"Please, stop looking at me like that," Colonnello says without looking away from his book. "I did nothing wrong." He's lounging across Lal's bed, Lal sitting against the headboard, the parts of her guns spread in front of her as she's cleaning them.

"What did you do?"

"Nothing," he says again, turning a page of his book. It's actually Lal's, the newest romance novel she caved and bought and won't touch for the next couple of years. That is, unless Colonnello gives her a positive enough review of it once he finishes reading it. "I kissed him once, and then he kissed me, and now we're even and can both move on with our lives." He absentmindedly bites his lip, chasing the phantom sensation of Skull sinking his teeth in it.

Some kiss it was too, that sure was fucking something. Hot as fuck too. Who knew the lackey could play rough? Goddamn.

He blinks at his book, flickering his eyes across the pages. Where was he again?

He finds the place where he left off, but huffs as Lal keeps burning holes into him with her eyes, propping himself up on his elbows.

"Fine," he says, catching her eye. And it's impressive Lal can go through the motions of cleaning her guns without even looking at them. Of course he can do that too, but everything is always more impressive when Lal's the one doing it. "Two kisses and a lot of teasing from me in between. So what, can't a guy live a little and flirt around a bit?"

Lal rolls her eyes. "Not the point. Is that what this is about, making out just for the sake of making out until you both get bored of it? What it's all about?"

"I mean, I literally just wanted to shut him up the first time."

"Why the teasing, then? And why did you let him kiss you again?" He opens his mouth, but finds himself speechless, and he huffs, turning back to his book. "Could it be something else? Something more?"

He hums, leaning his head against the palm of his hand. "Not sure, actually," he says, surprising himself.

Lal hums too, briefly, then gently nudges him in the side with her foot. "Better go and make sure, then. It's fine if you just want to keep kissing each other until you both get sick of it, but just make sure you're both on the same page and no one's getting their hopes up for nothing. I'm the one temporarily living here, and you're sure as hell not about to leave me behind an upset Cloud, God forbid a heartbroken one."

"Aw, heartbroken?" He laughs, catching her eye again. "You're flattering me." She does more than nudge his side this time, sharply kicking him, a smile pulling at her lips nonetheless. He laughs again. "Ma'am, yes, ma'am, Lal dearest, I'm already on my way." He closes his book around his bookmark, and stands from the bed. "You're right anyway, we should have this conversation before things possibly get out of hands. Whatever would I ever do without you?"

"Seeing as you'd already have been dead long ago? Not much, I'm sure."

He bursts out laughing, then blows her a kiss on his way out.

He finds Skull in the family room, watching TV while eating crisps. He suspiciously watches him walk past the couch he's sitting on, then hides the remote control behind him.

Colonnello rolls his eyes. "Like I care." He flops down in the armchair next to the couch, stretching his legs in front of him and crossing them at his ankles. He only watches Skull for a bit first, not sure how or where to start. "Come here," is what he eventually settles on.

Skull blinks. "Where?"

"Where the hell else, Skull? Come closer to me."

"What for?"

"Alright, go fuck yourself, then." Skull snorts, and promptly focuses on the TV again, slumping more comfortably against the couch. Colonnello gives it a beat or two, watching. Looks like Skull has become more comfortable around him lately. It's unexpectedly nice to see. "So. Kissing each other feels nice, doesn't it?" Skull looks at him again, a faint blush on his cheeks, but it's all the reaction he gives him. Colonnello laughs, leaning forwards to rest his chin in his hand, his elbow propped up on the armrest. "Aw, you're no fun, Lackey."

Skull huffs, rolling his eyes, but he's smiling too. "Why don't you try being funny, then?" He looks away. "And my name's Skull."

"You're no fun, Skull." Skull's crisps fall from between his fingers back into the bag, his eyes widening a bit. He peers at him from under his eyelashes, assessing. Colonnello just smiles. "Is that all it is, then? Kissing each other until we get bored of it because it's fun?"

"What else could it be?" he asks in a quiet voice.

What else could it be indeed, let alone something more.

Colonnello straightens against the armchair, letting the atmosphere turn more serious. "Come here?"

It takes a moment, but then Skull licks his fingertips and puts the bag of crisps aside. He comes stand in front of him.

Colonnello holds his wrists, and gently nudges him forwards, his hold on his wrists lax enough Skull can easily free himself if he wants to. Skull hesitates again for a bit, but then kneels on the armchair at either side of him, straddling his lap. He rests his hands on his shoulders, and Colonnello rests his on his waist.

"What is it?" he breathes out.

"I just…" Colonnello trails off, leaning in, and kisses him.

It's nothing more but him pressing his lips against his, a chaste and gentle kiss, and he lets himself linger there, taking in the feel of Skull's lips against his, and how familiar it already is.

He pulls back, catching Skull's eye.

Yeah, it sure feels like he could get used to that.

"Not sure," he finally answers his question. "But it could be something else, hm? Or become something else."

Skull scoffs, and there's something… bitter in his voice. "You'll get bored of it sooner than later. This is just the new, fun way you came up with to mess with me, isn't it?"

Colonnello raises his eyebrow. "I don't know what you're talking about. I literally just wanted to shut you up for a bit."

"Yeah, yeah, you guys can't ever be bothered to listen to anything I have to say, I get it," he snaps, without meaning to it seems as he winces.

Colonnello leans back against the armchair, putting some space between them. He makes his voice soothing. "You don't have to put on that whole loud performance for us to listen to you."

"Says who?" Skull bites back, and he looks furious then, pulling back too, but he sounds more hurt than anything else. "You?"

"You've been quiet all this time and I've still been listening to you, haven't I?"

Skull opens his mouth, seemingly ready to bite his head off, but doesn't seem able to find his words, faltering. Colonnello soothingly strokes his thumbs back and forth where he's still holding him by the waist.

Skull purses his lips, and he's calmer when he speaks again, but is still accusing. "I guess that as long as you get to kiss me, now it's worth bearing it a little here and now, right?"

Colonnello can't help but let a smile pulls at his lips. "Well, I hope you're not hoping for a kiss right now, because that's not what I came here for."

"I'm not!" Skull blurts out, spluttering, his face bright red in a blink, and his anger all but forgotten. "I am not! I—what are you even talking about, you literally just kissed me?"

"Not really. That wasn't what you can call a kiss."

"Um, yes, it was? Do I need to pull out a dictionary for you? And I wasn't hoping for it either!" Colonnello grins, and Skull grabs two fistfuls of his shirt. "Shut up." He shakes him when he grins wider. "Ugh, shut up." He groans, hiding his face against his shoulder. "I hate you so much."

Colonnello laughs. "Sure you do." He threads his fingers through his hair, but then frowns, tilting his head curiously. "Wait, did you? Before?"

Skull scoffs, incredulous. "What makes you think I still don't right now?"

"Do you?"

He misses a beat. "What do you care?"

"I care," he says simply, stroking his hair.

Skull marks another pause, longer this time, then huffs, but it's a soft thing. He adjusts himself against him, wrapping his arms around his neck and resting his head in the crook of his neck. "Sure you do."

A/N: Oops, this suddenly got a little bit serious, but, well. I want them to kiss each other AND get along with each other, so. And also to be aware and respect each other's boundaries, because consent is sexy.

On another note, Colonnello is literally already so smitten, but no one tells him, he'll eventually get there on his own. Like, he's all "not sure", but no, sir, you already want him so bad, just shut up and keep kissing him.

(Also I see your comments and I love you for them, and I'll get to them as soon as I can.)

I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Any and all review are appreciated.

Thank you for reading!

- Hope