THEM FANCY LADS, CONT. (Nikolas/Winter)

[oneinfive]

[From here:

Well, here they are, on the world's most introverted date, the one that only the extravert between them realizes is a date.

Which is to say, that evening, when he'd normally be retiring to his rooms, Nikolas makes his way to Winter's little private study instead for all that reading Winter seems to think can be a social activity. Maybe he isn't wrong. It can at least be a comfortable one, between the two of them, at this point; that counts for a lot. It's been so very long since most things between them were comfortable. If sitting together in amicable silence, maybe even leaning on one another, can join that list, Nikolas is more than happy to make the first move in adding it.

He raps lightly and quickly on the door, as if worried he might be overheard. It's quite unlike his usual way of being.]

Comments

[softariel]

[ There's a pause. If Nikolas listens closely, he should be able to hear the sound of voices murmuring: Winter's, of course, and Frest. Of course. It's been years since the active attempts on the Head Quertis's life, but private as this side room is, the Ward Quertis is never far.

Still, it's Winter who opens the door to peek out, and when he sees Nikolas his face lights in a shy little smile. He looks mildly surprised under that, as well, like perhaps he hadn't really expected Nikolas to show up after all. After that initial beat of hesitation, though, he steps aside and opens the door wider. ]

Come in, come in -- Frest was just leaving.

[ "Though I won't be far," the man says, and he fixes Nikolas with a rather pointed look before he heads out, leaving the two of them alone. ]