milliways_bar | (no subject)

Lee, in a much-improved mood, is more than willing to distract. He's about to do so with a cheerful kiss, until he notices Namo's less-than-cheerful mood.

"What's wrong, cher?" he asks, sliding into the other side of the booth.

He blinks.

Cheerful kiss would have been most welcomed, but since he did not know that had been Lee's original intent, he cannot comment on it.

"I will have a son," he says simply.

He nods, understanding.

"So it's done?"

He nods once.

"It is done. She is with Asar-Suti and Gil this evening. I think she is in need of comfort and distraction."

He reaches gently for Namo's hand across the table.

"You look like you are, too."

He laces his fingers with Lee's.

"It is a choice I have made than cannot be undone... that creates another sentient creature. It is frightening," he confesses quietly.

"I know." He squeezes Namo's hand. "But neither of you made it lightly."

"No, we did not. She is pleased about it, seemed happy she was to have another son. She was also happy to know I wished for you and Gorlim to have such an active part in raising him."

He swallows.

"She has said it would not bother her for you to be called Adar -- which he would be able to do within weeks of being born..."

He feels a light blush spread over his face. He knows Nerdanel doesn't like him much, and to have her sanction as well as Namo's...

He doesn't know what to say, but merely stares at their joined hands, quietly delighted.

He does not know if his reaction is good or not, and so he assumes it displeases Lee.

"... He does not have to call you that," he says softly, glancing at the table.

He looks up, worried. "You don't want him to?"

"I want him to very much," he replies. "I just thought... your silence was you attempting to decide how to politely refuse. It is odd for me to not just know as I do with Gorlim, and so I thought to offer you a way out of the situation."

"No--no, not at all," he says. "I should have said something, I just...didn't know what."

He smiles softly. "I've never had anyone to call me that before." Although his niece and nephew might as well have, had he not lived a few thousand miles away.

"Sorry to be confusing."

"Do not be sorry -- I should not have assumed."

He opens his mouth to mention his bond with Gorlim, how it simplified so many things and offered comfort in other ways, but stops himself.

Lee had not wanted it last time they spoke of it, and he did not wish to seem pushy over something like that. Instead...

"You seem in better spirits," he says weakly.

He shrugs. "I'm doing okay, yeah. Patched things up with Mercutio." Although he's still not completely sure about that.

"Are you...sure there's nothing else bothering you?"

He remains silent for a long time, wondering if this was one of those times Gorlim would advise him to be silent. But if he asked for Lee to be honest with him at all times, it would be wrong to not do the same with him.

"Two things are on my mind other than the child." He does not meet Lee's gaze. "I spoke with Mercutio last night."

And that had gone swimmingly.

He freezes.

"...well, how'd that go?" he asks, forcing himself to sound cheerily hopeful, although he knows the answer is most likely something like 'about as well as the maiden voyage of the Titanic.'

He still does not raise his eyes.

"We did not part well. We did not meet well. I would have to say that the entire conversation was a careful swordfight with civilly spoken insults."

He closes his eyes with a wince, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

"Honestly, I doubt there was a worse night you could have met him on. I can't guarantee he'd have been a lot nicer if you met him when he was in a better mood, but of all the first impressions you could be judging him for..."

Might as well be completely honest.

"He was not the first to begin the duel of words, Lee," he admits.

He looks up, frowning.

"Then you don't condemn him for continuing it, am I right?"

"I did it knowing he would continue with it."

He sighs.

"Looking for an excuse to dislike him." He arches an eyebrow, not happy.

"I had already enough reason to dislike him," he replies, pulling his hand away from Lee's.

"Really?" He folds his arms. "Explain, please. I'm all ears."