[Wilhelm smiles softly under the kiss nestled against his temple. When he's with Rhy, he catches himself waiting for little tokens of affection like this, counting and measuring them. His brain, a mess of defense mechanisms engineered on behalf of his heart, makes excuses for the importance he misplaces on these moments. It writes off any meaning in his own intentions — and certainly any meaning in Rhy's actions.
He's still in love with Simon. That's the truest thing he knows.
Withdrawing from the embrace, Wilhelm moves toward the fire to place the little wooden frog on the narrow mantle the stretches over the hearth. Already perched there is a glass snow globe encompassing a tranquil pond in a tiny wood.]
Now I feel bad that I didn't get you anything.
[And he does look sheepish, tucking his hair behind his ear.]
What? [ Rhy blinks. Listen, he doesn't know what Christmas is. ]
Oh, no, you don't have to feel bad at all! I was feeling restless and wanted to carve some things. I thought it'd be nice to carve something my friends would enjoy.
That's why I asked you what animals you like.
It's really nothing worth feeling guilty over. If it makes you feel better, we don't have such traditions in my world. I only heard about it here.
[Moving back toward him, he slips his fingers down Rhy's wrist, tracing his knuckles before taking his hand. His eyes fall to the link formed of their hands, then flutter up to him.]
Okay. [It's not hard to concede to those kind, warm eyes.] I just...really appreciate everything you've done for me.
[Not just the thoughtful gift, but everything else. Checking on him, making sure he's not slipping through the cracks. Making him laugh. Believing in him when Wilhelm sure the hell doesn't. Pulling him out of his depressive funks or sitting through them with him. Letting him indulge in...not feeling so lonely for a while.]
[ Rhy squeezes his hand back, his smile widening. Then, he pulls Wilhelm into an embrace, holding him for a few moments, just firmly enough to feel secure. ]
I care about you, Wilhelm. I like spending time with you.
[Settling into the embrace, he holds Rhy with the sort of covetousness reserved for things you know don't truly belong to you, and the sort of gratitude reserved for things you know not to take for granted. He buries his nose in Rhy's shoulder, breathes him in, and feels at peace for now.]
Glad you're not sick of me yet.
[He says it like it's a joke, but it isn't exactly.]
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no subject
He's still in love with Simon. That's the truest thing he knows.
Withdrawing from the embrace, Wilhelm moves toward the fire to place the little wooden frog on the narrow mantle the stretches over the hearth. Already perched there is a glass snow globe encompassing a tranquil pond in a tiny wood.]
Now I feel bad that I didn't get you anything.
[And he does look sheepish, tucking his hair behind his ear.]
no subject
Oh, no, you don't have to feel bad at all! I was feeling restless and wanted to carve some things. I thought it'd be nice to carve something my friends would enjoy.
That's why I asked you what animals you like.
It's really nothing worth feeling guilty over. If it makes you feel better, we don't have such traditions in my world. I only heard about it here.
no subject
Okay. [It's not hard to concede to those kind, warm eyes.] I just...really appreciate everything you've done for me.
[Not just the thoughtful gift, but everything else. Checking on him, making sure he's not slipping through the cracks. Making him laugh. Believing in him when Wilhelm sure the hell doesn't. Pulling him out of his depressive funks or sitting through them with him. Letting him indulge in...not feeling so lonely for a while.]
no subject
I care about you, Wilhelm. I like spending time with you.
no subject
Glad you're not sick of me yet.
[He says it like it's a joke, but it isn't exactly.]
no subject
[ Rhy admonishes, with emphatic warmth, and presses a kiss to Wilhelm's hair. ]