[Varian's panic is at least starting to ebb away, being replaced with an awful, creeping dread instead. Things were going so, so well. He genuinely thought he could make a go of being happy here with someone who makes him happy, but this world just had to give him powers he struggles to control which are extremely dangerous to that aforementioned person. He hugs Fern a little tighter. ]

I hate this. I was finally dealing with everything and things were going really great, and now I can't even kiss my boyfriend without worrying I'm gonna burn you to a crisp.

[It sucks so much. Fern's accidental pun does pull a tired little laugh out of him as he buries his face in the crook of the other boy's neck. ]

That's rude, too. I was really enjoying that. [Which is part of the problem, he understands. He shifts, resting his chin on Fern's shoulder.] Well, I'm definitely not planning on never making out with you ever again, so getting a handle on these stupid fire powers is just something I've got to work harder on. And just...yeah. Try to be more careful.