[The oversized parka with the fur-lined hood was a neutralish green in color, but still stood out amongst Hermann's equally neutral pallette of sweater vests, coats and slacks. Newt had shoved the parka in amongst existing clothes, trying to keep to whatever order Hermann organized his closet to maximize confusion and minimize immediate detection. He expected Hermann to notice, maybe even to be upset Newt entered the room and touched his things without asking. But the weather WAS getting colder and he couldn't imagine Hermann without the parka. It was part of the landscape of winter and besides, Hermann tended to complain when cold. It was in everyone's best interest, then, that Hermann be outfitted with said jacket.]
[Years of having a parka that very same color, style, and size meant Hermann almost didn't register the addition as new for several moments. It was as he reached for it, fingers cradling the shoulder of the hanger that it occurred to him.
For a moment, the insane thought that it had somehow followed him to another dimension struck him in a burst of hilarity, but sobered before he could do more than crack a smile.
Hermann yanked it out of the closet and laid it out over the foot of his bed, where he examined it for age-old tears and imperfections.
Of course it wasn't the same coat, and the green was just a shade lighter than he remembered, but that meant it had either materialized in his closet while he slept, or someone had slipped it in the night before.
As his fingers drifted over the waterproof fabric, the only real question he had was why- several of those in fact. The gesture was a kind one, if flawed in its execution, and considerate with no clear motivation. The first was typical of his drift partner, but the second vexing.
Perhaps Newton had deciphered his own thoughts at some point, and had simply taken the initiative? Given the man had gone to some length to avoid giving it to him directly however, should he even mention it?
Hermann surveyed it a final time, then turned and headed out of his bedroom and down the hall toward Newton's. There, he hesitated, uncertain once again, and gave a few brief knocks on the door]
[Newt sensed a flicker of uncertainty and Hermann-ish proximity just before the knocks came, and it was just as well he did given that he couldn't hear the knocks very well over the sound of his music. Turning down the volume, he draped the retro-styled headphones around his neck as he tugged open the door. The music, something loud, jazzy, and full of bass and blaring horns, continued to sound through the speakers.]
The Hermit has emerged from his cave! Look, if it's about the cereal bowl in the living room, I was totally coming back to it. Or I was planning to. I forgot, but yeah. I know it's there and you'll notice it's on one of my comics, not anything of yours so that qualifies as a coaster.
[Hermann's nose wrinkled. He hadn't seen the bowl yet, but he was sure it was full of shapeless mush]
It really doesn't, Newton, but I'll hope it bleeds through your comic regardless.
[A sigh]
I actually came to talk to you about the coat I found in my closet, and as the only other person in this apartment, whether or not you knew anything about it.
[Newt rolled his eyes and prepared a response when Hermann continued. Oh. His face briefly betrayed him, then Newt very adamantly shook his head.]
Coat? What coat? Nope, sorry, can't say I do! You sure you didn't buy something and forget about it? Or maybe it was Qubit. Yeah, you know, he sort of has an all-access pass to people's houses, including their closets! You should ask him.
[Newton was a poor liar. Hermann raised the end of his cane to slip between the frame and the door itself to prevent it from closing]
I must say I can't imagine the motivations behind such a gift. [Like Newton hadn't just attempted to close the door in his face] But as I lack any proof, I'm sure you can understand it's somewhat difficult to express my gratitude for such a thoughtful addition.
Motivations? It's not murder, Herms, to buy a guy a coat when he clearly needs one because he's fucking skinnier than shit. Is there anything wrong with the coat? No? Because if there's nothing wrong with it, why not just accept it and move on, without worrying about showing gratitude? People who need gratitude usually leave notes, right? They don't make you play Sherlock.
[Well that's practically an admission, even if he hadn't really needed one. Still, it's no less confusing, because beating around the bush isn't how Newton does anything. Had he simply been to embarrassed to hand him a coat? Or perhaps he'd only wanted to avoid an interrogation about his thoughtful gesture]
I've heard it's the polite thing to do. Unlike stealing into people's closets, I might add.
