Russian is not an easy language to learn...and Stukov's German isn't much better than Reinhardt's butchering of his mother tongue...so he's not one to talk. Not that he would anyway...especially when this is such a touching sentiment. He doesn't miss the flush...and he can't help but glow a soft pink at that in turn for a few seconds.
"There is no way to say it in Zerg. They...they don't have words for it. Until very recently, there...there wasn't even time for it for them. It is starting to happen now...amongst the higher level Zerg-the queens and the brood mothers...perhaps they will think of a way to say it. I will share it if I learn it but...most Zerg like...Der Kinder communicate psionically...so...your thoughts and feelings are picked up on. I'm certain they know how you feel about them."
He leans into that scratch on his beard and sighs.
"I would be happy to go with you."
There is a part of him that freezes up inside at the thought of going out...of...being social. He's been getting better though...and Reinhardt will be there and the colonists have mostly gotten used to him at this point.
That embrace...that kiss to his temple...the playing with his hair...it is so soothing...so relaxing...like...this is just another day...they are just a pair of old men fawning over each other like lovestruck teenagers. Human teenagers. He's told Reinhardt this before-that the Crusader makes him feel human and his beloved is always assuring him that he is human. Alexei knows better, but he's not going to argue...he'll just enjoy feeling love and affection that he thought was lost to him.
It is wonderful. It is exactly what Alexei needed. Even more slime and dead tissue come off with Reinhardt's cleaning and Stukov is looking very uneven...but what's coming off for now is off. Almost. There's a pop from his face and the large chunk of carapace on his left cheek comes free. Alexei manages to catch its edge and peel it lightly away. It looks like a piece of plastic with a sheen of am iridescence in the light.
"Huh. First actual carapace piece of the molt. That's a good sign."
Stukov set it on the side of the tub.
"Spasibo."
There is a pause.
"For everything. Always. I...I am honored you are still here...despite...despite everything."
He turns his whole body then, placing the hand Reinhardt held the wash cloth in between his right hand and his molting claws on his left.
Now it is his turn to attempt a language not his own.
"Ich liebe dich, Mein Ritter."
It seems Reinhardt is not the only one who has been practicing. Like his Russian, it is heavily accented...but discernible.
no subject
"There is no way to say it in Zerg. They...they don't have words for it. Until very recently, there...there wasn't even time for it for them. It is starting to happen now...amongst the higher level Zerg-the queens and the brood mothers...perhaps they will think of a way to say it. I will share it if I learn it but...most Zerg like...Der Kinder communicate psionically...so...your thoughts and feelings are picked up on. I'm certain they know how you feel about them."
He leans into that scratch on his beard and sighs.
"I would be happy to go with you."
There is a part of him that freezes up inside at the thought of going out...of...being social. He's been getting better though...and Reinhardt will be there and the colonists have mostly gotten used to him at this point.
That embrace...that kiss to his temple...the playing with his hair...it is so soothing...so relaxing...like...this is just another day...they are just a pair of old men fawning over each other like lovestruck teenagers. Human teenagers. He's told Reinhardt this before-that the Crusader makes him feel human and his beloved is always assuring him that he is human. Alexei knows better, but he's not going to argue...he'll just enjoy feeling love and affection that he thought was lost to him.
It is wonderful. It is exactly what Alexei needed. Even more slime and dead tissue come off with Reinhardt's cleaning and Stukov is looking very uneven...but what's coming off for now is off. Almost. There's a pop from his face and the large chunk of carapace on his left cheek comes free. Alexei manages to catch its edge and peel it lightly away. It looks like a piece of plastic with a sheen of am iridescence in the light.
"Huh. First actual carapace piece of the molt. That's a good sign."
Stukov set it on the side of the tub.
"Spasibo."
There is a pause.
"For everything. Always. I...I am honored you are still here...despite...despite everything."
He turns his whole body then, placing the hand Reinhardt held the wash cloth in between his right hand and his molting claws on his left.
Now it is his turn to attempt a language not his own.
"Ich liebe dich, Mein Ritter."
It seems Reinhardt is not the only one who has been practicing. Like his Russian, it is heavily accented...but discernible.