𝐹𝐸𝐸𝒟 𝑀𝐸!

      She stopped being caught off guard by his antics a while ago, once she realized he was nothing more than an oversized cat. Although she appeared distracted by trying to close the clasp on a necklace he fit his ring on, she was well aware of his presence. The chainmail made it hard not to be. All that clanking metal could wake up a graveyard.

      Of course, she didn’t expect the ring to go flying along with the rest of her body. It pried a squeak out of her until she realized she was safe in his arms and hadn’t gotten propelled all the way up to the ceiling. Chuckling, she threw her arms around his head and squished it in a hug, peppering his mask with kisses.

Traces of his own were small trembling waves, albeit it might’ve been hard to notice through arms - but the vague chills throughout his frame. Not that they were anything bad of course, he was happy. Though his off guard put had set his features from content to curious now that she inched him over. Theodore complied, but it slapped him across the face once she settled atop, making him purse his lips in a soft sheepish whimper. With what grip he had left over, hands took to settle on her hips now while he was left nowhere to shrink down - though he didn’t want to hide from her either for that matter. Though it was a wondrous sight no doubt for him, given by the sheepish smile from below. But the response did prompt a hand to slip away from her hip, in turn, it tucked beneath his robes and chosen to carefully palm around. Theodore was listening to her in the middle of it, despite his blind palming around - he had the small item slot elsewhere that he didn’t need to rip off this time thankfully, but he had a lot more direction with his hands than Lios had.

Though he knew nothing about weddings for that matter. Never attended one either, not that he remembered - not many social events were in his favour and not even ones of ceremony. But not only did he understand the following words - they were helpful in assuring he understood what he was saying and how to lay it out instead of resounding awkward. The grim words did make his eyebrows upturn a bit, although he understood where it was coming from. Of course he knew vows were both shouldered vice versa, that much, such promises. Such pleasant words, through them had an idle hand been gently palming over her hip - short of meeting halfway with a nestle and a comfortable exhale. A soft chuckle followed, though with all kept eye contact, his hand parted from her hip to gently cradle the back of her head in a few gentle strokes.

“I-I too vow, never to-to do anything to warrant termination. I’ll only act in or-order to keep you safe. I vow to do ev-everything I can to keep and ma–make you happy. And to carry a-any weight of burden you may feel that t-troubles you.” Careful digits ran down her hair, meanwhile his other hand slipped out of his robes in a half fist that housed the ring. Sure it took him a second, thanks to his fingers but he managed. “I vow to love y-you no matter what, that I–I’ll never stop loving you.” He peeped, though with a nudge, he pressed a soft nestle to her nose now while his close half clutch of a fist loosened to bear the ring.

      She had a lot more to say, but those words would have been redundant. For how fond she was of Theodore and Lios alike, her vows would have been an endless flow of compliments, praises, and promises. However, she voiced the most important and realistic ones. And when he reciprocated them, her face lit up with a bashful, red hue. More so than before, she could feel the heat spread across her face, be it the proximity between their lips or the intensity of the moment.

      ❝Then, I--❞, she let out a nervous cough while her gaze traveled down to the presented ring. Although it was a serious instance, her eyes crossed in a comical manner while she stared at it for no longer than a couple of moments. With a soft chuckle, she put a sliver of distance in between the two of them, just enough that she could try and slip it on her ring finger. It was a size too large for her, but she had no doubts that it would one day fit. Making sure it wouldn’t slip, she balled her fingers up into a fist and, after fidgeting with it for a moment longer, her attention returned back to him. Her gaze softened and so did her silly smile when she leaned back in and pressed a chaste kiss to his lips. 

His instability fell with that, but overall he didn’t restrain himself from showing it either. Not that Theodore thought there was anything wrong with it either for that matter - he’d not really seen the views of other peoples jealousy since he’d never truly had a reason to be up until now. Even if it was but a fictional story, entertaining any thought like that rubbed him the wrong way. But nevertheless, Theodore trusted her not to do that to him and overall would never think of her to do that either - or he’d probably had been a little more touched than what earlier did he experience. All in reciprocation though, he had no qualms and he was happy - the soothing rubs that graced his back would easily sway the tension in his muscles further and comfortably, meanwhile one of his hands found it in them to move. Albeit gentle, palm at most rubbing up and down her back in a languid stride of motion - bearing a small cozy smile even if he was simmering quietly now.

