[It is extremely awkward, at first. It isn't that Dorian hasn't been hugged before. It isn't even that he hasn't been hugged recently. But whenever it's happened before, it's been done to appease, manipulate, or control. He knows it's meant to be a gesture of comfort, and that is why it has been so useful.
But this isn't the same. This is actual comfort with no quid pro quo, no brushing conflict under the rug, no expectation of favors in return. It's almost sickening, how sincere it is. Embarrassing, even, as if Ethan is resorting to the body language equivalent of baby talk. There are no layers, no hidden meanings or messages. It's primitive. It's...
It's honest.
Suddenly, Dorian's arms are wrapping even more tightly around Ethan, fingertips all but clawing into his back, as if he can fuse together with him somehow, as if he indeed hasn't been held or touched in centuries. A long breath is released, along with a good amount of tension, and he rests his cheek against a broad shoulder as his tears slowly cool and dry.]
no subject
But this isn't the same. This is actual comfort with no quid pro quo, no brushing conflict under the rug, no expectation of favors in return. It's almost sickening, how sincere it is. Embarrassing, even, as if Ethan is resorting to the body language equivalent of baby talk. There are no layers, no hidden meanings or messages. It's primitive. It's...
It's honest.
Suddenly, Dorian's arms are wrapping even more tightly around Ethan, fingertips all but clawing into his back, as if he can fuse together with him somehow, as if he indeed hasn't been held or touched in centuries. A long breath is released, along with a good amount of tension, and he rests his cheek against a broad shoulder as his tears slowly cool and dry.]