somewhat taken aback, at first, by how quickly Amelia's demeanor shifted, as if he could all but see the walls that appeared to, effortlessly, rebuild themselves around her, Ellis did nothing more than sit with harsh words, for a moment, wishing her version of... whatever their friendship had become, over the past several months, didn’t sting nearly as badly as it did. hours spent together, reduced to little more than a favor, done on his behalf. though, despite wound to ego, he fought against the frown that threatened pursed lips, reminding himself that she was hurting, too, certainly more than she cared to admit. it wasn’t an excuse, albeit, for no explicable reason, Ellis found himself making it for her, anyway, as hand rose to cup Amelia’s jaw, before lips, adorned in a helpless grin, found her own. soft, yet purposeful, if only to stop her from saying anything more.
“you really are... just, so sweet,” murmurs, sarcastically, against her mouth, “and... stubborn,” light laugh slips from him, before another kiss, lips lingering longer with each, careful press, “and sexy… you know that?” albeit, despite offering some, small taste of what she’d asked of him, kisses serve more as a distraction, than surrender, allowing for arms to covertly wrap around her, again, as he begins to lie back, horizontally, across cushions. “and, for the record, I never said that you… needed to be held,” Ellis corrected, fondly, “trust me, I know you don’t need anything, from anyone. especially not…” his head shook, with unnecessary emphasis, as if the very idea was outrageous, “from me.” fingers catch, loosely, in the fabric of her shirt, "now," tugging, gently, in his direction, “will you, just, c'mere?” head cocks to side, “please?”