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“…I feel like we both agree that we should not be having this conversation here. Or in a manner so rushed either.”
“I know, but it’s been too long, Thancred.”
And that it had. It had been nearly a year since he had done more than hear her voice. That, more than anything, is why he had taken his girlfriend and stole away to a quiet, shadowed corner of the castrum.
Just the two of them for a little while, away from the troubles of the world. Thancred stood straight, closing the distance between himself and the sitting Ignia, leaning down as he cupped her face. He couldn’t help smirking and staring as her eyes fluttered closed and she looked so expectant and adorable.
He stared for just a moment too long as Ignia opened her eyes and pouted at him, “Are you just going to stare all day?”
“No,” Was all the warning he gave before closing the distance between them. Ignia’s squeak made him smile against her lips and it seemed that she remained ever so careful with his makeup even amidst a war. That was his girl. Thancred let the kiss last, feeling her relax into him and run her fingers into his hair.
And as he pulled away, he heard it, “I love you.” And he froze staring at her eyes, sparkling with mirth. He knew he was staring at her, processing the words but still, “I said I would answer you in person, did I not?”
He would never win against her. Never. Not when he was as wrapped around her finger as snugly as her tail wrapped around him, “You did indeed, butterfly.”
“I didn’t wanna send you off into the shadows again, without saying it,” He felt her hands shift, warm, callused palms caressing his face, “I love you, Thancred.”
Twelve, how had he been able to let the words slip so casually before. Staring at Ignia now, he could feel the sincerity catch in his throat, after years and years of hiding behind his teases no practice for now. When his lover, his soulmate, a bond forged in desperation amongst the flames, was staring at him so earnestly, wanting to hear the words he had said to her before as easily as breathing (so long as she was not right in front of him).
“Love you, darling.”