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[lordoftheozarks]

When the ringing stops, all you'll hear is a cold voice that says one simple word, "Speak."

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Re: gender dysphoria mention

[lordoftheozarks]

Erik says nothing but he holds his hand out in a welcoming gesture, prompting César to go on as he feels comfortable.

"I do understand the point you are making. But allow me to counter it for you. Though her circumstances, and yours, come with many layers of emotional challenges you have both faced, one fact is true no matter what shape a romantic relationship takes. Lovers must teach each other about their wants and need. Has she not had to ask you just as many questions? Pay you just as much care? She seems like an incredibly capable and intelligent woman to me. I believe she will be smart enough to know that any misstep you take is an honest mistake. She doesn't strike me as so fragile that she could not forgive that. No one gets it right all the time, you know. Not even me." He sighs, thinking back on the stumbles he's taken with both River and Chris. No, especially not him.

But now the sign turns into a good-natured laugh. He rushes to say, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I'm not laughing at you. It just strikes me as so charming that you have to ask. Of course, César. Doing those bonding activities would solve a great deal of your worries. It would give you both time to know one another and yourselves. There's no need to jump directly to sex. There's no rule that states you must in order for your love to be real. You do know that, don't you?"

[pineapplesalmon]

César starts laughing after a moment of thought, too, and he can't hold onto the grief anymore. It slides away.

"I know, I know, but I am!" Laughing at himself. "I do know there's no rule. You see why I need a sounding board to get my thoughts out of my own head so they stop twisting around themselves? Things are often so much simpler than I tend to make them."

He looks back down at the spoon. "... Magne's an amazing woman. You're right. ... ... ..." Another soft laugh. "She's going to find the naked bonding idea cute."

[lordoftheozarks]

"You are a chronic overthinker, yes. I can see that very clearly," Erik chuckles.

It's good to see César able to laugh at himself as such. Humor is a balm in these situations.

"Yes, I'm sure she will. I have no doubt you will both be sickeningly cute with each other the entire time, as nature intended." They're going to be just fine.

"Are you feeling better?"

[pineapplesalmon]

"Everyone can." César jokes. "Magne's helping me get better not overthinking other things. And I'm motivated to get better, not just for her sake but for mine. And it's a good thing Magne likes cute things, eh?"

As César chuckles at himself, he finally takes a sip of his tea, which is finally cool enough to drink. "Oh, this is excellent. And, yes, I feel better. Sometimes you just need to talk to another man about some things. ... ... ... is there anything else you can think of, that I might need to work through?"

Looks like a good place to wrap

[lordoftheozarks]

"She very obviously likes cute things," Erik says, staring directly and very pointedly at César. That's you, buddy.

"I think we've covered a lot of ground already. Any more and it may become too difficult to process." He's given you plenty to overthink about.

"I suggest that you sit and finish your tea while we chat about something lighter as a palate cleanser."

Yes, a good wrapping spot!

[pineapplesalmon]

"She does." César processes the star a moment later and then lets out a bashful, warm laugh. "... Okay, okay, you're right."

He nods along. "It does feel like a good stopping point. And this tea is just the right temperature. It'd be a shame if I forgot about it and let it become cold."