[ Leaning into that touch and letting that lie -- for now. Too many apologies don't sit well with him. Especially not when there's no real need now, when the fact is that everything between the two of you has worked out. ]

Well, [ thinking on that now, eyes sliding over to the door. ] Makoto said that Kaz has been up since seven. But I wake up at five because of my jogs and you keep weird hours.

[ Well, Hikaru. You kind of do.

Rising to his feet now and stepping close, hands skimming up your arms as he says softly: ] I don't want to lie to their faces, so I figure that given our habits, we let them assume that we've been up awhile. [ Which you have. ] And just let the cards fall from there.

[ Looking at you now, searching your features, he's realizing that while he really wants you to clear this whole thing with Brianna first -- if his blade mates ask if something's going on between the two of you, he won't be able to tell them there isn't.

Bridging the space between you both then, lips pressing against your forehead before he leans his brow against yours. ]

What do you think? [ You're the expert in deflection. He'd like to hear your take. ]