FANPORT OVERFLOW LOG

[maskormods]

WHO: ImPorts!
WHERE: Heropa's Convention Centre.
WHEN: April 14-16, from 9 AM - 12 AM every day.
WHAT: Registration is in motion alongside FanPort, the most popular imPort convention around! Come on in and see imPort-led panels, the artist's alley, cosplayers, and more! If you have any questions, or wish to amend the way we have written up your characters' panels, let us know here! The original log can be found HERE.
WARNINGS: None anticipated; please let us know if this should be changed.

Comments

[dendarii]

I suppose that's fair enough. As long as I get to tell some people.

[vorbarra]

Tell who you like, I swear, [ he assures him. After a hesitation: ] I hope you know it's not my intention to hide you. I'm not ashamed.

[ Which is a loaded word to use and he knows it. Part of Gregor's reluctance to confess had been having to reach a point where he could say that confidently, that he's not ashamed of Miles or himself for their relationship. Even on Barrayar. He couldn't do that to him. ]

[dendarii]

[ Miles may not have all of the context for that statement, but he's got enough to appreciate it, at least. His grin turns shy for a moment, and he reaches to take Gregor's hand. ]

I'm glad, Gregor. [ A pause. ] I know that isn't easy for you.

[vorbarra]

[ He clasps hands gratefully, his voice turning low and a little rough. ]

It seems ridiculous to me. It's not as if I don't know better. I grew up with your mother same as you. [ And the character of Miles's own difficulties realizing his sexuality seem different to Gregor than his own... ]

[dendarii]

That doesn't mean we grew up the same. You had different shadows to escape from.

[ Same as Miles, really. At last he didn't have a specific monster in the form of Serg, only the diffuse and looming shadow of Barrayar. ]

[vorbarra]

... You helped me with that, you know. I tried to imagine-- us on Barrayar, and me unable to admit I was with you, and how that would be construed. As much about how mutants are perceived as you being male.

And I couldn't do it. I thought-- you face that already. It curdled my stomach to think I'd be giving Imperial sanction to it, all of it, by being ashamed. [ Lowly, ] You deserve better. If you can face that, so can I.

[ It was much easier for Gregor to think of it in the context of what it means for Barrayar and Miles than what it means for himself. Doing things for others is always what gives him the strength to face the difficulties in his life, not doing things for himself. ]

[dendarii]

[ Something deep and secret inside of him decoils at that. Had he ever truly been afraid of Gregor hiding him? Well ... no. But to hear it laid out in so many words, and for Gregor to have found peace through it in some small way ... he lets out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. ]

I am - I am very glad for that. Much rather face Barrayar with you together than be forced to hide behind you.

[vorbarra]

Hide behind me?

[ A flicker of humor, deeply fond. ]

Much more likely I'd be hiding behind you. You're always braver than me.

[dendarii]

[ Miles snorts a bit at that, similarly fond. ]

You'll have to crouch down to manage it. I don't make much of a shield.

[vorbarra]

Shield, no. Laser-guided missile, maybe... You're definitely offense, not defense.

[dendarii]

[ Miles can't help but like that particular mental image. He likes the thought of being just a little bit deadly. ]

Missiles are all well and good, but I prefer to survive the experience. Some sort of hunting falcon feels more apt.

[vorbarra]

[ He laughs a little. ]

You're very attached to that metaphor, aren't you?

[ Gregor leans in to murmur into his ear, ] Planning on always coming back to my hand?

[dendarii]

[ That sparks an entirely different kind of warmth. ]

It is a very good hand. A very skilled hand...

[vorbarra]

[ Amusement shimmers through him down the link. ]

There's other parts of me than my hand, you know.

[ Though they've probably not progressed too far in that direction yet. ]

[dendarii]

Oh, I'm aware of those too.

[ He grins a bit and reaches up to lightly touch the bridge of Gregor's nose. ]

[vorbarra]

[ With some exasperation, ]

What is this recent fixation with my nose?

[dendarii]

It's the entire reason why I realized I was in love with you. Absolutely critical, in fact. Newton thought it made you look funny, and I realized how very much I disagreed with that statement.

[vorbarra]

I-- what?

[ Gregor laughs incredulously. ]

Because of my nose?

[dendarii]

Yes, because of your nose. That was the tipping point.

[vorbarra]

[ He rubs at it a little self-consciously. ]

It's a good thing I already knew how dense you are.

[dendarii]

[ Miles just grins again and leans up to kiss the bridge of it. ]

It is a lovely nose. And if I'm the only one properly appreciative of it, then that just makes me special, eh?

[vorbarra]

You're special all right, [ Gregor says dryly, smiling a bit at the kiss. He lowers his hand. ]

You got me to consider men at all.

[dendarii]

[ Oh. Miles flushes faintly at that. ]

Really? I did that?

[vorbarra]

Mm. You'd sit right here while I was cooking...

[ Gregor's hands find his hips again, as if to reaffirm to himself that he can touch him now all he likes. ]

And all I could think is that you were finally at the right height for kissing. It unnerved me at first. [ To say the least, but he's trying to keep this positive. ]

[dendarii]

[ His blush deepens at that, the gesture somehow more intimate now that he's got the full context for it. He lets his hands rest over Gregor's. ]

Ah ... Not so unnerving any more, I hope.