the lake -> inside to the bar
"We could've walked away. Everyone here tonight. Or we could've stayed home. But we didn't. Maybe it wasn't force, but there's some reason we're all here." That was too many words in a row for his comfort, and too many of them philosophical. His throat decided it'd had enough and closed up for the moment. Air still flowed, but no more words.
The pieces of him that had been revealed made for a strange compilation, and it was the lankiness of leg that was most obvious as he turned back toward the house. He tried to keep his steps from outpacing her too much, strides moderate instead of long and quick. He stepped in time with her, cognizant of the stark pale of her bare feet in the grass, knowing that he had better footing in his boots. He didn't mind that she followed him, though there'd likely be something more to say about it if it continued past the party.
He thought about offering an arm to help her along the slick grass, but something told him that she wouldn't accept it, and neither of them needed that conflict. He somehow knew that as well.
The house was nearly too bright when they finally approached, too bright and too filled with people. The path he took avoided pairs and knots where bodies had clustered, leading her (if she was still following) to where he knew they could get a drink. He finally looked back at her, studying her in the light and suspecting that he wouldn't recognize her the next day and beyond. "Preference?"