[Ok, so maybe he's stalling her from actually going to sleep now, but it's...been a while since he's hugged her or anything. Let alone been close to her for any reason. Axel's been avoiding her without even knowing it, to be honest. He's been leaving the house, coming back late, and sure he still checks in with here now and then to make sure she's safe, but there's a part of him that purposely tries to avoid being around her.
Afraid of hurting her maybe. Or maybe the whole situation he found out on the discs still gives him a bit of tension. Whatever the reason...Axel doesn't like it and it's on that thought that he starts to close the distance between their faces...just a little.]