I know that I loved you for longer than I admitted to myself.
[hopefully he doesn't have to explain why - that he was afraid, at the very heart of it, of what loving her could do to him, given what loving someone has done to him already. and that worry is well behind them now, regardless. he glances at her again, returning the little smile.]
[She looks up at him, and she leans against his arm. Heās comfortable and comforting both.
Sheās quiet for a moment as she tries to figure out how to answer. Itās not that she doesnāt want him to know. Itās that itās hard to make the words make sense outside her head.]
I donāt know how-
[She harrumphs.]
I wrote you all those letters. I was trying to figure out what you were, to me.
I donāt know how you did this to me. And. You matter. The thought of it has been sitting in my head. You matter to me.
[She doesnāt know why this is making her flustered.]
[it's why that fear is behind him; from the moment he put his trust in her, she's protected it, with all a tiger's instincts. he certainly doesn't need comforting. maybe she does.]
Daphne... [he lifts his hand, touches it beneath her chin, to coax up her head from his shoulder.] I do love you. Whatever I can do to convince this city to keep me by your side, I'll do it.
[Every time he says those words her heart lurches a little, like it wants to dive into his hands and stay there, because it would be safer than her chest.
She opens her mouth just a little bit, and she kisses him, then, and goes back to swinging her legs.]
Iām being absurd.
[She says it with a smile, though.]
Youāve never done anything that would suggest Iām anything but the most important person here for you.
[if she hadn't already made it clear that she's in an introspective mood, that phrasing might have breezed right past him without raising any flags. but because they're sitting here, being thoughtful, he notices.]
[his eyes narrow at her a little, not following what she's worried about. if anything, it sounds better than you died 300 years ago; we were over before this started.]
So find me.
[she's not going to remember, and neither is he; this is one of those hypothetical fantasy things. he's been getting better at those. relying on them more. they're helpful, to get through the unknowns around here.]
What is it you want? What can I offer you for comfort, here, where we both are, together?
[his brow remains furrowed, because putting concern aside is easier said than done. he can't dwell on the unfortunate realities of this place; living in duplicity is like life at sea, where it can be exhilarating and the rewards are often great, but at any moment the situation could change for the worse. they're always one breath away from something irreversible. it's a hell of a way to live.
that uncertainty has always been a part of his life. daphne has a tiger's entitlement, even against her better judgment, demanding that the world itself either fall in line or get out of the way. it's super fucking hot, but he doesn't want to see it break her heart.]
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[hopefully he doesn't have to explain why - that he was afraid, at the very heart of it, of what loving her could do to him, given what loving someone has done to him already. and that worry is well behind them now, regardless. he glances at her again, returning the little smile.]
What's got you thinking back?
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Sheās quiet for a moment as she tries to figure out how to answer. Itās not that she doesnāt want him to know. Itās that itās hard to make the words make sense outside her head.]
I donāt know how-
[She harrumphs.]
I wrote you all those letters. I was trying to figure out what you were, to me.
I donāt know how you did this to me. And. You matter. The thought of it has been sitting in my head. You matter to me.
[She doesnāt know why this is making her flustered.]
no subject
[it's why that fear is behind him; from the moment he put his trust in her, she's protected it, with all a tiger's instincts. he certainly doesn't need comforting. maybe she does.]
Daphne... [he lifts his hand, touches it beneath her chin, to coax up her head from his shoulder.] I do love you. Whatever I can do to convince this city to keep me by your side, I'll do it.
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She opens her mouth just a little bit, and she kisses him, then, and goes back to swinging her legs.]
Iām being absurd.
[She says it with a smile, though.]
Youāve never done anything that would suggest Iām anything but the most important person here for you.
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You're the most important person to me anywhere.
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She canāt lose him.
She canāt. He says things like this, and she wants to tell him the same.
But he knows. He has to know.]
If you were with me. Back home. We donāt really have pirates.
Iād have to find you.
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So find me.
[she's not going to remember, and neither is he; this is one of those hypothetical fantasy things. he's been getting better at those. relying on them more. they're helpful, to get through the unknowns around here.]
What is it you want? What can I offer you for comfort, here, where we both are, together?
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[She says it without any heat, and she doesnāt sound sad, either. She just sounds slightly wistful, slightly unsure.]
Sometimes being with you is all I can do.
[A quiet pause.]
Donāt worry.
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that uncertainty has always been a part of his life. daphne has a tiger's entitlement, even against her better judgment, demanding that the world itself either fall in line or get out of the way. it's super fucking hot, but he doesn't want to see it break her heart.]
No promises.
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Then how about this?
I'll shift, and stay here with you, and I think when I shift back, things may look easier.
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I wouldn't say no to the tigress.