[The Vale of Tears is a welcome sight— the wondrous scenery alone makes it worth visiting, not to mention the fact that they'll almost be guaranteed privacy for as long as they like, but it holds some sentimental value for him, as well. The night they had first gone exploring here, helped one another past the obstacles it presented, took in its breathtaking sights— he'd first felt the spark then, at least for certain. In retrospect, he thinks it may have taken root even sooner than he knew, but here...
Here, he had realized how truly special she really was, how easy and natural her companionship felt despite her describing herself as difficult, how it was clear that he had met someone who understood how it was that he saw the world.
He gives her forearm a fond squeeze as they head out into the Vale itself, her head against his shoulder a more than welcome presence after so long apart. He'd gone without human touch for so long until shortly before meeting her that he'd thought two weeks, in the greater scheme of things, would be easy enough to manage. He had been terribly wrong, as it turns out.]
Interesting. It's certainly not unheard of, time passing differently between realms, but it's one thing to read or discuss a theory— another entirely to actually experience such a thing firsthand. Disorienting, I would imagine, but I consider myself very fortunate you chose not to let derail you. Three weeks.
[He shakes his head as he echoes her, putting a rather dramatic hand over his heart.]
Perish the thought. I've barely slept in two as is.
Edited (I found an embarrassing typo on time for once ) 2024-03-22 21:37 (UTC)
[The Vale of Tears is where everything between them truly began. She would have never saw it coming in a million tears, believing herself unable to entrust her heart to anyone else.
But here they are again and so much has changed already.
Like how Gale's wellbeing is one of her top priorities because, Mr. Waterdeep, please...!]
Two? Two days?
[That has unexpectedly made her brows furrow with concern before she straightens up and pauses when they stop in the shade of a giant mushroom. Amelia cups his face with her hands to examine him closely.]
That's bad for your health. I know what it's like to lose track of the clock, but you know better.
[He almost corrects her— it's been a rather rough two weeks, all told— but he chooses to bite his tongue, perhaps wisely. If she's already fussing over him this much, he can only imagine what that admission will inspire.
He laughs softly, raising a hand to rest over hers against his face as she stops to examine him beneath the mushroom, though he does turn his head as directed so that she can inspect him thoroughly.]
Ah, I admit, some of it was due to getting a bit caught up in my work, but I rather meant—
[He raises a loose fist to cover his mouth as he clears his throat.]
Something a bit more romantic? I slept enough, surely, but it turns out I've become quite accustomed to having company.
The clarification gives her pause and then slowly, but surely, redness creeps into her cheeks as she sheepishly turns her gaze to the grass beneath their feet.
Yes, they've been together for a significant amount of time and have been intimate in more ways than one, and she still reacts like this. Amelia doesn't know whether she's in her 70s or a foolish young woman sometimes.]
Then... Yes. Yes, it's... Been a while now, hasn't it?
[The flush in her cheeks manages to take him by surprise even now, and it only takes the space of a single heartbeat for him to guess what she must have inferred.]
Oh! Goodness, I didn't mean— well, I didn't not mean—
[He certainly hadn't meant anything terribly blushworthy by it on the surface, but he supposes it's all rather tied up together, isn't it? To say that he hadn't missed that as well would have been a lie, of course, but it was the who that mattered to him, far more than the what.
He exhales as he stumbles over his words, then laughs softly as he takes her face between his hands and gently tips it back upwards so he can meet her gaze, collecting himself enough to find his composure again.]
I only meant that I missed you dearly. I've become quite accustomed to your company, you know.
[And he's grown quite fond of waking up beside her whenever he has the opportunity, regardless of what may or may not have happened the night before.]
Amelia will internally scream at herself until morale improves.
Gale cupping her face with his hands simultaneously and paradoxically soothes her and causes warmth to creep across the surface of her skin. Her own gaze is evasive, but it's not like there's much room to escape his eyes and his soft laughter that makes her heart beat faster.]
I mean... I didn't just mean that, but— oh, forget it.
[Her hands find rest on his forearms as she inhales and exhales to relax herself.]
[He shakes his head, taking a step forward to narrow the distance between them— it would seem they're both intent on tying themselves up in knots over saying or doing the right thing, whatever that may happen to be. Something of this magnitude was quite new for the both of them, and for better or for worse, they were both perfectionists in their own way.]
You are perfectly fine, just as you are.
[He huffs a laugh, his smile quirking to one side.]
I think we're both overthinking this a bit. I do know that I'm overjoyed to see you again, my heart.
[He leans down to kiss her properly then, lingering longer than the last time; not enough to incite anything, but he allows just a touch of heat to peek through. He murmurs the next part against her lips; he knows it may earn him a playful swat, but if she's already blushing—
Well, he simply can't have her thinking she was the only one with that sort of reunion in mind.]
