One way

[depthlesslock]

Or another

Comments

[protective_logic]

Delta thinks about that for a moment, his hand returning to his own lap. It's a fair point. "Truth be told? I don't remember much. My... caretaker learned it by the time I was three. Had the implant when I was four. To me it's always been like this. I don't know what I'm missing when they're off."

This York, though, he must feel his loss more acutely.

[depthlesslock]

Caretaker? What about parents? The question is on the tip of his tongue when a little voice pipes up that if the guy has a caretaker, parents are either not in the picture, or else not welcome in the picture.

'Sub-dermal implants are pretty reliable, from what I know,' he says instead. 'They should last you.'

[protective_logic]

"Statistics are in my favor," Delta chuckles, shaking his head. "Rarely fail. Don't think they fail anyone twice. I'm covered."

He is trying too hard to not be upset by the memory of how bad it had been.

[depthlesslock]

'There you go then,' he says, grinning. He's glad the guy's got a permanent solution. Aids aren't exactly cheap. Plus it's good to know they're not gonna suddenly die on him. Or in him, technically.

[protective_logic]

"Yeah, I don't think I'd enjoy a third brain surgery," Delta chuckles. "But I've got a younger brother with hearing aids rather than implants. People treat me like a normal person, though. Because they can't see it."

He's certain this man gets the difference.

[depthlesslock]

Third? Ouch. The surgery to get the shards out of his eye was bad enough, he can't imagine them having to go deeper. He doesn't want to.

'He doesn't get too much trouble for it, I hope?' Oh yeah, he gets it. He still prefers to keep his helmet on when he goes to the store and such because of the stares and people trying to not stare and very obviously failing.

[protective_logic]

"He's in grade school," Delta answers with a sigh. "Kids are... kids are terrible. He gets so much trouble. So much grief. But he stays strong because I tell him he's not broken. He's different but that isn't bad..."

His brief laugh is a mocking one. "Thing is, he doesn't even know I'm like this. How pathetic is that?"

[depthlesslock]

York winces. That's got to be hard, especially at such a young age. 'Hey, at least he's got you to support him, right? That must help.'

That... surprises him, if he's honest. 'Really?'

[protective_logic]

Delta gives York a sad little smile. "I'm a coward. I don't want my younger siblings to think less of me. I'm supposed to be their parent and all that. I'm responsible for them. I need to seem invincible."

[depthlesslock]

Ah. Yeah, that would be a problem. York looks down at his hands, thinking. Also can't help but notice Delta seems to be the parents despite the caretaker he'd mentioned before.

'I mean, I don't know this kid, or any of your family. But from my own experience, you might seem even more invincible if you have an issue and work as well as you despite it.' No one had expected him to get back in the field after his accident.

[protective_logic]

"It's really not that simple," Delta sighs, reaching up to twitch his hair. Which is a lot shorter than it should be. Stupid gum. "I can just see it now. I don't tell them what they want to hear, and suddenly it's rude jokes about being as blind as I am deaf. I'll pass."

[depthlesslock]

'If he's deaf as well, wouldn't he understand? Although, it's sounding like you have more than one sibling.' This is getting into less familiar territory given York's never had even one sibling. The closest he has for comparison are his friends.

[protective_logic]

"Seven," Delta smiles, knowing it's going to shock the man. "Well, eight. Two older, six younger. But one of my older brothers is out of the picture."

That's the polite way of putting it.

[depthlesslock]

'Sev-' Wow, okay, that's a lot of siblings. Jeez. And didn't Delta say they were struggling financially? Well, at least this helmet repairs won't make things worse, now he's paying for it.

'That... sounds hard. Do you all get on?'

[protective_logic]

"Of course," Delta smiles. They're family. Family likes each other. Sure once in a while there was tension, but barely any.

[depthlesslock]

'Well, at least there's that.' Delta's got a good smile, gets rid of some of the age and weight and York finds himself smiling back. 'Can't say I know what it's like, even though I live in a group. I don't have any siblings.'

[protective_logic]

"They're a pleasure," Delta says, looking away. His smile is warmer, and all for himself. "I'm never so happy or proud as when they do something that makes them happy."

[depthlesslock]

'Sounds like it,' York agrees, chuckling and leaning slightly to try and glimpse that smile again. 'What else makes you happy?'

[protective_logic]

Delta starts at the question. What else...?

"I..." No one ever asks that. Not even Omega. They have an understanding about them and happiness. It isn't happening.

"I guess when the twins draw pictures and ask me to put them up on the fridge."

[depthlesslock]

York tilts his head, looking curiously at the man next to him. He sure did stumble over that answer.

