[The walls of the dorm aren't nearly as thick as anyone would like, and with how quiet it usually is at this hour? It's really no wonder that Claude can hear the pounding of footsteps barreling down the hallway coming from the direction of Dimitri's room. It's oddly fitting, too, considering the fact that those footfalls seem to work in time with Claude's own racing heartbeat.
Somehow, even though he's ready? He doesn't feel ready.
It just goes back to that sensation of experiencing all these feelings for the first time. Planning dates and casual hangouts has never been exciting for him in this way; Claude can't recall a time with anyone else where just hearing footsteps could make his heart throb in this way.
And even though Claude is already standing right at the door when Dimitri arrives, he doesn't open the door right to greet Dimitri before he gets there. Even after Dimitri knocks and calls for him from the other side, Claude only stands there for a long moment, his hand frozen on the doorknob. Is it because he doesn't want to look like he's been desperately waiting like this? Is it because he wants to try to play it cool and collected like he always is in relationships? Is it because he feels like he needs a second for his heart to stop racing?
Yes. On all counts.
Not that he keeps Dimitri waiting long. It's only about 15 seconds before he opens the door. Rather than looking cool or collected, it's plain to see that there's a very faint flush of pink rising in his cheeks. Claude's smile is a little more coy than casual.]
...Hey. [He's just happy to see Dimitri. Though it doesn't take more than a second for Claude to realize that his gaze is lingering on Dimitri fondly just a touch too long. Not because that's really a bad thing, but more because it's probably a little rude to leave Dimitri standing in the doorway like that. He forces out a clearing of his throat as he steps aside, allowing room for Dimitri to come inside.]
Come on in. Mi casa es su casa and all that. [He figures any affections in their greetings can probably wait until the door's closed behind them. But also, Claude's not entirely sure what affections those would be. Reaching for Dimitri's hand? A light hug? A peck of the lips?
Navigating a relationship where he actually cares about the outcome and making sure Dimitri is comfortable at every step of the process is a lot more difficult than he would've thought before now.]
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Somehow, even though he's ready? He doesn't feel ready.
It just goes back to that sensation of experiencing all these feelings for the first time. Planning dates and casual hangouts has never been exciting for him in this way; Claude can't recall a time with anyone else where just hearing footsteps could make his heart throb in this way.
And even though Claude is already standing right at the door when Dimitri arrives, he doesn't open the door right to greet Dimitri before he gets there. Even after Dimitri knocks and calls for him from the other side, Claude only stands there for a long moment, his hand frozen on the doorknob. Is it because he doesn't want to look like he's been desperately waiting like this? Is it because he wants to try to play it cool and collected like he always is in relationships? Is it because he feels like he needs a second for his heart to stop racing?
Yes. On all counts.
Not that he keeps Dimitri waiting long. It's only about 15 seconds before he opens the door. Rather than looking cool or collected, it's plain to see that there's a very faint flush of pink rising in his cheeks. Claude's smile is a little more coy than casual.]
...Hey. [He's just happy to see Dimitri. Though it doesn't take more than a second for Claude to realize that his gaze is lingering on Dimitri fondly just a touch too long. Not because that's really a bad thing, but more because it's probably a little rude to leave Dimitri standing in the doorway like that. He forces out a clearing of his throat as he steps aside, allowing room for Dimitri to come inside.]
Come on in. Mi casa es su casa and all that. [He figures any affections in their greetings can probably wait until the door's closed behind them. But also, Claude's not entirely sure what affections those would be. Reaching for Dimitri's hand? A light hug? A peck of the lips?
Navigating a relationship where he actually cares about the outcome and making sure Dimitri is comfortable at every step of the process is a lot more difficult than he would've thought before now.]