[ Thank God, John swiftly diverts them back to their usual dynamic. Well. Their new usual. Somehow Harold has gone from uncomfortable and self-conscious at having a roommate to entirely at ease over the past several months.
John, of course, makes it easy: he knows all of Harold's important habits already, respects the computers, takes care of the dog, tidies up after himself and even cooks. And Harold would never say it aloud, but he does get some peace of mind from knowing John is so close nearby for safety reasons. Etraya still prickles his paranoia no matter how relatively settled in they've gotten. He... likes living with John, weirdly.
It is a bit like luring a wild bird to eat from your hand; Harold becomes acclimated very slowly to having others in his personal space. But now he finds he has, well. Acclimated. ]
Yes, alright, [ he sighs in response. ] Please be careful on your way back. I'd like to avoid any unfortunate mind-altering effects for this holiday.
[ The possibilities there are too much to say out loud. However mortifying it might be, it's far more important that, as he'd said to Accelerator, no one and nothing pressure John about their relationship. They have exactly the relationship John indicates he wants and nothing more. ]
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John, of course, makes it easy: he knows all of Harold's important habits already, respects the computers, takes care of the dog, tidies up after himself and even cooks. And Harold would never say it aloud, but he does get some peace of mind from knowing John is so close nearby for safety reasons. Etraya still prickles his paranoia no matter how relatively settled in they've gotten. He... likes living with John, weirdly.
It is a bit like luring a wild bird to eat from your hand; Harold becomes acclimated very slowly to having others in his personal space. But now he finds he has, well. Acclimated. ]
Yes, alright, [ he sighs in response. ] Please be careful on your way back. I'd like to avoid any unfortunate mind-altering effects for this holiday.
[ The possibilities there are too much to say out loud. However mortifying it might be, it's far more important that, as he'd said to Accelerator, no one and nothing pressure John about their relationship. They have exactly the relationship John indicates he wants and nothing more. ]