It matters to me, [ Lupin offers, simply. He knows they're stuck like this for a while; he just wants to try and minimize the discomfort. Which he is, perhaps, doing a poor job of at the moment, but getting a warm beverage into their system will have benefits in the long-term, okay. Since they don't inch away, he continues stroking their back, inwardly wondering at the feeling of skin that gives and the suggestion of warmth through their clothes. Perfectly normal things that aren't even really noticeable - save for the fact that he knows those features aren't supposed to be there. ]

... Well, I can't deny it's less convenient then just soaking in the sun like a tree. But doesn't have to be a chore - people come up with lots of delicious combinations of food, and being able to taste lots of different flavors is fun.

[ he lifts his mug an inch or two in a demonstrative way. ]

When it's cold out, eating or drinking something hot like this will warm you up from the inside - it relaxes you. And sweet drinks like apple cider are sort of a rare treat. [ a wry smile. ] If you have to drink something, it should be something you can enjoy. This is probably the only time you'll be able to experience this, right? I think that counts as a special occasion.

[ he chuckles under his breath, giving them a nod. ]

There's a method to our madness, believe it or not.

[ he's not surprised they like having a logical angle to observe these behaviors with; it's the same as a scientist trying to rationalize some strange animal behavior. Once again, Lupin's grateful they don't view him as a strange animal in spite of all that... or, at least, they view him as more than just that. ]

To be honest, though, I was thinking in much simpler terms. Being warm feels nice. And tasting something sweet makes you happy. [ and that's really what he wants to give them right now - comfort and pleasure to distract them from the fear. ] Are you cold? I can warm you up again.

No, I am. A little.

[ he echoes their response back to them, quietly amused. It is cold out, although at least Cairngorm's house is a great deal warmer than his own, thanks to Lottie. He isn't tolerant so much as unwilling to let something like the weather get in between the two of them; in this case, though, it works to his advantage, and so, he doesn't bother playing tough. He's gotten quite good at reading their body language and interpreting their non-responses - he takes the reply as a shy positive, and smiles knowingly. ]

So you'll be doing both of us a favor this time.

[ Lupin closes the few inches remaining between the two of them where they sit, nudging their knee with his; he stops rubbing their back to loop his arm around their thin waist, drawing them gently into his side, actually drawing them in and not hoping they just go along with him, for once. There are countless things he wants to share with them like this, in reality. But body heat is a fine place to start, and so is this small one-armed embrace. ]

[ it is almost a role reversal. Lupin admires their strength and their intimidating presence, finds it attractive, even; at the same time, there's something wonderful about them actually being as small and delicate as they look, too. He always feels this desire to protect them and hold them close - to be half as reliable and capable to Cairngorm as he is to other humans. These current circumstances are like cheating to get there temporarily. He's not above basking in them a little anyway. ]

It's different. I wouldn't say it's better, exactly... [ is it nice being able to touch them freely and fearlessly? Sure. But they're not comfortable this way, and therefore, he can't really say it's better. As always, their smile is what he's aiming for. He looks down at their pretty face resting against him, and their reddening cheeks, and feels his own heart skip a secret beat. Dammit. He's supposed to be putting them at ease, but they're so cute, and all soft edges now... With a sigh, he shakes his head a little, setting his mug down. ] Warm, cold, that doesn't matter. You're what I want. You could be covered in spikes and I'd still find a way to get my arms around you.

[ he tilts his head, leaning in to gently nuzzle into their hair - silkier than usual, but with that same distant fragrance of earth and snow that's become so familiar to him now. Lupin murmurs his words into the silvery strands, playful. ]

Do you like it better?

We're in agreement for once? It really is rare.

[ they may as well have turned to stone again for how they're locking up, but he doesn't mind; their flustered nervousness is endearing, though probably not good for getting back to sleep. Unfortunately, Lupin likes getting these reactions out of them too much to truly stop himself. Their awkward blushing, their secret tenderness in nestling against him like this - sides of Cairngorm he's willing to bet most of the town wouldn't even believe, let alone get a chance to see. And knowing he's the only one who gets to see them only makes them all the more precious. He pulls his face back just enough to get a glimpse of their reddening ears, and he gives a breathy little laugh that sticks in his throat. ]

You look like you're warming up quite a bit. I'll turn you into rose quartz at this rate.

