Arista set her cup down and leaned back slightly in her chair with the satisfied expression of someone who had eaten exactly what they wanted and had no regrets about it.
Azael watched her.
Then he noticed it. A small dot of chocolate cream sitting at the very corner of her lips. She hadn't caught it.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded handkerchief. Then he leaned forward across the table, quietly and without announcing himself, and brought it gently to the corner of her mouth.
Arista went completely still.
Her eyes moved to his face. He was close. Much closer than he had been a moment ago. Close enough that she could see the small details of his expression with perfect clarity. He was looking directly into her eyes as his hand moved, carefully and unhurriedly, wiping away the cream.
Neither of them moved. Neither of them spoke.
He held her gaze the entire time.
Then he sat back, folded the handkerchief once, and tucked it back into his pocket.
