[Jacob's other hand comes to grip Chris', holding his hand between Jacob's own, not clinging exactly, but not ready to let go. Just in case this all turns out to be a dream, to be a fantasy where Chris so readily forgives him, welcomes him back, offers his heart out to Jacob again. He half expects it to all go wrong now, for the building to melt beneath their feet and Chris to be lost, or worse, the man to disappear forever back to his home and his partners and his duty, where he'll never remember Jacob at all.

But that doesn't happen, although he thinks he sees something change in Chris' expression, like a thought come and go. A hope fade. But Jacob decides he'd read too many of Gilia's romance books. Chris isn't asking him, and so he won't say. Not yet. Not yet. Things aren't fixed yet, they've only taken the first step.

The suggestion they should kiss and make up does make him grin, corners of his mouth pulling wide.]

If that's what you want, you can have as many kisses as you want love, starting now, but... I want to do better by you. And I will try.

[And so saying, he takes hold of Chris' other hand, giving both hands a gentle squeeze, and leans in to kiss him.]