[ ... Well. Slightly less embarrassing, still plenty dramatic by anyone else's standards. But Sara's always been at least a little endeared by it, and it makes her smile now. ]
I'm no longer an instructor, you know. But yes, Zacharias Barnham, I do believe you're officially stuck with me now.
[Honestly!! He's delighted by this, and it's plain on his face; his smile is broad and not at all subtle as he shifts to cup her cheek, leaning in for a kiss instead.
He's....
He's not done with dropping drama bombs yet, but first, a kiss.]
[ Probably just as well, let this woman recover from being proposed to--
And kisses are an excellent distraction, if her enthusiastic response is any indication. It feels like it's been too long since they've had a chance to have a proper kiss. ]
[This is a good chance for a recovery--don't mind him, he's going to continue to do so, enjoying the way that they slot together so perfectly, her cheek warm under his hand, just as it had been every single time in their struggles in that horrible town.
Then, it was a comfort. Now? It's perfectly familiar.
[ She doesn't know how long he'd lived there. She doesn't know who he'd made connections with. And Sara had cut ties with her own country long ago-- it doesn't mean she thinks anyone else could move away from home quite as cleanly. ]
[Barnham can acknowledge that much, running his thumb gently over her cheekbone.]
The other knights, too, were good men. But... even so, I do not regret leaving it behind by any means. What I miss has been replaced but something I could never replace.
I just happen to think our kids are going to be incredibly good-looking.
[ ... no, she also knows how Barnham is, how earnest and serious he is-- and even the greatest of Bracers had a family of his own. So Sara can't really herself disliking the idea, and especially not with Barnham. ]
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I'm no longer an instructor, you know. But yes, Zacharias Barnham, I do believe you're officially stuck with me now.
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[Honestly!! He's delighted by this, and it's plain on his face; his smile is broad and not at all subtle as he shifts to cup her cheek, leaning in for a kiss instead.
He's....
He's not done with dropping drama bombs yet, but first, a kiss.]
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And kisses are an excellent distraction, if her enthusiastic response is any indication. It feels like it's been too long since they've had a chance to have a proper kiss. ]
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Then, it was a comfort. Now? It's perfectly familiar.
He's going to enjoy it.]
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[ And she does draw back enough to speak, lips quirked in an amused smile. ]
I'd have a short vacation in a crazy murder town and come out of it with a future husband.
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Indeed, I cannot say I could have ever expected my path to lead me here.
But... I am happier than I would have ever been able to be, in Labyrinthia.
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[ She doesn't know how long he'd lived there. She doesn't know who he'd made connections with. And Sara had cut ties with her own country long ago-- it doesn't mean she thinks anyone else could move away from home quite as cleanly. ]
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[Barnham can acknowledge that much, running his thumb gently over her cheekbone.]
The other knights, too, were good men. But... even so, I do not regret leaving it behind by any means. What I miss has been replaced but something I could never replace.
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[ with her best poker face, even. Which does nothing to hide the fact that Sara's actually touched. ]
I can see why you were a hit with the ladies.
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That had nothing to do with me.
[But he can't deny he was a hit with the ladies.]
But rather what I represented, which was quite tedious.
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[ She kind of doubts that. ]
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If that is the case, I certainly was unaware of it and do not wish to be aware of it now...!
[Don't tease him like this Sara
(but do)]
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[ she must. ]
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He's
burying his face in his hands
But even so, he managed to mutter:]
...When it is you, that is--fine....
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So, you can flat-out propose to me right after beating up monsters, but you get embarrassed about me calling you sexy?
[ really, Barnham. She's endeared. ]
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[Yes.
He's flustered.
But also like--]
And I...could not wait any longer with the other matter.
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That of the proposal, of course, but also.
The matter of... what we would like to do from here...
[He can't say it plainly.]
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[ sternly. ]
Don't get all shy on me now.
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... It is-- [DEEP BREATH.
WHEEZE.]
At some point in the future, would you like to start a family?
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You want kids?
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[DEEP BREATH.]
Yes.
If you are not opposed...at some point in the future, I would like to start a family with you, Sara.
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[ so yes?? ]
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... You've accepted that startlingly well.
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[ ... no, she also knows how Barnham is, how earnest and serious he is-- and even the greatest of Bracers had a family of his own. So Sara can't really herself disliking the idea, and especially not with Barnham. ]
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