he moved slowly, like he was scared you’d disappear if he went too fast. he leaned in, stopping just before your lips touched, giving you time to pull away.

you didn’t.

so he closed the gap.

the kiss was really soft. a little shaky. like he didn’t know exactly what he was doing, but he wanted to get it right. his hand gently held onto your sleeve, like he needed something to steady himself.

you leaned into it, just a little, and he smiled against your lips without even meaning to.

when you both pulled back, your foreheads almost touched. everything felt warm and light and a little dizzy.

“…that was better than the cheek ones,” you whispered.

rudo let out a quiet laugh, still a little flustered. “yeah… way better.”

after a second, he leaned in again, quicker this time, giving you another small, sweet kiss—like he just couldn’t help it.

and this time, you both smiled into it.

ENJIN -

it was late, and your room smelled faintly like your perfumesand the night air coming through the window. enjin was sitting beside you on the floor, his back against your bed, one knee pulled up.

he looked calm like always, but the way his fingers tapped lightly against his lighter gave him away.

you sat next to him, close enough that your shoulder pressed against his arm. neither of you moved.

“you’re staring,” you mumbled, not even looking at him.

“am not,” he said, but his voice had that quiet tease to it.

you turned your head, and yeah—he totally was.

there was a small pause after that. the kind that felt a little too full, like something was about to happen. enjin’s gaze lingered on you, softer now, less teasing.

“what?” you asked, your voice quieter this time.

he hesitated, then shifted just a bit closer. his hand brushed yours, not fully holding it, just there. “nothing… just…”

he didn’t finish. instead, he looked at your lips for a second, then back at your eyes.

“can i…?” he asked, barely above a whisper.

you nodded, your heart picking up a little.

he leaned in slowly, giving you time to move away. but you didn’t. you stayed right there, waiting.

when his lips met yours, it was soft, a little warm, a little unsure at first—but it quickly settled into something more steady. his hand stayed near yours, lightly touching, like he needed something to ground himself.

the kiss was short, but it lingered.

when you pulled back, you blinked at him for a second… then wrinkled your nose just a little.

“…you taste like cigarettes,” you said.

there was a pause.

then enjin let out a quiet huff of a laugh, shaking his head. “wow. that’s what you say after our first kiss?”

“i’m just being honest,” you mumbled, trying not to smile.

he leaned in a little closer again, eyes soft but amused. “harsh.”

“then don’t taste like that,” you shot back quietly. he smirked, just a little. “…or you could get used to it.”

before you could argue, he leaned in again, pressing another quick kiss to your lips—more confident this time, a little teasing.

and somehow… you didn’t complain the second time.

TAMSY CAINES -

you were sitting on tamsy’s lap, knees on either side of him while he leaned back against the headboard of your bed. his hands rested lightly on your hips, not holding you down, just there, warm and steady.

but his hair was a mess.

long strands fell into his face, a little tangled from earlier, and you couldn’t help but reach up to fix it. your fingers moved gently, brushing the strands away from his eyes, smoothing them down like it was the most natural thing in the world.

tamsy stayed still for you, watching quietly. his eyes followed your face, soft and a little unfocused, like he didn’t want to look anywhere else.

“hold still,” you mumbled, even though he already was.

“i am,” he said, voice low, a hint of a smile there.

you leaned closer, concentrating as you tucked a piece of hair behind his ear. your fingers lingered for a second, lightly tracing along the side of his face before pulling back.

he exhaled slowly, almost like he’d been holding it in.

“you’re really focused,” he murmured.

“someone has to fix this,” you teased softly, combing through another section with your fingers.

he let out a quiet laugh, his grip on your hips tightening just a little—not enough to stop you, just enough to keep you close.

you kept going, gentle and careful, smoothing everything down until his hair finally sat right. when you were done, you leaned back just enough to look at him properly.

“there. better,” you said.

he didn’t answer right away.

instead, his hands slid slightly higher on your sides, his gaze steady on yours. there was something warm in his expression, something a little deeper than before.

