[He lets it hang. Both because as isolated as they are, it's not something he enjoys alluding to in public, where there's a chance someone could over hear them, even if they aren't getting close enough to see what they're doing. And because- though the all lose people, has before, and will again, likely- but he's not before now, lost someone that he has no chance of ever seeing again, once he leaves this place.
He should have spent more time with Bruce, needled him for information on his world. Not just checked in and hid- licking his wounds and corralling his brothers, the safer options, instead. The minimal contact didn't soften the blow any. Not the way he'd tried to convince himself that it might.
But despite the tease and the smile looking more and more like he's going through the motions- harder to keep up the facade with Fitz, when they circle each other so endlessly- he is confident. Fitz is a scientist by nature. Finding the answer through repeated trial and error, slogging through those failures without seeing them as such- it's suited to him. Even if it isn't always, to Dick.
But when Fitz agrees, he forces himself to pay further attention. Straighten up where he's standing, and put all that training and field experience to use. He clocks the way that Fitz throws the stone forward, how he tenses and tracks the movement of the stone with his eyes, the strain in his shoulders from forcing the evenly spaced portals, rapid opening and closing before the stone can fall. The way the portals look as they ripple into being, as he relaxes once he's finished his demonstration.
It says a lot, for how active a participant Fitz must be to utilize the ability, nothing so easy as flicking a finger and watching it occur. Of course, that doesn't help him now- not with any specific thing to direct it towards. When he can feel Fitz' gaze turn to him, Dick considers, briefly, saying something to assure him that it's alright- that he may feel discouraged now- but he's went for months without knowing, with only trying every so often.
He's lived without powers, fought without them. He's taken down others with abilities human or from an alternate planet alike- without ever needing more than what he had, and the tools available. If he never finds out- it won't hinder his ability to help those in need. He'll adapt to the constraints of the new world, but he won't need what the implant can give him. He won't be frustrated forever. It's only- information is currency, and every tool in their arsenal can help them all. Even if he chooses to forgo it whenever possible- knowing what they've given him- it could help.
Dick is used to being in tune with his body in a way most people aren't, an athlete since he could take his first steps- he knows his limits and instinctually where where to move- can drop off a roof in free fall without looking, and never miss his landings. The idea of having something there, unknowable, grates under his skin in a way he can't explain, can't justify. But he'll move past it. It's not the worst thing he's lived through.
But before he can- Fitz asks him to feel it. To reach out and connect with the bond, open it and experience power on a completely different level. It isn't- it's not as if they haven't connected before, different times and reasons than the initial NDA disclosure agreement they'd had when they met. If he's honest- Fitz is the one that Dick has opened the connection with the most, trusted to leave it lingering. Intentional or otherwise. It feeds a connection that already exists, but the question still surprises him. Mouth dropping open slightly, in a sharp inhale of air, the slight widening of his eyes.
It sounds so-
And then he aborts the thought, smiles, soft. Pushes off from the metal he was leaning against and bridges the distance between them] If you really think it'd help. And- hard to ignore Daisy's advice. She's made an excellent mentor, for those who know what they can do.
Okay. Let's- it can't hurt. [At least, it hasn't yet. A moment later, Dick reaches out, takes a moment to consider the best way to establish a solid, thorough connection and skims his fingers across the back of Fitz' hand, when he doesn't startle- his touch solidifies, moving to wrap up his hand and lace their fingers together. A precaution against letting go, if he's startled but what may come across from the activation of his abilities]
no subject
[He lets it hang. Both because as isolated as they are, it's not something he enjoys alluding to in public, where there's a chance someone could over hear them, even if they aren't getting close enough to see what they're doing. And because- though the all lose people, has before, and will again, likely- but he's not before now, lost someone that he has no chance of ever seeing again, once he leaves this place.
He should have spent more time with Bruce, needled him for information on his world. Not just checked in and hid- licking his wounds and corralling his brothers, the safer options, instead. The minimal contact didn't soften the blow any. Not the way he'd tried to convince himself that it might.
But despite the tease and the smile looking more and more like he's going through the motions- harder to keep up the facade with Fitz, when they circle each other so endlessly- he is confident. Fitz is a scientist by nature. Finding the answer through repeated trial and error, slogging through those failures without seeing them as such- it's suited to him. Even if it isn't always, to Dick.
But when Fitz agrees, he forces himself to pay further attention. Straighten up where he's standing, and put all that training and field experience to use. He clocks the way that Fitz throws the stone forward, how he tenses and tracks the movement of the stone with his eyes, the strain in his shoulders from forcing the evenly spaced portals, rapid opening and closing before the stone can fall. The way the portals look as they ripple into being, as he relaxes once he's finished his demonstration.
It says a lot, for how active a participant Fitz must be to utilize the ability, nothing so easy as flicking a finger and watching it occur. Of course, that doesn't help him now- not with any specific thing to direct it towards. When he can feel Fitz' gaze turn to him, Dick considers, briefly, saying something to assure him that it's alright- that he may feel discouraged now- but he's went for months without knowing, with only trying every so often.
He's lived without powers, fought without them. He's taken down others with abilities human or from an alternate planet alike- without ever needing more than what he had, and the tools available. If he never finds out- it won't hinder his ability to help those in need. He'll adapt to the constraints of the new world, but he won't need what the implant can give him. He won't be frustrated forever. It's only- information is currency, and every tool in their arsenal can help them all. Even if he chooses to forgo it whenever possible- knowing what they've given him- it could help.
Dick is used to being in tune with his body in a way most people aren't, an athlete since he could take his first steps- he knows his limits and instinctually where where to move- can drop off a roof in free fall without looking, and never miss his landings. The idea of having something there, unknowable, grates under his skin in a way he can't explain, can't justify. But he'll move past it. It's not the worst thing he's lived through.
But before he can- Fitz asks him to feel it. To reach out and connect with the bond, open it and experience power on a completely different level. It isn't- it's not as if they haven't connected before, different times and reasons than the initial NDA disclosure agreement they'd had when they met. If he's honest- Fitz is the one that Dick has opened the connection with the most, trusted to leave it lingering. Intentional or otherwise. It feeds a connection that already exists, but the question still surprises him. Mouth dropping open slightly, in a sharp inhale of air, the slight widening of his eyes.
It sounds so-
And then he aborts the thought, smiles, soft. Pushes off from the metal he was leaning against and bridges the distance between them] If you really think it'd help. And- hard to ignore Daisy's advice. She's made an excellent mentor, for those who know what they can do.
Okay. Let's- it can't hurt. [At least, it hasn't yet. A moment later, Dick reaches out, takes a moment to consider the best way to establish a solid, thorough connection and skims his fingers across the back of Fitz' hand, when he doesn't startle- his touch solidifies, moving to wrap up his hand and lace their fingers together. A precaution against letting go, if he's startled but what may come across from the activation of his abilities]