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[He has a decent estimation of the odds, and they are very low. Unfortunately, the exact percentage is lost to him, as he does not have all the numbers to calculate an accurate statistic, or he certainly would. The best he can do is a conservative estimate.

Hermann grips the counter and turns on Newton]

It changes everything! It would mean our DNA is not unique, or that it had in some fashion been manipulated. It changes our perceptions of self- something you can't seem to grasp!

[His mouth takes on a sardonic twist] But of course, you would be over the moon if the situation were reversed.

[He shakes his head and puts the kettle on, staring hard at the old-fashioned dials]

Even if he was a better model.

A better-- Oh hell, Hermann. A better model? Wow. So there we go. Now we have it. You're fucking jealous because this new dude with your face walks in and he's younger and more dashing and--

FIRST, and let's get this one on the table right off the bat: YOU'RE the one with a boner for hotshot pilots and space-cowboys and men in uniform, Hermann. Not me!

SECONDLY, YES, I would be super fascinated by a twin or a clone and, NO, I don't know what it would be like to question your sense of self or your special snowflakeness or your place in the universe, because you're not telling me!

[He is, however, starting to question their place in THIS universe. What if the reason that they're here--that they CAN be here--isn't that they've dimension hopped, but that they're clones/created and downloaded with the memories of the people they are supposed to look like? What if the original Hermann Gottlieb and Newt Geiszler are still back on THEIR Earth with the Apocalypse cancelled, living their lives?

It still didn't explain two Hermann-faced men (lab error? limited models to create with, and a restructured memory to accept their new appearance?) but it posed an intriguing theory that Newt wished he could bounce around with Hermann but would probably have to pose to Qubit instead, even at the risk of their friend thinking Newt is nuts.

~~Nuts or not, still doesn't exclude him from being right. He WAS right about the Kaiju, after all.~~

But that is not here or there. They think, therefore they are--or some philosophical bullcrap. What mattered wasn't why he and Hermann and Miles (and Igor? Gregor? ...Gregor) were here at all, but that they were still unique individuals because they just were.]

But but-- Most importantly? He's not YOU. He's a different person with a different history-- even if Miles' life marginally, thematically, superficially resembles your life, it isn't like he's been downloaded with your memories! He is not trying to call himself Hermann Gottlieb.

[His tone softened a little.] Because he isn't. He doesn't consider himself to be. I don't consider him to be you. And you shouldn't either.

You're real, Hermann. You're you.

[It's a line of thought he's touched on but chosen not to explore, as he certainly doesn't need anymore insecurities at the moment. His fingers flex and he turns his glare on Newton, despising every word out of the man's mouth until his tone changes.

Then he's silent, because 'real' seems awfully subjective in this world. There was proof of a strange multiverse where they met people who had only previously been characters, but now walked, lived, breathed, felt, and who was to say they weren't the same?

And that is.. a very disconcerting line of thought to follow. The anger drains from him]

For a given definition of the word, I suppose. Newton, I.. I believe I understand some of what you were trying to say about Cherno Alpha. It could be the same exact machine, but with any other pilots, the entire perception changes.

[Newt nods, silent, relieved to feel the anger draining out of his partner even if he knows that isn't really the end of this discussion, and he wraps his arms around Hermann's waist, under his jacket, and holds him tightly. Then he lets slowly lets out a breath, stepping back to look up at Hermann.

There can be a million Cherno Alphas. This one's mine.

But to say that? No. He doesn't need to scare Hermann off. Be cool, Newt. Stop staring. Don't make this weird. Why do we always have these talks in the kitchen? Why is there always tea? God, his eyes are pretty: deep, rich, like warm coffee. He grins, excited as an idea strikes.]

Hermann. Let's get out of the house for a while, forget all this. Just you and me go for tea or something. A date. Nothing big! Just a nice time. What do you say?

[Hermann rests a hand on the small of Newton's back. It doen't really feel like anything is resolved, but he can't bring himself to prolong it- or ask for the exact form of reassurance he needs.

So he stares at Newton (green eyes always magnified behind his glasses) and nods. Much as he really just wants to find their cat and hold her, it would be nice to get out of the oppressive atmosphere of their apartment for awhile. Perhaps reaffirm a few things.]

Alright.. [He turns and switches the stove off] I'll just need to get my coat.

That's fine.

