...Oh my God. [drags a hand over their face, bending inward in a gigglefit] Nice to know he comes by it so honestly. [from your side too, even! c: remembers to take another drink of water, finally feeling more like they're in a hangover-recovery session rather than a psychiatric trial.] You know, his mother made quite a splash leaving Beta for Barrayar, for all they tried to sweep it under the rug later on. There are so many Naismiths in the Survey, it could easily have been a coincidence, but I admit to have had a feeling about it. She left only a few years before I did.
[it worries the Inner Circle too, Bel's seen how their faces fall, sometimes, when he isn't looking, watching him at full speed and fearing the inevitable wall. he'd nearly bled to death internally the first time they'd known him, and so many other times, of course the fleet at large thinks him indestructible, but there are so many ways for that small fiery frame to break....
has an idea what might do it, though. it's what Miles has been waiting for all along -- finding the right Lady Vorkosigan would make his return an advance, a conquering storm, instead of a bitter, unchosen retreat. but who could love Miles and Barrayar at the same time? they've seen that too, too often, in the eyes of those close to him. but there's definitely no way to talk about that.]
He might surprise us both. He's... incredible, that way. [looking down at their hands, remembering the heat of Miles's cheek leaning into their palm for the first time, just for a moment -- wondering again if those last few moments had just been a dream.] I know he'll never stop surprising me. [beat, small smile] Starting to think you won't, either.
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[it worries the Inner Circle too, Bel's seen how their faces fall, sometimes, when he isn't looking, watching him at full speed and fearing the inevitable wall. he'd nearly bled to death internally the first time they'd known him, and so many other times, of course the fleet at large thinks him indestructible, but there are so many ways for that small fiery frame to break....
has an idea what might do it, though. it's what Miles has been waiting for all along -- finding the right Lady Vorkosigan would make his return an advance, a conquering storm, instead of a bitter, unchosen retreat. but who could love Miles and Barrayar at the same time? they've seen that too, too often, in the eyes of those close to him. but there's definitely no way to talk about that.]
He might surprise us both. He's... incredible, that way. [looking down at their hands, remembering the heat of Miles's cheek leaning into their palm for the first time, just for a moment -- wondering again if those last few moments had just been a dream.] I know he'll never stop surprising me. [beat, small smile] Starting to think you won't, either.