[He smiles faintly, encouraging— there are far, far worse things to be, he thinks, though they could afford to be a touch kinder with themselves.
When she declares that the coast is clear, he exhales, letting out a breath he hadn't even realized he'd been holding. The complexity of the Ariel situation— if they were truly to be friends, that would all have to come out someday, but this was hardly the day for it.]
Excellent idea. I never thought I would find myself so eager to put a library behind me, but I'll resume my task another time.
[As he steps out from the aisle to gather the things he had left in the armchair, he does pause to look back at her, his smile hitching upwards at one corner.]
no subject
[He smiles faintly, encouraging— there are far, far worse things to be, he thinks, though they could afford to be a touch kinder with themselves.
When she declares that the coast is clear, he exhales, letting out a breath he hadn't even realized he'd been holding. The complexity of the Ariel situation— if they were truly to be friends, that would all have to come out someday, but this was hardly the day for it.]
Excellent idea. I never thought I would find myself so eager to put a library behind me, but I'll resume my task another time.
[As he steps out from the aisle to gather the things he had left in the armchair, he does pause to look back at her, his smile hitching upwards at one corner.]
I'll be looking forward to it, by the by.