Slowly, her head moved up from where she’d pressed it in against his shoulder. First, a kiss there. Then another one on his neck, then his jawline… Gentle kisses until she reached his lips. She hovered there, soft smile turning into an exaggerated pout. [color=d1b300]“You really want me wait nine months of pregnancy then another eighteen years to see if we don’t fuck it all up and still depend on each other?”[/color] She complained jokingly, rubbing her nose against his. [color=d1b300]“Mm, I bet if we’re still going strong after my pregnancy, nothing’ll break us. From what complaints I heard, my mom’s was pretty bad emotionally. You’re lucky you don’t have to deal with me on my period for a while!”[/color] Casey could only laugh at her sudden uptick. It was nice, and for the first time it felt like he had some kind of immediate result-response. She actually took what he said onside, and rather than it being a long and slow ride back to a nice place, they were back where they had to be without any great effort. It was almost too good to be true, but that had to be the effort that was being put in by both of them. It couldn’t just be a magical talking spot, right? [color=577d06]”Uhhh… Yeah. That’ll be a good stopgap, I guess. We weren’t easy kids either, from what I hear. Leon formed punching, I came out all kinds of spun around. Supposedly the only orderly one was Junior… Go figure.”[/color] he almost gagged. [color=577d06]”Mia was the worst. I actually remember it. It really [i]did[/i] feel like she didn’t love us. Because she wouldn’t let us come see her at all; she rescinded all her motherly duties for like six months. The only real memory I have of seeing her is with all her hair tied up into this fucking cone on the top of her head, and she was [i]screaming[/i] at Clarissa because of… [i]Something.[/i] I really can’t fucking remember why, and it bothers me because I thought I did! I remember it bothering me!”[/color] he started snapping his fingers trying to figure it out. [color=d1b300]“Because it was irrational? Was it about you or your siblings?”[/color] Trisha tried to prompt him, rather than getting frustrated that he was diverting from what he was saying or pausing. There was no rush… Plenty of time for him to figure out what it was. They weren’t going anywhere. She felt confident about that in this moment. [color=d1b300]“I didn’t… think that you could just rescind motherly duties? I don’t think you’re meant to do that?”[/color] Trisha tilted her head, thinking about it. Well, her mom had done it for most of her life. [color=d1b300]“I wouldn’t want to…”[/color] [color=577d06]”Well, not legally… She had the benefit of people to pawn us off on. And Dad…-”[/color] Casey paused again, but this time there was no motion. It was like a light turned off. [color=8882be][i]”Get that cockhead down here now, or so help me I’ll kill the next little fucker I see! [b]NOW![/b]”[/i][/color] A glazed look on his face. The uncomfortable feeling of looking into that room. Leon’s hand tugging on his wrist. He could see her from the bed clear as day, and she was staring back at him. And as far as he could tell, she didn’t love him in that moment. And she was screaming at someone to tell someone else that they were about to get in trouble… Probably for letting them slip past and down the stairs to where they knew she was. Because they wanted to see Momma. The blank expression softened. Softened to a tear. She was screaming for her husband… And the only person who responded was her handmaiden. He wondered if the pain was bad, or if the portents were worse… How she could just lose any sense of maternal love? Any sense of duty when the going got tough? To threaten to kill them? Why? [color=577d06]”-Oh… I… Remember.”[/color] Casey’s head turned to look at her with pain. [color=577d06]”Because, she said she would hurt us. If she saw us again. And when she said it, our eyes met. And I believed her.”[/color] Trisha was scared for a moment when Casey zoned out like that. Like he wasn't there. But she moved past it as soon as he came back. Her hands came up to cradle his face, thumbs gentle rubbing his cheeks. She understood how devastating that lack of love was. But she'd never feared for her life like that… [color=d1b300]“I’m so sorry, Casey,"[/color] she whispered. Meeting his pained gaze with as much sympathy and love as she could muster. [color=d1b300]“I’m sorry you had to remember that because of what I said… But you didn't deserve that. No matter what she was going through. You were still her son. You must've been so scared afterwards…"[/color] Her smile was a little sad. Thinking about little Casey thinking that his mother wanted to kill him… Looking at the man she loved now. He'd suffered so much, hadn't he? She… she made him suffer too. She only hoped the times she didn't, like this, were greater. [color=d1b300]“I’ll never be like that. Not to you or any children we have… Never. I promise."[/color] [color=577d06]”I don‘t think you ever could. I don’t see that in you. That capacity… Not with everything you’ve told me about how you grew up, right? You’re the furthest away from pushing someone who would love you out of your life. Maybe a relationship, sure… You can’t trust the other person who you don’t know. But your kid?”[/color] Casey waved his hand dismissively. There was no chance in a cold Hell that she’d do anything like that to their kids. [color=577d06]”But, it’s fine… She got [i]better[/i] after, and I can recognize that she tried to make it up to Leon and I. I can see that she tried. So, it’s like half a point more than Maria. And I think that half a point is the difference between having fond memories and not. What happened to you was straight up not fair.”[/color] he expressed emphatically. [color=577d06]”It’s not a situation I can abide in the slightest. She threw you away… But I don’t think you’d ever do [i]that[/i] to our kids either.”[/color] He continued to explain. It was difficult for Trisha to fully accept that her mother was worse than his still, even when they'd talked about it a few times. Because she still loved her… Even if she knew deep down he was right. What fond memories did she have with Maria? Those few weekends where Maria was tired enough from work she couldn't do anything more productive, but not so tired just Trisha's presence was enough to irritate her… When she'd order pizza and they'd watch something in silence. But was it really fond? More like the only ones that weren't bad. It really wasn't fair. She hadn't been asked to be brought into the world by two people who didn't really want a kid. Not in the way they should. [color=d1b300]“I wouldn't."[/color] Trisha said it with as much confidence as she could have about it there and then. She didn't want to become like, she believed him… but she couldn't be completely sure. Even after what they'd already talked about, and actually accepting what Casey had said about [I]them[/I] and what it would be like. At least her mood was stable now, thanks to it. [color=d1b300]“When we have children it'll be because we want them. [I]I'll[/I] want them. Well, uh, obviously I already do- we're talking about it- just not right now."[/color] Trisha waved a hand, going a little red. [color=d1b300]“Anyway- My mom didn't. I think she had me because she though having the kid dad wanted would mean she didn't end up like the ten or so women before her… Then she was stuck with me even after he cheated. She [I]did[/I] try until I was a teenager. I can understand… it'd be hard seeing so much of the man who hurt you like that in your child…"[/color] Trisha lost the point for a moment, defending Maria without even realising that she was. It wasn't on purpose, really. [color=d1b300]“But I want them. With you… but even if something happened, I'd still want them. Though… I might've been like her if you told me that before you said you loved me. That kids were a deal sealer."[/color] She admitted uncomfortably, head hanging a bit. Casey couldn't imagine talking about things like this to anyone but the person he loved so much. A topic only for Trisha. There was too much love and passion in it for him so ever feel good about bringing it into a discussion in the barrack. At most, you state intention. [I]”I'd like to have this many kids. I'd prefer a boy.”[/i] It wasn't something you got so deep into that your friends and colleagues know that you're still a slightly religious nutjob who valued the sanctity of marriage as an action. That making vows with no matter who it was you were marrying meant you were taking responsibility and accountability into your life. And that you simply didn't have the child without those bonds in place. He'd always been taught that parents got together because they loved each other, but ultimately stayed together because they love their children. Did he think or even consider that their relationship would be bad at that point? No. He was fairly certain they'd work it all out. But it wasn't his anxieties at play here. Hers were very different: it all stemmed from permanence and consistency as opposed to Casey's Rollercoaster. Because of his certainty that no childhood could ever be quite like his, he knew the things that he was scared of were a near impossibility for his progeny. No forcing the Kindling, no high magical expectations or aspirations. He planned on raising however many they wound up with like normal kids who live with magic in their lives. Not like they were trained wizards who just needed to be shoved into the flames of study. [color=577d06]”Well, it's a good thing I don't bring stuff like that up to people I don't plan on marrying. Besides, the deal is sealed. And on Thanksgiving, in front of hundreds of people, I'm gonna get on one knee, and I'm gonna propose to you forreal. And you're gonna get embarrassed, but when you say yes, we all have what we want. I get this amazing, silly, smart and downright gorgeous woman to call my bride until we both rot away, and you have a tall, pale and handsome tree trunk that you can safely cling to, again, until we both rot away.”