You're telling me. [ His tone leans wry but also fond in the same breath, as if this is a memory relived. Even if the women he knows are far from Victorian, it doesn't mean they hadn't taught him a thing or two about manners. ] I know, I know. It's not like what we're meant to do is a secret, or anything...

[ But he does still struggle. Going from a loner who tends to solve problems on peoples' behalf to having to think about his desires in relation to others is — well, a work in progress. But as she meets him halfway with another clasp of hands, enough to pull her back in, he is trying. ]

Man, you haven't even seen me at my cutest yet.

[ Words he will live to regret! Maybe if he leans in for a proper kiss she'll just let him get away with it. ]