She was tidying up after him and he tried not to sulk about it. It didn’t have to be a big deal - she was just trying to help him, make things that little bit easier. But man, did he feel pathetic. He couldn’t even just exist right then, let alone put his own dishes away, much less fight against evil. Who even was he, now? Because he sure as hell wasn’t Raimundo Pedrosa.

Swallowing hard and clearing his throat, he shook his head when she offered her help. No. At the very least, he could pick himself up and get himself to his room. He had to do that. His eyes were burning suddenly, his throat tight, heartbeat a little too fast. He fought to ignore it all and gave her a little smile that didn’t reach his eyes as he pushed himself to a stand, hand braced on the back of the chair to support himself. God, he was so weak now…

“Aight,” he said, forcing life into his voice. “Let’s go sleep forever.”

She laughed softly, a mirthless sound that was just as clearly forced as his smile had been. But he was trying, they both were. “Sleeping forever sounds like the best pastime in the world.”

She threaded her arm around his waist, not to hold him up, but because she wanted to be close to him. To prove the point, she rested her head on his shoulder while they walked.

“It’ll get better,” she assured him. “It has to. It doesn’t have room to get worse.”

She laughed softly, a mirthless sound that was just as clearly forced as his smile had been. But he was trying, they both were. “Sleeping forever sounds like the best pastime in the world.”

She threaded her arm around his waist, not to hold him up, but because she wanted to be close to him. To prove the point, she rested her head on his shoulder while they walked.

“It’ll get better,” she assured him. “It has to. It doesn’t have room to get worse.”

Sleeping for however long they wanted was the very least they both deserved after everything they'd been through. Her closeness was a comfort. Yes, there was still that initial jolt of panic - it'd been months, after all, and he'd been a very real danger to her throughout that time - but he was able to calm himself a little quicker each time. It was safe now. He was safe now, for her to be around.

She leaned her head on his shoulder as they walked and his heart panged in response. It was so sweet. So trusting. He couldn't believe she still loved him the way she did.

"Yeah. It can't get worse," he agreed, shaking his head. It could. It had been worse just a couple of days ago, much worse. But Tromus and Sugracha were dead. He'd seen so many things since coming here to the Temple, but people coming back to life wasn't one of them. They were gone, and it was safe now.

When they reached his room, he opened the door and stepped aside so she could go first.

I'm just trying to draw Rai (。-ω-)

Part of him couldn’t help still wondering if it would have been for the best. Things were incredibly hard right now and he knew what a burden he was on everyone at the Temple. But no - logically, he knew they’d grieve. The burden of loss would be greater than whatever this was.

Swallowing hard, he nodded. “Yeah, I do.” Simple as that. He wanted her around, to know she was safe, to marvel in the fact that they could occupy the same space again for the first time in months, that they’d come out the other side of this alive. That it was finally, finally over.

And the positives. Maybe his brain was fucking broken and he spent half his time completely checked out and it was scary, but he’d managed a solid meal. He’d had a shower, a shave, a hair cut today. With every tiny painstaking step, he was dragging himself back to normality. It was so fucking hard, but… doable, right?

Relieved that he still wanted her there, she nodded and rose, clearing the dishes off the table, but leaving them in the sink. They could be washed later.

“Want some help getting up?” she wondered. It would be so easy to fawn over him, help him until he resented being helped. But he was so independent, and so hated being viewed as weak. Taking help from her was as much a choice as everything else in their lives.

As much pain as they were in just then, she was still so in love with him. It was possible that her love for him made all of this harder, but she wouldn’t trade it. Not for anything.

Relieved that he still wanted her there, she nodded and rose, clearing the dishes off the table, but leaving them in the sink. They could be washed later.

“Want some help getting up?” she wondered. It would be so easy to fawn over him, help him until he resented being helped. But he was so independent, and so hated being viewed as weak. Taking help from her was as much a choice as everything else in their lives.

As much pain as they were in just then, she was still so in love with him. It was possible that her love for him made all of this harder, but she wouldn’t trade it. Not for anything.

She was tidying up after him and he tried not to sulk about it. It didn't have to be a big deal - she was just trying to help him, make things that little bit easier. But man, did he feel pathetic. He couldn't even just exist right then, let alone put his own dishes away, much less fight against evil. Who even was he, now? Because he sure as hell wasn't Raimundo Pedrosa.

