( Mishka does not, in the moment, reflect deeply on these things, because once he starts to thinking he starts questioning, and once he questions he realize he hasn't any answers. His gentler touch; this time alone. He could have pestered Adelis for any other square and left him to develop with some other company, but he chose to join this square with his, again, in the same way he'd suggested to pair their squares the instance before.

He he feels how Adelis's grow so subtly taut with each quip, his posture exposed but alert; that Mishka could kill him is a very real danger, and one Mishka had certainly taught Adelis to never let himself be caught in. But, then again, hadn't Mishka broken some number of his own rules, himself?

Hadn't he been strangely vulnerable, in some ways?

See, he can't be thinking of these things. Thinking leads to feeling, and the way he feels when he sees the slender curve of Adelis's spine press up against the flesh is, at once—

evocative, of a desire to harm him, if—

at odds, with a desire to pull him in—

Beneath his skin there is a buzzing that only he feels and hears. )

No, never. But the ocean here is beautiful, and largely harmless. ( Compared to Ostoyan waters, anyway. ) I can't imagine we'll be here forever. While we've still the time, I think it's worth the investigation. Caution— but still investigation.

( His hands settle on either side of Adelis's waist, their lap along the back finished. His touch needs to be much gentler, to overcorrect for the way he wants to grab him sharply. )

If you turn around and garner some tolerance, I can do the rest of you, if you'd like.

( This depends on if Adelis can handle anything more for a square, or if he's hit critical sensory overload like a small dog from the back alone.

For what it's worth, Mishka's done quite a good job. The sunscreen is so well worked in it's about invisible on Adelis's skin. )