[ her hand curves around his wrist, and his eyes flicker down to it as it seems to sink in what, exactly, she wants. or rather, what she's asking for. he opens his mouth to say something, but he seems to hesitate, setting down his cup with his free hand. ]

Neve.

[ it's said in a breath, and he wants to follow it up with ... so much. how she's reinvigorated his belief that people can be good. how she makes him believe the world can be a better place. how her steadfast stubbornness and company in the early hours of the morning are the thing he looks forward to most every day, and how the lighthouse has been practically unbearable without her presence. how lonely it is, without her company at night. but saying that here, in the basement of a pub in the middle of minrathous... it doesn't feel right.

so he turns his wrist to take her hand into his, squeezing her fingers gently as he runs his thumb over her knuckles. her hands are cool, which lucanis isn't surprised by. after all, neve could freeze a man's blood in his veins with a wave of those same hands. ]

My company is yours whenever you wish it. [ he says, squeezing her hand again, to reassure her before he says: ] But I would rather talk of such things in the privacy of our own room, rather than in a basement in Minrathous.

[ he tilts his head a little, seeking out her gaze. ]

So shall we go?