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it's ridiculous how happy it makes her just simply to hear him agree to buying her food, already perked up and far happier to be in his presence. "oh, food and vulnerability go hand in hand. no one can tell me otherwise." she shrugs, following him towards the door as she shoves her hands into her pockets to brace the cold. chuckling, she turns her head to look up at him, all too amused. "you trying to get me to beg you already? buy me dinner first." she flirts shamelessly, tone entirely teasing.

malik exhales, the tension in his shoulders easing just a little at the shift in her tone—less edge, more familiar ground. teasing, yeah, but not biting. that he can handle. "yeah, alright," he says, the corner of his mouth twitching upward like he's trying not to grin but failing anyway. "guess that's a fair trade for emotional vulnerability." he turns, already heading toward the door with a casual toss of, “but i'm not sharing my fries. don't get any ideas.” a pause, then over his shoulder—half grin, half dare—"unless you say 'please.'”

a smirk tugs at her lips, unable to help but tease him when he's given her the perfect opportunity to. it does soften a moment later though at how hard he's trying to make his feelings known, a struggle that the two of them share. "don't i know it." she teases idly, eyes locked on him. "i know. how about you start repaying me by buying me a burger? i'm fucking starving."

malik huffs a short breath—could've been a laugh if it weren't so dry. the hand pressed to her chest doesn't go unnoticed, and he rolls his eyes, gaze flicking away like maybe if he doesn't look directly at her, the burn of embarrassment will fade quicker. "yeah, well," he mutters, shoulders shifting in a faint shrug, "sincerity isn't exactly my strong suit." he scratches the back of his neck, suddenly very interested in the floor. "you got the gist." then, with a glance her way, quieter, but firmer: "i meant it, though."

"wow, that was so heartfelt. i really felt it down in my soul." sarcasm drenches from her tone, a hand pressed to her chest.

open to f

"I'm not um, real good at thank yous. or sorry's. but if you ever need me, I'm there. I owe you one."