Re: [Gala, Capital: Burden & Damian]
Prematurity did not factor into Damian's mind at this present juncture. His was the comment about Benjamin Coltan's proclivity toward latex, after all, and all its attendant implications of other activities and predilections. Too, though it was entirely likely he had yet to admit as much to himself, had he not been premature in his own proprietary feelings, regarding, exempli gratia, Audrey. So, yes, while Burden might have felt such prematurity, Damian failed to. Rather, he was listening to what the boy walking beside him was saying, reading between the lines as well as he was able. Much of such an ability relied upon social acumen, the understanding of body language and communication, and a thorough grasp of the verbal language involved. Damian was fluent in English, yes, but, in his thoughts tended to manifest in a myriad of languages, with little obvious preference. He often asked for clarity and a precise meaning, as this was how he was expected to communicate. "You speak of potential sexual involvement," he said—though, his saying such was, in truth, a question; and this just as Burden frowned.
Damian's expression mirrored the boy's unconsciously. He understood the tone for what it was—uncertain and unconvinced. Damian understood, also, that he was stupid to make any further admission this evening. "I would be fussed, were our positions reversed." This was saying much, and in direct contradiction to the minimization of the entire prior conversation, but, the man paid no mind to this. If it was premature, he also did not notice. "Is it not truer to say, you would be, but that this ought not hinder me?" They were nearing the car, which Damian knew from a vibration in his pocket—a proximity detector. He paused upon the sidewalk and turned to face Burden. He peered up at the boy, now beneath the overbright halo of a streetlamp. Such caused a corona of light to form about blond head and cast the boy's face in shadow. Damian glanced down at himself upon receiving the compliment, then looked back at Burden. "Burden," he began impulsively, with his heart figuratively (and somewhat physically) knocking about in his chest, "if you could, you would kiss me." A question punctuated poorly.