[/color] He hoped contextualizing the somewhat transactional nature of the plan despite the simple sounding description would help her really solidify that these things were happening. She needed to know, and to believe fully that these things would happen, and they'd be permanent. Trisha Vanburen needed a new island to live on. One big enough that the sea wouldn't swallow it. [color=577d06]”D'you hear me, Trisha Bee? Forever and ever and ever.”[/color] he snuggled her tightly. [color=d1b300]“I hear you,"[/color] Trisha said softly, holding onto him like she never wanted to let go. She didn't. If she could, she'd spend the rest of her life clinging to him like this. But even though that wasn't possible, at least she could daily… It was difficult to not be filled with warmth after what he said. All the compliments and reassurance. He really did think all of those things about her, didn't he? And right now he really saw that future… them marrying and staying together until they rotted away. It was comforting. Another brick carefully placed onto the collapsed wall that was Trisha's confidence. It made it easier to hope, and eventually believe, that would really happen. She wouldn't end up like her parents at all. What did she ever do to deserve someone as good as him? [color=d1b300]“I’m really lucky to have you… I haven't been actually excited for the future in a long time. But I'm excited for every day with you. I'm slowly accepting that those days will keep coming…"[/color] She smiled brightly at him, eyes creasing in the way they always did when she was especially happy. Then her nose wrinkled. [color=d1b300]“Are you [I]really[/I] going to propose in front of everyone? I think Ezra might have an aneurysm… Oh god, Cass will deafen everyone with her yelling. If she'll be there? I assume Leon will bring her along?”[/color] Casey shrugged. [color=577d06]”We said we were keeping her away from most Temple things: Leon’s going to this event, then he’ll be hosting an event downtown at some club; I assume they’ll be meeting up there instead of our stuffy dinner. I’m not sure if it’s something you want to go to, but I wasn’t super keen. Nightclubs are just killboxes with loud music to me…”[/color] he explained honestly as he could. They were never good places to get locked into. [color=577d06]”But obviously if you want to see Cass, I’m gonna be right next to you.”[/color] [color=d1b300]“And see her get as close to public indecency as she legally can with Leon? I'll pass- she's a nightmare at clubs."[/color] Trisha shook her head. [color=d1b300]“Anyway, clubs are for drunk girls nights out, attempted hookups, or couples that want an excuse to grind on each other in public. I'm settled down now, so I only see myself going to clubs for the first reason in the future… and I'll spend the whole time wishing I was back home with you anyway."[/color] She decided to make it about her not wanting to go, rather than what it really was - a combination of that, but also not wanting him to be uncomfortable. Maybe she should so she didn't seem selfish… but she also didn't want him thinking that he was restricting her. [color=d1b300]“What can we do there that we can't do at home?"[/color] There was only one concern… namely that Cass was one of her closest friends, but if she wasn't at the Temple event, then she'd probably find out about Trisha's engagement through Leon. Trisha… didn't want that. [color=d1b300]“Do you think Leon will tell her about you proposing?"[/color] Casey didn’t hesitate in nodding his head. Leon was the [b]worst[/b] kind of gossip. The one who had a group chat of people who were capable of disseminating information about the collective like a brush fire spreads in California. [color=577d06]”Oh, yeah. If you think you want to tell her beforehand, I would. I could [i]ask him[/i] not to, but that would imply that I either ruin the surprise and run the risk of him making plans behind our back before it even happens, or that I have a chance to catch him [i]just[/i] after it happens.”[/color] he explained, running down the most likely scenarios. [color=d1b300]“I’d like to tell her myself, but…"[/color] Trisha frowned, trailing off. Her hands moved up to grab her hair almost comically. [color=d1b300]“Cass can't keep a secret for shit! If we tell her before and say not to tell Leon… she'll really try, but she'll get excited and let it slip in an hour. She'll do the same for my other friends too, but it's easier to just… Tell them. Ugh- why did we set up your brother and my friend?!"[/color] It was a bit of a dilemma in Trisha's mind. Trying to make sure both found out from the source, but that there were no opportunities for Leon to plan. But how… [color=d1b300]“We… We'll have to tell them both in the morning before everything. No, then it'll ruin the surprise with Leon like you said- then we'll just tell Cass in the morning and make sure she won't have a chance to see Leon until he also knows!"[/color] [color=577d06]”Woah now, don’t go blaming us just because we were being nice inviting him on our arcade trip. It’s neither of our faults that they just so happen to be… Uh… The same person? It’s a little weird, right?”[/color] he asked, brow furrowing and gaze turning down to Trisha full of confusion. [color=577d06]”I hope that works though. You think she’d be able to refrain from texting him? Or your friends?-”[/color] Casey tried to hide the expression of panic in his eyes as he thought about one more factor that was involved here. Stuffing it back down, he took a deep breath. [color=577d06][i]No. The Old Woman is a steel trap. She knows that a proposal is special. God, will she bother with English? Will she like Trisha? Will she withhold the ring because of that? I know she’s not racist, Cheverron and Ninne, Marco and Alita, Oletta and Jamarcus… Hell, Mom’s half Native. No, That would never be an issue. Trisha’s smart, funny, independent. All qualities she’ll like. This’ll go fine.[/i][/color] [color=577d06]”-Y’know, I mean… Maybe we can trust her? Like… Is there any possible way we can invoke some kind of internal discipline in her? She seems like the type who knows what locking it down really means.”[/color] Casey offered, just trying to see if Trisha had any faith at all. [color=d1b300]“Point her towards an exciting project and she'll forget Leon- and everyone else- exists until she's done."[/color] Trisha's response was very blunt. She knew Cass never meant to share secrets like that. And there were some things she managed to keep hidden… more deeply personal things, or difficult things other people shared with her. She wasn't someone to spread that kind of thing, even if she was incredibly open herself. But when it was something exciting? Good news? That was where she really struggled. It just slipped out. [color=d1b300]“Otherwise, she'll probably be able to hold off texting for a few hours. Really… As long as they don't text otherwise, it'll be fine. She won't go out of her way to share it, she just… can't hold it in when she gets talking."[/color] Casey nodded, thinking about what she meant by exciting project. What counted? Would it be bad to ask her to work on something for them? [color=577d06]”If we asked her to make us something, do you think she would? I was thinking of something digital, like a thing we can use to keep track of events that happen in our lives. Something private, not like a social media thing, but like… I don’t know. A digital scrapbook or something. That I can learn how to use, and that we can teach the kids how to use as they get older. So they have an introduction to computers too. Something wholesome.”[/color] he offered the idea. [color=577d06]”Obviously, I know you could do something like that too. But, if it’s her doing it because she knows this is coming, I bet she’ll put a thousand times more effort into it, because she loves you like that.”[/color] he added. Trisha thought about it… it was a really nice idea. While she did have social media she didn't use it as much as people might expect. When she was at her loneliest, sure… but she was also a private person. Everything uploaded was only surface level. But something just for them, that they could use together would be really nice. A scrapbook without any of the hassle of the physical thing. [color=d1b300]“She would. I think you're right that… she'd put a lot of effort into it. And just be really excited to do it. I think she'll struggle way more with making it easy to use than actually making the thing. Not- not that I think you need it to be super easy! Just for our kids."[/color] She smiled up at him, genuinely happy he was trying to find a solution to make it work for them all. [color=d1b300]“That’s honestly a really sweet idea. Then we'll have to start taking photos together as well… to fill up the digital scrapbook with everything important. And it should distract Cass for at least a day or two! So long as Leon can handle her disappearing into a coding hole."[/color] [color=577d06]”If anyone has the ability to bring her [i]out[/i] of the hole for a few hours, it's him. Mr. Magnet naturally attracts, y’know?”