brushoff | tlv ic contact

[Well, that's interesting, but only slightly. He's not really sure how that would make him feel, but he's curious enough to try.

But not on their terms

The dock turns to the Barge's deck under his feet and he finally looks up, pulling away from them both with a stumble.]

I can make it from here on my own.

Edited 2022-09-26 15:32 (UTC)

...are you sure, Henry?

[ Quieter. The 'discussion' is very much a separate thing, but the stumble has him concerned. ]

[ Dorian goes quiet, waiting for Henry to answer Jon's question. After all, a part of him wants to see how Henry responds. ]

Yes, I'm fine. [He snaps that part again, waving them away.]

I can walk.

[To prove it, he heads for the door on his own, intent on just sleeping for the next three days.]

[ Jon will just nod and back away, giving him his space and no longer questioning him. It's obvious from his face; he's concerned about him. More than just about the weakness and fatigue. ]

I'll bother you later! [ Dorian calls out, in a sing-song voice. It's only when Henry's out of earshot that he sighs, the devil-may-care attitude slipping away to reveal something a little bit more level. ]

It's a damn shame that temporary wardens can't change their inmate's powers. If I could remove that little condition that makes him pass the hell out every time he goes into someone's mind, I would.

[ He glances over at Dorian. ]

I'm more concerned about what may have slipped in while he'd made contact. Did you notice? The rhythm of his steps...

[ Dorian, who doesn't really know what Jon's referencing, shakes his head. ]

You've obviously spotted something I didn't. What was it?

Hopefully, nothing. And I'm just... seeing what isn't there.

[ He glances over at Dorian. ]

Keep an eye on him, though. Especially if his irritability doesn't fade at all, or gets worse.

[ Dorian nods. ]

To be fair, he's seemed like an irritable bastard ever since we first met. But I can do that much. He needs an eye on him no matter what anyway.

[ He tilts his head before glancing at Dorian. ]

You elicit strong responses, Dorian. [ A little more gently. ] And he's been pushed around by a supposedly 'loving' authority figure before.

[ His shoulders drop a little. ]

I, on the other hand, could probably have used a little more guidance. But such is life.

That's where we differ, [ Dorian dryly responds, as he goes to fish out a cigarette from his pockets. ] In no universe can I be called 'loving.'

[ That is a withering look. ]

Oh fuck off, Dorian.

[ But he's looking for his lighter and he'll offer it soon enough. ]

What? You know that's the truth. [ Dorian will happily take the offer of a light as he continues to be a pretentious asshole. ]

Loving is...different for something like me. It's so impermanent.

Something like you?

[ A faint snort. ]

You're still a person, Dorian. Don't be that dramatic.

[ sorry Jon, his natural state of being is dramatic. ]

I'm the ship of Theseus at this point. I haven't been a person, not like others think, for over a hundred years.

A fine point if we were discussing your humanity or your status as a human being, but as we're talking about personhood, you're just being dramatic.

[ He'll light one for himself as well, once he finds his own pack. ]

I'm Dorian fucking Gray. Dramatic is in my DNA.

And it somehow hasn't been switched out given all that ship of Theseus nonsense you were spouting?

[ He's going to tease you for your mixed metaphors, Dorian. ]

[ A pause before, ]

Oh hush.

[ but it's said in a more caring matter, not a chastising one. ]

I only hush when I'm wrong or when I'm asleep. As neither seems to be the case at the moment.

I bet I can think of a few other ways to make you hush, [ Dorian grins. ] After all, you can't talk if that mouth is being filled up with something else.

I don't generally eat, you remember.

Babe, that was flirting.

[ Blink. ]

Asking me... out to eat?

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