Jora barely noticed her own feet moving as Sage tugged her toward the dancing. Her heart was too full, her thoughts too wrapped around him—the way his hand rested so confidently on her waist, how his smile hadn’t dimmed once since the ceremony. It wasn’t a fancy dance, but it was theirs, and every movement felt like a celebration.

By the time they made it to the food, she was breathless with laughter and warmth, sinking into the grass beside him as plates and bowls passed between old friends and family alike. It was chaos—someone spilled a drink on one of the gifts, and one of the pirates started telling an inappropriate story about Sage that Jora definitely stored away to tease him with later—but it was perfect. Loud, warm, full of love.

And then, like the tide drawing back into the ocean, the crowd began to fade. One by one, the pirates returned to the ship, leaving behind lingering laughter and a few scattered ribbons. Her mother and Selene had insisted on keeping Lyra with them on the beach—“You two deserve a night,” they’d said with that knowing look only mothers could pull off. Jora had blushed furiously, especially after catching Jace’s exaggerated wink.

Now it was quiet.

Still.

The kind of stillness that only came after a storm of joy.

She let her fingers twine with Sage’s as they stepped inside, her thumb brushing across his knuckles. The house smelled faintly of seawater, herbs, and the ghost of the evening’s cooking. Her heart ached in the best way possible. This was home. He was home.

She turned to look at him fully now, the golden lantern light washing over his face. “You look good in that outfit,” she said softly, voice quieter now that it was just the two of them. “But I think I like the way you looked when you saw me walking out even more.”

She stepped closer, slipping her arms around his shoulders, holding him close. “Sage… we're married.” The words came out in a soft breath of wonder, like if she said it too loudly, the moment would vanish.

But it wouldn’t. It was real. They were here.

And she was going to remember this feeling forever.

Sage had halted once they got inside the house, sort of just looking around and taking it all in. Their home, the way they could all be happy here together. And there was no reason people couldn't, or wouldn't, visit them either. It was all so perfect.

He turned to look at jora, face still glowing with a faint smile which only widened as he took her in. She was perfect...sure she looked good, and he definitely would have dragged her to the bedroom right away if it were any other time. But first, he just needed to sink it all in. Remind himself it wasn't all a fever dream.

"We're married," he repeated, wrapping his own arms around her, speaking as though he could hardly believe it. It was pretty accurate, actually. "By God, were married," he added, shaking his head as he let out a breathless chuckle.

He met her gaze though, just....looking at her. He hadn't looked at much else most of the evening, in all honesty, emotions changing from enjoying everyone's company and watching her have fun to wishing they were alone, and the both at the same time and back around again. Over and over again. But now that they were here and alone, and had the time they wanted to do ....whatever they wanted, it didn't matter what happened.

"I've waited so long for this," he noted softly, sort of just tugging her in a little tighter. They were a family before ...but this was different. It was just what felt right. They were together forever, and their bond was deeper than just the rings on their fingers ...even if they were much more than sage had expected. But they were worthy of a captain....which sage was, and which Jora had married into as a role. They had their own ships, and while they weren't quite as big as the one Jace now sailed, they might get that way as they had more little hands to help. Or big hands. Maybe family members would move to the islands around theirs. He didn't know. For now, he didn't care.

Jora was the only things on his mind.

And now that they'd had their quiet moment, he was more than ready to start something. So he leaned back slightly and cocked his head at her as if in thought. "How much did you say you liked me in this outfit," he hummed, trying and failing to pull an innocent look over his face.

Sage felt his grin widen as she eyes him, knowing full well what she was thinking. The were both thinking the same thing about each other.... normally that happened the same way. The moonlight coming in through the window probably helped his case, though ....he could admit that.

At her comment, he simply chuckled and shrugged. "I'm a pirate," he noted simply. "And you're not exactly playing fair yourself," he half whined, as he felt her hands travel along his chest, gaze flickering to her lips.

Shed kissed him before he could make the move, but he tugged her in, hands gripping her hips tightly as he kissed her back, leaving their faces only barely apart as they caught their breath. "No one can separate us now," he murmured in agreement, then let out a breathless laugh as she started tugging on him, letting her angle him towards the bedroom.

"Hmm, you'll have to take it off of me too then," he noted with amusement, kicking the door closed as they entered the room and then letting her shove him onto the bed. He let out a small squeak of surprise, though clearly was eager to spend the night with her.

Sage couldn't help the blush that formed on his face as she shoved him over, but watched her as she crawled on top of him, smile lingering on his face. At her comment about planning on playing fair, though, he simply snorted. She never played fair when it came to this sort of thing. She was always a challenge....one he never ceased to like figuring out and tackling.

Her comment after that heated his cheeks up more, but he grinned up at her. "Ah, but you forget, you're a captain now too, love," he purred softly. "And you certainly look the part," he added, eyes glowing.

He kissed her back, tightening his hold on her hands, and nodded slightly as she spoke. "You're the only one," he breathed out. "You'll always be the only one." It was quiet, but he knew their small exchange of I love you was more than just their hormones talking. It was real, and deep, and it was a pause. A lull in the chaos of the evening.

It didn't last long before she'd started to work on his jacket, but it's didn't need to. It had done its purpose. And now? Now he was more than ready for her to take off more than just the jacket. "I did indeed," he chuckled, lips curving wider upwards as he felt her hands roam across his chest, admittedly a little impatient.

Sage couldn't help but chuckle as she spoke up about it, humming in agreement to her comment. "I think both of those sound wonderful to me," he noted lightly, hands wrapping around her hips as she plucked at the last button tauntalizingly slowly.

He leaned into her touch as she moved her hands down his arms, knowing full well she was going to play with him. She always did...some longer than others. But the fleam in her eyes told him she knew damn well how impatient he'd be, and how much fun she'd have making him wait for it all.

Her comment only confirmed it, and he groaned softly, though not with any real malice in his tone. His head had tilted willingly as she nipped at him, back arching slightly as he moved to press against her hands. He wasn't sure he would ever grow used to her, or anything she did. Each time they got passionate, it was still as raw and wonderful as the first time. She could undo him with so little effort, and she knew it. She took advantage of it, though not in a bad way of course.

"You're awful," he sort of huffed, though it was more of a breath by then. Of course, he was more than willing to play along...though in his opinion more clothes needed to be gotten rid of, as good as she looked in them right then.

Sage knew what game Jora was playing....it was a familiar one, and they both adored it. It drove him crazy, each and every time, and while she was better at controlling herself, he knew she was just as impatient as he was. "So I did," he mused, shuddering as her hands moved down his chest. "And I wouldn't change a thing," he added, fingers tightening around her as she leaned in.

Her comment sent a thrill through his body, a breathless curse slipped past his lips. God, she was good at their little game. Really good, and he knew full well he lost each time. He didn't care. But right then, he was drunk on her ....her scent, her touch, the sound of her voice and the feel of her breath on his neck.

She wanted everything, and he wanted to give it to her.

He laughed softly at her comments, tilting his head to the side. "Hmm, I'm not sure that's all together necessary," he teased softly, though gasped softly as she continued to lean on, sealing their lips together in heat and passion.

Her pressed against her best he could, though he knew she'd still play coy. She'd make it slow, and drice him crazy. She'd bare him there, in more ways than one, and they would both enjoy all of it. "If that's all I have to do then tonight is going to be wonderful," he purred softly, meeting her gaze with heavy lids he knew would make her squirm.