( The truth is, Ian spends a lot of time awake at night wondering about fucking things up. Not even specifically with Nate, and not that they had... well they had plenty to fuck up, but it wasn't of the dating variety. The truth of the matter is he's always got to prove his value, like relationships are math. Like if he brings enough positive to a relationship logically speaking it won't end, it will outweigh the negative.
It's not just about smugness, doing this. It soothes some anxious little piece of him temporarily. Another tally mark on the scoreboard in the positive. He's provided something.
In a completely contradictory way, he feels a little bit awkward at the sincere praise. Not in a bad way, so much as that way one feels after being singled out at a birthday party. )
You're kind of poetic sometimes, you know?
( Just the way Nate phrases things. It's beautiful.
It also might slightly be a cop-out to acknowledging that thanks. )
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It's not just about smugness, doing this. It soothes some anxious little piece of him temporarily. Another tally mark on the scoreboard in the positive. He's provided something.
In a completely contradictory way, he feels a little bit awkward at the sincere praise. Not in a bad way, so much as that way one feels after being singled out at a birthday party. )
You're kind of poetic sometimes, you know?
( Just the way Nate phrases things. It's beautiful.
It also might slightly be a cop-out to acknowledging that thanks. )