𝔸𝔻 𝔸𝕊𝕋ℝ𝔸 ✰ 𝕀ℕ𝔹𝕆𝕏;

[roseapothecary]

@ DAVIDROSE
text ✰ voice ✰ holovid

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[roseapothecary]

These!

These people!

[ He doesn't want to use the word 'children', so he just sends a copy of the message back to Patrick. ]

Are these... what I think they are?

[buttonface]

[ Ah.

At first all he can to is stare at the message in utter bafflement. It says it's from him, but it doesn't make any sense. He doesn't know a Henry, much less a Liza.

But despite David's insistent question, it's actually secondary to the context. School. Ear infections. It's easy to see why his husband's freaking out.

So it's Patrick's job to not freak out, to keep as calm and collected as possible. ​]

I don't know, David.

I didn't send this.

[roseapothecary]

Well, someone did!!

Someone who... knows that if I had to pick a girl's name, it would be Liza.

I mean, that's just classic.

[buttonface]

[ Classic. Only David would say that, and Patrick's lips twitch up in a fond smile despite...whatever this is.

Wait. ]

My dad's middle name is Henry.

David, don't panic, okay? Where are you?

[roseapothecary]

Don't panic???

We're naming children after parents and cabaret stars in the future and you're telling me not to panic?

[buttonface]

We're not doing anything, David. It's okay, okay?

I'd really like to have this conversation in person. Are you in the room?

[roseapothecary]

Not yet we aren't!

Yeah. I mean, yes. I am.

[ He knows that Patrick is right - this is definitely an 'in person' conversation - it's just that David wasn't expecting to be having it again.

And this time, there are names and appointments to make it more complicated. ]

[buttonface]

[ He'd figured, and is already heading that way before David even confirms his location. ]

I'll be there in a sec. Hang on.

[ But it's still a long way from where he'd been back to their room. Long enough for Patrick to get antsy, checking the network just for a way to keep his hands busy at first, then frowning, digging a little deeper.

By the time he gets back, he thinks he has some idea what might be going on. He enters the room, making sure the door shuts behind him before focusing on David, giving him a smile that's hopefully more reassuring than cautious as he mkaes his way over to him. ]

You okay?

[roseapothecary]

[ 'A sec' ends up feeling like a long time to David and he's still standing and pacing slightly when Patrick finally arrives, though his anxious panic has managed to settle just a little. It at least is no longer set on Fire Alarm, so when Patrick asks, David actually considers the question instead of firing back something sarcastic, overdramatic, and probably unkind. ]

Yes. No.

[ So sure, he isn't being clear, but at least he isn't making the situation actively worse. ]

I know it isn't us us. In the messages. I mean, probably. Right?

[ He sounds far from sure and his voice is a distinct octave higher than usual and he's doing that fast-talking thing that is never a good sign when it comes to David managing a panic attack. ]

[buttonface]

[ This may not make much more sense to Patrick than it does to David, but soothing his husband when he's on one of his anxiety kicks is second nature by now, and while Patrick would never wish it on him, he does appreciate the chance to be David's rock when he needs it. To fix something, for once. He shakes his head, reassuring, and walks forward, placing his hands on David's shoulders. ]

Do you remember sending the messages?

Do you remember having children and naming them after cabaret stars?

[roseapothecary]

[ The touch helps, as always, and not just because Patrick has such a naturally calming presence about him - the empathy bond works in their advantage during moments like these because in seconds, Patrick's level-headedness is leeching into David and David's own panic is lessened somewhat just by virtue of being shared with someone else. The bond might not actually be stealing some of the emotion from him, but just knowing that he's not the only one feeling it helps immensely. ]

You know that's not what I'm saying! Weird stuff has been happening, Patrick!

[ He sounds exasperated already but that's only because feeling things is difficult. Especially frightening things. Like future responsibilities. ]

But it sounded just like... Well. What I would imagine you would sound like. If you were... dealing with our kids. Who definitely don't exist.

[buttonface]

I know. I know.

[ And he doesn't want to dismiss David's very real worries, or the panic he can feel through the bond. He gives David's shoulders a squeeze, trying to keep as grounded as possible and hoping it helps. ]

They don't exist. They don't.

