the same sinking vessel .

Then thumb is brushing over her wrist, and up her arm. Then, next, her fingers are tracing the length of her neck, the line of her jaw, until open palm comes to rest on her cheek. Her eyes linger here a moment. Before meeting her eyes. And this...is still the person I like. She leans in. Closer. Less than an inch away. Eyes close. She presses a kiss on her cheek.

"Gosh..." There's the blush, finally. The lowering gaze which suddenly finds the texture of the floor very fascinating for some reason. "You're always so smooth, at times like this."

Hand has taken hold of Adam's under the table.

"Mm, n-no, I mean...I don't think I was really expecting anything specific...and you know I trust you." Her head leans on Kimi's shoulder a bit, posture gradually relaxing. "I guess I just...didn't know if it'd be a big change, like...if you would see me differently, or something..."

oh! forgive me, lord! oh! i'm a good girl!

　　Her hands fall gently and she takes a small step back, giving Lexi a little room to breathe.　　“Kind of a strange response to the ice girl, don't you think?”　Tem remarks with a laugh, and then shakes her head.　“C'monーlet's go have a normal day.”

"Sounds perfect to me."

I never knew another way of life My baby brain collected all the strife My father told me, "Gotta just survive" You drink the poison, gotta pay the price

Adam will be hereafter referred to as Lexi! She's a trans woman canonically now. Happy pride, my friends. 💖

　　“How was that? Feel any different?”

"W-Well, I...feel warmer..." She swallows, doesn't hide the way she's practically glowing. Maybe there is a bit of relief in it, a sense that she's still herself here, that the way she's changing hasn't disrupted something.

　　“Okay.”　　Tem nods. There's a brief pause, awkward for her, and then her eyes shift off to the side as she speaks again, quieter.　“Thanks for telling me.”

She blinks, a faint smile on her face as she nods along, hands twiddling a bit. "Mm, 'course, I mean...I trust you. Thanks for listening."

　　“Is there anything you want to do? Or was getting it off your chest the main thing you needed?”

"I guess...? It was mostly just saying it, yeah. Like...making it real, or something, instead of just keeping it all pent up."

　　“I'm being nice 'cause I know this is a difficult thing to do. Don't get used to it.”

"I know, I know. Thanks. It's...? I feel like I've been thinking about it for a long time, is the thing...? Feels a little weird that I just...let it keep sitting, I guess."

　　A small nod.　“That makes sense. If I mess up, please know it's not me rejecting anything. I'm just kind of stupid. You can hit me, even. ”

"Well I'm not gonna do that...I know you wouldn't though! You're all good."