( Nico can feel him relaxing under her touch. She's no professional masseuse but she sure knows what tightly-wound muscle feels like, and if she weren't so wrapped up in the moment she might be genuinely concerned by the tension sitting across Hubert's shoulders. When was the last time he let himself unwind? The last time to took a little time out to pamper himself? Thoughts for later. For now, Nico is content to simply let herself enjoy the way he presses back into the kiss—
But then he's pulling away, mentioning Leslie, and Nico licks her lips with a little nod. )
Your roommate, right?
( Currently of unknown age. Nico nudges the tips of their noses together in a playful bump before brushing another chaste kiss against his lips: )
We could, uh — take this somewhere else, while they get sorted out?
[If there was room for any more heat in his face, he would have flushed a little. It's... tempting, more than it should be, and the fond little gesture makes a good argument. Hubert acknowledges the bump by touching their foreheads again.]
[But he couldn't shirk this responsibility. Hubert takes a breath before adding,] I cook for her. She's thirteen.
Nico's eyes go wide as she scrambles off Hubert's lap, where she immediately begins righting her skirts and smoothing them down on the off-chance a kid shows up in the doorway. )
Hubert!
( Man, and just when things had the potential to be getting really good. )
Why didn't you say something sooner? I never would've—
( Climbed up onto his lap to show him how good it can be to have a woman astride his thighs, for one. Clearly flustered, Nico calms herself with a short breath before offering a sheepish little chuckle. Fuck her life. )
[Nico scuttles away with speed enough to leave him looking startled. For as unaccustomed to contact as Hubert was, the sudden lack of it was... stark.]
[And though he doesn't flinch, the sharp use of his name strikes deeper than Hubert expected it would. After a beat, he finds the words. ]
I hadn't meant to upset you. [He stands, but to turn to Nico and offer her a formal bow, hand folded across his chest. ] That was my own egregious lack of insight. I'm sorry.
( Nico just shakes her head, her flush deepening as he takes apologising to the next level and incorporates a bow. )
I'm not upset, don't you worry about that. I'm just — surprised?
( Her laugh is a little breathless, a little awkward, but nevertheless fond. )
And a little embarrassed, I think.
( You know, for being kind of over-eager when there was a kid in the house. It's nothing she can't recover from, however, which she demonstrates by clearing her throat again and offering Hubert an easy smile. )
Anyway ... it's probably about time I headed off. I've got dinner to be gettin' on with myself.
I failed to mention an important consideration. You have nothing to be embarrassed about.
[I never would've— sticks in his mind, right beside a pang of guilt for putting her in that situation. To say that it was a little awkward was perhaps an understatement, but they certainly tried their best to power through it. Hubert tucks his hands behind his back as he nods, a little surprised by his own flicker of disappointment.]
Of course. You are welcome to dine with us, as well—though I understand if you'd rather not contend with heavier snowfall. And... [He takes a quiet breath.] Thank you, for inviting me out. I enjoyed myself.
[The best he could, anyways, with his affliction. Hubert wasn't unaware of Nico's recent attempts to lift his spirits.]
Thanks, but that's okay — Nero and Kyrie might not take kindly to me bouncing on dinner plans without lettin' them know.
( She gets to her feet with a lop-sided smile, then hovers there for a moment before deciding to just go with her gut and risk a little sappiness. Nico takes his hand in hers and gives it a gentle squeeze. )
And hey, me too. I had a really nice afternoon with you, Hubert.
( That smile softens a little as she looks up at him: )
[Some part of this still felt surreal. But Nico continued to look at him warmly, and the gentle grape of her hand did more than he expected to ease his misstep. He smiles wanly back, and goes so far as to return the squeeze after a moment. ]
If I haven't managed to dissuade you yet, then yes, I would like that.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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( Nico can feel him relaxing under her touch. She's no professional masseuse but she sure knows what tightly-wound muscle feels like, and if she weren't so wrapped up in the moment she might be genuinely concerned by the tension sitting across Hubert's shoulders. When was the last time he let himself unwind? The last time to took a little time out to pamper himself? Thoughts for later. For now, Nico is content to simply let herself enjoy the way he presses back into the kiss—
But then he's pulling away, mentioning Leslie, and Nico licks her lips with a little nod. )
Your roommate, right?
( Currently of unknown age. Nico nudges the tips of their noses together in a playful bump before brushing another chaste kiss against his lips: )
We could, uh — take this somewhere else, while they get sorted out?
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[But he couldn't shirk this responsibility. Hubert takes a breath before adding,] I cook for her. She's thirteen.
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( She's thirteen.
She's thirteen.
Nico's eyes go wide as she scrambles off Hubert's lap, where she immediately begins righting her skirts and smoothing them down on the off-chance a kid shows up in the doorway. )
Hubert!
( Man, and just when things had the potential to be getting really good. )
Why didn't you say something sooner? I never would've—
( Climbed up onto his lap to show him how good it can be to have a woman astride his thighs, for one. Clearly flustered, Nico calms herself with a short breath before offering a sheepish little chuckle. Fuck her life. )
... Well. No harm done, I guess.
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[And though he doesn't flinch, the sharp use of his name strikes deeper than Hubert expected it would. After a beat, he finds the words. ]
I hadn't meant to upset you. [He stands, but to turn to Nico and offer her a formal bow, hand folded across his chest. ] That was my own egregious lack of insight. I'm sorry.
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( Nico just shakes her head, her flush deepening as he takes apologising to the next level and incorporates a bow. )
I'm not upset, don't you worry about that. I'm just — surprised?
( Her laugh is a little breathless, a little awkward, but nevertheless fond. )
And a little embarrassed, I think.
( You know, for being kind of over-eager when there was a kid in the house. It's nothing she can't recover from, however, which she demonstrates by clearing her throat again and offering Hubert an easy smile. )
Anyway ... it's probably about time I headed off. I've got dinner to be gettin' on with myself.
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[I never would've— sticks in his mind, right beside a pang of guilt for putting her in that situation. To say that it was a little awkward was perhaps an understatement, but they certainly tried their best to power through it. Hubert tucks his hands behind his back as he nods, a little surprised by his own flicker of disappointment.]
Of course. You are welcome to dine with us, as well—though I understand if you'd rather not contend with heavier snowfall. And... [He takes a quiet breath.] Thank you, for inviting me out. I enjoyed myself.
[The best he could, anyways, with his affliction. Hubert wasn't unaware of Nico's recent attempts to lift his spirits.]
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( Nico shakes her head at Hubert's offer. )
Thanks, but that's okay — Nero and Kyrie might not take kindly to me bouncing on dinner plans without lettin' them know.
( She gets to her feet with a lop-sided smile, then hovers there for a moment before deciding to just go with her gut and risk a little sappiness. Nico takes his hand in hers and gives it a gentle squeeze. )
And hey, me too. I had a really nice afternoon with you, Hubert.
( That smile softens a little as she looks up at him: )
I'd like to do it again sometime, if you want?
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If I haven't managed to dissuade you yet, then yes, I would like that.