[ the hand that's not snug at their waist reaches up to gently lay on top of theirs where they're curled around the mug, halfway supportive, halfway inviting them to let him put it down for them. He wants more of this little spot of rarity, and doesn't want to ruin it by spilling hot cider on them. ]

[ he's a little annoyed at himself, too, for not being more of a gentleman - it would almost certainly be more proper for him to just attend to them as if they were sick, which really had been his original plan. It's just that he can't stop noticing these little things - their red ears, their feather weight, the warmth of their cheek through his shirt. It is special. He can't bear to let it slip through his fingers. There's always distance between the two of them that they can't cross because they're different species. Lupin's never once wished Cairngorm was a human - but now that they are, he wants to close that gap, if only for a single moment. ]

Yeah, I know. You can feel your face burning up, your heart pounding - it's hard to concentrate on anything else. Right? [ he responds, knowingly, as he sets down their drink, and lets some color come into his face, too, even though Cairngorm won't see it (maybe because they won't see it.) ] Me, too.

[ he shifts, gently, winding his arms around them, lifting them just enough (and that's a novel experience, too) to set them on his lap; he pulls them in until he can feel their chest against his and rest his head in the crook of their neck, and he hugs them, tightly, tenderly. They're always so cold and stiff and sharp - but in his arms now they're small, soft, warm. Just as he'd always believed, even if others couldn't see it in them. The affection in his heart wells up and threatens to overflow. But all he does is murmur their name, quiet, full of love. ]

Cairngorm.

Nothing.

[ a little laugh; he just wanted to say their name, really. Maybe that he loves them - the words fly into his mind with no preamble, but he doesn't say them, though he's not surprised to think them. It's a little flattering to hear just how their heart is pounding - sure, he's well aware he has this effect on a lot of people, but Cairngorm is good at acting like they don't care. And even if he knows they do -- it's cute. They're cute. For all his fawning and cool attitude, they'll probably be able to feel his pulse racing at this range, too, but he doesn't mind. Lupin's not ashamed of how he feels. ]

I always want to hold you like this, but I didn't think I'd actually get the chance... [ he shuts his eyes with a quiet exhale, smiling ruefully just out of sight. ] Sorry. I know you don't like this kind of thing.

[ Maybe coveting things he can't keep is just in his nature. At the very least, he can hold onto the memory. ]

[ Oh. That actually wasn't what he expected. He was sure they were going to rib him for making them do annoying things, as always. Frankly, he's tempted to interpret their not finishing that sentence as them only saying this to appease him at first, too. Cairngorm's not good at putting how they feel into words, though, he knows that - and the way they curl around him just a little more tightly makes his heart skip a beat.

So they don't like it. But they do if he's the one with them. Maybe he should have guessed as much from that time they wore that sweater - so he wouldn't be cold when he touched them, they'd implied - but he never assumes things when it comes to Cairngorm if he can help it. Hope for things, though, that's another story, and it looks like he put those hopes in the right spot. Lupin laughs under his breath, a little disbelieving, but amused. ]

... You know, you say some really cute things sometimes. Are you trying to charm me? [ he turns his head, pressing a soft kiss to their neck where he can feel that unfamiliar pulse fluttering. ] Well, it's working. I'll get you for this.

And that's exactly why you're so dangerous.

[ they've got that natural, innocent cuteness that apparently makes him incredibly weak in the knees, according to the evidence. Maybe he should confront that he has a type. The teasing tone in his voice suggests that he's well aware they're not doing anything at all on purpose - they never do.

Except for now, maybe? It's still novel to him when they touch back, it happens so rarely; their arms are a pleasant weight on his shoulders, and in his mind he idly bets that they could get away with this much even as a gemstone and should absolutely do it more often. He'll bring it up next time. Right now, it's rather hard to ignore that Cairngorm seems like they're trying to provoke something out of him. Lupin raises an eyebrow, faint disbelief coloring his amusement. ]

My dear, it was a threat. No one toys with Lupin's heart and gets away with it.

