The rest of the evening flickered by for him. Pizza was ordered, teenagers gallivanted until they had to go home, and - finally - everyone was heading to bed.

Maktov and Thalia danced around each other through their bedtime routines. Brushing teeth, changing clothes, taking bedtime vitamins, putting new sheets on the bed after forgetting to do so earlier.

Finally, the two of them settled into bed.

A few moments passed before Maktov cleared his throat. "Should we talk about earlier?"

Thalia's answer was a groan, as she rolled to face Maktov. "I should've known you'd ask that now."

His white glowing eyes narrowed. "What's that mean?"

"You're much more direct in the dark," Thalia sighed, hugging her pillow to her chest. A small barrier between herself and the shadow demon.

A soft sound came from him, not quite disagreeing but not conceding, either.

"What is there to talk about, anyway?" Her eyes had fallen to her pillow, fingers fidgeting with one of the seams. " You wanted to touch me and I wanted the same thing."

There was a quiet pause, before his words came out softly, like an uncertain caress. "Do you want more?"

Thalia's eyes widened, a burning sensation crossing her cheeks. They were already in her bed. He was so close. It wouldn't take that much to... Her brain thrust forth the first hiccup in the scenario. "You're still healing, Maktov."

"When I'm fully recuperated, then." Maktov watched Thalia curiously. Part of him wanted to reach out and touch her now, the desire itched across his palms, but he refrained. The uncertainty emanated from her like a newfound aura. It would be easy to overstep an unspoken boundary, and that's not what he wanted to do.

Thalia agonized in her own head. She'd been trying not to think about earlier. It was a sudden, spontaneous moment, right? It didn't mean anything deeper. Though, that thought soured her stomach, a bit. Biting her bottom lip, her gaze drifted toward the ceiling, tracing the shadowy shape of the ceiling fan. "Maybe."

"If you don't want to, don't push yourself." Again, he used that soft tone, trying not to coax the woman in one direction or the other. Despite the disappointment swelling in his stomach.

"It's... not that, exactly." Her heart felt like it'd thrum out her throat, but she did her best to phrase her thoughts. "I'm still not used to casual encounters, I guess. Before Taryn, I had that whole 'sex must mean something' mindset, so I didn't experience a lot. I've had a few casual nights, here and there over the years, but I don't know if that's what I'm feeling here. With you."

"Oh," Maktov breathed, brows furrowing. He wasn't sure what he wanted from Thalia, himself. Something simple and carnal didn't seem to be what she wanted. Which wasn't his preference, either. But something inside him flinched at something more. Especially with a human. He'd never considered establishing something meaningful with one.

Turning her back to him, Thalia pressed her pillow over her head and curled in on herself. Her own words had left her feeling raw, vulnerable, and she hated it. "I don't know what you're looking for from all this. Plus, on top of your healing, we should really focus on the project. It's just... there's a lot to consider."

"I see."

There was a beat of silence. Then another. Frustrated tears bit on Thalia's eyes. He was probably frustrated or didn't care. Her fingers tightened into the pillow, holding it closer to her head. From beneath the pillow, she mumbled a muffled, "I'm sorry,"

She wasn't even sure Maktov had heard her. Maybe he was already asleep. That would prove how superficial earlier had been to him. Thalia struggled with that thought for a moment, more tears threatening to fall though none had accomplish the trek. A slew of thoughts overcame her thoughts, wondering why she was like this, how others were so easy about these situations. Perhaps she was just too old to indulge.

"Thalia?"

For a brief moment, she considered not answering. Maybe pretending to be asleep. But, curiosity had her giving a neutral, "Mhm?"

"I want to touch you."

Frustration made her voice hard and barbed, "Maktov."

"Not sexually," he explained, with a sigh. She felt him shift behind her, as if he were fidgeting. "I wouldn't complain if it went that direction, but just in general. I'd like to touch you."

Thalia half-turned, catching sight of his glowing eyes in the dark. Her brows furrowed with uncertainty while her gaze held a glint of curiosity. Though she couldn't see him clearly, she knew he could see her.

"I think we both have liked it. Gods knows, if we fight it, it just gets pent-up," Maktov coughed, recalling not just earlier, but the incidents before. "So, I'd like to suggest we continue. Not the hot and heavy stuff, but small touches."

"Oh?" Thalia laughed. Suddenly, this whole situation felt juvenile, like two teenagers trying to explore what they felt for each other. "Like what?"

"I don't know. Just... affectionate touches." At this point, he struggled with his words or coming up with scenarios. Though, he tried his best to consider what he'd hoped for. Heat climbed up his face, unseen in the dark. "Like fingers trailing on arms, or pecks on the cheek? Or laying closer together at night?"

The awkward taste of his words broadened Thalia's smile. She couldn't help but jokingly tease, "Sounds pretty intimate, Maktov."

"Ugh, fine, forget it!" Feeling the burn of his embarrassment, Maktov flopped over, the bed squeaking under his sudden movement.

"Wait, wait! I'm sorry, I was just teasing." Thalia laughed, reaching for him. Her hand found the solidity of his back. Using her fingers, she felt her way to the curve of his shoulder. "It's a good idea."

Under her touch, he tensed as tingling sensations branched out from where her fingers lingered. His lungs ached with sudden desire. A multitude of scenarios flooded his thoughts, some mild and others rather heated. He swallowed when Thalia's tentative words reached his ears, "Will you roll back over? Please?"

He complied, turning to face her. She still smiled up at him and he, not for the first time, was happy for the concealment of the dark. Thalia shifted, pushing her pillow back under her head before scooting closer to Maktov. His suggestion made her restraint grow lax. There was still a safe distance between them, though marginal. Encouraged by her proximity, he wrapped an arm around her, tugging her the final inch or so closer.

She inhaled sharply as Maktov pulled her to his chest. Her hands immediately pressing against his pajama tee-shirt. The scent of him, dry and warm and reminding her of cedarwood, mixed with the acrid scent of Mag's salve. Before she knew it, she had pressed her face to his chest, breathing deep. At once, the tension in her body oozed away and her eyelids drooped, surrounded by his warmth in the dark, cool room.

He didn't breathe a word as her whole body leaned into him. Though, heat scraped across his cheeks and down his spine. Maktov's other arm snaked beneath her head, pillowing her cheek and sifting fingers through her hair. Curling closer to her, his chin pressed to the top of her head, the fragrance of her citrusy shampoo filled his nose.

It took Maktov a moment to realize Thalia had already fallen asleep. Her breathing soft and level, her body lax, against him. Her face still buried against his chest. For the moment, everything went soft and warm for him and - for once - he allowed the feeling to linger as he drifted off to sleep.