'Anything for yourself? Activity? Hobby? Friends? Boy or girlfriend?'

[protective_logic]

"I-I'm an accountant. Or I will be. I'm in college," Delta answers quickly, his words rapid to try and hide his lack of comfort over this. He doesn't do anything. He raises his family, does his job, and takes his classes. Do people he talks to regularly at the store count as friends?

Oh man now this really nice, charming, attractive guy will think poorly of him.

[depthlesslock]

Hmm. Sounds like this guy needs to get out more. He's starting to put together an image of Delta's life and family, and it's a complicated one already. Well, York is all to happy be the guy to lead him out of the door for once.

'Do you like coffee?'

[protective_logic]

Huh?

"Yeah," Delta says immediately, even if he's confused by the question. "Who doesn't?"

[depthlesslock]

His grin grows.

'Would a coffee at the Green Fairy make you happy?'

[protective_logic]

The Green Fairy? Delta stares at him in shock. "I've never had Green Fairy coffee."

It's supposed to be quite good.

[depthlesslock]

York smiles back at that shocked face. 'Then let me introduce you to the best coffee in town.'

[protective_logic]

"I... my helmet's broken," Delta protests. What in the world is happening here? Is this guy asking him to coffee?

[depthlesslock]

'Then it's lucky it's being repaired,' he counters. 'And there are other days to come, if you can't make today.'

[protective_logic]

He can't make today and he can't make another day.

"A very kind offer," Delta assures him. "But I will have to pass."

Not like he can afford coffee shop coffee.

[depthlesslock]

'Oh?' Too shy? Taken? Matter of money? Actually, that's a good possibility. 'Even if it's on me?'

[protective_logic]

On him? That makes it far more tempting. But...

"I'm not exactly in possession of a lot of time," Delta admits. "Between school and family and work."

[depthlesslock]

'Surely you can take one hour in your life? Correct me if I'm wrong, but it sounds like school, family and work is pretty much all you do. Take some time for yourself.'

[protective_logic]

"I..."

He's not wrong, but Delta is now blushing, ashamed that the man has read him so easily.

"York," Smithson calls from the counter. "Got your repair done."

"I think he wants you," Delta says, quite happy for the distraction. God he feels so pathetic.

[depthlesslock]

Damn, talk about bad timing.

'Think about it,' he says as he gets up and heads over to Smithson.

'Hey, man. Thanks for the help. Delta's repair cost still on my tab?' He picks up his helmet, good as new, and tucks it under his arm.

[protective_logic]

"You never said anything about that," Smithson says, puzzled. "He's still here? Hell, thought I'd already given him his helmet."

Delta, meanwhile, has gotten his reader back out. It is so much easier to try and control his embarrassment when he's not looking at people.

[depthlesslock]

'Thought I did when I came up earlier.' He shrugs. 'Anyway, put it and the next time him or one of his family comes in for a repair or replacement on my tab. Oh, and do you have a piece of paper and a pen I could borrow? Or use, in the paper's case.'

[protective_logic]

Smithson shakes his head and rolls his eyes. "The guy's work is temporary and about two-hundred creds," Smithson warns him, picking up the paper and pen and sliding them across to York.

[depthlesslock]

'Come on, Smithson, you know I can afford that,' he says, shooting a grin at the helmet tech and then writing his comm number on the paper. 'Thanks.' He passes the pen back.

[protective_logic]

The man shrugs. "Do whatever you want. But don't bother my customer too much."

[depthlesslock]

He taps the side of his head in a two fingered salute. 'Yes, sir.'

[protective_logic]

Smithson passes his customer's credchip back across and salutes briefly. "Have a good one."

[depthlesslock]

York nods and takes the chip. He always liked Smithson.

Business finished, he turns to leave, but makes a quick stop by Delta, holding out the paper with his comm number on. 'Here. In case you change your mind.'

[protective_logic]

Delta looks up, shocked. "I... what?"

[depthlesslock]

He waves the paper a bit, smiling. 'In case you change your mind,' he repeats. 'Or, if you just want to chat.'

[protective_logic]

Wow that man has the nicest smile?

"I... I'll keep it," Delta promises. Maybe... he can find some time. At the very least for the coffee.

[depthlesslock]

York beams and hands him the paper.

'Awesome. See you around, Delta.' He turns back for the door, fitting his helmet over his head as he presses the button to open the airlock.

[protective_logic]

Delta stares, and it's just before York steps into the airlock that he speak.

"You will. See me around."

[depthlesslock]

York turns in the airlock as he hears Delta. Under his helmet, he's smiling wide, but he's only got time for a thumbs up before the airlock closes between them.