the_lioness | (no subject)

*Adam comes up behind her, placing a kiss on her head. At least she was still awake when he got home tonight, even if just barely.*

Looks like I got home just in time to take you to bed.

Hullo. Have a nice night? *mournfully* I still haven't found it.

The shop keeps getting busier and busier, if you can believe it. I'm not sure how much more I can do to keep the customers at bay.

*He kisses her.*

It's okay. We'll find it before we leave, I'm sure.

*Myles twitches his tail and leaps over the coffee table. Alanna grumbles, thankful for the claw protection her sweater provides, and holds her arms out.*

Let me come back! I had fun. *She grins.* I'm not sure that lady will ever not buy a new book after I told her about that rare rotting disease you can catch from old paper...

*Adam laughs, and gives her his hands to help her up.*

You're welcome back anytime you're not busy, you know.

Aye, there's the problem. Perhaps I'll abandon all current responsibilities and let you support me in the manner to which I've become accustomed.

*Snickering, she makes a face and pulls herself up using his hands, promptly wrapping her arms around his waist from behind.*

So. Tired.

Tea cakes and bisto? That I think I can handle.

So then let's get a move on, shall we?

Missed you.

I missed you, too. A delegation from Galla arrives tomorrow, and the palace is in an uproar.

*She smiles, sliding around under one of his arms and starting toward the bedroom.*

I pet a wolf today.

*He blinks at her, and follows along.*

Were you back there?

Why on earth did you pet a wolf?

This afternoon, for an hour or so. I had to drop off some scrolls. Raoul needed them.

*Turning around, she takes his hands and walks backward toward the bed.*

King Garion. He's a shape shifter, though he loathes that title. He bounded over to tell me his wife is pregnant. Gave me quite a shock.

Another?

*It's possible that, when they reach the bed, Adam knocks her over onto it, toppling onto her.*

Aye, another. I showed him the book-

Adam!

*Laughing, she reaches up to kiss him.*

Yes?

*He's innocent! Look how innocent he is!*

*So innocent that he would never suspect her of mischief. Oh no. Which is why her hands are even now creeping toward his waist.*

Nothing. I just like saying your name.

*Eyes wide with ~~mischief~~ innocence, she tickles him.*

*And as per usual, he screams like a girl, rolling off and onto the bed.*

No fair!

Goddess, you seem rather squirmy this evening. I was just going to rub your back.

*She blinks, managing to look utterly bemused.*

But I suppose you are correct. Time for bed.

*pout*

No backrub?

*He kisses her, though.*

If you like. I-

*He shakes his head with a smile, and stands to change.*

You can still have one.

You?

*Intrigued, she follows and starts taking his shirt off for him. Undressing him is much more fun than undressing herself.*

*In that case, he lets her, and then flops back down on the bed.*

We never did talk.

About?

*Shooting him a curious look, she pulls her shirt off and hunt around for something to sleep in.*

We talked earlier!

No, I mean-

*confused*

You said we'd talk later.

I did?

*Settling on a long sleeve t-shirt, she strips off her pants and hops in bed next to him, making the mattress bounce.*

Okay. So let's talk. What are we talking about?

*Adam takes comfort in his arm, briefly.*

Us.

Us?

*Alanna pales, moving back against the headboard.*

*Adam's confused at her movement, and looks up at her.*

Yeah, us.

*He says it easily, even though he's nervous.*

And, um. The stuff I said the other night.

Oh! *She smiles, the color coming back into her cheeks.* Which part?

The Liam part.

...Liam? *Alanna is confused, and she looks it.* What about him?

Oh.

*Swallowing hard, she kisses his forehead.*

I didn't mean-

You didn't mean what?

*She bites her lip, thinking before she speaks. How odd of her.*

I didn't mean for you to worry about that or anything. He shouldn't have said it.

No, that's not it.

*He crawls up the bed towards her and kneels.*

Just be quiet for a moment while I talk, okay?

But-

*Flushing, she licks her bottom lip and nods.*

Okay.

*He takes a deep breath.

A really FUCKING big deep breath.*

I love you.

I love you more than anything.

And Thom's right, I'm fucked up, and I can't guarantee I won't fuck up again, but I love you.

And Liam's right, too. Even if you're not big on marriage, and I'm not big on marriage, I love you and I need to know you're going to be there.

*Halfway through the second I love you, she crawls closer, eyes on his as her hands ride low on his hips.*

But you're not fucked up, and I will. I thought- You asked me if I meant it, and I said so...

*She takes an equally deep breath, heart racing. Words fail her yet again. There's so much she wants to say, but everything gets mixed up somewhere between her brain and her tongue.*

I love you.

More than anything, Adam.

But I- But-

*But what? She frowns, annoyed at herself. But I'm scared you'll wake up one day and realize I'm nothing special.*

*Adam pulls back, shifting away from her.*

But what?

But!

*She waves her hand in a helpless gesture. Her eyes go a bit wild.*

You make me think these things are possible, Adam, but you have so much of me now, and I'm scared-

*He's at the edge of the bed now, and his head is rushing.

but ... think possible ... scared

Adam nods, and wanders over to pick up his shirt, sliding it over his head.*

Right, then.

Wait, where are you going?

*Alanna scowls, rolling to her feet.*

Adam?

I just need to-

*He realizes he's bitten his lip and stops, smoothing it over with his tongue.*

I'm sorry, Alanna.

For what?

*Confused, she watches his tongue, then his eyes.*

Sorry for what, Adam?

*She sounds more than a little unnerved.*

*That he hurt her. That she got scared.*

That I love you.

*And his shirt is on, and he's out the door.*

*Alanna feels as if someone just punched her in the gut. If she could catch her breath, if she could find the right words, she would call after him. But it's a full minute before anything other than But - I love you comes to mind.

He's sorry that he loves me?

She sits down on the bed, eyes wide.*

I guess I'm a bad bet.

*Myles jumps up beside her. Alanna feels the tears start and curls herself up around the cat, crying into his soft fur. To his credit, Myles lets her.

He's still not Faithful, but he'll do.*