[ Honestly, Qubit didn't come here expecting this, either. The hug was a spur-of-the-moment impulse. A flicker of panic darts through him at Carlisle's initial tenseness - he doesn't like being touched, you know that, should have asked - but then he returns the gesture, wholeheartedly, and any second thoughts on Qubit's part evaporate. His inner tumult subsides, and in that moment, he just feels... right.
It's strange. There's no guilt, no fear, no kneejerk self-loathing. For the first time since this all began (or perhaps much longer), he feels like himself again. Solid. Concordant. Singular. He may still be divided on a multitude of other things, but - not on this. Not on Carlisle.
The remark gets a chuckle out of him, too. ]
Well, you know. Seems I'm full of surprises.
[ He certainly hasn't been the hugging sort in a while, not like he used to be. See, to hold someone, you first have to let them close. As an afterthought, he relaxes enough to let Carlisle stand on the floor like a normal person, though not enough to fully disengage. ]
... After all, someone's got to keep you on your toes.
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It's strange. There's no guilt, no fear, no kneejerk self-loathing. For the first time since this all began (or perhaps much longer), he feels like himself again. Solid. Concordant. Singular. He may still be divided on a multitude of other things, but - not on this. Not on Carlisle.
The remark gets a chuckle out of him, too. ]
Well, you know. Seems I'm full of surprises.
[ He certainly hasn't been the hugging sort in a while, not like he used to be. See, to hold someone, you first have to let them close. As an afterthought, he relaxes enough to let Carlisle stand on the floor like a normal person, though not enough to fully disengage. ]
... After all, someone's got to keep you on your toes.