[The corner of his lips tugged up in a smile in the dim light at her commenting about him twisting her arm. He supposed that it was true that he had, requesting more than once that she stay in the apartment with him. Their relationship wasn't that simple friends with benefits they had first tried to be, and there was definitely no going back to that.

He knew they were navigating this as best they could, both of them carrying their own wounds into it. It would take time to understand what each other needed and wanted in this, and yeah, he knew he should pop the question. He couldn't bring himself to because that opened the door to something truly serious and committed, and he believed it wasn't fair of him to lock her in like that. She was a free spirit after all and he... still needed to sort himself out.

He watched her where she nuzzled his arm, humming in agreement.] I know you will. I do feel safe with you. [He knew that she would probably verbally savage someone if they took a swing at him, physical or otherwise. The idea did amuse him.] Ha, yeah, always your baby girl, huh? There is a lot left to do, but... you know, straighten my spine and set my shoulders and it will get done.

[He leaned in to kiss her forehead.] Maybe I should call you Pupa, hmm?