Agreeing to go into service is easy. No harder than signing up for the Marines. He's spent so long serving his country, it's a comfort to know he'll be acting in service again.
Chris is familiar with the concept of 'outside without a particular goal'! It's what you do when you're riding horses.
Technically there is a goal but "spend time with Chris" is not really a goal the same way that "acquire food and come back" is. It counts.
Being on a date he's actually enjoying, and not calculating every move he makes, is… strange.
He still has to calculate some of the moves he makes, Chris is going to snap at Marlo if he walks ahead of Chris.
That's fair, but why would Marlo walk ahead of Chris when he could instead walk with Chris?
That is not what Chris has trained Marlo to do but, on the other hand, handholding.
It is also true that walking a pace behind the person you're on a date with is the kind of thing that gets you weird questions, but mostly the reason is handholding.
Chris is pretty sure that you are allowed to hold hands with your something when you are in Central Park!
Hairpetting! Snuggles! Public displays of affection!
"I think," Chris says, "I understand what soft-world people get out of being kinky."
Chris's hair is very soft. And that is an excellent face he's making. "Hmm?"
"Cuddling on a park bench feels very forbidden and deviant. It's exciting."
That's so cute. Marlo kisses him, first on the cheek and then on the mouth. "I love you."