All of a sudden the bravado Holmes seemed to carry wilted before Ben's eyes. It was subtle. He was sure most people wouldn't catch it. Something about the shift in her eyes, brittleness of her hand in his. Unbeknownst to him, Ben's hand squeezed hers gently before letting go, leaning back into his side of the booth.
His head nodded in an odd moment of understanding. What she was describing...well, Ben didn't have the same issues with crowds. But he greatly disliked them. As in he hated them. "I get that," he admitted. "That's why I only agreed to go if we kept it small. So it'll be at our flat. Only a few people from school." Besides, he'd not be on any list for dorm parties anytime soon. Not after last year.
A scowl was his answer to the girl's idiotic idea. A scoff of derision. "As if I would get anywhere near someone else in that way. Have some sense."
He looked down at his watch. Connor would be wondering where he was this late in the evening, and he really didn't want to have to explain this whole...thing today. "I think that's about all we need to discuss on it today, then." He stood and put enough coins on the table for the pair of them. Repayment for earlier. "I'm sure the lion will give you the important details, but I will owl you just the same."
Normally he would leave on that, but he felt some urge to...well, he wasn't sure what. He'd seen people who were involved kiss goodbye. The thought alone had his stomach moving. Better not. Instead, his head nodded in farewell and he was gone.