[ Thank fucking God Ian isn't sharing his mathematical theories with his date, who would most assuredly be a little horrified by the transactional approach to intimacy with someone you like. Did he used to subscribe to similar means? Absolutely. Does he lean on them now? No freaking way.

How does one respond to a compliment like that, if it is a compliment at all? Could just be an observation, but now he's overthinking this stuff too and Nate honestly doesn't have it in him to agonize on this level 24/7. ]

That's- it's not intentional.

[ He half explains, before deciding that another anecdote about his nerdy childhood will just earn looks. ]

I just like to wonder about what it would be. If I were there, I mean. For all that.