Bristle

Eli wasn't particularly glad to know that it had indeed been Alec Ryan had seen at the store, but he was satisfied to find out that he'd read her tone correctly. Now, however, as she gives him the briefest explanation possible, followed by a change of subject, all it did was increase his concern. She hadn't even given him time to respond. Was it just because she knew he wouldn't be happy? Because she didn't want to upset him? Or was it that she just didn't want to think about it?

Studying his beer bottle, his thumb picks at the label and he shrugs. "She's coming home tomorrow I think." It was probably the first time enthusiasm wasn't in his voice when talking about Scarlet returning from one of her trips. He always hated it when she was gone and counted the days until her return, whether it was fifteen days or two days. Tonight though... perhaps his enthusiasm was just held back by the confusion he felt for his sister's odd behavior. First her reaction to Alec's phone call and now this. Not that he thought it wouldn't upset her, but... she usually would talk to him about anything. He didn't really feel badly, just... well... maybe just a little he did. 

Finally looking up at Ryan, he forces his own smile before standing up. "I guess I'm gonna head to bed." Though he wanted to question her further, he wouldn't. She had a right to her own privacy and if she'd wanted to say more, she would have.

Picking up some of the trash from the coffee table, he walks past the couch, giving Ryan's shoulder a pat. "Sweet dreams." 

Going to the kitchen, he puts a few things away, along with gathering up a few tools they'd missed earlier. He really didn't want to go to bed, come to think of it. But he supposed he didn't want to stay up either. And maybe... just maybe, this whole thing with Alec bothered him simply because he himself had been Alec's friend and he didn't know what to feel now.

Hunter doesn't mind when Katie moves closer. On the contrary, he enjoyed her soft affection. He wasn't expecting what she said though, and he didn't know whether to be appreciative or offended. 

Something between a groan and a scoff comes up before he takes another sip of coffee. "Katie, I've probably got a few cobwebs that need swept up, but bottles aren't my thing. And even if they were, I like them to stay on my own shelf, not spilled out to the public." 

It wasn't until after the words were out that Hunter realizes his tone had been just a tad sharp, and it surprises even himself. Katie had never made him bristle like that before - why now? Glancing at the ground, he fiddles with his coffee mug. "I appreciate it," he thanks her, his tone much more soft. "But I'm fine. My knee is the worst of my worries."