"M-made a mistake, huh?" Niko swirled the dregs of his coffee around the bottom of the borrowed mug.
"What was that?" Ari looked up from his piece of buttered toast, all wide eyes and innocence.
(more)
If he was no help or comfort in this set of circumstances, it wasn't because he purposely meant to be awkward or unkind. Niko was sure he would have been no better if their positions had been reversed (he was even less socially adept- Ari at least managed friendly).
When his companion proved less than forthcoming, Ari tried the most neutral tack that came to mind, "Would you care for another cup of coffee?"
"No thanks." Ari's hospitality couldn't be faulted, but he just wasn't... What idea was he grasping at here? That he wasn't sympathetic enough? That they weren't as alike as he had previously supposed and, as such, couldn't understand him the way he wanted to be understood?
"I'm glad to see you out and about," Ari struggled to play the part of a good host against Niko's brooding silence, "I mean, it's the first time since Cat... Well, we were worried about you."
Yes, he had chosen the wrong source of solace. He should have waited longer for a chance to speak alone with Lily, should have searched harder to catch Suzanna before she left town with her troop... "Aah, thanks."
"Is it just me, or have you improved a little bit upon that stammer? It seems to have tapered off to some degree."
"I think the shock snapped it right out of him," John swaggered into the apartment with Lily on his arm.
As soon as she caught sight of Niko, Lily let go of John and rushed up to him, "How are you doing?"
She would understand. He was sure.(less)
