[Gregor watches Bel carefully, not-quite-apprehensively, but the first words out of their mouth about drunk-texting make his brown eyes widen and a crack of helpless laughter break from his lips before his hand steals up to press over them, his face more alive than it's been since he walked in the door though the smile slides off it.]
I do. [His voice is quiet, confirming.] It's not widely known, but Simon does me the courtesy of keeping me abreast. [Gregor pauses to rub briefly at his forehead, dragging his eyes away from Bel as they look away and trying not to flush at that last.]
The issue of who belongs to whom is somewhat more legally complicated back at home, it's true, but--you've sworn no oath to me, Bel. I'd never question your loyalty, but I don't expect it to be to a person you barely know. Miles-- [Gregor stops, almost abstracted, setting the unopened bottle down on the bed to curl his hands around his elbows and sigh.]
I sometimes have no idea what I've done to deserve Miles. For good or for ill. [A smile flickers at the corners of his mouth before its snuffed out.] But I've watched him pour himself out down our bottomless well of a homeworld for years and years before he found the Dendarii. You... fill him to the brim again, somehow, until he's spilling over. I remember Vervain--it's damn infectious. But I know he belongs to you too, in a few very important ways. [He looks up again, his eyes warm.]
And you love him. [Gregor's voice is very gentle.] I'm aware you certainly don't do it for my sake, but it means a great deal to me anyway. There are precious few people I know who are compassionate and intelligent enough to do so.
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I do. [His voice is quiet, confirming.] It's not widely known, but Simon does me the courtesy of keeping me abreast. [Gregor pauses to rub briefly at his forehead, dragging his eyes away from Bel as they look away and trying not to flush at that last.]
The issue of who belongs to whom is somewhat more legally complicated back at home, it's true, but--you've sworn no oath to me, Bel. I'd never question your loyalty, but I don't expect it to be to a person you barely know. Miles-- [Gregor stops, almost abstracted, setting the unopened bottle down on the bed to curl his hands around his elbows and sigh.]
I sometimes have no idea what I've done to deserve Miles. For good or for ill. [A smile flickers at the corners of his mouth before its snuffed out.] But I've watched him pour himself out down our bottomless well of a homeworld for years and years before he found the Dendarii. You... fill him to the brim again, somehow, until he's spilling over. I remember Vervain--it's damn infectious. But I know he belongs to you too, in a few very important ways. [He looks up again, his eyes warm.]
And you love him. [Gregor's voice is very gentle.] I'm aware you certainly don't do it for my sake, but it means a great deal to me anyway. There are precious few people I know who are compassionate and intelligent enough to do so.