Aria
She was gone about five minutes, and came back with jenga, a pair of blankets and cushions she'd stolen from the lounge, and two bottles of water. "Strip jenga. Blankets are so we don't sit directly on the floor, and obviously the pillows are for cushion."

Pao
He smiled into the kiss and, when she pulled back finally, he chuckled. "Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. We should put that 'stuff to buy for future home' list together soon." He stood up after her and stretched out a bit as well, nodding when she said she'd decide on her way back.

Rhys was on the bed, lounging on his phone, when she got back. He gave her a bright smile as soon as she got back, quickly getting up to grab the blankets and pillows and starting to lay them out. "Sounds good," he said as he grabbed a box and set it in the middle of the little set-up.

"Firm foundation to keep it fair."

Aria
"Excellent job. I'll set up the Jenga, but you're going first this time... I went first the previous few games" She gave him a happy grin, and then settled down on one side of the box, then set the jenga box next to her, before opening it and getting to work on setting it up.

"There's a pad of paper on the desk, and some pens, as well as my clipboard." She still hadn't gotten a chair, requisitions were a pain in the butt. "D'you wanna start writing down the stuff we've talked about so far?" She was being as careful and focused on getting the block tower set up, neat and even.

Pao
He got up and grabbed the paper and a pen before officially settling across from her, on the other side of the box. "Furniture...board games..." he started saying as he scribbled, then looked over at her and her mostly assembled tower. "I'll get more specific once we've got all the broad stuff figured out. What else?"

Aria
"Kitchen implements... can't cook without them..." She murmured, as she worked on the pieces. "More sheets... Curtains?" That last word was said in a questioning tone. "Ummmm. Long term investments... Big tv, blu-ray player? So tech stuff...."

Pao
He scribbled as she listed things off, adding some stuff he thought of along the way as well. "Gotta include modding prices for the tech stuff, too," he murmured while writing those items down. When he was finished, at least for now, he looked up at the now completed tower and at Seren.

"My turn while you look this over?"

Aria
"Yeah, that works." She took the list from him, and the pen, added a 'cleaning supplies' section when it occurred to her, and began to make notes under the sections, not sure what other broad sections they might need. She was half watching him as he went, though, curious to see.

Pao
Rhys looked at the tower and spotted an easy piece, plucking it quickly before replacing it at the top.

"As for our current savings, we can use excel for expense tracking like you mentioned before. I've never done that so you'd have to teach me, plus I don't think we'd have much for expenses unless we vacation a lot."

Aria
She examined the tower, herself, and reached to grab a slightly more complicated piece from the center, working it out with comparative ease, before she replied.

"Mmmm probably a good idea to limit real vacations, yeah. Leave days to go get supplies, and the like might be better for now, for the most part, until we're fully settled in how much we will need for our future." She picked the list back up, tapping the pen thoughtfully. "I think we should get the list as fully worked out as we can, then go through and separate the items by 'must have before move in', 'would be nice to have before move in but can wait', and straight up 'can wait' items, then on our next leave, make sure to access the net to start pricing things on the first list, maybe the first two?"

Pao
He nodded along, working through all the details she was explaining silently in his head while looking the tower over a little carelessly. "Sounds g--"

He started working an apparently weight-bearing piece, and his sudden need for concentration cut him off. He tapped and wiggled it to no avail, and when he tried to pull it out it sent the entire tower crashing to the ground.

"Well s**t..." he muttered, blinking at the heap before looking at her, then slipping out of his shirt and tossing it aside.

Aria
She arched a brow at him, and said "D'ya wanna set it back up, and then I'll go first, or the other way around?" She gave him a frankly admiring gaze, because she always did enjoy the sight of him shirtless. Those muscles, that tat... It was always a lovely day in her neighborhood when she got more than a few minutes of shirtless Rhys.

"And yeah. Ok. I'm getting more specific things down, then, now too." She began to gather the pieces, though, so that whatever option he picked, they'd be easier to get.

Pao
"I'll set up, you go first," he opted for her first suggestion, quickly and easily getting the tower started up again. He glanced at her now again, a smirk on his face when he noticed the way she looked at him.

