driftsintobuffetline

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.]

[Hermann's tongue has always been absolutely wicked and brilliant. But Newt finally breaks from the kiss, leaning against his chest, keeping Hermann pinned to the counter. They're lucky to have reached this point--lucky and daring enough to have made it happen. Fortune favors the brave, and opening oneself to someone is easily one of the bravest things. When did we become these people? How? Their path here is as tangential as their discussions.

He grins, picks up Hermann's spoon from the lid and picks out a cherry and chunk of chocolate with it before holding it up to Hermann. Newt makes no effort to stop the ice cream from dripping.]

You think Miles and Greg will let us test this aspect of the connect?

[The countertop digs into his back a bit, but with Newton pressed against him, Hermann can hardly summon a complaint. He does however, eye the ice cream threatening to drop onto his clothes with a bit of distaste]

Which aspect? [Like he doesn't know, then really thinks about it] Er no, let's not do that.

[He's a bit too late to save his sweatervest, but he makes a valiant effort. One drop falls just before he dips his mouth to take the bit of cherry and chocolate]

[He raises a brow when Hermann questions what he means, then smiles slyly when he clearly gets it.]

Purely for scientific reasons, though. Aren't you curious? I mean, when you get turned on, doesn't matter where you are, it's like everything lights up inside me--and when we touch, it's like standing next to the bass at a club, everything is intense, I am so aware of you, everything else is drowned out. I'm curious if it's that insane for them. Moreover, I'm curious if Greg gets impressions and feelings off Miles or if he ever feels like he IS Miles, or sees himself as if being seen... Just empathy or full sensory/memory reverb, you know?

Like tasting chocolate and cherry that you're eating.

[Of course it's the same on both ends, but hearing it aloud and described in such a way, like it's something wonderful and intoxicating.. Hermann stares, swallowing belatedly. While he does share a degree of that curiosity, he's not focused on it so much as his own wonder.

And it sounds fanciful, but they are soulmates. There's no part of himself that isn't matched or influenced by Newton, much as he's left his own impressions on Newton himself. They share everything, and it's not ideal at points, but there's the eternal comfort that neither of them are ever truly alone. Half-formed thoughts and ideas flow between them like water. If they're not always directly heard, then at the least understood and shared on a deep, basic level.

He rarely needs to ask Newton for anything anymore. The man knows precisely when to assist him and when not to, and unconsciously compensates for his vulnerabilities in public. And he'll similarly protect Newton when the man's brain takes an inopportune dive, take on whatever social engagements himself and get them somewhere private to recuperate.

It's a truly beautiful symbiosis and the deepest, most intensive emotional connection he's ever had with another human being. It's daunting at times, but there's truly nothing else in the world that he wants than this man in front of him, with green eyes and a brilliant mind and embodying everything he wants and needs, has agreed to marry him.

He's so overwhelmed with love and affection that his eyes sting with it and his throat locks up. The desire to kiss him again is there, but he also doesn't want to stop looking at Newton. Much like the moment he realized he'd fallen in love with him, it's a moment he wants to immortalize in his memory for as long as possible.]

Edited 2016-07-02 06:12 (UTC)

[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.

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