His grip was more relaxed, although even if a mere flinch at first followed the second of her affectionate exchange - a soft giggle piped up. But the sliver of space and movement was enough to make his arms tense a bit to clutch onto her, or at least to make sure she didn’t try getting away from him. Not that he assumed that to be her intentions, he’d have gone in for a nosing nestle if not for her worded feed back - his brows upturned a little bit, but the smile remained. Turn for a nod of head being his confirmation even not voiced, no matter how shy he was - he had enough to lock a better gaze with her. Listening though, he drank in every word she had to spare for him and reassure him with, it really didn’t sound overhand as it might’ve for people of the facility. He looked pretty content with it overall, how could he not be? Aside from the wobble lipped smile, though he had no qualms if she had nothing to give him. Her promises were the most meaningful.

His head was already craning back into her touch, although despite it all though through offerings of their bond - but overall, he did have his suggestion. “N-nothing is st–stopping us at all from doing it. But we do just need our vows mo-mostly…” Of course he was nervous though nevertheless, providing the uneven breath. “Vows are sp-special– I-… I have… Ring t-too. But so am I.” He had zero experience of course in anything to this bind, but nevertheless - he knew how to express it all, and especially to her. But even if she had nothing to give him in turn to it, her words are what mattered and her all together.

      It might not have showed on her face, but she was nervous. The excited kind of nervousness, where her heart could have leapt out of her chest at any moment. Wary of his worries, she sought to bypass them. While shifting in his arms, she kept him locked in her embrace, sign that she wasn’t going anywhere. Nowhere but on top of him, with a gentle push that inched him on his back. She didn’t lay down, but after she slowly unwrapped her arms from around him, she took a seat on his waist and placed her hands on top of his chest. From that angle, she could admire him better. There was nowhere he could hide his timidity anymore.

      ❝I won’t say no to your ring.❞, she hummed and tilted her head, almost as if expecting him to produce it on the spot. If he still had it, that is. She remembered only keeping the photograph. ❝But as for our vows... Hmm, let’s see. I will go first. I will be the priest...❞ 

      She had watched weddings on the movies, even attended someone herself, but she never really paid any attention to them. Her gaze wandered off to the side while she pondered, her hands kneading gently at his robes. When she had him in her sights again, her lips stretched to reveal a toothy grin.

Certainly casual maybe, but his heart rate spoke other wonders, given no matter his robes - the body closure would’ve given it away easily. It smacked him over the head though to the point his emotion couldn’t exactly pinpoint its location - that, even if his jealousy wasn’t point prominent from the rush of information that lead up to her story. Equally did her revelation distort it all for a mere moment, but the thing to take him out of that cocktail trance was the peck at the corner of his lip. Making him blink it away in seconds and his sight focus on her better, and a soft airy chuckle passed with a sheepish heat on his cheeks. “Just the tw-two of us…” He fed back in his shy wonders to himself. Yet the worry present through words made his brows upturn a bit as well - given sure he was called naive. But it was true, that only Maya got that trusting side of him to begin with. “Th-that’s because i tr–trust you with everything, I love you. I have no reason to-to doubt.”

His arms chosen to slink around her frame better, even if one was pinned under her own - mostly due to her following words. Theodore wasn’t fixated on the part where she’d take advantage - rather, the remark of his jealousy. Albeit him feeding back the few specifics to himself that she mentioned was likely traces of it. He didn’t like the idea. The idea of her being remotely connected to another, even if it was a mere game and providing her words that seemed to have activated him for a mere moment - might’ve given off the second his grip seemed to tighten up around her with a moments rigid tremble. “I-I don’t like that idea though… Not one bit, thinking that you’d be connected to a bunch of other guys. Doing all that.” His head craned, awkwardly though from the force he put in to squish his cheek against the top of her head. It could’ve come to be possessive no doubt - unspoken tones. He didn’t want someone taking away his happiness and the one he loved. His jealousy might’ve been hard to spot at first, but the slight shift in tone could’ve passed another - albeit he wasn’t upset since it was but a fiction story. However, before she could worry how she might’ve accidentally upsetting him, he let out a relaxed breath before his frame followed with. Maya hadn’t, but he spoken his thoughts despite how it might’ve made him sound.

