I do strive to be the pinnacle of those fed-up with the minutiae of socializing. It's a steep competition, of course. [their beer has definitely started to go flat by now, not to mention the lukewarm meal. somehow the idea of just sitting like this, murmuring quietly to each other and just having it at home later cold sounds a little like a perfect evening.

well, almost perfect. he has permission to really step up just how lovely the evening has already been.

kissing is an odd ground for him, one he has experience in but purely in heat of the moment, quick, fumbling one night stand kind of way. not the kissing of a first date, but he thinks he can apply the technical knowledge with the filter of how much he wants pal in a way he isn't used to. gently, wholly, walls down and terribly vulnerable sort of way among others.

so he cups pal's jaw again, tilting pal's head so he can slot their lips together in a far less tentative press than his initial touches had been. this he can be sure of, this is a way he can show his feelings a little more gracefully, even if it's through the clumsy instrument of the body.

it's a firm kiss in that way, one that gives pal time to process the simplicity of it, perpetually chapped lips from never drinking enough water and the curl of that smile that won't quite leave his face.

the smile's there when he pulls back enough to look at pal again, accent thick when he says,] We'll need more data but... I would say a successful first run so far.