Hermann paused in unloading the groceries and glanced up.

The nonchalance grated, forced him re-examine everything from a new perspective. Newton did appreciate this, right? The gestures? Expressions of affection he was making to prove to the both of them that he could. To make sure Newton didn't get tired of him a few years into their marriage and decide that he just wasn't loving enough.

Or did he just see this as a waste of time in some bizarre rush to be married?

He didn't want to argue, he really didn't. He had a plan for a nice evening tonight, making progress because he would like to be able to propose sometime this year, ideally. As it was, a once a month average meant they only may be engaged by the end of the year if he kept going at this rate.

"Newton.." He was getting much, much better about curbing his tongue at least. "You know that's not why I'm doing this."