[ Oh, love. His fingers brush back the soft hair covering Mika’s forehead, and he presses a kiss there where his brow worries. Will he ever think of himself as someone clean? No, not likely. But he can believe in Mika’s feelings anyway. And he thinks, maybe, he can come to feel that being dirty isn’t necessarily a bad thing. ]

I believe that you mean it, but you should kiss me anyway. Next time.

[ He hopes next time is soon, especially after spending so many days desperately missing Mika. ]

Okay, Mika. But I would… do that - [ promise ] - for you. I can, right now.