There we go. There are her fingers uncurling, her eyes flicking away and then back, like she's remembering his words, taking his soft requests for the commands they're meant to be. He knew he hadn't been wrong. She felt it too, didn't she? The pull towards this. The proper balance of their roles.

"Just like that, Mikan-chan," he says, and his smile is benevolent. "That's perfect. Now you can say that whenever someone compliments you. And they should, because you're very pretty, especially like this." Trembling under his touch, on the verge of tears still, yearning towards him. Part of him aches for just a little more, wonders how she'd look tied up and quivering, body taut and flinching from his touch...but that's not for now. Not that kind of encounter. Instead, he strokes her back, soft, gentle touches, soothing her.

"Can I kiss you?" The question is just as soothing, just as calm, and he looks at her expectantly for an answer. Somehow, it seems like just a 'yes' might not be exactly what he's looking for.