[ He thinks he sees something suggestive in that, but he honestly doesn't trust himself to be entirely sure. It's not a bad thing overall -- Winter's certainly imagined worse over the years. And those, at least, he'd been able to safely keep sectioned away in the realm of fantasy; Nikolas had made his distaste clear years ago. It hasn't actually kept Winter from wanting, but at least he's been able to separate it from reality.
Until recently, at least. Until Nikolas started warming up, treating Winter like a friend instead of someone to be barely tolerated.
A few seconds later, though, Winter shakes his head as if to clear it and smiles. Like before, it's flawless and polite: a perfect host's smile. Nikolas is the guest, both in the Quertis estate and now in Winter's room; if he wants to take Winter's chair, it isn't polite, but it's still within acceptable bounds. ]
Unfortunately, I only have a limited range of things I might offer you. Go ahead; I'll fetch a drink.
[ And then he turns his back, deliberately, to let Nikolas make that decision on his own. ]
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Until recently, at least. Until Nikolas started warming up, treating Winter like a friend instead of someone to be barely tolerated.
A few seconds later, though, Winter shakes his head as if to clear it and smiles. Like before, it's flawless and polite: a perfect host's smile. Nikolas is the guest, both in the Quertis estate and now in Winter's room; if he wants to take Winter's chair, it isn't polite, but it's still within acceptable bounds. ]
Unfortunately, I only have a limited range of things I might offer you. Go ahead; I'll fetch a drink.
[ And then he turns his back, deliberately, to let Nikolas make that decision on his own. ]