LYDIA MARTIN

[wantadistraction]

"You know what to do."

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[wantadistraction]

[ 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.

[greatswellofpity]

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?

[wantadistraction]

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.

[greatswellofpity]

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?

[wantadistraction]

[ 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?

[greatswellofpity]

[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.]

[wantadistraction]

[ 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.

[greatswellofpity]

[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.]