"Lucian!" I bark out, leaning over the plant-made table and looking directly into his eyes.
The shift in my tone works instantly. Hearing his actual name instead of my usual teasing nickname, he gracefully puts down his silver fork and focuses his full, serious attention on me.
"I am listening..." he says, his posture locking into that intensely focused, quiet calm.
I take one massive deep breath, squeeze my eyes shut for a split second, and snap. "Aren't you recently being way too affectionate?!" I throw the words out in one singular breath, as fast as my tongue can physically manage.
"...Affectionate?" Lucian repeats the word slowly, his brow pinching just a fraction of a millimeter. "I do not recall any act of being affectionate toward anyone."
"Huh?! Leave anyone out of this, I'm talking about me!" I yell, dramatically slamming my fork down onto the woven table.
