09-21-2025, 03:35 AM
Jude feels the comedic urge to close the door, perform a loud knock, and reenter the apartment. Unfortunately this would require that he put his shoes back on, lest he get his socks wet. The effort is too great. In concession to Near's fright, he lingers at the doorway for several moments longer than necessary; it gives him the appearance of being chided. His expression remains at its default: a handsome blankness. 'Sorry' is communicated more in gesture -- hesitance and stillness -- than with lips and eyes.
"Didn't mean to leave it unlocked?" He reaches behind and closes the door, then locks it himself. There is a second concession. He shuts away the sound of the rain.
The couch is equally cursed, as is the kitchen, all of them having lived vividly in Jude's mind in his absence. That mostly leaves him with the option of standing in the living room. This being too undignified, he goes and half-sits, half-leans against the arm of the couch, distancing himself enough from his shoes and the door to indicate he will not leave abruptly, but giving Near enough space not to spook him any further. He seems like he forgot Jude was coming over.
"Was the rest of your night okay?" Maybe something happened that put Near on edge. Something that was not Jude.
"Didn't mean to leave it unlocked?" He reaches behind and closes the door, then locks it himself. There is a second concession. He shuts away the sound of the rain.
The couch is equally cursed, as is the kitchen, all of them having lived vividly in Jude's mind in his absence. That mostly leaves him with the option of standing in the living room. This being too undignified, he goes and half-sits, half-leans against the arm of the couch, distancing himself enough from his shoes and the door to indicate he will not leave abruptly, but giving Near enough space not to spook him any further. He seems like he forgot Jude was coming over.
"Was the rest of your night okay?" Maybe something happened that put Near on edge. Something that was not Jude.