[Albert's head is still in structure, in plans that can't come to fruition without William, and without reason. But the more they misunderstand each other here, the more he wants to understand, to communicate on a level that doesn't need anyone else as a buffer. To still make jokes and jibes, but to look squarely at Moran as the man he is, his loyalties unquestioned just as Albert has never doubted his capability. It never was just about William. He gets it.
And he gets, in small measure, that he isn't the monolith he makes himself out to be. He was always both on the inside and the outside of things, always waiting to be useful, always striving to make connections both social and mental that would benefit the cause. Thinking about himself, what he wants, what he sees in others besides that beneficial part of them that would serve William... He hasn't thought about that terribly seriously in years. There was never a need to. It was all training, preparing, and executing.
Well. He said he wanted it to be different. Now he has to walk the walk.
His eyes track Moran's movement as he covers his hand, then leans forward and--oh. Unexpected. But it reads exactly as intended, a wordless oath, a guarantee. Whatever path he goes down, he can expect Moran at his side. No matter how much they missed each other's meanings before, he's completely sure now that Moran is not only honest, but absolutely sincere.
Before he can pull away, Albert turns his hand over and takes Moran's, letting that be equal, too. For a lingering moment, he looks into those dark eyes, finding the right words don't come out immediately.]
I will never doubt you.
[Before he echoes the gesture by pressing his own lips to the corner of Moran's, as well. He finds he feels... oddly warm, more relaxed than even moments ago, and the feeling surprises him enough that he pulls back only slightly. Is that what proper Syncing feels like?
It's lovely enough to compel Albert to do it again, this time lingering.]
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And he gets, in small measure, that he isn't the monolith he makes himself out to be. He was always both on the inside and the outside of things, always waiting to be useful, always striving to make connections both social and mental that would benefit the cause. Thinking about himself, what he wants, what he sees in others besides that beneficial part of them that would serve William... He hasn't thought about that terribly seriously in years. There was never a need to. It was all training, preparing, and executing.
Well. He said he wanted it to be different. Now he has to walk the walk.
His eyes track Moran's movement as he covers his hand, then leans forward and--oh. Unexpected. But it reads exactly as intended, a wordless oath, a guarantee. Whatever path he goes down, he can expect Moran at his side. No matter how much they missed each other's meanings before, he's completely sure now that Moran is not only honest, but absolutely sincere.
Before he can pull away, Albert turns his hand over and takes Moran's, letting that be equal, too. For a lingering moment, he looks into those dark eyes, finding the right words don't come out immediately.]
I will never doubt you.
[Before he echoes the gesture by pressing his own lips to the corner of Moran's, as well. He finds he feels... oddly warm, more relaxed than even moments ago, and the feeling surprises him enough that he pulls back only slightly. Is that what proper Syncing feels like?
It's lovely enough to compel Albert to do it again, this time lingering.]