[Despite remaining in the bath water, Silco was studying his lover where Richard continued to stand by the towels. It was a statement of their comfort with one another that Richard willingly stood in the nude in the relative openness of the bathroom without the urge to cover. That was an accomplishment as far as he was concerned, though the look on the younger man's face told him that this conversation had only begun.

There was a doubt that Richard would return to the bath as requested. The urge to rise and stand grew, but he stamped it down for the moment.

He raised his eyebrow at the timeline of his activities laid out before him without an ounce of remorse for it. Jinx was his priority. He had made that clear on numerous occasions. Yet, he could see that whatever Jinx had conversed with Richard was weighing on the situation even if the examples were more about his actions than hers.]

And have I not also come to your side when you have called me? Have I neglected you when you have told me of your needs? [He liked to believe that he hadn't, that he made himself available and present when Richard needed him. Yet, a small portion caught his attention.] Do you wish to be first on my thoughts?

[He hummed at the question, and Richard was one of two people in Aldrip who he would allow to speak to him in such a manner. He lifted a foot from the bath water and watched the water drip from his heel.]

You are not filler. A lover is someone who I feel comfortable sharing my secrets, my bed, and my time with. [He gritted his teeth.] You are an excellent distraction, and you are about the only one to have me putting down my work consistently upon your arrival. Or I will put down my work to come spend time with.

[Look, that was a massive statement coming from someone who was a workaholic by nature.]