[ It's a bit too late to call it tit for tat. It's a bit too far to call it tit for tat. It's been more than just a bit of everything, and it has been for some time; it's harder to pinpoint when it went beyond repaying favors and settling debts than it is to simply wipe the slate clean and face it for what it is.

Oh, attachment. What a force. More haunting than the souls who give up their lives in search of Elysium are those willing to give even more for just a few extra minutes, seconds, for said attachments.

(A bubble under the sea. A world literally built for two. A face that melts into red until all that's left is a wooden puppet held up by strings… Fast forward, a friend he'd had to sink a knife into, an expression so betrayed that he'd wanted to be more bothered by but hadn't been because of the accompanying relief.

… Nightmares aren't so easily forgotten.)

But the kiss is a distraction, warmer than the last, and Elysium shudders, a little like a flutter. Without a protest as there once would have been, his head dips in embarrassment, teeth quietly sinking into his bottom lip. ]

… Say. [ He breathes, even. ] How nice of a guy do you think I am? [ Apropos of nothing as his head pokes through the collar, arms following suit through sleeves. He keeps his eyes closed, and for all that it's worth, his tone is kept perfectly light as he holds out a hand and beckons with it. Pants, please. ]

Perfect memory, remember? Don't think I haven't been keeping track, by the by.

[ yeah. ]