"Free first round of drinks next saturday, you two!" Abigail called across to them as Connor and Stephen headed to the door.
They were ever so slightly tipsy, Connor somewhat more than his…whatever Stephen was to him. The two men paused, Stephen looking over his shoulder, while Connor half-turned his body, awkwardly somewhere between the manner he'd grown accustomed to at home, and the easygoing manner of his friends, and unsure which was better he simply compromised. Perhaps he was a tad more than tipsy.
"Oh, is that offer just for us?" Stephen asked, winking. Abby laughed, shaking her head. Connor snickered, leaning against Stephen ever so slightly.
"Sorry Hart, but it's actually a regular thing." She said, wiping the bar top with a cloth.
"We're just some of the last customers she cares enough about to bother telling." Connor added, grinning. Stephen raised both eyebrows.
"Is that so…hmm…"
Abby laughed at his expression. "Oh shoo!" Her eyes narrowed. "Oh, and Hart, please take care to walk our Connor home. He could easily trip and die on a loose stone in the path in broad daylight."
"Oi!" Connor protested, but Stephen quickly put his hand over the younger man's mouth.
"Don't worry, I will see him to his door." Stephen promised, and despite the humor in their words both were very serious. Connor sighed behind Stephen's hand, which was soon removed from his lips when the other man was sure Connor wasn't going to argue about his safety. (Great, two overprotective friends.)
Abby bid them goodnight, and the two men left the inn, taking up the whole path as they strolled in the direction of the Temple family home. At some point they ended up holding hands, which Connor decided he definitely liked.
They were quiet as they walked, but it was not awkward or unwanted silence, rather a peaceful sort of lull, and the sounds of crickets filled the air as the sky darkened to a deep cerulean, lit behind the homes and buildings by a faint pale blue-white-yellow glow.
Soon enough the facade of Connor's home was in view, and the young man found he was unwilling to let this date- and yes, he would admit it was that - come to an end. But he could hardly invite Stephen in… unless his parents were already asleep, but even still…
Stephen cleared his throat as they stopped by the front steps, and Connor reluctantly let go of his hand, taking a step up the stairs.
"So…"
"Would you like to come inside?" Connor blurted, turning to face Stephen, his face heating up immediately. Stephen looked startled, but pleased.
"Are you sure?" He asked, brow furrowed.
"…yes?"
Stephen chuckled softly.
"Perhaps not this night. If you could arrange for your parents to be away or out during our next date, though, I supposed then I might be convinced to join you for some coffee."
A smile slowly formed on Connor's face, and he tackled Stephen in a hug.
"Another date?!" Stephen laughed and nodded and resisted the temptation to stroke a hand through the younger man's hair.
"Yes, I think we ought to at that." He said, pulling back slightly as the hug ended.
"When?" Connor asked, head tilted. Stephen could imagine the young genius pulling up a mental calendar in his head. Or maybe not, Connor didn't seem inclined towards organizing, much less calendars and such.
Stephen moved ever so slightly back into Connor's personal space, and then again, so it was noticeable, and watched him lose his train of thought.
"I will tell you tomorrow, when I deliver the post." Stephen said, slowly moving to press his lips gently against Connor's, giving him time to move away if he so chose. But Connor didn't move back, eyes fluttering closed at the contact, instead he tried to deepen the kiss, but he realized Stephen was gone when he opened his eyes.
Smiling, Connor went inside. He was absolutely looking forwards to tomorrow's post run.
AN: Oh no, that last bit makes me think of louisa and raulph of sound of music ^^; Totally not on purpose, though. Anyways, sorry about the long long gap between chapters, and I hope you enjoyed this one, even if it is a tad short.