But while the posed question, his sheepishness flooded back and he was back on the slack again - wanting to curl up against her frame but he was really much too big for that. He settled for his snug embrace, his head craning a bit again with a soft stifled sound - he really couldn’t read her, not through voice or expression for that matter. Sometimes, that was. He was no doubt shy beyond that, between the soft tumble of breaths and stray letters that tried to form sentences on their way out, but couldn’t. Swallowing much of a dry breath, she got him, but he had just as much an answer even if it was singled out. “Y… Ye-yes–” He peeped.

      The stronger reaction that followed the placidity of the others caught her interest. That was exactly kind of passion she had hoped to be met with. Jealously might have been ugly to some, but not her. She greeted it with a giggle while her cheek was being squished against his sternum. His tight embrace only made her squeeze tighter, her hand grasping at his robes in an equally possessive manner. Although her tale was upsetting on purpose, she clearly had no desire to leave him for anyone else, ever for that matter.

      Soon after he’d spoken his piece, she began rubbing soothing circles at his upper back. Whether or not he was upset, she wanted to pacify him all the same, as proof of her commitment to him. As soon as she could move, she pushed forth to plant a kiss to his cheek, but she gave him his space - that sliver of a gap between them - to loosen up. Even if it took him no longer than a second to tense up again.

Maya did get him, and in little time that his confusion was present, it didn’t seem to be letting up anytime soon either for that matter. The plastered puppy confusion was stuck on his face, but his own affections returned as well in the form of his wrist twisting a bit to scoop handfuls of her hair now into a fumbling play. The only seconds relief of the confusion was the following quick kiss that made his features light up, although he was unable to read the visage between the amusement he heard and overall look. Theodore wasn’t upset though, not by any means at all - but the comment that wasn’t meant under a joke context served to make him giggle anyways. Maya was on par anyways to her assumption, but as soon as she’d mention the car - he seemed to pop into better thought the moment she pinched his cheek. “Broom broom, I kn-know what a car is– didn’t know they had… Brands though.” He snorted, combing his digits throughout her lower locks gently - but the amusement was a second lived once she started speaking, eyeing her again with a more softened smile despite the pinching.

Though the words relayed back to him in the following could’ve proven worrisome for someone like him, they sounded sadistic to say the least almost - but nonetheless, Theodore didn’t look into it too much. Besides the afterthought of: ’Don’t trash me please, I got no money.’ Albeit, he knew better than that. Even from there, he didn’t seem to realize it though for that matter - up until she’d completely clarified it out to him, which made his brows perk in a high raise of surprise. Blinking a few times through rapid succession, even his hand paused before his bottom lip perked into a strange frown but without the emphasis - the revelation caught him off guard just as much as its fabrication. All before they parted a bit with a soft breath, shaking his head. “Strip poker…” He vaguely fed the word back before closing his eyes. “And… B-bamboozled…” He hummed, albeit it wasn’t under any disappointment. An eye peeked open under his sheepish slack from the following question. “Do we n… Need a-a Lexus for a w–we-wedding?”

      His reaction to it all was casual in comparison to what she had hoped for. But even so, she wasn’t disappointed. His smile was mirrored by a cheekier one while a gentle palm caressed the light tingle of soreness left behind by her pinch. 

      ❝We only need each other for a wedding.❞, she chuckled and shook her head, dismissing his silly words with a reassuring peck at the corner of his lips. ❝That naive side of you is adorable. I could say anything and you would take it at face value...❞, she murmured, her eyebrows upturned with a smidge of worry. The reason for it was obvious - she feared that Theodore was this trusting with everyone else. Little did she know that hers was a special case. 