[/color] he laughed, thinking about how dogs often are. A memory of two strays in Libya, both lounging in the shade of a nearby building… Until one decided to choose violence, and batted the other one on the face before breaking into a sprint that the victim matched with fervor. They chased, chomped, pushed, batted and pawed at one another until they eventually wound up back in the same spot. Curled up half on top of one another, tongues lolled out in the desert heat. The joy of being a dog… [color=577d06]”But, that’s what we’ll do then. Tell her that day, and get her onto a project immediately. By the time Leon gets home to pick her up for their thing, he’ll have already messaged her, and she’ll have fallen into the code zone hours prior. Everything’ll work out exactly as we need it to.”[/color] he smiled, rubbing her arm. Trisha smiled back, tilting her head towards his. [color=d1b300]“It's perfect. Is it… a little evil for us to plan it out like this to make sure everything works out? I don't feel bad, really, but it feels a little manipulative. I guess it's not our fault that can't keep their mouths shut, is it? Do you think we need to worry about anyone else?"[/color] Casey shook his head with a laugh. [color=577d06]”I live in a Cult, Babe. They’re all a risk. My rule of thumb? If my Mom doesn’t mention it offhand in a veiled insult or backhanded compliment, she hasn’t seen a vision of it. She’s incapable of holding onto the knowledge, because all of her power comes from people knowing that she knows [i]something.[/i] Her prescience isn’t perfect; so she’s made a lot of spells to make up for it. If I cancel those spells out, which I can and often do, then she’s got nothing besides what she tells us she knows…”[/color] He trailed off for a moment, thinking about what he was trying to rope back into the conversation at this point. [color=577d06]”Which… Makes me assume she doesn’t know about this place. She’s never actually seen it, because she’s never alluded to it. Never made you feel uncomfortable, or even tried to relate it back to you. The only thing I think she’s seen recently is… Her death. Which means [i]someone[/i] makes it happen… Because when she does see something, she’s always right. Just… Food for thought.”[/color] Trisha wasn't sure what to feel hearing that. Relief that her special place was safe. Relief that Lynette would definitely die, and with it all the restrictions would go, but… that was still Casey's mom. She felt guilty about feeling that relief. Happiness, even. Because she wasn't faced with years of dealing with a mother-in-law like Lynette. Their children would never have to. Everything she saw would happen… and if she hadn't mentioned it, she hadn't seen it. It was an extra insight into her magic. Knowledge was power, and knowing how it worked made it seem a little less terrifying. [color=d1b300]“If you know Lynette's definitely going to die…"[/color] Trisha frowned a little, twisting herself in Casey's lap to look at him while hugging as close to him as she could. [color=d1b300]“Does it not make you… sad at all? I know she's treated you awfully, but she's still… your mom…"[/color] Something else Casey had already been thinking about on his own time… It was a good question from the outside, but when he got down to the real dirt of it, there was only one answer every single time. [color=577d06]”It’s like having a sick animal. Or, like a Triage thing. I can’t stop the wound, it’s haemorrhaging, my hands are slippery and fucking… Gripping onto a limb that isn’t there. Do I have time to be sad? Yeah, like every second I’m squeezing the artery I’m sad, because I know I’m making a bad decision trying to keep it alive. Makes me think I should just finish the job before the Lord does. Makes me resentful of the situation, and then I can roll it right back around to being resentful directly to her. And when I get like that? I really think I could be the one who does it. She hasn’t said it's me, so I don’t think it will be. But, if anything, that just makes me feel a little worse… Because I’ll keep pressure on the wound until the heart stops beating. I’m dumb like that…”[/color] he admitted fully. It was an intimate thought, but ultimately not useful. He’d only ever loop back around over and over again, never fully able to end the cycle himself. He found that he too was a prisoner of the circumstance, despite having escaped it for so long. [color=577d06]”I feel bad that I’ll miss living like I do. I’ll feel bad knowing for the rest of my life that I actually appreciate the intricacy of the suppressive web of surveillance my Mother’s created. That, in spite of it being used for evil, if you play by all the rules then you’re more safe and secure and cared for than the President after a colonoscopy. If my Mom loves you really and truly, you’re never far from a nest of security and stability. I really wish you could see all the good and beautiful moments I did get to see… Maybe then it wouldn’t feel so bad saying that I only wish it would come sooner.”[/color] he finished, voice solemn and low. It wasn’t the answer Trisha had expected. She looked at him with a slight, confused frown. In a way, she could understand what he said about feeling sad that Lynette’s ‘suffering’ was being prolonged. How horrible would it be knowing you were going to die- going to be killed- and just having to keep going. Knowing the exact moment it would happen… She could sympathise, even if it was someone like Lynette. And because it affected Casey like this. He didn’t deserve to have to think about it. To consider what was worse: waiting for her to die, or killing her himself. But she couldn’t understand appreciating the surveillance web. Because it kept you safe if you played by the rules? Safe from threats that were partly there because of the cult itself? Security and stability… Secure, perhaps. But stable? Maybe it was before now, but to Trisha it hardly seemed stable. [color=d1b300]“You don’t have to feel bad for wishing that. I understand that it’s… inevitable, and only dragging everything out. Like she has to wait until the moment she’s foreseen, when she’s finally killed, happens. I can see that.”[/color] Trisha spoke quietly and evenly, doing her best to be… neutral? Or, to not immediately question what Casey was saying and point out the flaws she saw in his logic. [color=d1b300]“But I don’t think I’ll ever understand wanting that surveillance, even if I did see those moments. Because… is that security really worth losing all your freedom? Is it even [i]real[/i]?”[/color] Casey nodded. [color=577d06]”It’s an ideal. Nothing like that could ever really be permanent, right? But I believe that there are individuals, alive today, or who will be alive one day, who are capable of being benevolent. Of taking an apparatus like that, and stripping it of all the fear and the shame and the guilt, and just… Protecting people. Gently. Without overstepping, or intruding. An even hand, an applied without passion or malice, and always with objective good in mind.”[/color] Ah… These core beliefs… Things that Casey felt deep inside himself, coming out in little bursts. Hypotheticals, imaginary scenarios, ideal what ifs. Did he believe it was possible? Not likely. It was never the better option, as the effort it would take to reach that point would far exceed the benefit. [color=577d06]”Like I said, it’s an ideal. Never something I’d consider seriously… And as for whatever moments I was talking about? I meant, uh… Lynette. As a person, y’know? A mom? A wife? When she’s at her best, it’s like she’s more than magic. That’s what I wish you could’ve seen. So you could see how sick she’s become. You’d have something to compare it to… But, you accepted what I said. That’s all I can ask for: And ultimately, this isn’t a burden I want you to carry. I can accept you being satisfied once she’s gone and not feel malice over it. Not even blame… She’s dug her own grave, after all.”[/color] Trisha nodded slowly. His ideal wasn’t one she shared but… that was fine. It wasn’t something that would ever become a reality, so it wasn’t a problem. It wasn’t like she had [i]any[/i] lofty ideals like that herself. There wasn’t a conflict there beyond her distaste for being surveyed. It was also hard to believe that there’d been a better Lynette than this. The same Lynette that had threatened to hurt her children? That had manipulated all of her children? But, Casey was right that she’d accepted what he’d said. It wasn’t her place to feel much of anything about it, beyond what Casey needed in support. [color=d1b300]“I won’t feel… anything but relief,”[/color] Trisha admitted. She still felt a little guilty over that- how could she not at all? But, she was confident enough it wouldn’t upset him. Not with him saying he’d accept her being satisfied like that. [color=d1b300]“Like you said… she dug her own grave. Nothing she’s done makes me feel sad about it, I just don’t want you to suffer over it.”[/color] She wrapped her arms around him as best as she could, hands rubbing against his back. [color=d1b300]“It’s almost harder when you know they deserve it, because you feel conflicted, right? Like… My dad. Not very many people know about it, because it was covered up, but he was killed too. And he deserved it. But it was still [i]awful[/i]. He was a shit father, he deserved to die, but… I didn’t deserve to lose any chance of having a dad when I was only fourteen.”[/color] She took a deep breath, shaking her head. [color=d1b300]“Sorry… This isn’t supposed to be about me.”