[ Hah. For as mean and bitter as he can be, it's that much cuter when he softens. It's still a little surreal whenever it happens - or maybe remembering the time she was so afraid of him that she couldn't even imagine him being gentle is what's surreal by now.

Maybe being stuck with him isn't so bad. ]

Mm. [ The breath that puffs against his lips becomes a little laugh. ] Maybe not like this for too long. The bath water might get cold.

[ She nuzzles the side of his face and presses a kiss there, too. ]

I wasn't kidding about you carrying me to bed, you know.