"The bed is a must-have when we move," the brunette said once he was halfway done with setup. "And the small bathroom stuff--shower curtain, trash can, y'know. Mm..." He finished setting up as he tried to think of what else might belong in that list.

"The couch, maybe?"

Aria
She chuckled at his smirk, and set the list down once he finished getting the tower setup again. "Mmm yeah those definitely seem important..." She murmured, eyes going over the tower, then selecting a simple enough piece near the middle that didn't seem to disturb the tower too badly.

She then looked up and said "Couch, and maybe coffee table type of thing? So we can cuddle on the couch and watch movies on your laptop until we have a TV. Also, at least the basic kitchen implements are definitely on the 'Must-Have' list, because I don't know about you, but... I don't want to be going back and forth every night until we get them."

She paused, and added "And maybe, a crepe pan..."

Pao
"Kitchen things for my love, for sure." Rhys reached for an easy piece as well, then leaned back and thought on the list some more, the crepe pan so tempting but...he shook his head.

"Maybe just the bare basic to start, babe? A crepe pan would be awesome but we can delay it a little if other things are more important. Can get behind the coffee table for sure. Are appliances gonna be a concern?"

Aria
Seren gave him a beaming smile at his words and brushed her hair back off of her eyes, watching him with pleasure. She reached and began to work out a difficult piece in the lower middle, her concentration face that, so far, only he ever got to see appearing on her face.

She managed to get it out, and then said "Alright then, we'll get that at a later date. The rest of it does matter. I just love makin' your favorite things, after all." She sat back and stretched a little, her back popping. "And... I don't know? As long as they're decent, I'll be fine."

Pao
It was his turn to beam at her, adoring that look of concentration she wore at times that called for intense focus. "Thanks, babe. Nutella on pancakes should work just fine until we get that pan."

He smiled the entire time he worked a stubborn but safe piece out from the center. "Oh, how 'bout a microwave?"

Aria
"Of course. You deserve it... Given the work we do here, I'd say most of us deserve treats on a semi regular basis." She watched him work the piece out, then got her own, not too worried about the one she'd picked. She sat back once she was done with it, she looked up at him again.

"Mmmm we should see what the places come stocked with... If it doesn't have one, then yeah we should get a microwave."

Pao
"You're my everyday treat though," he said as he worked on his next piece. It was easy enough and he sat back, smiling softly at her. "But I support semi-regular food treats too."

"That's probably a better idea. Could do that for all the appliances so we can re-prioritize if we need to."

Aria
She blushed at his words about being a treat, and bit her lip for a moment, not quite having expected that. She began work on her next piece, cheeks still pink and eyes focused on her work. She slowly got it out, and by the time she was done, the pink had faded. "I think, yes, food treats are a good thing."

"Yeah, that's what I was thinking. Part of why I think we need to talk to Rep soon, so we can start our planning. Find out price range, what it's equipped with... Get a good idea of what's involved."

Pao
He watched her, gaze loving even over a simple game of Jenga. The blush added an extra layer of cute in his opinion, and he was maybe a little bummed when it finally disappeared. He took his turn without any issues, but his smile had gone a little lopsided.

"Really not sure I wanna deal with that guy yet, though. Maybe after the holidays?"

Aria
She blinked some at his lopsided grin, wondering if she'd bothered him. When she began to get her piece out, she worked out why that might be. He didn't really want to deal with Rep. That explained it. "He wasn't too bad at the party, now, was he?" She asked, referring to the Halloween party. She pulled her piece out, and then looked at him.

"But alright, we can wait til January, if you prefer. On that note... You mentioned you only eat chicken or duck, regarding bird. No turkey?" She sounded interested, and curious.

Pao
"He wasn't, but didn't really deal with him there. Just kinda...passed by him, sorta." The man had been decent at the party though, he had to admit. "I forgot about turkey actually," he said as he tried to work his next piece.

It got stuck and he let it hang out for a while, already expecting his fate as soon as he pulled it from its spot. Surprisingly the tower didn't fall, and he almost cheered. Almost. As soon as he tried setting it on top, the flimsy construct fell again.

