steady as a star ⚔️ constantin & teilo ⚔️ d.m.c
[Constantin was having the time of his life. Everyone was so happy, and it was just impossible to feel anything but thrilled to be here. He was especially pleased for Felix, who had obviously loved every moment of his performances. There’s a strange sort of feeling about the night, almost surreal, which is largely caused by Constantin’s eyesight. It’s improved vastly since his return, but it still often takes some time for his eyes to be able to focus. The disco ball and the twinkle lights look like softly burning fireworks, and everyone is laughing and dancing. It’s like being in the very crux of humanity, where it shines brightest, and he feels very close to everyone despite being seated alone for now.
He’s not taking part in the dancing. A part of him would like to, but he knows it wouldn’t be sensible. Now that Constantin is slowly being introduced to AP training, he feels more fatigued than ever even though his strength is growing daily. He already knows he’s not got the strength to dance, but is perfectly happy nursing his drink and watching people have fun. With the tables pressed against the wall, there’s not vast amounts of available seating, so it doesn’t surprise him when someone takes the seat near him.
Constantin tries to put his glass down so he can say hello, but makes the mistake that’s ingrained in his muscle memory and proving difficult to unlearn: he just tries to put it down in midair. Naturally, the glass (near-empty) tumbles down to the surface of the table, while Constantin’s gaze goes up to try and find it when he realises it’s not where he left it. It takes a moment to process what he’s just done, at which point he looks at the table where the mercifully unbroken glass lies on its side.]
Jesus fuck. [He shakes his head at himself, then address the person beside him – it feels important to clarify.] I am not drunk, you have my promise.
[The bang of the glass next to him makes Teilo jump, pulling his attention away from where it’d been idly watching Alois entangled with Felix by the bar, limbs curled around the petite frame, lips roaming his neck and jaw. The expression on Teilo’s face is bemused, a little curious—is that new? It must be, because it’s the first Teilo’s heard of it. Then again—how much of their love lives do they actually talk about together? How much do they purposely avoid? Nonetheless, they do make a cute pair—both altogether too attractive, of course, and so it… certainly makes sense.
By some miracle, the glass doesn’t break, and the spill is minor. He tilts his head in slight confusion at the comment, but as he snatches a bar rag from a nearby table, he slides the stranger a bit of a grin, shaking his head.] Not to worry—I was making no assumptions. [The table hastily wiped, Teilo sets the rag aside, and turns to the man properly.] You alright?
[Constantin lets out a low chuckle, at his own expense. He feels like a bit of a mess, always, although Teilo didn’t seem to be bothered. He’s never sure how much to explain himself and why he is so clumsy. Sometimes he thinks it’s better to get it out the way early, as it inevitably comes up at some point, but it’s also incredibly depressing. The wonder of space travel often gets buried beneath the sheer horror of someone being trapped in space for six years. On balance, he decides it’s probably better to gloss over things.]
Da, da. No harm is done, except maybe for my pride. Thank you. [He inclines his head towards where Teilo is wiping up the spill. Costin had been too dazed, and momentarily annoyed at himself, to act that fast.] I can buy you a drink for your troubles?
[He’s always quick to share what he has, and to offer to buy people drinks particularly. It’s just how he was raised, although he is also slowly realising that in the UK many people read this as flirting. That is sometimes Costin’s intention, but not on this occasion. He’s just being friendly; and it would also make him feel a little better, as he feels an intense guilt when people have to clean up after him.]
