#Iann is officially in love with Steve

[ashnadir]

thisdaringdanny:

          Steve accepted the nod and followed on after them, figuring that it would take a moment for the man to work out how to converse with him. Generally Steve could make it easier, offering his words on pen and paper even if they were not so neat, but this was not the time and unlike a lady wallaby he did not have a pouch to carry his goods around in.

         “Just me, but I wouldn’t put it past any of them to sneak into town and trick me,” Danny answered while he strolled, presuming they’d hear the creatures come from the water if they intended to follow them. “But it’s just me here, rest of my families back home. Should be coming for Christmas though, Mum loves the snow but that’s because she only sees it for a week or two at best,” Danny continued, happy to speak on the more positive side of his life. “How about you? Got any sisters or family about that’ll thank me ten fold for helping you?” he teased since the man had done a lot of the work.

          Working at a bar Danny tended to hear at least some of the gossip. Mostly what he knew about Iann Cardero was that he was a fixer, not in the mechanical sense of the word but he knew how to get things done, or to find out how they got done. Personality wise he knew little and generally didn’t tend to rely on such things. If he did he’d be ultimately a very confused sort of guy because while one person could love someone with everything, another could hate them with just as much.

        “Steve told me about some other man’s familiar asking about you, said you’re a flirt for faeries and to watch out but most I’ve heard is bar talk, don’t usually trust bar talk but most about you is just that you’re very helpful,” Danny answered honestly. He thought Perl could have mentioned him once too but could not be sure so instead just went with the one he knew most certainly.

        Steve nodded, taking Iann’s hand within his paw as a kind of gift of thanks that he was addressed properly. Even though it did nothing to answer the question it did indicate to Danny that he was allowed to answer in his place. “Definitely herbivores usually but Steve doesn’t like a whole lot of animal words being used for him. So vegan works since he doesn’t eat cheese or eggs or any kind of milk but almond.”

If Iann saw Steve writing, he'd probably die a happy death.  One day, hopefully.

"Oh do they like playing pranks on you?" Iann said, his smile ready and amused.  Danny seemed fairly easy-going, so Iann didn't mind asking friendlyish questions, without some idea that Iann was either being too prying or overly interested for some salacious reason.    Just two guys having a conversation - Iann liked that.  It wasn't often he was able to get along with other dudes; not that it ended in outright hostility but Iann just...found it difficult to be buddies unless there was a reason.  WIth Freddie, their working partnership just harmonized them in to pals.  With Tuah. it was a fine interwoven blend of love and strife.  With Leitner it was...something weird that Iann couldn't really explain.

  But other guys he knew: Pettaline, Lopez, Savin, Rein, Miles Cook - there was just no way that Iann could find to get close to them.  Maybe it was him, he didn't know.  He didn't really care either, but it was always a novelty to at least try.  And Danny was another good test subject to try out Iann's brand of friendly acquaintance.

"I just have an Aunt by blood, and she's in Portland, about a three hour drive from here - depending on how fast you drive, of course,"  Iann added with a grin.  He motioned to Danny's motorbike.  "With that thing, you could probably make it in two, I'll bet.  She is a beauty."  

A flirt for fairies - Iann laughed because he figured Danny could only be talking about one fairy.  "Freddie Watts.  You and him have met, hm?  His familiar hates me, so..."  Iann grinned at Steve.  "If you eventually learn to hate me too, I'll understand."  Iann did find he liked being described as 'very helpful'.  It was a good, practical description that was positive but rather demurely so. 

 "Well now you know - if you ever need any help, I'm your guy.  I should get that put on my business card, 'Iann Cardero: Very Helpful',"  Iann said, running his hands above him as if reading out a marquee.

He was so amused with himself that he startled slightly when he felt a thin warm little hand slip into his own.  Iann looked down to see...oh my god.  This kan - this wallaby was actually holding his hand?!  Iann stared down at this delicate, carefully made bonding moment, feeling a little like Elliot holding E.T.'s hand in the movie.  It was so unfamiliar to Iann, that it was thrilling. 

 "You're amazing," Iann said to Steve, believing it whole-heartedly.

the bunyip maze