"You're pouting," he observed with a blunt directness, his legs casually draped over one arm of the couch, head propped against the opposite. Oblivious, or perhaps indifferent to the lack of romance in the room, he knew his hands were tied. Skipping out on work wasn't an option; a pay cut from Shinra was a luxury he couldn't afford.

"You might wanna show a little appreciation," he remarked, the words slipping out with a resigned exhale as he shifted to sit upright, his gaze turning towards you. He stood, his movements deliberate, a playful cadence in his steps as he closed the distance between you. "They didn’t want me to bring you—I had to convince them," he admitted, his voice dropping to a more intimate tone, "I told them that my beautiful partner, who I love so much, would have my head if I missed another Valentine's Day."

With a soft sigh, his fingers traced the contour of your waist, giving a gentle squeeze as his lips found your cheek with a mischievous smile. "This is the best I can manage under the circumstances. You know the demands of my job, you know Shinra's grip... So quit the pout, or I'll have to kiss it off you."