"It hasn't come up before," K repeats, a little more solemnly this time. "You're the first to ask. Even if you weren't... thank you for caring enough to." The truth is, he doesn't have much experience with physical intimacy, period, and only some of it had been positive. He'd been left to assume his past partners had probably just preferred intimacy with their other partners over him. Understandably, in his mind, because who would ever choose an android if they had other, better options?

The shared affection radiating through their bond makes it easier not to dwell on past hurts. That Viktor is able to feel this way about him to begin with is very heartening, for a variety of reasons. The most significant one being that this feels like further proof that Viktor's mind is his own.

"Bruises are also only temporary. You want something permanent?" he asks, surprise plain in his voice. Matching rings are a more suitable choice in that case. This particular subject is likely to lead to pleasant daydreams in the future as well... at least until he's right back to worrying about Viktor.