driftsintobuffetline

I'm not American, Newton.

[Now maybe he was, technically, but this world's special circumstances hardly counted]

Yes, that particular feeling has been mutual for some time. I didn't know what I wanted with you at first, but dating proved to be nice, and then Hong Kong of course..

Excuses.

Dating WAS nice. Almost miss it, almost. And what do you mean you didn't know what you wanted with me? Come on, man. I put out the first night. Obviously you were into it for some hot Kaiju-Groupie action.

Well yes, but emotionally speaking, I didn't know if it was just adding a new physical dimension to our existing relationship or the serious investment it turned out to be. I hadn't expected our dates to go well, especially considering that I hadn't been a particularly good friend up to that point. It was a bit daunting to think about really.

What the hell are you talking about? You were a great friend, Hermann. Are. Are a great friend. You're the Best. Did I want to stab you in the eye in August? Sure. But you probably wanted to rip my head off, so we're even.

Look. Present your evidence and I'll refute it. And while I'm proving you wrong, you honestly think we would have not gotten a serious investment out of that night in November? Did you read those letters we sent? Were you there March 2017? We are in DEEP, dude. We have never NOT been in deep with each other.

It seemed like a similar scenario that night, as it had become apparent in the argument well, before, that I hadn't changed much.

I wasn't kind or terribly sympathetic, still made thoughtless comments like nothing had changed and you wanted.. well, you didn't know at the time, but more than that. I'd grasped that much, but really wasn't certain I could keep that sort of thing up for an extended period of time.

I know I'm not as demonstrative or affectionate as you deserve, and there were times I was certain you'd eventually leave because of it.

A) I was unfair. This is me admitting I was wrong and that I have always been highly critical of you. You've changed. We're living together and working together because you changed, invited me in, and didn't push me away. B) I don't know what you think I deserve in terms of demonstrated affection, but...the fact that you're referring to it as what I deserve and not what I want--Do you listen to yourself, Hermann? You are so incredibly good. How is considering what love someone else might 'deserve,' and then worrying about whether or not you can fulfill that, NOT being sympathetic?

And C) I am the thoughtless comment king here. Do not try to take my crown. I will fight you.

[Hermann's quiet for a bit, recalling how much he'd doubted himself then and justified the relationship to himself with as many shows of love and affection as he could manage.

It wouldn't have been the first time someone accused him of not caring enough- wouldn't even be the first time Newton had said as much in different words during one of their arguments- but it's not something he wants to hear now.

He breathes a quiet sigh, Newton's reassurance washing over him like a balm.]

Thank you, Newton. You can keep your crown, I promise. One of us needs to have some degree of tact, after all.

Edited 2016-06-29 19:29 (UTC)

Please. Tact is overrated.

Anyway, I'm in the lobby, so I'll be up in a few. Miss me terribly yet?

I'm not certain how I've survived this long.

Yeah yeah. Cute. I'll be your hero, babe. I'll come rescue from this misery and loneliness your wallowing in.

Please do.

Anything for you.

[The elevator ride is fairly short, and Newt disembarks on their floor, ice cream in the plastic sack from the corner grocer. At their door, he doesn't even bother fishing out his keys or ending the call, and just knocks loudly, calling through the door.]

Hey, if there isn't a cat in your lap, open up!

[Hermann tsks audibly, and the feed ends.

A few moments later, the door unlatches and opens. Hermann steps back to let Newton in, eyeing the plastic bag in his hands, and rolls his eyes]

Well at least I didn't suffer needlessly.

Boo hoo. Be nice or I'll eat it all myself. Anyway, you got to set up a playdate with Miles. It wasn't like my absence was a total waste.

[Carrying the bag to the kitchen.] Sometimes I almost think you get more social when I'm not here.

[Hermann locks up the door and follows after him]

Oh please. You're forgetting he contacted me first to apologize. Regarding said 'playdate' however, I did mention you're interested, and he's said he'll ask Gregor about it.

I'm glad you two are talking again. The whole simmering "we are annoyed with Miles who wasn't Miles at the time" thing kicking around in our heads was a bit much.

[He gets out a spoon and pulls the lid off the pint of Cherry Garcia (or, let's be honest, whatever this world's equivalent of it is...but regardless, it was clearly identifiable as Ben & Jerry's to those who know ...aka not Hermann). He scoops a spoonful and eats it.]

It's not like he actually tried anything. And you know he wasn't going to get anywhere with the proposition, ring or not.

[Hermann gives a half shrug, circling around to the silverware drawer for a spoon]

No he wouldn't have, but it was in exceedingly poor taste and effectively ruined our moment.

[He dips his spoon in for a small sampling]

I certainly didn't appreciate it, but he's apologized and that's enough. I made sure he was aware he's invited to our wedding, along with his family.

[He hooks a finger in a pocket of Hermann's pants and pulls him closer.]

He was't exactly himself, mind you. But yeah, okay. He and Greg and Kitty, I guess, and their moms and I guess Miles' dad's here, and Mark... They probably have more we don't know about; they're like rabbits. It's going to be a huge wedding, if we invite them all.

[He leans into Newton's side with a brief glance]

I wouldn't say that. We're only inviting our friends, really. Joaquin, Manolo, Qubit, Miles' family.. your friend Jo? And of course whomever they invite. Gregor and...... Ms. Jones, yes. I don't really expect Qubit to bring anyone, but he might. I'd estimate roughly twenty people altogether.

Twenty's a good number. I'll start working on convincing Jo she's got to bring a date.

[He scoops out a cherry and looks up at Hermann "slyly."]

Speaking of dates--of dating--I think there was talk of a kiss or something? I've been home a whole minute, Hermann, and not a single kiss.

[And now he's trying not to smile. Really, Newton is awful, he shouldn't be charmed. He sets his spoon on the lid and turns more fully to face him]

Well that's a terrible shame and I suppose I should remedy that.

[Even if the 'resisting the urge to smile' wasn't all over Hermann's face, it was all over their Drift, a fun, tingly feeling that reminded Newt of butterflies and blushing and the sound of Hermann's voice when he playfully scolded.

He ate the cherry and then toyed with the spoon between his lips.]

Yeah, you really should.

[Suffice to say all of his attention is focused on Newton's mouth and the spoon teasing those lips. His fingers alight on Newton's scruffy chin, tipping up just as he steps forward and leans in.

He tastes like ice cream because of course he does, and Hermann's tongue seeks out the cherry hiding behind those lips]

[Newt plays keep-away only about as long as he can resist, which isn't long. The cherry is Hermann's, but Hermann's lips are now on Newt and his tongue is in Newt's mouth and vice versa, so the cherry is a fair sacrifice. The spoon clatters somewhere on the counter where Newt discards it and his hand moves to Hermann's hip as he steps him back against the counter.]

[Hermann only draws back a moment to chew and swallow his well-earned treat, but he's back just as quickly to share the flavor on his tongue.

His cane goes the way of Newton's spoon once he loses his need for it, and there's something deeply thrilling about this exchange. That they can do this, share this, so easily now. It's not the first time he's had the thought and it certainly won't be the last. For now he's content to wrap his arm about Newton's waist and draw them closer together.]

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