Re: lakeside mansion; hugh c./theodore c.
Hugh took the box from Theodore - uncertain because it was definitely too late to be a Christmas present and his birthday wasn't for months, although Theodore had at times simply sent him gifts for no reason at all, but this didn't feel like that although he couldn't have immediately said why. The words that followed the gift box though, offered some explanation, although not one that made much sense to him.
"I - you're leaving?" there was no mistaking the dismay that crossed Hugh's face at this news as his mind raced through possibilities.
Of course Theodore had the house in Salem, and it wasn't impossible that he might prefer to be there for some reason or another, but Hugh had thought he was staying. He had, after all, said that he planned to, and while Hugh didn't have any particular right to expect it - he had wanted it - he realized with a acute pang. Perhaps part of it had been the particular moment that Theodore had entered his life, offering Hugh understanding and kindness that had been desperately needed, and Hugh had never once felt anything but supported by Theodore's friendship. And as he'd tried to put his life together into something that didn't fill him with despair just thinking about living that particular life for the foreseeable future, Theodore's kindness and certainty had offered a lifeline. Hugh swallowed and glanced at the box he'd taken from Theodore's hands, he would enjoy it, and he knew enough to know that it'd be a quality whiskey. He looked back up to Theodore.
"Is something wrong?" This felt like the most reasonable explanation even if Hugh didn't wish that to be the case at all. "Elaine's alright, yes?"