[ 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. ]

[ he studies their expression as they speak, trying to find out if there's something they're hiding; it's not out of the question that they'd pretend to be fine simply not to rock the boat. But he thinks they're being honest. They've allowed themself to be so vulnerable around him today; why should this moment be any different? Watching them cry makes him feel like there's something constricting his heart. Lupin's felt that way often around them, when they're suffering alone, and it's always accompanied by the strongest desire to swoop in and save them, to overwhelm that sadness with light and affection - his feelings are no different now, save for the fact that he allows himself to act on them. He sighs, thumb brushing away their tears gently, and his smile returns, small and sympathetic. ]

... It's all right. You don't have to stop them. You've been holding onto those tears for centuries.

[ if it's not because they're struggling with breathing or a quick pulse, then they're being overwhelmed by something else - he can only guess at what, but he has a feeling that he knows. He doesn't think anyone's ever loved them like he does. Lupin tilts his chin up, shifting away his thumb to press his lips to the edge of their eye and kiss away their tears. ]

But I'm here with you now.

[ He murmurs the words against their skin. They're free to cry on him if they want to - any time, he'll be there to listen and stop their tears, even if they're only on the inside. ]

[ he draws his hand up their spine - it's not physically possible to bring them in closer than they already are, he thinks, but he still finds himself wanting to, wishing he could envelop them completely in his arms and himself until the miasma of their suffering is blocked out entirely. They deserve to cry, but they don't deserve to be made to cry. He presses his lips to their eyelid again, unable to do anything else, feeling their snowflake eyelashes tickle his skin. ]

Me too.

[ How can he not be, when just hearing them say that makes his heart sing? They're glad - that's all Lupin wants, for them to be happy about something - no, for them to be happy about him, especially, for them to feel this same excitement when they see him and this same restless longing when they're alone together. When did he love them this much? It's only been a month since he laid his feelings on the table, yet he already feels like they've doubled in intensity. ]

There's nowhere I'd rather be.

[ it's true that he has to go back to London, and it's true that he misses his friends, and that living in Chroma is hard and he's struggling to escape - but right now, in this moment, that's all far from his mind. He doesn't want to leave Cairngorm alone. He can't imagine leaving them alone. They're too beautiful, too sweet, too sad. Lupin wants to kiss them again, on their lips, all over, until they can't think about the past or the future anymore - but their breath is coming short already, and so he simply hugs them tighter, gently bumping his forehead against theirs. ]

[ Maybe it's just passion getting the better of him, but he means it - he thinks he really means it. He wants to be selfish in this moment. Why can't he just take Cairngorm back with him? He's a jewel thief - isn't that his job? Surely he could figure out some way to do it; he knows they're fighting that war back home, but surely the gems can afford to lose a single soldier. He could make them happy. He's sure he could. Lupin's terrible at giving up, and right now, he can't imagine throwing aside his plans to save London or his feelings for the fey jewel sitting on his lap. ]

Trust me.

[ he gets the sense they're trying to find out if he's serious, so he speaks the words quietly, softly smiling at them between their hands. He doesn't falter under their gaze. His willpower is another story; closing his eyes, he brushes his lips against theirs for the briefest moment in a whisper-soft kiss. ]

[ they probably have...

he feels his pulse leap happily when they chase his kiss with one of their own yet again. They do like it. Lupin is still concerned with how they're feeling and with their tears, but he can't help but feel rather gleeful that Cairngorm is pursuing him today, even if it's only a little. It's perhaps thanks to that that Cairngorm's question catches him off-guard; he looks a little sheepish. ]

... Well... Maybe kissing you is better like this, [ he admits with a small laugh. ] I like this - being able to be close to you, you know.

[ he'd be a liar if he said otherwise. Still, he continues. ]

But... I've always loved your crystal skin. And your hair is like spun silver. And I love that you're stronger than a hundred men - but you're still gentle enough not to even bruise me when I hold you. When I told you I was in love with you, I meant all of you - the gem parts, too. [ maybe parts of it are inconvenient for him, personally; it is sad that he can't love them like he'd love a human woman, sure, and it is sad that they're always worried about hurting him. But if he wasn't all right with all of that, he wouldn't have gone this far. Lupin smiles, brushing his fingers lightly through the back of their hair. ] More than anything, I want you to be happy. Nice as this might be, I'd never have you stay like this when it makes you so out of sorts.

[ he chuckles under his breath when they nestle in closer, dropping his hand to rub their back comfortingly. Their thin arms feel so warm around his neck. Lupin's going to miss that, too. ]

Right? I told you - it's not so bad.

[ Well -- he did intend to help them get some rest, but having them get tired out via crying definitely wasn't part of the plan. In the end, however, Lupin thinks maybe it was a good thing that they were able to cry; they rarely let themself express that much vulnerability, if ever, but repressing everything like they do is a recipe for disaster. He can forgive himself for making them shed some tears if it was only because they felt something so strongly they couldn't tamp it down. ]

Tiring, though - that, I can agree with. [ he rests his head against theirs a little bit. ] All worn out?

No, not quite. I've got 25 years of experience being human under my belt.

[ and he's a high-energy guy, besides; if anything, getting to be this intimate for once with Cairngorm has him sort of keyed up. But, of course, he's got no intention of expressing that. Lupin shifts his arms a little to support them a bit more. They might be worried about having all their weight on him, but the reality is that they barely weigh anything the way they are now, and he looks perfectly comfortable letting them stay on top of him. (Actually, he doesn't want to let them go at all.) ]

But I don't mind if you rest. [ he closes his eyes, too, urging his heartbeat to slow down a little. ] I'll stay right here with you.

[ ah. he'd been thinking about that anyway, to be honest, but he didn't want to jostle them around, and he didn't want them to start stressing about being heavy or whatever else. The words are a bit ticklish against his neck; Lupin breathes out another laugh, suppressing a small shiver in his skin. ]

Of course.

[ he holds them against him a little tighter as he shifts his position, carefully avoiding knocking over any rapidly-cooling cider and fruitcake as he brings his feet up. Cairngorm's gifted bed from home is a lot bigger than the rickety cots most of them have to use; he doesn't have to move much more than that to be able to lean back until his head's resting on their small pile of pillows and Cairngorm's resting on him. It feels so natural that Lupin can almost forget they usually weigh ten times as much as he does.

Almost. But he remembers, and that means he'd probably be better off resting next to them than under them, just in case the town suddenly decides to cut this human thing short. With a small, reluctant sigh, he unwinds his arms from around them, gently placing his hands on their shoulders to urge them up. He'd happily be their pillow if he could, but... ]

[ they might not dare to do so, but he does it for them without a moment's hesitation, slipping his fingers through theirs and closing his hand around their smaller one. They don't need to say a word. He wants to stay, too. Lupin is kind to most everyone he knows, and cares about everyone here in some way or another, but he doesn't look at anyone but Cairngorm the way he is now - immeasurably fond, like they're the only one in the world. Right now, his mind has given way so thoroughly to his heart that they may as well be.

(He's supposed to leave them behind? It's just unfathomable.)

And even with the potential threat of an exponential weight increase, he can't help but turn onto his side, too, and quietly fold his other arm around them, almost protectively, closing the space between them just enough to let his legs brush against theirs. As long as they're not on top of him, it should be fine. He's willing it to be fine. He doesn't care if he has a few bruises when he wakes up. ]

You know, I think I do feel a catnap coming on, [ he murmurs with a little smile. ]