It helps that she stops, that her head pulls back away from his to find something solid. Phonos has never known a longing so profound or so deep as he feels in this precise moment. Eons of fortress walls built up around his emotions and his heart until only cold stone remained. Now those walls have been destroyed seemingly in a heartbeat and he struggles to pick up the pieces while still unwilling to barricade her without. Not anymore.

Murder straightens, lifting his head and looking at her again just in time to see her move. He tenses in anticipation of the act and is surprised when her arms encircle him, her head on his shoulder. It feels right; it feels wrong. Phonos swallows the lump in his throat and slowly reaches to wrap his arms around her upper back, pulling her against him gently yet fiercely protective—and a little possessive, if he's honest. He has no interest in denying her, nor standing aside and watching her with anyone else.

Her words are his salvation and his damnation all at once. Hades. Slaughter caring. There are too many reasons this is doomed to fail and yet he refuses to let go of her now that he has a hold. Murder has long been an act of obsession, after all. "Have dinner with me tonight. We will need to discuss the practicalities of such a.. relationship. If it should occur."