Don Juan had been expecting Hudson to be angry, so the joke left him wary more than anything else. He didn't answer the question right away either, instead giving Hudson what he presumed was a shrewd glance (to an outside perspective, it looked more like squinting). Hudson said never mind and Don Juan thought ah, there it is, vindicated in the assumption he'd had walking in the room. He was gratified to be proven right; he didn't want Hudson angry at him, but at least he could be sure of where matters stood if Hudson was saying the sorts of things Don Juan had expected him to say. This was better, easier, than trying to have a genuine conversation; at least now he could use some of the things he'd already dreamed up while he'd been on the lavatory floor an hour ago, catastrophizing.

"I came back," he pointed out, tone defensive. "Like I said I would. Do you want me to stay?"

What a relief it would be if he said no! Avoiding the conversation tonight, and giving Don Juan something to be rightfully irritated about when they eventually did have to dredge it up and discuss it.

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