"A little closer to a good reward," Krem said. His voice had gotten even softer, maybe a little tender and light. There was a part of him that hated when his voice got like this, sweet and feminine, but he couldn't help it when he was feeling so affectionate.

As Thomas leaned his cheek into his touch, Krem's smile widened a little bit. He ran his thumb gently along Thomas's skin, tracing the shape of his cheekbone, then the slope of his jaw. He settled his thumb gently at the corner of Thomas's mouth, moving his fingers instead, caressing gently.

Somehow, like at the Fall Festival, Krem felt at once terribly bold and terribly shy. He ducked his head back down against Thomas's chest, his fingers still moving on his cheek and jaw.