Swallowing hard and clearing his throat, he shook his head when she offered her help. No. At the very least, he could pick himself up and get himself to his room. He had to do that. His eyes were burning suddenly, his throat tight, heartbeat a little too fast. He fought to ignore it all and gave her a little smile that didn't reach his eyes as he pushed himself to a stand, hand braced on the back of the chair to support himself. God, he was so weak now...

"Aight," he said, forcing life into his voice. "Let's go sleep forever."

Her smile was so tiny that it would’ve broken his heart if the thing wasn’t already smashed to smithereens. He focused on the way her hands felt around his, the warm familiarity of them and the way he could feel how much she loved him in her touch alone. Who knew when he’d zone out again? The thought scared him, knowing how upsetting it must be for everyone around him, let alone how unnerving it was for he himself. But they were working on it, right? The music and use of a fan had helped last time, he was sure. She was so damn smart.

“I know,” he told her softly. He knew, because he felt exactly the same. There was no way he’d ever leave her in a cabin to die, no matter how much she begged him. “… wasn’t fair for me to ask you to.” His voice was quiet, a little shake of his head. “M’sorry.”

For now, he finished up his dinner and water, slower and less enthusiastic than he would’ve been a few months ago. But he finished. Solid food - that was progress. And still, his hand remained between hers.

“… Real tired, linda. D’you wanna… go to bed?”

“It’s okay,” she breathed. “You were hurting so much. And you thought it was best for everyone.” A part of her wondered if he’d ever grow to resent the fact that she’d done all those things against his wishes. He said it was okay, but would it always be?

She watched him eat, picking at her own food, slow and careful, not really hungry, but knowing that she needed to eat, too. Someday soon, he’d be able to down a whole burger again, and he’d look and feel amazing. She had to hold onto hope and keep the faith that that was true, and not just wishful thinking.

Sleep. Even though she’d been sleeping better since he’d gotten home, she was running on a deficit. Sleep always sounded good. She nodded minutely. “Do you still want my company?” she checked. God, if she never had to let him out of her sight again, it would be too soon. But if he asked her not to be there, she’d respect his wishes. He always, always had a choice with her.

“It’s okay,” she breathed. “You were hurting so much. And you thought it was best for everyone.” A part of her wondered if he’d ever grow to resent the fact that she’d done all those things against his wishes. He said it was okay, but would it always be?

She watched him eat, picking at her own food, slow and careful, not really hungry, but knowing that she needed to eat, too. Someday soon, he’d be able to down a whole burger again, and he’d look and feel amazing. She had to hold onto hope and keep the faith that that was true, and not just wishful thinking.

Sleep. Even though she’d been sleeping better since he’d gotten home, she was running on a deficit. Sleep always sounded good. She nodded minutely. “Do you still want my company?” she checked. God, if she never had to let him out of her sight again, it would be too soon. But if he asked her not to be there, she’d respect his wishes. He always, always had a choice with her.

Part of him couldn’t help still wondering if it would have been for the best. Things were incredibly hard right now and he knew what a burden he was on everyone at the Temple. But no - logically, he knew they’d grieve. The burden of loss would be greater than whatever this was.

Swallowing hard, he nodded. “Yeah, I do.” Simple as that. He wanted her around, to know she was safe, to marvel in the fact that they could occupy the same space again for the first time in months, that they’d come out the other side of this alive. That it was finally, finally over.

And the positives. Maybe his brain was fucking broken and he spent half his time completely checked out and it was scary, but he’d managed a solid meal. He’d had a shower, a shave, a hair cut today. With every tiny painstaking step, he was dragging himself back to normality. It was so fucking hard, but… doable, right?

xiaolindude​:

Another small smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. It felt strange to even want to smile anymore, and she wished her face would do what she told it. But even if she’d managed to smile all the way, her eyes would have betrayed her, the sadness and weight of months still lingering there.

Reaching out, she covered his hand with her other one, resting it on top of both of theirs. “I will never give up on you, Raimundo Pedrosa.” His name was a breath, a prayer, spoken in a soft voice, pronounced right for the gravity of the situation. “Even when you think I should. Even when you think I should have long ago. It’s just… it’s not who I am.”

She didn’t want him to go home, but she did. It was what was best for him. If that meant she had to go on missing him for months, so be it. But she’d still be waiting at the end of it, her faith in him unwavering. Sometimes it felt like it was the only thing that held her together the past several months.

