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[protective_logic]

Anything is welcome. Just let me know if you want him as an AI or person in the first post

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[protective_logic]

Delta is still there, waiting. Well, no, not waiting. Just working on schematics. Doesn't even look up when York approaches. He's at least gotten THAT comfortable with York.

[depthlesslock]

A fact the Hawk notices. Closing the bathroom door behind him again, he steps closer, but makes sure to not crowd the man.

"Schematics for the house? Or armor?"

[protective_logic]

"Your armor," Delta answers, not even looking up. "If you are to defend me in the professional manner to which you intend, then you shall require it, shall you not?"

Chilly? Delta? Nope.

[depthlesslock]

Ouch. York winces. Yeah he fucked up, that'll teach him.

"Yes sir. Delta." Shit. "Sorry."

[protective_logic]

Delta didn't want to be that man, that cold and distant owner. But... York definitely made him feel like that was the only option. And he hated.

"Me too. But if this is how you want this, then this is what you shall have."

[depthlesslock]

"It's not... Delta, we had a whole conversation about this. I... I slipped up, okay? And I'm sorry, I'll do my best not to do it again. I don't want you to be like that. I like you because you're not."

[protective_logic]

The conversation doesn't matter in some ways. But Delta has to sigh. He's trying.

"I'm... torn over all of this, York. In ways I cannot explain. I do not understand the will you have to serve. It makes no sense. I do not like the work my family does. I am not comfortable with the way that the women who would be my godmother instead chose to serve my mother with her life. I don't understand any of this and I definitely don't like it."

[depthlesslock]

He sighs, the sound heavy with the weight of several years in the system. "It's... hard to explain, and honestly I don't fully understand and am torn over it myself. From what I've heard of your mother and Phi, it was possibly the only way they could remain close once your father married her. For me... I believe in what you want to do, what you want to create. Think of it less as me serving you and more... helping you get there. And bear in mind "there" is radically changing the system or outright bringing it down."

[protective_logic]

"I don't... I don't know that the company should go entirely. Hawk armor is great. It could be used for police forces instead."

But then others would acquire it and use it for crime. There isn't... a good answer.

[depthlesslock]

"It could, but my point still stands that you want to change the system. And I'm down for that. So why would I want you to be my all-overbearing Master when neither of us are interested in that?"

[protective_logic]

Delta doesn't know. His fingers card through his hair. It's so nervous making.

"I'm sorry. I'm terrible at people outside of parties. And we saw how much I hate those."

[depthlesslock]

He sighs, but it's not unkind. "I remember. Look... I'm sorry for the way I acted. I really don't want you to be like most other Masters are. I don't think either of us would be happy that way. You just be you."

[protective_logic]

"I don't know if I can just be me. I want to..."

Delta licks his lips.

[depthlesslock]

"No way is going to be easy. And it's also not gonna happen quickly."

[protective_logic]

"Good things, my mother says, are never easy to achieve."

[depthlesslock]

"She's pretty on the money, unfortunately. ...But if you'll let me, I want to help try and make it easier."

[protective_logic]

How in the world is the Hawk going to do that? Other than making sure Delta lives. And that he isn't alone?

"I appreciate that."

[depthlesslock]

Two things which are important and a good start.

"So you'll let me?"

[protective_logic]

"I'll... let you try," Delta agrees. But he supposes they both have to figure it out.

[depthlesslock]

"Thank you, that's all I ask." He lets out a quiet sigh of relief. "And... anything you need from me, please let me know."

[protective_logic]

He just wishes there was more. Something easier. Something nicer.

"I have to figure that out, don't I? How to accept this all."

[depthlesslock]

"Yeah, but it's not a one man job. You can talk to me, hopefully your mom and Phi as well. Helps to bounce ideas off people."

[protective_logic]

"I'm trying hard not to get my mother caught up in my own mess," Delta shrugs, trying to brush the very suggestion aside.

[depthlesslock]

"...Yeah, that's fair." There's only so much they can do, of course, considering who she's married to, but there's certainly call to not drag her further into everything.

[protective_logic]

With a sigh Delta puts his data pad aside. He can’t focus on work right now. So he looks to York instead, his expression soft.

“Maybe we can work on something else instead? I know I am supposed to be working on the armor, and most of it is ready for fabrication, but... I just need something that isn’t this work.”

He needs to figure out how to make it all better. And sure, swimming had been great for that, but there was something else needed. A connection to the other man perhaps.