“A bit. In the wa-way, didn’t know wh–what was going to happen after awhile with it. But I’ll figure it out.” He chuckled, of course he really took no offence to it - it was like trying to mix clad with metal and that did not bind well with the rest of the mix. Though his head come to relax more as soon as she’d come for his neck, a comfortable hum passing his lips before his eyes closed to melt into the comfort. Not that she really had any trouble worrying about disappointing him with any angle of a story, Theodore was happy with everything she had to say and even fiction or not. Even if he’d none the wiser anyways, he was looking forward to everything with her and always eager for more - meanwhile his hand gently rubbed through the fabric against her lower back. His head taking to nudge and rest against her own, patiently waiting despite her struggle he wasn’t catching onto very much in the moment either.

A flinching giggle slipped his lips through the ticklish mouthing - but he was listening to her nonetheless through the soft sounds. His grip flinched and clung to her again, though words served to make him silence up a bit more now though under his curiosity. “Mmm… I-I understand. Though my memory is-isn’t the greatest anyways, does it bother you th-that you can’t remember?” He dropped his question, craning his head to try peeking at her better now with his puppy wonders. Theodore wouldn’t take it bad if she had passed the story question, but nonetheless he wanted to make sure she was alright.

His head came to a rest again now though as soon as she spoken, letting his head take to resting a nudge again before letting out a deep breath. Here he thought he was going to come brunt to one that was above his story - that in which it was in his opinion far above his own. But the concept made his brows furrow and stare off into space the more she explained it, trying to register its logic. The mere concept enough would make him uncomfortable, he had no doubt in her mental fortitude though to deal with that. Once she moved, Theodore moved par to her and glanced down at her with a hand paused flat at her back with a gentle chuckle - albeit he looked a little taken off guard because of it while his brows upturned. “Ch-chained to strangers… Dont think-think as a g-general, I’d tolerate that no matter the prize.” Though his brows raised with a moments tight lip before he’d say anything. “…What’s a L-Lexus? S–sounds expensive, that means you threw th-them to the curb and… And took claim?”

      His naivety was refreshing, but she would have never tricked him with anything serious. Given that this was all in good fun, she didn’t dare tell him the truth; his adorable, puppy-like confusion was worth admiring for longer, while she let a comfortable silence settle and snuggled in closer. Seeing that he took the bait, she tried her hardest not to laugh - a bit more difficult for her to do than it would have been for a normal person to stifle their voice, since he could hear everything pertaining to her reactions. Despite that disadvantage, however, her immovable expression gave him nothing to work with. Her plastered smile kept up the charade and so did the caress she had at his upper back. His ultimate question made her chuckle, however.

      ❝Ah, right.❞, she admitted and leaned in to press a quick kiss to his lips. ❝You wouldn’t know what that is since you seem to be from the 19th century...❞ That wasn’t meant to be funny, even if it might have sounded like a joke. If she had to place him in a timeline she was familiar with, based on his garb and profession, that’s where her mind would first jump to. ❝It’s a brand of car. You know, the vroom vrooms?❞

      She gave him time to process that, albeit not a lot before she started pinching his cheek - gently - to bring him out of it.

It was only facts. If he were able to remove it entirely, he’d have long the moment he formed this physique again - yet sadly he wasn’t able. But that didn’t stop his contemplation, albeit he didn’t say anything about it since. As long as it didn’t trouble Maya until he went through with it, Theodore trusted that he wasn’t doing her any harm, despite his careful choices of using his robes as a second skin protection for everything about her. Given, his metal didn’t snag on it very much, even if it was a bit tattered. Not to say that he did that either - Theodore hasn’t cut through yet at least, he wasn’t too worried. Nevertheless, Theodore didn’t find any trouble, given though the situations he’d been in certainly called for it and he - oddly enough, found it funny. Maybe because his worldly fear had been more diluted compared to how potent it was, but safe to say it’s still there no matter how he tried to look at it. It still made him a hazard - but Theodore was having fun, and he’d never bring harm to Maya.

