Desmond was feeling relaxed now that they got past the initial awkwardness, and she was willingly sitting near him, her feet on top of him. It was moments like these that paid his faith, honestly, made him sure that they could keep it together if they wanted to. "I guess I just think it's obvious, why I would. You're a literal genius. You're smart as a whip, funny, sassy, snarky. You make me laugh but have always been good about reminding me about the bigger picture. Even if you were lying about some things, you weren't lying about wanting to save the world." He massaged her feet, holding one heel in his palm and rubbing with the other.

"You cared about what we were doing. And even if that included fucking with my head, I don't think it changes that I respect you really cared, that you were motivated and determined. I mean, I don't know that I really cared about anything much for awhile there, outside of staying away from the Order. I was happy in my passive little life." Desmond hadn't changed his mind about wanting that for himself, honestly, but it still was true. She cared. He didn't plan on saving the world until she made him want it. "You're strong, ambitious, thoughtful, competent. There are a lot of things I like about you." And he felt like that proved more than anything else that he meant it about his feelings. He had reasons. It wasn't just gut instinct or sex. It was rational too.