6th Contract - [audio]

[conesoldstober]

[Filtered away from Sophie Hatter]

Oi, you lot. I'm loathe to use 'deities', as I've no evidence that title is anything but arrogance on your part.



I'd like to make a bargain.

Comments

[conesoldstober]

No, but it is a useful tactic.

[mrsnose]

[She pinches his side, and pulls back - one more kiss to his jaw - frowning at him. The picture must not be very scary, considering her red and swollen lips and the dishevelled look, but she tries!]

At least you're being smarmy again. I know not to worry.

[conesoldstober]

You give up too easily, Sophie. I am in a pitiable state, and deserve all the worry you can muster.

[mrsnose]

[The affection is visible on her face, in her eyes, in every little detail of her expression: the softening of her frown, the tentative smile. She lifts her hands up and pushes his hair behind his ears.]

But at least you're not ginger. [And smiles, because she can't help herself. Before he can protest, and because she loves him so much that her heart's been threatening to burst these past months, and now it finally can, she pulls him down, and wraps her arms around his neck, pressing his forehead to her shoulder.]

Better like this?

[conesoldstober]

Thank god for small mercies.

[He settles in with his arms around her waist, calm for the first time in ages.]

Getting there.

[mrsnose]

Mmm...[She holds on, hugs him much like she would've hugged a child if the child were sad; even though he's a grown man. Eventually, she gets tired and rests back against her heels, pulling him with her and making him lean on her instead.]

Still won't get you out of telling me, Howl. What did you trade?

[conesoldstober]

[He props himself up on his elbows so he can stare down on her, eyes no longer glassy but still startlingly green.]

Magic. For three months.

[mrsnose]

[She frowns - what an ironic trade, she thinks. But how miserable he must be for it.]

You did not have to, you know. You could have just...

[Her thumbs brush the skin under his eyes as softly as she can.]

I thought to trade, but did not imagine you would've appreciated it.

[conesoldstober]

Promise me you won't make any trades with them, alright cariad?

[mrsnose]

[She pauses - drats.]

That's twice you've called me that. What does it mean?

[conesoldstober]

Promise, Sophie.

[mrsnose]

You aren't answering. Is it bad? Or is it funny?

[conesoldstober]

Neither are you, and two of us can play this game.

[mrsnose]

[And she was being so devious! Her smile falters, and she doesn't pout - because Sophie hasn't pouted since she was three years old.]

I can't. What if something happens in the future, what if I need to?

[conesoldstober]

Then you'll tell me, and we'll work it out together.

[His thumb traces along her cheek, liking the way it's sending little sparks up his arm.]

I don't want you to lose anything to this place.

[mrsnose]

[She would tell him that she likes the way that sounds, because she does. Work it out together sounds like - equal footing, and an unspoken agreement that together is what they'll be. And she's inmensely glad that the means it took for his heart to be back in place didn't change the outcome.


What had he said, home?


She cups his face, brings him down to press her forehead to his.]

I think we ought to live happily ever after. [She lowers her eyes and smiles.] That's your answer - to what happens to us. Home.