[Newt's always been desperate for that validation from others — his father and uncle love him, yeah, but what about other people in his life? The Geiszlers pretty much have to love him, because that kind of love is unconditional. But other people? Oh, to be wanted and loved and appreciated. He looks absolutely struck with love by the notion that Clara is someone else who seems to love him unconditionally, too, and it's enough to make him get all teary-eyed.
She loves him! And that means maybe other people love him, too!
How cool is that????
When he looks at her after the kiss, he looks a fool in his ooey-gooey emotions, but it's whatever. Time to ramble at her while not collapsing in an almost comical puddle on the floor over his revelations.]
... I love you, too, Clara! I totally want matching tattoos, and — S-sorry, wow, I'm just...! I-it's been a long month, huh? Holy shit, this Godzilla is like hugging a cloud. Did you feel this thing? I love it. Oh, man, I swear I'm not drunk; I cut back a ton!
[There's a lot going on right now. He's teary eyed and looking full of emotions, and he's doing that thing where he talks fast and tries to squeeze in as much as possible in a single breath.
She reaches out and presses a finger to his mouth, trying to get him to stop rambling.]
First off, you better cut back a lot more than that. I won't have your kidneys giving out on you anytime soon. Second, this month has been ridiculously long for all of us. And lastly -
[She pauses, laughing and shaking her head. He sometimes is too much for even her to keep up with.]
We'll have to pick out just the right tattoo on our next mission. Something small. [She pinches her fingers together.]
Something small! Promise, it won't be the size of a brick or something. Just a little tattoo!
[He laughs softly as he tries to side-step her finger before it can stop him. He's still a bit wet-eyed as he collects the godzilla back into his arms and sits down at the edge of his bed, running his fingers across the new fuzzy exterior of the plush. Boy, if something can send him back into being a disgruntled 10-year-old...
Whatever. Boring people are completely adult. It's so tacky to be mature, if you ask him.
... Ha.
There's something defeated in the way his shoulders sag, like something's crossed his mind, something he can't very well shake off.]
Yeah... It's definitely been a long month, huh? Not gonna lie, I've been dying to empty out the alcohol cabinets now that I'm a free man.
[She watches him as he sits at his bed, hugging his stuffed animal like he's just a boy. There's still a vague, nagging feeling in the back of her head. It's strange how it pops up when she's around him. There's absolutely no reason that she should feel that, and yet it's subtly there, nagging at her all the same.
She ignores it, smiling as she goes over to sit next to him.]
I'm sure a mission is just around the corner. The orb won't want to keep us idle for too long.
[The words are meant to be reassuring, but she's aware he'll pick up on the fact they're really meant to tell herself that everything is going to be just fine. He's clearly bothered by something, and it upsets her that she hasn't been able to be there for him the way she ought to. But there's nothing better than a mission to distract them both and bring them together. They make a good team when they work together.]
[His expression flickers, uncertainty bleeding into something more determined.]
Right. I won't let you and the others down, either.
I'll be at 100% again for it, promise.
[She probably isn't saying anything about his reliability... but it's a genuine concern. He doesn't want to be the weirdo who has all these issues; he wants to be of use, just like he was the Science Guy for the PPDC with Hermann. He has to matter, has to prove himself and his worth. The thought of people considering him a liability in any way is almost scarier than collapsing in the hallway convulsing.]
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She loves him! And that means maybe other people love him, too!
How cool is that????
When he looks at her after the kiss, he looks a fool in his ooey-gooey emotions, but it's whatever. Time to ramble at her while not collapsing in an almost comical puddle on the floor over his revelations.]
... I love you, too, Clara! I totally want matching tattoos, and — S-sorry, wow, I'm just...! I-it's been a long month, huh? Holy shit, this Godzilla is like hugging a cloud. Did you feel this thing? I love it. Oh, man, I swear I'm not drunk; I cut back a ton!
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She reaches out and presses a finger to his mouth, trying to get him to stop rambling.]
First off, you better cut back a lot more than that. I won't have your kidneys giving out on you anytime soon. Second, this month has been ridiculously long for all of us. And lastly -
[She pauses, laughing and shaking her head. He sometimes is too much for even her to keep up with.]
We'll have to pick out just the right tattoo on our next mission. Something small. [She pinches her fingers together.]
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[He laughs softly as he tries to side-step her finger before it can stop him. He's still a bit wet-eyed as he collects the godzilla back into his arms and sits down at the edge of his bed, running his fingers across the new fuzzy exterior of the plush. Boy, if something can send him back into being a disgruntled 10-year-old...
Whatever. Boring people are completely adult. It's so tacky to be mature, if you ask him.
... Ha.
There's something defeated in the way his shoulders sag, like something's crossed his mind, something he can't very well shake off.]
Yeah... It's definitely been a long month, huh? Not gonna lie, I've been dying to empty out the alcohol cabinets now that I'm a free man.
But eggnog'll do the trick.
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She ignores it, smiling as she goes over to sit next to him.]
I'm sure a mission is just around the corner. The orb won't want to keep us idle for too long.
[The words are meant to be reassuring, but she's aware he'll pick up on the fact they're really meant to tell herself that everything is going to be just fine. He's clearly bothered by something, and it upsets her that she hasn't been able to be there for him the way she ought to. But there's nothing better than a mission to distract them both and bring them together. They make a good team when they work together.]
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Right. I won't let you and the others down, either.
I'll be at 100% again for it, promise.
[She probably isn't saying anything about his reliability... but it's a genuine concern. He doesn't want to be the weirdo who has all these issues; he wants to be of use, just like he was the Science Guy for the PPDC with Hermann. He has to matter, has to prove himself and his worth. The thought of people considering him a liability in any way is almost scarier than collapsing in the hallway convulsing.]