[ He takes Hermann's hand in both of his as they start back to their rooms, fingers brushing the tender inside of his wrist briefly and Newt thinks about how, in just a few short days, he'll give Hermann the watch he's been hiding from him for a couple of months now, and he hopes Hermann likes it, that it isn't too weird or too expensive or too soon (it's a Drift present. It's about their friendship. It's not about kissing or dating or sleeping with Hermann at all). And he hopes he doesn't mess it up before then, or when they're in Hong Kong, and make Hermann resent the gift.

Sometimes Hermann can be so touchy!

Miles smiles so much easier it seems, almost like Newt himself, and Newt likes those smiles--because it's Hermann's face and that face is gorgeous--but Miles' are not the smiles he has earned. And Hermann's smile is so nerdy, sometimes a little shy, or smirky, or dangerous, and it makes his face do funny things, but it's such a good smile. And it's not an easy one to earn. But Newt's seen it directed at him and so, even one is worth more than every smile he's had from Miles so far.

In Hermann's room, Newt sits down on the end of the bed and lets Hermann get ready by himself.]

Dude. There's still some New Years confetti on your hood.

[Hermann curls his fingers around Newton's, their physical link as comforting as it always is. He likes how comfortable the other man in his room, and the warm fondness of seeing him in his bed. Because it always seems like they end up here, no matter what they do. His room is fast becoming 'their' room, and he's surprised to find he doesn't mind in the least.]

What?

[Hermann blinks at his parka, turning it over and a yes, there along the fur-lined hood are bits of colorful confetti. He picks a few of them out, but soon gives up the endeavour and shrugs it on before he spends the next twenty minutes removing every last sparkle he can get his fingers on.]

Well I'm sure I'll survive. [He steps into his shoes and offers Newton a hand he most certainly does not need]

Do you have everything?

[New Years had been such a trip. A great trip, and a wonderful experience, but Newt still can't believe he totally got away with kissing his new boyfriend, Mr. Grumpypants himself Hermann Gottlieb, at midnight on New Years in Times Square...in front of everyone. But there in Hermann's hood are little glittery sparkles and even a metallic "2016" or two to confirm that yes, indeed, it did in fact happen.

Newt accepts the hand anyway, then starts to giggle a little. ]

Dude. I just came in from coffee, we're going out for coffee again...we drink way too much coffee and tea. I'm beginning to think we need more creative excuses to leave the house.

[ He steps in close and tugs Hermann's hood up over his head. A few more sparkles fall from it to the floor and Newt holds the hood in place as he pulls Hermann gently forward. He doesn't want to tug too hard and pitch him off balance, but a little bit, just enough to close the height difference as Newt stands on his toes, and presses his lips to Hermann's in a kiss. ]

[It's difficult to kiss through the smile tugging at his lips, charmed by the reenactment such as it is. A special night he couldn't have denied to Newton no matter how camera shy. Yes, they'd kissed just like this. The only thing missing was the cold and crowd of people around them.

When he drew back, it was with the same pleased smile. He still had doubts and worries, but they seem less important now.]

We could take a late lunch or pick up an early dinner.

[ Newt looped his arms over Hermann's shoulders and peered up into the hood, admiring the smile. He was thirty-six years old and tripping over himself for a beautiful nerd with nice cheekbones. What the hell had his life become? (And if he had been sort of tripping over himself for said nerd for the last ten years, so what)

His smile turned into a quick frown, however, at the suggestion. ]

Hermann, please tell me you at least ate a decent breakfast. [He brushed his hands over the shoulders of the parka, straightening it and dusting off some more glitter, before taking Hermann's hand again.]

Where do you feel like eating? Because I could go for anything. Thai? Pizza? Sushi? Or you wanna be rebels and get food to go and then get ice cream cones and ruin our dinner?

[Hermann can hardly fathom how they've progressed from arguing to the utterly adoring smile Newton wore now. But their relationship had always been tumultuous; he supposed there was no reason for that now. So long as they continued to bounce back from their disagreements, they could potentially be happy together for a long time. He wants them to make it to next year, kiss him again under a shower of confetti and establish a tradition of sorts.

He's dragged from his errant thoughts by Newton's frown. For the best, he decides as his mind catches back up to the present. He was getting a bit carried away.]

Yes, I ate this morning. [He'd rather forgotten lunch by mistake, and watches ridiculous bits of glitter fall into the carpet. He'll vacuum it when they get back]

I will never understand your desire for ice cream in the middle of winter, but I suppose we could. It's not as though we'd need to worry about sushi becoming cold.