Her smile was so tiny that it would’ve broken his heart if the thing wasn’t already smashed to smithereens. He focused on the way her hands felt around his, the warm familiarity of them and the way he could feel how much she loved him in her touch alone. Who knew when he’d zone out again? The thought scared him, knowing how upsetting it must be for everyone around him, let alone how unnerving it was for he himself. But they were working on it, right? The music and use of a fan had helped last time, he was sure. She was so damn smart.

“I know,” he told her softly. He knew, because he felt exactly the same. There was no way he’d ever leave her in a cabin to die, no matter how much she begged him. “… wasn’t fair for me to ask you to.” His voice was quiet, a little shake of his head. “M’sorry.”

For now, he finished up his dinner and water, slower and less enthusiastic than he would’ve been a few months ago. But he finished. Solid food - that was progress. And still, his hand remained between hers.

“… Real tired, linda. D’you wanna… go to bed?”

remember in Bird of Paradise where the old lady was literally drowning in the river, rai immediately went to go help her but omi stopped him and said ‘master fung told us not to stray from our quest’ (i’m paraphrasing but that’s the gist)? and then rai pushed omi over and went to go help the old lady anyway?

like. omi. were you really about to let this old woman drown for the sake of honouring your quest or whatever? or for the sake of obedience?

shit like that is exactly why you didn’t deserve to be leader, little dude.

Sometimes inspiration just strikes. A full rundown of this progress is up for patrons!

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"The walk it is," he confirmed. Whatever she wanted from him, he'd give. Anything in his power, he'd bestow upon her. If she outright asked for a proposal, he'd give her one, regardless of his fears.

The proposal... How long did they have until Trevor returned? How few days did he have left to figure out the safest way of proposing to Rapunzel without putting her in danger? He mulled it over in his mind again and again as they made their way to the front door and, as usual, came no closer to an answer.

For now, he let the warmth of her hand in his pull him back to the present moment and smiled across at her. "Looks like we might just manage to avoid the rain," he noted, glancing up at the dark clouds blanketing the sky. "If we make haste."

"Ah, but what is getting wet?" she mused, drawing his cardigan closer about her shoulders. She really did need to start dressing more warmly, given the turning of the season. Though she had forsaken her summer dresses by now, she had not yet begun wearing her warmer coats, and she was finding herself to be weak to the cold. "We have already done that, today! It is nothing new to our sensibilities!"

Still, she shifted her grip to his arm, holding it for both the familiarity and the warmth. "Should you like to take the carriage instead?"

"No, darling. I should prefer the walk, wet or dry. All the more time to spend with my future wife..." He liked calling her that, a thrill of excitement racing through his veins every single time. They really were to be wed, weren't they? And to think, if you'd asked him a year ago, getting married would have been at the bottom of his list of priorities. Strange.

She held onto his arm and he had to resist the urge to lean across to kiss her temple. They were out of the house now, and it wasn't worth the risk of causing a scandal.

"Yourself. Anything else you wish, but I'm going to have to insist that you bring yourself," he played, raising an eyebrow at her with a smile. Ahh, but they couldn't stall any longer, could they? He didn't want to risk her getting in trouble with Madam Gothel. That woman was capable of outright cruelty, that much he knew, and he'd do whatever he could to spare Rapunzel.

With a sigh, he pushed himself to a stand, then held out his hand for her. "Would you prefer the walk or the carriage?"

"Then myself, I shall have to be certain to bring!" she teased back with a giggle.

Placing her hand in his, she got to her feet as well, arranging her skirt so that it was not rumpled. She hated this part dreadfully, where they had to bid goodnight to one another. But then he gave her the option of not parting just yet, and her heart leapt at the chance.

"The walk, if you do not mind, please," she smiled, and gave his hand a squeeze.

"The walk it is," he confirmed. Whatever she wanted from him, he'd give. Anything in his power, he'd bestow upon her. If she outright asked for a proposal, he'd give her one, regardless of his fears.

The proposal... How long did they have until Trevor returned? How few days did he have left to figure out the safest way of proposing to Rapunzel without putting her in danger? He mulled it over in his mind again and again as they made their way to the front door and, as usual, came no closer to an answer.

For now, he let the warmth of her hand in his pull him back to the present moment and smiled across at her. "Looks like we might just manage to avoid the rain," he noted, glancing up at the dark clouds blanketing the sky. "If we make haste."

Her eagerness was a balm to his troubled soul, and he relaxed for the moment, a smile tugging at his lips. She held his hands; he glanced down at them, only to smile wider and return his gaze to hers, squeezing her fingers as he did.

