Come here.

[Wraps a warm wing around her shoulders and tugs her close.] I just missed you, eh? [He can't bring himself to apologize, though even that gets turned over in his head. Why not? Wouldn't it make things easier? Better? Clearer? So where does this stubbornness come from.] And perhaps I am over thinking my every action now. Buttercup was scared of me, or perhaps the Malnosso hurt her. Ikki was slightly different but I know not how. Ange... [Not scared, but wary. Justifiably? It was confusing.]

I do not believe I have ever doubted myself as much as I have done today and to think I thought the only difference was dyed hair.

[He places a finger gently over her lips and resists the urge to lean or curl up possessively all over. He can already feel his phoenix side practically demanding to make it known to the world that she is his mate.]

Do not fear me. I would sooner lose my devil fruit, my life, than let any harm come to you. Nothing they do can change that.

[He was strangely so convicted feeling about that. Why? How could he doubt everything else yet say that like it was more solid than everything? Was it just his phoenix instincts or something more?] Perhaps I was overly dramatic earlier, but I cannot bring myself to regret it. If given the chance, I would do it all over again, with gusto.

Is that truly such a problem? [He drops the finger and tilts his head quizzically like a bird. Everything is a puzzle. Where do the pieces fit?]