"How about two truths and a lie?" Luka asked, their voice slightly slurring on the last two words. They slid into the space left on the couch beside Yeoni. Somehow they had managed not to spill a drop of their drink as they sidled up under the Kiffar's arm.
Moogan tea. Luka had requested it each time since their first date. A new favorite. Yeoni had picked well, it seemed. It wasn't very likely that the game was necessary for Luka to talk about themselves. The human had grown so comfortable in his presence, and the drinks helped things along. The Kiffar still chose to humor his date. "Why don't you go first and show me how to play?"
Luka sat up quickly and jostled their drink. To some miracle once more, nothing spilled. Yeoni breathed a sigh of relief that went unnoticed by his human companion. "Alright!" they said with a wide smile. They took a sip of their drink and then set it on the table. Yeoni subtly pushed the glass closer to the table's center.
"Didn't think I'd go first. Hold on..." They settled back down against Yeoni and dangled their legs over the arm of the couch.
Yeoni carded his fingers through Luka's hair. They always seemed to enjoy that, touch and attention. Not unlike the Nexu that curled up on the unoccupied bed. "We have all night," Yeoni said with a chuckle. "I don't have to get up early." Luka shivered as goosebumps rose on their skin. Yeoni's head tilted to the side. "Cold?"
"No, I'm fine. Distracted."
"Distracted?"
"By you." Luka looked up at Yeoni through those long lashes. Yeoni knew this to be a deflection, from what he had seen of Luka's tells. There was more on Luka's mind.
Yeoni chose to play into it. He leaned forward to place a kiss on Luka's forehead. This was the right course of action. Luka pulled him in for another kiss, deeper. Their respiration had increased, a heat to their skin. They enjoyed this.
"I'm not sleeping with you," Luka spoke with a heavy breath. Yeoni raised a brow, and Luka gave a soft slap against Yeoni's cheek. They then pointed up at him with a scolding glare. "Don't you look at me with those beautiful eyes of yours. I'm drunk."
"Do you still want me to stay, or should I go home?"
"No. You can stay. I... I wanted you to. I want you to."
It seemed difficult for Luka to speak. Yeoni decided to press, curious as to why. "Would you like me to stay the night? We don't have to do anything."
"I would like that." Again, the words seemed to struggle in their throat.
Yeoni wrapped an arm around Luka. An offer of comfort that Luka sunk into with a shaking breath. "Two truths and a lie," said Yeoni as he gave their arm a squeeze. "What are you thinking about right now?"
"Sex." Luka glanced up through those lashes again. Then their gaze unfocused before drifting to the right. They brushed their fingers against the scar on their neck, over the raised marks of teeth. "This." No further explanation was given, but Luka's tone implied a bitter story. "And you. Always you, nowadays." They reached out to touch him so tentatively, so softly. Yeoni pressed against that hand. He noticed tears starting at the corners of Luka's eyes.
"Come here." A warm tone. More comfort. Luka accepted it and buried themselves in it as they climbed into Yeoni's lap. The Kiffar's arms shrouded them in his warmth as he held them close. "We don't have to do anything tonight, but can I kiss you?"
Luka nodded but said nothing in response. Yeoni placed a gentle kiss on their temple and felt their held breath at his neck. "We don't have to do anything tonight," he repeated. "You're safe here." His lips to that scar earned a shiver from Luka. He then placed his hands on either side of Luka's head as he held their gaze. Tears streamed down and muddied their makeup, but a smile played upon their features. Yeoni smiled as well. "I love you."
There was a brief moment when Yeoni thought he had said those words too soon. Luka seemed almost startled. Their brown eyes were wide and searching for an answer as if written in Yeoni's gaze. Finding nothing there, they took their answer from his mouth. Their kiss was wet from their crying and desperate for the love found in his words.
A game easily won.