Stein looked down at the hand on his thigh, then slipped his arms around Birkin's waist. This...this was weirdly familiar, and comforting. "They should have killed me on the island," he murmured, his fingers sliding around the waistband of Birkin's pants.

"I am the strongest, but now I can't fight for them. Medusa wants me...and I want to go to her." His fingers dipped under, between fabric and skin.

He frowned, it occurring to him that maybe Birkin wouldn't be happy to hear that. "Not as much as I want to be with you, though," he added, sincerely.