Her sincere understanding was enough to bring a grateful and relieved smile to his face, and Kes closed his eyes for a few seconds as he basked in the warmth of her words. The two sat there for a brief moment as he finally lifted his eyes up to stare at her. Her kind eyes held no judgement or malice, and he lifted a hand from her thigh to run a gentle palm along her jawline, fingertips brushing her earlobe before tracing down to her chin. And then he inhaled deeply, her reassurance making the decision for him.

Both hands withdrew then, and slowly he lifted them to the top button of his shirt, methodically undoing it before moving on to the next. And then the third. With each button separated, the skin beneath was bared for her. Skin that was far from flawless. His chest and midsection held little - if any - hair. Instead was a smattering of old wounds and a hyperlane map of scars. Some small, others larger. The largest being the one that ran down his center until going to the side and around his waist to disappear behind his back.

He left the shirt to hang open, then finally shrugged it off. It was gathered gently and set on the caf table, and when he looked back at her, he couldn't help taking two of her hands into his own.

"Every one of your arms is beautiful, Mayael..."

Leaning in slowly, the redhead tenderly pressed his lips to hers for the barest of moments before pulling back ever-so-slightly to speak once more.

"You are beautiful," his voice was a low whisper, almost a hushed breath, and he went in again, feeling emboldened by her acceptance as he gathered her in his arms, his kiss deep and full of every ounce of emotion he could convey to her.