Log: Coping Together

[maine_makes_growly_noises]

Who: Agent Maine and Delta Ai
What: Maine and Delta are upset about York's hospital visit
Where: Ai household
When: Monday morning (8 June; backdated)
Warnings: really awkward flirting

Maine's drives to the Ai residence are getting shorter, though whether he's growing used to the commute or his speed is creeping, he doesn't notice. He's too eager to get there.

York is hurt, their little world is in danger, and all he has is his jeep and a box of brownie mix.

Comments

[protective_logic]

The house is a mess. The kids have all been seen off to their summer camps without an explanation as to why Sigma is gone, and Gamma is upstairs moping. Epsilon is... wherever Epsilon goes, or maybe he's still in bed.

And Delta is alone. On the couch, curled around himself, worrying about a man who could nearly be his best friend if he ever felt comfortable spending time with him. What is he to do?

[maine_makes_growly_noises]

Maine lets himself into the airlock but messages Delta before it finishes cycling. He's here. They'll be all right.

York might not be. But they're trying not to focus on that now. Instead, he has brownie mix, because that's the only thing he knows to bring.

[protective_logic]

His helmet isn't on, but the airlock is chiming and hell there is only one person it can be. Delta bounces to his feet and moves to the door, waiting for it to open. He has to say it. Out loud. Now. Because what if it had been Maine?

[maine_makes_growly_noises]

The door opens and Delta is right there. He looks a little shaken, but otherwise, he looks okay. Maine embraces him, grateful to have him so real and so close.

[protective_logic]

The arms around him, so safe and warm. It's enough to make Delta want to cry.

"I love you," he whispers into Maine's chest. "I love you, and I don't want you to get hurt."

[maine_makes_growly_noises]

"I love you," Maine whispers. "And I never want to let you down."

Some injury is expected in this line of work, but ever since he met Delta, he has been so much more careful. It's not that he has someone to live for now, but--well, maybe he does.

[protective_logic]

Delta curls a fist in Maine's shirt and looks up at his boyfriend.

"Say it again," he pleads. After his little episode of no hearing, there is something about seeing words on people's lips that matters even more to him. "Please."

[maine_makes_growly_noises]

"I love you," he says, louder this time. He kisses Delta's forehead.

[protective_logic]

Delta sighs happily, leaning against Maine. There. He feels a bit better.

[maine_makes_growly_noises]

He gently rubs the small of Delta's back. There, he's a little more relaxed.

"Brownies?" he asks.

[protective_logic]

"I'd rather just stay together, close," Delta whispers. Fuck brownies.

[maine_makes_growly_noises]

"I like that too." He holds Delta closer. It's so good to have him, to be with him. Why do they always need to have excuses to be together?

[protective_logic]

"Couch?" Delta suggests quietly. "I just... can you hold me?"

[protective_logic]

He finds himself washing the breakfast dishes. His hands need to be busy to keep his mind quiet, to drive away the embarrassment and the thoughts and everything his siblings say about Maine and him. So he washes dishes because they are there.

And he doesn't even look up when Maine comes in.

"I'm sorry for calling you over."

[maine_makes_growly_noises]

"Don't be," he says. "Not your fault." He sets the brownies on the counter, but right now, he would rather help load dishes into the dishwasher or dry them for Delta.

[protective_logic]

"I... I'm not ashamed of us, if that's what you're thinking," Delta says quietly. Books say that people may think you're ashamed of them and he's really not. He's super proud and he's in love and he thinks he can be cutesy with Maine, but getting caught making out (was that making out?) is different.

[maine_makes_growly_noises]

"No," Maine says. "Me neither. But brothers can be difficult." Sometimes he's not sorry to be an only child.

[protective_logic]

"They keep... They keep trying to give me a sex talk or something. Omega being all condom fairy, and Sigma teasing about things I should do, and Tex warning me to be prepared and now this..."

And yes, he's recently learned that he does want that sort of thing. Eventually. That doesn't mean he has to fall into it like the others.

[maine_makes_growly_noises]

"Have you talked to them? Do I need to?" he asks.

He doesn't ask if he wants to. That can come later. Getting him to kiss like that has been an incredible step. Right now, he's happy. Or would be, if Epsilon hadn't come in.

[protective_logic]

"Omega has agreed to stop since our last fight," Delta admits. "And Sigma said he'd try stopping too. I should have talked to Epsilon too. I just... they worry."

And seem to forget that Delta is very shy and very new at social interactions.

[maine_makes_growly_noises]

"That's fair," Maine says. "And you told me when you felt uncomfortable. I respect that. I promise. I love you and I want you to be comfortable with us." He lets his hand rest on Delta's shoulder and gives him a quick, brief hug.

[protective_logic]

"I am VERY comfortable with us," Delta whispers, turning in Maine's arms. "But... like, I think THAT would count as strenuous exercise and I'm not supposed to do that."

Let's go with that as to why he doesn't want it now. That doesn't mean he doesn't want to get back to where they were.

[maine_makes_growly_noises]

Maine kisses his forehead. "Won't disobey doctor's orders," he says. "You tell me when you feel ready."

[protective_logic]

"I feel ready for you to kiss me," Delta whispers.

[maine_makes_growly_noises]

Grinning, he does, starting slowly in case that's what Delta's in the mood for.