Though he was comfortably idle now, leaning his head into her palm better even if the crane in his neck was awkward to the upward angle. He wasn’t bothered by it at all, waiting for the feed back even if it wouldn’t have been good. There wasn’t a worry at all - he knew stories weren’t his best thing, at least on fairytale level of understanding. But as soon as she went off on her thought context, he broke into a snort - giggling through it now. Not that it was his context, but it certainly could’ve sounded that way for that matter - he was only following the orders but he nodded to indulge her nevertheless. “I-I think it lo–looks nice–” Morphing more into a giggling now though, he hadn’t got to look in a mirror for that matter, but he could likely tell how strange it might’ve looked. Even the mask, but nevertheless it was his attire and he had to deal with it now between the two of himself. The latter words that followed served to shut him up though, a sheepish hitch of breath along - he squeezed her closer with an airy giggle. In turn, he snuggled the top of her head now better with a kiss before his arm scooped around her waist to cling to her better. “No-no, n-not anymore… It’s ju-just in the way now-” He snorted, nosing back down to better level with her. “Do you have any–any stories too?”

      ❝Oh, I’m not judging your fashion choices. I’m just saying-- It is a bit in the way.❞, she chuckled in return, playfully shaking her head from side to side. All of that was before she snuggled into the crook of his neck and settled there, her arm having taken to embracing around his shoulders. 

      As sweet as the kiss she had planted on his throat next was, his question did put her on the spot. It showed in how long it took for her to answer, between the pensive humming and the anxious kneading at his robes. Afraid of disappointing him with an either too boring or depressing tale, she opted for something more within the realm of fiction. But first, she revealed something she found odd that she hadn’t brought yet.

      ❝Maybe I do. For starters... This isn’t really a story, more of a weird occurrence.❞, she murmured, mouthing at his skin in a ticklish manner. ❝Before I got here, I don’t remember ever... speaking to someone, like I do with you. I’ve forgotten if I could and chose not to or simply...❞, she paused, falling silent for a moment. ❝Ah, it’s nothing... There are many things I don’t remember clearly.❞ Truth be told, she wasn’t even aware of the extent of her own freakish nature. Whether that lapse in memory was due to the world jump or not remained unknown.

      However, what she did know was that she couldn’t leave him hanging after having promised him a story.

Theodore would no doubt indulge her on the matter, albeit though he still felt bad about what happened. Providing that he had a hard time talking - maybe let alone to the twin, and one in specific amongst the twins in two. He did shred up his boyfriend after all, Theodore wasn’t so sure how to even approach someone after something like that. Though he was certain that he shared that piece of info - at least what was surface value without going too much into detail unfortunately. Instead, he lay there after his playful poking and let it hang in the air unless she truly wanted to know more about it, because much like her - Theodore didn’t want to darken the mood. Not that it would be as bad, considering the terms they were on after the incident. But he knew overall that it was more than just him. But once she caught on, that evaded his thought and earned her a giggle - best thing and next thing to adorable. Though his sheepish features flinched the moment she sunk in closer - the brush of nose drew a cozy smile on his lips in turn with a soft exhale before his arm raised, scooping a portion of his robes forth so he could drape the half over her like a blanket.

Albeit that was as close as they could get, Theodore wasn’t complaining. In the middle of her talking, he nosed gently at her own - albeit until she graced him with a kiss that urged a soft delighted peep from him and a nudging back reciprocation of a kiss in turn. His senses alerted a little more once she made a pinch for his chin, making his half lidded gaze light up again - eyeing her briefly in the midsts of words. Then and there, his nervousness set in, given that he wasn’t sure if he even had anything interesting stories to begin with either. His head craned a bit against his hand, humming softly before closing his eyes for a mere moment.

