<div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>The Bet</strong></span></div><br/><div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/eRBwTzu.png)</div><strong>NAME:</strong>Albion<br/><strong>DAY:</strong>June 12th, 2021, Mid Afternoon<br/><strong>LOCATION:</strong>SOPHE, Training Grounds<br/><strong>TAGGING:</strong>Nerissa<br/><strong>EXTRA:</strong>Perhaps this was a better outcome than he could ever hope for.<br/><strong>WEARING:</strong>As pictured<br/><br/><hr/><br/>"Ah... Were you worried about that? Don't be. I've had to deal with you trying to do things without my permission or opinions in the past  and I've done a good job of stopping you from doing things we may both regret... But today, you weren't drunk, or in heat, or anything like that... So this time I knew, well... You weren't<em>trying</em>to take advantage of me, and I wasn't going to do that to you." Albion hummed, closing his eyes. "Though I admit, that was... A very creative way to try to pin me after the beating."<br/><br/>"Well... It's a taste I won't soon forget, I'll admit." He laughed quietly, though shook his head as Nerissa admitted she would never let him taste something she wouldn't try... As well as quietly admitting if they were elsewhere, she would be getting a taste of him too. It would probably only be fair in her eyes, but he coughed quietly and cleared his throat as he had nothing he could say to that comment. The dirty images he'd imagined spoke volumes in his mind already.<br/><br/>... Did she really have to suck on his finger? He couldn't tell what was worse, the fact she did that while looking into his eyes, or the fact he didn't bother to remove it until she was done. "... Believe me, I know full well not to do that again. I'd rather not have to be on the receiving end of that sword." He smiled, seemingly making light of it. But in reality... He didn't want to see Nerissa that angry again  all her unbound fury and ire directed at him due to his careless behavior and remarks. Maybe this was why she didn't like it when he got angry at her... She wanted to stay on his good side like he did to her. Experience was the best tutor, after all...<br/><br/>"A lack of self-control is something I think we can both agree we suffer from, heh.... But-" He paused, pointing to her. "More than that, we both have our flaws, and those flaws run deep. That you've stayed a constant in my life these last three years despite them shows your dedication to me as a friend... I'd be a hypocrite if I couldn't do the same for you." He assured the cute vixen as his head remained against hers. It still baffled him how she could just... Wear her heart on her sleeve and admit he made her feel all of these happy feelings and more... Even going as far as to admit she liked him a lot.<br/><br/><em>'Like... I think it's more than that, Neri... I'm sorry I can't carry them beyond just like... Just, give me a little time.'</em>He kept his thoughts internalized, breathing gently as he let himself bask in the comfort she offered him. A peaceful moment in an otherwise troublesome world. The instance of happiness he needed in his life but was often too afraid to reach for. How difficult it could he to acquire true happiness, only to watch it be ripped out of one's life so easily... That fear was a constant companion to the man... Either not letting happiness visit him and remaining in solitude... Or becoming strong enough to protect the happiness he sought... Only by accepting either of these two realities could he truly live.<br/><br/><em>'I hoped you could find your someone special... But never did I see myself filling that role for you...'</em>His eyes shut, nuzzling his head up against one of her ears as he guided her head down to near his chin. If he could stay like this for the rest of his life... He wouldn't need anything else.