Edited 2016-01-04 04:49 (UTC)

Ice cream doesn't stop being a good food item in winter--you still drink hot tea in summer. And we're not going to have to worry about sushi becoming hot either, not in this weather. Zip up, Hermann, it was a bit windy out there.

[He leads Hermann out of the bedroom and down the hallway to their front door, still chatting at him.]

And you know, not my fault we got here too late to do all the summer things. I think it's been long established that I have zero patience, zero self-control, and zero ability to delay gratification, so if I want to check off the boxes on cliche date things, that's what I'm going to suggest we do.

And if you have a problem with it... [He turns as he's undoing the deadbolt and gives a smug, cheeky grin.] ...well, you've never had any trouble putting your foot down before, Hermann. [Newt holds open the door and made a gesture that said 'after you.']

[Hermann takes a few moments to tug up his zipper, then follows after Newton, shaking his head all the while.]

Yes, I'm well aware. [It sounds long-suffering, though he doesn't really mind. If it makes Newton happy to do these cliche dates, then they'd have them. He just may not finish his own ice cream.

It's the challenge in Newton's voice and smile that almost derails their plans entirely, but then the door is open and he resolves to kiss him silent against it later. Hermann bows his head cordially as he steps through to the hallway.]

I don't have any objections- at least so far. All I can say is that you won't be getting me into a photobooth.

[ Oh.

He can sense that resolution, and though that thought is very much Hermann's, the warm feeling in Newt's veins is entirely his own. It is still a relatively new experience to know EXACTLY when Hermann has those kinds of thoughts (it is still exciting to realize he has those thoughts about NEWT) and for those sensations to be a shared experience. Emotions, thoughts, opinions...those can be still very fuzzy and poorly translated between their connection. But, this? This is a red flag in front of a bull.]

If I want you in a photobooth [Newt steps through the door, pulling it shut behind him. His grin is a touch too cocky to really be seductive, but Newt thinks he's very clever, at least. He always thinks he's clever, but right now he thinks he's especially winning.] I'll have you in a photobooth, Hermann.

You just try to resist my charm. [He winks before turning away to finish locking up.]

[Edged with Newton's razor sharp smile, the man's phrasing manages to make it sound wildly inappropriate. A riveting thought to be sure, but one that absolutely will not become reality so long as he's sober. He doesn't have too much faith in himself while intoxicated, however.

Hermann eyes Newton up and down and reminds himself that there's a reason they wanted to leave the apartment for awhile. He clears his throat and turns down the hall]

I will most certainly endeavor to succeed.

[Newt laughs, though there's a bit of tugging at his collar and playing with his jacket's zip, and the distinct thought that it's very warm in here. He's pretty sure that Hermann knowing what kind of power he has over Newt is both the worst and best thing to happen to him in a long time.

He takes Hermann's hand, lacing their fingers together.]

Yeah, you do that.

[ They reach the elevator and Newt pushes the button because Hermann no longer has a hand free to do so, and then they're alone in the elevator for the short trip to ground level.

Newt just smiles at him, a little awkward, and then looks up at the numbers above the doors. Now's not the time to flirt, definitely not, if getting out of the apartment was any indicator, but he's not sure what to talk about either, and the door dings and opens before he can decide. ]

[Hermann contents himself with a brief squeeze of Newton's fingers and the shadow of a knowing smile. Perhaps the best thing about their sex life is the influence of the drift, ensuring they're most always on the same page as far as desire goes. And Newton is so easily worked up.

He stares out at the lobby and walks toward the doors with a sigh]

I really need to start work on that car now that the holidays have passed. [He's said a variation of those words most every time they leave, but it's a project that's suffered chronic delays. Mako's disappearance, the holidays, and now their trip to Hong Kong- but their vacation certainly takes precedence]

Remind me when we return to seek out a qualified mechanic.

[It's a familiar sigh, and the words that follow are equally so.]

Put a reminder in your phone. I'm not your personal secretary. [But it's friendly bickering and the tone and the look on Newt's face suggests he isn't actually offended and he will make an effort to remind Hermann later because he is the other half of the man's brain.]

I should have gotten flying powers--like Otachi, just [ A wings popping out suddenly gesture ] BAM, wings! Now THAT would have been cool. More useful than the blood, at least.

[He hails a taxi for them, even though the sushi place is relatively close. The cold isn't great on Hermann's leg pain, so walking even that far, both ways, when they already planned on going for a walk with ice cream later, would have been unkind.]

