Dick didn't pull back. In fact, his hand came up (the thermos was long ago restoppered and replaced in the trunk) to steady them both, at Hartley's waist (not below), and he kissed back, just as gently. His heart was beating a lot faster, suddenly, and when they leaned back, he made a show of considering it, even hummed quietly.

After a moment, he smiled. "Nope. Definitely don't hate you." And then he added, "at the very least I know I wasn't imagining things."

Without giving it too much of a thought, he pulled the slighter man closer, into a hug. Surprisingly steady for how he was, in fact. Even without remembering all things, he knew such a thing took courage, between men. And he was grateful (and wanted it, too, but...)

"Let's figure me out, and then we figure this out, too?"

It was, basically, not turning him down. But this was not the time, and the if you still want it goes unsaid.