Quentin doesn't make any attempt to pat Keller on the back or pull him any closer or anything like that. He doesn't give him any lines about "I got you" or "it's gonna be okay" or "it's alright, you can trust me." Why bother? It'd be cheesy, stupid, and for Quentin would be utterly and painfully insincere. Quentin sucks at comforting people. He knows this about himself. There isn't much he can do to change that.
Fortunately, Julian also sucks at being comforted. Convenient!]
Just take the damn hug, dummy.
[His voice is a little muffled against Julian's shoulder, but it's audible enough. Telepathy is more likely to spook Keller, and the dude's already about to rattle out of his own skin as it is. But it's fine, because the tone, which is purposefully soft and holds about as much warmth as Quentin Quire is capable of producing without literally vomiting in his own mouth, is more important than the words.]
We both know you need this.
[At least he does Julian the favor of not explaining precisely what he means by "this". Because despite the "dumbass" comment (or the "bag of rocks" or all the times he's called the idiot an idiot, etc etc etc) Julian isn't in fact actually stupid. He's willfully obtuse at worst and stubborn as all get out. But Quentin would put money on Keller knowing exactly what he means. The only question is if he's smart enough to accept what he knows.]
no subject
Quentin doesn't make any attempt to pat Keller on the back or pull him any closer or anything like that. He doesn't give him any lines about "I got you" or "it's gonna be okay" or "it's alright, you can trust me." Why bother? It'd be cheesy, stupid, and for Quentin would be utterly and painfully insincere. Quentin sucks at comforting people. He knows this about himself. There isn't much he can do to change that.
Fortunately, Julian also sucks at being comforted. Convenient!]
Just take the damn hug, dummy.
[His voice is a little muffled against Julian's shoulder, but it's audible enough. Telepathy is more likely to spook Keller, and the dude's already about to rattle out of his own skin as it is. But it's fine, because the tone, which is purposefully soft and holds about as much warmth as Quentin Quire is capable of producing without literally vomiting in his own mouth, is more important than the words.]
We both know you need this.
[At least he does Julian the favor of not explaining precisely what he means by "this". Because despite the "dumbass" comment (or the "bag of rocks" or all the times he's called the idiot an idiot, etc etc etc) Julian isn't in fact actually stupid. He's willfully obtuse at worst and stubborn as all get out. But Quentin would put money on Keller knowing exactly what he means. The only question is if he's smart enough to accept what he knows.]