Maleki’s mind screeched to a halt the moment that Aleksandra acted as she did. He did not resist it, but he did not assist it at all. His body was stuck in place as all brain function could not figure out exactly what to do. There was so many suggestions from his brain being left unanswered by his consciousness as he simply stood there as the heat began to burn between them. Was it something that he had said at some point that finally turned her towards him in that regard? Was it drunken words or roundabout compliments that she found endearing? Or was this some other kind of trick? Something made out of Storka’s mysterious knowledge and the mindset of Maleki when it came to aspects of his life? Should he indulge his baser needs, or should he stand back and process the sudden display of affection? Luckily he did not have to think on it too long before Aleksandra made the choice for him. Her separation allowed him to finally think, as if he had been suffocating with no air and her own exhale at the end of their kiss brought life back to his body.<br/><br/>Her regret was palpable. More than that, Maleki’s brain was restarting and picking up on all that he had looked over. She was not throwing random portions of their travels at him. There were genuine questions that had just been left unanswered and Maleki chose to answer them in the most violent method possible. He gave her little reason as to why he was so vehemently against anything that she or her elder companion wished to say on matters of travel or more. Besides, it was not her who had re-riled him up. If it was not for the old woman, Maleki may not have been riled up by the intoxicatingly sweet nature of Aleksandra. She had gotten into Maleki’s head and it was consuming him at every turn, trying to figure out exactly how she knew. Regardless, the time to think about his own words had long passed. What was important was what was in front of him. Releasing a breath he did not know he was holding, Maleki finally made a sound and moved.<br/><br/>Without a word, Maleki’s arms slid around Aleksandra, bringing her into a hug from behind. That was all that had happened for a moment. Maleki broke the silence, leaning his head on top of her own.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4da6ff">“I am sorry,”</span>Maleki said. Nothing else was needed at the moment. He was beginning to see that she had the same qualms he had, and he was simply taking all his discomfort out on her whenever those objections were able to be seen. It was selfish of him, despite his legitimate reservations when it came to saving a kingdom he had no love for. Maybe the both of them just needed a moment to breath.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4da6ff">“I don’t think just one of us would be enough to keep her from doing something,” </span>he said after a few minutes.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4da6ff">“So maybe I should just deal...” </span>