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]

[ 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. ]