I did some research. [ Of course he did. ] And we're not the only ones getting...impossible messages, David. I think it's just another weird space anomaly.

[roseapothecary]

I know it's weird!!

[ But... it doesn't stop David from feeling, in the most acute way yet, that he's keeping Patrick from experiencing something by virtue of just being with him. That had he not picked David, there would still be a whole other avenue of life for him to enjoy. ​]

You just... sounded really happy. You know, with everything. In the text. Whether it's really real or not.

[ He shrugs both of his shoulders gratefully into the hold Patrick has on him and gives him what amounts to a rather apologetic look. ]

And I don't think you were on those great painkillers this time.

[buttonface]

Okay, the emphasis there was on just an anomaly, but -

[ But it doesn't really matter. It's pretty clear by now that David's anxiety isn't actually centered on the fear that the door's going to open and a toddler's going to rush inside. Cute as that might be.

He waits for David to finish talking, rubbing his hands up and down his husband's upper arms in what he hopes is a soothing gesture. ]

Of course I sounded happy, David. I was sharing a life with you.

I'm happy now. With you. And I will be, no matter where our lives together might lead.

[roseapothecary]

[ Anomaly is just one of those words that seem to be floating around, definition-free, so David just waves one hand impatiently but not enough to disengaging Patrick's sweet, calming gesture.

Because what he says next makes David wince, but in the sort of way that someone does after eating something too sweet. ]

My god. You're going to give me diabetes.

[ But his mouth twists, as though he's still unsure. Sometimes David can't help but think that he somehow accidentally cast a witch's spell on Patrick and this is the result. ]

You can't know that though, Miss Cleo.

[buttonface]

[ It seems like he's finally starting to get through. Patrick smiles, completely unoffended. ]

Yes I can.

[ He knows what David means, he thinks, and he pauses, still absently rubbing his upper arms and shoulders as he tries to figure out how to explain. ]

It won't always be easy. It hasn't always been easy. But -

But I chose you. Not because - because we'd been dating, and it was getting serious and a proposal was the...the next logical step.

[ Not like it'd been with Rachel. He'd done the 'getting engaged because it was expected of him' thing once. Never again. ]

And not because I was - afraid you'd lose interest, if I didn't...you know, lock you down.

But because...I couldn't imagine my life without you, David. I couldn't imagine being happy with anyone except you. And I still feel that way. I don't care what my life looks like in five years, or ten. As long as you're a part of it.

[roseapothecary]

It hasn't?

[ He only interrupts sarcastically for a second because Patrick's earnest little speech quickly shuts him up. David isn't the best listener in the world but he's much better at it when the content is about himself, even if it's also almost making him remember how to blush.

He looks away to collect himself, shrugging gratefully into the grip that Patrick has on his shoulders while reaching for his jumpsuit to idly toy with it. ]

Well. That was... a lot.

[ He sounds like he's on the verge of tears but when he reaches to wipe at the corner of his eye, trying to be stealthy about it, he lets out a giggle that has the pressure behind it of a seal breaking. ]

So you mean I don't have to get pregnant to save this marriage? [ He leans forward to bump his forehead against Patrick's shoulder before pulling back to coyly beam at him. ] Because, um. I'm good with that.

[buttonface]

[ It was a lot, but because Patrick loves David so much, he doesn't point out that David himself is also a lot. He can roll his eyes and deflect with sarcasm all he wants, but Patrick knows exactly how much his husband not-so-secretly loves those passionate declarations of love and devotion. How much he needs them, sometimes.

And Patrick thinks occasionally he needs them just as much. Even months after their wedding, he can still catch himself marveling at how unbelievably lucky he is. If David sometimes feels like he'd accidentally cast a spell on his husband, it's not unknown for Patrick to feel exactly the same way.

He smiles back, relived, gazing at David warmly. ]

No one has to get pregnant.

I know you don't want children, David. And I told you. I'm fine with that.

[ He pauses, eyes softening along with his tone. ]

Don't ever feel like you're not enough for me. Please.