These moments were ones he looked forwards to no matter how many years had passed;
and as she grew older, it became more intimate. There was something charming about how the conversations they had over dinner becoming more and more important as they aged; how they began to relate to each other more and more. It was like watching his own daughter grow before him, but with particular perks that her real father would never be able to partake in. There were just some things you felt more comfortable sharing with a best friend who couldn’t judge you, and for that, he was eternally grateful and delighted.
Secrets would be exchanged over these meals. It had just become customary at this point, and for what felt like the first time in forever, he had been the one to invite her off schedule. It was his turn to share some life-changing news for once, and while he was still unsure of it all, he knew that she would support him no matter what— and be the second voice of reasoning he needed to nag him to go through with it all.
As this had always been a private affair, nobody else was home with him, and Hugo certainly wasn’t invited. It was just the two of them, some tea and wine, and whatever it was they felt like partaking in for the evening; a sweet curry this time, with various pastries that Grey had left behind for them for desert later.
Whenever it had been his turn to speak what was on his mind, it took forever, and she always had the patience to wait for him to finally ease his way into the actual conversation. Idle chit-chat had never been his thing, but these were some of the only times he would engage in such redundant banter. However, he knew he needed to get to the point sooner rather than later, and thus he would finally begin their tradition proper at the dinner-table.
“So, I’ve been in cahoots with Merlin about something of rather... meaningful significance lately, Princess...”
