Re: Dietre A./Hugh C.: On the patio
That miniscule hint of offense was forgiven as soon as Hugh’s fingers closed around Dietre’s hand. He had a feeling that was something like victory when he heard the words ‘Just you.’ Wouldn’t it be nice if it really was just him? But Hugh was a charming flatterer and Dietre tried to sternly tell himself to take what he said with a grain of salt. It didn’t work, of course.
“Four or five it is.” The more the better. He viewed the songs as time, shining jewels of time he gathered up like a greedy magpie. “I played Debussy’s Arabesques, they should be easy enough to find.”
There was quiet for a moment before Dietre spoke again. He looked down into his drink, then copied Hugh’s pose, resting his head back, turned so he could gaze at the man beside him. He squeezed Hugh’s hand. “If you were with me… I mean, if you didn’t abandon me to fend for myself at any time.” A shy sort of smile that made it difficult to tell how serious he was being. “If you let me cling to you, like this--” His eyes shifted to their hands together and he gestured toward them with a movement of his chin. “I think maybe I could handle it.”
“...Would that be alright?” Dietre’s brow furrowed a little, unsure. “Or would that be too suffocating for a night out?” There were other questions under the surface here with Dietre too, things they were dancing around. The conversation was about one thing, yet also about another, possibly. A more serious thing.