ways_infirmary | (no subject)

(no subject)

Orpheus had allowed Guppy to give him something to dull the pain in his shoulder, but he'd insisted on having Apollo sent for for the actual healing.

He can be particularly stubborn when he's in pain.

(He can be particularly stubborn anytime, really.)

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"It doesn't always have to involve courtship, you know," Orpheus says.

"Well, whatever you call getting to know someone enough to ... get personal."

"You seem to be doing pretty well so far," Orpheus offers.

Steve blinks at him.

"What do you mean?"

"We're getting to know each other, aren't we?"

"Yes, but," begins Steve and then just looks at Orpheus.

"Huh."

"Huh?"

Steve doesn't say anything for a moment.

"I have a best friend. His name's Bucky. I've known him most of my life. Talking to you is kind of like talking to him.

"It's just weird, when you meet somebody who you feel like you've known forever."

He doesn't really know how else to put it in words. His eyes dart over Orpheus's face.

Orpheus smiles at that, tilting his head curiously.

"I think I know what you mean."

Steve nods. He doesn't know what to do with his hands.

Orpheus has to laugh softly at that. As much as he denies the rumors that he brought homosexuality to humans, well...rumors come from somewhere.

"There's always a connection, you know? But it doesn't have to lead to marriage. That's all I'm saying."

"I know.

"I guess I've just never known how to recognize the connection."

"Had other things on your mind?"

It's hard for him to fathom that, but the society he grew up in didn't view sex that way.

"I never knew how to talk to dames," Steve admits, "and men are just--well, you can't assume things."

That'll get you punched in the jaw. Or worse.

Usually worse.

Edited 2012-07-29 06:38 (UTC)

"No, you can't assume things," Orpheus agrees. He remembers the forties. "But there are ways to tell."

"Yeah? How?"

"You have to learn to read between the lines, pick up on subtle signals. There's a code, as well, in your time."

"Subtleties," says Steve with a sigh, "have never been my strong point."

"Then you, my friend, may have to wait for them to come to you. Or you can save your experimenting for Milliways, where subtlety is not required."

"Yeah?" says Steve quietly, giving Orpheus what he probably doesn't realize is a Look. "You can just say...'touch me'?" Half-smile. "'Lewdly'?"

Orpheus chuckles at that, leaning forward a bit more. "For you? I think it might be nearly that easy."

Beat.

"And if it's not, I doubt anyone's going to haul off and punch you."

Steve looks around the infirmary. It's not particularly crowded, but still. "If we were someplace else I'd try my luck."

"If I weren't waiting to be interrogated, I'd try your luck even now," Orpheus promises.

Steve smiles and looks away. He's blushing again, but that's more the curse of the fair-skinned than anything worse.

"When all this is settled," he says quietly, "come and find me."

Orpheus grins. "Should I wait until I'm not a polar bear anymore?"