mathemagier | IC Contact Post

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.

[ Voiced or not, he still feels the dig in there, between the lines.

He slams the taxi door harder than necessary and pays the driver, then comes around the back of the taxi and hops onto the curb. ]

Oh, sure, heaven forbid you turn into soccer mom.

For the record, you ARE taken seriously--I take you seriously, so DAMN seriously, sometimes, I don't know where the act ends and the man begins! Every so often, Hermann...I just-- [When Hermann talks about his projects or interests and gets that giddy sparkle in his eyes; when he kisses Newt and doesn't worry so much about the audience; when he's nervous and soft, or angry fire and passion, instead of cold, granite -- That's when he's the most like the man in the letters. Newt still sometimes has trouble reconciling his notions of what Hermann was then, was not that long ago, is now, and actually IS. Clearly he's not done a good job this time, either.]

[The tense set of his shoulders softens, sympathetic to Newton's frustration. He offers out a hand to him (something he'd told himself he wouldn't do not moments ago) and steps closer]

You know, I.. I still remember when you yelled at that J-technician in my defense. I convinced myself it was pity then, and proved rather ungrateful in the moment. But I did appreciate it, even if I never said anything. Perhaps if I'd simply expressed as much, we could have been friends long ago.

[ Newt stares, confused by the olive branch of Hermann's hand and more confused by the memory. Not because it has no place in this conversation--it does, at least he thinks it does--but because once upon a time, a row like this would have lasted all the way back to the apartment. The day would have been ruined. It would not have ended like this.

Every inch of Newt wants to casually brush off the feelings, be flippant, or to even accept with a well-balanced 'Maybe if we both could've gotten our heads out of our asses, we could have been friends sooner.'

But that doesn't really cover what was actually being expressed. Newt is sort of getting it this time, even with his own understanding of social cues and feelings being terrible. Something needs to be spelled out, he thinks. Or maybe he just wants to repeat it and it doesn't matter if Hermann already knows.

He takes Hermann's hand.]

I may suck at showing it, but I do respect you, Hermann--and I don't say that for anything in return-- You just need to know: you're amazing. You've always been amazing. Behind the sweater vests and--and I wish you didn't feel you have to work so hard to make people see that.

I... [Is he reading this right? He's not, is he. Newt plows forward anyway.] ...I'm sorry. About my preconceptions. They are pretty baseless. I don't...really know what you like or anything. But, hey, you know, since we're best friends, if you want to talk about stuff...? Maybe over ice cream?

[Honest emotions have always been uncharted territory for them. They each have their defenses and shortcomings; Newton's bluster and his own reticence. It's a difference in expression that inevitably leads to frequent miscommunication, and compromise is still new to them.

There's still a few crossed wires between them, but although it's stilted and awkward, this is them trying.]

I know, Newton. I know that now. Just as I'm fond of you yet frequently fail to express as much.

[But he's really trying. Kissing Newton on New Years, letting him hold his hand in public. Maybe it's still a far cry from a love declaration, but it's progress]

And yes, perhaps we need to do more of this 'getting to know you' business. [The barest hint of a smile twitches at his lips]

A blue sedan Newton, really.

[ His smile is very charmed, somewhat hesitant, curious, like a kid who is offered an intriguing toy but is still afraid it will be pulled away from him.

And then the smile is broken as he flushes with embarrassment and flails a little and flaps his hand at Hermann. ]

Wha- Look! It could be a Mercedes-Benz, I don't know, whatever passes as a luxury sized sedan and says "I'm classy and sophisticated and you need to respect me." I'm not saying you need some crappy Ford Taurus-- You market yourself as this ...this really straight-laced uptight, kind of traditional guy, but sometimes I'm convinced there's a hot-rod under that hood, just begging to get on a nice Autobahn straightaway and--

[He continued to talk and led the way down the sidewalk of the little mall, not really intent on going anywhere, but maybe they'd find ice cream like planned. Or get a coffee because why the hell not. Easier to talk over coffee than sushi anyway. They would take the sushi home.]

I'm all for more of this 'getting to know you' business. All for it. Bring it. Although, you know, this car thing is kind of feeling like a dumb meme and, now that I think about it, I'm cool with that. I mean, if it helps as an ice-breaker, I'm cool with it. So the question is, what kind of car are you, Hermann? If we're playing this meme honestly, I'm totally a mini-Cooper with flames and pin-striping who is totally powered by an energizer battery and wants everyone to think he can race at Monte Carlo, but can actually barely get uphill. Which you knew already. You knew. So what are you?

[Hermann listens and allows Newton for awhile, until he realizes the man actually has no direction in mind and steers them toward a pair of doors into the mall itself.

He shrugs off his hood and finds himself increasingly bemused by Newton's comparisons. It's all too easy to picture, but he does stumble over representing himself through a vehicle and hums thoughtfully]

Well, perhaps a Mercedes isn't too far off. All posh elegance, but so heavily modified that it fails to adhere to its initial design as a luxury vehicle. So it drives along at a sedate 50 kilometers per hour to impress, but get it on a long stretch of freeway and it flies.

Edited 2016-01-06 01:11 (UTC)

I don't think I've ever dated a Mercedes-Benz before. [He wiggles the collar/zipper of his jacket as if straightening it out and making himself more 'presentable.'] You're like a Bond car hiding under a luxury sedan shell--like the guy I took to the Masquerade.

[ Newt looks up at him, contemplating kissing him. Posh elegance indeed. Instead he flips back up the hood over Hermann's head and quickly steps out of reach of any initial cane swing with a laugh. ]

[The comparison affords him another smile, one that's swiftly lost in Newton's childish glee. He brandishes his cane, but makes no concentrated effort to hit Newton with it. Hermann tugs his hood back down and throws Newton a fond, exasperated look.

He pulls the door open and gestures Newton through it for a change.]

While we're on the subject then, please tell me your favorite color isn't kaiju Blue.

[He will never tire of being the cause of those fond, exasperated looks. Newt accepts the held open door with a playful nod/bow at Hermann. ]

I like it a lot, but no. The favorite color of the minute is green. Yours is maroon, right? That's what you said? Maybe I should have gotten the parka in maroon.

[That gets a grimace, because just no]

No need for that. Just because I like it doesn't mean I want to see it on everything. [He lets the door swing shut behind them and breathes in the warm air with a sigh]

Not quite like Mr. Qubit and his green coats. But I will keep that in mind for your future gifts- unless of course that changes.

It changes often enough. Black and white are always safe bets. I never want to be Qubit level of favorite-color-devotion. [ Newt makes a face. ]

You want some ice cream? I was serious about the cliches, but I mean, we could be like teenagers and get boba and that's good too. [ He casually wraps an arm around Hermann's waist. ] Come on, Hermann, lets be kids together.

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