[ he hadn't wanted to make anything a habit here, nothing that would make him comfortable, no attachments that would be worth sticking around for. against his liking, he'd ended up forming plenty, a familiarity in seeing some of the same faces, people to chow with in the mess hall, people to keep in shape with at training, people to share a cigarette with —

and now, here there's someone to sleep beside, to breathe a little bit easier with, to quiet down the ghosts, to share in a kiss with like he's already transfixed by the taste of her lips.

no, he really shouldn't make this a habit. but what he's learned fast about clara is that she makes it too easy to not want to say no. ]

Okay. [ he answers quietly, sighing when the stretch of her smile coaxes him to relax. sliding his fingers over hers, he tilts his head to press a kiss gentle to the end of her thumb. ] Consider that an open invitation to my room anytime you want. Which says a lot because I really can't stand having people around.

[ there's a lighter playfulness in those words, his lips giving her a slight smile. ]