[/color] Casey shook his head, turning closer to her and giving her a kiss on the cheek. [color=577d06]”Don’t even worry about it, my Love. This is about [i]us.[/i] You relating to me however you choose to doesn’t change that as the goal. I love you; and I’m also extremely aware of how strange and possibly unrelatable my current situation is. All I know, is that neither of us deserved to be born into this shit. But together? We’re gonna make it better. Not just for ourselves, but for the next group. And hopefully they’ll take what we teach them, and do it better the next time.”[/color] He patted her on the head, rubbing his palm and thumb in the same pattern at two different points. All he really wanted was to comfort her, and if the memories she had were all bad? He’d rather replace them with new ones. Better ones, and give her the chance to make her own as well. Mostly that… The freedom of choice that came with being born into that kind of freedom. Maybe his glasses were a little rose-tinted… But he knew what was right and what was wrong. Trusted himself to make the judgement. Evil applied for good required careful planning, but Good applied for evil only needed a smiling face. He’d never leash his family with a burden like that. [color=577d06]”It’ll be good. You’ll feel safer, and we’ll both feel totally in control of our own lives. No more attachments we haven’t chosen.”[/color] he offered simply. [color=d1b300]“I can’t wait.”[/color] Trisha pressed her head against Casey’s hand, the repetitive motion comforting. She really was looking forward to it… It was hard to believe that she’d ever truly feel completely safe and in control, but she hoped she would. She could let herself hope like that with Casey. [color=d1b300]“It’ll be nice to live a simpler life. No dealing with people we don’t want to, no politics… We’ll be able to just rest for a while. We both deserve it.”[/color] Even though Trisha had spent the last few years since she graduated barely doing anything… But it was an almost depressive lack of anything. No motivation to get out of bed. Not exactly peaceful or restful. [color=d1b300]“Do you think you could build a hot tub in one of those holes you're going to dig? That’d be nice.”[/color] [color=577d06]”Oh, that’ll be the [i]first one[/i] I dig. We’ll find a nice spring, I’ll rig up some plumbing, we’ll figure out a way to heat it… It’ll be great. I’d actually [i]love[/i] a dip in a nice hot bath myself. Something with a view.”[/color] He’d always liked the water. Whatever fetal connection to comfort in the weightlessness of it just itched a part of his brain the right way. And when it was hot? He almost always fell asleep in the hot tub at the hotels they’d stay in during Max’s fights. It was guaranteed you could find him either melted into a puddle at the bottom of a warm pool, or dehydrated like a raisin in the sauna. [color=577d06]”Maybe we could do something partially underground, like a grotto kinda… Keep it secret? Even from the kids? Where’s Mum and Dad, they disappeared six hours ago on the side-by-side and haven’t come back since?”[/color] he laughed, thinking about them not being worried, just curious. Trisha giggled at the thought. They wouldn’t be able to sneak away like that when they were younger, but by the time their kids were old enough to look after themselves for a few hours… Of course it’d be nice to have a secret place just for them. A little escape. A game for them, almost. Like extra hard hide and seek. [color=d1b300]“It’d be nice to have our own secret little place even when we have a family… somewhere to just relax. The bees can babysit them while we’re going! We’d have to be extra careful, I bet. Our kids will probably be great at figuring these things out.”[/color] She smiled brightly. Something so far off… But something she’d remember and hold onto, so it could become a reality. [color=d1b300]“But if you like hot baths with a view that much… You’ll love the place we’re staying tonight. You don’t even have to wait years and years for it! It’s got a [i]really[/i] nice bath. One of those big, fancy ones.”[/color] Casey perked up quickly. Since all the heaviness was gone, he decided to readjust a bit. Shifting Trisha in his arms, he had access to the sandwiches again, which he took another of and unrolled it. [color=577d06]”You’re serious? Oh my God, I’m so curious. It’s gotta be a long drive, right? I don’t mind, I mean, the Cascades are always nice this time of year. If we see snow, I’d love that…”[/color] he admitted with some shyness in his excitement. Trisha smiled at him like he was the most adorable person in the world. He was to her right now… it was cute how excited he was. Hopefully he wouldn’t be disappointed… [color=d1b300]“It’s not quite that far… I did think about going there, but I didn’t want to drag you that far without talking about it first. It’s closer… but I promise, it’s almost as nice. It [i]is[/i] higher up, so maybe there’ll be snow.”[/color] Though the Cascades were far nicer, at least that’s what she’d heard, there were mountains closer to the coast. Close to St Portwell, even. Where she’d booked wasn’t a well known resort… It wasn’t even really a resort. It was a family run hotel that had ‘miraculously’ recovered from near bankruptcy ten years ago, and thrived in the holiday season since. [color=d1b300]“I booked the nicest room at the place. It’s high enough you can see over the lake it's on, and up the mountain… Nice and private too. [i]Nobody[/i] can see you taking in the views in a nice hot bath.”[/color] Something closer? The only mountain that was closer was Littlehand. It was still [i]technically[/i] part of the Cascades, at the head of one of the ripples closer to the coast. Its ridgeline, if he remembered from hikes in the area, swept low into a valley, then back up on the other side and into the main range. It didn’t have a lot of accessible areas, as a mostly rocky plateau with few patches of actual woodland. The most notable part was the lake she was talking about… Which meant that he knew exactly where they were going. He’d never been, but they had parked outside one summer for a cookout that the family, or maybe someone else, was hosting. One of those big summer carnival things. [color=577d06]”Well no shit! That’s quite a surprise, Babe… If it’s the place I think it is, I’ve never been inside. So, I’m looking forward to it… There [i]should[/i] be snow… So, I’m glad I can keep you warm.”[/color] he flirted a little, kissing her gently now that he was more angled toward her lips. [color=d1b300]“Mmm, you’re great at that.”[/color] Trisha smiled, lips still close enough to his that he’d be able to feel it rather than see it. [color=d1b300]“The [i]best[/i].”[/color] For everything. She tilted her head slightly up and to the side to kiss him, deeper than he’d kissed her. It was still gentle… A long, slow kiss filled with affection. Lightly burning intimacy. Her arms loosely wrapped around his neck, fingers playing with his hair. Her smile was incredibly tender as she pulled back. [color=d1b300]“You’ll really enjoy the inside… of the place.”[/color] She giggled. [color=d1b300]“It’ll be quiet too, this time of year. We’ll be able to really enjoy the time together in peace.”[/color] Casey was smiling widely as she played with his hair and looked up at him full of admiration. He loved her too… Just as much. Maybe more. If he could’ve kept her locked up in a room where he never had to worry, he would’ve… But she’d hate it. She’d probably lose her mind. So, obviously, that wouldn’t be happening. What was left? To protect her and keep her preserved. To preserve the smile, and the goodness in this person. She was choosing him, and he would show her why she was right to do so. [color=577d06]”Y’know the things I worry about? Silly stuff… Like whether or not you’re gonna expect me to go crazier and crazier on these dates. I have to trust that you mean it when you say you’re happy doing anything so long as I’m there, but something in my heart just says that’s crazy… That it’s not possible that I could bring you back to Misty Island and do the exact same thing, and you’d be just as happy as if we went and did something new.”[/color] he tried to explain in the best way possible. [color=d1b300]“It’s not silly to worry about.”[/color] Trisha shook her head. How could she ever call anyone’s worries silly? She was the master of ridiculous worrying. And she understood where he was coming from. Their first proper date he’d taken her on a whole day trip, then they’d stayed the night. Then she’d practically done the same for him. Because she wanted to treat him to something just as nice after everything he’d dealt with in the past week… [color=d1b300]“But I really don’t expect it. I love being with you and you putting in that effort for me is enough to make me happy. You could plan a simple date you think I’d enjoy and then we could end up not going because of some freak accident, and I’d still be happy.”[/color] Her hand moved to his nape, fingers comfortingly rubbing there. [color=d1b300]“I know the effort thing may seem like it wouldn’t include repeat dates but… I don’t know, I feel appreciated whenever you do things for me. No matter how small, because it means you’re thinking about me.”[/color] She didn’t feel like she was explaining it well. It was difficult, because she knew some of it came from such bad past experiences… But she didn’t think the longer she was with Casey the higher her standards for dates would get. Because it was proof that he loved her. [color=d1b300]“I love that you want to take me places when it’d be easier to just stay at home.”