show me all of your affection
let it rain on me
The offer is genuine, which makes it all the sweeter, but Harper shakes his head with a warm smile. "Maybe next time, I wouldn't want to waste it when I'm just going to be laying in bed like a lump all day today." It would certainly feel wasteful at least to look so good and yet not show it off.
Oliver's nerves are distinctly apparent - though oblivious to any kind of romantic notion, Harper is still a detective after all - and it makes the man's brows crease in concern as the younger man becomes restless and agitated. The only thing he can do is wait it out, especially as Oliver begins to speak haltingly, clearly wanting to say something. Harper feels like he's frozen in time, sure he knows what is coming but still terrified it's something worse, something dangerous or harmful. Never truly able to shake that fear after so many times of being told someone had died or that a war had been lost.
It's almost a relief when it isn't that. Though Oliver looks seconds away from throwing up, which isn't a good sign. Harper inhales slowly, mind going a mile a minute despite not moving much outwardly. Then he gently reaches forward to touch Oliver's knee, and gives a weak smile. "I'm sorry Ollie, I'm not really the type to jump into a relationship so soon. I know it's not what you wanted to hear, but I promise it has nothing at all to do with who you are as a person. You mean a lot to me." Withdrawing, he gives a soft sigh, feeling heartsick and cruel. He'd never been very good at rejecting people. "It's not a hard no. But a few months is such a short time to know each other, and I'm still gauging how I feel about you. Whether it's familial, romantic, or platonic." Currently it's definitely platonic with a side of 'aww, cute'.
Wiping his palms on his thighs, he makes himself look into Oliver's eyes, not wanting to disrespect the younger man and the bravery it had taken to ask. "Give me some time, and we can see where things go? I just need to move slow. It's not a guarantee, but it's all I can really offer. And you're still young! You're just as likely to find someone way better than me." Warm blue eyes crinkle with his smile, feeling keenly the age difference between them for a moment. He has so much baggage, and Oliver still seems so young to him. But it's the best he can do, though he doesn't want to lead the young man on, which he hopes he has made clear with his words. That there are no promises, nothing sure or finite, one way or the other. Nevertheless he exudes an aura of calm and kindliness, not wanting Oliver to shrink away or feel like he has ruined anything. "And this won't change anything between us, I promise it won't be awkward. You're still my best friend, and I don't want that to change."
Oliver's nerves are distinctly apparent - though oblivious to any kind of romantic notion, Harper is still a detective after all - and it makes the man's brows crease in concern as the younger man becomes restless and agitated. The only thing he can do is wait it out, especially as Oliver begins to speak haltingly, clearly wanting to say something. Harper feels like he's frozen in time, sure he knows what is coming but still terrified it's something worse, something dangerous or harmful. Never truly able to shake that fear after so many times of being told someone had died or that a war had been lost.
It's almost a relief when it isn't that. Though Oliver looks seconds away from throwing up, which isn't a good sign. Harper inhales slowly, mind going a mile a minute despite not moving much outwardly. Then he gently reaches forward to touch Oliver's knee, and gives a weak smile. "I'm sorry Ollie, I'm not really the type to jump into a relationship so soon. I know it's not what you wanted to hear, but I promise it has nothing at all to do with who you are as a person. You mean a lot to me." Withdrawing, he gives a soft sigh, feeling heartsick and cruel. He'd never been very good at rejecting people. "It's not a hard no. But a few months is such a short time to know each other, and I'm still gauging how I feel about you. Whether it's familial, romantic, or platonic." Currently it's definitely platonic with a side of 'aww, cute'.
Wiping his palms on his thighs, he makes himself look into Oliver's eyes, not wanting to disrespect the younger man and the bravery it had taken to ask. "Give me some time, and we can see where things go? I just need to move slow. It's not a guarantee, but it's all I can really offer. And you're still young! You're just as likely to find someone way better than me." Warm blue eyes crinkle with his smile, feeling keenly the age difference between them for a moment. He has so much baggage, and Oliver still seems so young to him. But it's the best he can do, though he doesn't want to lead the young man on, which he hopes he has made clear with his words. That there are no promises, nothing sure or finite, one way or the other. Nevertheless he exudes an aura of calm and kindliness, not wanting Oliver to shrink away or feel like he has ruined anything. "And this won't change anything between us, I promise it won't be awkward. You're still my best friend, and I don't want that to change."
and pull down all your mountains
drag your cities to the sea
HARPER
