It was getting easier with practice to believe that he wasn't dreaming when Alys looked at him like that, soft and loving and accepting of what he was - flaws and all. Tal curled his fingers more securely around hers at the squeeze, his smile brightening at her support and agreement. "Together," he repeated, savoring the word and finding it tasted even better the second time.
He leaned forward so they could sit with their fingers twined more comfortably and peered down at the next card as it was revealed. Some of his trepidation at the art must have shown in his face because she hurried to reassure him and he relaxed almost as quickly as he'd tensed up. "...Huh. Well, as long as that place isn't as dead as that poor guy looks then... yeah." He grinned sheepishly at his beautiful partner and ducked his head back down to study the art that she'd painstakingly drawn. "Maybe... it is time t'think about returnin' t'Halo," he mused. "Leastwise part o' th'year. I dunno that I'll ever get along with th'wardens but... hail, we've gotten pretty good at avoidin' an' ignorin' each other." He shrugged uncomfortably, but he wasn't as tense as the topic usually made him. "Maybe I need t'stop worryin' about 'em an' just... get on with my life." He looked back up at his partner ruefully, knowing it was easier said than done, but with her help maybe it was possible.
"Next?"
He leaned forward so they could sit with their fingers twined more comfortably and peered down at the next card as it was revealed. Some of his trepidation at the art must have shown in his face because she hurried to reassure him and he relaxed almost as quickly as he'd tensed up. "...Huh. Well, as long as that place isn't as dead as that poor guy looks then... yeah." He grinned sheepishly at his beautiful partner and ducked his head back down to study the art that she'd painstakingly drawn. "Maybe... it is time t'think about returnin' t'Halo," he mused. "Leastwise part o' th'year. I dunno that I'll ever get along with th'wardens but... hail, we've gotten pretty good at avoidin' an' ignorin' each other." He shrugged uncomfortably, but he wasn't as tense as the topic usually made him. "Maybe I need t'stop worryin' about 'em an' just... get on with my life." He looked back up at his partner ruefully, knowing it was easier said than done, but with her help maybe it was possible.
"Next?"