And if I have my way, no one will see you emerge from your rooms for the next two days.
[Gale is absolutely not helping, not when he kisses her so sweetly and warmly and not when he declares something like that. Predictably, Amelia turns redder and although she returns his kiss, she lets out a huff and reaches up with one hand to bump her palm against his forehead.]
Clearly, I should have taken the third week if you're already promising to over deliver.
[Here he thought he was being incredibly helpful. He laughs as she gently bumps against his forehead, pulling back to reach up and rub at the spot with a wince as he feigns injury. He definitely deserved that, but he can't help but think it was well worth it.]
I don't know if either of us would be able to handle the dire state you would have returned to find me in if you had.
[He's already been suffering from those third-degree yearns as it is.]
I don't dare to imagine the condition I could theoretically inflict upon you.
[She rolls her eyes because sometimes, Gale of Waterdeep was a bit much. Amelia takes one hand in his to lead them past the babbling brook and smaller waterfalls so they can make their way further into the Vale.]
That said... Let's not... Overdo it if we're going to...
[A bit much? Him? He certainly takes her response in stride easily enough, his smile hitching wider. He is, at least, moderately self-aware.]
Right. Of course.
[He squeezes her hand as he allows himself to be led forward, raising his free hand to rest over his heart.]
I will be the perfect picture of gentlemanly moderation. For the present, however, there is a lovely sense of nostalgia, returning to this place with you.
The butterflies draw his gaze briefly, and he chuckles softly as they steadily walk towards the sound of rushing water.]
I quite like that. I've mentioned it in passing, but have never brought myself to tell anyone else where it is, or all that we saw here. I don't know that I much like the idea of sharing it, come to think of it.
[They'd learned a lot about one another here, that much was for certain.]
[She remembers that they had witnessed the fragments and echoes of each other's pasts. Gale eventually revealed all that ailed him even up until now. Amelia hadn't.
They make it to the crying statue soon enough and she muses over what he just said.]
I hope that me crying wasn't what made you realize that.
[He gives a shake of his head, though his warm smile persists.]
No, no— quite some time before that, though I was quite touched that you felt able to be so open in front of me, even if only for a moment.
[His gaze is drawn to the statue, as well; he gazes up at it as he had then, and it is just as striking a visual as it had been the first time, a curiosity to be explored.]
It was right about here, in fact. We proved ourselves to be a rather remarkable team for the first time, that day.
I won't pretend otherwise— I like to think I have a rather romantic spirit.
[He does often get caught up in the poetry of things; even beyond the standard definition of romance, he's always been one to wear his heart on his well-tailored sleeve, a man driven by his passions despite his own knack for logic.]
Though I can't say I expected things to turn out as they have, either. Truth be told, I'd rather thought myself done with romance entirely.
[It hadn't been so long before his arrival that he'd been so certain that Mystra would hold his heart forever, that he would have done anything to find himself back in her good graces. It seems ages ago, now.]
[Considering what he told her about his circumstances with Mystra and how it's led to his current condition, Amelia couldn't blame him if he had sworn off romance entirely. She certainly would if she had been in his position.
She lets go of his hand so that both of hers can rest behind her back. Even over the din of the bubbling and splashing waterfall, the playfulness in her voice can't be missed.]
I apologize for dragging you back into the whirlpool of it then. Abruptness is an ongoing theme with me after all.
[He laughs even as she pulls her hand away, letting his own hands come to rest on his hips.]
Yes, you really ought to be. It's been absolutely terrible, having my faith in such things restored.
[The playfulness in her voice makes him smile, and he looks briefly in the other direction as though to take in the scenery before turning sharply on his heel, reaching quickly to grab her by her waist and letting his fingers lightly play against her sides before he puts his arms around her from behind, unwilling to let her play coy for long.]
Minx. I find I quite enjoy the whirlpool, so long as it's in your most excellent company. [More seriously, he goes on to add:] My time with you has reminded me that a future is something well worth fighting for.
Edited (I thought of something else gross for him to say ) 2024-04-09 03:02 (UTC)
[He heaves an over-exaggerated sigh for punctuation, though his persistent smile is still quite apparent in the warmth of his voice.]
I can't risk you slipping away again. While I most certainly support your tending to your responsibilities elsewhere, I'll have it known that I've been exceedingly patient in your absence, which does, scientifically, make the heart grow fonder.
[It's been proven, he's quite certain.]
I think everyone else can wait just a bit longer, hm?
[This man, seriously... How has she managed to handle him after all this time? Amelia turns to face him with her hands traveling up his arms.]
That is the talk of a man who I feel is most certainly becoming impatient as time passes.
I think I can fix that.
[What else is there to be said? Two weeks is a long time. Her hands cup Gale's face as she pulls him into another kiss and it's very warm and very purposeful with its growing heat.]
I think I've earned a bit of impatience at this point, don't you?
[The question is equal parts playful and rhetorical, the trailing of her hands up the length of his arms answer enough in itself, and he leans down to meet her easily as she cups his face and kisses him with intent, returning it with heat and intent of his own as he slides his fingers into her hair as he lays his hand against the side of her face and curls an arm around her waist, all too eager to pull her flush against him.
It feels right, to share this moment here.
His own kiss is insistent, as full of longing as it is ardent heat, and it's only when he's forced to break for breath that he takes a brief moment to murmur against her lips:]
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Here, he had realized how truly special she really was, how easy and natural her companionship felt despite her describing herself as difficult, how it was clear that he had met someone who understood how it was that he saw the world.
He gives her forearm a fond squeeze as they head out into the Vale itself, her head against his shoulder a more than welcome presence after so long apart. He'd gone without human touch for so long until shortly before meeting her that he'd thought two weeks, in the greater scheme of things, would be easy enough to manage. He had been terribly wrong, as it turns out.]
Interesting. It's certainly not unheard of, time passing differently between realms, but it's one thing to read or discuss a theory— another entirely to actually experience such a thing firsthand. Disorienting, I would imagine, but I consider myself very fortunate you chose not to let derail you. Three weeks.
[He shakes his head as he echoes her, putting a rather dramatic hand over his heart.]
Perish the thought. I've barely slept in two as is.
no subject
But here they are again and so much has changed already.
Like how Gale's wellbeing is one of her top priorities because, Mr. Waterdeep, please...!]
Two? Two days?
[That has unexpectedly made her brows furrow with concern before she straightens up and pauses when they stop in the shade of a giant mushroom. Amelia cups his face with her hands to examine him closely.]
That's bad for your health. I know what it's like to lose track of the clock, but you know better.
no subject
He laughs softly, raising a hand to rest over hers against his face as she stops to examine him beneath the mushroom, though he does turn his head as directed so that she can inspect him thoroughly.]
Ah, I admit, some of it was due to getting a bit caught up in my work, but I rather meant—
[He raises a loose fist to cover his mouth as he clears his throat.]
Something a bit more romantic? I slept enough, surely, but it turns out I've become quite accustomed to having company.
no subject
The clarification gives her pause and then slowly, but surely, redness creeps into her cheeks as she sheepishly turns her gaze to the grass beneath their feet.
Yes, they've been together for a significant amount of time and have been intimate in more ways than one, and she still reacts like this. Amelia doesn't know whether she's in her 70s or a foolish young woman sometimes.]
Then... Yes. Yes, it's... Been a while now, hasn't it?
no subject
Oh! Goodness, I didn't mean— well, I didn't not mean—
[He certainly hadn't meant anything terribly blushworthy by it on the surface, but he supposes it's all rather tied up together, isn't it? To say that he hadn't missed that as well would have been a lie, of course, but it was the who that mattered to him, far more than the what.
He exhales as he stumbles over his words, then laughs softly as he takes her face between his hands and gently tips it back upwards so he can meet her gaze, collecting himself enough to find his composure again.]
I only meant that I missed you dearly. I've become quite accustomed to your company, you know.
[And he's grown quite fond of waking up beside her whenever he has the opportunity, regardless of what may or may not have happened the night before.]
no subject
Amelia will internally scream at herself until morale improves.
Gale cupping her face with his hands simultaneously and paradoxically soothes her and causes warmth to creep across the surface of her skin. Her own gaze is evasive, but it's not like there's much room to escape his eyes and his soft laughter that makes her heart beat faster.]
I mean... I didn't just mean that, but— oh, forget it.
[Her hands find rest on his forearms as she inhales and exhales to relax herself.]
I'm too old to be acting like this...
no subject
You are perfectly fine, just as you are.
[He huffs a laugh, his smile quirking to one side.]
I think we're both overthinking this a bit. I do know that I'm overjoyed to see you again, my heart.
[He leans down to kiss her properly then, lingering longer than the last time; not enough to incite anything, but he allows just a touch of heat to peek through. He murmurs the next part against her lips; he knows it may earn him a playful swat, but if she's already blushing—
Well, he simply can't have her thinking she was the only one with that sort of reunion in mind.]
And if I have my way, no one will see you emerge from your rooms for the next two days.
no subject
Clearly, I should have taken the third week if you're already promising to over deliver.
[Ever the blunt one, this witch.]
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I don't know if either of us would be able to handle the dire state you would have returned to find me in if you had.
[He's already been suffering from those third-degree yearns as it is.]
Thank goodness you're here now.
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[She rolls her eyes because sometimes, Gale of Waterdeep was a bit much. Amelia takes one hand in his to lead them past the babbling brook and smaller waterfalls so they can make their way further into the Vale.]
That said... Let's not... Overdo it if we're going to...
[insert noncommittal gesture here]
no subject
Right. Of course.
[He squeezes her hand as he allows himself to be led forward, raising his free hand to rest over his heart.]
I will be the perfect picture of gentlemanly moderation. For the present, however, there is a lovely sense of nostalgia, returning to this place with you.
no subject
they're going to have to order room service aren't theyHer lips quirk at his remark about this floor. Butterflies flutter past as they pass by several dice structures.]
I don't know if anyone else among us have been here yet. In a way, I suppose I haven't told anyone about it since it feels like it's for us.
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Well, he'll be far too busy to cook...The butterflies draw his gaze briefly, and he chuckles softly as they steadily walk towards the sound of rushing water.]
I quite like that. I've mentioned it in passing, but have never brought myself to tell anyone else where it is, or all that we saw here. I don't know that I much like the idea of sharing it, come to think of it.
[They'd learned a lot about one another here, that much was for certain.]
This is where I first knew, you know.
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[She remembers that they had witnessed the fragments and echoes of each other's pasts. Gale eventually revealed all that ailed him even up until now. Amelia hadn't.
They make it to the crying statue soon enough and she muses over what he just said.]
I hope that me crying wasn't what made you realize that.
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No, no— quite some time before that, though I was quite touched that you felt able to be so open in front of me, even if only for a moment.
[His gaze is drawn to the statue, as well; he gazes up at it as he had then, and it is just as striking a visual as it had been the first time, a curiosity to be explored.]
It was right about here, in fact. We proved ourselves to be a rather remarkable team for the first time, that day.
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[And she means romantic beyond the expected definition though it's certainly that as well.]
I didn't check into the hotel ever expecting to land unceremoniously into a cross-dimensional relationship.
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[He does often get caught up in the poetry of things; even beyond the standard definition of romance, he's always been one to wear his heart on his well-tailored sleeve, a man driven by his passions despite his own knack for logic.]
Though I can't say I expected things to turn out as they have, either. Truth be told, I'd rather thought myself done with romance entirely.
[It hadn't been so long before his arrival that he'd been so certain that Mystra would hold his heart forever, that he would have done anything to find himself back in her good graces. It seems ages ago, now.]
no subject
She lets go of his hand so that both of hers can rest behind her back. Even over the din of the bubbling and splashing waterfall, the playfulness in her voice can't be missed.]
I apologize for dragging you back into the whirlpool of it then. Abruptness is an ongoing theme with me after all.
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Yes, you really ought to be. It's been absolutely terrible, having my faith in such things restored.
[The playfulness in her voice makes him smile, and he looks briefly in the other direction as though to take in the scenery before turning sharply on his heel, reaching quickly to grab her by her waist and letting his fingers lightly play against her sides before he puts his arms around her from behind, unwilling to let her play coy for long.]
Minx. I find I quite enjoy the whirlpool, so long as it's in your most excellent company. [More seriously, he goes on to add:] My time with you has reminded me that a future is something well worth fighting for.
no subject
When you talk like that, it's no wonder trouble is your friend.
[Regardless, his latter statement makes her smile and she leans into him with a quiet hum.]
You're not going to let me out of your sight today, are you?
[You know, it's just a feeling she's getting.]
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[He heaves an over-exaggerated sigh for punctuation, though his persistent smile is still quite apparent in the warmth of his voice.]
I can't risk you slipping away again. While I most certainly support your tending to your responsibilities elsewhere, I'll have it known that I've been exceedingly patient in your absence, which does, scientifically, make the heart grow fonder.
[It's been proven, he's quite certain.]
I think everyone else can wait just a bit longer, hm?
no subject
That is the talk of a man who I feel is most certainly becoming impatient as time passes.
I think I can fix that.
[What else is there to be said? Two weeks is a long time. Her hands cup Gale's face as she pulls him into another kiss and it's very warm and very purposeful with its growing heat.]
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[The question is equal parts playful and rhetorical, the trailing of her hands up the length of his arms answer enough in itself, and he leans down to meet her easily as she cups his face and kisses him with intent, returning it with heat and intent of his own as he slides his fingers into her hair as he lays his hand against the side of her face and curls an arm around her waist, all too eager to pull her flush against him.
It feels right, to share this moment here.
His own kiss is insistent, as full of longing as it is ardent heat, and it's only when he's forced to break for breath that he takes a brief moment to murmur against her lips:]
Welcome back, my love.