[ Quiet; he's only speaking above a whisper at all because of his ear. If he'd acquired this armful of warm, feline putty through the usual means, with a metaphorical mask and professional finesse, he might be smug about it. But he earned it more honestly than that. He keeps him close without poking or pinching. His chest feels hollow—in a good way, like something's shaken loose and now there's more space inside of him than he thought. The fingers brushing up and down By's back are reverent. ]
But I missed you.
[ Self-inflicted. Silly. He knows that, so after that moment of simple sincerity, some self-aware joking worms back in: ]
Matthias and Tertia told me I didn't have a sense of humor. It is the worst thing that has ever happened to me, and I couldn't even make you tell me they were wrong.
too bad!!
[ Quiet; he's only speaking above a whisper at all because of his ear. If he'd acquired this armful of warm, feline putty through the usual means, with a metaphorical mask and professional finesse, he might be smug about it. But he earned it more honestly than that. He keeps him close without poking or pinching. His chest feels hollow—in a good way, like something's shaken loose and now there's more space inside of him than he thought. The fingers brushing up and down By's back are reverent. ]
But I missed you.
[ Self-inflicted. Silly. He knows that, so after that moment of simple sincerity, some self-aware joking worms back in: ]
Matthias and Tertia told me I didn't have a sense of humor. It is the worst thing that has ever happened to me, and I couldn't even make you tell me they were wrong.