♢ — @heavnsign said: embracing theta awkwardly. “yeah, no.” EXPERIMENT IN PROGRESS: UNPROMPTED ASKS INSPIRED BY DARE TO HUG THE DOCTOR
Cautious wariness flickers to life within crimson eyes when Theta spots the third moving purposefully towards him. Not in the way when she is merely seeking company or entertainment ; this walk indicates there is some sort of goal at the end. WHAT IT IS HE CAN'T FATHOM. Especially when she comes to a halt in front of him with the same force as someone reaching the finish line. Theta could ask. He does not. He simply stares at her, lifting a brow in silent inquiry that he will not voice - as if that somehow changes anything. ( It doesn't. )
It would not help. Nothing could prepare Theta for what follows.
Instead of speaking, either to address some matters regarding the Fatui as a whole or their colleagues, or tease him - SHE EMBRACES HIM. An awkward movement of limbs like she doesn't quite know what to do with them that distract Theta enough he doesn't quite realize what is happening until he's already swallowed by the embrace. AND WHY WOULD HE RECOGNIZE IT? It is a gesture that neither he as a segment nor Dottore as in the original had ever really experienced. Certainly not like this. THETA DOESN'T MANAGE TO CHOKE BACK THE NOISE OF SURPRISE. It spills out when his spine stiffens upon embrace, more questions spilling from his brain like a leak even as his tongue stays silent.
IT IS A STRANGE THING TO BE EMBRACED WHEN REJECTION IS MORE FAMILIAR. Warmth seeps out to wrap around cooler skin, the pressure of another's limbs surrounding you. There is little that it can accurately be compared to. He doesn't know why she does it, nor can he guess. Had it been something crueler, perhaps he could. But this is too gentle for that, too foreign to them both even as his hands awkwardly move to mimic the act in return. This behavior does not fall within the realm of normal behavior for her. Is it cause for concern? A proper assessment is required for that. Something must be amiss for her to pursue this unusual course of action. " Is everythi- "
Yeah, no.
He abruptly cuts off his own words, forcing them down like barbed wire gouging into the flesh of his esophagus as he swallows. Oh. It seems he would need to revise his initial assessment of this NOT BEING SOMETHING CRUEL. Of course it would be. She knows better than most that Theta has a more tolerant temperament than the other segments which would allow for the opportunity. HE LOATHES THAT IMMORTALIZED FICKER OF HOPE IN HIS CHEST. But it will not die, despite his knowledge - eternally frozen in time with it no matter what he tries. ( He does not quite blame the original dottore entirely ; why would the original NOT feel hope when despite knowing what he's done and accused of, someone still reached out? It is only in time that the original will come to learn that too is false - but the original of the time Theta is from did not know, and despite Theta's memories of the original's lifetime, that spark remains. ) Bitterness swells in his chest, along with fury at himself. He hates that flicker of connection, that thought that maybe she - WHAT A RIDICULOUS THOUGHT. This cruel stunt wouldn't work on any other save perhaps Chi. Of course he would be the target for her amusement. Venom fills his mouth as he stares down at her, caution turned to frigid ice that would rival the howling storms outside.
Theta pushes her away, observing features turned sharp more akin to Beta's than his own usual calm as he steps back. Something bitter is still writhing. Theta will have to crush it once he's away from here and his ridiculous, foolish contemplations. Despicable. He turns on his heels, an abrupt and closed action as he begins to return to his usual section and the work there. Or maybe he'll help Beta with the operation theater today.
" Prime's coming back in two hours if you need him. " A flat remark tossed over his shoulder. He does not look back.
