He laid slumped back, catching his breath, and unaware of the job that she had done on his neck until she laughed and he touched it. He smiled at that, then twitched beneath her as he softened and slipped out.

"I don't remember it being that good." Even if that sounded like some line, something you said to placate a new partner, he meant it. This felt personal, not like some desperate act that he could pretend was intimacy.

It was dangerous, and stupid, but he didn't think he could stop himself from caring this much. But it was the only hope he had left- not even his mother's love could sustain him here, or his dutiful obligation to his cousin.

It was Tali who needed him.

...Or so he hoped.