Valko's eyes flicker over you as he watches you where you're standing by the counter, the knife in your hand chop, chop, chopping away. One of his wolf ears twitches, his tail giving an impatient swish and a sigh rolls off of his chest.

"We could just order in, you know," Valko huffs, sliding out of his seat at the kitchen table and closing in behind you. Warm palms find your sides, caresses slow and exploratory, and his face presses gently into your hair. "I thought the purpose of tonight was to spend time together." He almost sounds pouty.

When you continue chopping, he lets out another exasperated groan, one that rumbles deep in his chest. "You're ignoring me," he accuses dramatically. "That's rude, so rude."

Without another word, he hooks his hands more firmly around your waist and tugs you backwards, gently but insistently pulling you away from the counter. The knife is safely out of your hand before you can protest, and the moment you turn to face him, a triumphant grin stretches across his face. "There, much better," he declares, entirely pleased with himself.

His ears perk high atop his head, tail wagging with unmistakable delight as he starts to playfully nudge you, prod you, poking you to provoke a reaction from you and instigate a play fight. The two of you stumble around the kitchen in a mess of laughter. Every time you manage to wriggle free, he gives chase again, catching you around the waist before you can escape, his laughter filling the room.

"Dinner can wait," he laughs, ducking away from your latest attempt before immediately trapping you against the kitchen table. "Your undivided attention is way better."