“…come here,” he murmured.

before you could ask what he meant, he leaned in, closing the small gap between you. the kiss was soft, slow, like he was in no rush at all. one of his hands moved up to the back of your neck, holding you gently in place.

it felt easy, natural, warmth, like you’d always been this close.

when he pulled back, his forehead rested lightly against yours, his thumb brushing absentmindedly against your side.

“…don’t mess up my hair again,” he added quietly, teasing.

you smiled, leaning in just a little. “no promises.”

ZANKA NIJIKU -

after practice, everything felt quieter than usual. your legs were a little tired, your breathing finally even again, and zanka had led you up to the rooftop like it was something he always did when he needed to think.

the air up there was cooler. the city stretched out in front of you, and the sunset was painting everything in soft orange and pink.

zanka stood a little in front of you, hands in his pockets, looking out like he was trying not to say anything too serious.

his hair was still a bit messy from training, and there was sweat on his collar, but he didn’t seem to care.

you stepped closer, standing beside him. “you always come here after practice?”

“sometimes,” he said simply.

there was a pause. the kind that didn’t feel empty, just… full.

you leaned your elbows on the railing, watching the sky shift colors. “it’s pretty up here.”

“yeah,” he said, but he wasn’t really looking at the sky. you glanced at him. “you’re not even watching it.” he huffed a small laugh. “i am.”

you raised a brow.

“…mostly,” he admitted after a second.

that made you smile a little. you turned back to the sunset, letting the quiet sit between you again. but this time, it felt different—warmer, closer.

zanka shifted beside you, shoulder brushing yours. he didn’t move away.

“you’re distracting,” he said quietly.

you blinked. “me?”

“yeah.”

you tilted your head. “how?”

he didn’t answer right away. instead, he turned to face you fully now, like he’d made up his mind about something. his expression was calm, but his eyes were softer than usual.

“i don’t know.. but come real quick,” he said.

your heart did a small jump, but you didn’t ask questions. you just stepped closer.

he reached out, not rough, just steady, and pulled you in gently. when he kissed you, it wasn’t rushed or uncertain—it was calm, like he’d been thinking about it for a while and finally stopped holding back.

the sunset behind him made everything feel unreal for a second, like time slowed just for that moment.

when he pulled away, he didn’t go far. his forehead rested lightly against yours, and his hand stayed at your side, grounding you there with him.

“…still think the view’s pretty?” he asked quietly.

you swallowed, then smiled a little. “yeah… but not just the sunset.”

his thumb brushed lightly against your waist, and for once, he didn’t tease you back. he just stayed there with you, watching the sky fade into evening.

CORVUS ARKHA -

after your missions, it was always the same place you ended up— in corvus’s office.

you didn’t even need to knock most days. the door would open, and there he was—sat behind his desk, calm as ever, like the world outside didn’t exist unless he allowed it to.

this time, you stepped in quietly, still in your gear. a little tired, a little dusty, but safe.

corvus didn’t look up right away. he was reading something, pen in hand. “you’re late,” he said flatly.

“i wasn’t late,” you replied, closing the door behind you.

that made him pause just slightly. then his eyes lifted.

and the moment he saw you properly, something about his expression softened in a way he never showed anyone else. not fully, but enough for you to notice.

you walked closer to his desk, like you always did, and leaned your hands on the edge. “mission’s done.”

“i can see that,” he said, eyes scanning you quickly like he was checking for injuries he already knew you didn’t mention.

you straightened a little. “i’m fine.”

“you usually are,” he said, but his voice was quieter now.

there was a pause.

you shifted a little closer to his side of the desk, and he finally set his pen down. his chair turned slightly toward you.

“come,” he said.

you didn’t hesitate.

he reached out and pulled you in, not forcefully, just firmly enough that you ended up standing right between his knees as he sat there. his hand stayed at your side for a moment longer than necessary.

then he leaned in.

the kiss was controlled at first—careful, measured, like everything he did. but there was something underneath it, something he didn’t say out loud that showed in the way he didn’t let you go immediately.

his hand slid up slightly, steadying you, like he didn’t want any space between you and him right now.

when he finally pulled back, it was only a little.

his eyes stayed on you, sharp as always—but softer now in a way only you ever saw.

