Already over in the kitchen space and spooning the last of the nikujaga into the bowl to be refrigerated, Aoba missed Declan’s blushing, but Ren didn’t. Those intelligent little eyes of the Allmate’s were watchful, though he wagged his tail slowly as he was petted.

Declan’s offer got Aoba looking back over his shoulder in surprise. Again. If today was any indication, Declan was never going to stop being full of surprises.

“Ah….” The urge to protest came automatically, but Declan had already preempted the arguments that all came to mind…and the more Aoba thought of it, the more he’d be lying if he said the thought of an actual bed wasn’t appealing. He focused back on the dishes and cleaning up the bit of mess he’d made in cooking.

“Well…okay, but only because you don’t need it tonight.”