[It's a comfortable little shuffle. He knows Caelan won't make fun of him, and they're moving slowly enough there's no fear of any toes getting crunched. He settles quietly, not quite so awkward and just peaceful instead.]
[They come to a gentle stop eventually, but Caelan finds himself reluctant to pull away, one hand still settled at Hani's waist, the other holding Hani's own. Softly,]
[N-now there is a reason to be embarrassed... Much too nice to him. Caelan is much too nice to him and Hani likes that entirely too much. It wasn't so bad, he was just too young and too hopeful to put those feelings into anyone's hands. He needed to be better first, stronger and not so easily flustered, and certainly not so young and useless.]
N-no, it's very nice...
[Comfortable and appreciated instead of awkward and lonely in a crowd of smiling dancing people that he won't see again and will forget him quickly enough. At least Caelan remembers his name, even if it's still always going to be lonely as a witch.]
[Very sweet, easily flustered, but earnest and strong hearted. Caelan lets go of his hand, but only so he can brush fingers over Hani's cheek.]
Hani...
[He isn't entirely sure how this is done, here. The people in the South are very direct, he knows that, but there still seems to be some etiquette that he hasn't seen enough of to try and play at. So he just leans in slowly, pressing a gentle kiss to Hani's mouth.]
[He's a little startled, for Caelan to be so forward. He is used to it from those around him, might be seventeen inside the confines of his head, but his body tells a different story when he's not being too awkward in his ungainliness. Born into a world of orphans and without his mother or father or even his siblings for quite some time, Hani knows how his peers approach one another. There's no mistake in the way he's being touched. Caelan seemed quieter than that though, and a priest besides, to be respected and not to be coveted after no matter how steady and welcoming he was.
Hani can't help a flush, but he's not witless. His hands are free and he takes Caelan's jaw in the cup of his hands to return his kiss. This is usually easier with a boy, less fear about hurting them, but for some reason he's still nervous. Maybe because it was so unexpected.]
[It's easy to linger there, especially in Hani's hands, with the kiss returned. But while he'd managed to press forward in that moment, spurred by the closeness they'd shared in dancing, he still finds himself a little uncertain, very aware that he usually has some idea of his partner's intentions, or has given his own before kisses. He pulls away a little, reluctant, and won't retreat entirely. He gives a soft little smile,]
[He isn't quite sure what to do with his hands, doesn't want to tuck them away in his pockets, feels that's a little rude, but it's the easiest answer.]
Ah, I didn't... think so.
[He's really not sure what's going on now though...]
[Caelan's hand still lingers on his shoulder, and he is used to Hani's awkwardness enough not to take it as immediate rebuff when the boy tucks his away.]
I like you, Hani. I should have made that clear to you first. But if you would be more comfortable remaining as friends, then I would be very glad to keep your friendship.
[He flushes quietly, doesn't really know what to do with those choices. Of course he wants to keep his friend, but he has no idea what they would be if he choice the other option. The idea of having a true lover is entirely foreign to him, and certainly not something he's ever aspired to in all his wandering. He can't even put that word to Caelan in hypothetical, it makes him blush darkly.]
[He hadn't meant to embarrass him, but he supposes that comes with what they're speaking about. He squeezes his shoulder lightly, trying to show support while also aware that he is the one causing that blush.]
I just... [His eyes flicker up briefly, bright green beneath dark lashes.] I won't be able to. I-if I don't.
[He would just hold onto it quietly and uncertainly if he didn't do something with it now, while he had some momentum and his thoughts hadn't been mired down entirely with doubt.]
I... [He frees a hand from his pocket, settles it lightly against Caelan's neck, like he needs that kind of anchoring. Considering whose blood he carriers, he really does.] I like you very much. Uhm, too.
[Maybe not lovers, because that still made him blush, but maybe more than friends too. Whatever that was, Hani was perfectly willing to try and figure it out.]
[He really hadn't expected him to, knew it might have seemed very sudden to the boy (despite the reasonably long amount of time he'd spent considering it), but he respected that Hani knew himself well enough to make that call.
He smiles, settling his hand over Hani's at his neck, fingers curling to touch his palm.]
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There, that wasn't so bad, was it?
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N-no, it's very nice...
[Comfortable and appreciated instead of awkward and lonely in a crowd of smiling dancing people that he won't see again and will forget him quickly enough. At least Caelan remembers his name, even if it's still always going to be lonely as a witch.]
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Hani...
[He isn't entirely sure how this is done, here. The people in the South are very direct, he knows that, but there still seems to be some etiquette that he hasn't seen enough of to try and play at. So he just leans in slowly, pressing a gentle kiss to Hani's mouth.]
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Hani can't help a flush, but he's not witless. His hands are free and he takes Caelan's jaw in the cup of his hands to return his kiss. This is usually easier with a boy, less fear about hurting them, but for some reason he's still nervous. Maybe because it was so unexpected.]
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Sorry, I'm not usually so forward.
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Ah, I didn't... think so.
[He's really not sure what's going on now though...]
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I like you, Hani. I should have made that clear to you first. But if you would be more comfortable remaining as friends, then I would be very glad to keep your friendship.
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I don't expect you to decide right now.
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[He would just hold onto it quietly and uncertainly if he didn't do something with it now, while he had some momentum and his thoughts hadn't been mired down entirely with doubt.]
I... [He frees a hand from his pocket, settles it lightly against Caelan's neck, like he needs that kind of anchoring. Considering whose blood he carriers, he really does.] I like you very much. Uhm, too.
[Maybe not lovers, because that still made him blush, but maybe more than friends too. Whatever that was, Hani was perfectly willing to try and figure it out.]
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He smiles, settling his hand over Hani's at his neck, fingers curling to touch his palm.]
Then I'm very glad for that, too.
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