Natalia remained locked onto Arthur's half-naked frame. The desperate, teary eyes that usually darted away in a flurry of boyish shyness were different now. Today, they were completely exhausted, hazy, heavy, and undeniably inviting.
"Arthur."
Pulling him closer, her arm tightened around the narrow slope of his waist. She leaned down, her lips brushing the shell of his ear as she breathed out a low whisper. "Would you let me help you?"
"H-help w-with-"
Arthur fractured mid-word. Abruptly, he buried his face in his palms, shielding himself from her gaze. Natalia froze for a moment, momentarily disoriented by the retreat. Did he want her to back off, or was the weight of his own biology simply crushing his composure?
"Arthur?"
Gently but firmly, Natalia pried his fingers away from his face, forcing him to meet her eyes. He looked so overwhelmed he was on the verge of tears.
"N-Natalia…" he pleaded, his voice a broken thread.
"Tell me, Arthur. Yes or no?"