“…you’re reckless,” he said quietly.

you blinked. “that’s your way of saying you were worried?”

he didn’t answer right away.

then, barely noticeable, he exhaled. “don’t make me repeat myself.”

you smiled a little at that, and before you could tease him more, he tugged you closer again—just enough for another brief, quieter kiss.

like he wasn’t done making sure you were really there.

AUGUST STILZA -

august had called you over again, saying he needed to “double check proportions!” like he always did when he was in one of his focused moods.

you stood on the small platform in the middle of the room while he circled you with a measuring tape draped around his neck. his expression was serious, completely locked in on his work.

“stand still,” he said softly.

“i am still,” you replied, but you were smiling a little.

he glanced up at you for a second. “you always say that right before you move.”

you made a face. “that’s not true.”

he didn’t argue. he just stepped closer again, carefully adjusting the tape at your shoulder and then your sleeve line, his fingers brushing lightly as he worked.

his touch was precise, but not cold—more like he was used to making things perfect and you were just part of that process now.

you watched him instead of the mirror this time.

“you’re staring,” he said without looking up.

“you’re always focused,” you replied.

that made him pause for half a second. “…you distract me,” he admitted quietly.

you blinked, surprised by how honest that sounded coming from him.

he straightened a little, letting the measuring tape fall loosely between his hands. for a moment, he just looked at you like he was seeing the design and not just the person wearing it.

then he stepped closer, slower this time, until there wasn’t much space between you at all.

“turn your head,” he murmured.

you did.

he adjusted the collar area carefully, but this time his hand lingered a second longer than necessary, smoothing the fabric down gently like he was making sure it sat right.

you looked back at him again.

he didn’t step away.

instead, his gaze softened, and for once he looked a little less like a designer and more like just… him.

“…this one’s for you,” he said quietly.

you smiled. “i figured.”

a small silence settled between you. warm, easy.

then he leaned in—not rushed, not unsure, just quiet and certain in the way he did everything. the kiss was soft and brief, like a pause in the middle of a sentence he didn’t want to end.

when he pulled back, his thumb brushed the edge of the fabric he’d just adjusted.

“…we’re done for today,” he said, clearing his throat slightly.

you tilted your head. “already?”

he looked away for a second, like he was trying to regain focus. “you’re distracting when you stand still.”

you laughed softly.

GRIS RUBION -

it happened on a quiet night, the kind where neither of you really talked much because everything already felt understood.

you were still in bed with gris, both of you half tangled in the blankets. his arm was around you like it had been there forever, steady and warm, like he didn’t even think about it anymore.

you were facing him this time, close enough to see the small details he usually tried to hide—how his eyes softened when he was tired, how his expression wasn’t as strict when it was just the two of you.

“you’re staring again,” he said quietly.

“am not,” you whispered, even though you definitely were.

that made his mouth twitch slightly, like he was almost smiling but didn’t fully commit to it.

there was a pause after that. not awkward—just full.

your hand was still resting on his chest, and you could feel his breathing slow under your fingers. for once, neither of you moved away from the silence.

gris gaze dropped for a moment. not far, just to your lips, then back up again.

he didn’t say anything right away. you noticed.

though, your heart beat a little louder in your ears.

“…what?” you asked softly.

he hesitated, like the answer wasn’t something he usually let out easily.

“can i?” he asked finally, voice low.

it took you a second to understand, but when you did, you nodded right away.

