breaktime, torchwood style

[recalcitrare]

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[recalcitrare]

[Zeta is in a good enough mood he laughs outright now, and doesn't filter himself.] Is this a human thing, or a Norton thing?

[pharadyne]

It's a civilized breakfast thing.

["Civilized" here meaning "the British Empire."]

[recalcitrare]

[It is such a Narvin-like sentiment that it catches Zeta off-guard. His shoulders shake with suppressed chuckles, even as he turns to hand Norton a teacup.]

Oh, he can motivate me to do all sorts of uncivilized things.

[pharadyne]

Now that I can certainly believe.

[He takes the teacup in his hands.]

[recalcitrare]

[Don't kiss him. Don't, don't, don't, don't, don't. His hands might linger a bit on the cup before he releases it. The moment feels almost too natural, and he finds it making him shy.] Ah... Right. Well. I'd certainly appreciate the help in civilizing my hair soon. [He glances to Fevrain.]

[reformedcriminal]

I'll assist with the hair while Norton has his miracle tea.

[And if they get distracted in the lav, Norton won't be there to see it and tisk-tisk at them.]

[recalcitrare]

[They definitely get distracted. Zeta can't resist having all of Fevrain's attention to himself behind closed doors for the first time all mission, let alone since that attention is focused on grooming, and with the added knowledge that they'll be separated soon after setting out for the day. But they keep it short, since they have to finish cleaning up for the day ahead anyway, and Zeta finally drinks his own tea while Fevrain finishes primping himself. And it's a good thing they did, because it means when they leave the human's home, Zeta doesn't succumb to anything as sentimental as lingering touches or hovering close. Though he somewhat regrets that he didn't as he watches Fevrain leave. He has to shake himself out of it. He squares his shoulders and sets his jaw.] Right. Let's go see what your lab has for me. [... they don't have to walk far before Zeta's shoulders start tensing, though.]

[pharadyne]

[Norton chatters aimlessly as they walk, everything from the weather ("Oo, look at those puffy clouds, aren't they lovely?") to observations ("I think cobbles are superior to pavement. If a cobblestone breaks loose you can replace the one stone, but if the pavement gets a hole in it what do you do replace the whole road?") to running commentary on passersby ("ogle the clobber on that fellow, have you ever seen something so naff?"). Just a steady stream of words that goes on for five minutes before he notices that Zeta's a bit off.]

I say, are you nervous about something?

[recalcitrare]

Nervous? Don't be ridiculous. [Zeta doesn't necessarily mean to be snippy, or to scowl. But despite how much of a turnaround it is from his bright mood in the kitchen, he also doesn't particularly notice that he is being snippy and scowling.] Whatever would give you that idea?

[pharadyne]

You're not saying much. And you seem a little tense. Out of sorts.

[recalcitrare]

[Several things come to mind for Zeta to say all at once. One of which... is flirty. And even though his hearts aren't entirely in it, he can't resist.]

Perhaps I'm not saying much because I'm enjoying listening to you talk. [... did that come out right? Did he execute that successfully? He quirked his eyebrows and offered an attempt at a slight smile, but. Hm. He thinks it might have come out a little flat.

Still, though. Stupidly, it serves as a reminder to himself that, yes, he does rather like Norton. Enough so he should put in more effort here. And probably warn him.

He sighs, hands drifting to clasp loosely behind his back as he walks.] No, I'm not nervous. This is closer to... I suppose, closer to my normal. I've mentioned before I hate being in the field, and I'm sure you've noticed I'm prone to being tetchy. Typically, I'm worse. Much worse. I truly do hate it. [A beat.] Moments of... of relaxation aside. Too much unpredictability, too much hassle, too much rubbing elbows with unfamiliar masses. Cut off from support and resources. I hate it.

And Fe -- [Right, he should be using his cover name now.] Ferran has been the only partner I've ever had who can mitigate it. This has been true for much longer than we've been together, mind, so it doesn't have anything to do with that. ... Rather, it's more like a large factor in why we got together.

But. [He ends up reversing the posture he just adopted, going from reserved to gesturing vaguely. There's his explanation. No Fevrain equals return to normal, also known as "prepare for bitchiness."]

[pharadyne]

[Zeta flirting awkwardly and yet attempting it anyway is exceedingly flattering. Norton gives a coy smile and small flutter of eyelashes in response. But he drops the playful gestures and listens seriously when Zeta explains what's going on with him, how he's feeling.

And it makes him wonder for a moment how many alien invaders might have been irked about being sent to Earth, ordered to travel far from home by distant commanders and resenting every second of it. Or maybe they're just all naturally violent.

But Zeta isn't part of an invasion force, and he doesn't seem violent either.]

Oh. Well no need to hold back on any bitchiness on my account. I can take whatever you dish out and give it right back. So long as things don't get genuinely nasty.