“D-dont think it’s r… Really a bedtime st-story, or at least. Something… Nonetheless. M–more weird, considering how I got my virgin armour…” He snorted, an arm hooked around her frame and clung to it now before letting his gaze settle again. “I actually got it o-off a dead person– or my pi-piers g-got-got me to take it during one outing. Where I was… Uh… Dragged out. Not th-that I wanted it or anything, but maybe if yo-you’ve noticed, I’ve only got half the gear here. Not sure how it would’ve afflicted the re-rest of my body, I doubt anything good, but I forgot what we were do-doing. We were looking for something in a mine. Some kind of catacomb, but there we-were already a bunch of clad, deceased people down there. Some in w–which were already in ruin, but apparently I was qualified to pr-protect for some reason, which was very stupid so I was directed to loot s-some of the bodies since we an-anticipated danger due to it, and we came unexpected and less prepared for hazards like that. Though out of all the gear, the only one that was intact wa-was this skeletal body that was mi… Er… Hm, missing its torso and midriff up, but only the shoulders, head and arms remained a-and the waist down which was a good f-few feet away from it.” Theodore reeled his head back with a snort - trying to prevent her from taking the brunt of air to the face, restraint on a giggle was none. “Honestly, it was pro-probably dangerous to be down there, whatever happened to that man sh-should’ve been more than a warning. Dead things didn’t really fa-faze me though– it fi-fit, it’s mine. I was just-just doing what I was directed. But that’s wh-where the pieces came from, and they stuck with me ever since.” His brows raised, given he composed himself - albeit he knew it wasn’t anything romantic. More of a weird story but in turn - made him pull a playfully long face.

      When she asked for a bedtime story, she expected something more along the lines of a... fairytale. What she got in return, though, was even better. His parroting of her phrase made her laugh, no doubt making her feel a tad flustered. She had been curious about his armor ever since she’d first seen it on Lios; while she was of the opinion that it suited the Lich’s appearance, it looked out of place on someone like Theo. Goofy in a sense, but she’d never say it out loud.

      Those were the thoughts that disturbed her concentration while she was gazing at him and idly caressing his cheek throughout his tale. The mention of death and other such grim visuals didn’t seem to phase her either; likely, they were topics she had been acquainted with on a personal level. When he giggled, she smiled in return, a sort of lost smile that was searching for a reason to laugh as well. But all she harbored was an underlying worry, that Theo was far too naive for his own good - that or silly enough to ignore obvious warning signs. She couldn’t help but snort too, in the end.

Despite all his troubles in affection, he wasn’t a robot and given his all in the ways he knew how to. And that was only for Maya to have, Theodore wouldn’t let himself slack on it either - given he grown easily comfortable with her and around her even prior to what they even had now. Nevertheless, he kept a leading hold on her, he was content with that much in return until they could settle down better with each other. Words made his gaze draw down to her - an airy giggle following in regards to words. “Weirdos… Th-think they’d given sp–ace, but I was chained for aw-awhile, or so a good while back. I think it’s pointless.” He chuckled a bit, but his head tilted in the following thought. The back walls still held the broken chainlinks to the wall breakers. “Maybe because… Of–of the incident. I kn-know they keep an eye on the… Dangerous ones.” Theodore stuck his tongue out a bit, albeit before smacking his lips a tad. “Maybe I’m not st-stable enough to earn humane decorum… N–nevertheless, I won’t let anything happen to you.” He reassured, his smile returning while his arm slinked around her frame better with a protective squeeze. But alas, after they’d come to a halt stop, Theodore set his gaze above, glancing up at the flat view now before nodding a bit with his grip letting up. “I sit here some–sometimes so I’m not be-being gawked at…”

Theodore dropped his gaze to look down at her now though, kneeling down a bit just to place the cup aside before slipping down to his knees with a plop onto his hind shortly after. Watching her now, he looked content and curious under the wonders of its situated manner - that in which once she cozied up, Theodore scooted closer to join her on his side portion. “Do you think it wo-would’ve been better?” His wonders piqued, meanwhile he snuggled up to his side before pressing the side of his face into the plush comfort of the pillow with a comfortable exhale. Of course he nosed in closer to where her face was before the plump fabric wasn’t obscuring his sight - peeking at her with a heavy moments silence. “Boo–” He broke it with his mere playfulness.

