Steve is aware of his own distractibility, and right now he's leaping at any opportunities to be distracted. Plus: he recognises this phenomenon. Steve figures most of the farm has probably fallen victim to the little pink blob.
"Your robot has fallen victim to an infamous threat that lurks around the farm. It turns up now and then and turns into people."
Steve would reinforce his claim to being okay, but
(he isn't, and he doesn't know if he's ever going to be, because Gabriel is dead and Steve knew that something like this was going to happen and he still didn't manage to stop it and even if he finished the cyborg research he still wouldn't be able to bring him back and)
he can't quite muster the enthusiasm. He just lets Neil propel him outside, concentrating on staying outwardly calm.
He stops when they're in Dynames' shadow. Haro bounces away towards the cockpit. The bright white glow on top of the mech's head is possibly dozing and certainly out of earshot.
At least for a conversation as quiet as the one Neil is planning.
"Now, I'd say look me in the eye and tell me you're fine, but I don't like encouraging dishonesty in my friends."
He's still got his left hand on Steve's shoulder. Now he brings the other one up to match.
"God knows it's probably not any of my business, but I do care, Steve. If you ever need somebody to talk to..."
Neil would be glad to assume the wildly inappropriate in context role of big brother here!
Steve's attempt to stay presentable is increasingly a losing battle, and he's still not looking at Neil because he doesn't want Neil to see the miserable look on his face.
But he's torn. Because as much as he doesn't want to stand here and unload all his woes on a guy he only met a week ago, he also wants someone -- that guy -- someone to hold him and tell him that it's all right and it's not his fault and it's all right.
His face has always been an open book; right now it's the denouement of a Shakespearean tragedy.
"...Diiiiiiiiitto?"
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Steve is aware of his own distractibility, and right now he's leaping at any opportunities to be distracted. Plus: he recognises this phenomenon. Steve figures most of the farm has probably fallen victim to the little pink blob.
"Your robot has fallen victim to an infamous threat that lurks around the farm. It turns up now and then and turns into people."
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He glances from Haro to Ditto and back.
"Can we ask it not to turn into my robot? Or into me, actually."
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To the second Haro: "Hey. Stop it."
(...his voice is definitely more monotone than usual. What's that all about?)
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Ditto has no knowledge of this concept!
In fact, it sounds a little bewildered and upset, like a puppy who's been told off for performing a trick.
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Neil frowns at Ditto.
(It doesn't occur to him that Steve doesn't know he knows. He assumes Val's informational largesse is an accepted principle around here.
Which might explain the hand he rests on the younger man's shoulder, or it might not.)
Soft: "Hey. You okay?"
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"Stoppit! Stoppit!"
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...
:(((
The imitation Haro slowly softens into something pinker and more blobby, and regards them all with a mournful look.
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Convincing Steve is... not so convincing. But definitely not rejecting the hand, because he could use all the comfort he can get right now.
"Look," nodding towards Ditto to avoid looking at Neil, "there it goes."
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He raises his visible eyebrow at Ditto.
"And don't do that again, okay? C'mon," this to Steve, "let's get out of its way before it gets the bright idea of turning into me."
With Haro resting against his hip, he steers Steve gently out towards the bunker and Dynames.
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(he isn't, and he doesn't know if he's ever going to be, because Gabriel is dead and Steve knew that something like this was going to happen and he still didn't manage to stop it and even if he finished the cyborg research he still wouldn't be able to bring him back and)
he can't quite muster the enthusiasm. He just lets Neil propel him outside, concentrating on staying outwardly calm.
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At least for a conversation as quiet as the one Neil is planning.
"Now, I'd say look me in the eye and tell me you're fine, but I don't like encouraging dishonesty in my friends."
He's still got his left hand on Steve's shoulder. Now he brings the other one up to match.
"God knows it's probably not any of my business, but I do care, Steve. If you ever need somebody to talk to..."
Neil would be glad to assume the wildly inappropriate in context role of big brother here!
Reply
But he's torn. Because as much as he doesn't want to stand here and unload all his woes on a guy he only met a week ago, he also wants someone -- that guy -- someone to hold him and tell him that it's all right and it's not his fault and it's all right.
His face has always been an open book; right now it's the denouement of a Shakespearean tragedy.
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Reply
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