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[statementfuckingends]

You've reached Timothy Stoker, leave a message at the tone and I'll get back to you.

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[statementfuckingends]

Jon.

You are not the first person to worry about hurting the people you care about. Even with spooky powers.

[epistemological]

No, that would be ludicrous I just-

I don't... know how he could.

[statementfuckingends]

...how do you mean? You're not unloveable.

Look, you both want the other to be happy, that's the biggest thing. Everything else is your own self esteem trying to throw up red flags.

[epistemological]

[ A blink. ]

What? No- I don't think I'm unloveable.

I just... I don't... really know how he could hurt me. It's not as if I don't know what I'm getting into.

But I've had exactly two actual relationships and I... seem to be the common factor in fucking it up.

[statementfuckingends]

Alright, so explain to me how you think you'd hurt him.

[epistemological]

[ There's a pause before- ]

...I'm not... very good at knowing what someone needs. Or what they want. O-or how to take care of them.

[statementfuckingends]

Okay, that's fair. Those are good concerns to have.

But they're also really easily solvable, too. It's just a matter of good communication. You can always ask someone what they want, or what they might need, and you can ask them to tell you explicitly when they want or need something, so you don't need to try and guess.

A lot of taking care of someone is just getting used to the way they like to receive affection, and working within that so they recognise the effort.

[epistemological]

[ He lets out a breath. ]

Except when the person you love will put up with all manner of things, will let themselves be frustrated and unhappy and lonely and-

[ He breathes in slowly. ]

Georgie wanted things I couldn't give her. Martin... Martin could never thrive here, but he stayed for me.

[statementfuckingends]

Martin has his own issues he has to work on, and this place can be a lot. I'm not in a position to say anything about you and Georgie, obviously, but sometimes people just aren't compatible in certain ways, that might be really important for one person in the relationship.

Look, it's-- as long as you commit yourself to trying to communicate properly, in any kind of relationship, then it's on the other person to meet you halfway.

[epistemological]

[ A breath out. A long one. ]

Do you think... do you think something could work?

[statementfuckingends]

[Tim takes a long breath as well, as he thinks hard about the question.]

...I think Dorian's got a lot of work to do on himself, before he's ready for a proper, steady relationship again. And that's not going to be your fault, and if he doesn't work on it then it's not on you to fix it.

[epistemological]

Yes, well, I'm asking you on a practical level, Tim. Do you foresee this whole thing ending in a flaming mess?

[statementfuckingends]

It's just a bit of a loaded question, Jon, it's not a simple yes or no. I don't know exactly how self-sabotaging Dorian might be when he realises he has something nice, or how much you'll bend over backwards to accommodate his bad habits. Or even if he'll keep sleeping around in a way that upsets you if you end up formally together.

That's the problem with relationships, boss. They're complicated, no matter which way you slice it.

[epistemological]

...you're reminding me why I didn't get involved in any of this for ages.




Also, are you in the cabin?

[statementfuckingends]

[That gets a not-unsympathetic snigger.]

Yeah, just walked Winnie. You'll find my corpse buried under her body.

[epistemological]

No dying in my flat.

[ He's going to walk into the den and look around for the dog... and Tim beneath her. ]

Even if it's very comfortable.

[statementfuckingends]

[Sometimes you crouch down to undo a Bernese's leash and get jumped on when they're still excited about the whole affair. He's got one arm wrapped around her torso, though, and he's just accepted his lot in life to be her automatic ear scratcher. His tablet is propped against her front leg, and when he sees Jon he lifts his free hand to wave.]

Don't worry, I'm getting really good at holding my breath.

[But of course when Winnie hears Jon's voice her tail starts wagging, and when she stands up to greet him her big heavy paws slam directly into Tim's diaphragm, and he lets out a sharp grunt of breathless laughter.]

[epistemological]

[ That's a very flat look before he snaps his fingers and points down next to him, and Winifred trots over to sit next to him. It will earn her a petting and some soft murmured praise as he looks over at Tim. ]

She only does that because you let her, you do realize this, yes?

[statementfuckingends]

[He gives his chest a rub as he pushes himself into a sitting position, then back to his feet, but the smile doesn't leave his face.]

Well, maybe she deserves a little play. She's a good girl, she deserves to have some fun in her own house.

[epistemological]

She has plenty of fun. I'm not a dictator.

[ And the dog is still getting pettings. Jon's hands just do that when one of the furbabies is around. ]

Her toy is in the freezer if you want to give her a treat. I was able to pick up peanut butter.

[statementfuckingends]

Think we should see if we can't get the kids to grow peanuts in the greenhouse at some point? It's not like peanut butter's hard to make.

[He gives Winnie a drive-by fluff as he walks out of the den, intent on spoiling his bequeathed niece.]

[epistemological]

[ She, as always, leans into the touch as Jon moves aside to give him room. His kitchen's not particularly large. ]

I doubt they'd be against it. I don't think peanut farming is particularly arduous or terrible for the soil.

[statementfuckingends]

Just have to make sure none of them have any allergies.

[He pops the kettle on, of course.]

Like you talking about romance. You practically break out in hives.

[epistemological]

[ He rolls his eyes and gives him a Look at that. ]

It's not my area of expertise. Some people are awkward about the whole thing.

[statementfuckingends]

So why is it that you keep being drawn to men who are, historically, declarative as hell?