[ there's the slightest hitch of his breath as her small hand lays against his cheek, but it isn't for paranoia or anxiety crawling into his throat. . . . well, perhaps a bit. there was no stopping it, really, but increasingly, teia's touch was found to be safe. she would never hurt him, which terrified him in a different way.

still, she had hesitated, which caused warmth to bloom in his chest. it only increased at the warmth of her palm against his cheek, something she almost had to stand on her toes to do. so he slides one of his hands out of the pockets of his pants, reaching up to take said hand in his own to tug it away from his face, only to squeeze her fingers gently. clearly thankful for the gesture.

but, in a dry tone: ] Taking care? After our catastrophe last year, the Crows of House de Riva would sooner not see me at all. [ viago wasn't exactly a pleasant person to see on a good day, and he had worked twice as hard to restore honor to his house's good name after rook's... incident. everyone was kept on a tight leash, and should the master of the house not need to see you, then that was considered a blessing. ] I'm left to my own devices, for the most part.

[ which, for most days, is a good thing. now, though, he gently tugs teia a little closer, seemingly giving in to her spell, the last remnants of tension in his form, so he could bring her fingers to his lips for a kiss. ]

Though I suspect you will give me no peace, while I stay in Treviso. Given I'm wasting away before your very eyes.

[ he almost sounds pleased by the thought. ]