Duncan woke slowly with a smile. His eyes flicked open as he gazed over at the other boy. "Hi," he murmured softly. Their fingers stayed intertwined but Duncan kept a safe distance. Physical touch was a weird thing for Duncan...

(Hi, just wanted to let you know I'm leaving HEE shortly, but I'm still here for a little)

(it's all good.)

Axel stirred slightly when he heard Duncan speak, eyes fluttering open after a moment or so. He offered him a smile, one that was definitely still half asleep. "Hey," he noted softly, voice still crackly with sleep. His hold on Duncan's hand tightened slightly as he woke, but of course wasn't too tight.

Duncan smiled, just watching him fondly. "How'd you sleep?"

Axel hummed softly in response to his comment, just grinning over at him groggily. "Good," he noted, shifting to stretch slightly before settling down again, still holding onto Duncan's hand.

Duncan smiled softly, "Thats good," he hummed lightly. "I have a gala to go to tonight, so I won't be around for a little..." he sighed.

Axel nodded with a sort of soft hum of agreement, shifting to prop himself up on one arm. "Alright," he noted. "Try and have fun, yeah," he added, offering Duncan a smile. "Don't just stand in a corner depressed."

Duncan sighed. "I hate going to these things though, they're so boring," Duncan gazed up at Axel. "I wish you could go with me," he whispered.

Axel chuckled softly, squeezing Duncan's hand lightly. "I know," he noted. "I wish I could do things like that with you too," he added. Then he shrugged. "But we can't. At least, not yet...that is, if we're lucky and I don't get thrown back into the dungeons," he mused after a moment.

Duncan sighed and nodded saddly. "I know..." he breathed, gently reaching out with his free hand and tracing along Axels hand and arm.

Axels eyes widened slightly when he felt Duncan's hand move up his arm, though a smile formed on his face and he leaned into the touch anyway. "Well, if you want to dance with me that badly, we can in here once you get back," he mused, half teasing him but also half serious about it.