He exhaled slowly, the barest trace of tension leaving his shoulders as he stared down at her. Expression tight, facial muscles pulled taut-looked like he was incapable of even smiling, like at some point he'd forgotten how. At least to the extent where he truly meant it, it didn't feel like a joke that didn't land quite right. He could be a bully and a brute, but it felt more out of necessity than a choice. Ronan didn't want to be like this, but the world had made him out that way, twisted his narrative out of shape and made him into...what often felt like an antagonist.
Her movements remained smooth, the brief look of alarm in her eyes had faded into something else. Appreciation perhaps? Her touch was gentle, sliding up his limbs and he should have rebuffed her, snapped at her to stop. But he didn't, remained silent for a moment longer, let her speak her peace, her words had no right to be as enticing as they were.
"Don't flatter yourself." He scoffed, as if he wasn't tempted. And yet he didn't draw away, his inaction spoke louder than any bluster.
![[Image: PzMsxDx.png]](https://i.imgur.com/PzMsxDx.png)