[/color] Nodding, he thought he understood what she meant. It was pretty much exactly what he was assuming it was. At least for now, it’d be easy. They were in a place that had easy access to things and places. And, frankly, less reasons to be home. [color=577d06]”But, when we move? And we get away from it all? What’s a date then, camping somewhere else? I guess there’d probably be a million different places to camp that’d be different than the last. Should be easier. Then, it’s just doing special things. Going and scouting it all out myself, hiding little things in the trees for you to find on our walk. Learning what song to play you on the harmonica next to the fire…”[/color] He took another bite of his sandwich, smile plastered across his face as he thought about all the cute ideas he had. About building those same little structures for her, in her honor. Comfortable places she could see herself escaping to one day. Follies, but for more than decoration. Each place would have its own little story. Its own purpose. Trisha's smile matched his. What he was talking about was exactly the kind of thing she meant… Doing special things for each other. Putting in effort. It meant a lot more to her than material gifts or extra fancy dates. Both of those could involve effort, of course but… she didn't need fancy things. Especially not with Casey. She really would be happy to go camping somewhere with him, something she'd never really considered doing. [color=d1b300]“That’s exactly what I mean… the date's ‘simple’ but it's filled with loads of things you've done for me, or I've done for you. Thoughtful, special things that show we love each other."[/color] It was one of the things so many of her past relationships were missing. Not just romantic ones… it was always so material, or physical. There wasn't effort put in in that way. [color=d1b300]“I actually… don't really like gifts a lot of the time. It was something dad used to do to keep us quiet. They didn't have any value. It was just whatever we asked for or whatever was the latest thing. So someone putting in effort for me is always so much more important… I don't need fancy dates and gifts. Just thoughtful ones."[/color] [color=577d06]”A thoughtful gift is a thoughtful gift… If I shower you in them, and you have the reaction toward it that I’m looking for, then is there anything wrong with it?”[/color] His question was mostly because he didn’t want her associating gifts with things like that. He was a naturally giving person, and found times to give to people even in the middle of a war. He wanted to give her everything she ever wanted and asked for; and then more stuff that she didn’t ask for because [i]he[/i] was thinking about her. That’s clearly what she wanted, and he now had a firm grasp on that. [color=577d06]”Y’know, nevermind. Don’t worry; just trust me. I’m not gonna let you down, right? I’m right here.”[/color] he hugged her tightly. [color=577d06]”You want another treat, my Sweet?”[/color] he asked playfully. She cuddled back against him, looking up at him with a perfectly content smile. She did trust him. She knew that any gifts she got from him would be thoughtful… and there wouldn't be that transactional nature to them. The ‘I gave you this so you should be happy with how I treat you' kind of transaction. He'd never do something like that… [color=d1b300]“If it's from you? Obviously."[/color] She giggled in return, pulling back a bit to look up at him expectantly. She assumed it was going to be one of the tasty sweet treats she'd brought… she was more than happy to let him feed her. The two went on long into the afternoon until the sun began to fade once more from St. Portwell's surrounding hills. Amazingly, the picnic’s many treats were never fully consumed, which meant leftovers straight through Thanksgiving. All it took was keeping the pastries fresh, so before they stashed the bag in the trunk, Casey cast a sealing enchantment to prevent unnecessary spoilage. After that, the drive was all that separated them from another wonderful night of peace in a place there would hopefully be no Temple Members in. Or foreign entities attempting to murder them… Casey made way for the highway and broke down the long, winding stretches of forest covered terrain. Miles and miles passed, and thirty minutes turned into almost an hour as they ascended the slopes of Mount Littlehand. By the time they were rolling onto the plateau that held Woldoff Lake, the surrounding conifers and the grounds below them were coated in a thin layer of pure white powder. So fresh it was, that there were no visible tire marks or impressions to be found as they made their way. Not until the parking lot, salted heavily and scraped down to blacktop, did they find any other signs of life; civil or wild. There were a few cars, presumably staff and other guests, but nowhere near overwhelming. That’s the kind of thing he loved, even if the place felt a bit more like The Shining than he wanted it to. The place was exactly how Trisha remembered it. The uncreatively named Woldoff Lodge was a four story building right on the lake, with a wooden log exterior that led to a rustic look. It had once been entirely made of wood, but the interior had been updated for a more modern experience without sacrificing the appearance. The bottom floor had large windows looking into a small in-house restaurant. The three floors above had equally large panes of glass for each room, lightly tinted in the lower half to protect anyone inside from onlookers… not that it was much of a problem out here. Double glass doors sat underneath a simple name sign carved in wood. They looked into a cozy reception area, fitted with comfortable armchairs and a fire just visible from outside. [color=d1b300]“You were right about the snow,"[/color] Trisha commented as they were easily able to park. She stretched her arms above her head, suppressing a yawn. She'd let Casey drive her car from the picnic spot to where they were staying… but not being the one in charge of that had left her almost drifting off. So she was having to blink away travelling sleepiness before she considered getting out. She didn't want to fall over or anything. [color=d1b300]“Just as quiet as I thought it'd be, too! Pretty perfect, huh?"[/color] Sliding out of the car, Casey spoke before he closed the door. [color=577d06]”It’s absolutely pristine, Trisha Bee… You made the right call.”[/color] The door slammed shut behind him, and even though Trisha reactionarily began to get out herself, he was almost instantly at her door trying to open it for her. His hand reached in, offered to guarantee her safety and comfort as she stepped from the car. [color=577d06]”Did you bring overnight stuff? Want me to walk you inside, then come back out and get it?”[/color] he asked genuinely, concerned with her comfort and wanting to do for her even though it was her date to plan. [color=d1b300]“Nope, you have to spend the whole evening uncomfortable or naked!"[/color] Trisha looked at Casey with a totally straight face, fingers wriggling in between his. She managed to keep it up long enough that it might seem like she was actually serious, before breaking into a giggle. [color=d1b300]“I packed a bag for both of us… It's not that heavy, so you should be able to carry it in [i]and[/I] hold my hand. It's in the trunk."[/color] [color=577d06]”Okay, then… I need to reseal the car fully. I’m uh… Probably always going to overdo being safe about things. Moreso when there’s magical firearms: They’re just too dangerous to take a chance on.”[/color] He was still smiling, but in the interest of all that they’d talked about that day, he was planning on being even more transparent than before. More willing and able to inform her of reasonings [i]before[/i] feeling shame and fear over them. [color=577d06]”It serves the same purpose as a lock, right? If someone really wants to get in, they’ll get in. But opportunists, or those simply incapable of breaking the lock, are sometimes the ones who would do the most damage. Makes me feel better.”[/color] He playfully swung their entwined hands to and fro as they sauntered toward the back. Casey could see his breath, and took a big gulp of air in to warm before releasing a cloud of steam down onto Trisha. [color=577d06]”Raaaah… I’m a [i]dragon.[/i]”[/color] he joked, forcing more air out of his nose. [color=d1b300]“Oh nooo, don't eat me,"[/color] Trisha giggled, leaning away from just slightly as if she was trying to escape. Doing his best to still play around while getting the bag, he tucked his lips over his teeth and jokingly clamped down on the top of her head. He even shook slightly, rattling her around as his free hand hunted for the bag and his occupied hand held Trisha in place for the dragon assault. While he was doing this, he was making the funniest roaring noises that he possibly could, trying to make the moment as goofy and playful as possible. A fun memory for the two of them. Trisha giggled away, wriggling in his grip in a barely there attempt to get away. She tilted her head from side to side, but he got her with his play bites anyway. It was so silly, and he sounded ridiculous… but it was so endearing. It made her happy. Her head tilted up in a moment that he was distracted trying to find the bag, and she shot up to kiss his jaw. Then just below his mouth. [color=d1b300]“Will the dragon stop trying to eat me if I keep seducing him?"