You're... small. How had he not noticed til now? Sure, March is shorter than him, Caelus, as well. And height is arbitrary. He'd never cared about it before. Only as far as when he'd have to fetch things from high places for others. Or at least he hadn't until he gained the core flame of Earth, and suddenly, you looked... tiny. This realisation sparking some interesting behaviour.

He couldn't help it. His hands finding your waist, his fingers always squishing into the pudge of your hips, leaning down to your height when you spoke in crowded places. An intense need to protect you sparking in his chest.

You were so small and vulnerable. Look. His hands could practically cover the entire expanse of your waist. Your head barely reached his chest. He was sure he could hold you back with a single hand. He could easily throw you over his shoulder, tug you close, cup your small face in his palms, and smother you with ki- ehem. His mind wanders more than his hands do.

He's respectful and polite, always. So when you'd let him hesitantly pull you close, not disgusted or uncomfortable, he couldn't help it. You'd given him a finger, and he'd taken the entire hand.

"Dan Heng?" Your voice snapped him out of his reverie, his chest against your back. Right hand on your hip, left hand cupping your chin, tilting your head back gently, his gaze piercing yours.

"Hmm?" His tail had curled around your thigh in a quiet affection. Your words are clear but hollow. Gosh, you're precious. You'd come to the data bank to research something, and he'd easily settled into you when you'd started talking to him about... what was it? He couldn't concentrate when you looked so cute.