“yeah,” you whispered.

that was all it took.

he leaned in slowly, giving you time to stop him if you wanted to—but you didn’t. your hand tightened just slightly on his shirt as he closed the space between you.

the kiss was soft. careful. like he was afraid of breaking the moment if he did it wrong.

but it didn’t feel unsure for long.

his hand at your back pulled you a little closer without thinking, like he already knew he didn’t want any distance between you. when he finally pulled back, it was only a little, his forehead almost resting against yours.

for a moment, neither of you said anything. then, very quietly, gris spoke. “…you’re warm.”

you blinked, then smiled a little. “that’s your comment?” his eyes softened, just barely. “it’s true.”

and this time, he didn’t let go right away.

FOLLO TUNITO -

it was one of those quiet moments where follo had clearly been trying to act normal—and failing a little.

you were sitting close together, just talking about nothing important. his voice was softer than usual, and he kept looking at you, then immediately looking away like he’d been caught doing something he shouldn’t.

his hands were fidgeting with the edge of his sleeve.

you noticed.

“you’re being weird,” you said lightly, tilting your head. “i’m not,” he replied too fast.

that made you smile a little.

there was a pause, and the air between you felt warmer somehow. follo shifted closer on instinct, then stopped like he realized what he was doing halfway through.

“…sorry,” he muttered, even though he didn’t move away.

“what for?” you asked.

he didn’t answer right away. instead, he looked at you properly this time. like he was trying to decide something in his head.

his ears were a little red.

you blinked. “are you okay?”

“yeah,” he said quickly. then quieter, “…i just—” he stopped again.

you leaned in a little, giving him space. “just what?”

his gaze dropped to your lips for half a second, then snapped away like it burned him. his face went even more red.

“…never mind,” he mumbled.

you laughed softly. “no, tell me.”

that only made him more flustered.

he covered his face for a second with his hand, exhaling like he was trying to calm himself down. “you’re not helping,” he said under his breath. “i’m not doing anything,” you said innocently.

he looked at you again.

this time, he didn’t look away as fast.

“…can i kiss you?” he asked, barely audible, like the words didn’t want to come out.

the honesty of it made your chest feel warm. you nodded immediately. “yeah.”

that was all it took.

he hesitated for half a second longer, still shy, still unsure—but then he leaned in carefully, like he was scared of messing it up.

the kiss was soft and quick at first, almost nervous, but it settled into something sweeter as he realized you weren’t pulling away.

his hand hovered near your arm, not fully grabbing you, like he didn’t know if he was allowed to yet.

when he pulled back, he looked even more flustered than before.

“…okay,” he said quietly, like he was trying to act normal again.

you smiled. “okay?”

he nodded once, then added even quieter, “…i think i understand why people do that.”

you laughed again, and this time, he didn’t look away when you did.

FU OROSTOR -

you were sitting on your bed when fu came into your room, quiet like always, closing the door gently behind him.

he stood there for a second too long, like he wasn’t fully sure if he should come in further or stay where he was.

“you’re just gonna stand there?” you asked softly.

he blinked, then walked over and sat beside you, a little careful with how close he got.

even so, there was this stiffness to him, like he was thinking too much about where his hands should go, how he should sit, what he should do with himself in a space that wasn’t used for training or work.

you noticed right away. “you’re tense.”

“i’m not,” he said quickly, almost automatically.

you gave him a small look, and that made him go quiet.

there was a pause after that, the kind that didn’t feel awkward but did feel full. fu kept glancing at you, then away, then back again like he was trying to figure something out without actually saying it.

you scooted a little closer.

he stiffened just slightly, shoulders going straight.

“…what are you doing?” he asked, voice lower now.

“nothing,” you said, even though you were definitely closer than before.

he didn’t move away.

that gave you the answer you needed.

you stopped right in front of him, close enough that your knees almost touched his. his eyes stayed on you this time, more focused, like he was waiting for something he couldn’t quite name.

“can i?” you asked quietly.

he hesitated for a moment, like the question was simple but his mind was making it complicated anyway.

“…y-yeah,” he said finally.

you leaned in first.

the kiss was soft and gentle, nothing rushed. but fu went completely still at first, like his whole body had paused and wasn’t sure what to do next.

his hands hovered slightly before resting carefully on his lap instead, like he was trying not to mess anything up.

but he didn’t pull away.

after a moment, he relaxed just a little, enough to actually lean into it instead of just freezing there. when you pulled back, he stayed still for a second longer, blinking like he was catching up.