[recalcitrare]

[Zeta huffs softly with amusement, but there's still a touch of hesitation in his eyes.] At which point, the question becomes where the line is. I know it isn't simply cultural. I've had lab assistants who took any insults to their intelligence I made especially personally, and others who all but rolled their eyes instead.

[pharadyne]

The line is if you mean it nastily or not. I know you, and now you've explained how you are, so I know that you like me and don't mean it nastily.

Also, you have to accept me hitting back with equivalent force, otherwise it's unfair.

[recalcitrare]

[So I know that you like me. That gets a shy reaction, a flicker of his eyes lowering before he catches himself. But this time, he doesn't blush, doesn't get flustered. Is capable of setting this reflex aside in favor of the big picture here.] I rarely bother to explain myself. [An acknowledgement that, yes, he has the right of it. And he could use this opportunity to explain a bit about Fevrain, about what makes them work together. But, oddly, he isn't the easiest example. There are too many emotions caught up in it. And he could use Narvin, would, normally, leap at the chance to show him off, but... Best not.] Trust me, I vastly prefer the return volley to any alternative.

[pharadyne]

Good. Back and forth it's fun. It's a game. One-sided is only fun in very specific contexts and only some of the time.

And by that I mean erotic contexts, just so we're clear. But I don't think you're into that sort of thing.

[Zeta seems like the sort who growls and snaps at the world, but in intimate moments is all affection.]

[recalcitrare]

[It's a game. He gets it. Some of the tension leaves Zeta's shoulders. He thinks he's still going to be worried about it, that he'll cross some line, but he also knows he's fussing. Norton is straight-forward and quick to communicate what it is he wants. It doesn't mean there isn't something he wouldn't think of, but if it comes up, Zeta feels confident he'll at least have the chance to smooth it over.]

Not especially, no. I can imagine finding the right mood for it, but it would be more akin to the stars aligning than something I'd seek out. I'd be preoccupied the entire time with being careful, so I wouldn't be able to fully enjoy myself. Which isn't a bad thing, I suppose, I'm far from opposed to doing things for their enjoyment more than my own.

[... this is not a conversation he could have while walking the streets of Gallifrey. Earth is a strange planet.]

[pharadyne]

Aw, you're so sweet. ["Sweet" for considering possibly being mean during sex if his partner enjoyed it.]

You really are the nicest...Scotsman I've ever met.

[There are a lot of things Norton's willing to discuss in public. No one's close by or paying attention. But he does have a limit and aliens is beyond it.]

[recalcitrare]

[Norton wouldn't say that if he was in the way of the CIA's interests.

... Thank Rassilon he isn't.

And Zeta really shouldn't feel a touch of possessiveness at the very thought. But now, he very much wants to take Norton's hand. They're in public, with humans all around. Zeta wouldn't be able to bring himself to reach for him like this. (Still, he drifts closer to him without realizing.)

If he had enough knowledge of human culture, he would snort at the usage of Scotsman in place of alien. And he would likewise be able to turn it around on him. You're the only Brit I've ever wanted to spend time with. Instead, he has to go with,] My techs would never believe someone ever said such a thing and meant me.

[pharadyne]

Your techs clearly don't know you like I do.

[After having spent all of one night and the better part of a morning with him. But Norton's good at knowing people.]

This is us, just down this street. [He gestures to a large, gloomy brick office building, Victorian construction that survived the Blitz, draughty and full of secrets.]

[recalcitrare]

And I would much rather keep it that way. [He is not going to have sex with his techs, noooo thank you. Zeta peers over at the Torchwood building, a skeptical eyebrow creeping up his forehead.] Hm. Can't say I'm fond of the architecture.

[pharadyne]

Hold your judgement, sweetheart, until you see the inside. It's even worse than the exterior.

[Norton flashes Zeta a cheeky grin and approaches the front door.]

[recalcitrare]

[I am a professional, Zeta reminds himself firmly. A professional. A professional. I don't need to snog him right after walking in the door.

Rassilon, but he wants to.

But it's more than being in public, now. Work is officially beginning. Zeta sets his shoulders, inhales sharply through his nose and follows Norton through the door.

There probably isn't way to brace himself for seeing a human lab. It's going to be a disaster, he just has to accept that now, and try to not let it distract him too much.]

[pharadyne]

[The lobby looks like any business lobby, except that there's no signs or seals indicating what the business is. And the man sitting at the reception desk looks as if he could double as a bouncer.]

Hello, Bruce, bona to vada you this fine morning. If you see Riggsby, tell him that Dr. Zellweger from Torchwood Edinburgh is borrowing the lab for a few hours.

[The man scowls at Norton, but doesn't get up from his chair or try to stop them.]

[recalcitrare]

[Zeta matches the... receptionist's scowl with one of his own. He likes to think he's rather better at it.

He's tensing back up, he can feel it. The sooner he can get the work done, the sooner he can get out of here.]