[Hermann dropped his cane from the gap, content enough to leave it at that if Newton wasn't inclined to discuss it further]
[His expression was unimpressed, but he pulled the door open a little further. Okay, maybe the gratitude wasn't as bad as he feared. It wasn't too weird so long as they bickered. And Hermann liked the parka, right? Of course he liked the parka. It was fairly close to his back home.]
Please. I'm in your head. By comparison your closet is far less sacred grounds. But, what, want in mine to make it even?
I shudder to think of the state of your closet, Newton. But should you ever find yourself possessed of another considerate shopping impulse, you can at least do so in person.
[[Almost Narnia referenced and then thought of Lucy]]
[Newt leaned on the door frame.] Hey, my closet is awesome. You could totally make it inside without tripping on shoes now. But fine. I get it. You don't like magic house elves bringing you jackets. Don't worry--it was a one time thing. The thing was on sale, that's all. It's just really weird to have cash to burn.
[Ah yes, their frankly overpaid positions- the ones they'd been shooting for in college, then never quite landed when they decided to sign on with the PPDC and fight a war for twelve years.
Unlike Newton though, Hermann knew precisely what he was spending the next few months worth of paychecks on]
Yes, I suppose it is. Well, I do appreciate it. I'm sure it will pull me through the winter admirably.
[He'd originally bought his to endure Alaskan winters, after all]
Yeah? [He gave a little, hopeful, pleased smile, feeling like the puffed-up, fluffy, self-important bird that Hermann always LOOKED LIKE in his ridiculous parka. Then, with a toss of his head, he added, far more grounded again] Well, yeah. It better. And, for tge reccord, it got great reviews online, totally like military spec, and it has a 100% satisfaction guarantee, which with you means more like 75% but still, demand a refund if it fails its most basic duty there. Can't have you bitching about the cold more than usual.
I figured you just like drowning in your clothes. I know mirrors are foreign concepts, Herms, but check yourself in one sometime. ALL your clothes are rather large for you. [He pushed the door a little so it swung back and forth, kind of fidgety, unsure what to say, but not ready to kill the conversation yet. Which was ridiculous. They talked all day, everyday, but it wasn't everyday Hermann sought him out and initiated the conversation, even if it was to inquire about the origin of mysterious parkas.]
Speaking of clothes, actually, you figured out a costume for the masquerade? Or asked our dear Mr. Rogers yet?
I do not. Though I'll admit the parka was ill-sized, it served its purpose.
[His clothes fit just fine, thanks. If his pants run a little loose, well there's a reason for that. Belts are wonderous inventions.
It felt like he should turn to go, but Newton wouldn't be swinging the door on its hinges if they were done.]
Mister- [Quietly thankful Newton's music drowns out that particular association. Hermann shifts his weight to his right leg]
You're still on about that, Newton? For heaven's sake, I'm not asking him, Ms. Dearing, or anyone else to the event. As far as I'm aware, all that's required is a mask, not a date or costume.
Yeah I'm still on about it. Is it wrong to want you--us--to have a little fun? I mean yeah, we did Oktoberfest, but otherwise the only actual party we've been to since saving the world was that shitty swear-in and that was more science shindig than anything. We deserve this, dude, and we deserve to have dates and to eat, drink and be merry.
[Newt looked momentarily unsure.]. You ARE going, right? Because I'm going and I'll throw a royal fit if I've got to go alone. Going stag's really only awesome if you're loaded like Stark or you have your posse and you're my posse.
Oktoberfest certainly had plenty of that. [The whole event had been more entertaining while drunk, at least] But yes, against my better judgement, I will be attending, if only to-
[keep you safe] Well, keep you out of trouble.
[Ahem] There's also the drift to consider, of course. I'd be distracted all night anyway.
Can't live without me for a few hours, huh? You miss me when I'm away? And here I thought I was the only one plagued with separation anxiety.
