The embarrassment got warmer – maybe not visibly, but he could feel the heat of it rushing up on his cheeks and neck and filling up his chest with fondness – at that answer. Or maybe it was at the way Esteban had slung an arm around him, like it was careless and natural and expected, this being friends; as though it didn’t make Bram’s brain freeze up on the spot.

He didn’t know what to do back – didn’t know what to do with it. “If you say so,” he said hastily, lowering his gaze even further and ducking out from Esteban’s arm. Avoiding Esteban’s gaze until he was safely perched on the arm of the chair, his arms around himself, he worked up enough courage to shoot him another smile – which said more in apology and affection than he could’ve managed out loud, anyway.

“You should go back to bed, though,” he added softly. (Bram ought to go to bed too: but maybe would make a start on his Astronomy homework after all, just for an excuse to stay here. To sit in the feeling for a few minutes more – to commit this exchange with Esteban to memory.)

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