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In these quiet moments, Robert could appreciate the beauty of the world around him with a heart at ease. It helped that he had pleasant company in the form of Erina as he did so. She sat to his side, with a book in her hands and her reading glasses perched upon her delicate nose. She painted a picture of loveliness that surpassed the popping colors of the world surrounding her.
He looked away, face flaming red.
These intrusive thoughts had become more prevalent with every day he spent at the Joestar residence. Jonathan would occupy much of his time, and Erina would be at his side with a faithful smile and genuine concern for his comfort. Robert caught himself many a time not only admiring his beloved, but also the woman who allowed him the privilege to be in Jonathan's presence with a romantic heart. It's not that it didn't feel right, it was just...
Well, it didn't feel like his place to see her in such a light. Erina wasn't his wife, and probably didn't see Robert in the same way he saw her. For her long, flowing blonde hair that curled at the ends, and sparkling blue eyes that captured the afternoon sky during spring. Soft hands that brushed his own with every greeting and every farewell. Bringing sweet laughter that billowed out of her plush lips, lips that he wanted to kiss with every inch of his desperate being.
"Robert, listen to this!" she suddenly laughed, bringing Robert out of his stupor with how lovely it rang in his ears. "These romance novels are just-- so tacky! They say the most ridiculous things!" Her beaming smile made him breathless when he looked at her. Robert forced his blush down to address her without his emotions getting in the way.
Yes, those romance novels could say some baffling things. But it was hard to find humor in their content when it felt like every little thing she did was magic.
The fleeting touches and lingering hugs were becoming more commonplace between them. Robert feared that, if they didn't stop soon, his heart would give out prematurely. It didn't help that Erina stroked her fingers along his bicep when she held it and let her breath whisper over his ear when she spoke to him. Eventually, one of these days, either his secret would get exposed or Erina would never find out.
God, he hoped Erina never found out...
Now, he was being taught how to play piano by her, and the touch of her soft palms against his rough knuckles brought nothing but soaring heat to his body. Her chest was pressed against his back. Could she feel the racing of his heart from their proximity? The tremble in his limbs as she guided his fingers over the keys?
"You're much too tense, Robert," she chided, tightening her hold around his arms as her fingers halted. "Maybe I should show you what this specific part sounds like? You seem to respond better to seeing examples first..." With every syllable the heat of her words burst across his neck. Had he not been wearing his overcoat, she would see the goosebumps littered across his forearms.
As her hands travelled across the piano, bringing about lovely chords that filled the air around them, Robert's eyes were helpless to follow. Her chin was resting on his shoulder as they played together. Robert wanted nothing more than to tilt his head to the side and capture her lips in a kiss. It would be inappropriate of him, but in the privacy of his mind such thoughts roamed uninhibited to his shame.
Would her lips be as soft as they looked? Would she stammer and blush at the bold action of her companion? Or would she kiss him back, just as eager to feel their love culminate in this intimate scenario? Robert's throat felt dry with the need to satisfy his curiosity.
Erina seemed to sense his lost thoughts, despite not knowing what their content was. "... We can continue this another time." Her voice, light and playful, removed itself from Robert's person alongside her body. Instantly he wished to have her pressed against him once more.
"I... I'm sorry, Missus--" Robert turned to face her with an apology at the tip of his tongue, but her severe eyes halted his train of thought. "--Erina. 'm sorry for bein' so difficult t'teach! You sure about continuin' this...?"
With a roll of her eyes, Erina righted her dress before turning to the parlor. "Of course, Robert. I rather like spending time with you like this, even if you're a terrible student." The comment was accompanied by a wink, which made Robert too weak to stand. "Come now. I have some things to discuss with you, and it hardly seems appropriate to do so here."
The way her hair flowed down her back, accompanied by the smooth flow of her dress around her walking legs, was enchanting. Robert scrambled upwards to follow her into the parlor, knowing he was completely spellbound by this woman.
A love confession, while not entirely out of his depth, was not something Robert anticipated when walking with Erina one morning.
Erina's cheeks were tinted red like something out of his wildest dreams. Her hair was so soft, shining with her pregnancy, and her eyes were so gentle as they stared into his own. With love, she had said. Erina loved him.
Robert could hardly hold himself back from sweeping her into his arms and kissing her breathless. However, he couldn't refrain from pressing little pecks to her mouth, feeling her giggle against his mouth. It created a sweet buzzing sensation that made him dive in for more.
"How'd you do this to me, hm?" he muttered, feeling her arms sling themselves around his neck as his hands guided themselves to her waist. "Make me so tender for you, make me love you too..." What kind of magic did she possess? To captivate his person so completely and entirely, make him fall to his knees and dream of her lovely face in his waking moments...
"I should be asking you that, Robert," she responded, pressing a lingering kiss to his lips before allowing herself to fall into his neck. Her breathing, slightly labored with their passions, was intermittently sprinkled on the skin of his neck alongside her continued affections. "You've managed to capture my heart in so little time of knowing you... And it was so obvious that you loved me back, I couldn't contain myself any longer."
Robert sputtered, indignant, and Erina's magical laughter followed.
As they laid about in the afternoon, Robert with his head in Erina's lap, the words came out of him in a graceless manner.
"Marry me, Erina."
He'd pondered asking her this question, but his insecurities always managed to get the better of him. It was hard enough confessing to Jonathan, and he wasn't sure if Erina shared his same desires or not. Besides, the question of marriage was something that would certainly make things more confusing between them.
Her fingers halted on his cheek. It didn't take long before her answer came to him in a hushed laugh. Jonathan was busy in his study, after all. "Ok."
The simple answer left Robert baffled. He scrambled to look at her smiling face, unsure if what he'd heard was correct. "You..." he started, his tongue laying heavy and useless in his mouth, "You would? You would marry me?" At his confused question Erina only rolled her eyes.
"I would, Robert. I love you. You know this." She spoke the words as if they were the most obvious truth in the entire world. Robert felt the skin under his collar get hot with her declaration of love for him, still not used to having such a magical woman share his affections.
"Yes, but... How would that work? You're married to Jojo already!"
Erina laughed at his continued struggling. "Aren't you the one who asked to marry me, Robert?" she teased, cupping his flushed cheeks to press a sweet kiss to his lips. "Are you saying you asked to marry me but didn't have a plan to do so? Not even a ring?"
The teasing only flustered him worse. Robert tried putting an answer together with no luck. Curse him and his twisted tongue! Erina's sweet face only smiled wider at him.
"It's alright if you don't have a ring for me, Robert. But I'll still marry you." She took his hands and played with his fingers, giving him a loving look. "I would love nothing more than to call you my husband, and to have you call me your wife. So long as Jojo can share us, I don't believe he'd have a problem with it either."
What a lucky day for him... Robert could only thank whatever magic it was that allowed him to fall in love with a brilliant woman like Erina. Rather than sit in stupefied silence, Robert chose to kiss her. Again, and again and again...