Nor has always been kind, really.
Some, like Priya and Anqa and Alex, say that they know it's there. They just need a chance to really see it; a peek beneath the surface, if Nor ever allows any of the Resistance to see it. See him. Maybe one day. When he's better settled in, Teylan thinks, hopes.
But Teylan also thinks that a glimpse into Nor's vulnerability isn't completely necessary. Nor's softness has always been there, out in the open, wrapped around Teylan like a warm blanket (and doesn't that bring him back... maybe Nor doesn't like to think about it, but Teylan remembers the nights curled up in Nor's bunk, Nor's blankets, Nor's arms—it felt like the safest place in the world
Teylan wonders if it would still feel like home. curled up by Nor, that is, not those scratchy blankets or those stiff mattresses
though, if he does allow himself a moment to think about it, home, as a place and not a person, and perhaps this is why Nor doesn't think about it, but if he really, truly thinks about it then maybe he could imagine...
no. Nor, he's thinking about Nor. he's wondering if Nor would let him find out what it feels like to be held again, yeah)
It's in the subtle things, the stuff nobody thinks Nor is paying attention to, but he is, 'cause he cares and he shows it: 'cause—as one example, though Teylan is happy to provide plenty more—where Teylan is very careful about keeping datapads clean and smudge-free, Nor always takes on the responsibility of peeling and cutting and skewering fruits shared between them. That way, Teylan doesn't have to get his hands dirty, and then the datapad dirty, and then stop skimming whatever file has caught his attention so that he can clean the datapad, quickly, before it gets sticky, because sticky is awful, and—
Point is, Nor peels and prepares the fruit so that Teylan doesn't have to. Or, that's why Teylan assumes he does it. He hasn't actually asked. Nor almost seems to do it automatically at this point, and Teylan almost expects it, so it just... happens.
Maybe he should ask. Maybe he doesn't need to. Maybe Nor's just kind, like he always has been.
(Truth is, Nor does it because it's a matter of keeping his priorities in check. Not the datapads, keeping them clean... that isn't the priority for Nor.)