[/color] Casey couldn’t help but giggle at her attempt to get out of this… Once he felt a bag soft enough to be clothing, he flicked his hand into the loops and tugged it out. The hand still holding her in place squeezed [i]just[/i] a little harder. [color=577d06]”Uhhhh… [i]No![/i]”[/color] With a playful screech, he dove back in. This time, he carefully slipped her nose between his covered teeth and gave just enough pressure that it squished her little nose. Then, he pulled back with utter joy and glee on his face. [color=577d06]”God, I fuckin’ love you… Okay, hold this for a sec? So it doesn’t get all dirty on the ground?”[/color] He let go of her hand, and held the bag up. He’d already lightened it earlier, it seemed. Probably proximity when he hit the picnic basket, or the enchantment had rubbed off, as they were fairly close. It was a funny quirk of his spells, as they all seemed to form a slightly dusty residue. It reminded him of rust, but ultimately it only transferred [i]some[/i] of his spells. Trisha easily took the bag off of him, still giggling. Now totally bereft of hands to hold, Casey slipped into his pocket for his glove, then closed the trunk. Satisfied that it’d be below freezing tonight, he wasn’t concerned about the few stabilized leftovers in the picnic bag. With the key to the car in his gloved hand, he stuck it into the trunk’s lock, and muttered something under his breath. Something [i]French.[/i] But, when he turned the key, there was an orange shimmer that rocked across the vehicle. The moisture from the little bit of snow falling raised up from the surface, dropping back down and splashing against the same spot it was raised from after a moment. Then, like any other electronic lock, the car gave a gentle set of beeps and the lights flashed to inform the driver that the vehicle was, in fact, locked. Casey crinkled his nose, gave one last look out across the snow-covered lake and into the woods surrounding them, then grabbed the bag back from Trisha. [color=577d06]”There we go. C’mon, let’s go get naked in a tub together.”[/color] he joked, grinning widely and offering his hand back out to her. [color=d1b300]“We need to check in first, keep your clothes on,"[/color] Trisha laughed, taking his hand again. She hadn't minded waiting a bit longer as Casey magically locked the car. Sure, he was probably overdoing it, but she wasn't going to argue against more safety. Not that her car was anywhere nice enough for anyone to steal… But his guns? Yeah, they should be kept locked up properly. It was nice to watch him at work too. Squeezing his hand, Trisha led them in through the entrance. They were immediately welcomed by warm air, a fire crackling in the reception's little living room like area. It was pleasantly quiet, with one person waiting behind the reception desk while a few other staff members flitted about. Trisha wasted no time in going right over there. They had a nice warm bath to get into, after all. [color=d1b300]“Hello, I have a booking under… Richoux. Casey?"[/color] Trisha said, turning a bit red. There was a [I]reason[/I] she'd booked it under Casey's name rather than her own, even though she'd paid for it all and everything… She just hadn't thought about having to say it in front of Casey like this. “Let me see… You've booked our suite room for one night, is that correct?” Trisha nodded. “I see you've already paid… Perfect. Here's the card for your room, Mrs Richoux. Please enjoy your stay. The elevators and stairs are just through the door your left.” The receptionist slid a card slotted in a beautifully decorated piece of white card, smiling at Trisha, then Casey behind her. [color=d1b300]“It’s not- Thanks."[/color] Trisha didn't bother explaining, snatching the card and practically dragging Casey towards the doors leading to the elevators. She covered her bright red face with the hand holding the card. [color=d1b300]“My family bailed out this place ten years ago… I didn't want to use my name, but I should've, it would be less embarrassing,"[/color] she mumbled. Casey nodded, giggling to himself as he looked down at her with a little surprise in his heart. [color=577d06]”Oh… Embarrassing to take my last name? Casey [i]will[/i] remember this!”[/color] he joked, leaning down and brushing her hand away from her face with his nose, only to rub it against hers. He was close enough that, like usual, his hair trapped her in a garden of privacy and safety. [color=577d06]”I honestly can’t wait… Even if you want to hyphenate, just hearing it in reference to you just fills me with this feeling like I’ve won… Won life, y’know?”[/color] Trisha felt like she was the one that had won life… if she really got to marry Casey and stay with him forever. Nobody had ever made her feel so loved… so happy. She wasn't sure if he had… But she couldn't exactly deny how he felt? And she was trying to be more confident about everything. [color=d1b300]“[I]We've[/I] won life. We found each other."[/color] Trisha smiled softly at him, tilted her head up so he wasn't having to bend over so much. There was still a light blush across her cheeks, but it lessened with that illusion of privacy… Her smile turned a little more playful. [color=d1b300]“Can you imagine if I hyphenate it? 'Patricia Malaya Vanburen-Richoux'- that's way too much of a mouthful. I'll gladly take your last name. It just felt presumptuous to use it now without asking... I dunno..."[/color] She waved away that awkwardness by rubbing her nose against Casey's, just like he'd been doing to hers. Her smile widened, sappiness combining with playfulness as her eyes creased. [color=d1b300]“But didn't you agree with taking our time? Now you can't wait? Which is it… Did hearing me called ‘Mrs Richoux' make you want to marry me right now?"[/color] She teased. Casey pushed the door open for Trisha as they made their way into the elevator lobby. Probably the smoothest check-in he’d ever done, the hardest part was sliding out his wallet and putting it back away because they never asked for his I.D.. Probably not enough people checking in to care. [color=577d06]”Well, no! No more than I wanted to [i]before[/i] it happened! Besides, taking our time and all that; It’s got nothin’ to do with excitement! I just remember being little and imagining marrying a pretty lady… Feeling excited that she’d be [i]my[/i] Mrs. Richoux. I always assumed there’d be others close by, obviously.”[/color] he joked, knowing that there probably still would be if Leon had his absolute way. The elevators were equally lovely mechanisms, small and meant only for a basic load capacity. Their frames had to contend with their mostly wooden and steel-framed construction, the wood panelling adding far more weight for the sake of matching an aesthetic. He didn’t care… If it was built within the last fifty years, chances were it was still just as safe as any other. Machines weren’t anything to play with, however, so as the doors slid open, he rippled a spell across the frame and up the lines to check the integrity. Since there were no hitches or breaks in the signal, he accepted a “passing grade”, subtly shifting out of the way of the panel so Trisha could actually press the button. [color=577d06]”Tell me this whole place is just wood on wood… Next the bed’s gonna be a big ass four-poster with rough hewn logs as the accent.”[/color] he joked, playfully scoffing at the drastic amount of wood surrounding them. [color=d1b300]“You want a tiny bed so we're forced to cuddle, is that it?"[/color] Trisha teased back, pretending to completely miss what he was joking about. She leaned past him to press the button for the top floor, pressing the card against the reader so it'd actually go up. [color=d1b300]“I remember the rooms being pretty… rustic looking. They keep up the wood theme but it's not so bad when you get inside… Never been in the suite room, though! I bet they go a bit fancier and more modern with it, to keep whoever's rich enough to afford it happy."[/color] She leaned against him with a grin. [color=d1b300]“The bath definitely isn't made of wood. We're not gonna be picking splinters out of each other for hours, don't worry."[/color] Casey thought about how a wooden tub wouldn’t be so bad. The right kind of lacquer, a good sealant, maybe interlocking panels? It’d be difficult with the curve of the tub, but that’s something that would get sanded out through the production… A [i]single block carved tub[/i]... [color=577d06]”I would say that you’ll regret putting that little idea in my head, but honestly you’re gonna love it when I find the right fucking tree to carve a tub out of.”[/color] he chided, smiling widely as the elevator climbed the few short floors. Then his phone went off, totally interrupting the moment. It wasn’t great, especially because it wasn’t a ringtone that he had for someone personal. It was a business call… Nerves spiked, fear consuming him as he imagined having to abandon Trisha here and run back to the city to take care of something. The complications that would create, especially with it being [i]her[/i] date, made his stomach sink. But, his job was his job, and he had to answer it at least. [color=577d06]”Richoux-”[/color] he answered, slipping it up to the side of his head. Trisha would be able to observe the change in his face from professional to annoyed. [color=577d06]”-Why are you calling me from this number then?-”[/color] Casey pulled away from the phone just enough to mouth “Norm” without the shuffling making noise in the mic. At least if it was someone she was familiar with, and without the feeling that there was anything incredibly serious, he nodded to her with some kind of confirmation as the doors to the elevator slid open. [color=577d06]”-Alright, well - Uh -”[/color] pauses; he was waiting for a chance to just hang up. [color=577d06]”-No! No, no, absolutely not, in fact all hands just… [i]Stay away?