The moment she feels him relax, oh, that's delightful. The party practically drowns itself out, and when he pulls away, she lets out a breath as if she was afraid of being poisoned — or poisoning him, perhaps. Talia knows that her family, her entire self, is poison. The Lazarus pits made sure of that. But if she's poison, toxic and deadly, then he's the antidote waiting to be distilled. He's already working, without even knowing it, on canceling out her nature — no, it's not her nature, it's how she was nurtured. Turned into a weapon.
She's not inherently a weapon. It shows while she's here, disobeying her Father. While she nuzzles into his neck right back after he does, breathing deep. Akin to a child born to smog getting their first taste of fresh mountain air. Talia smiles at the stuttering, muttering in Arabic about it being adorable. And then —
Then those words. Those words come out of his mouth. She pulls away, spooked, hands holding his face and searching his eyes. The beautiful blue eyes, ones she would hate seeing green. There's no traces of deceit, nor regret, nothing. He's breaking the rules for her. Admitting a weakness, risking punishment. She could have been tricking him. Using the moments alone as evidence to hand to her Father. He knows how dangerous she can be, and yet he still says it. And he means it.
"Anta hubbi al-awwal wal-akhir, habibi." is her reply. Letting it out, quick and breathless, like it might burn her. It certainly feels like she's burning, cheeks flamed and her heart skipping. Her head feels feather-light, and she's never felt like this before. Not really, at least. Love is forbidden, and most certainly with Bruce, but oh, does it feel so right.
She kisses him again, and there's no holding back this time. No careful dancing around, and no fear of being caught. A surety and a weight that was always missing before. Caught in a cage. But the tiger's not locked away this time. When she pulls away again, she lets out a soft laugh, smiling.
"I never thought I would get to say that, or hear you say it, Albi."
My heart. So she's been dancing around calling him that with what she's said. 'More than just the Demon's heart'.