[ John listens carefully— he always listens carefully when Harold speaks. But he focuses sharply on this moment. He doesn't want to miss anything. He doesn't miss the changes in Harold's face, doesn't miss the softness in his voice. He takes it in as exactly as he can.
He's not entirely sure what Harold meant by telling him that Grace accepted Harold's secrets, except maybe he just wanted to share more about Grace? Was there a deeper meaning behind that story? Is John now one of his secrets? Is... it that Grace would accept the closeness they have? How Harold stepped near but didn't touch, this careful distance they dance around; close, but not touching, except for the occasional glancing brush of a hand.
Drinking coffee together feels like closing that gap, just a bit. Taking that step closer. He thinks from someone as precise as Harold that it's not a casual gesture, not something he's just randomly decided on. Everything Harold does is calculated and exact, John just doesn't know the deeper meaning of this.
He also has nothing to say for the last comment. He certainly liked Grace from the time he met her, but it's impossible to imagine her liking him back. Not because of his association with Harold, but just because— they're so different. If she truly knew the things he'd done he hopes she'd be horrified. ]
Think the library has books about making coffee? I just drink anything that comes out of the coffee maker.
[ Harold had mentioned most coffee being terrible and John is pretty certain what he drinks qualifies as such. And he meant it to come out joking but there's not a hint of humor in his voice or face, just... softness, quietness. He loves Harold so much. ]
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He's not entirely sure what Harold meant by telling him that Grace accepted Harold's secrets, except maybe he just wanted to share more about Grace? Was there a deeper meaning behind that story? Is John now one of his secrets? Is... it that Grace would accept the closeness they have? How Harold stepped near but didn't touch, this careful distance they dance around; close, but not touching, except for the occasional glancing brush of a hand.
Drinking coffee together feels like closing that gap, just a bit. Taking that step closer. He thinks from someone as precise as Harold that it's not a casual gesture, not something he's just randomly decided on. Everything Harold does is calculated and exact, John just doesn't know the deeper meaning of this.
He also has nothing to say for the last comment. He certainly liked Grace from the time he met her, but it's impossible to imagine her liking him back. Not because of his association with Harold, but just because— they're so different. If she truly knew the things he'd done he hopes she'd be horrified. ]
Think the library has books about making coffee? I just drink anything that comes out of the coffee maker.
[ Harold had mentioned most coffee being terrible and John is pretty certain what he drinks qualifies as such. And he meant it to come out joking but there's not a hint of humor in his voice or face, just... softness, quietness. He loves Harold so much. ]