such little matters

Leo supposed he'd conquered his fears. Going to a real party.

He thought of the time he'd slipped in and out of that scary party he spotted Henry at, over the spring, before Henry's accident. No one knew he was even there. Except Henry. It had given him a stomach ache. Perhaps it was just the fright. He really thought he'd been an idiot.

Now, it seemed so normal. Being in the company of Henry. They'd gotten Vada home, well before her curfew. All was well. Once again. And here they were drinking coffee at the all night diner. It was enough to keep him up for the rest of the night.

"What would you, have done, if she hadn't wanted to go home?" He questioned Henry as if he wanted to know what a big brother would do in a scenario like this.

"She wouldn't have put me in a predicament like that." Henry shrugged straight lipped as he poured more cream in his coffee.

"Maybe your family should adopt her." Leo stared at Henry intently as if this was serious. As it was, what ever else might be bubbling inside him, was not going to surface.

"I dunno. Wouldn't it be too late, for something like that?" Now Henry looked at Leo as if that were a crazy idea.

"Its never too late. Don't you, think she wants a family? And.. you have a good family." Leo shrugged as he took a sip of coffee.

Henry nodded. Henry's dad recently got on at the big insurance cooperation in the city. He'd been honing in, on his computer skills while working part-time. At least, his dad wouldn't be traveling as much, now.

"You, want a sister." Leo said as if he might be talking in code. But maybe to himself and not to Henry. He was still nervous about seeing Essie at the party, even if she hadn't paid him any mind.

"Yeah, I think you're right. I do." Henry half smiled as if he liked the idea even if that was not exactly on his mind.

"God, " Henry squinted hard and shook his head no. "I want to..ask you something." Henry didn't look at him. He stared at his coffee as if he might know some secret that left Leo clueless.

"What?" Leo was bright eyed. More alert than he intended to be at this hour, as he looked at Henry wondering what it could be.

"Would you, ever consider..." He looked up at Leo. "dating me?"

Leo cleared his throat. The question did make him feel a little woozy. He almost laughed as if that would be completely ridiculous. Maybe it was the idea of hearing that line from his parents. But they weren't here. And it really wouldn't matter in the end. Now would it?

"Sure." His answer was quick before he could even think. Wishing he could say it better. He sipped his black coffee, trying to think on it, for a moment. "What..what would that mean..exactly?"

"It wouldn't be much different, from what we're doing now." Henry shrugged as if it was not a big deal.

Leo nodded. He slightly felt as if he might be losing air. Perhaps even giddy.

"I mean, it would be just us. But..its..its not anything bad. Really. I mean, I really like you, and don't want you thinking..." Henry started. "Its just..I like you, Leo. I really like you. And, well..I know I'm being selfish, but I really think I could be a better boyfriend than..than..,.." Henry gave in, to an almost laugh. "Can you make  me shut up now? "

Leo quickly took his cue and slid in on Henry's side of the table. Henry smiled, and that's when Leo kissed him.