Cormac hated it when Astoria moved back. The moment was broken. Whatever had passed between them - physically, emotionally, intangible, or solid - had been shattered the moment she pulled back. Immediately, his arms felt empty, like something was missing. And something was. He kicked himself as an after thought for not trying anything more with her in that stolen moment. He had let it slip between his fingers without so much as attempting for more, of even saying he wanted more. He knew it was for the best. Saying it or attempting it could almost only lead to rejection which would not be something that sat well with him. He hated the feeling that he'd loss something he never really had that settled in him, like a shadow that he couldn't get out from under.
But at least she was smiling at him. At least she hadn't slapped him or threw her precious wine in his face. That was something, he told himself again and again. It was something that he couldn't really find the words for either. As he withdrew his hand from her hair, he tucked a stray piece between her ear as one more small act of trying to stay connected. Then both hands were suddenly in front of him, empty. He quickly tried to busy himself with his own wineglass, trying to look as if he wasn't as shaken as he truly was. But he knew he was failing when he couldn't seem to bring the glass all the way to his lips to take a drink. He got distracted with the fact she was still close - just not close enough - and that she was smiling still.
His eyes were directly on her face as she spoke, watching her smile widen. He laughed. "Yeah, I'd say so," he said with a grin. "What about you?"