[Hermann throws Newton a look that's both unimpressed and highly skeptical.]

Even if you could fly, I very much doubt you'd have the ability to carry me anywhere. Limited functionality, much like my teleportation.

[He releases to duck into the cab and frowns, tapping long fingers against the handle of his cane until Newton's settled in with him. He gives the driver the name of their preferred sushi place and brief directions, and leans back with a cursory glance over the interior]

I won't deny that the hover technology has its uses, however much it does detract from the overall experience. If possible, I'd like to keep it as an option for use as the situation calls for it.

Edited 2016-01-05 01:33 (UTC)

You don't know that! You can't say for sure--after all, how many of these powers are honestly governed by the laws of physics or anything? I could have TINY wings like some CLAMP character, but get excellent air. YOU DON'T KNOW.

[ He scoots in next to Hermann and, once the door is closed, turns in his seat so he can rest his elbow against the top of the backrest, head against his hand, and look at Hermann. Easier to talk him if he can see him. ]

At this rate, if you don't end up with a hover-conversion Delorean, I'm going to be sorely disappointed. No, but okay, so we're looking into investing in a car in the next...what, month? [His unoccupied hand lands on Hermann's knee in a casual pat motion and then stays there.] What do you have in mind, exactly? Since, I know you. I know you have this all laid out neatly with a budget and backup plans. What's the timeline on this?

[He makes something of a face, because he doesn't want anything like a Delorean and Newton's taste is, as always, atrocious.]

Well I've sketched out some preliminary designs.. Nothing definitive on that front. A handful of notations to work into the design, I expect I'll be doing the majority of the body work myself- along with a fair bit of programming, of course. I do have a laundry list of features I'd like to include, but we'll see how that all goes.

[Sports car. He's decided on a sports car. But he's not ready to tell Newton that yet.]

As far as a timetable goes, well that does depend somewhat on the availability of whatever mechanic I manage to find, and just how much customization and optimization is needed to make it run like a proper modern vehicle. I've already allocated funds for labor of course, and an estimation of the rest.

I'm hoping the project can be finished within three weeks or so- or by early March at the latest.

Three weeks. [ Newt lets out a low whistle. ] You don't mess around, do you.

[He is picturing something utterly terrible, though. A conservative 4-door sedan with some nerdy additions. He just can't shake the idea that Hermann's car would be boring. Not that Hermann is boring--he very much isn't and has a lot of fire to him, but in terms of his stuff? Hermann buys very safe, very classic, but very boring stuff.]

Do you at least have a color yet? Let me guess: blue. Everybody does blue. Very safe. Or that old-man champagne color? My uncle had a car that color--ugly as sin, but hides dirt really well.

[No, he doesn't. Not when he's needed a vehicle for around five months now and either hasn't had the money or the time to do so.

But he's rather affronted by Newton's presumptions and frowns hard disapproval]

I've decided on a shade of red, for your information. Honestly Newton, first I'm-- [Hermann manages to stop that sentence with a glance to the driver up front]

Well your preconceptions are interesting- and rather baseless- I might add. I'll have you know that maroon is my favorite color.

[ Talking science, Newt is quick on the uptake, but socially? Not so much. He frowns, trying to puzzle out what Hermann's unfinished sentence means, follows his glance at the driver, and then gets lost again being affronted at his preconceptions being baseless. BASELESS, when he feels like he's spent a lifetime in that lab with Hermann! When they share a brain!!]

And you look really good in it [he hurriedly says, before defending himself] but that doesn't make my assumptions baseless, dude. When ninety-five percent of your wardrobe is--well, what it is--wouldn't you assume someone would choose the safe, conservative...--I mean, that IS the image you prefer to project out to people, and what better way to cement the White and Nerdy look than with a practical, mid-sized vehicle?

[They are already pulling into the parking lot of the small mall with the sushi restaurant. It really isn't far from their apartment.]

[They're on the cusp of another row, but trying desperately not to have one while still disagreeing.]

I prefer to be taken seriously. [And he curbs his tongue on a pointed dig about Newton's wardrobe because they came out to make peace of sorts.

The taxi pulls up to the curb and Hermann steps out before Newton can get out and run around the car. The wind is cold on the back of his neck, and he tugs his hood up]

And last I checked, I don't need a mid-sized vehicle. I want to drive Newton, not ferry people around on errands.

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