[Teasing aside, he eyed Hermann. Obviously the drift went both ways, but how badly did it distract Hermann? His trip to the scrap yard and to Germany had seemed to affect Newt worse, but EVERYTHING seemed to affect Newt worse. Hermann was impressively good at hiding his emotions, except anger, sometimes.]
[Hermann winced, not overfond of their new vulnerability. It sounded too much like dependency, and maybe it was, but still served as an unpleasant reminder. His fingers played over the handle of his cane in a nervous flex]
You know very well you're not. [They seemed to express it differently, and he largely suspected Newton's fear of abandonment exacerbates that particular problem]
To answer your previous question, I have not yet picked out an outfit for the masquerade.
Oh, okay. Well, you don't have to worry about separation issues. Like I said, you can totally come with me. We'll go together like Best Friends do and it'll be awesome.
And as for outfits, how about something that fits, for once. Not like you don't have the money and resources now. There's totally shopping to be found outside of thift store desperation, Macklemore. And tailors. Tailors exist.
[Hermann nodded, having already assumed as much, but there was something to be said for confirmation. Not that he'd intrude if Newton found an actual date between now and then.
And much as it galled him to spend a lot of money on clothing, Newton did have a point]
I suppose we could do with a visit to a proper tailor.
We? Okay, yeah, I guess me too. Oh man, I'm going to go Gothic Punk as fuck. It'll awesome. Or maybe something to match with my tatts. You think I could find a kaiju mask?
[Yep, there's a grimace there, and the general disapproval that's just an automatic response to Newton's preferred dress. With luck, they'll find a self-respecting tailor that won't indulge him too much]
Not an actual kaiju perhaps, but I'm sure you could find something suitably tasteless.
TASTELESS?! Frightening creatures are EXACTLY what Halloween is about. You're probably just going to go all posh and old-fashioned and put on a eyemask and look like some dour old vampire and I'm going to be like some Anne Ricean sex-god--Lestat, maybe, the rock star.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
mathemagier
October 16 - action. It's presumably a tiny log, if one at all,so here is fine?? They do tiny logs??
here is fiiiine, tiny log science bros
For a moment, the insane thought that it had somehow followed him to another dimension struck him in a burst of hilarity, but sobered before he could do more than crack a smile.
Hermann yanked it out of the closet and laid it out over the foot of his bed, where he examined it for age-old tears and imperfections.
Of course it wasn't the same coat, and the green was just a shade lighter than he remembered, but that meant it had either materialized in his closet while he slept, or someone had slipped it in the night before.
As his fingers drifted over the waterproof fabric, the only real question he had was why- several of those in fact. The gesture was a kind one, if flawed in its execution, and considerate with no clear motivation. The first was typical of his drift partner, but the second vexing.
Perhaps Newton had deciphered his own thoughts at some point, and had simply taken the initiative? Given the man had gone to some length to avoid giving it to him directly however, should he even mention it?
Hermann surveyed it a final time, then turned and headed out of his bedroom and down the hall toward Newton's. There, he hesitated, uncertain once again, and gave a few brief knocks on the door]
(no subject)
The Hermit has emerged from his cave! Look, if it's about the cereal bowl in the living room, I was totally coming back to it. Or I was planning to. I forgot, but yeah. I know it's there and you'll notice it's on one of my comics, not anything of yours so that qualifies as a coaster.
(no subject)
It really doesn't, Newton, but I'll hope it bleeds through your comic regardless.
[A sigh]
I actually came to talk to you about the coat I found in my closet, and as the only other person in this apartment, whether or not you knew anything about it.
(no subject)
Coat? What coat? Nope, sorry, can't say I do! You sure you didn't buy something and forget about it? Or maybe it was Qubit. Yeah, you know, he sort of has an all-access pass to people's houses, including their closets! You should ask him.
[He tried to close the door.]
(no subject)
I must say I can't imagine the motivations behind such a gift. [Like Newton hadn't just attempted to close the door in his face] But as I lack any proof, I'm sure you can understand it's somewhat difficult to express my gratitude for such a thoughtful addition.
