Theo blinked before he heard the seeker’s agreement, because he was still so conscious of his hand. And Lestrange probably wasn’t even thinking about it, or the contact was just a vague comfort for him right now; but Theo felt a little trapped under it, aware of every muscle in his forearm and nerve ending in his fingertips and the way his hand had gone very still there, as if the slightest reaction to it would throw everything else off.
“Good idea,” Theo said, like the idea hadn’t been his. At the same time, he wasn’t sure he wanted Lestrange to go, and half-considered letting him stay here just so he wasn’t leaving him alone with the remainder of whatever strangeness had been going on. But Lestrange couldn’t exactly sleep here, and he obviously needed sleep, and he shouldn’t be seen, so - yeah, he should go.
There were more reassurances on the tip of his tongue but they sounded hollow and stupid so instead he worked up the will to edge his thumb upwards slightly, just enough to squeeze the other man’s hand briefly - and it was another impossibly tiny gesture, but it was the best he had. Once he’d managed that, Theo straightened up from against the desk, giving him an earnest half-smile and hoping the edge of doubt didn’t creep into his next words. “See you soon, though.” Next practice. He’d be back and himself again by the next practice, Theo told himself. He had to be.
“Good idea,” Theo said, like the idea hadn’t been his. At the same time, he wasn’t sure he wanted Lestrange to go, and half-considered letting him stay here just so he wasn’t leaving him alone with the remainder of whatever strangeness had been going on. But Lestrange couldn’t exactly sleep here, and he obviously needed sleep, and he shouldn’t be seen, so - yeah, he should go.
There were more reassurances on the tip of his tongue but they sounded hollow and stupid so instead he worked up the will to edge his thumb upwards slightly, just enough to squeeze the other man’s hand briefly - and it was another impossibly tiny gesture, but it was the best he had. Once he’d managed that, Theo straightened up from against the desk, giving him an earnest half-smile and hoping the edge of doubt didn’t creep into his next words. “See you soon, though.” Next practice. He’d be back and himself again by the next practice, Theo told himself. He had to be.
