🗱 Sara/Barnham

[alcobrawlic]

[ For all levels of shenanigans, there will probably be a picture here at some point CUT ME SOME SLACK IT'S LATE ]

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[moraled]

....As you say. [Sure, Sara.

He's sure they'll run into some of her kids over the course of their work.]

Regardless, I suppose we shall have our hands full.

[alcobrawlic]

Not starting to get cold feet, are you, Former Inquisitor? [ a light nudge-- ]

[moraled]

Not at all. Rather... I believe it would be more correct to say that the thought is exciting.

[He likes having things to do and tasks to resolve and people to protect.]

[alcobrawlic]

... That's right, you like keeping busy, huh? You might as well catch up on your rest while you still can.

[ Maybe she's still a little concerned. ]

[moraled]

[He's not going to deny that either, don't worry.]

It does not seem there's much else to do here, but... I certainly shall not take it for granted.

[He was exhausted after that whole mess, and he's still a little mentally tired.]

[alcobrawlic]

I didn't think you would. There's no reason to be stubborn at this point, anyway.

[ And boy is she glad that he's behaving himself on that front. Then again, Barnham's been through his own version of hell-- she can only imagine how bone-deep his tiredness really runs. ]

[moraled]

... No, there isn't.

[Look, he knows... he's been stubborn enough for a lifetime.

Besides.

When he has Sara to cozy up with, it's hard to think of reasons to not want to be in bed.]

I assure you, I have no intentions of causing you any more trouble or concern.

[alcobrawlic]

You never really caused me any trouble... as for the concern part, well--!

[ someone sure sounds chipper. ]

I think you're smart enough to find ways to make it up to me.

[moraled]

[.... .... ..............]

Ah.

Right.

[wait no he kind of needs a hint here]

[alcobrawlic]

[ ... ]

Ooooor you might not figure it out.

[ Not without help, anyway. He sure looks blank. ]

[moraled]

[Look, it's not his fault this is pretty new to him still.]

... What is it you would like as a means of making it up to you?

[alcobrawlic]

...

I should have known I'd actually have to spell it out, but-- [ She's just leaning in now, until their noses are touching, and then she lowers her voice. ]

Girls like attention, Zach. They like feeling that they're the center of someone's world, even if it's just for a little while.

[moraled]

[... Oh.

Oh???

Oh. It all clicks at that very easily, and he clears his throat.

A-ahem.]

I... I see.

Then... yes, I believe I shall be able to make this up to you.

[alcobrawlic]

Hopefully without overheating! [ But Sara shoots him a grin and leans back, to be merciful (for now). ]

We'll have to work on your confidence level, too. You "believe", huh?

[moraled]

[...Sara....]

I am not so arrogant as to assume I shall immediately be able to completely and totally please you in every form.

[Sara pls!!]

That, I assume, is something that shall take time. However... I am certainly willing to learn.

[alcobrawlic]

[ Barnham... BARNHAM... ]

Let's just... get something straight right now. [ even though it looks like she's trying valiantly not to laugh because he sure did just say "please you in every form" with such solemnity. ]

As much as I hate to say this because it sounds ridiculously cheesy-- you don't need to learn that much. The Zacharias Barnham who fusses and takes almost everything seriously but still has some sass to him and who kept insisting on being the one to keep me supported-- that pleases me very much.

And the rest'll come to you without my help, probably.

[moraled]

[He is a solemn guy!! Especially lately. And Sara's the one good bright point in his life right now so he doesn't really want to mess that up.

Still...

That gets his lips to quirk upwards in a smile. Sara... is pretty cute, isn't she?]

... Very well then. I shall have faith in that.

[In the meantime, if she's going to be so close, he sees no reason not to cup her cheek and press his lips to hers.]

[alcobrawlic]

[ In (semi) public, Barnham?? He's definitely grown in one regard, and it makes Sara smile into the kiss, briefly slipping her fingers into his hair and letting the sensation linger.

She's not used to relationships. She's not used to someone caring about her this much with a certain level of sincere intensity, and if Barnham's willing to learn as much as he can-- Sara can put forth some effort into actually making sure this is a relationship for the both of them. ]

See? [ It's a soft whisper when she speaks again, and something in her gaze has likewise softened. ] You're already doing just fine.

[moraled]

[He is learning and improving every single moment!!

But.

This is definitely fine, and he just shifts to press his forehead to hers instead, sighing softly.]

I must admit--you do make this sort of thing rather easy.

[alcobrawlic]

I've been told I've made other people's lives hard, so maybe I've improved a little.

[ No, she's still going to drive people like the Vice-Principal and Neithardt crazy. ]

Or maybe you're just a natural? [ She likes it when he's this close, when she can soak in the warmth of another person. ] You just never had the chance to learn that fact for yourself.

[moraled]

... I unfortunately am far from the sort.

[A natural, that is. Trust him. He knows. He Knows.]

However, things that were once difficult are far simpler, I'm finding, around you.

[alcobrawlic]

That's because you always think too hard, and you're finally learning to relax.

[ Sara almost sounds proud. ]

Which means getting you to melt completely is going to be fun.

[moraled]

I would have preferred another way to learn to--

[....

.....???????]

Sara?

[AHH??]

[alcobrawlic]

[ IT NEVER GETS OLD and she's so happy to see him blush-- even if she snorts slightly under her breath, but keeps their foreheads pressed together. ]

It's okay. I'll behave until you don't want me to.

[ At his own pace, this time. ]

[moraled]

... It is not a matter of want, but...

[He's red even just admitting that, but...hey, he's a healthy adult male who is healthily attracted to Sara and everything she chooses to be but...

He's also still responsible, and he's aware too that they might not be ready for that when he's still piecing himself back together.

He sighs.]

I shall endeavor to recover. [Emotionally--so they can enjoy themselves without concerns.]