[Both hands steady his plate and progress towards straightening his cutlery. It is simple enough to tackle Hendrik's observation without troubling himself - and he answers swiftly.]
We are fundamentally different in most regards. That hardly means we cannot work together.
[Jasper drinks from his glass. It saves him from answering for all of a second, but the need to respond is staring him in the face. He frowns and realises that need is staring off to the side. Or wherever Hendrik now finds himself looking.
What a prickly predicament they find themselves in, he thinks. He extends his hand across the table; palm facing the air, ready for a simple touch or even a handshake.]
You have always been stubborn. But it speaks volumes that you realize it.
[The movement out of the corner of his eye draws Hendrik's attention back to Jasper, and he looks at the table, where his hand rests. He gives it a pensive look before pulling his hand up and resting it on top of the other man's.
He says nothing for a long moment, his expression downcast despite looking at Jasper.]
[Fingers move together, finding strength in unity. Differences that were once a divide are now set aside in favour of moving forward. He watches his friend look at him in misery and discovers he dislikes the sight.]
It is a pity that we have lost so many years. Still, plenty lie ahead.
[What Hendrik agrees to is left unsaid, his eyes straying down to their clasped hands as Jasper strengthens his hold.
He needs to remind himself to stop looking for those similarities. Needs to remind himself that they are very different people -- not just in capability, but in their thoughts and hearts. If they still had any similarities between them, they wouldn't be where they are now.
With his free hand, he reaches for his beer and takes a long swig.]
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We are fundamentally different in most regards. That hardly means we cannot work together.
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[He tries to swallow a sigh.]
I suppose I do not understand... Or I have been unwilling to accept our feelings have diverged so much.
[Even though that fact is right there in his face.]
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What a prickly predicament they find themselves in, he thinks. He extends his hand across the table; palm facing the air, ready for a simple touch or even a handshake.]
You have always been stubborn. But it speaks volumes that you realize it.
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He says nothing for a long moment, his expression downcast despite looking at Jasper.]
Apologies.
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[Fingers move together, finding strength in unity. Differences that were once a divide are now set aside in favour of moving forward. He watches his friend look at him in misery and discovers he dislikes the sight.]
It is a pity that we have lost so many years. Still, plenty lie ahead.
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[What Hendrik agrees to is left unsaid, his eyes straying down to their clasped hands as Jasper strengthens his hold.
He needs to remind himself to stop looking for those similarities. Needs to remind himself that they are very different people -- not just in capability, but in their thoughts and hearts. If they still had any similarities between them, they wouldn't be where they are now.
With his free hand, he reaches for his beer and takes a long swig.]