“And we could take lunch in the garden, if the weather permits,” he suggested. How long could they get away with? How long would Gothel allow Rapunzel to be away for? Well, Rapunzel had every right to court him, and he had every right to invite her to his home for however long they both wished. He outranked Gothel without question.

He glanced down at her skirts, then back up again. “How is your dress?”

She gave his fingers a squeeze in return, feeling calm and confident and like nothing could harm her, so long as she was with him.

"Lunch in the garden would be wonderful! Is there anything I can bring?" After an invigorating morning, learning to ride Benison, they would get to share a lovely and intimate lunch together! "I am already looking forward to it!"

"Yourself. Anything else you wish, but I'm going to have to insist that you bring yourself," he played, raising an eyebrow at her with a smile. Ahh, but they couldn't stall any longer, could they? He didn't want to risk her getting in trouble with Madam Gothel. That woman was capable of outright cruelty, that much he knew, and he'd do whatever he could to spare Rapunzel.

With a sigh, he pushed himself to a stand, then held out his hand for her. "Would you prefer the walk or the carriage?"

you cant tell me he wouldnt make him his own SRC evil theme song

"Oh, yes please!" Rapunzel breathed, her eyes imploring. "This house might be my favorite place in the entire world!" Perhaps she should not have said that out loud, but she did very much want Sofia and Rai to know that their hospitality did not fall upon an ungrateful heart. "I would stop by daily if I thought I could get away with it. I shall need to return Doroteia's stockings, after all. They shall be clean, I assure you."

She glanced at Rai again, basking a moment in the very idea that she had a right to spend time with him. For some reason, that had not occurred to her! She shifted her hand under his, allowing her thumb to brush against the back of his hand. Some day, she should never have to leave again. Someday, this would truly be her home.

Her tea was almost done, and her stomach sank at the thought that this would be it for the night. She did not want to go! But she must not weep, despite the fact that she had the sudden urge to.

When their tea was finished and Sofia and Ela had said their goodbyes, Raimundo and Rapunzel were left in the parlour alone once again. Still sat on the floor by the fire, empty cuts and plates taken away by Nancy to be washed.

Rai looked at her, knowing they couldn’t keep putting it off, knowing she had to return soon to avoid angering Gothel even further. “… the day after tomorrow,” he said decidedly. “Would you come back here? Not for baking or embroidery, but… for me.” He rubbed the back of his neck almost sheepishly, a faint blush dusting his cheeks. “Perhaps I might teach you to ride Benison, like we discussed the other day…?”

Rapunzel's eyes lifted to meet his, and she felt a thrill of electricity, as when their eyes would meet from across the room. A blush lifted to her cheeks, but was outraced by the smile that appeared there, brilliant as the sun, burning away the clouds the the darker mood that had been settling upon her.

"Yes!" she declared, almost before he'd finished talking. "Yes, of course!" She was very eager to learn to ride, but she was more eager to be invited here for him! Without thinking, she reached over and took both of his hands in hers. "I should like nothing more, I assure you!"

Her eagerness was a balm to his troubled soul, and he relaxed for the moment, a smile tugging at his lips. She held his hands; he glanced down at them, only to smile wider and return his gaze to hers, squeezing her fingers as he did.

“And we could take lunch in the garden, if the weather permits,” he suggested. How long could they get away with? How long would Gothel allow Rapunzel to be away for? Well, Rapunzel had every right to court him, and he had every right to invite her to his home for however long they both wished. He outranked Gothel without question.

He glanced down at her skirts, then back up again. “How is your dress?”

Immediately upon the touch of his hand, her heart rate picked up, and she lifted her cup to her lips so she could swallow without being obvious about it. Subtly, she lifted her pinky to rest it over the tops of his fingers, a slight but present way to acknowledge and accept him. Why did she think about kissing him now? Why did her pulse race anew at the memory of his hands mapping the shape of her clothes body?

She sipped her tea, her blush not remotely ebbed for her thoughts.

"Then I shall bring them upon my next visit," she assured Ela, loathe to begin ignoring her simply because of her thoughts and emotions. "And if I have my say, my next visit shall be quite soon!"

Her eyes were drawn to the mantle clock, and her just-rapidly beating heart felt as though it seized in her chest. "But alas... once tea is done, I ought to head home... Madame Gothel will be wondering after me."

