For all that it is about to get hot and heavy, there is something joyfully light about this, and Opal finds himself smiling more than he has in weeks. It does feel like they’re just having fun together, without the weighty expectations some people put on this.

Opal nearly vaults up the ladder with the grace only someone who’s spent their life climbing up impossibly tall trees can show, but doesn’t have time to do anything other than that before being pulled into Guatavain’s embrace, returning the kiss with enthusiasm. Now assured privacy, his hands find the edges of the elezen’s shirt, playfully tugging it off his shoulders.