhelming gesture of friendship and love.

He tried valiantly to keep his face from screwing up into a smile, because he really wanted to make a face that said 'you would' or 'you're always unreasonable' but it made him unbelievably happy. Newt grinned and slid a little over on the edge of the counter until he was leaning into Hermann--not enough to disrupt his balance, but leaning, head tipped to rest against a rather bony shoulder.

"First of all, you're wrong," he said pointedly. "The soulmates thing was late January, and you know why I know? It was one of the things I enjoyed rereading on the sub--so it counts--and second of all, if I ever DO try to divorce you? I better receive a stack of complaints and notations and counterpoints and refutations detailing how WRONG I am. How classless and childish I am to involve a court in these proceedings. I expect you to do the paperwork in triplicate and harass the hell out of the divorce court to the point that they, like PPDC HR before them, never want to see either of us again."

If Newt was an annoying human being by himself, they were a hundred times so together. They were a disaster, a whirlwind, terrible for all who were caught up in their cyclone. It was beautiful, really.

"You better be the bane of my existence for the rest of my existence, dude." He tore off another sliver of orange and popped it into his own mouth with a satisfied grin. Hermann hated him talking with food in his mouth. "I'll accept nothing less."

[mathemagier]

Hermann's chopping slowed. He often tried to forget the kidnapping had happened; it was a nightmare of a week, but something Newton had lived through and wasn't ever likely to forget. He probably hadn't been supportive enough then, too concentrated on filling the void Newton's absence had left and making sure of him in every waking moment.

But a faint smile still tugged at the corner of his mouth, because Newton certainly knew how he got when he became fixed on something. Heaven knows he'd harangued the PPDC enough. He was of a mind to turn his head and kiss Newton until the man decided to open his mouth to deliver a garbled statement that had him wincing reflexively for all it would otherwise have been sweet.

He sighed, refusing to blink for the sting growing in his eyes.

"Now there's something that was never in question, married or not. Actually sounds more authentic than the usual wedding vows. Perhaps you should use it." Not that he'd really considered writing custom vows before now.

[driftsintobuffetline]

The submarine kidnapping would always be a part of Newt's experience here, there was no escaping that week of loneliness even among the others, of trying to be brave (he wanted to whimper and curl up) and trying NOT to besiege Hermann with his worries and beg for his attention. He had wanted to come home so badly he had almost been willing to kill himself for it--

He had been intermittently angry with Hermann because the man didn't show him enough attention that week, but the thought of him had kept Newt afloat.

Newt had always planned to, if this marriage thing was actually going to happen, write his own vows. Partly for vanity, because he enjoyed people listening to him, and partly because the simple 'love, honor, cherish' didn't cover it, he had already vowed 'in sickness and in health' and there was a uniqueness to his and Hermann's interactions that defied the traditional. Hermann really was the bane of his existence and he wouldn't have it any other way.

And partly, when he allowed himself to think such things, because someday those vows might be something that keeps one of them afloat.

"Alright, consider that a preview. ...But that's all you get! If you want more, you're going to have to make this happen!"

[mathemagier]

"Yes, of course. Patience, Newton."

Hermann honestly wouldn't know the first thing about writing vows, but with several months to consider it, perhaps he could manage something approaching eloquent. Or seek outside help for inspiration, if necessary. Not that he had any idea of whom to ask of course..

For now, his nose had started to run and his eyes were really beginning to bother him as he was forced into blinking. He focused on the cutting board and managed to slice up the rest of the onion before his vision blurred too much to see properly. He turned from the counter and grasped him cane, taking a few steps away from the juices. Should have run it under the sink.

"Augh. Well at least that's over with. Do you have my handkerchief?"

[driftsintobuffetline]

He quickly and hastily tugged an ever present handkerchief from his pocket and lifted it up to dab Hermann's eyes and then pressed it to his nose. What a mess, he thought fondly at the man as he forfeited the handkerchief over to Hermann. You are a disaster, just like me. We're alike, you and me. I'm definitely yours.

You're mine? ...Thank everything Hermann was his, because Newt couldn't do what Miles is doing, honorably fall on his sword and let the man he loves and with whom he shares a mind, love someone else.

"Wash your hands, dude, then come take a break. I know, I know. Dinner. It can wait. I want to talk to you. Nothing scary, nothing bad, promise."