[One day, Meryl may need to have a talk with Nai on his ability to withhold nicknames for some people and not others. The fact that Livio has thusfar avoided the teddy bear accusations, yet she's been labeled with little one will not sit well with her. Even if Nai isn't wrong.

But it's all a moot point, as she's far more distracted by the conversation at hand than attempting to read her... companion's? mind.]

They're both good people. Kind. And very different between the two of them. And from you. [So far, Meryl's type has been a scattershot. They've all also been things she's fallen accidentally into. Really, Nai is the only one she's actually danced around with any amount of deliberation.

Anything else she might have had to say is interrupted by the way the his fingers trace over her hands. Once again, she has to marvel at just how gentle he is. She no longer has to grapple with the man in front of her versus the one she remembers, but even still, he finds a way to take her by surprise.

... Like with that question, for example. She huffs once, turning her head briefly away as she tries to hide the way her face immediately burns an even brighter shade of red. She doesn't stay away long, though, not when the offer is enticing as it is. Eventually she turns back, though, eyes still wide and skin still warm, but a hopeful smile blooming all the same.]

I - would like that, actually. [Her chin tips upward, just a hint bolder than before.] Permission granted.