Adstringendum voice mail

[leashed]

If you require my services and have tried to contact me without a response, I may be unavailable.

Please leave a message and I will get back to you as soon as I am physically able.

Romulus Hart, 1st lieutenant

Comments

[leashed]

No- it's not that I...

[He runs his fingers through his hair.]

I just need a little while to get used to it.

[danseur]

[ He holds his hand up, palm out, taking a step back. ]

Don't have to explain shit to me.

[leashed]

No- Morgan-

[He moves forward for him then, reaching for his hand.]

Just... give me a little time. Please.

[danseur]

[ It's Morgan that recoils then. If asked, he wouldn't be able to say why, exactly, but he's bristly, exhausted, and he shoves his hands into his pockets. ]

I'm gonna finish my walk, 'kay?

[leashed]

Come home.

[He swallows hard.]

I'm sorry- just come inside.

[danseur]

Nothing to be sorry for.

[ His voice is a little raw. ]

I just don't wanna sit down right now.

[leashed]

Alright. We can- do something else.

[Rome tries to reach for him again.]

What do you want to do?

[danseur]

[ Morgan hesitates, then takes his hand, absently squeezing his fingers. ]

Walk.

[leashed]

...alone?

[His voice breaks, and he grits his teeth, hating the sound of it.]

[danseur]

Walking can be a two-player activity.

[ He tugs his hand. ]

[leashed]

[Rome nods, breathing a soft sigh of relief.]

I'll be very quiet.

[danseur]

You can talk. I like when you talk.

[leashed]

[He nods.]

Are you sure you feel okay?

[danseur]

I feel --

[ He doesn't know how to say it. ]

.. weird. Not bad, just - weird.

[leashed]

You have been one way for the majority of your life. Now you are another. I would be surprised if you felt normal.

[danseur]

.. not really the majority. Just - about half, yeah?

[ He's not defensive, just.. uncomfortable in his own skin. ]

[leashed]

Yes, alright.

[He tries to move a little closer to him, reaching for his hand again.]

...do you look down on me, Morgan?

[danseur]

[ Morgan frowns a little, hooking his fingers into Rome's. ]

.. nah. If anything, you're probably better.

[leashed]

[He shakes his head.]

That is not true.

[danseur]

I'm not shitting you.

[ He's staring forward. ]

[leashed]

I am not- shitted.

[danseur]

No, come on, I mean -- you like what you are.

[leashed]

No.

[He corrects gently.]

I just accept it.

[danseur]

Well, then -- that's still a difference between you and me.

[leashed]

[He nods.]

I understand. I will try to treat you the same.