And he slipped off a sock, asking, "This counts, right?"

Aria
"Ahhh good. I was thinking about turkey, for Thanksgiving... After all..." She smiled at him, eyes bright and loving, as she watched him work on the piece. "I finally have something to be properly grateful for." She considered, then said "Not a whole turkey, of course. Like a breast, since it's just the two of us, but... I thought we might enjoy having a little Thanksgiving meal together." She winced as he managed to knock the tower over this time.

She gathered the pieces up, and restacked the little tower, then got to work on another piece of her own. "Yes, as long as it counts for me when I go to remove just the one." She said, a gently teasing smile on her face.

"And all right. We can hold off until the New Year. Begin our New Year with planning for our New House."

Pao
He helped her with he set-up, a cheerful smile on at the idea of really getting to celebrate Thanksgiving for once. "I do, too" he replied, then shrugged. "And a Thanksgiving meal would be nice. Just you and me..."

When it was his turn he picked another horrible piece and sent the tower down for the third time in a row. So he slipped off his other sock.

"New Year New Home planning sounds good to me," he said coolly.

Aria
"Good... If you have anything, other than turkey, you want specifically, think about it and let me know." She sighed a little, watching the tower go down again. She considered the situation, then stood up for a moment, then leaned over to give him a loving kiss, before going to once again gather the pieces and set the tower up.

She worked her next piece out, wondering if she should make it fall over deliberately soon, if he kept getting so unlucky... Because she did not want him to feel he was completely unlucky or unskilled. She always wanted him to feel happy, after all.

"All right, babe..." She found herself a little more concerned by the cool tone, thinking she had annoyed him somewhat.

Pao
This game was always a point of amusement rather than annoyance for him, more so now because it was Strip Jenga and he was playing with Seren, so it didn't bother him at all that he kept losing.

He was just relieved no tranquilizer darts were involved.

"Can do," he nodded, smiling bright when she kissed him. He managed to get his next piece with relative ease, so after sitting back he blinked at her, curious. "What was that for, babe?"

Aria
"It was cause I felt like it." True enough, and she gave him a bright smile, just to show him he was loved. He seemed fine, so perhaps her concerns were misplaced in the end. She still couldn't shake the worry she'd do something and upset him, internally, despite trusting him.

It was just her low self esteem in the end.

She smiled and worked on her next piece and then settled back, grinning at her handsome man.

Pao
She never failed to show him he was loved, especially when she gave him simple reasons like that one. "What if I feel like it at some point?" he asked as he worked on his next piece.

The tower tumbled down yet again; that was his luck it seemed. He stood and unbuttoned his jeans, blinking down at her for a second before slipping them off and tossing them into his little pile. He was down to just his underwear now...which had him chuckling as he sat back down.

"I could've just done a strip tease or somethin' for you if I knew how this was gonna go," he said, smiling while he set the tower back up.

Aria
"Then you should kiss me, if you feel like it." She said in reply, a pert, but loving, smile on her lips, her eyes focused on his beautiful face.

His luck had her brows lifting and she watched him work his jeans off, not hiding that she was admiring the view in front of her. When he sat down, she slowly ran her eyes back up his body, to meet his gaze. "Mmmm you could have, indeed, but you did not know, and besides, the hint of a gamble makes it more fun, when I can but look."

A strip tease would be far too tempting, in the end, and they had already gotten to that earlier. She gathered the pieces once more, and set the tower up, before drawing out a simple piece, and then smiled at him, pondering an 'accident' next time, just to give him a nice view too.

Pao
The gambling aspect did make it more fun, so he chuckled and left the idea there. It, at least at this point, would probably lead to what they were trying to avoid, after all. He tried his luck with his next piece and managed to pull one free and replace it without the tower falling.

"Well I want to now, then," he said as he carefully scooted around the game and leaned toward her for a very loving kiss as well. He pulled away and settled in his new spot so the risk to the tower was less, and she had a better view of him from here anyway.

