Meeting With My Brother, Huh?

"Duly noted. I will be vigilant in case they try to get the drop on me, then."

Alastair smirked at that, hopeful that it was more a joke than truth, but still considered the possibility of having to spar with her brothers or her father. Did she like that? A good man should protect his partner, he reasoned, but they were still her kin. She was encouraging him to beat up her brother a moment ago though, so clearly there was little love lost, but you still only had one family. He had little love for his own family, stuck in their ways as they were, but he would not wish violence of any kind upon them. Perhaps that was because they were not interfering in his life so irritatingly, though.

"Well, what if I came here just to see my girlfriend? That I heard on the grapevine that she was working hard and I did not want her to burn out."

His own tone was that blend of soft and serious that he enjoyed so much in her presence. They were both diligent workers, that was hardly a secret, but this business with her brother could push her a little too far so he was right to be just a little concerned, right?

The feeling of her hands pulling at the back of his head was a welcome one, even if her motivations for doing so were perhaps more questionable than Alastair knew. Still holding on to the side of her face, he affirmed to her suggestion and craned his head downwards so that their faces could meet. Then, once they did, their lips could connect for a prolonged moment.

"Well, I was hoping to stoke that flame, to add some fresh energy into the mix."

If she tasted too much of coffee then he did not seem to care, as his lips returned for a second pass. It was addictive in its own unique way, a feeling that he could not quite explain if someone were to ask him about it. A sensation that made him want to stay by her side until long after the sun had set, that made him doubt his commitments to serve on the Sternritter for fear that he might not return to her. Truly, love was the death of duty.

"Or do you want to be smothered? Just a little?"

"Probably not."

The response was intended to be somewhat reassuring, made more tender by the sudden closeness of their bodies. As Sophie pulled away to gaze up at him, though, even Alastair was taken aback by her sudden intensity. They had danced around the subject before, of going further, and he had pushed things too quickly. Better that they were more gradual anyway, that things happened when they should happen. But was this really the time?

He heard her words and almost didn't process them for a second, continuing to hold her in place as his eyes stared fondly down at her. His own features flushed red as hers did, now processing the suggestion - no, order - from his partner that was so surprising and yet so simple. Slowly, he began to nod his head and uncoil from the embrace.

"Yes, ma'am."

It was an equally cringe-worthy response, and he didn't quite know why he had done it. Was it a natural reaction to being ordered around or to make her feel less uncomfortable about her own comment? Regardless, he released her and cast an eye toward the door of her bedroom. Was it expected that he should wait five minutes? Or did she want to be done in five minutes? Frankly, those were questions he was not going to ask and find out later.