tcnetwork | LYDIA MARTIN

Hold on lol

[ Because this is the kind of stuff you can't talk about over text messaging, Lydia decides to switch this to a video call. She is currently curled up in her bed with the TC now set up leaning against the pillow beside her, showing her as she lays on her side, one arm tucked under her pillow and the other against her chest. Which he gets a small glimpse at considering the angle and how close the TC is. He might even get a hint of white lace and a low neckline. ]

I hope this is okay because I can't talk about chaos theory over text message.

[When the video call goes live on his end, he's on his side as well, leaning on his elbow with his head in his hand, pillow tucked under his arm for support. There's far more to see on his side because he's got no shirt on--and she gets a full view of the powerful upper body that's developing as a result of his condition again: sculpted arms, densely muscled shoulders, and a lean, sculpted chest.]

Perfectly all right--I'd have trouble, myself, if we start discussing advanced genetics.

[He says it with a laugh and a smile...and then offers a puzzled frown.]

Although...before I ask you to show me your thoughts on supersymmetry--can I ask what that word means? I've seen it quite a lot in text messages on my device as of late and I'm absolutely baffled by it--"lawl."

[He pronounces the acronym, the sound clumsy in his mouth.]

What in the bloody world does that mean?

[ Well, clearly Lydia had made both the right call and a wrong one in switching the conversation to video because, while she can appreciate the view she is getting now, it is a bit distracting. So much so that she lets her gaze travel for a second as she wets her lips before focusing on his face again. ]

I doubt you need me to tell you what supersymmetry means. [ She remarks teasingly, chuckling. ]

Oh, that. It means laugh out loud, L-O-L. If you ever see L-M-A-O, that means laughing my ass off. One day we'll sit down and I'll teach you some more acronyms so you will be caught up.

Ahhhhh.

[He smiles, nodding in understanding.]

That does make sense...so that's common, then? This digital short-talk? A lot of this is still quite strange to me. This texting, it's the simplest form of technology to grasp--this video phone is an absolute marvel.

[His smile turns pensive.]

I think, perhaps, I'll need more than a language lesson. How about...I'll let you give me lessons on how to be a 21st century man, and in exchange I'll give you lessons on how to be a 20th century academic? A lot of major scientific breakthroughs took place in the Sixties and Seventies--it's one thing to read about them, it's another to have experienced them.

What d'you say?

It's more common for some than others. Some people use only acronyms or so it seems which is annoying.

[ She pauses, seeming to consider his offer before smiling again. ]

That sounds like a fair trade.

Good. Very good, then.

[That's all he says before he falls silent again, just...watching her. The silence stretches, and it's oddly comfortable, as comfortable as it might be if she were...]

Would you think it too forward of me if I made a confession, Lydia? A...personal one?

[ Normally she would feel compelled to say something but there is something nice about the silence that stretches between them for a moment until he breaks it again. ]

I suppose that would depend on the confession.

[ She smirks a little. ]

But no, not really. What is it?

[He's quiet again for a moment, then smiles.]

I'd kill to have you here, beside me, rather than staring out of a bloody video phone.

[He whispers it, every bit a confession for her ears alone, the longing in his eyes so raw there's no hope of hiding it.]

[ The confession leaves her a bit breathless as she looks at him, feeling all fluttery and giddy even though she looks calm as she considers his words. ]

I would too, though I would prefer no killing to be involved.

[The way her breath catches, that barely leashed expression of pleasure--it takes him beautifully by surprise, making him smile with a quiet exhalation of laughter.]

Yeah? Not too much?

[It all feels like too much, too good, too...vital. It's all happening so fast and yet not fast enough...

It's such a difficult thing to navigate, a relationship like this. He doesn't want to risk a single misstep.]

LYDIA MARTIN

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