Aria
She laughed and smiled at him as he worked the next piece out, and then watched him move himself and his pillows and blankets. When he leaned in for a kiss, she gave a soft sigh, her eyes closing for a long moment as she kissed him back, her fingers fisting in her lap to keep from giving in to the urge to reach over and touch that beautiful skin.

She sighed a little, and then her brows raised as she took in his new position, but she didn't complain... Why would she complain at a better view of the man she loved, in the nearly nude? Instead, she reached over and began to pull on a piece, working it out slowly... But she found herself a little distracted by how beautiful he was and she made a fail decision, and soon the pieces went everywhere.

She stared at the mess, then laughed, and slowly wiggled out of her shirt, before setting it to one side.

Pao
Rhys sat back, the laughter from her little tower-fail fading as he watched her with a loving, very admiring gaze. When she set her shirt aside he sat up and leaned over to kiss her again, making sure to keep his hands to himself...as much a challenge as he expected it to be.

"You have any idea how beautiful you are, babe?" he asked thoughtfully as he pulled away to gather up the pieces and set the game up again. When it was done he took his turn and sat back, eyes fully on her and a contented smile on his face.

Aria
Seren blushed a little, but kissed him back, eyes glittering happily at the taste of him on her lips for a moment, before sitting back and watching him reset the tower. His words made her blush even more and she gave a shrug. "I don't think I see myself the same way you do, but... I am glad you see me that way."

She leaned forwards, not really thinking about the fact that he was going to get a nice, full view as she did so, and worked on her next piece, before she managed to lift it out. She gave him a bright smile as she sat back up. "But to me, you are far more beautiful, so I suppose it's partly a bias to the viewer."

Pao
The view was definitely something, and he didn't try to hide the fact that he was looking. She was a sight to behold, after all, and he didn't see a reason to be shy about it at all. "Well you are," his tone was one of finality as he worked on his own piece after her. "You should own it, love."

The bias note did get a chuckle out of him though. "Maybe there is, but I still think you're more beautiful than me either way."

Aria
She blushed more when she realized he was looking at her, and bit her lip, but gave him a look of love and warmth. "I don't know what 'owning it' means in this case, my dearest, but as long as you are happy, then so am I." She brushed her hair from her face, and turned back to the tower.

She got her own piece out, again with a decent bit of ease, then shifted her position on the cushion, to get just a little more comfortable.

Pao
When she settled he went for another kiss, soft and sweet. "Always happy with you, love," he said before going back to the tower and wiggling a side piece out from its spot.

"And owning it just means accepting it," he said while sitting back. "At least how I've always thought of the phrase."

Aria
She kissed him back, eyes closing for a long moment, a sigh escaping her lips when he pulled back. She sat silently, enjoying the words he'd said, letting them quietly bounce around in her mind for a moment, before she opened her eyes again, sitting up straight, and smiling lovingly at her boyfriend.

"Well I will accept that you believe it. It's going to take time, if it's even possible in my head, for me to accept it as a truth that I can see." She gave a slight shrug, uncomfortable a little with talking about it now, because it tread so closely to the edge of her low self esteem.

Indeed, as she went to draw out the next piece, her attention was distracted by trying to settle her discomfort, and she managed to, once again, knock the tower over. She started, and sighed, then considered, for a long moment... Then slowly slipped her bra off.

Pao
"I hope it is," he said softly, reaching to take her hand and give it a loving squeeze. He sensed her discomfort, though from what he wasn't sure--something he said, maybe?--and wanted to sooth some of it away. "But yeah, take as much time as you need to. I'll be here to always remind you, too."

He lifted her hand to his lips before letting her go so she could take her turn, and then grimaced when it toppled down a few moments later. He was already gathering up the pieces when she slipped out of another piece of clothing, and he stopped and blinked, a bit surprised at the choice but certainly not complaining.

Putting the tower back together took a bit longer because his glances were longer, too, and the more he looked the more obvious his blush likely became. It wasn't like he hadn't seen her topless before, but this felt...different, somehow.

Not to mention it really tested the "look don't touch" boundaries currently in place.