      While he shared his insight, she adjusted her side of the pillow some more until it was comfortable enough for her relax on. The thought of him being restrained irked her, but for the sake of keeping the mood peaceful, she didn’t exteriorize her thoughts. Giving only a brief, sour glance towards the chains, she then snuggled the pillow and buried her face within it until she resurfaced not long after with closed eyes and a neutral smile on her lips.

      ❝Incident...?❞, she murmured, curiously pondering over what it could have been that earned him reprimanding. She thought she remembered him vaguely mentioning an encounter, but before she could place her finger on it, his playful attempt at spooking her caught her attention. For the sake of playing along, her lashes fluttered to wide, open eyes as she let out a gasp. However, her ruse only lasted so long before a heartfelt warmth melted the feigned fright of her expression into a softened smile. Bridging the small distance between their faces, she scooted closer. Close enough to be in his personal space and touch the tip of his nose with her own. Her curled up body would have fit perfectly within his flowing robes.

Theodore caught onto her closure; even in the middle of him sipping up the rest of the enticing juice. Meanwhile in the middle of it, his arm lifted a little higher to cradle around her frame in another snug hold over her shoulders, wrapping her up almost thanks to the use of his robes. Ultimately would it help not drop the gift either - considering how he was wary not to even damage it. The drink was gone in a matter of minutes now, raising the cup away from his lips with a tonguing prod at his lips for the excess before attention better settled down on her. Of course his latter smile still bloomed again, he could hear the feed back - that it made him all the more appeased that it made her happy too. “The absolute sweetest…” Theodore hummed, but with ease, his frame naturally took to following her own before lowering the cup entirely to avoid any further obstacle.

He was listening all the same - albeit, the stalking comment made his head come to a slight tilt with the same curiosity settled in his features. Of course he understood though, otherwise instead of asking - he’d probably be more an observe-learner. Though between sights, his gaze followed her closer before lips pressed into a sheepish line and soft throaty giggle. Further more the peering warmth made his frame jitter a little bit and his grip tighten around her - letting his other arm come around despite the cup and cling to her. Before words could form, the ones that chained from the latter had made him go quiet and not in a bad way of course. His eyes were set on her even from the angle, despite it being a tad difficult. Only did it serve to make him more putty in her arms - if she thought she could melt, he seemed to beat her to it from the way his frame swayed more forward than side to side. Ever more so by the caressing, he could’ve been boneless by that time as an idled palm did it’s best to stroke over her shoulder blades through the fabric.

“D–don’t think I n-need to… Learn when yo-you’ll take care of me, I’d be ha-happy with that, my love. It’s a lot to me– esp-ecially if it’s from you.” His head craned down better to look at her - no matter the uneven smile provided. “I want to be the o-one making you happy too… In every way possible, it ma-makes me even more happy, seeing that you-you are too.” Leaning down more, he nestled the top of her head like a learning pup - languid and comfortable even in her scent. But for now, the parting gap between them that was filled by the pillow had parted attention to it now, keeping her better upright in the midst of it. “I’m sure it is, my lo-love. We can see-see it together.” He giggled before loosening his grip, only to let his frame step around to her side - and the remaining arm stayed put to her back. Moving in more and guiding her off more towards the concealing corner of the cell space, away from the grates above that were covered up. “Us-usually I can tell if they’re up th– up there… Spots better away from that though.” An airy chuckle passed, given his cell was a tad different unlike the few others.

      For more than one reason, she felt happy in his presence. More than anything, she was glad that he wasn’t someone that needed steering along to be affectionate. His maturity was endearing and his expressivity of emotions made it easier for her to reciprocate and be just as open in return. Even leaning against one another and walking side by side to another corner of the room with an arm wrapped around each other’s back was romantic enough for her.

      ❝They can listen in on us if they don’t have anything better to do. I don’t care about them.❞, she revealed, a rather callous contrast of words to her pleasant voice. ❝It is a bit weird though, your shoebox. In comparison to mine, that is. I have no clue what that desk is about, but... I am at least glad I didn’t end up in a storage box or disposed of...❞, she shuddered and snuggled against his side in an attempt to erase those thoughts. All that mattered was that they found each other and were together. Nothing was going to get in the way from then on.