[ Ephemera thinks he knew that, on some level. That it's about paying attention o people, listening to them. Noting the cues they give off. It's not the same as being out in armor all the time. At least then, Ephemera knew how to read everyone around him.
No. He knew how to do threat assessments. It's not the same here. That's better, he thinks.
Ephemera shifts again, resting his head on Drake's shoulder. ]
[ It's not that hard to understand, really. There are a lot of reasons why Ephemera might feel a little behind the curve. Limited socialization outside of his team, everyone in armor all the time, the fact that he pretty much only ever interacted with soldiers, be they friend or foe... it's hard enough for people returning to civilian life in their own worlds, let alone winding up in a different one entirely. All that considered?
Drake turns toward Ephemera, pressing a kiss to his forehead. ]
I think you're doing great, and I'm obviously not the only one. Maybe I've gotta step up my game...
[ It’s such a small gesture, but it’s tender and Ephemera feels something warm and welcome spread through his chest. Funny thing is, no matter how twisted up he feels around other people, Drake’s always there on the other side. Waiting for him.
He huffs a little, cracking his good eye at Drake. ]
His name’s Kazu. Think you’d like him.
[ Maybe Ephemera’s made a friend. That’d be nice. ]
[ Drake does his best to look offended, but it really doesn't work and dissolves into a broad grin very quickly. As if he isn't exactly the kind of guy to shake hands first and offer to buy an opponent who beat him a celebratory drink. The name sounds familiar, but he can't place it right this second. It'll come to him later. ]
Nah, I already like him for being good to you. And I'm always here. You feeling better?
[ Ephemera snorts, nudging Drake with his arm. Even if he were the type to get jealous - and Ephemera never has, doubts he ever will; something with how he's wired, maybe - he knows it wouldn't change things between them. This thing they have just is. Even with the city's bullshit exploding all around them, they're solid.
Somehow, they've built this. It's theirs. They have a dog now. ]
[ The nudge gets a soft laugh -- no, Drake's not worried about anything changing, at least not somebody being able to woo Ephemera away like he joked earlier. No matter what other connections they make, those will be different from what the two of them have together. Fill a different need, maybe. Not less real or important, just still not going to replace this. ]
Sometimes, but nobody's completely immune to that.
[ It wasn't too long ago that he nearly turned into a popsicle trying to sort through something on his own that he really only needed to open up about. He gives Ephemera a grateful little squeeze. ]
You came over and talked about it instead of letting it get overwhelming. Last year I dunno if you would have... I'm really proud of you.
[ It's far from the first time Drake's heard Ephemera say that -- that he's trying to be a person again. He never really understood what it meant to the other man, never asked him to try and define what the goal was. What criteria were missing. And he's not gonna do that now, just ask gently, ]
[ There's no rush, Ephemera can take as long as he needs. Both to answer the question and to work on himself. Drake doesn't hold him to whatever metric he's got in his head, though. ]
[ Ephemera cracks his good eye, peering at him. Drake's always had a lot of faith in him. A lot of trust. Ephemera doesn't know if he's earned all of it.
[ If anyone asked Drake, he'd say all of it was earned. Maybe he'd been a little generous in the beginning, but you could think of it as an advance. He'd seen someone worth believing in and despite the ups and downs he'd never felt like his faith was misplaced, or his trust broken. Ephemera had grown and healed and blossomed and was always, always there for him.
And now they're here. Things are different, but also they're not. He knows Ephemera, no matter what else changes, and loves him more than he thought he could love anyone.
Drake smiles at him warmly, reaching over to tilt his face up a little more. ]
Hope you're okay hearing it back. 'Cuz I love you, too.
[ It's a soft kiss, hauntingly gentle. Ephemera makes a small sound and presses into it, reaching up to put his hand over Drake's. Curling around his wrist, holding loosely. ]
[ How far they've come, Drake thinks to himself, a little thrill running through him at how Ephemera presses in. At the way he can feel the other man's words rumble between them, the grip on his wrist keeping him close. He turns his head a little more, ghosting his lips along the line of Ephemera's jaw up to his ear, voice a low murmur. ]
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[ Ephemera thinks he knew that, on some level. That it's about paying attention o people, listening to them. Noting the cues they give off. It's not the same as being out in armor all the time. At least then, Ephemera knew how to read everyone around him.
No. He knew how to do threat assessments. It's not the same here. That's better, he thinks.
Ephemera shifts again, resting his head on Drake's shoulder. ]
Think you will. Think you always have.
no subject
[ It's not that hard to understand, really. There are a lot of reasons why Ephemera might feel a little behind the curve. Limited socialization outside of his team, everyone in armor all the time, the fact that he pretty much only ever interacted with soldiers, be they friend or foe... it's hard enough for people returning to civilian life in their own worlds, let alone winding up in a different one entirely. All that considered?
Drake turns toward Ephemera, pressing a kiss to his forehead. ]
I think you're doing great, and I'm obviously not the only one. Maybe I've gotta step up my game...
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He huffs a little, cracking his good eye at Drake. ]
His name’s Kazu. Think you’d like him.
[ Maybe Ephemera’s made a friend. That’d be nice. ]
Thanks. For being here.
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[ Drake does his best to look offended, but it really doesn't work and dissolves into a broad grin very quickly. As if he isn't exactly the kind of guy to shake hands first and offer to buy an opponent who beat him a celebratory drink. The name sounds familiar, but he can't place it right this second. It'll come to him later. ]
Nah, I already like him for being good to you. And I'm always here. You feeling better?
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Somehow, they've built this. It's theirs. They have a dog now. ]
Yeah. Think I wind myself up, sometimes.
[ He gets anxious. Ties himself up in knots. ]
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Sometimes, but nobody's completely immune to that.
[ It wasn't too long ago that he nearly turned into a popsicle trying to sort through something on his own that he really only needed to open up about. He gives Ephemera a grateful little squeeze. ]
You came over and talked about it instead of letting it get overwhelming. Last year I dunno if you would have... I'm really proud of you.
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[ Things were different then. He was different. And now -
Ephemera sighs, closing his good eye again. There aren’t many people he can relax like this around. ]
I’m trying to be more of a person. A full person.
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Does it feel like you're not there yet?
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Depends on the day.
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Okay. Just know you always are to me, yeah?
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He wants to, though. ]
I love you.
[ It comes out soft. ]
Just wanted to say it.
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And now they're here. Things are different, but also they're not. He knows Ephemera, no matter what else changes, and loves him more than he thought he could love anyone.
Drake smiles at him warmly, reaching over to tilt his face up a little more. ]
Hope you're okay hearing it back. 'Cuz I love you, too.
[ He's also getting kissed now, slow and sweet. ]
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I am. I really am.
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Let me show you?
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…yeah. Show me.