[ He'd just finished a smoothie of his own making, and as a result the kitchen smells like a very pungent salad. He's just rinsing out the blender when she comes in, and with a smile, he comes over with his arms outstretched. He settles down beside her, leaning in.
There's warmth, and familiarity, and Daphne's scent. ]
I always have time for you. I have work in like an hour, but...
[She puts her arms around him, snuffles a little at the top of his head; he always smells like he's been grubbing in vegetables, and it doesn't really bother her as much as it makes her laugh.
She curls up against him.]
Sure, everything's fine. I just feel like we're on opposite planets, lately.
[A pause.]
I should have taken better care of you at camp. I'm sorry.
[ Gar settles. Intimacy with Daphne somehow never feels awkward, not to him. He knows camp was hard for her. He knows it must have been hard to see him that way, and not be able to do anything about it without crossing boundaries that she wouldn't want to. Gar doesn't want that, he doesn't want her to be uncomfortable because of him.
He nuzzles a bit closer, tucking his head against her shoulder. ]
It's not your fault. It was mine, I was the one trying to manage my collar with one submissive. They were never gonna let me do that. It's not on you.
Moments like this make him wish he had this kind of connection at home. He doesn't - hasn't, since his mom died. He doesn't spend a lot of time dwelling on that, because there just isn't any point. People have to move on, they have to keep living.
But it's nice, feeling safe and loved like this. He hugs her a little tighter. ]
I don't know about that. I'm not very good at...all of that.
But I'll get better, I'm not gonna let this place keep me down. I wouldn't have gotten as far as I have here without you, you know that?
You're not supposed to be. No one starts out good at this stuff. No one. Not me, I promise. Anyone who says they were is wildly wrong. And this place, it's like they took someone just learning to swim and dropped them in the ocean, with a lot of sharks.
[She smooths his hair down.]
I will always be good to you. You're one of my favorite people, like. Ever.
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There's warmth, and familiarity, and Daphne's scent. ]
I always have time for you. I have work in like an hour, but...
[ He tilts his head up. ]
Is everything okay?
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She curls up against him.]
Sure, everything's fine. I just feel like we're on opposite planets, lately.
[A pause.]
I should have taken better care of you at camp. I'm sorry.
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He nuzzles a bit closer, tucking his head against her shoulder. ]
It's not your fault. It was mine, I was the one trying to manage my collar with one submissive. They were never gonna let me do that. It's not on you.
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[She presses her mouth against his temple, gently.]
You deserve so much better than anything this place can give you. It wasn't your fault either.
I know I can't give you that, if you want to find another Dominant who can, I won't-
[She takes a breath.]
I'll always protect you.
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No. Daphne, I don't want to leave you. I like what we have, I like that it's not about any of that. There's no pressure with you.
[ There's just pressure from the city, that's all. No problems. ]
I just have to be better at...you know, reaching out. Making new connections. I gotta try harder.
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[She pulls him so her chin is on top of his head.]
You're great, you know that?
Cute and fierce. Anybody'd be lucky to have you.
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Moments like this make him wish he had this kind of connection at home. He doesn't - hasn't, since his mom died. He doesn't spend a lot of time dwelling on that, because there just isn't any point. People have to move on, they have to keep living.
But it's nice, feeling safe and loved like this. He hugs her a little tighter. ]
I don't know about that. I'm not very good at...all of that.
But I'll get better, I'm not gonna let this place keep me down. I wouldn't have gotten as far as I have here without you, you know that?
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[She snorts a little.]
You're still young. You have time to get good at anything you like.
[She presses a kiss to his head, fond and sisterly.]
Of course not. I make everyone's life better when I'm in it.
[She says it with a smile against his hair.]
You make me better, too.
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[ He doesn't even really like saying the word. Talking about it is kind of the worst. ]
That's why I'm glad it's not part of our contract. There's no pressure. You've been really good to me, Daphne.
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[She presses him a little closer.]
You're not supposed to be. No one starts out good at this stuff. No one. Not me, I promise. Anyone who says they were is wildly wrong. And this place, it's like they took someone just learning to swim and dropped them in the ocean, with a lot of sharks.
[She smooths his hair down.]
I will always be good to you. You're one of my favorite people, like. Ever.