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[staysail]

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[staysail]

[He laughs.]

Really. Even if I'm more complimentary about it? And that's hard to imagine, I know, given how I speak of your freckles.

[hassaran]

Really. [ She flicks a finger against his shoulder at the laugh. ] I'd prefer they didn't know.

[staysail]

Well, it was a dream. Likely all forgotten.

[He grabs for her hand so she can't flick his shoulder again. And, you know, just because he wants to hold her hand.]

I didn't speak of you that much. Even then, I remember knowing that you didn't want yourself to be too known. I love knowing you, so I know that about you.

[hassaran]

[ She tugs on his hand like she might try to pull away, but really just pulls his arm near, trapping it across her body beneath her other arm. ]

You do. Only you get to know these things. [ Or so she'd prefer, anyway. ] Though they may not forget the baby.

[staysail]

They might. [Hope, for two seconds, before he corrects himself:] Likely they won't. But it was only a dream, they'll tell themselves. Or you could give them something to distract them.

[hassaran]

[ That gets him a sidelong look. ] Such as?

[staysail]

[He shrugs, without looking at her, while still looking at her out of the corner of his eye. Very casual and matter-of-fact, this is a serious suggestion--]

Can't you do a handstand and juggle with your feet?

[hassaran]

Through all our meetings? [ Like that's actually a thing she can do. (It's not.)]

[staysail]

It would be distracting.

[hassaran]

For me especially.

[staysail]

Now, that I don't believe. I can barely manage to distract you.

[hassaran]

You underestimate yourself.

[staysail]

Really.

[He shifts, abruptly--straightens his posture, looks down at her.]

I propose a test.

[hassaran]

[ She shifts to match, twisting back toward the couch arm to look up at him. ]

Go on.

[staysail]

Well, you're expecting it now, if we do it now, how do I know you won't fail it on purpose, just to make a point?

[hassaran]

Hmm. But it also wouldn't be fair to you to wait til I'm working.

[staysail]

Ah. True.

What if we do two rounds--one now, and one as a surprise later, while you're working? That way there won't be a chance of cheating.

[hassaran]

You're so sure I'd cheat! You should have more faith in your abilities. Or at least my interest.

[staysail]

What, c'mon--are you saying that--to make a point--you wouldn't?

[hassaran]

Not when any suspicion of cheating would defeat that point, no! Are you so determined not to believe I find you wildly distracting?

[staysail]

No, I know you find me wildly distracting. You married me while you were on a holiday, obviously I'm distracting. [And he is pleased about it, thanks.] But I also know you, so I know you can manage your feelings well enough to ignore even the wildest of distractions.

[hassaran]

Good. [ That he knows. And is pleased. He ought to be. ] And yes. Or I'd hardly have done a moment's work since you moved in here. Fine.

[ She sits up a little, enough to lift her hand palm out, and puts on a mock-serious face. ]

I promise I will do my very best not to let you distract me for the duration of this test. Whatever it may be. [ She lowers all but one of her fingers. ] If you promise that it will not involve the irritating sort of distraction.

[staysail]

With me just lounging a few feet away, at all hours, [is Darras' agreement to the first part. To the second: he considers what she's said, then, with solemnity (which he hastily assumes), he holds his hand out to her in return.]

I promise my distraction will not be the irritating sort. I know you hate to be irritated. Who doesn't, really, but you most of all. But I don't want to seal this with a handshake, I'd prefer a kiss.

[hassaran]

Beginning the distraction straight away. [ The arch of her brow is accusation, but she's not about to refuse. Though she does, just after lips meet, break away the millimeter or two required to add ] If this is a trap--

[staysail]

Shh, [Darras counters, which Yseult will not like--but she will, almost certainly, like better the way that he closes those spare millimetres between their mouths, the way he presses his fingers to the side of her head, skimming over her ear before finding where he wants them buried, in her hair, and he kisses her more firmly this time.

This kiss is distracting, and a better seal of their agreement besides.]