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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

York takes it. All of it. Every brush that he's allowed to see, every soft sob, every tear. Takes it and weathers it, bent on comforting Delta. He hasn't been there for him as much as he'd like over the past few weeks and that's on him, what he's done and what he's said. There's no getting back the time he wasted. all he can do is be here for Delta now. Rock him through what had to be hard for anyone, let alone someone so unused to enduring this kind of emotion. The confusion, the pain, the frustration, all of that and Delta still hadn't let any of it rattle him until now.

When his breathing slows, York combs a hand thorugh his hair, offering as much comfort as possible through the feed.

Anytime, baby. I'm here for you.

Even if he hadn't agreed with how they handled Omega and Sigma. Even if they'd argued- He gets the grief that comes with losing them.

Delta stays huddled up with York, even though they're right there in the middle of the room instead of somewhere more comfortable like the couch. For the first time since their break, really, he feels perfectly comfortable and serene in York's arms. It's a feeling he transmits back - York deserves it, he thinks.

And yourself? Is he all right after this round of clones?

I'm okay. He's been through worse. He's got the doc, he's got Delta, he's got, after the fact, Malcolm. He got to explain to south everything that happened. Got to see the remorse that would never be real back home. It was more than he ever thought he'd get.

Wanna move to the sofa?

Very well. Delta pulls himself away reluctantly and stands up, wiping his face on his sleeve to dry it. Around anyone else he'd feel embarrassed to lose it like that, but then, that's why he'd had to talk to York in the first place. York still knows best how new and strange this all is to him.

Once on the couch, though, he curls right back up into York's warmth, not ready to give it up just yet. I am glad you are okay. This seems to have been deliberately designed to hurt or insult us.

York doesn't say anything- Delta's still learning how to handle all of this for himself, having to shoulder all of that for other people too? It's insane. And he's managed it anyway. He knows pride probably isn't something D needs to feel from him right now but it's there none the less.

On the sofa he tucks D close, nosing his way into his hair. Opening the feed all the way so there's nothing between them except for the distance that D needs. It coulda been worse. They coulda brought another you.

I don't think I would have been able to help them if they did.

The other York had been proud of him, too, for making what he had out of his life, for finding new hobbies and friends and giving being human a real shot. It had been a gift, as much of a gift as his York's pride is now, and Delta accepts it.

Another Delta? He shivers at the thought. Not that he wouldn't like to meet himself, far from it, but to put the burden of such a short life on York, on Loki? To have to watch himself dissolve--

They had best not ever do such a thing. Not that he's feeling charitable toward Bifrons on a good day, but something like that might well push him into action before he's made a good plan. Because he does intend to destroy them for what they've done, a thought he doesn't mind sharing with York, but doing so is going to take very careful planning and resources.

I don't hold much hope for them being all that tactful. They did what they wanted when they wanted. When Sigma and Omega popped up he'd been terrified that he'd turn and see another Delta. Have to offer to put him down gentle when the time comes and that? That would be what breaks him. But it hadn't happened and he's still got his Delta, still got this Delta as long as he wants to be had.

Much like, though he hadn't seen it himself, losing another York had brought Delta down to this state in the first place. That he'd lost York once did not make it any easier.

So, of all things, he sends a tentative reassurance to York. I am here. I will do everything in my power to keep outside their influence. More than that he can't promise, but try he certainly will.

They won't take me. Not ever. They could kill him again or lock him outside the dome- but he is never getting caught up by compliance. THey're not rewriting him ever again. There's too much he can't forget. Won't forget. Everything of how he feels for Delta included.

It calms Delta down to hear that, whether or not he logically knows such a thing is easier said than done. His posture begins to relax slowly as he takes a few steadying breaths, allows himself to feel York's warmth and inhale his scent. He's here and he's not going anywhere, and Bifrons isn't going to interfere with them.

Thank you.

Anytime, baby. He dips his head enough to press his lips to delta's temple, pretty sure that much affection is acceptable. D needs the affirmation anyway just as much as he needs to give it.

That level of affection is certainly acceptable. And it's good to just sit here, let his mind clear, and just be for a little while.

Another few minutes and he sits up, wipes his face off again. "Thank you. I also wanted to tell you that I have a real job now."

"Oh?" He continues the easy contact as long as it's allowed, hands resting light on delta's shoulder, thumb brushing against his nape. "That's awesome, bud. What are you doing?"

"Wrath hired me as her accountant and general financial manager." And boy does she need it. Delta grins. "She was unsure if she would have enough money to buy new clothes. Her pension is over seventy-five thousand credits annually, Not to mention the two million she has on a chit. Not even banked. In cash."

"She's been a career soldier for...about two decades?" Holy shit. "Delta. You're the accountant of one of the richest people under the dome."

He grins, glad to be feeling better.

"She thinks I am very smart. I will endeavor not to disappoint her." Remember that time you asked Delta about what he might do with his life and he mentioned controlling the economy?

"Promise not to make it impossible for me to make a living when you take over the shine, okay baby?"

"I will be certain to see that everyone can still make a living." Except Dad. Dad can be unemployed for a while.

"You're secretly evil, and that is crazy sexy." He smirks.

Delta ducks his head, but he's still grinning.

"To be fair, she does require assistance. Her expenses have always been covered by the military; she has no sense of economy." But a large chunk of cash like that is begging to be invested, and Delta does read math theory for fun, and that does translate into economic theory....

"You're gonna start something that'll make bifrons your bitch when it's over." Okay, now it's really, really sexy. He tugs delta in close, nosing at his jaw. "What do you have planned?"

"I would certainly like to hit them where it hurts." And with most companies? It tends to be in the moneyballs.

"Currently, I am still investigating the possibilities. In a mostly closed system such as this, investing in base resources is solid and will do for some portion. Medical research is also wise, as are both offensive and defensive systems. That should be enough to begin with."

"An evil economic genius. Where else do you plan to invest?" Here's comfortable, cozied up against Delta, feeling the skittering flick of calculations in the back of his head, listening to schemes and plans to take down their malignant overloards.

"She also enjoys art; it was a great comfort to her while she was bedridden. With the level of technology here I believe it would be possible to develop advanced art therapy for hospitals or as part of a recovery program."

And as for the rest? He transmits a few vague ideas, but Delta hasn't worked out all the concrete plans just yet. He wants to see this virus eliminated one way or another, in the end.

"I know she'd appreciate that, D. You're a real good friend, you know that?" He's proud of him- as much as this is about sticking it to bifrons he's actually considering the human element. And that? That's something worth being proud of.

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