milliways_bar | (no subject)

"Yes, I did. Among other things."

His eyes narrow.

"Your unhappiness was not my fault. Nor was his."

"No, it wasn't." He sighs. "I doubt he really thinks it is. He's not usually one to put blame where it doesn't belong."

He waves his hand dismissively.

"It does not matter," he mutters darkly. "I am pleased you are happy once more."

Not for long, if you're going to be like this.

He folds his arms noncommittally.

"You said there were two other things on your mind. What's the second?"

He shakes his head.

"Nevermind," he says quietly. "I do not wish to speak of it now."

He should have begun with that, not with Mercutio.

He looks away.

"Look--I'm sorry. I guess I shouldn't have expected you to get along with Mercutio. Especially if he's going to insist on being difficult. I was just...hoping you would, I guess, that's all."

"Why would you hope we would get along? Why would you think we would?" he asks, but then stops with any further questions. "Do not answer any of that. You are his, after all. And he is your lover, and I should respect that -- and I do. There will not be another encounter of that sort again."

"Because he's a good person, because I love you both, and because there is no reason for you two not to get along except possibly jealousy, which you've said you don't feel."

This time, he looks away.

At one point he had thought he did not feel jealousy.

Things change.

Lee regards him silently.

"All right," he says quietly. "It's okay if you guys don't get along. Really."

He won't say it.

He won't say it.

He won't say it.

"Thank you for your permission, Lee."

He said it.

"You're welcome," he says cheerfully, flat-out refusing to let himself get offended tonight. It's an effort, but he's managing.

Námo, who tries not to become offended, is.

He ... simply is.

The Vala stands stiffly.

"I am glad I could add to your happiness this evening."

"Likewise, darling." He leans against the table. "Oh, come on, leaving so soon? This is fun."

His eyes narrow dangerously.

"Perhaps for you. Not for me. If I wished for this type of conversation, I would seek out your lover. Or perhaps Ramon."

Oh, ouch. That snaps him right out of it.

"There's no comparison between the two of them," he says, voice quickly becoming deeply, quietly angry.

"Of course not. You love one, hate the other -- no comparison for you."

His glare is just as deeply and quietly angry as Lee's tone.

"Thought you liked Salazar." He spits the words as if they taste bad.

"I do. And while I can draw a comparison, you cannot, for you hate him with blinding fury."

"Damn straight I do," he says tightly. "With damn good reason. And my reasons for loving Mercutio are just as good."

"I would not dare question those reasons," he sneers. "So long as you are happy, hedgehog."

"And I wouldn't dignify it with an answer if you did," he snarls, laughing derisively, though it grates at him to have the nickname used mockingly.

"It is good to know that we can always be so open and honest in our relationship," he says with his own dark laughter.

"You asked. I oblige." He grits his teeth. "Want to take it back?"

"Why would I want that, Lee?" he asks sarcastically. "We have so much fun with our honesty!"