The cadet had promised to leave Mal alone and fly solo for a bit. He hadn't heard a splash in the pool, so he kept assuming he was fine. Maybe he worried a little bit for the other. He had never seen him in a real social situation - class so didn't count. And as much as he teased him, he did want the other to have a good time. He was smart and good looking even if he didn't know it himself, and Kirk liked him as a roommate for all they butted heads. But as the night wore on and the other didn't come around or call needing help, and he imbibed a bit more beer, well, he was either worried or -

Wait, wasn't that Mal right there? He could see him through the crowd, chatting to someone, hips cocked or some shit. Damn he liked those jeans on the other. He had picked them out for him, of course he liked them.

He extracted himself for his current group, making his way over to the tactical cadet. His arms slid around him, chin resting on his shoulder from behind, turning his head in to nuzzle just below his ear. "Hey. Having fun?" he purred to him.