( → ) Was she serious? He stared at her in silence wearing what could have passed for an expression of indifference if not for the way his brows lifted slightly, showing a mild sense of apprehension. He hated physical contact, for the most part. There were, of course, some exceptions. It boiled down to a matter of trust. Something he didn’t easily have with others. Having only recently met her, and being convinced to allow her to drag him out to an afterparty, he needed to rethink his situation. Being only one drink in, he wasn’t nearly as relaxed as he could have been. ‘Should’a brought the morphine…’ he thought, clearly taking his time with answering her rather aggressive question.
This was one way of pushing himself out of his comfort zone, an attempt to help him get a better handle on socializing. But could he continue on the entire night like this on only one drink? No. Without a word, his fingers slowly laced themselves between hers, his grip loose while he turned his focus onto the bar. “If you’re gonna be that demanding all night, I’ll need more to drink.”
The inquiry in itself was enough to elicit a string of chuckles from her lips - and not those that were customary: those simple, blithe giggles that result from any type of flirtation or affectation. This was hearty, genuine entirely, and the result of her nearly preposterous advance - “Are we gonna fucking hold hands tonight or what, bitch?” isn’t exactly a common result of a sober tongue. But, for the most part, it was - save a drink or two.
Though, like most other words uttered from her pair, there was a reason for such. Let’s just say.. he wasn’t exactly the most loose, fun person to be with - put simply. That’s not in insult, seeing as she’s not one to abandon anyone (she might be an asshole, but she’s not flat out rude). He was interesting, it just took a bit more effort, a few more touches to his shoulder, or his arm, or a few more questions or tosses of her hair - or, of course, an outrageous remark that would force him to open up a bit - than usual to draw information from him. Not that she minded.
In truth, she wasn’t expecting him to actually do it. Her perception allows her to take note of what’s undoubtedly coursing through his brain: means of an escape. Her suspicions are validated, then, at his words. So in response, she merely leans a tad closer, her free hand rested against a patch of skin on his thigh - just above his knee - the thumb of her hand in his delicately stroking the back of his palm. She’s careful to lighten up a bit, ensuring that her tone remains light, playful.
“Hey, if another drink is what it’s gonna take to get you to have at least a little bit of fun, I’m down. It’s on me.”