"Well, I didn't know that in the moment." Yep, still blushing. Thankfully, only flustered. And he didn't mind it. Alex could tell it was playful.

Alex was trying not to blush again, nodding. "Yeah...more embarrassed I might have seen something without your consent."

"I wouldn't say it would make us a bad couple but it certainly would be uncomfortable."

"At least we're on the same page there, right?"

"Right. I know some might feel otherwise but I feel more awkward from running into you than...excited."

"I trust that. You come off as very true to yourself and...I like that about you. You still don't have to worry about me asking for anything. It's been years since I did it last. I'm not about to rush it."

"That..." He sighed. "Sadly explains it. And to be fair even with me consenting, I remember a lot of the town going on about John 'corrupting' me. So I also shouldn't assume they pushed you since I don't know your exes."

"That's...kind of gross to me to be honest. It sounds like they didn't respect what you wanted. Or worse, just wanted to brag about being able to convince you to put their needs over yours. Isn't a relationship adding to each other, not taking?"

Alex was trying not to smirk. So now Ume was the one blushing. "Kind of late for me to save anything...I just want to respect your limits like you're respecting mine."

"Honestly, I don't mind. I just want to respect your wishes on that. If you want to have sex without...losing being a virgin, I'm fine with that."

"Oh!" Considering he had experience NOW it clicked. "Okay. I get it now. So I wasn't too far off in my understanding. To be fair, I think you're not the only one trying to save only that part."

Alex had to think if that for a moment. If he remembered right from how he heard that used... "Isn't that...casual sex? Or did I misunderstand context for that?"

The priest tried not to blush again. Calm...this was a normal conversation between two people dating now... "I said...I'm not going to when you said you want to wait for marriage. I'm respecting that."

Alex was about to reply when he heard the door closed. So instead he mumbled it. "Because you said you're waiting for marriage so I'm respecting that..."

Alex couldn't help blushing, caught off guard by the kiss. He leaned against the wall, closing his eyes. It...felt him be able to finally fire back. "The virgin being a tease..."

"I...guess, yeah." He was still on the other side, door barely opened so they could talk. "I'm not looking. Promise."

Alex was trying so hard not to blush. "Honestly, I'm just not...used to it. It's like how I'm still getting used to feeling someone touch me. I'm just so used to wearing the armor all the time that just being seen outside of it is weird sometimes."

Father touched you with the hand of god— he’s gripping tighter saying “you will burn in hell!”

"I...no. I was just caught off guard and some guys also consider their chests private... I...wasn't sure how much you were comfortable with me seeing."

NOW, Alex was trying not to laugh. He almost expected Ume to be so modest he didn't like people seeing his bare chest. But...allowing them for him made sense. "No. Just your chest. Nothing near the waist."

Alex smiled, arm wrapped around Ume. This...was nice. Peaceful.

"You...don't find the situation awkward at all?" It was only strange to Alex considering he was the one acting shy when to his knowledge, Ume was the virgin.

"Thank you. Just being here is enough."

He was joking. He was joking. Calm down... "Not...sure how well that would go in a cramped space when I still have the muscle from training."

"Yeah..."

"That would be a great day."

The priest blushed heavier. He took it as joking but it didn't stop him from reacting. "I...doubt there's room for both of us..."

"No! No. You were in here first!" Alex quickly stood outside the door, looking away. "I-I'm not used to having to think if someone else is in the bathroom! I-I'm sorry..."

Alex smiled, giving a soft laugh as he blushed. "Just...not used to it."

"And...especially as my boyfriend, that means the world to me."

"I...I should have knocked! I'm sorry." His face is as pink as his hair.

"Still. I feel like...I'm used to otherwise. To...not being allowed to...talk openly about what I'm thinking and feeling. It's honestly very nice."

"And it means a lot to me. It really does."

He managed a soft laugh before shaking his head. "I think I should distract myself from this. You're...wonderful, Ume. For being supportive of me trying to keep this in the past."

"...He does. I know if it wasn't for Tomio... But that is also the past. And here I am now. Moving on with an angel."

"With how John can fight...I pity anyone that tries. He went easy on me."

"It still feels awkward... I mean that I literally chased him through the forest trying to kill him."

"John is way too forgiving for his own good... And I kind of care if Tomio forgives me."

//I feel so bad for wheeze laughing to the point I heard a squeak. Poor Alex.

"That's true..."

"Two years in my case of seriously trying because I was jealous is fair."

"It sounds like they're willing, yes. Just still hesitant."

"Feels like a work in progress...'

"I know you don't. Probably why you forgot."

"...But I'm trying to be better after that. I do feel guilty, still."

"...Forget I almost killed Tomio and John from jealousy?"

"It's an ugly emotion. I'd be a horrible person if I tried to, let alone boyfriend."

"I promise not to give you a reason to."

"And I very much appreciate it."