driftsintobuffetline

[The reaction is so intense, Newt is still in awe it comes from Hermann...but of course it does. Because they do match, and where Newt is outward and exploding, Hermann is inward and ready to burst, emotions a deep undercurrent until times like these when Newt is struck by the sheer depth of what his partner feels for him and that he ever could have doubted it.

They aren't alone. They never can be fully again. It is a beautiful and daunting piece of knowledge that, as long as they both shall live in this world, there was always going to be someone who would have a piece of him, know him on a level only Newt was otherwise known by himself...and that with that knowledge, Hermann has chosen to love him and learn him, compensate for his shortcomings, raise him up...instead of tear him down from his most vulnerable points.

Hermann loves him and loving Hermann is as natural and necessary as breathing. Helping him is second nature in the way the eternally thoughtless and selfish Newt has never before known.

And while he can sense Hermann's desire to snapshot this moment forever, he has never been able to keep thoughts to himself.

Habit dictates running his mouth, but the usual cool comments cling in his throat as it tightens with emotion. Hermann. A little warning, man. You can't just pull those feelings out like that. He blinks back tears and pulls a hand away from Hermann to wipe his own eyes, then touches Hermann's cheek, eyes shining with hope and adoration. He wants to fall into the warm richness of Hermann's eyes, be part of his skin. S-soulmates? That's the kind of dumb stuff I think.

Some shaky breathes, then quietly, the thought unfiltered.] Told you you were everything.

[Hermann smiles a bit, returning the gesture with a brush of his thumb against the corner of Newton's eye where it's just a bit damp and the sheen is nearly visible through his glasses.

It's also moments like these that he thinks he doesn't deserve any of this, that it's too good to be true and that surely something awful will happen, but those are the fears of a child accustomed to isolation.

Everything.

On a word, he's transported to Hong Kong, in the back of a cab and frozen, staring at Newton in a wordless shock. He then proceeds to break down in a terribly embarrassing fashion and deliver one of the worst love confessions in human history, but it's a fond memory now.

In the present, he dips his head down and kisses Newton with all the sweetness he can possibly manage]

If I hadn't proposed in Hawaii, I certainly would have been moved to it now.

Edited 2016-07-02 07:30 (UTC)

[Hong Kong and the lights of the city in Hermann's eyes, like stars, and his tears, and dancing in their hotel room... Hermann is the universe. He is everything.

And though they will always have their picturesque rockstar landmarks: Alaska, Hawaii, that destroyed corner of Hong Kong and its bright beautiful counterpart, Hermann is four walls and a line of tape down the center. He is two different world's divided lab spaces, one apartment. He is the spaces that are theirs, domestic and personal and secure.

The kiss is soft and sweet and tastes of cherry and he's so overcome by the suggestion of Hermann's statement. If Hermann had proposed at home, Newt is pretty sure their brains would have short circuited. The kitchen, their apartment, the epitome of their domestic life together...and in it, the symbol of spending forever like this, forever as partners, lovers, friends, husbands...it would have been too overwhelming. And Hermann could never have properly recorded it--after all, Hawaii was public. A proposal, a marriage, that was public. This was their space...the personal space of quiet promises and intimate vows between the two of them and no one else.

Like their Drift.]

Good thing you picked Hawaii. The sand's a hell of a lot softer on your knees than this tile.

[Smiling against Newton's mouth, Hermann kisses him again. Everything feels soft and intimate and he strokes his fingers through Newton's hair]

Well much as I'd love to stay here, this counter is getting a fair bit uncomfortable. Perhaps we should put the ice cream away and relax. Get ready for bed and all that.

Right. I should let you go. [He pulls back reluctantly after another kiss and puts the lid on the ice cream.]

You know, even if we could, I wouldn't want to be permanently attached to Greg and Miles' brains. I mean, I still want to experiment, but I couldn't share this full time.

[Hermann fetches his cane from where he'd discarded it and straightens, stepping away from the counter and rubbing at his back. There's probably a red line of pressure indenting his skin there, but it's been worth it.]

Yes, I know. Hence the temporary condition. I wouldn't even consider agreeing to it otherwise.

[He lets Newton put the ice cream away and carries their spoons to rinse in the sink. Toweling his hands off, Hermann heads toward the living room and turns]

Coming to bed, or will you stay up awhile?

[Ice cream safely put in the freezer, he follows Hermann.]

I was going to brush my teeth and turn in, but I can be persuaded to stay up longer. You know I'm always down for discussions til 3am.

[He carries on through the living room and down the hall, pausing between their bedroom and the bathroom doors]

No, that's alright. Unless of course there is something you want to discuss. I'd only wondered.

[He gestures Newt toward the bathroom with the butt of his cane and nudges their bedroom open] Join me when you've finished then.

I can always find things to discuss.

[He feels like a teenager every time Hermann invites him into the bedroom that is now, for all intents and purposes theirs.

Newt makes quick work of his bathroom routine, ditches his socks, shirt and pants into the hamper, leaves his shoes by the door, and then makes his way to the bedroom in just his boxers.]

When we get that house? A Master Bathroom is a MUST.

[Hermann's just settling in when Newton returns and naturally, his eyes wander a bit. There are times he still doesn't expect the color of tattoos when the man undresses.

He gives the bed an inviting pat and slides under the blankets]

Oh yes, that would be wonderful. One that attaches to our room in particular. Another point in favor of a custom house plan, I suppose.

[He smirks and enjoys the attention as he makes his way over to the bed. As soon as he climbs in, he scoots over, drawing Hermann in against him.]

There was no way we were going for anything BUT custom. We're both way too good for cookie cutter.

[Hermann curls his body around him in a hold that's familiar to them both by now]

Hm.. too particular, you mean. I dread the overall cost. Well worth it I'm sure, but we have several other expenses to cover as well. My car should be finished within the next few weeks and we've got our wedding and honeymoon to consider..

Everything's always numbers. [grumble grumble. He buries his face against Hermann's neck. But Newt doesn't have a solution, because he wants a nice honeymoon, too, and Hermann's car is kind of important.]

Let's just elope in Anchorage, bring Qubit as a witness, and call it done? Then it's just the cost of the license.

[He breathes a sigh into Newton's hair, eyes closing and content. His voice lowers a bit]

You deserve a nice ceremony, Newton.. We both do. And you've given me so much to work with.

Alright. Okay. I'll let you plan this, but if it comes down to it--[Yawns]--if it gets expensive? It doesn't have to be big. Or nice. Just you and me and something kind of official.

[It's terrible how contagious yawns are and Hermann blinks away tears]

Don't worry about it, Newton. I've already run all my figures until March 27th. There should be enough. We should.. hm, get quotes from whomever Miles got to build their house..

Yeah. A quote. [He yawns again and kisses Hermann's shoulder.] We could be neighbors with them [mumbly with sleep] and have barbecues and parties and our cats could be friends and zippo could start a forest fire and we could have a baby kaiju and live happily ever after and

[He hums after another yawn and rubbed his fingers along the back of Newton's neck. His eyes are getting heavier, and he sighs contentment]

Yes, that sounds nice..

[Warm and comfortable, he follows Newton to sleep]

ic contact

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject