[It occurs to Amelia that Gale would be unaccustomed to a relationship where there were goals to strive for and expectations that were clearly communicated. Far be it for her to be presumptuous about what his time with Mystra was like, but she supposes he was always used to doing things for the goddess instead of with.]
... Gale. Togetherness encompasses many things.
[She sets down her fork and angles herself more so she's facing him directly.]
And if there's anything I've learned from my failures, it's that you should not feel alone when you're with someone else.
[He looks back to her when she says his name, giving her his full attention, and the smile he offers in reply is significantly softer than his usual bright optimism. He can only take those words to heart; over the last several months, and during some of the more lucid moments of his isolation, he has begun to believe that very same thing.]
Indeed, you're quite right. I feel much the same.
[Even if he has little basis for comparison. He knows what he does not want to find himself feeling again, and knows that what he's already been fortunate enough to experience with Amelia is far more fulfilling than his past attempts could have ever hoped to be. Their relationship may still be new by most standards, but the intent to grow together going forward has been made perfectly clear by the both of them.]
Yet here I am, thinking I would be saying the very same to you. I'm glad we're of the same mind.
[He does curl his fingers against her hand at last, just a momentary touch of affection.]
I think we've both had more than our share of loneliness. If I have things my way, that will become a distant memory for both of us.
[The curl of his fingers is returned with her own, a sign of her sincerity.]
If you had known me when I was younger, none of this between us might have happened. Not because I would have been occupied at the time but rather...
[Her voice trails off trying to gauge her past self.]
Well. If you thought of me as only slightly difficult when we first met, I would have put up more of a fight against your affections as my younger self.
The point being, that loneliness isn't a distant memory for me, but if our time together has proven anything... Well, I'm more hopeful. You make me more hopeful.
[There's a note of fond amusement in his voice, and he feels a fluttering in his chest that's beginning to become quite familiar as she curls her fingers against his.]
Perhaps I would have been intrigued by the challenge, instead— I've always been the ambitious sort. That said, you may not have found me quite so palatable, either. I had a reputation for being charming, but no doubt you would have found me arrogant. I certainly do, looking back.
[He hadn't missed the point, however. He focuses on what she'd said last, the weight of it not lost on him, because she has granted him the same.]
I am glad to be able to offer you such a thing. I know it is not insignificant, but it seems the least I can do— you have reminded there are things worth fighting for. That life is worth fighting for. It wasn't so long ago that I was resigned to bid it farewell.
[Gale, PLEASE, this woman is trying to finish the delicious breakfast you made. Her face reddens as her fork with eggs and bacon stops halfway at her mouth. How on earth will she cope with this poetic man who can drop such lines and blindside her instantly?
Well, she'll cope by stuffing said fork into her mouth and mumbling something inaudible as she chews, eyebrows screwed together as she tries to process what he said, even that last sobering bit.]
He clears his throat and lets out a sheepish little chuckle as he looks back as his own breakfast, staring hard at his plate and biting back a broader smile as he reaches for his coffee cup.]
[He almost chokes on his coffee as she startles another laugh out of him, shaking his head as he sets his cup down and thumps his fist against his chest, sputtering slightly.]
Right, of course. That would have been the gentlemanly thing to do. Though on the other hand, it would be a terrible shame.
[He's absolutely teasing, but if you're going to be even partially naked with someone while you eat breakfast, he thinks you should be able to have a good sense of humor about it.]
[Without missing a beat or removing the toast from her mouth, Amelia reaches over to pat him lightly on the back as he sputters. When she does remove said toast, she raises a brow at him.]
If it's a terrible shame, then make sure that for next time, you can use your words where it counts.
[She's somehow still herself but behind her blunt wording and cool expression, the affection and joking behind it is not mistaken. It's there in how she remains as is, next to Gale in, eating breakfast in bed without any intent to leave until she feels like it.]
[Thank you for helping him not to asphyxiate, dear heart. He clears his throat to better compose himself, shooting her a knowing smile despite her cool expression— even now, of course, Amelia is Amelia. He wouldn't have her any other way.]
I think, [he begins, that note of levity in his voice remaining,] someone more practiced at this sort of thing might be able to make some clever remark about how getting dressed at all might be overrated, but if I'm being perfectly honest with you, it sounds cold.
[He wrinkles his nose slightly, helping himself to more of his omelette.]
Maybe if I were a much younger man, I could have that sort of confidence, but I'm almost certain that kind of thing sounds better than it actually is.
[He says as though he's ancient. He's just barely 40.]
I would, however, like to invite you to enjoy my rooms at your leisure, if you've nowhere else to be today— the fireplace is excellent for reading in front of.
[She was just sipping her coffee as Gale gave his offer for the rest of the day. Her reply is to scoot closer to him and rest her head against his shoulder.]
A vacation from vacation with you then. I can't think of any better way to spend New Year's Day.
[Oh— he rather likes that, in fact, and some of that cheekiness ebbs away to reveal warm contentment, leaning back against the pillows as he eases his arm around her shoulders and takes his coffee cup in one hand again.]
I quite agree— and no one I would rather spend it with.
[He drops his chin to drop a chaste kiss against the top of her head before returning to his coffee, closing his eyes as he takes another long sip, followed by a satisfied exhale.]
[The question itself doesn't quite take him surprise, but the small note of hesitance he can hear in her voice, in that pause, does. He lets out a soft chuckle that rises from somewhere deep in his chest, opening his eyes once more to turn his gaze on her without turning his head, warm, boyish smile persisting.
He's sure he would look completely foolish to anyone else, with how much he's been smiling lately, but to be quite honest, he doesn't much care what anyone else thinks of him at the moment. He feels happier and more himself than he has in years, thanks to her.]
Dearest, you can stay as many nights as you wish, as far as I'm concerned. My door is always open to you, and what's mine is yours.
[Some men, he reckons, might be a touch hesitant about making such an open, standing offer, but he has always been one to pursue what he wants once he's certain of what, exactly, that is. Whatever may or may not happen when she stays does not matter nearly as much as her presence, her company. Even if they were to simply read their own books on the same sofa in companionable silence, he would be overjoyed.]
[Amelia is prone to second-guess her happiness in situations like this one. She had done it a lot in her prior relationship but there's something solid and reassuring about how Gale answers her with utmost certainty and unabashed generosity and it reminds her why this was one of the many reasons her heart eventually thawed around him.
She lets her cooled-down coffee cup sit on her lap as she continues to lay her head against Gale's. Her face turns to rest her forehead against his shoulder.]
Your confidence is astounding.
... And if you'd like, you can visit my room too. You haven't seen it yet after all.
My overall confidence may have taken a few hits the last few years, I'll admit, but there are some things I am undeniably sure of.
[He's certain he doesn't need to spell it out: this is absolutely one of them. He leans down just enough to nuzzle his nose and lips against her vibrant hair as she rests her forehead against him; just being close is enough to make him feel at ease, and not for the first time, it occurs to him just how very right this all feels, how well they fit together. The fact that they hail from different worlds entirely doesn't matter in the least.]
I would be very interested to see how my other half lives. One never invites themselves into a lady's bedroom, but given that you've extended the invitation yourself...
[He trails off, grinning as he sets his coffee cup aside, the tray carrying the meager remains of his breakfast floating off to put itself in the kitchen.]
[Amelia puts her coffee cup on her tray and lets it float away, following Gale's. She does have to move at some point but his lips against her hair make her go "Just one more minute."
But eventually, she pushes herself off of his shoulder and swings her legs over the bed, glancing around for her pants.]
At the rate we're going, we might have to make sure we keep spare clothes in each other's rooms.
[He sighs softly, reluctant to ease his arm away from her shoulders as she pulls away, but she'll see that he's still smiling from ear-to-ear when she does, his hand trailing down the length of her arm and his fingers gently curling against hers in that last moment before she pulls free. He leans forward against the mattress to watch her, propped up on one arm.]
I do like the sound of that.
[That would admittedly be something new for him, but a step he very much looks forward to. His voice is light and easy, playful as he watches her search for her pants with a mirthful gaze.]
Clothes, toothbrushes, other odds and ends— just practical, really. They're on the floor by the dresser, darling.
[But considering how far they've come, it's more than likely to happen. At his direction, she moves and sweeps up her jeans, wrapping them around her arms. God, it's been a long while for her since she's done any of this. Recklessly falling into another person's arms, waking up the next morning in a bed that isn't her own next to someone she didn't think she'd fall in deep enough with...
When she glances over at Gale, however, and the way he looks at her and remembers everything from last night... Amelia, for once, doesn't feel burdened. She feels incredibly light even after all the promises she's made for the new year with him.]
[Right. He doesn't want to rush things along further than she's ready for, but he has to admit, if there are more mornings like this in their future, there are certain things that seem to be a pleasant inevitability. Rather than worrying about when they reach certain steps or milestones, he intends to enjoy every moment of the journey at whatever pace works best for them— but there's no denying the future is promising.
He's partway through sitting back up and raking his fingers through his mussed hair when she asks him about the shower, and he freezes mid-motion, his face coloring suddenly despite all the playful flirting and doting he's already bestowed upon her this morning.
Did she just ask if he—
He clears his throat softly, giving her a sidelong glance that he hopes isn't too eager, just so that he might preserve some of his dignity.]
[Clearly, he's unable to say the right thing in this moment, so he finally tosses the covers back and gets to his feet. He does not want this to go anything close to the way the last time he'd inadvertently embarrassed her did.]
You could— take back taking it back. I was surprised, that's all.
[He moves to put his arms around her middle from behind, if she'll let him— just a reminder that he's a very cuddly and lovable wizard, in case she forgot.]
[His arms around her middle are surprising but not unwelcome. She takes another deep breath and glances up at Gale when he makes the admission that her offer is something very new for him. Maybe she shouldn't have reacted so harshly, knowing how impulsively she asked in the first place...
So she'll lean her back against him and reach up with one hand to pat the side of his face.]
Fine. The offer's back on the table. I did spring it on you suddenly, so that's on me.
[This is the struggle part of their relationship.]
Nothing has to happen, of course. I'd rather we take our time instead of rushing headfirst into whatever our fancies hit us with all the time.
[But it does say a lot that she's comfortable enough with him to want to share a moment as private and intimate as bathing.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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... Gale. Togetherness encompasses many things.
[She sets down her fork and angles herself more so she's facing him directly.]
And if there's anything I've learned from my failures, it's that you should not feel alone when you're with someone else.
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Indeed, you're quite right. I feel much the same.
[Even if he has little basis for comparison. He knows what he does not want to find himself feeling again, and knows that what he's already been fortunate enough to experience with Amelia is far more fulfilling than his past attempts could have ever hoped to be. Their relationship may still be new by most standards, but the intent to grow together going forward has been made perfectly clear by the both of them.]
Yet here I am, thinking I would be saying the very same to you. I'm glad we're of the same mind.
[He does curl his fingers against her hand at last, just a momentary touch of affection.]
I think we've both had more than our share of loneliness. If I have things my way, that will become a distant memory for both of us.
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If you had known me when I was younger, none of this between us might have happened. Not because I would have been occupied at the time but rather...
[Her voice trails off trying to gauge her past self.]
Well. If you thought of me as only slightly difficult when we first met, I would have put up more of a fight against your affections as my younger self.
The point being, that loneliness isn't a distant memory for me, but if our time together has proven anything... Well, I'm more hopeful. You make me more hopeful.
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[There's a note of fond amusement in his voice, and he feels a fluttering in his chest that's beginning to become quite familiar as she curls her fingers against his.]
Perhaps I would have been intrigued by the challenge, instead— I've always been the ambitious sort. That said, you may not have found me quite so palatable, either. I had a reputation for being charming, but no doubt you would have found me arrogant. I certainly do, looking back.
[He hadn't missed the point, however. He focuses on what she'd said last, the weight of it not lost on him, because she has granted him the same.]
I am glad to be able to offer you such a thing. I know it is not insignificant, but it seems the least I can do— you have reminded there are things worth fighting for. That life is worth fighting for. It wasn't so long ago that I was resigned to bid it farewell.
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Well, she'll cope by stuffing said fork into her mouth and mumbling something inaudible as she chews, eyebrows screwed together as she tries to process what he said, even that last sobering bit.]
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He clears his throat and lets out a sheepish little chuckle as he looks back as his own breakfast, staring hard at his plate and biting back a broader smile as he reaches for his coffee cup.]
Perhaps a bit much for a first cup of coffee.
[He knows. He's a lot.]
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I find it ironic that I, a literature teacher keep finding myself at a loss for words when it comes to what you say to me.
[It could be that she's just concise even with her head stuffed full of book knowledge.]
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Hmm, are you certain that's not just because I keep using them all up before you've had a crack at them?
[He's well aware of his loquacious nature, but at least he can have a good sense of humor about it.]
I ought to be more considerate, really.
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At least wait for me to put my pants back on before you make such declarations.
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Right, of course. That would have been the gentlemanly thing to do. Though on the other hand, it would be a terrible shame.
[He's absolutely teasing, but if you're going to be even partially naked with someone while you eat breakfast, he thinks you should be able to have a good sense of humor about it.]
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If it's a terrible shame, then make sure that for next time, you can use your words where it counts.
[She's somehow still herself but behind her blunt wording and cool expression, the affection and joking behind it is not mistaken. It's there in how she remains as is, next to Gale in, eating breakfast in bed without any intent to leave until she feels like it.]
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I think, [he begins, that note of levity in his voice remaining,] someone more practiced at this sort of thing might be able to make some clever remark about how getting dressed at all might be overrated, but if I'm being perfectly honest with you, it sounds cold.
[He wrinkles his nose slightly, helping himself to more of his omelette.]
Maybe if I were a much younger man, I could have that sort of confidence, but I'm almost certain that kind of thing sounds better than it actually is.
[He says as though he's ancient. He's just barely 40.]
I would, however, like to invite you to enjoy my rooms at your leisure, if you've nowhere else to be today— the fireplace is excellent for reading in front of.
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A vacation from vacation with you then. I can't think of any better way to spend New Year's Day.
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I quite agree— and no one I would rather spend it with.
[He drops his chin to drop a chaste kiss against the top of her head before returning to his coffee, closing his eyes as he takes another long sip, followed by a satisfied exhale.]
Perfection.
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... I wasn't initially going to ask but.
[Amelia pauses. But then she gathers enough courage because considering how deep they're both in now...!]
Would you like me to stay over another night?
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He's sure he would look completely foolish to anyone else, with how much he's been smiling lately, but to be quite honest, he doesn't much care what anyone else thinks of him at the moment. He feels happier and more himself than he has in years, thanks to her.]
Dearest, you can stay as many nights as you wish, as far as I'm concerned. My door is always open to you, and what's mine is yours.
[Some men, he reckons, might be a touch hesitant about making such an open, standing offer, but he has always been one to pursue what he wants once he's certain of what, exactly, that is. Whatever may or may not happen when she stays does not matter nearly as much as her presence, her company. Even if they were to simply read their own books on the same sofa in companionable silence, he would be overjoyed.]
I rather enjoy waking up next to you.
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She lets her cooled-down coffee cup sit on her lap as she continues to lay her head against Gale's. Her face turns to rest her forehead against his shoulder.]
Your confidence is astounding.
... And if you'd like, you can visit my room too. You haven't seen it yet after all.
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[He's certain he doesn't need to spell it out: this is absolutely one of them. He leans down just enough to nuzzle his nose and lips against her vibrant hair as she rests her forehead against him; just being close is enough to make him feel at ease, and not for the first time, it occurs to him just how very right this all feels, how well they fit together. The fact that they hail from different worlds entirely doesn't matter in the least.]
I would be very interested to see how my other half lives. One never invites themselves into a lady's bedroom, but given that you've extended the invitation yourself...
[He trails off, grinning as he sets his coffee cup aside, the tray carrying the meager remains of his breakfast floating off to put itself in the kitchen.]
I'd like that very much, in fact.
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[Amelia puts her coffee cup on her tray and lets it float away, following Gale's. She does have to move at some point but his lips against her hair make her go "Just one more minute."
But eventually, she pushes herself off of his shoulder and swings her legs over the bed, glancing around for her pants.]
At the rate we're going, we might have to make sure we keep spare clothes in each other's rooms.
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I do like the sound of that.
[That would admittedly be something new for him, but a step he very much looks forward to. His voice is light and easy, playful as he watches her search for her pants with a mirthful gaze.]
Clothes, toothbrushes, other odds and ends— just practical, really. They're on the floor by the dresser, darling.
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[But considering how far they've come, it's more than likely to happen. At his direction, she moves and sweeps up her jeans, wrapping them around her arms. God, it's been a long while for her since she's done any of this. Recklessly falling into another person's arms, waking up the next morning in a bed that isn't her own next to someone she didn't think she'd fall in deep enough with...
When she glances over at Gale, however, and the way he looks at her and remembers everything from last night... Amelia, for once, doesn't feel burdened. She feels incredibly light even after all the promises she's made for the new year with him.]
Are we showering or taking turns? Your choice.
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He's partway through sitting back up and raking his fingers through his mussed hair when she asks him about the shower, and he freezes mid-motion, his face coloring suddenly despite all the playful flirting and doting he's already bestowed upon her this morning.
Did she just ask if he—
He clears his throat softly, giving her a sidelong glance that he hopes isn't too eager, just so that he might preserve some of his dignity.]
Is that an invitation?
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Never mind. I take it back.
[The very gall of this man to make her feel embarrassed after their big step!]
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Wait, Amelia—
[Clearly, he's unable to say the right thing in this moment, so he finally tosses the covers back and gets to his feet. He does not want this to go anything close to the way the last time he'd inadvertently embarrassed her did.]
You could— take back taking it back. I was surprised, that's all.
[He moves to put his arms around her middle from behind, if she'll let him— just a reminder that he's a very cuddly and lovable wizard, in case she forgot.]
Nobody has ever offered me that before.
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So she'll lean her back against him and reach up with one hand to pat the side of his face.]
Fine. The offer's back on the table. I did spring it on you suddenly, so that's on me.
[This is the struggle part of their relationship.]
Nothing has to happen, of course. I'd rather we take our time instead of rushing headfirst into whatever our fancies hit us with all the time.
[But it does say a lot that she's comfortable enough with him to want to share a moment as private and intimate as bathing.]
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