| |
 |
Jora barely stirred when Sage kissed her head, her only response at first a soft, satisfied hum. She could’ve stayed like that forever—tangled up in each other, half-asleep, the quiet lull of the ocean wrapping around their little world. Her heart did that familiar, gentle ache it always did when he spoke—like it could barely hold all of what she felt for him. It was raw and real and impossibly grounding. “I love you too,” she whispered, voice rough and buried in the sheets, but warm with truth. She didn’t need to be fully awake to mean it. She felt him shift eventually, heard the soft rustle of the covers and his quiet promise that he’d be right back. A smile tugged at her lips even before she opened her eyes. He could’ve stayed curled up with her all day and she would’ve been content, but of course he went and did something sweet instead. By the time he came back, her eyes were open, hair tousled and wild across the pillow, but her expression soft and content. She sat up a little as he returned, watching him with that lazy adoration only early mornings and deep love brought. “You’re ridiculous,” she murmured as he nestled beside her again, her smile crooked and full of affection. “Ridiculously thoughtful.” She reached for a piece of fruit but paused, instead brushing her fingers against his cheek for a moment, just looking at him—undressed, unrushed, completely hers. “I still can’t believe I get to keep you,” she said quietly, like it was the kind of truth she still needed to say aloud to make it real. And then, because they were both hungry, she added with a playful huff, “Alright, pass me some of that before I fall in love with you all over again and forget to eat.” |
|
|
| |
|
Sage hadn't put much together....it was just breakfast after all, but it was enough for them to both find plenty that they wanted to pick at. He'd grabbed plenty of types of fruit, some cheeses and crackers, and the like. Sneaky foods they could easily eat in bed. Because he definitely didn't want to leave. It was so nice here. Peaceful. He was just glad to be with her. When he entered the bedroom again, he couldn't help but stare at her as he walked over, slowing his steps slightly. Despite looking like she'd been dragged through the woods backwards, she was beautiful. Perfect. And the way she looked at him stirred emotions deep inside his chest, nearly making him lose control and just latch onto her and never let go. That would be rather extreme though, he thought , so he just set the tray down and settled in again. Her comment brought a light flush to his face, and he grinned at her. "Well, I was getting hungry and...I don't think either one of us wants to get up anytime soon," he noted softly, pecking her cheek as he reached for the strawberries. Though, at her other comment he hummed in agreement, nodding along. "Me either," he noted with amusement. "I thought you'd have tired of me long ago." He shrugged and gave her his normal crooked grin. "I'm still not entirely sure this isn't all just a dream and I'll wake back up on my ship in a few hours," he noted, phrasing it as a joke. He knew this was all real. It just sometimes seemed like a dream. But he was learning. Getting used to things. And he was healing, however slowly. He rolled his eyes at her comment, but passed the tray over to her a bit more. "What, you already kept me up all night, how much more do you want," he teased her. "I hardly think I'm that distracting," he added with a chuckle. He wasn't really trying to start anything new, he was just...messing around, he supposed. Being himself. |
|  |
|
| |
|
Jora shifted as he came in, propping herself up on one elbow so she could watch him—and like always, she did. Watched him like she couldn’t quite believe he was real either. The tray looked lovely, but it was Sage that caught her focus, especially as he slowed a little on his way back to her. That look on his face made her stomach flip all over again. Gods, they were such a mess, weren’t they? But she loved it. “Smart thinking,” she murmured as he pecked her cheek, lips twitching into a faint grin. “Though I wouldn’t mind you feeding me, if you’re trying to earn extra points.” Her tone was teasing, of course—but there was a familiar fondness there too. That subtle warmth that only ever deepened when he was close, and vulnerable, and just hers. She stilled a little at his next words, eyes softening. She didn’t laugh, not right away. Instead, she leaned forward, brushing a thumb across his cheek. “I’m never going to tire of you, Sage,” she said, quiet but firm. “I don’t care how long we’ve got… days, years, decades—whatever the stars give us, I’ll take it. You’re mine. And I’m yours.” Her gaze lingered on his, locking him there with her. “You’re not dreaming. You’re here. With me. This is real. You’re allowed to have it, even if it still feels like you’re stealing something.” She didn’t press it more than that. They both knew what it meant. Instead, she gave him a crooked grin, one brow raising at his little quip. “You’re exactly that distracting,” she snorted, pulling a bit of fruit from the tray and flicking it gently toward him, not caring whether or not it actually hit. “And don’t act like I kept you up all night without help. You didn’t exactly put up a fight.” She smirked, then nudged his leg under the blankets. “But if you’re tired, I suppose I could take a nap on you. You know. Since you’re so cozy and all.” Her tone turned mock-thoughtful, though her grin gave her away. She wanted to be close to him. Always. |
|
|
| |
|
