Valerian's eyes lingered on Greengrass' flushed cheeks before his gaze dropped to his own hands, which still tingled at the fingertips from where they'd brushed across Greengrass' coat. On one hand, it sounded like Greengrass was complaining, saying how awful it was going to be and how he couldn't continue the intimacy while keeping their relationship as it was. He understood, at least a little; every little touch sent a shiver up his spine or a shock through his body. They had a connection—a raw, physical connection—and it was difficult to keep their contact limited to sex when the cuddling and the softer, intimate touches made him feel just as good. On the other hand, he his complaints about not being able to keep it casual sounded very much like he was asking to move beyond the casualness of their relationship and into something more exclusive. Neither option was perfect. He didn't want to lose the pleasure and comfort that came from having Greengrass in his bed, but he'd never been in a relationship where he wasn't actively planning for his future after it ended.

(It was, however, preferable to the former: losing Greengrass completely.)

"You don't want to be casual about it, then?" he asked, bring his hand back up to draw the back of his knuckles down the side of Greengrass' face and over his jaw, just to gauge his reaction.

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