[ A mischievous smile. They must be feeling a little bit better if they're acting this way - he's grateful for it, of course. It also means the onus is on him more than ever to not get carried away... ]

[ they are so serious - it makes him want to laugh, hearing them accept his "threat" so defiantly, like he's going to actually do something wicked. But he doesn't, letting the laughter simply fill his heart a little more. There's nothing coquettish about anything they say, even if, theoretically, the elements are there. Somehow, it's even more irresistible that way. ]

Don't act so unhappy about it. I think you rather enjoyed how that turned out. [ his tone is teasing; his hand slides up from their back to their neck and into the short-shorn hair behind their ears, cradling their head. ] But I don't need to go through the trouble a second time.

[ maybe he's playing into what they wanted - he's not so full of himself that he thinks Cairngorm was angling for him to kiss them again, because, again, surely they don't like it. He can't imagine they do. Even if they've put themself in the perfect position for it, and obliquely mentioned it just now, and told him not a minute ago that they don't mind touching if he's the other party. Even if, maybe, Lupin's gotten his hopes up a little. If that was the trap they set for him, he certainly doesn't mind getting caught in it. Despite his posturing, there's nothing aggressive in how he closes the distance between them, and no force or fire behind his kiss when he presses his lips to theirs again - just sweetness, slow and soft, and a comfortable wonder at feeling the immovable Cairngorm yield under his touch. The sensation is enough to make him forget everything he was just saying and thinking. He's kissed them before - a few times, not a lot. But it suddenly feels like the first time, another first time, the first time he's truly felt Cairngorm, and he unconsciously holds them a little tighter, lingers a little longer. ]

[ It steals the breath right out of his lungs; it clicks in his mind instantly. Oh. Oh, so that is what they wanted. Oh. He inhales sharply through his nose in surprise and finds himself just a second late to respond, but he does, of course he does, holding back his eagerness and fervor as best he can so he doesn't smother this shy little spark of want from them. Lupin had resigned himself to only taking from them in regards to physical affection - there was a sort of guilt that came with that arrangement, but that was part and parcel of loving someone so different from himself, he thought. He was wrong. That brusque little jewel that had resented human contact and kept him at arms' length at the well all those months ago is leaning in to kiss him now.

He really did steal their heart. He wonders if they really understand how much they have his, too - how much every little thing they do like this is maddening to him, like he's some boy with a crush. His heart races under their palm, and he can't help smiling against their lips. ]

I love you, [ he breathes against them when they part again; he kisses the corner of their mouth, their cheek. Some part of his brain is reminding him that he should be feeding them and making sure they get some real rest; he can't bring himself to stop and let go, or focus on anything other than their shy touch and slight frame and the way their expression always softens just a little when they see him. Even his little threatened plan for revenge is almost forgotten in the moment. ] I'm mad about you, you know. My lovely Cairngorm.

[ he hears the unfamiliar waver in their voice; it brings him down to earth quite quickly before his heady feelings can fly off with him further. It's only unfamiliar because it's coming from Cairngorm; he knows very well what he's hearing. Instantly, he worries he's caused them some discomfort with his affections -- not out of the question, considering they're not even used to breathing, let alone, well... this. ]

It belongs to you, [ finishes Lupin for them, quietly and seriously. His curiosity about why they're bringing that up and why they're holding their hand above it are stalled for good reason: he thinks they might be crying. He's reluctant to pull away, but he doesn't hesitate to do so, either, only enough so that he can look at their face properly. ] -- Sorry. Was that too much?

[ his expression is apologetic and a little concerned, his hand finding its usual place on their cheek while his eyes search theirs. He can still feel the alien warmth of their skin fading on his lips along with the faint taste of apple cider, and the way they said his name makes him want to stay here in this bed with them forever. But he doesn't want to see them crying because of him even more than that.

Happy tears - he hadn't even considered that a possibility. ]