There's a bit of a pink on Chu-e's cheeks again when Leon Vercetti is hovering over him. It feels- different this time. In some way he can't place being able to be completely bare has made this into something... else. Something that was sweet and nice and he didn't want to examine too closely right now. "Of course." His hand finds Leon's shoulder to steady himself.

The sun shifts in the sky, midday shifting the sky into a brighter blue as the ocean sparkles. Raw heat radiates from the sand, the only thing cooling Chu-e the sweat still sticking to his skin. He sighs, from where he had curled up with Leon after, some sense and a mild soreness making him stir. It was too hot for anymore skinship and he was starting to feel hungry.

First things first, he pushed himself into a sitting position, followed by wobbly legs.

"Can you swim?" He's already making his way to the water, bare feet burning on the sand but quickly being relieved by the surf. Without waiting, he's already wading his way into the water. Both to cool down and to clean off.

The water made him shiver, washed away anything unseemly that might still be sticking to his skin. He turned when Leon Vercetti placed hands on his hips, a small grin and a a small tease about his stamina waiting on his tongue.

Except it didn't come, the confession to honest, too sweet and raw as it hung between them.

And Chu-e.... he wasn't... sure... what he felt.

Leon was. Leon was sweet, kind, silly, had manged to keep up with everything that Chu-e could give, even dish it right back when needed. Had held his hand in the hospital. Looked at his scars and called him 'beautiful'.

"Leon...." He did inch closer, just a bit, to press their bodies together in the surf.

"I don't love you." Because, he couldn't just lie to him like that, could he? He took a breath, quick, rushing to finish his thought. "But I think I could." Which was... something, wasn't it?

"I'm an absolute dogshit mess. There's so much you don't know about me yet. I won't let myself love you until you know it all. To make sure I'm still worthy of your affection."

Reaching up, softly, he tried to cup Leon's cheek with a saltwater-wet hand.

"But I'll be yours if you want me. If you're okay with waiting for my answer." He tried to smile. It felt like walking on eggshells, to get exactly what he was feeling across. "Exclusive kissing rights. I'll even change you to 'boyfriend' in my phone if that's... if you would want that?"

Chu-e waited on baited breath, to see if he had ruined what was growing between them before it could bloom.

He couldn't help pulling Leon Vercetti down to press a kiss to his lips. Chaste and soft.

"You might be too good for me." A small smile, vulnerable, before he tried to pull the other closer once again.

"This means you're obligated to take me to the aquarium and the zoo on dates." Leaning in, he tried to brush his nose against the other's. "No more inviting you over and we both pretend it's to fuck." He flushed a bit. "I can get premium cuddles anytime I want them."