Aria
She felt somewhat better at the way he squeezed her hand, and at the kiss, too. It did help her feel better about having knocked over the tower again, and his reactions helped too. She felt very good at the way he kept looking, because it did help her feel more beautiful whenever he looked at her in an admiring way, even if she still got shy at times too.

She watched him pull his piece out after, and smiled a little, admiring her handsome man, then she leaned forwards and began working her own out, without too much trouble.

Pao
He took his next turn a bit distracted but managed to get the piece just fine. He sighed happily as he sat back, eyes still on his gorgeous woman. "So," he started, deciding that they could maybe go back to listing things for their new home.

"Other games we might wanna buy?" He grabbed the paper and pen from earlier.

Aria
She blinked a little, at the sudden return to their previous conversation, then she smiled her brain caught up. She began to work her piece out, considering, then said "Well if we want to play jenga in the future, there's that... Um. Twister, as you suggested... Um." She pulled her piece out, and rolled it in her hands for a long moment, considering other games she would like to try.

Finally she sat back up and said "Perhaps Apples to Apples?" She said, uncertainly. She really wasn't familiar with many board games, after all.

Pao
He jotted down her suggestions, though he blinked at the last one. "Never heard of this one," he said, tapping the words on the paper. "You'll have to teach me." The brunette grinned at that before adding a few more.

"Uno...Sorry...Monopoly...Battleship... oh, my turn?"

He set the pen and paper down and considered the tower for a long moment, deciding on a piece that, while challenging, would put her in a more precarious position when it was her turn. So he poked at it...and tried to wiggle it out. He wiggled too hard, of course, and soon enough the tower came crashing down again.

After a sigh he got up and slipped out of his underwear, everything now in plain view of his girlfriend. "Guess I lost?" He was smiling, though, a hint of pink on his cheeks.

Aria
She said "I haven't played it either, to be honest, Rhys. Unfortunately. But I overheard kids at school talking about it, and saying it was a lot of fun, so I figure we could give it a try!" She settled on her pillow to watch him make his move, and leaned back, laughing a bit as the tower came down for the final time tonight.

She turned her head to watch him take the last of his clothing off, her expression openly admiring of all of him. "Yes, so it seems, love. It seems I win twice over... Since on top of winning the strip Jenga round, I also get a chance at a wonderful view of my gorgeous man." She could not resist giving him a full up and down, and whistling.

She then began to collect the pieces to pack in the box again, her grin still on her face, and her eyes flickering back and forth.

Pao
He couldn't help but smile at the way she admired him, and at her words...and at that whistle. His body was something he was never shy about, but she'd been the first and, with any luck, only woman to actually see all of him, so there was something special about it. Or...maybe that was all in his head, but either way he grinned at the whistle, cheeks still pink as he moved to help her with the pieces.

"We didn't decide on a penalty or anything, huh?"

Aria
She gave him a warm thank you smile as he began to help, and was careful with what and how she grabbed at pieces, to avoid accidental cross over causing touching to anything problematic. Still, he was beautiful like that, just as he always was beautiful, but getting to just watch him move around, nude like that, was amazing. She couldn't help feeling lucky to be the woman he let himself be this comfortable with. It was wonderful, and special.

"What, being totally nude, but not getting me there, isn't penalty enough?" She teased him, gently.

Pao
He stuffed the last of the pieces into the box, laughing lightly at her teasing. Sure enough, that was what he got for losing, but he still was smiling when he shrugged. "True, but I meant like...I dunno, 'gotta stay naked 'til we leave for dinner' or...something less risky."

Aria
"I mean I wouldn't mind you staying like that, but it does mean no risking cuddling until after, unless you think you can handle it?" She wasn't sure if cuddling here, like this, would be more problematic than when they cuddled, both of them nude, in the tub. This was... in some ways, even more intimate, because it was their room, and they had their bed right there.

Pao
He paused, glancing between her and the bed for a long moment, giving it some serious consideration. Ultimately he looked to her, some level of uncertainty mixed with determination in his eyes.

"We can try? Worst case, I'd have to slip into my clothes..."

Aria
She studied his expression, eyes quiet, then nodded and she stood, slowly. "Should I put my bra and shirt back on?" She asked, uncertain if her being topless was going to add another level of problematic to this for them, or could they manage it? She kind of hoped they could, she missed cuddling in the tub, skin to skin.

