[Tatsumi listens carefully, letting Mayoi's words sink in. Of course his physical state is a problem... it's always his physical state. But Mayoi is gentle and generous--more generous than Tatsumi thinks he deserves--and he's so comforted that he even sighs. That strong hold around him is like no way he's ever been held before, and it stirs all of the urges up to a frenzy inside of him.

It's hard to keep the shake out of his voice when he finally speaks.]

Mayoi-san... I'm content just to be with you.

[He takes one of Mayoi's hands in his and pulls it up just enough so that he can duck his head down and kiss the back of Mayoi's fingers. His breath comes out in a shaky exhale, and he all but shivers at his own tenderness. This is like a dream. His beloved Mayoi-san is offering him something he doesn't want to refuse, even if it might ruin things or change things. He knows letting himself go will unhinge something inside of him, unleash months of careful consideration. Mayoi will see that he's just an animal after all, and all Tatsumi's ambitions will be nothing.

Does he care? Does he care if he doesn't look gentle anymore? Does he care if Mayoi sees him as more beast than companion? That stern tone, that... Tatsumi can only call it possessiveness in his own mind, it makes him want to take. He's so used to giving, and he's hidden the uglier parts of himself from Mayoi for so long...]

You might not look at me the same way anymore. If you turned me out, I'm sure I'd die of a broken heart right away.