disproof | [tfln/meme overflow]

Far more contented with the contact than Richard, Eddie rests his head against his wife's, soaking up the closeness. His contentment is soured somewhat by the persistent questions and he sifts irritably in place. "Why does it matter? You don't have anything to worry about so just ignore it."

He's hoping there's no danger anyway. Hoping his own will is enough to keep the Walrider from tearing Richard apart like so many others. He's never had to worry about it before, he hasn't been around others long enough to test it.... But no, he must be able to control it. Otherwise how could they have had a proper courtship and wedding? How could they have lasted long enough to make a home together?

"You should be used to it after all this time, my darling." His voice is changing again, coldness creeping in, the swarm seeming to react to it by creeping closer. "Why should it be a problem, unless you don't trust me to keep you safe?"

It comes to him honestly, slips out of his mouth while he struggles to strike a balance between stiffening with worry or indulging in his own ego and fighting. Neither fearing nor defending, Richard admits honestly, “I’m not doubting you, Eddie. I’m just trying to understand you. This is—“

A stutter as the swarm gets closer, where his arm comes up as if to shove it away. “—this is all new territory.”

Increasingly irritated with them both, Eddie scowls. His arm tightens around Richard, becoming less affectionate and more imprisoning. "How can it be new? We've been married for.... Long enough." He can't remember how long - not enough to have children yet but that can take time.

His glare switches to the Walrider, almost petulant as he declares, "She's my wife, not some whore. You can't." Instead of withdrawing like he wants it to, it almost seems to snarl at him and he squeezes Richard tighter in response.

“Eddie, I’m not—“ The arm around him squeezes the protest quiet and jostles his half-full mug. He doesn’t get to correcting that he’s not a wife, they aren’t married. Not around pushing at Eddie’s elbow, not with how his head swims at the pressure and the swarm and the precarious way his drink splashed. “Let me up. One minute, let me up.”

"What?" Eddie's attention snaps back to Richard. Surprise grants his request as Eddie's grip goes slack, arm slipping from where it was keeping hold as it's shoved away. He doesn't know what Richard hopes to do but he's sure it's going to end with him a widower one way or another.

He's relieved, certainly, when he's able to shift to the side, to himself. It's what he asked for, after all, and there's comfort in knowing that even in this state, there are ways to tell Eddie no.

But without the assurance of an arm around him, Richard's gut twists immediately with worry over something as stupid as reach to put his cup on the table. "I just need--" The words trip and tangle. Just far enough not to touch, Richard crosses his legs on the couch, sits up straight with his hands on his knees and his eyes on the swarm. "What can I do?

"It hasn't done this before, so there must be something I'm doing to provoke it. Right? So. What can I do?"

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