(no subject)
Motivations? It's not murder, Herms, to buy a guy a coat when he clearly needs one because he's fucking skinnier than shit. Is there anything wrong with the coat? No? Because if there's nothing wrong with it, why not just accept it and move on, without worrying about showing gratitude? People who need gratitude usually leave notes, right? They don't make you play Sherlock.
(no subject)
I've heard it's the polite thing to do. Unlike stealing into people's closets, I might add.
[Hermann dropped his cane from the gap, content enough to leave it at that if Newton wasn't inclined to discuss it further]
(no subject)
Please. I'm in your head. By comparison your closet is far less sacred grounds. But, what, want in mine to make it even?
(no subject)
I shudder to think of the state of your closet, Newton. But should you ever find yourself possessed of another considerate shopping impulse, you can at least do so in person.
(no subject)
[Newt leaned on the door frame.] Hey, my closet is awesome. You could totally make it inside without tripping on shoes now. But fine. I get it. You don't like magic house elves bringing you jackets. Don't worry--it was a one time thing. The thing was on sale, that's all. It's just really weird to have cash to burn.
(no subject)
Unlike Newton though, Hermann knew precisely what he was spending the next few months worth of paychecks on]
Yes, I suppose it is. Well, I do appreciate it. I'm sure it will pull me through the winter admirably.
[He'd originally bought his to endure Alaskan winters, after all]
(no subject)
(no subject)
Well it looks rather large for me, but I suppose you went for replication accuracy. It'll suit me just fine in any case, thank you.
(no subject)
Speaking of clothes, actually, you figured out a costume for the masquerade? Or asked our dear Mr. Rogers yet?
(no subject)
[His clothes fit just fine, thanks. If his pants run a little loose, well there's a reason for that. Belts are wonderous inventions.
It felt like he should turn to go, but Newton wouldn't be swinging the door on its hinges if they were done.]
Mister- [Quietly thankful Newton's music drowns out that particular association. Hermann shifts his weight to his right leg]
You're still on about that, Newton? For heaven's sake, I'm not asking him, Ms. Dearing, or anyone else to the event. As far as I'm aware, all that's required is a mask, not a date or costume.
(no subject)
Yeah I'm still on about it. Is it wrong to want you--us--to have a little fun? I mean yeah, we did Oktoberfest, but otherwise the only actual party we've been to since saving the world was that shitty swear-in and that was more science shindig than anything. We deserve this, dude, and we deserve to have dates and to eat, drink and be merry.
[Newt looked momentarily unsure.]. You ARE going, right? Because I'm going and I'll throw a royal fit if I've got to go alone. Going stag's really only awesome if you're loaded like Stark or you have your posse and you're my posse.
(no subject)
[keep you safe] Well, keep you out of trouble.
[Ahem] There's also the drift to consider, of course. I'd be distracted all night anyway.
(no subject)
[Teasing aside, he eyed Hermann. Obviously the drift went both ways, but how badly did it distract Hermann? His trip to the scrap yard and to Germany had seemed to affect Newt worse, but EVERYTHING seemed to affect Newt worse. Hermann was impressively good at hiding his emotions, except anger, sometimes.]
(no subject)
You know very well you're not. [They seemed to express it differently, and he largely suspected Newton's fear of abandonment exacerbates that particular problem]
To answer your previous question, I have not yet picked out an outfit for the masquerade.
(no subject)
Oh, okay. Well, you don't have to worry about separation issues. Like I said, you can totally come with me. We'll go together like Best Friends do and it'll be awesome.
And as for outfits, how about something that fits, for once. Not like you don't have the money and resources now. There's totally shopping to be found outside of thift store desperation, Macklemore. And tailors. Tailors exist.
(no subject)
And much as it galled him to spend a lot of money on clothing, Newton did have a point]
I suppose we could do with a visit to a proper tailor.
(no subject)
(no subject)
Not an actual kaiju perhaps, but I'm sure you could find something suitably tasteless.
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