Re: [log: antique store - daniel/claire/louis]
Once the door had been shut and Daniel felt himself ensconced from the safety of the unknown, he had leisure to examine Louis more closely than he had on the rush of summer air. He looked the same, if not healthier, and Daniel felt that in healthy color Louis was ironically the better of both himself and Claire, who still looked a bit peaky to his eyes. He shifted the black-eyed examination to her, inhaling soundlessly to answer a silent question about her recovery from their last visit. Daniel's lack of question to either friend was telling, and he brought his awkward silence with him in whatever direction he moved.
As Louis turned to lead them upstairs, Daniel stepped back instead of forward, not accepting the offer of a hand and overreacting to the point of allowing Claire a wide berth, too. He did not shed his coat, and there wasn't even a chance of either of them brushing the hem as he condensed himself to fit up the stairs.
Daniel was far behind by the time they arrived in the upstairs sitting room, and Daniel missed the conversation about books because he was staring at the sofa and taking in the scent of Louis' brother that had slept there. Belatedly, he turned to join them near the center table, glancing blankly down at the old books and then closing on Louis where he stood near the mugs. Daniel flashed a grin at Claire's vague look, and then stood close enough to Louis to feel his heat as he examined the tea options. "Assam. For me. Louis is capable of making coffee, I think," he added, in Claire's direction, finally managing to relax enough to allow humor to creep into his tone.