But if he couldn't handle it, she wasn't going to complain.

Pao
He set the box aside and stood as well, again carefully thinking it over. He missed sharing the tub with her too, and if they could get over this hurdle they were that much closer to finally resolving his issue.

"Exposure over time, right? May as well try now?" He held out his arms, waiting...a little nervous.

Aria
She considered, and nodded slowly. They had planned a test with massage later, but this was a bit more intense. However, she would not deny him the chance to work on his problems, at his pace. If he felt it was worth trying, then she was going to go for it.

She walked forwards into his arms, watching his face, her eyes filled with love and support, as she gently settled her arms on his shoulders.

Pao
Rhys was nervous but determined to at least try, regardless of what happened. What he saw in her eyes anchored him, reminded him of who was now walking into his arms, of whose body was soon very lightly resting against his...

His breath still caught and he tensed for a moment, but focusing on her eyes more than anything else helped. A lot. Those beautiful blue eyes of hers were his lifeline right that moment, and he was ultimately able to relax enough to manage a small smile as he slipped his arms around her and lean down for a little kiss.

"I think I can manage cuddling like this," he said before kissing her again. "Thank you, baby..."

Aria
She stood there between his arms, just letting him decide how to handle all of this, not moving once they were close enough that she could feel his skin against her chest. She stayed silent, waiting on his decisions, and his actions. When he smiled, her lips curved up into a smile, and the feelings of his arms around her, and his lips on hers, made her relax too, because she had been tense with her concern for him.

"Good... I think this is a big step, baby..." She whispered back, and kissed him back, not moving unless he wanted to move towards the bed. "Always. Always, and any time."

Pao
It took a bit more for him to totally relax against her, before the sensations of skin on skin started running through and having its effect on him. He felt warmth and pure love resonating off of her, and he couldn't help but smile and kiss her again, slowly walking them toward the bed.

"Yeah...big step, then a few more baby steps...then maybe another big step," he said between breaths, "one step at a time 'til we make it to the end."

Aria
She kissed him back, and chuckles softly as he led her to their bed, her eyes glittering in her happiness for having her beloved in her arms. This was, in some ways, more intense than in the tub, because they were face to face, not her back against his chest, but the important part was that he had managed it, and she was extremely happy he had, and they had made it over this step together.

"Every step matters, in the end. This one is just bigger than ever." She murmured and kissed him, and then waited to see how he wanted them to be on the bed, letting him make the decisions on what felt safest.

Pao
Intense was a good word for it, and he was starting to realize it all the more as they made their way to the bed. When they finally hit the bed he stopped and he focused on her eyes again, a nervous curiosity in his gaze.

"Did you wanna try slipping out of your skirt too? Since we're three-quarters of the way there, anyway..." It would make things riskier, but he was banking on the idea that his triggers had more to do with hands than someone's body pressing up against him.

Aria
Her brows rose, and she really studied his expression, considering the risk factors, how nervous he seemed but at the same time considering the possibility that it might just be another big step in the right direction, and also how much more intense this might make things. Finally, she nodded slowly, and pulled out of his arms.

She carefully wiggled out of her skirt, taking her socks off while she was at, simply for the sake of comfort, then turned back to him, and carefully walked back into his arms, her own going back around his shoulders, waiting to see how this went.

Pao
It was another moment of tension for him, but somehow different. The nerves were still there, but of a different shade. His heart skipped once, then twice as she walked back into his arms and settled against him. The care she put into it made him feel incredibly loved and supported, something he'd never felt--not really, anyway--until she came along. Her patience was equally as unbelievable, and when he settled his arms around her once more he simply leaned down and kissed her.

It was long and slow, full of love and gratitude and all the joy she managed to bring into his life simply by being a part of it. Physically he still tensed, but it seemed so much smaller compared to everything else he was feeling....and the kiss grounded him as well, reminding him that it was the woman he loved in his arms and no one else. It would never...could never be anyone else.

