(Untitled)

[sai_delgado]

As the sun moves higher in the sky, the light that filters through the window of the room slowly brightens. Long-used to rising early to tend to matters at the stable, she's been awake for a while.

This morning, however, she hasn't yet stirred to leave Cuthbert's side-- instead, Susan is quiet, watching him sleep, a soft smile on her face.

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[key_youth_bert]

For quite some time now, Cuthbert's been in the habit of sleeping later than he ever did in life.

However, considering how early he was accustomed to waking in life, late for him still isn't terribly late, so it's not long before he stirs and opens his eyes as well.

[key_youth_bert]

Cuthbert wonders if she'll be more successful than he was.

He hopes so, anyway.

For now, he falls back into silence.

[sai_delgado]

"I never wanted to come between thee," she says, finally.

"I never wanted to cause thee grief."

[key_youth_bert]

He pulls her a bit closer, one hand going to her hair. "Not your fault. I...if there's any blame for this, it's mine."

[sai_delgado]

"I'll not have thee blame yerself, 'Bert, for that which we've found together, do'ee ken?"

Soft words, but utterly certain, say true.

[key_youth_bert]

"I kennit, Sue."

He pulls back enough to look at her. "But it was my decision to ask, even though I'd already seen his reaction to the idea."

[sai_delgado]

"And I'm -- I'm glad thee did," she tells him, as a little smile reappears.

"Mayhap-- mayhap it'll only take time."

[key_youth_bert]

"Mayhap."

Then, as he strokes her hair back and cups her face in one hand, his smile returns. "And I'm not sorry I asked."

Sorry for Roland--but he can't bring himself to regret this, even for his friend's sake.

[sai_delgado]

Her eyes are shining even though she doesn't speak. Can't speak, mayhap-- and so, Susan leans forward and kisses him.

[key_youth_bert]

Cuthbert leans in deepening the kiss--and then suddenly pulls back as a thought hit him.

"Oh, hell, this means we have to plan a wedding, doesn't it?"

[sai_delgado]

Susan stares at him, and then starts laughing.

"Do'ee kennit, I'd not even thought?"

[key_youth_bert]

He laughs as well, shaking his head.

"I hadn't--I mean, I'd thought about it a little, but hadn't wanted to think about it too much before I'd even asked--"

[sai_delgado]

"Then mayhap ye should be planning," she tells him firmly-- and then hesitates.

"Are yer plans anything like yer naming of creatures?"

[key_youth_bert]

Cuthbert just gives her a deeply, deeply wounded look.

[sai_delgado]

She giggles at his expression.

"... well then. Mayhap we'd best both do what's needed to plan it."

A beat, and she looks a little lost. "Whatever that is."

[key_youth_bert]

"Aye."

Silence for a moment, then, "Mayhap we shouldn't try think too much about when, just yet. There's other things going on--"

He won't mention the Academy, not here and now, but it's what he's thinking of,

"--and I don't think there's any need for haste, really."