Roy was not a genius when it came to human interactions and relationships. To be honest he was quite a mess. But even someone like him could sense there was something off with Hughes. The way he fell into a thoughtful silence was a perfect indicator of the situation. Sure, Roy had been silent too, but that was more like him. Hughes, on the other hand, was the type of guy that could always find something nice to say, even in the worst cases. He loved that side of him; there was no one he knew that could cheer Roy up like Hughes did.
So, back to the main train of thoughts, Roy was beginning to wonder what could be the reason of Hughes behavior. He figured out it could have something to do with his 'confession' pretty soon.
Maybe it was someone they both knew and it felt embarrassing for him to come out and say it. Yes, that was probably it, he could find no other logic explaination.
He didn't finish his drink in one sitting like his friend did, instead he started to sip on it calmly
" Mhm, this is nice. Like, really nice! " he said enthusiastically after a few sips " I've rarely tasted a whiskey good as this one. I'll have to note this place down ... " he observed out loud.
When he looked up from his glass and he caught Hughes' tense expression, though, he immediately put the glass down and gazed at him
" It's okay if you don't feel like telling. " he said with a soft smile " I don't want to force you or anything. Just know you have my support, whoever it might be. "
Sure, it would be quite a let down not to know who it was, but Hughes' ease came first, he decided.
Hughes watched Roy enjoying his drink while he gathered his thoughts, and returned a carefully placed smile at his enjoyment. "The tequila was pretty good, too." Though he'd barely tasted it having tossed it back so quickly. "Let's come back here again some time. Maybe take it as an opportunity so spend the night out now and then. It'd be nice to have a place we can call our regular bar, you know?"
He raised an eyebrow at his friend's offer not to go through with it, but shook his head. He'd already determined that he was going to do it and wasn't about to back down. "Thanks, but I'm alright. I promised I'd tell you after one drink, remember? I'm not the type of guy to back out on my word." He did appreciate Roy trying to understand the situation, though. He'd never tried to pressure him into doing anything, and Hughes trusted that he never would.
"Anyway, there's something I've been thinking about all night," he started slowly, keeping his voice calm and even, even though one hand was fidgeting with the hem of his shirt under the table. "I've been trying to figure it out ever since we first met up at your door, but I just haven't been able to come up with an answer."
He paused for a second to take a breath and meet his friend's eyes resolutely. "I know it started as a joke, but the more I think about it, the more I can't tell if that's all it is or not. So I just need to ask you... Roy, is this a date? Because I'd really like it to be."
There. It was out in the open now. The question that had been weighing on his mind all night had finally been spoken aloud, and now it was up to Roy to determine where they went from there. Hughes's heart was hammering in his chest as he waited for an answer, silently begging for it to be a yes and not something that chased his friend away. Though it was be disappointing to hear no, he could take it. Just not losing him entirely.
Roy listened with growing curiosity as Hughes spoke, but what came out wasn't exactly what he was expecting to hear.
What the hell did he mean - is this a date - ? Of course it isn't actually a date, they were just fooling around!
The realization came something like two minutes after the question. Two long, long minutes in which he just stared at him saying nothing. When it finally hit him his eyes went wider and his face literally lit up like the fire he was so used to handle.
HIM?! The misterious person was HIM?!
" A-ehm. " he decided he had been silent for too long. Though he still had no idea how to respond.
" Uhm... ah. Yes. I see. Ah... mhm. " he nodded like his words somehow made sense. " I ... " he started, wondering what will come next. " I don't know. " he stated finally. " I don't think I know anything anymore at this point. Excuse me for a moment, would you? "
He stood up and walked quickly towards the restrooms. He opened the big wooden door with some some difficulty and headed to the sink. There were mirrors all over the wall and he could see perfectly how red faced he was. He needed to cool down before anything else could happen. So, he let the cold water run over his wrists - a trick he had learned once in a very hot summer - and waited for the blood to leave his cheeks. It took a while, but it worked.
He felt miserable for leaving Hughes like that. He must have been so heartbroken.
But what could he do? What could he say when he had no idea what his feelings were? Rushing a - yes - or a - no - was the last thing he wanted to do. But then again he couldn't simply walk away with a - I don't know - and call it a day.
" Think carefully, Roy... think, think! "
After a few minutes passed, no sudden flash of inspiration caught him, so he decided to be as open as Hughes had been and put his feelings on the table right as they were.
He went back to the main room and sat at the table. Collected his thoughts.
" I don't know. " he said simply with a shy smile " I don't know if I want this to be an actual date or not. I don't know what my feelings are because I always have a rough time processing them. But I want you to know one thing at least : whatever my answer's gonna be, you'll always be my best friend. You will, right? "