#definitely projecting

As a researcher, scholar, Dottore prefers to take a chunk of time to do outdoor researching. Exploring what hes currently researching and collecting components to bring back.

Coming off as this big... bird, Dottore doesn’t out right say what he wants. Or rather, needs.

Coming back after an outing of days, weeks, sometimes a few months, he goes straight to his lab.

Originally, it was annoying, excited to conduct exspiremints, only to be stopped by Pantalone.

It wasn't stright away that he realized how... starving he is for interaction.

Getting stuck in conversation that was a nightmare to pull out of.

At first, Dottore would play an act. Play into a role that wasn't him just to get out of the situation.

Mhm, yeah, of course. Head nod. Step away.

Repeat that, mix it up, whatever.

Slowly, eventually, Dottore would finally get out of the conversation. His act would bring Pantalones mood up, keeping there purely business relationship positive.

But who would've thought Dottore could change... or, be himself.

Getting stuck in a conversation that seemed all too easy to contuine.

Dottore wouldn't call himself talkative but, god, does it come so easily. He tends to take control of the conversation like second nature. Giving it back to Pantalone and actually wanting to hear what he says. Hearing his unique manner of speech was like a substance Dottore couldn't stop consuming. Listening to his thoughts like Pantalone was the topic of research.

It doesn't even feel artifical. It feels so real, honest, genuine.

Genuine interest.

Is this what a friend is? Is this what a friend is?

More than just a friend?

It wasn't until later on, when Dottore realized that he liked these conversations, that, he craved this. Even less did he realize the jealously that came with it.

The ache in his chest when he'd come back after an exploration to no long conversation from Pantalone.

Going to the lab right away felt wrong. Sitting for hours, days, almost a week. Realizing it had almost been a week hurt.

It just, hurt.

What could possibly be taking up Pantalones time? Unless, he had someone else go talk to. Could someone else seriously catch his attention? Surely, no one else could be more interesting than the Dottore.

Oh boy was he jealous. Not a single thing could be worked on once Dottore was back. Too busy thinking about all the possibilities that could be happening. No rationability was a option anymore, not even a thought. The simple solution would be to hunt Pantlone himself but, whats stopping him from doing that. Why must Dottore go through the work when hes done it every time.

Maybe the big black bird really did crave company and when he finally got it, he felt like a hole was in his chest when it was away. Oh, but he is all too stubborn to fetch the company himself, too frightened with the what if's within an unwritten statement.

Throwing away all your logic and reasoning over emotions? So unlike you but so you.

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