The smile cast his way by a friendly face is entirely reassuring. The affectionate introduction is oddly overwhelming. Horatio can feel pink flushing into his cheeks, brightened further by the obvious amusement the words seem to give the people around them. His fingers tremble just slightly as he takes the glass thrust into his hand, only allowing him the tiniest sip before he's half-certain he's going to spill.
Then there's James's hand resting lightly against his spine, and the flush in his cheeks begins moving toward a deeper crimson.
Thankfully, James seems fairly capable of handling small talk for both of them. Horatio can manage calmer breathing and something closer to a smile for the next few moments of conversation.
His cheeks are still pink as James directs them away. They stay pink as the hand on his back slips down into his own grip. They darken again as his own fingers catch tighter, keeping him close as they move quietly through the crowd.
For a heartbeat, he thinks he catches sight of James's mentor watching them from the other side of the room. For another, he notices Pellew studying them thoughtfully through the crowd. Before they turn off into the quiet little room, he's certain his eyes meet with Matthews's, which look much sharper and more sober than he's ever seen them.
That, as much as anything else, has Horatio's cheeks paling again as he quietly plucks his hand back. "He did. Do-- you mind it?"
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2017-08-02 11:50 am (UTC)Then there's James's hand resting lightly against his spine, and the flush in his cheeks begins moving toward a deeper crimson.
Thankfully, James seems fairly capable of handling small talk for both of them. Horatio can manage calmer breathing and something closer to a smile for the next few moments of conversation.
His cheeks are still pink as James directs them away. They stay pink as the hand on his back slips down into his own grip. They darken again as his own fingers catch tighter, keeping him close as they move quietly through the crowd.
For a heartbeat, he thinks he catches sight of James's mentor watching them from the other side of the room. For another, he notices Pellew studying them thoughtfully through the crowd. Before they turn off into the quiet little room, he's certain his eyes meet with Matthews's, which look much sharper and more sober than he's ever seen them.
That, as much as anything else, has Horatio's cheeks paling again as he quietly plucks his hand back. "He did. Do-- you mind it?"