[ Some piece of his heart simply melts the moment he feels her fingers— skin just as calloused as his, one of the many, many things he likes so much about her— brush against his face. It’s a small gesture, perhaps not even one worthy of much note, but between that and the tenderness in her smile, he feels well and truly desired by her. It feels real. They feel real. There’s a them. ]

Mmm, I think that’s on you, Nami. If you weren’t so perfect, I could have managed just fine. But you’re you and I needed more. [ Soft laughter rumbles in his chest as he peers down at her, bright blue eyes full of fondness. She kisses him and he can’t help but return it, the arm around her shoulders selfishly tightening, pulling her as close to him as he can manage. He can feel the stiff fabric of one of his button-up shirts beneath his palm— strange how easily he’d completely forgotten she was wearing that— but his attention is wholly on her face and her lips and the words coming out of them.

He answers her the only way he can: with his mouth pressed against hers, affection and desire mixing in a kiss that leaves his lips working eagerly against hers. The tip of his tongue traces her bottom lip— wets it— as he breaks the kiss, smiling and breathing a little faster than before. ]

Is that a good enough answer for you? [ He squeezes her hand tightly, He’s never been more grateful that she has her own room than tonight. While there’s plenty of places they can sneak in time together, this is the only way they can spend extended time enjoying one another. His hand— the one that she’s holding— guides hers up, to his mouth, where he brushes a kiss to the back of her knuckles. ] Spending the night with you is all I want right now.

[ He pauses, then grins, a wicked glint in his eyes as he glances down and sees the button that’s holding his shirt closed. ] Besides, I think I was promised a bath with just the two of us.