WHO: Hugh & Theo WHEN: Mid-Decemberish. WHERE: Hugh's house on the lake. SUMMARY: Christmas things are baked, and maybe some secrets are shared. WARNINGS: None, at this point - will update if that changes.
Hugh dipped the spoon down into mulled apple cider as Christmas songs played in the background and pulled some to his lips to taste. He'd put the cider on just a few moments before, and it was making the kitchen smell amazing, even if there was no danger of the house lacking good smells based on the list of recipes he'd printed out to potentially try. He sat the spoon down and started shuffling through the list of recipes while he waited for Theodore.
If there was anything Hugh had learned in the last year it was that he very definitely should not be alone for days on end. And to that end, he'd been actively trying to make certain that he had visitors, that he sat up coffee meetings, or drove to the Capital. Having regular auditions helped, and he was beginning to make enough friends over among the artistic community in the Capital that he could find brunch partners and coffee shop meet-ups over there as well, but he had also thrown himself into really cultivating friendships and so that meant inviting people over, and trying to be intentional about time spent together with people who he did feel connected to, and Theodore was definitely one of those.
The pourover he'd brewed earlier was bordering on too cold to really be enjoyable, but he took another sip anyway, and then a final one, before a scamper from Heart suggested, before the doorbell could ring, that his company was probably here. The smile was instantaneous, and he straightened up, heading for the front door.
Hugh opened it, warm smile in place for Theodore on the other side. He'd dressed casually, for him anyway, skinny jeans, an Oxford shirt, and a red v-neck sweater pulled over it. "Theodore," he opened the door, reaching for Heart's collar, even though the dog was used to Theo now. "Merry Christmas, come in!"