Sage couldn't help the grin that formed on his face at her tease, sort of moving to offer her a berry with a wink. He really didn't mind how she ate....but he was curious to see how she'd react to him actually doing it. "I suppose I could stand to spoil you a bit," he joked, knowing full well he'd spoil her and their daughter as much as he possibly could. His gaze softened as she spoke, moving to take her hand and squeeze it gently. "I have no issues with stealing," he mused after a moment, giving her a soft grin. He was a pirate, after all. He'd survived off of stealing and lying for years. But this? This was honest. Legal. Right. They were together. And that was never going to change. Though, as she mentioned how distracting he was, he snickered softly, judging her with his elbow gently. "Hey, you were sitting on me. Wasn't much I could have done even if I'd wanted to," he huffed, though they both knew they'd quite enjoyed their night and neither of them would have wanted it to go any differently. If one of them hadn't wanted it to go like that, it wouldn't have gone like that. Simple as that. His nose wrinkled in a sort of fond amusement as she mentioned napping on him. "You just woke up," he laughed, shaking his head. "I hardly think you need a nap already," he teased gently. |
| |
|
| |
|
Jora chuckled lowly, giving him that squinty-eyed smile of hers as she leaned forward to take the berry from his fingers—without using her hands. Her lips brushed his fingers as she did, all slow and smug, before she pulled back with an exaggerated little hum of appreciation. “Mmm, not bad,” she teased, popping the berry into her mouth properly and chewing. “You might have a future in this whole husband thing after all.” But when he took her hand, she quieted. Her eyes flicked down to their fingers, then back up to his face. That softness in his expression always undid something deep in her, something she hadn’t even known was waiting to be undone. His words made her smile again—gentle this time, no teasing behind it. “I know you don’t,” she said quietly, thumb brushing along his. “But I’m glad you didn’t have to steal this. That it was given. Freely.” That meant something. He was hers, but not because she’d forced it or demanded it or even chased it too hard. He’d chosen her. Just like she’d chosen him. Still, the mood shifted again when he jabbed her with his elbow, and she let out a mock-offended gasp. “I was graciously gracing you with my presence,” she sniffed, though she was clearly trying not to laugh. “You didn’t complain at the time, if I remember right.” She arched a brow at him then, smirking as she reached to snatch a piece of cheese from the tray and nibble it slowly. Her legs were still tangled with his, and she made no move to shift. In fact, she settled in a little deeper, as if to spite him. “Maybe I do need a nap,” she countered. “You wore me out, pirate.” She grinned lazily, tossing him a look over her shoulder. “You’re the one who said you weren’t going anywhere. I’m just making sure you’re put to good use.” Her hand drifted down to his side, tracing idle shapes along his skin. “You’re warm,” she murmured, quieter now. “I like it. I like you.” That was about as sentimental as she was going to get for the moment—but her expression, tender and tired and utterly full of love, said the rest. |
|
|
| |
|
Sage couldn't help the snicker that escaped his mouth at his possible future with the husband thing, as she'd so eloquently put it. "Good to know you approve of my efforts," he sorted, rolling his eyes slightly as he moved to grab a berry for himself. He knew neither of them would wish anything else, though. When she mentioned he didn't need to steal anything though, he sort of tilted his head at her. It made sense, what she was saying, and he supposed it did bring a soft smile to his face as he thought about it all. "And I'm very glad for it," he humemd softly, quiet for a moment before his mischevious grin broke through. "Though I did steal your heart," he chirped. "Fairly easily, might I add," he noted with a playful wink. Though, as she mentioned needing a nap, he sort of groaned. "We just woke up," he protested. "If you want a nap you'll have to deserve one," he added, clearly teasing. If she really wanted to go back to sleep, he wouldn't exactly say no. Why would he? They had time. Her next comment pulled a soft chuckle from his lips though, and he grinned over at her, eyes glowing with adoration. "Put to good use, huh," he repeated, clearly messing around. "Well, I suppose I have to do something to convince you I'm not so bad and you'll keep me around," he added, sort of just wrapping his arms around one of hers and resting his head against her shoulder. His smile softened more as she continued to speak, and he hummed softly. "I suppose warmth is a nice benefit," he joked, though he was being truthful too. It was comforting. |
| |
|
| |
|
Jora smirked over her shoulder at him, eyes dancing with playful fire. “Fairly easily, huh?” she repeated, scoffing as she plucked another piece of fruit from the tray. “You wish. Took you weeks to even get me to stop calling you ‘that idiot pirate.’” She popped the fruit into her mouth with exaggerated smugness, but there was warmth behind it—because he had stolen her heart. And she wouldn’t take it back even if she could. At his protest about her nap plans, she gave a lazy shrug, letting herself lean further into his chest. “I just think,” she started, dragging her words out on purpose, “that some of us”—a not-so-subtle elbow to his ribs followed—“had a bit too much stamina last night and wore me out. That’s all.” She grinned as she felt him wrap himself around her, and she didn’t even try to hide the way her eyes fluttered at the contact. Jora was still learning how to relax. How to let someone take care of her, be close to her without strings or demands. But with him, it was natural. Easy. Safe. “Well,” she murmured after a moment, voice low, “you are kind of convincing.” Her hand rose to tangle gently in his hair, stroking through the messy strands as she tilted her head slightly to rest against his. “I think I’ll keep you. For a while.” A beat passed. She smiled to herself, and her voice softened even more. “...Forever sounds good too.” She didn’t need to make a big show of it. The promise was already there—in her tone, in her posture, in the way her fingers lingered against his skin and her body instinctively curled toward his. He was warm, in every way. And gods help anyone who tried to take him from her now. |