Aria
Patience was one of her greatest skills, and it was part of how she made it out... Patience, determination, and hope. He deserved the focus of all of those skills, because she loved him so very much, and she would do anything to make this even that bit easier for him. When he was comfortable enough to hold her again, and kiss her, she gave a sigh into the kiss, one of happiness that this hadn't caused him problems.

She still was amazed that she had found someone she could love this much, someone who made her this happy. 18, and she'd found the only person she could imagine spending the rest of her life with. Moments like this, where these thoughts popped into her head, were moments that helped kick that old concept of being a curse out of her head... How could she be cursed, when a blessing like this was in her arms?

Pao
"So far so good," he whispered, smiling. It was a whole different ball game they were in right then, but it was one he was glad they were in...it meant they'd gotten much farther along in resolving his issue. A huge step, like she said earlier. "A little different than the tub, but a good kinda different..."

He absently traced shapes on the small of her back where his hands had settled, and he gazed into her eyes in wonder. He wondered again how he'd gotten so lucky with such a loving and understanding girlfriend. She was the best thing to ever happen to him...she made him better, she made him stronger, she made him feel loved...a feeling that had been so lost on him until she came along.

After a time he nodded toward the bed, again waiting to see if she'd be willing to keep going.

Aria
She smiled back, and nodded quietly. "I definitely agree on it being both different, and good different." She paused, and then, with pride shining in her eyes and audible in her voice, she said "You're amazing, babe, working so hard to get past this." Her expression was full of love and admiration for the man in her arms, and how hard he was working on this, for both of them.

The feeling of his fingers on her back caused her to shiver in his arms a bit, because it felt really good, and she didn't want him to stop, but at the same time she needed to be ready to say stop. His expression made her wonder what was going on in his mind. She didn't pressure him, though, in case he wasn't comfortable with it right now.

She considered his nod, and the bed, and then slowly nodded, with a murmured "As long as you feel safe and comfortable, babe."

Pao
He beamed at her words, saying, "For us, babe, as much as I'm doin' it for me." Because that life, that particular time of suffering and of being alone and unloved, it was so far behind him that he knew that it couldn't keep its hold on him for forever. Seren had been the one to open his eyes to that truth, that he was strong enough to get past it...and she was so patient and understanding and supportive it was sometimes still hard to believe.

"I always feel safe with you, love," he said, fingers still tracing shapes as they stood there. "And comfortable...my body's just lagging behind a little bit, but I've never felt safe or more comfortable with anyone else."

Aria
"I know you are, babe. It's part of why it amazes me, that whole 'for us' part. It still amazes me every day that I get to be here, with you. And the work you put into this, for the sake of us, is amazing too." She leaned up a little, and carefully placed a kiss on his lips, her eyes full of love, and her joy at being here with him, today. There were so many beautiful people, many of them awesome and caring, on this island... And he chose, of all of them, to let her in. It was a miracle to her.

She sighed happily and nodded."That's all I care about. So if you want..." She nodded at the bed as well. "Just... show me what you want to do. I'm following your lead, because you're better able to tell if it's getting too much." Her skin was on fire where his fingers touched her, and it just felt so good.

Pao
He leaned into the kiss, smiling just as she pulled away. "I kinda feel the same...all the time," he chuckled before kissing again, lingering for a beat longer.

When considering how he wanted things, he sort of just shrugged. "How we always do? Just try not to let your hands go too low?" He blinked at that and finally let her go, smiling. "You first, I'll follow."

Aria
She smiled up at him, eyes bright with happiness, and then sighed into the kiss, trying to control the urge to deepen it perhaps a bit much for a second time today.

His words had her eyebrows raising and she said "How low is too low? I tend to keep them at your shoulders because I know that's a safe zone." She gently stepped back, and slipped onto the bed, moving to 'her' spot, her arms held out to him. She was vaguely curious about the way he blinked, and said "If I knew what was safe, it'd be easier, but I also don't want to pressure you, ya know, babe?"

Pao
He slipped into the bed and right into her arms, not too close yet since she asked, Rhys lay on his back just beside her, head propped up a bit higher than usual so they could maybe try this...theory of his.