She gives him a look that clearly says did you just shush me? You're lucky I'm into you. When he moves his finger away, she playfully snaps her teeth at him.

Natasha doesn't mind these moments where he seems to need permission to take another step. It's all part of navigating the structure in his brain, in making his own safe spaces and pathways. She figures he'll eventually reach a point where he knows what his own boundaries look like and will feel more comfortable navigating them. There are worse places to start than verbal consent.

With a smile that's all fond amusement, she answers, "well, I'd hate to be rude. How did you like the peach, James?"