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 Posted: Fri May 05, 2017 2:12 pm
Leaving
Lawrence felt awkward, like he was going on a first date all over again. He didn't know why he felt that way, he'd been comfortable in Rodney's company for ages, relaxed and at ease around him. He didn't know when the thought of being around him had changed, but he had to assume it was recently. He'd started to almost flinch in anticipation whenever he was around him, uncertain when he was going to withdraw again away from him. It left him waiting by the portal in one of his fancy suits feeling unsure what sort of mood Rodney might be in when he arrived.
He'd not eaten anything all day so that he could at least eat something small if he had to while they were out.
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Posted: Fri May 05, 2017 2:46 pm
Rodney only had a few clothes, but he showed up in his outfit he'd brought for church, which was kind of dressy.
He was happy to get away from the island for a while.
It didn't help that he still had a trainee's worth of leave, while Lawrence and Melvin...
Melvin was better suited for Lawrence in every way. The longer it went on, the more Rodney convinced himself of it. But still, Lawrence was there dressed in his best clothes, looking...relatively sad and nervous. For Lawrence. That hopeful, missing something look.
He brushed his hair back, looking red. "Hello," he said softly, and took Lawrence's hand, giving him a kiss on the cheek in greeting. "You look nice."
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Posted: Fri May 05, 2017 2:57 pm
Leaving
There was a lot of relief that Rodney had even come and Lawrence relaxed just a little. He'd genuinely been concerned that even with the promise of a musical the other man would end up not coming at all. He'd thought for a long time he knew where he stood with Rodney, he didn't any more. Still, the same old feelings of pleasure were there, looking the other man over with the fond eye of someone who saw art in everything he did.
The contact felt more intense than usual, realising how touch starved he'd become again fairly rapidly. It wasn't a needy sort of touch starvation, just a sort of sensitivity that settled in across his skin after a while, making contact almost unbearably intense. Rodney's hand was electric in his and it felt like before all over again.
He didn't feel like he looked nice, even with the amount of time he'd spent to get his hair just right, his clothes just right, everything just right. "Thank you." he said, quietly. "I missed you. I'm glad you came." Because he'd said he'd be as honest as he could. "I wasn't sure if you would." And all of the uncertainty and confusion of the recent weeks was evident in his tone.
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Posted: Fri May 05, 2017 3:41 pm
Headline
Stepping out of the London taxi onto the pavement in front of the Royal Albert Hall it was apparent what was on that night. Over the doors was the title of the musical along with various posters proclaiming the same.
"I've always liked Phantom of the Opera." he said with a shy smile. "And yet, I've never seen it."
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Posted: Fri May 05, 2017 3:46 pm
London Town
It was a cool clear night in London when they stepped from the portal, people bustling past in the main streets, heedless of the little side street they'd emerged on. "It's a short walk to the taxi rank." he said. "London is so busy that we'll have to take public transport like common folk. Exciting." But his wolfish little smile was oddly pleased. It was the early evening and when he realised his missing hand was drawing a few glances Lawrence tucked it in the pocket of his (normal, civilian) coat.
"Just another two tourists in merry old London." he said. "Have you been here...before I mean?"
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Posted: Fri May 05, 2017 3:56 pm
Think of Me
Lawrence listened with a rapt sort of attention which was rarely seen in him outside of surgery or playing the piano. He forgot to make expressions, to put on the usual acts he performed every single day to look normal.
The main hint that he was still there was the way his gaze followed the action and his hand which sought out Rodney's and squeezed it firmly.
"She really reminds me of you, you know." he said quietly to Rodney. "I mean, you are certainly not so dense, not so foolish, but you are an undiscovered and unappreciated gem on that island."
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Posted: Sat May 06, 2017 3:51 am
Think of me
"Christine?" Rodney asked back, laughing a little. "If...Christine lived in a- military compound it would be a different kind of story. But...thank you. If I lived somewhere that- art was important...being off-island is the only time it feels that way again."
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Posted: Sat May 06, 2017 3:56 am
"Art is always important, even if people don't correctly acknowledge it as such." he said, exhaling in quiet satisfaction in the show."It has the power to move people, to make them feel things, be those things good or bad. There is power for our enemies in art and power for our allies too."
It felt strange calling them allies, he didn't really feel like anyone was in his corner apart from Melvin and Rodney.
The longer he was here, the more he felt like things were how they were before, the more he lapsed into comfort and ease in the other man's presence. "I don't know how I would deal with it if my face got injured." he said.
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Posted: Sat May 06, 2017 4:01 am
"You'd still be handsome," Rodney told him, lacing his fingers with Lawrence's. "I think they're less...interested in how emotions influence the creation of new beings, and more interested in making those creatures into sharp things to hit other creatures with. But that's..."
Rodney waved his hand in a resigned way.
"I know there's more to it than that. And I'm...thankful for you protecting me,
all this time."
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Posted: Sat May 06, 2017 4:15 am
Lawrence gave Rodney a faint little smile. He'd been handsome once, certainly, that had been undeniable, perfect body, long blonde hair. Now he was just trying every day to recreate something that diminished every day, like holding onto sand that only slipped through your fingers no matter how hard you tried. "I suppose it wouldn't matter much." he said. "At this point. I've got enough scars it would simply be another thing to ignore."
He nodded though at the other man's estimation of the people they worked for. "They don't care about much other than pain and combat, even their research is all thinly veiled exploitation of another species and their energies. I'm glad you exist, I'm glad that there is someone who can see what they do and point it out. I couldn't, I don't realise the difference between callous hurt and caring for things. I need you."
He rubbed Rodney's hand with his thumb. "You are precious and I want nothing more that to continue to protect you, even if I am unequipped to protect anyone else."
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