[Carter Chevalier]

Oh, she was so clever when she wanted to show such a card. Even Carter had to laugh at that, because she wasn't wrong; he hadn't bothered to ask. And when she agreed with him, he realised the poison of his own prior attitude. At least she found it all to be something worth smiling over.

When she handed him the power of this conversation, he felt a little unsure. More to the point, he hovered in silence with his arms folded over his chest. Then he shrugged.

"I'm not interested in pushing you by any means. I used to do that to you, and that wasn't fair." In his time away, he'd learned a lot about himself. Showcasing it now wasn't the worst thing. "If you want to share something on the matter, the floor is yours."

[Luxanna Cross]

She'd never minded his pushing. In many ways, she had actually preferred it. While she understood that his intentions wasn't to shield her because he thought her too weak, but rather, a gesture formed from respect, she wasn't sure if she was ready to let him give that power up.

"You know." She began, fingers interlaced behind her back as she looked up at him. "It wasn't unfair either. I never minded being pushed." Still, she smiled at him. "But I appreciate the gesture nonetheless." It was her turn to feel unsure then; She'd never been granted the ability to speak her mind whenever she pleased - about whatever she pleased. Perhaps that only went to show just how used she was to people guiding her through a conversation. Perhaps she was the one not being fair.

She considered it for a moment: While she, too, didn't know where to place them or what she made of it all, she was more than happy with what they currently had - whatever it was. Did they really have to label it as anything more than what it was? "While I'm very happy to be considered your friend, I also wouldn't mind... More. But at the same time, I don't think there's any point in dwelling on something I'm not sure I understand yet, so why rush it?"

"We have all the time in the world, no?" And that was perhaps the biggest lie she'd ever told.

[Carter Chevalier]

It was a genuine surprise to hear that Luxanna hadn't minded the way Carter had approached her all those years ago. When he recalled he memories he knew there were times where he crossed the line, but it was good to know she didn't take that all negatively. There was comfort in that.

It was a little funny to talk about being friends considering their prior conversations. Staying at her home was just what friends did, but the word had never quite fit them.

"You're not wrong." He admitted. In his mind, there was plenty of time; "But what is it you don't understand?"

[Luxanna Cross]

A frustrated sigh fell from the brunette's lips and moments later, a smile appeared on her lips. She considered the question for a moment, turning to face the room he'd just showed her, hands still interlocked at the small of her back.

It was a complicated question - with an equally complicated answer. She wasn't sure how to best answer it, really. Or which answer was the most correct one. "Hmm." She mused, more so to herself than to him. "There is no simply answer to such a complicated question." She said, turning her head to look at him over her shoulder.

Still, she continued. "There's a lot of things I don't understand." She admitted easily. "You, for one. But I'd like to." She looked away from him once more. "Eventually." She knew she hadn't answered his question directly, and wouldn't be surprised if he called her out on it. Still, she hoped it would suffice for now. "For two, myself."

[Carter Chevalier]

Carter shrugged his shoulders. Truth be told, she wasn't wrong. He knew he'd asked her a difficult question, but the fact that she was willing to even try to answer him was worthwhile. It was a testament to how much she cared.

"I mean, no one ever really understands themselves, let alone another person." He explained, the corner of his mouth pulling to a reassuring smile. "But wouldn't it be a little easier if we tried to learn together> I'm new to all this too, but I doubt that surprises you."

[Luxanna Cross]

She couldn't get over how strange it felt to have Carter try to loosen the grip on the cards he'd always held so close to his chest. While she hadn't minded it back then, she didn't mind that he tried to open up, either. It was rather nice, actually.

Folding her hands together, she looked at him for a moment. She looked at the way his lips turned upward - not into a smirk, but something softer. It seemed unfair, then, that she hadn't told him everything. Things she probably should have told him, because they might have changed everything.

But she didn't. Not yet.

"You don't have to ask me twice." She finally said. "I'd like that very much."

[Carter Chevalier]

Silence was actually a little daunting, because for once Carter was waiting for someone else to make a definite choice about his own life. In the end, starting any kind of relationship applied its own pressure. It was clear that she was wrestling with something internally, but he didn't try to ask.

It wasn't his place. Not yet, anyway.

And then he offered a genuine smile to the response she finally gave. She deserved so much for giving both of them the chance. "I'm eternally grateful." He declared, excited to see how things could progress from here.