It's heady, the way Finnick touches him. Arousing, yes, even he recognizes that. But there's an almost reverent care in it as well, thoughtful as well as eager. Restrained, because that's what he'd asked. More than anything, that's what makes Levi feel acknowledged, that this isn't just about fucking. Of course he knows that it isn't, or at least he thinks he does. Part of him can't help a little bit of doubt and uncertainty, a lingering paranoia that will only be overcome with time. As well as they seem to understand one another so quickly, it takes more than a month to really know a person. Being swept up like this is a new experience.

Finnick asks for permission, and Levi feels a swirling mixture of gratitude and disbelief. He swallows, feeling heat on the back of his neck as he continues to stroke the younger man's dick with a firm touch.

"...not yet," he answers just as quietly. The whispering doubts aren't at all the reason why he declines, though, but rather because his first impulse had been to say yes. As though to make up for it, he presses a brief kiss to the edge of Finnick's lips, nips lightly at his jaw.

"You first. N' tell me when you're close..."