[ he falls back a lot further than he expects, ass landing on the next step just briefly before the full wrap of her arms takes him with her in the backwards force that yanks them both now to the bottom of the stairs — exactly where he had been hoping to keep her from landing when all of this began.

there's a minor grunt from him before he's quickly aware of his weight on top of her, quick to scramble in spinning over onto his side and then lifting himself on his knees so he turn to her from there with his full attention. ]

Shit, sorry, are you—? [ he's ready with an apology, panic and worry instant in his voice as he aims to check on her, but his words cut as he catches that sound again, her voice letting out another lovely laugh.

it's enough to make him relax, shoulders sinking with that relief before his own soft laughter bubbles out with hers. ]

Long as you're alright, then— yeah, I guess we are. [ the smile stays prominent in his voice, as his adjusted sight in the dark watches her rise up, soon following her to stand (oh, yeah, that light thrumming in his knee is still there, huh). ]

Thanks for that. Any chance that I can ask my heroine's name? [ he really does wish he could make out more details, just barely able to map out the shape of her eyes and the curve of her nose like that. ] I'm Sanji.