How she wished that wondering was as warm and inviting as Sofia's was. More and more with every visit and interaction, this place felt like home, and the place she lived felt like some sort of punishment. What wrong she could have committed, she did not know, and yet her life had recently taken such an abhorrent turn.

Her blush didn't escape his notice and he grinned, eyes fixed on the fireplace as he tried to control his expression. This was utterly ridiculous! But she was sat by his fire, wearing his cardigan, and only minutes ago her mouth had been on his and her palm had been rubbing up his thigh... He swallowed hard at the memory, willing it away. It was inappropriate for a Lord, particularly with his mama and youngest sister in the room!

Sofia's expression soured a little at the mention of Gothel. That dreaded woman. "I am sure we will see fit to inviting you here most often, dearest," she assured the young woman. "For baking sessions, for stitching with my girls, for visiting the man you are courting..." She looked pointedly over at Rai, who was still gazing resolutely at the fire. "You two have every right to spend much time together, given your courtship, after all."

Gosh, but he didn't want Rapunzel to leave. He was finding himself colder without her, missing her with a physical ache every time she returned to Gothel's side. And he had only himself to blame for drawing out their courtship. They could be engaged right now, if not for his cowardice. His mind whirred with all the ways he could get her out of Gothel's sights, to grant her a reprieve from that awful woman.

"Oh, yes please!" Rapunzel breathed, her eyes imploring. "This house might be my favorite place in the entire world!" Perhaps she should not have said that out loud, but she did very much want Sofia and Rai to know that their hospitality did not fall upon an ungrateful heart. "I would stop by daily if I thought I could get away with it. I shall need to return Doroteia's stockings, after all. They shall be clean, I assure you."

She glanced at Rai again, basking a moment in the very idea that she had a right to spend time with him. For some reason, that had not occurred to her! She shifted her hand under his, allowing her thumb to brush against the back of his hand. Some day, she should never have to leave again. Someday, this would truly be her home.

Her tea was almost done, and her stomach sank at the thought that this would be it for the night. She did not want to go! But she must not weep, despite the fact that she had the sudden urge to.

When their tea was finished and Sofia and Ela had said their goodbyes, Raimundo and Rapunzel were left in the parlour alone once again. Still sat on the floor by the fire, empty cuts and plates taken away by Nancy to be washed.

Rai looked at her, knowing they couldn’t keep putting it off, knowing she had to return soon to avoid angering Gothel even further. “… the day after tomorrow,” he said decidedly. “Would you come back here? Not for baking or embroidery, but… for me.” He rubbed the back of his neck almost sheepishly, a faint blush dusting his cheeks. “Perhaps I might teach you to ride Benison, like we discussed the other day…?”

"Meteorology," Rapunzel supplied the word to Ela. "That's the study of the weather. You know, I shall go through my papa's books and see what I can find on animals and rocks and weather! It seems he had quite a fascination with eggs, so I hope you are prepared to learn as much as you can about birds and reptiles!"

Honestly, she knew quite a bit about all the things Ela was interested in. She had a sizeable rock collection at home, and had studied her samples profusely. She could also identify several types of clouds and say what the weather patterns surrounding them were.

Again, she caught Rai's eye and her smile broadened, and perhaps her cheeks got a little pink when she realized how ardently he was gazing at her, but could she be blamed? She wished so much that she could sit nearer to him, with deliberate and obvious contact. It felt as though he were oceans away, when he was not even across the room!

Ela clapped her hands together, delighted with the prospect of new books - and diagrams - to study. The words were too long and difficult for her to understand, being only seven, but the diagrams were rather self-explanatory for the most part, and she could trouble her brother or mama for elaboration if needed.

"Yes! I should enjoy that, thank you!"

Sofia looked between Rapunzel and Raimundo, the look they were sharing, the blush on Rapunzel's cheeks, and she hid her smile behind her teacup. The two of them were simply incorrigible, weren't they? She thought of Manoel, of their early courtship, and a sad yet adoring weight settled in her stomach.

Clearing his throat, Rai returned his attention to his cup of tea, sipping lightly at it with one hand while his other slipped across the carpet until it found Rapunzel's. He settled his fingers over hers.

Immediately upon the touch of his hand, her heart rate picked up, and she lifted her cup to her lips so she could swallow without being obvious about it. Subtly, she lifted her pinky to rest it over the tops of his fingers, a slight but present way to acknowledge and accept him. Why did she think about kissing him now? Why did her pulse race anew at the memory of his hands mapping the shape of her clothes body?

She sipped her tea, her blush not remotely ebbed for her thoughts.

