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[noburden]

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[noburden]

Silly.

"Then I must tell you that you don't know me at all. That's too much space. Sometimes even this house feels too large when you and Torgal are out."

[rosarianoath]

Where else, he wonders, will they house their many children? Instead, he says: “It’s a shack, then. A narrow bed for the two of us, with only one bowl and one spoon.”

[noburden]

Even sillier.

"Perfect. I will sleep on your chest, and we will take turns feeding one another."

[rosarianoath]

“Perfect,” he agrees. “I’ll send for the paperwork in the morning.”

[noburden]

"Don't tease me," she laughs, snuggling in again, nuzzling into his cheek. She would truly love it. This house is their home, and she cherishes it, but she would be happy anywhere with him.

[rosarianoath]

He just hums under his breath, wrapping his arms around her and bowling her over for real this time, leaning his weight into her.

“I think this is the perfect house for the three of us.”

[noburden]

She goes with a soft squeak, low and charmed. She runs her fingers through the hair at the back of his head. There's nothing but fondness in her gaze when she looks at him.

"It is. It's our home. I would like to see the spare bedroom occupied, some day, but for now... I'm glad you don't hole yourself away in the basement as much as you did before."

[rosarianoath]

“Mm,” he hums his agreement, meeting her eyes. They’re so close. He nudges her nose with the tip of his. “I needed time, for a while… but I think the worst has passed.”

[noburden]

Has it? She wonders.

"You seem happier," she says carefully, nudging his nose back. "I suppose I needed time, too."

Time to realize that while it hurts to be without him, she can survive.

[rosarianoath]

“I don’t know if I’m happier,” he says. “But I’ve accepted what I’ve done, and the reality of the situation… and how foolish I’ve been.”

He brushes her hair back again, his gaze soft.

[noburden]

"All in that basement?" She teases, just gently. Her touch mirrors his, brushing his hair away from his face, for what little it actually does.

[rosarianoath]

He just smiles at her.

“It’s dull and quiet down there.”

[noburden]

"If it's helped, I'm glad for you, Clive."

She can't help but wonder what that means for them, but asking seems like a quick way to ruin the moment. She wants to stay in his arms, with these sweet touches and their noses bumping together.

[rosarianoath]

He’s glad, too. He doesn’t bother saying it. Just just kisses her, slow and sweet, one hand wandering down her back.

[noburden]

It's a perfect kiss. She closes her eyes and focuses on how right it feels. She's meant to be in his arms, and he's meant to kiss her. No one else she's kissed has felt this warm, this easy.

"I love you, Clive," she says when their lips part. "My treasure."

[rosarianoath]

His heart feels light. The earlier events of the evening had made him feel foul and jealous, but pressed against her body, he knows where he is supposed to be. She’s the sweetest, most patient, most enduring woman in the world, and if he could serve her forever, he gladly would. She loves him, despite what he’s done, and what he’s failed in.

“I love you too,” he says, and then he holds her tighter, like he could prove it with the proximity of his body, skin to skin.

[noburden]

"Will you stay the night in my bed?" She asks, hopeful. They haven't made a mess of it yet. She doesn't want to part from him anytime soon.

[rosarianoath]

He presses a kiss to the corner of her mouth and nods.

“Of course.”

[noburden]

"My bed is still nicer than yours. You'll recover quicker, to serve me better," she teases.

[rosarianoath]

He chuckles under his breath.

“In fairness,” he says, “I have never aspired to tempt you down to the basement.”

[noburden]

"All you need do is look at me."

She's weak for those blue eyes.

[rosarianoath]

“I look at you far more often than you even realize,” he says.

[noburden]

"Still?" She asks, clearly pleased to hear it with the way she smiles at him.

[rosarianoath]

“Of course,” he says. “Even months ago, I would live to glimpse you crossing the kitchen, or pass me on the porch.”

[noburden]

"And here I was, always hoping you'd have some reason to strike up conversation with me."

She runs her fingers through his hair.

"I'm so glad we talk more. I'm so glad we spend time together."