“…you didn’t warn me,” he said quietly.

you tilted your head. “i did ask.”

that made him pause. “…right,” he said, a little quieter now.

there was a beat of silence, then he added, almost under his breath, “…it wasn’t bad.”

you smiled a little at that, and even though he was still a bit stiff, he stayed sitting closer to you than before.

ZODYL TYPHON -

you were hanging out with zodyl like usual, sitting close enough that your shoulders occasionally brushed.

he was quiet, as always, just watching you with that steady, unreadable focus he always had. it didn’t feel uncomfortable though. with him, silence never really did.

“you’re staring again,” you said softly, glancing at him.

“i am observing,” he replied, completely calm.

you smiled a little. “that’s just staring with extra steps.”

he didn’t respond right away. instead, his gaze stayed on you, like he was trying to understand something he couldn’t fully label yet. there was a long pause before he finally spoke again.

“…question,” he said.

you tilted your head. “yeah?”

“why do humans initiate contact like that?” he asked, as if it were a simple data point.

gosh you forgot how much of a bot he was..

you blinked. “like what?” his eyes shifted slightly toward you, then back to the space between you. “touch. proximity. facial contact.”

your heart skipped a little as you realized what he meant. “you mean… kissing?”

“yes,” he answered immediately.

you sat up a bit straighter, suddenly a little more aware of how close he was. “it’s… affection. it’s how people show they like someone or feel close to them.”

he went quiet, processing that without changing his expression.

after a moment, he nodded once. “understood.”

there was another pause, heavier this time, like he’d already made a decision internally and was just catching up to it.

“…may i attempt?” he asked.

you froze for a second, then nodded quickly. “yeah.”

he didn’t hesitate after that.

he leaned in slowly, precise and steady, like he was following a step-by-step instruction instead of acting on emotion.

when his lips met yours, it was surprisingly soft and controlled, not rushed or unsure—just calm. like he was learning the concept through experience.

you stayed still for a second, then relaxed into it.

when he pulled back, he looked at you the same way he always did, but something about the moment lingered differently now.

“…efficient,” he said after a beat.

you blinked, then let out a soft laugh. “that’s your reaction?” he tilted his head slightly. “was it incorrect?”

“no,” you said, still smiling. “just not what most people would say.”

he considered that for a moment. “…then I will adjust,” he said simply. “I understand why it is done.”

JABBER WONGER -

it started like one of jabber’s usual moments—him too close, leaning in like personal space didn’t really apply to him.

he was watching you with that sharp, playful grin of his, like he was always one second away from saying something you’d either laugh at or regret hearing.

“you’re quiet, ma,” he said suddenly.

you immediately frowned a little. “don’t call me that.”

he only grinned wider. “why not, mama?”

you let out a small sigh. “that one’s worse.”

he laughed under his breath like he was enjoying your reaction a little too much, but he didn’t move away. he rarely did.

instead, his gaze stayed on you a bit longer this time, less teasing now and more focused, like something in his head had shifted but he wasn’t saying it out loud yet.

“…you look real nice like this,” he muttered after a moment.

you blinked. “like what?”

“like this,” he repeated, like that explained everything.

before you could respond, he leaned in slowly, stopping just close enough for you to feel his breath, like he was giving you time to stop him if you wanted to. you didn’t.

so he kissed you.

it was short and a little messy, but warm in a way that made your thoughts go quiet for a second. when he pulled back, he stayed right there, close enough that your foreheads almost touched.

a lazy grin came back to his face.

“…yeah,” he said softly, “that’s what i thought, ma.”

you exhaled, trying not to smile too much. “you’re really annoying.”

“and you still let me, mama,” he replied easily.

he didn’t move away after that, just stayed close like he had no plans of leaving your space anytime soon.