"Then I shall bring them upon my next visit," she assured Ela, loathe to begin ignoring her simply because of her thoughts and emotions. "And if I have my say, my next visit shall be quite soon!"

Her eyes were drawn to the mantle clock, and her just-rapidly beating heart felt as though it seized in her chest. "But alas... once tea is done, I ought to head home... Madame Gothel will be wondering after me."

How she wished that wondering was as warm and inviting as Sofia's was. More and more with every visit and interaction, this place felt like home, and the place she lived felt like some sort of punishment. What wrong she could have committed, she did not know, and yet her life had recently taken such an abhorrent turn.

Her blush didn't escape his notice and he grinned, eyes fixed on the fireplace as he tried to control his expression. This was utterly ridiculous! But she was sat by his fire, wearing his cardigan, and only minutes ago her mouth had been on his and her palm had been rubbing up his thigh... He swallowed hard at the memory, willing it away. It was inappropriate for a Lord, particularly with his mama and youngest sister in the room!

Sofia's expression soured a little at the mention of Gothel. That dreaded woman. "I am sure we will see fit to inviting you here most often, dearest," she assured the young woman. "For baking sessions, for stitching with my girls, for visiting the man you are courting..." She looked pointedly over at Rai, who was still gazing resolutely at the fire. "You two have every right to spend much time together, given your courtship, after all."

Gosh, but he didn't want Rapunzel to leave. He was finding himself colder without her, missing her with a physical ache every time she returned to Gothel's side. And he had only himself to blame for drawing out their courtship. They could be engaged right now, if not for his cowardice. His mind whirred with all the ways he could get her out of Gothel's sights, to grant her a reprieve from that awful woman.

"Mm!" Rapunzel said, and spoke a moment around the cheese cube currently in her mouth. "I adore science!" She swallowed quickly, not wanting to be rude, but too excited about the topic to but utterly polite about it. "Which diagrams do you like most? I know you fancy animals, but where else do your interests lie? You know, your brother loaned me all his school notes so I could learn at the same level as he, although women are not generally permitted to attend university."

She smiled over at him, still adoring how kind he was for loaning them in the first place, how close they had become because of it, how much trouble she had gotten into because of it, and how extremely worth it it had all been.

"Animals the most," Ela confirmed immediately. "And perhaps... the geography. Geology. The rocks and the weather."

Rai smiled to himself, at his sister's fascination with science. A small, almost-sad smile - society did not support a young lady wishing to pursue academia, particularly science. For the millionth time, he wished he could change the world for the sake of his sisters. They deserved better than they would be permitted in this society.

His smile became more real as Rapunzel's gaze found his. Goodness, but he was glad he'd thought to loan her his notes. She had been so appreciative. He couldn't keep his attention from her. If she were his wife, he would not need to keep his attention from her... yet how was he to propose without putting her in danger of Gothel's wrath? Perhaps if he proposed to her here, on his own estate, and simply did not allow her to return home...

"Meteorology," Rapunzel supplied the word to Ela. "That's the study of the weather. You know, I shall go through my papa's books and see what I can find on animals and rocks and weather! It seems he had quite a fascination with eggs, so I hope you are prepared to learn as much as you can about birds and reptiles!"

Honestly, she knew quite a bit about all the things Ela was interested in. She had a sizeable rock collection at home, and had studied her samples profusely. She could also identify several types of clouds and say what the weather patterns surrounding them were.

Again, she caught Rai's eye and her smile broadened, and perhaps her cheeks got a little pink when she realized how ardently he was gazing at her, but could she be blamed? She wished so much that she could sit nearer to him, with deliberate and obvious contact. It felt as though he were oceans away, when he was not even across the room!

Ela clapped her hands together, delighted with the prospect of new books - and diagrams - to study. The words were too long and difficult for her to understand, being only seven, but the diagrams were rather self-explanatory for the most part, and she could trouble her brother or mama for elaboration if needed.

"Yes! I should enjoy that, thank you!"

Sofia looked between Rapunzel and Raimundo, the look they were sharing, the blush on Rapunzel's cheeks, and she hid her smile behind her teacup. The two of them were simply incorrigible, weren't they? She thought of Manoel, of their early courtship, and a sad yet adoring weight settled in her stomach.

Clearing his throat, Rai returned his attention to his cup of tea, sipping lightly at it with one hand while his other slipped across the carpet until it found Rapunzel's. He settled his fingers over hers.