[ Helios smiles sheepishly at his words and she knows he's right. She doesn't need to wait until she's hit her breaking point every time to return to these safe arms around her. He will hold her even if she just asked him on whim in private at any given time and it is a comfort.

One she knows she needs to remember to indulge more often. ]

I did say that I was already ready to come home before my mishap, that gets me some leeway, right? [ She smiles up at him crookedly, but it becomes hidden as she begins to turn to face away from him like he asked. She cups the water in one hands and drains it over the other, just to feel it. ]

Can I do yours after? And be careful - I can't be sure if I missed any bumps or scrapes up there, nothing to worry about so don't give me the face - you know the one - but I'm telling you just in case I did miss a tender spot up there and we both start getting worked up over it.

[ a brief pause, then she whines. ]

I was trying to be careful, you know. The one time I was trying to be careful I do something stupid like this. Don't tell Hades, he'll lord it over me.