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[cantwalkwithoutit]

You've reached the office of Mr. Gold. I cannot answer you at this moment. Please leave a detailed message, and I will return your call at my earliest convenience.

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[4thdimensional]

[The furballs gravitate to him, as always, shoving themselves up to lick his face. He sinks his free hand in their fur, comforted for the moment.]

Well...I suppose my first question is this. Why don't you want me to go?

[He's not upset about this, just curious. And hoping to somehow find an answer in this that will somewhat satisfy both of them.]

[cantwalkwithoutit]

[ Gold wants to just deflect and say it doesn't matter, because he should go if it's something he's really looking forward to.

That would be easier. But he's thought enough about this that he knows why it bothers him. ]

...Because something could go wrong.

[ No, that was an easy, throwaway concern that he could use to avoid being really honest. ]

Because in the last year, I'm struggling to think of any time that I spent anywhere near as long apart from you as I would if you went.

[ And with the inventory in the shop pared down to nearly nothing, he no longer had a cocoon of warmth to wrap himself in to avoid feeling those harder feelings. ]

[4thdimensional]

[That brought a sad smile to his face. It was an understandable concern. He shifted closer, leaning his weight against his side.]

Even if everything will be fine and I return shortly, separation is...highly unpleasant. We've been so important to each other, especially now.

[He understands that now better than he did.]

But if a short separation were to happen, could I do anything to make it easier? Frequent contact? Gently goading the dogs to hound you?

[Not that they're not doing it already, the little fuzzballs squirming eagerly against them.]

[cantwalkwithoutit]

[ Gold turns to face him a little more, sitting up close, resting his temple against his. ]

Being able to talk. That would help.

[ And he...MIGHT wind up testing his teleporting abilities if things got desperate. ]

[4thdimensional]

Absolutely. The communication link between Earth and the moon base appears to be strong...at least if that foolery on TV is any indication. And I would get concrete answers before making a final decision.

[He's somewhat reassured, but still going to take it slow. He wipes his eyes---there's a remnant of tear tracks, but it's mostly dog drool.]

But I realize that grief is clouding my judgment. I should resolve that first.

[cantwalkwithoutit]

[ He reaches up to dry his face, handkerchief in hand. ]

I'll help however I can. Just...please let me."

[4thdimensional]

Of course I will.

[He closes his eyes, simply soaking in that gentle touch. His cheeks warm a little further with embarrassment, but it helps.

When that's done, he opens his eyes just long enough to smile and angle himself for a kiss. Then, a quiet whisper against his hair.]

I love you. I haven't said that enough.

[cantwalkwithoutit]

I should have known sooner that something was wrong.

[4thdimensional]

You're not psychic...unless I've missed something?

[He smiles gently.]

Minds are tricky things, anyway. You're here. That's all that matters.

[cantwalkwithoutit]

No, but if I paid attention to who you spend your time with, if I talked to other people at all--

[ He shook his head. ]

[4thdimensional]

[Doc curled his fingers around Gold's arm, giving a reassuring squeeze.]

That's all right. I only just realized she'd left permanently this morning, after you'd left. And I've tried to keep my worries at bay.

[cantwalkwithoutit]

[ The way he manages things can be very ... transparent, which is why he's suddenly very "to business" just now ]

How much time do you have to decide?

[4thdimensional]

At least another week. I'll work on pulling myself together and making the necessary arrangements either way.

[cantwalkwithoutit]

Listen -- [ He swallowed. ] If you need to mourn, you should. You can't control the timing.

[4thdimensional]

I know. But I can do more than one thing at once.

[He takes a deep breath.]

...starting tomorrow, anyway. I may need to let my emotions run their course today.

[cantwalkwithoutit]

Then we can do that together. All right?

[4thdimensional]

Yes. Together.

[There's a small weight lifted from his shoulders. His uncertainty lingers, and the back of his mind is still piecing together contingency plans...but he's content to sit with him for now.]