[This is the kind of quiet intimacy that he can find appreciation for. Xie Lian reads him well - something he is not ignorant of - and that the other man understands where his boundaries lie and how best to please him is something he does appreciate.]

Mm... Unless they had machines of equal power. Things like this rarely develop without something of equal strength to oppose them.

[Alhaitham shifts, putting his arm around Xie Lian so he can get comfortable against him.]