milliways_bar | (no subject)

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!"

"Oh, it's a fucking picnic."

He scowls.

"You might as well tell me what else was on your mind. It'll be fun like an office party with Division."

He draws himself up, his eyes hard.

"I thought to speak to you about a mental bond again."

"Ah."

His anger fades slightly--not completely, but enough to keep sarcasm and cruel retorts at bay.

"I take it you're not thinking about it anymore." He jams his hands regretfully into his pockets, and looks at the floor.

"Would you care so much if I was not?" he asks, though most of the sting had gone from his tone.

He takes this as confirmation, and wilts.

"I didn't want to rule it out..."

He hangs his head.

"You are truly lacking in intelligence if you believe I would not desire such a thing with you."

"Oh, thanks," he says acidly. Intelligence is a sensitive subject with him.

"Just...we fight so often...I didn't know if you'd want it inside your head."

He sighs.

"Believe what you wish to believe, Lee," is all he has to say, though his tone refects his sense of defeat.