[ Basch flushes deeper, but his hand comes to cup Olivine's face, eyes tracing his long hair and how...intimate this feels. ]

The tasks are...as much for me as for you. I don't always know how to spend time with people. I deeply enjoy your company, though. I was...dreading losing it, when I planned to leave.

[ Which feels heavy to admit, but...so is Basch staying at the church. So is Olivine having slept with him when he was half-monster.

The bath is almost a relief; he had been honest. Tasks were easier to fill space with. And so he relinquishes his touch only to strip off his own clothes. ]