|
|
| |
|
Sage sort of raised his eyebrows as she snorted, arguing with how easily she'd fallen for his charm. "Ah, but even that was said with fondness," he noted with a grin. "So I think even then, you wanted me," he added, eyes sparkling. He could joke about it, but really his self esteem wasn't close to what he portrayed it as. A lot of his humor was a defense mechanism he'd learned long ago. With Jora, he didn't feel like he needed a defense though. He was safe here. His jokes were just that....playful banter with his wife. His wife. He wasn't sure he'd ever get over the fact that they were finally married. Sage chuckled softly when she elbowed him, sort of playfully wacking her away. Of course, he reattached himself to her a second later, but still. Didn't matter. "You were the one who kept going for so long," he snorted. Neither of them would have taken any less time to do it, of course...but still. A soft smile fluttered across his face again as she mentioned forever sounded good too. "I think so too," he hummed, just nestling in happily. Though, after a few moments or so, he sort of hummed in thought and moved to peer at her. "I know we didn't really plan on Lyra....but do you think she'd want a sibling," he asked. He had to admit, the idea was tempting. And they really had no reason it couldn't happen. But would Jora want it? He wasn't sure. But he thought it would be nice. |
| |
|
| |
|
Jora blinked at him for a moment, her teasing expression softening into something quieter—gentler—as his question landed. A sibling. The idea hadn’t crossed her mind in any real way until just now. Lyra had been a surprise neither of them expected, and while she'd become Jora’s entire world, the thought of adding to that world was… a big one. A vulnerable one. Still, she didn’t flinch. She didn’t turn away. Instead, she reached for his hand beneath the blanket, interlocking her fingers with his as her gaze held his steady. “I think she’d love it,” Jora murmured, voice low, thoughtful. She rolled onto her side to face him properly, propping herself up on an elbow so she could really look at him. He was so close, and she never wanted to be far again. “I never thought I’d have any of this,” she admitted softly. “A home. A daughter. A partner who doesn’t walk away the moment it gets hard.” Her thumb brushed over his knuckles. “But I do. And the idea of giving Lyra a sibling… of raising another little piece of us in a world we’re building together—” She paused, exhaling. “It doesn’t scare me the way I thought it might.” Her smile returned, slow and certain. “I want that too. Maybe not right away, but someday? Yeah. Let’s give her someone to boss around.” There was a flicker of mischief behind her words, a twinkle in her eye that had always belonged to him and only him. And beneath it all, there was love—endless, steady love, wrapped up in warmth and the quiet promise of tomorrow. |
|
|
| |
|
Sage couldn't help but nod with a smile when Jora agreed Lyra would like a sibling. Sage himself didn't have any aside from the baby sister who had died way back when he was little ...but he still loved her. He supposed the few weeks he had with her, trying to care for her and learn about her made him want to be able to offer that to Lyra. She'd have someone to grow up with. Play with. She wouldn't be all alone as he and Jora aged. "I didn't have Liz for very long but....it was nice. I think it would be good for her. Maybe she'll get a sister to grow up with," he noted softly, thinking about all the possibilities. Though, as Jora spoke, he nodded along. "Me either," he noted squeezing her hand. "I expected to die early on that ship, without friends or family or anything like what we have now," he admitted. It hasn't been something he'd really thought about, but he'd always expected to fall in a battle. To be lowered into the waves as a 20 year old captain with no one to remember him by once the rest of his crew died off. He wasn't even sure they'd care to remember him at all. Jace would, but he was an old man with no wife or kids himself. "Soon," he promised as he mentioned not doing it now. No, he was content to wait a bit. Tongrow as a family and get to know lyra more. He wanted to get to know her mom too, who'd be staying for a while. Jace would pick her up to bring her back when she was ready, if she wanted. Theyd made the offer to fix up cabins on the other islands close by too...for her and Selene. He wasn't sure what their answers were yet. But her comments brought a chuckle to his lips and he nodded, squeezing her hand lightly. "I think that's a good idea," he agreed. It didn't have to be now....they had plenty of time. He did think it would be best if they were within a few years of age but....that was still plenty of time. It would happen when they wanted it to. |
| |
|
Overcast and Calm
