TLV: IC Inbox

[statementfuckingends]

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

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[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?

[epistemological]

[ Very flat. ]

Because if there was a God, it'd be clear enough that He doesn't like me very much.

[statementfuckingends]

[Tim just snickers.]

I think you just like having someone who talks as much as you. And it's not like you don't practically wax poetic when you talk about the things, or people, you care about. Your love language is extended monologues.

[epistemological]

[ Jon's just going to give him a wounded look. How dare you call him out that accurately? The nerve. ]

What else is language for?

[statementfuckingends]

Bad pick up lines.

[The kettle pings, and he keeps talking over his shoulder.]

But it's more like- not everyone cares about hearing how much you think they put the moon in the sky for you. They feel the love more when you do things. Physical contact - not just sex, even just cuddles, holding hands, letting them use you as a leaning pole. Giving them gifts, since it shows you've been thinking about what they might like. Spending time with them.

[He comes back to pass Jon his mug.]

Remembering how they like their tea.

[epistemological]

That all just seems like part of any relationship. [ He gestures to the mug as he takes it ] And giving someone the right drink is just courtesy.

[statementfuckingends]

Well, yes, there is that. [Jon, please.] But it's more, like...

[He hums as he thinks about it.]

Look, I don't actually care about poetry, right? So, say if Martin tried to give me a poem as a sign he was crushing on me, and wanted to make that an overt, flirty gesture - I'd appreciate it, but it wouldn't really affect me like that. But, if Martin wrote me a poem, trying to make sure it appealed to me specifically and putting genuine thought and care into it - well, I still don't like poems, but I love that he put effort into making it special, just for me. And that hits me quite hard.

[epistemological]

[ There's a pause as his eyes drop a little and he swallows some of his tea. It's still steaming but he doesn't really notice. ]

Yes, that sort of thing... hits rather hard.

[ Says the man who had written Martin poetry. And recited it for him. ]

[statementfuckingends]

[Ah- perhaps that example was a bit too soon.

He moves in next to Jon, pressing gently into his side to try and ground him a bit.]

[epistemological]

[ He accepts, as much because he needs it as because he knows Tim will feel like shit if he doesn't. And he'll breathe in deep before admitting- ]

I... actually kissed Dorian. After all that. Incidentally.

[statementfuckingends]

[Pressed against him, Jon will definitely feel Tim's chest hitch sharply as he very nearly snorts his tea.]

Well, don't go doing things by halves, Jon.

[epistemological]

[ He ducks in a little closer. ]

He... He was being foolish. I needed to let him know I... how I felt.

[statementfuckingends]

Should I be worried about you snogging me next time I'm being an idiot, now that you're a free agent?

[But his tone is rhetorical, just teasing, as he wraps an arm around Jon's back.]

I take it things went well, since you're not paralysed by self-loathing.

[epistemological]

[ He looks up at Tim and it's hard to say if he's kidding. ]

'Worried'? Act like I'm the plague, why don't you?

[ But he shrugs to the rest. ]

I hope so. It's hard to tell.

[statementfuckingends]

As in you didn't ask, or too soon to tell?

[Not that he's making much of an effort to pry, here. He's just glad Jon seems okay with it.]

[epistemological]

Probably the second. But no, I didn't ask. He was... um... rather clear with his feelings in the moment.

[statementfuckingends]

[The arm around Jon squeezes in a warm hug, and Tim's tone shifts to much lighter teasing.]

Shame, really. That's another will-they-won't-they relationship I'll have to mark off my list.

[epistemological]

[ He looks up at that. ]

You have a list?

[statementfuckingends]

[The laughter that gets out of Tim is a surprised bark.]

The list is the shocker there?

[epistemological]

Well, yes, Tim, I'm well aware you pay attention to what I'm up to. Though really, you ought to know that I'm not exactly one to dither.

[ He makes his stupid decisions immediately, once they're presented. ]