[/i] Like, the solution isn’t to run in, it’s to pull out. Just monitor, don’t let it get too close to the wharfs or the docks. If you need to use the Resonator, call Gin and have her send a team.”[/color] There were a few more moments of silence where it looked like Casey was actually paying attention… Until he totally dropped the phone from his head to his side and gave Trisha a pained look as they started to walk to the room. This went on for a few moments, until he finally pulled the phone back up. [color=577d06]”Yes. But, only if you end up using it. Otherwise, too dangerous, we’ll just wait until the next time she’s hungry. Understood?- - - Alright. Good luck bud, and please don’t call me from this number if it’s you. It’ll make me feel a lot better if you use your personal.”[/color] Only because ringtones played such a big part in determining his mood away from Trisha. Ringtones were warnings, or horns of arrival depending on who was blowing in. He [i]had[/i] to know who was calling. But, the conversation was done. Done, and hung up, with the phone sliding back into his pocket after very clearly turning it off. [color=577d06]”That’s not happening again tonight… Sorry Baby.”[/color] he said calmly, looking down at her. [color=d1b300]“What’s not happening?"[/color] Trisha asked simply, gnawing on her bottom lip as she looked back at him. They were in front of the door to their room now, but she didn't go to open it. She wanted to hear the answer first. She'd spent the whole time listening with concern. Worry that he'd have to leave her… Then what did she do? She'd want to go back home, of course, but could she? Stay away and pull out sounded good for Casey not leaving but… And he'd turned off his phone. That meant he wasn't leaving, right? But not happening could mean a lot of things. Upsetting things, or inconsequential things. Really the only thing that'd upset her was him leaving… Hopefully he meant there wouldn't be another call. But she couldn't be sure. Casey’s brow furrowed, and he shook his head. [color=577d06]”Phone calls. I’m not getting any more phone calls tonight: From this moment until we leave the building and end our trip.”[/color] he explained with a simple, calm voice. [color=d1b300]“Oh… Good.”[/color] Trisha visibly relaxed, stopping biting her lip to smile at him again. So he wouldn’t be leaving… There was nothing to worry about. Her smile widened further. [color=d1b300]“I guess we can see the room then.”[/color] She reached out for his hand again, beforing turning and putting the card in the door to open it. Excitement slowly building up again now she knew there wouldn’t be anymore interruptions, she gently tugged him inside. The hotel room immediately opened up into a cozy living room-esque space. There was a place to hang their coats immediately on entry, with slippers even provided right by the door. Just a bit in against the soft cyan, wooden panelled wall to their left was a comfortable looking couch. A widescreen TV was set into the wall opposite it. Further into the room, on the right hand side, was a small table. There was a complimentary bottle of wine on it… And past that on the wall opposite the door was a window looking onto the lake. There was even a little booth chair in the window. Just past the couch, the wall opened up into the next room. There were clearly sliding panels that could be used to separate this room and the bedroom visible beyond. Just like Casey had suspected, there was a large four poster bed tucked against the wall. There seemed to be a couple more comfortable chairs through there too, along with a wardrobe, and a slightly ajar door presumably leading to the bathroom. The whole place was cohesively coloured from shades of blues to greens, and in between. It didn’t feel cluttered, but wasn’t so large and open that it felt empty. The wood and more ‘natural’ theme remained even with all the modern amenities and comfortable looking places to sit. [color=d1b300]“[i]Sooo[/i], what do you think?”[/color] Trisha spun around to face Casey as she moved further into the room. [color=d1b300]“Does it get passing marks? You content with the future when you don’t have a job and let me take care of you?”[/color] Casey started cracking up when he saw the four poster bed, walking up to it and gently thumping his head off of the closest post. He was just [i]laughing[/i], like a maniac until he could finally compose himself enough to jokingly point at the bed. His left arm tucked into an L shape, and his finger pointed straight at the post. It wasn’t [i]exactly[/i] what he was expecting, but it was enough for him to get a kick out of it. [color=577d06]”Jesus Christ… It’s… Like I can see the future or something. [i]Imagine?[/i]”[/color] he cracked up again, sliding forward and snagging her up into his arms before spinning them both around in a loving twirl. [color=577d06]”You’re [i]really[/i] gonna take care of me? So my legs and back can just… Atrophy away? You’ll let me turn into a nugget in your arms, and make it so I never worry about anything ever again?”[/color] he asked playfully, popping her up in his arms to let her be as tall as the bed’s canopy. [color=577d06]”Thank you, Babe… I love this place. It’s cozy, warm, and retro without being tacky. I probably shouldn’t care about that last part, but it matters, right? What, the Vibe or something?”[/color] he asked, looking up at her with total admiration. [color=d1b300]“The Vibe, right,”[/color] Trisha giggled, legs wrapping around him as she grinned down at him. [color=d1b300]“I’m glad you like it… otherwise I’d go downstairs and demand another room so you were happy.”[/color] Of course she wouldn’t actually, but the message was there. Them both being happy was important. She leaned forward to rest her forehead against his- an easier task when he was holding her up. At least, she didn’t have to stretch up. [color=d1b300]“I [i]am[/i] really going to take care of you… financially and emotionally. You’ll never have to worry, but you have to keep your legs and back so you can still pick me up like this. What’s the point of having a big, buff boyfriend if he doesn’t carry me around places? I’ll take care of everything else, you can just worry about holding me. That’ll be your job.”[/color] Her smile was both playful and incredibly sweet. She tilted her face up to gently kiss him, for a short moment. [color=d1b300]“But I would still love you if you turned into a nugget.”[/color] Casey’s lips pursed together, making a kissing face at her with a big smile behind it. Of course, when she came down to peck him again, he licked the tip of her nose and let her pull away before laughing. [color=577d06]”If I ever lose my limbs, I’ll make new ones. Nothing will [i]ever[/i] prevent me from being able to pick you up and carry you except distance. You are my new basic rucking requirement, I don’t know if I told you… One-ten, plus another seventy in case I need to carry you and a few kids. I can’t go too far without help, but I’ll get there.”[/color] he smiled, jumping up and down with her in his arms. [color=577d06]”Because, who knows what could happen one day. You may be able to drag me around with a hundred thousand bees, but I don’t have those. Plus, if I can hold the weight long enough, the next step is Family Mech. We call a Green Lux user and have them combine us into a crazy magical flesh mech.”[/color] he giggled, thinking about crazy magic he knew about. Trisha’s face scrunched up at the thought of that. She wasn’t exactly squeamish. She’d seen all sorts of horrific shit as a teen. But the thought of combining with Casey and their kids was just… [color=d1b300]“Can we not do crazy flesh combinations, Babe? Imagine what could go wrong- I love you, but I’m not sure about becoming one with you in [i]that way.[/i]”[/color] While she disagreed with doing something like that, her tone was still light. Not upset. [color=d1b300]“Can’t we just do a [i]normal[/i] mech. I [i]know[/i] we’re talking about you carrying us… but surely you can Orange Lux something? We can use my bees too- then we don’t need some unhinged Green Adept to morph us into each other!”[/color] Casey couldn’t help but keep laughing as he made his way dancing across the room and out into the main area for a nice plop down on the couch with Trisha still in his arms. [color=577d06]”Babe… [i]Please?[/i] Have you ever been magically fused with someone else? Is… Wait, is that… Okay, Wait… Not in a weird way. There was a period outside of Germany where we were hitting some pretty intense strongholds, and… There was an Adept who could temporarily fuse some of us together if we were compatible. I had a partner, and we worked our asses off together as a single Adept for like three weeks.”[/color] Was he seriously trying to convince her to fuse with him right now? And not in a ‘weird way’ - so it clearly wasn’t some weird fetish he’d waited to tell her about. It was just… a magical power thing? [color=d1b300]“I’ve haven’t, and… I’m not an Adept? So how does it work? It’s not like we could merge our magic easily. I don’t really like the idea of not being in control… Or just being fused together like that. We don’t need that kind of magical power, do we? If it’d even do anything cause… Not an Adept.”[/color] Trisha shook her head. [color=d1b300]“Also, I don’t think it’s common to be magically fused with someone. You asked like it’s an everyday occurrence!”