Pepper took his hand and straightened, following after him into the apartment. She did her best not to trail mud everywhere, difficult as that was.

An idea struck her. Things might've turned a bit sour, but they didn't have to stay that way. "We're both a mess," she pointed out, snagging his hand again before he could wander off. The mud might have covered some of the faint blushing. "And there's no point in wasting water or getting mud all over the kitchen. Right? Coffee won't take long, after."