“Yeah, well,” Theo said at that first remark, with more than a little wryness. So would I. And he honestly hoped it didn’t - not that he expected Lestrange could help it if it were to, but all the same.
There had already been some seriousness in this conversation, but the added thank you was a little fraught and a fraction too sincere, and Theo hadn’t even done anything to help yet. So he ducked his head slightly, just enough to uncomfortably avert his gaze, and instead of trying to settle on saying it’s fine or it’s nothing, you’re welcome or it’s going to be alright - none of which sounded natural in his mouth, never mind true - he pressed his hand in brief reassurance. Well, not quite Lestrange’s hand, where it was still covering the watch; more clasping lightly at his wrist. (Which was still weird but maybe-less-weird, and probably still meant to mean it’s alright, but whatever, he was at a loss for a better alternative.)
“So, you want a code word?” he added jokingly, once he had retracted his hand; mostly just to flush out the thank you and the worry again with more offhand terrain, for both their sakes. “A secret hand signal, in case you get too weird in front of the team?” Theo managed a grin, pretending to demonstrate one, although if it reached that point - like Lestrange showing up with the pale, hollow-eyed, haunted look he had today - presumably everyone else who saw him would have noticed something off, too.
There had already been some seriousness in this conversation, but the added thank you was a little fraught and a fraction too sincere, and Theo hadn’t even done anything to help yet. So he ducked his head slightly, just enough to uncomfortably avert his gaze, and instead of trying to settle on saying it’s fine or it’s nothing, you’re welcome or it’s going to be alright - none of which sounded natural in his mouth, never mind true - he pressed his hand in brief reassurance. Well, not quite Lestrange’s hand, where it was still covering the watch; more clasping lightly at his wrist. (Which was still weird but maybe-less-weird, and probably still meant to mean it’s alright, but whatever, he was at a loss for a better alternative.)
“So, you want a code word?” he added jokingly, once he had retracted his hand; mostly just to flush out the thank you and the worry again with more offhand terrain, for both their sakes. “A secret hand signal, in case you get too weird in front of the team?” Theo managed a grin, pretending to demonstrate one, although if it reached that point - like Lestrange showing up with the pale, hollow-eyed, haunted look he had today - presumably everyone else who saw him would have noticed something off, too.