[/color] [color=577d06]”Well! I haven’t exactly made a habit of learning about every single abstraction in Sycamore… I didn’t know whether or not you’d ever had the experience is all… Besides! The flesh mech was [i]just[/i] me being goofy. I imagine if that shit ever happened, it’d be purely because we were in such a dire circumstance that there’d be no other choice.”[/color] Casey replied, still grinning and unswayed by her negative reaction to the Family Amalgam. Trisha stared at Casey skeptically for a moment. But it really did seem like he meant it as a joke. It was hard to tell, since Casey was a guy who took some goofy ideas pretty seriously… Like the bee guns. Once she was sure he wasn't going to insist on a family flesh mech, her lips broke into a smile. [color=d1b300]“You’re goofy all the time, how am I supposed to tell? But we didn't have anyone in Sycamore that did stuff like that. Most of our pure Green Adepts were… Well, forced to heal. Aside from one unhinged exception. Also it never would've worked! The coven wasn't like the army… there was no structure to stop constant infighting. I can only think of a few pairs that'd actually work together like that."[/color] She wriggled forward in his lap to cuddle him better, half slumping onto him. [color=d1b300]“It would've been a mess… And I didn't really like people messing with my body. I only really got magic cast on me to get healed, since all the boosting was concentrated on our strongest. Even with the healing… It was normally just enough to not be actively dying. There weren't enough healers to go around."[/color] And none of them liked her enough to put in the effort to fully heal her… Not when she was rich enough to get good non magical medical treatment. It was part of why she had scars for wounds that could've been easily healed without them. Trying not to get caught up in the depressing thought, Trisha pressed her face into Casey's shoulder. [color=d1b300]“There was a metal spider mech, though."[/color] Casey’s face lit up like the sun through an open curtain. [color=577d06]”Of course it’s gonna end up as a Bee Mech! It’d be like a fucking apache attack helicopter with mandibles! Like, like, some sort of search and rescue vehicle stuck behind enemy lines! The Iron Bee!”[/color] he raised one fist into the air, playfully shaking it at the ceiling as he leaned against the couch on an angle, the other arm totally wrapped around her. [color=577d06]”And the kids will pilot it until they can use their own magic! And then, we’ll make a [i]fleet[/i] of them! Holy [i]fuck[/i] we’ll be like a military hive! You’re a genius!”[/color] Casey burst out into laughter again, fully curling around her and tumbling into the couch with her on his chest. [color=577d06]”I love you… [i]So much.[/i] Nobody else puts up with me like this… They always expect super serious Casey. I can feel it now. Whenever someone is uncomfortable with me being too [i]me[/i]. Like I’m annoying.”[/color] he admitted, giving her an idea about what he’d been dealing with in his new position. It wasn’t something he wanted her worried about, but between his position as Blade and some of the rumors that had already spread about how he [i]handled business[/i], there was little hope for him when it came to being cute with ninety percent of the Upper Crust. Only the really important people who had known him as a baby and watched him grow could appreciate who he was. And it was isolating. Purposefully… There was only one way those rumors escaped into the Adepts of the Temple. Only one. Trisha pulled her upper body back a bit from him, wriggling up so her face was actually in front of his while still as close to each other as possible. She hadn’t realised that he was dealing with something like that… and couldn’t imagine thinking he was [i]annoying[/i]. Sure, he could be a lot sometimes. But wasn’t she too, in different ways? Wasn’t everyone? [color=d1b300]“It’d be boring if I only ever got super serious Casey…”[/color] She hovered with her face just above his, hair inadvertently draping over them. It wasn’t the most comfortable position - lying on his chest and holding herself up like that - but she wanted him to see her expression. How she felt about [i]him[/i] too. The soft warmth in her eyes. [color=d1b300]“I love every side of you. I love when you’re being goofy, or when you get sleepy because you’ve gotten too comfortable on the couch… And I also love when you get serious about something, or intensely into it. I [i]especially[/i] love your… soft side with me.”[/color] She smiled at him. [color=d1b300]“Anyone uncomfortable with you being you is missing out… But that’s fine, because then there’s more of you for me.”[/color] Casey didn’t talk. He didn’t need to at that point; everything that needed to be said had been. She was right on, as only she could be. Poignant without skipping the poetry. That’s the Trisha [i]he[/i] knew. Was getting to know, more and more every day. They were getting there, and there wouldn’t be any stopping them. She’d said she didn’t mind him joking. Didn’t mind him being goofy… So he let the moment last. Lingering, he let their breathing synchronize until they were in tandem with one another. Hearts beating in the same rhythm… With a purposeful lack of restraint, Casey let his grip on Trisha slip, little by little until one hand thumped gently against the floor. He hitched his breath slightly. Then, a slow and gentle honk of his nose. Fake snoring, to see how she’d take it. Trisha had lain back down so her head was resting on his chest, tucked in just underneath his chin. She was comfortable and content… Though it would’ve been nice to change clothes before cuddling like this. Or… falling asleep? [color=d1b300]“Casey?”[/color] She asked quietly, getting no response. He did have a habit of falling asleep as soon as they got cozy and they had been hugging for a while… But he wasn’t even in his comfortable clothes? And had it really been enough for him to start snoring? Suspicion crept into her heart. Trisha slowly pushed her torso up, staring at him with slightly narrowed eyes. Watching, trying to judge if he was [i]actually[/i] asleep. She’d seen him sleep a lot. So many times they were cuddling and he drifted off while she was still awake. She was normally content with it but… there! A hint of a smile. He was totally awake. Trisha lowered herself back down, snuggling back against him. But her hands started to slowly creep up… From hugging around him to up towards his arms. With his arm dangling towards the floor, he’d given her the perfect opening. Like a silent killer, Trisha jammed her hands right in under his armpits- the one place she [i]knew[i] was actually ticklish. He had to fight the urge to not break. To not break the character that was his slumber… But as soon as she crammed her hands into his ticklespots, he was up and howling like an animal. [color=577d06]”Nooooo! Not fair, not fair! It was a joke! A jooooooooke!”[/color] he cried, wriggling hard against her and bucking up on the couch until he was actually standing. His arms were pinned to his side, trapping her hands where they were while his own held her up by her bottom… Which he promptly started to playfully smack hoping she would relent. [color=577d06]”Uncle! Uncle! Please!~”[/color] [color=d1b300]“What, I can’t play around too?”[/color] Trisha teasingly pouted. Her legs reactively wrapped around him even though he kept her held up… But she couldn’t exactly get comfortable with his hands constantly moving. It almost backfired on Casey, because she really was in the mood to play around like that too. But eventually she had to relent because it was too unstable. [color=d1b300]“You were joking? I thought you’d [i]really[/i] fallen asleep on me… When we haven’t even had our hot bath!”[/color] When she’d finally let her hands out from under his arms, he wrapped her back up tighter in his arms. Sweeter, like before. [color=577d06]”So… Is that what you want to do?”[/color] he grinned, both eyebrows wiggling. [color=577d06]”Or, should I put on some kind of skimpy outfit for you? Show my appreciation for my beautiful fiance treating me so kindly?”[/color] he half-joked, wondering if that would be the kind of thing she was into… If he’d be picking up a Magic Mike outfit at some point in the future… Trisha giggled, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. [color=d1b300]“Babe… how did you know what I packed you for the night? [i]Matching[/i] skimpy outfits, cause it’s only fair we both get something to look at.”[/color] She was joking, of course… Though there had been a moment where she’d considered packing something like that for herself to wear. But then she’d thought about it, and realised that Casey would probably have a similar reaction if she wore that or nothing- equally loving, that was. He seemed to go more for her looking cute anyway… [color=d1b300]“You can show your appreciation by cuddling me in the bath… And staying awake the whole time.”[/color] She smiled playfully. Since he’d put the idea into her head earlier, she had started to actually have that nice, warm bath with a beautiful view with him… [color=d1b300]“No skimpy outfit necessary… You’re sexy enough as is. Sexier in the water, I bet.”[/color] Propping her up in his arms, Casey leaned back and looked at Trisha with both eyebrows raised. [color=577d06]”Then… Why don’t we both go get warm and wet. See where the night takes us, huh-”[/color] One hand came up, gently poking her on the nose. [color=577d06]”-Queen Bee…?”[/color]