[ Nishikiyama's face gets a little hotter hearing that, but the dim lighting of the room doesn't show the flush for what it is. Some of Mine's blood is caught in the minuscule lines of his thumbprint. If it's a staring contest, Nishikiyama will lose— not because he doesn't agree, but because he's taken off guard. It isn't often he doesn't get the last word anymore. ]

You— [ He huffs something like a laugh shallowly, looking at the early blooming hickey he'd left on Mine's skin. A bad habit that Mine in the morning probably hates. He smears his thumb there to dry it. ] I never pictured you saying something like that out loud.

[ But Nishikiyama definitely doesn't mind. He leans closer in bed to him, kissing him once on the mouth as a present. ]

Don't know where your suave alter ego is coming from right now, but I don't hate it.

[ The scoff is felt on his breath. ]

You mean that? Tell me straight. [ Nishikiyama wants the affirmation; to hear Mine say it to him again. ]