[Their rebuttal gets a small laugh out of him, buried in the moment and hopefully not heard around any building corners. He reassured them, but it's still kinda true! Siffrin set the awkward bar so high, even a giraffe could limbo under it. But, isn't that fine? Being awkward with each other is just one of many steps toward being comfortable with each other. As evidenced by the slow nod against his shoulder, consent murmured with this kind of casual fatigue.]
I can? Really?? It's okay?
[Spoken as hushed as he can manage, a bit of a yelled whisper. He's doing his best not to let his excitement disturb the quiet of the moment. Siffrin very casually gave him permission to Enact a Hug, so he should be equally casual about it. It's not even a romantic hug. It is a regular friend hug, the kind of thing he does with Bonnie and Mirabelle all the time. Normal hug with the fellas. He's got this. He very gently lets go of Siffrin's hand, as though releasing them is its own kind of sin that he'll have to repent for later. And with equally careful arms, he'll pull Siffrin in, wrapping them around his back and pressing him to his chest in the softest hold that a man who is all muscle is capable of. He takes a deep breath, wills himself to relax, and...
Wow. He's not going to say "wow" out loud, because it might make this weird but, wow. It's been awhile since he's felt this calm while his heart is beating so fast. Caring about others can be contradictory like that. He's always been fond of it.]
Not used to it? How do you mean?
[He has his guesses. It might have to do with their memory, or how long they traveled before they met everyone. Maybe they weren't held much as a kid? But he can easily imagine this isn't the kind of subject where Siffrin would appreciate him putting his words in their mouth, so...]
no subject
[Their rebuttal gets a small laugh out of him, buried in the moment and hopefully not heard around any building corners. He reassured them, but it's still kinda true! Siffrin set the awkward bar so high, even a giraffe could limbo under it. But, isn't that fine? Being awkward with each other is just one of many steps toward being comfortable with each other. As evidenced by the slow nod against his shoulder, consent murmured with this kind of casual fatigue.]
I can? Really?? It's okay?
[Spoken as hushed as he can manage, a bit of a yelled whisper. He's doing his best not to let his excitement disturb the quiet of the moment. Siffrin very casually gave him permission to Enact a Hug, so he should be equally casual about it. It's not even a romantic hug. It is a regular friend hug, the kind of thing he does with Bonnie and Mirabelle all the time. Normal hug with the fellas. He's got this. He very gently lets go of Siffrin's hand, as though releasing them is its own kind of sin that he'll have to repent for later. And with equally careful arms, he'll pull Siffrin in, wrapping them around his back and pressing him to his chest in the softest hold that a man who is all muscle is capable of. He takes a deep breath, wills himself to relax, and...
Wow. He's not going to say "wow" out loud, because it might make this weird but, wow. It's been awhile since he's felt this calm while his heart is beating so fast. Caring about others can be contradictory like that. He's always been fond of it.]
Not used to it? How do you mean?
[He has his guesses. It might have to do with their memory, or how long they traveled before they met everyone. Maybe they weren't held much as a kid? But he can easily imagine this isn't the kind of subject where Siffrin would appreciate him putting his words in their mouth, so...]