[se] allowed to reach for it

Evie

It's a close call with the burger and she can tell, his feigned offense putting her delicious meal at risk. So the second he seems to concede, she plucks it out of his hands to ensure her mischief won't rob her stomach. An unfortunately common concern for the Evergreen. And though she knows there is much truth and self-flagellation hiding there beneath his protestations, he has grown so much that those shadows don't appear to take root in the moment beneath her discerning gaze, and his lighthearted dramatics make her own chest swell with warmth that colors her laughter as it ekes out. "You're the perfect model of a knight in shining armor from books!" Tearing a small piece of bun off her burger she launches it at him before taking her first bite, eyes still aglitter with amusement even as she silences herself for his sake.

It also helps her hide her pout, because he is far too correct in his assumptions that she would accept such a ride without prior warnings to scare her away. "I wonder if they could be companions. Like those rare landshark and starwhale companions." Those whose existence outside of their natural element did not seem to overly bother them. "I don't know about sailing, I don't know if I'm the type to get sea sick. But Hadama and I discovered an algae that creates a bubble to wear over your head for underwater exploration! It does cause some ringing in the ears, but it makes me want to visit the Mer kingdom now."

Cover your crystal eyes
And let your colors bleed and blend with mine