I'm glad I made you laugh. That was my goal all along.
[Regardless, she continues.]
It took six more years and a lot of growing up in between before we reached that point. We both needed it.
[Amelia's smile becomes soft as she turns her gaze away from Gale. The faraway look in her eyes emerges again like how she would look at the moon from her rooftop.]
Right when I thought there was nothing to salvage between us, he proposed to me.
[She scoffs though there's no negativity behind it.]
[Another chuckle, followed by a shake of his head.]
After all that, he couldn't even let you have your moment?
[There's not an ounce of criticism in his voice; the attempt to tease is softened by sentimentality. For better or worse, he's always been something of a romantic. It had not served him well in the past, unfortunately, but he'd never quite given it up, even after withdrawing from the world as he had.]
[Instead of an unbearable sting, she's left with mysterious relief. When was the last time she talked so much about Adam without feeling uncomfortable? And when was it she felt like she truly accepted his passing?]
I guess my point is kissing me out of almost nowhere is demonstrably much more pleasant than being rejected twice over a span of a decade. More importantly...
[She reaches over with one hand to gently cup his chin with her fingers.]
I don't think you'll leave me anytime soon, will you?
[For just a moment, he had almost regained himself entirely, almost felt normal, but as she takes hold of his chin, he feels his heart lodge itself in his throat, almost as though it were threatening to beat once more.
Oh.
He clears his throat softly, giving a minute shake of his head so as not to pull away from her gentle hold.]
No, no, I do believe you're right.
[He's not about to go anywhere.]
I made a promise, after all— that you would be safe with me.
[That pointed remark has him suddenly clearing his throat, his neck suddenly flushed with embarrassment as much as anything that had come before, but he quickly composes himself— he is far, far too old to be affected so profoundly by such a comment, he's certain.]
You need your rest, and I ought to reopen the shop.
[He gets to his feet before he can make any other impulsive decisions, the heady rush her blood had provided finally beginning to subside, and he smooths out the front of his shirt with both hands before straightening the way his coat hangs from his shoulders by tugging sharply at the lapels— anything to keep his hands busy.]
You have— everything you need to be comfortable?
[He's encouraged her to make herself at home well before now, but asking just seems like the right thing to do.]
[He lets out a bemused huff, raising a brow at her even as he angles himself towards the door.]
Those vampire romance novels give us a terrible name, I'm afraid. Not that it isn't deserved in some cases, but I would hardly advise anyone use Twilight as a reference for our behaviors.
[Which is to say no, he will not linger to watch her sleep, but her teasing does bring color to his pallid face once more.]
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I can hardly imagine why, with such a foolproof plan.
[There's surely just a trace of sarcasm in his voice, but it's accompanied by genuine sympathy.]
Clearly, it worked out for you eventually, given that you referred to him as your future husband.
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I'm glad I made you laugh. That was my goal all along.
[Regardless, she continues.]
It took six more years and a lot of growing up in between before we reached that point. We both needed it.
[Amelia's smile becomes soft as she turns her gaze away from Gale. The faraway look in her eyes emerges again like how she would look at the moon from her rooftop.]
Right when I thought there was nothing to salvage between us, he proposed to me.
[She scoffs though there's no negativity behind it.]
The nerve of him to show me up like that.
no subject
[Another chuckle, followed by a shake of his head.]
After all that, he couldn't even let you have your moment?
[There's not an ounce of criticism in his voice; the attempt to tease is softened by sentimentality. For better or worse, he's always been something of a romantic. It had not served him well in the past, unfortunately, but he'd never quite given it up, even after withdrawing from the world as he had.]
That's quite a history you two had.
no subject
[Instead of an unbearable sting, she's left with mysterious relief. When was the last time she talked so much about Adam without feeling uncomfortable? And when was it she felt like she truly accepted his passing?]
I guess my point is kissing me out of almost nowhere is demonstrably much more pleasant than being rejected twice over a span of a decade. More importantly...
[She reaches over with one hand to gently cup his chin with her fingers.]
I don't think you'll leave me anytime soon, will you?
no subject
Oh.
He clears his throat softly, giving a minute shake of his head so as not to pull away from her gentle hold.]
No, no, I do believe you're right.
[He's not about to go anywhere.]
I made a promise, after all— that you would be safe with me.
[In every sense of the word.]
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Well... I know you'd like to keep me up, but unfortunately, I'm still on a day and night cycle of sleep.
[This Green Witch, seriously...]
And we got a vampire soiree to worry about so let's chew on that first.
[At least before any of this.]
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You need your rest, and I ought to reopen the shop.
[He gets to his feet before he can make any other impulsive decisions, the heady rush her blood had provided finally beginning to subside, and he smooths out the front of his shirt with both hands before straightening the way his coat hangs from his shoulders by tugging sharply at the lapels— anything to keep his hands busy.]
You have— everything you need to be comfortable?
[He's encouraged her to make herself at home well before now, but asking just seems like the right thing to do.]
no subject
[Already she's lifted the covers and inserted herself beneath them, head sinking into the pillow and covering half of her face with the sheet.]
I am quite comfortable, thank you very much.
[And just because she can't help herself...]
Do you wanna watch me sleep before reopening?
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Those vampire romance novels give us a terrible name, I'm afraid. Not that it isn't deserved in some cases, but I would hardly advise anyone use Twilight as a reference for our behaviors.
[Which is to say no, he will not linger to watch her sleep, but her teasing does bring color to his pallid face once more.]
... goodnight, Amelia. Sleep well.