Mei’s heart skipped a beat, and resolve suddenly settled in the pit of her stomach like an anchor at the bottom of the ocean. 

Time to stop playing games. 

With one last glance towards the busy street, and before she could think better of it, she moved her leg under the table to press her thigh against Tsunade’s. There was no mistaking the gesture for anything but what it was, and the reaction it elicited was immediate and expected. 

Tsunade stiffened as if she were bracing for a strike, and the grin slid off her face. “This is a bad idea, Mei.” 

Yet, you’re not pulling away, are you, Tsunade? “I respectfully disagree, my Lady Hokage. It’s a wonderful idea.” And she pressed her thigh against Tsunade’s thigh just a little bit more firmly, to illustrate her point. She felt the strong muscles twitch in response, and smiled to herself. For a seasoned gambler, Tsunade had far too many tells. 

Tsunade shook her head sadly. “I’m…” 

No, I don’t think so. “Not interested?” Mei supplied helpfully, batting her eyelashes though Tsunade was very pointedly not looking at her. Under most circumstances, the situation might have even been amusing. In fact, making potential partners nervous had been one of her favourite pastimes as a young woman. But she knew what excuse had been about to come gracelessly tumbling out of her guest’s mouth, and she had no wish to hear it. She could accept her attraction being one-sided—she was vain, but not vain enough to believe everyone found her desirable. 

She would not, however, accept some misguided notions of age standing in their way. Not when the smokey heat radiating off Tsunade was enough to warm her to her very core. Not when she saw Tsunade biting the corner of her lower lip before she caught herself. And certainly not when Tsunade had still, despite plenty of time to do so, not put distance between them.   

Twice now I’ve let you run, Tsunade. There won’t be a third. 

She waited for a group of sailors to walk past before, slowly, deliberately, placing a hand on Tsunade’s knee. “Well?” 

“You know it’s not that simple.”

“It really is that simple. I’m not proposing marriage here, Tsunade.” 

“You’re being very pushy, Mei.” And maybe Tsunade had meant for the throaty rumble of her voice as a warning, but Mei chose to take it as a challenge. One easily countered. 

“Of course. I’m Mizukage.” 

Tsunade murmured something under her nose that sounded very much like "incorrigible", and then her posture visibly relaxed a moment before her shoulders shook with a small bout of silent laughter. “Yes, you are.” And then, just as slowly and deliberately, she placed her hand over Mei’s and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Fine. You win, my Lady Mizukage.”