| |
|
Sage noticed the look on her face change, and felt something stir in his chest when he realized how happy those simple comments had made her. Knowing he'd done something to make her happy always made him happy. Made him feel good about himself. Like he was worth something, even if it was just building her up. He hummed lightly when she spoke up again, entwining his fingers with hers with a small smile. "We've helped change each other," he mused after a moment. It wasn't just him....she'd done more for him than he felt like he could ever do for her. Like he'd be in her debt forever. But he knew she didn't see it that way....he didn't owe her anything. But even so, he wanted to spoil her. Give her everything she wanted, and then some. He wanted to make their life here perfect. He knew they'd have their troubles, and things would come along that weren't so good....but as long as they were together, they could get through anything. At least, he thought so. He certainly hoped he was right. |
|  |
|
| |
 |
Jora's heart skipped a beat when Sage entwined their fingers, his touch warm and steady, grounding her in the moment. She couldn't help the smile that tugged at her lips, feeling the weight of his words settle in her chest. He was so selfless, always trying to make her feel better, like she was worth something. She'd never admit it aloud, but sometimes, she felt like he had done more for her than anyone else ever could. He was always looking out for her, wanting to spoil her, to give her a life she could be proud of. And she... she wanted that too. She wanted to build something beautiful with him. Maybe it wouldn’t always be easy, but with Sage by her side, she believed they could conquer anything. "Together," she murmured, resting her head against his shoulder, "we’ll figure it all out." |
|
|
| |
|
Sage smiled when she leaned into him, resting his head on hers lightly, a soft and content huff of air coming out of his nose as he settled in. "Yeah," he agreed softly. "We make a pretty good team," he added softly, falling quiet as their words faded away into the air around them. He truly thought they'd be alright....he didn't know what would come their way, but they'd both been through hell, and had come out the other side willing to start a new with each other. And he couldn't be any gladder of it. |
| |
|
| |
|
Jora's heart fluttered in a way it hadn't in so long, a soft warmth spreading through her chest as Sage's words settled over her like a quiet promise. She tilted her head slightly, letting the moment stretch between them, the world outside their little bubble feeling distant and far away. She could feel the weight of everything they'd been through, both the pain and the healing, but in this moment, it didn’t seem to matter. All that mattered was him, and the way they fit together, like two pieces of something that had once been broken. She let out a quiet breath, pressing a kiss into his hair as she whispered, "Yeah, we do." For all the uncertainty ahead, for everything they might face, she knew one thing for sure. They’d face it together. And maybe, just maybe, that was enough to carry them through. |
|
|
| |
|
A smile curved his lips upwards in a soft smile in response to her comment, just enjoying how hey presence seemed to settle everything down. All their thoughts and emotions... The crazy life they'd both led.... It was still here, but only in memories. The lessons they'd learned from their past. Now, though... They could just relax. They could just be together, get to know each other and love each other without the intentions of the world. And that was certainly something to be thankful for. So he was glad to just press himself against her for a while, curled up together and letting their mind and bodies relax for a while. There was something wonderful about the quiet understanding between them... They didn't always need words to tell each other something. Sometimes, the silence was more than enough. |
| |
|
| |
|
Jora leaned into the warmth of his touch, a sense of peace settling over her like a soft blanket. She could feel his heartbeat, steady and calm, and it grounded her in a way nothing else had before. In the quiet, the weight of the world outside seemed distant—just fragments of a life they both carried but didn't need to relive. She didn't have to speak. The silence was enough. Every little movement between them, every breath shared, said more than words ever could. She could feel how much he'd been through, just as he could feel the same from her. The way their lives had intersected, the paths they'd walked, all of it had brought them here—to this moment of simple connection. It was everything. For once, she could stop thinking. Just *be*. And that, more than anything, was the greatest relief she'd ever known. |
|
|
| |
|
Sage rested there, mind not racing for once. They could both just sit in silence, soaking in each other company, along with the sunlight that was streaming in through the windows. He really did appreciate these moments...he didn't think he'd ever really get used to them. They were precious things ....and they were a luxury neither of them had gotten before. So now? Now they could rest. There was nothing to worry about, nothing to do. They could just get to know each other. Grow as a couple, and as a family. Grow their island. And, maybe most importantly, grow themselves. |
| |
|
| |
|
Jora let out a quiet breath, eyes closed as they basked in the warmth of the sunlight, fingers loosely entwined with Sage's. The stillness felt like something fragile, like if they moved too quickly, it might shatter. It was strange, this peace. They’d never really had it before, and she couldn’t help but wonder how long it would last—how long they’d be allowed to simply exist like this. But for now, she didn’t want to think about that. Instead, she let the silence settle around them, content to just be. She felt the steady rhythm of Sage’s breathing, the quiet hum of their shared presence. She wasn’t sure when it happened, but something had changed in her heart. She’d never imagined feeling this—settled, calm, with the space to grow, to really be. They’d both come so far, and she could see it now, in the way Sage’s eyes softened when they weren’t looking for something, in the way the weight of their pasts didn't feel as heavy. They had room now. Room to be together. Room to learn, to build something worth holding onto. She let herself feel the hope that had been quietly blooming inside her, even if she wasn’t always sure how to name it. Maybe, just maybe, they really could grow together. As people. As a family. Maybe they'd finally found a place where that could happen. And for now, that was enough. |
|
|
| |
|
Sage relaxed there for a while, just glad they had that time and peace to do what they wanted to. To not have to always hold up a mask, to keep walls up to protect themselves as best they could. They didn't have to do that anymore...or at least, not when it was just them there. They may have to go back to their old lifestyles at some point ...pretend at others, but he wasnt too worried about it. Though, her winding up pregnant was becoming more and more likely, so they should probably put some thought into what was going to happen if she did at some point soon. But they didn't have to now. That was ok. After a while, though, he'd regained his energy and stirred slightly. "We could play a game or something," he suggested after a moment, not really sure what to do with himself now that there wasn't much work to be done or anything. It was odd to not be busy all the time ...though certainly not unwelcome. |
| |
|
| |
|
Jora smiled softly, watching Sage in the quiet of the moment. They’d been so caught up in their own thoughts lately, the weight of the world sometimes feeling heavier than either of them cared to admit. But now, in this space, there was peace. And for once, it felt okay to just... breathe. "I like that idea," Jora replied, her voice low, though it had a lightness to it that hadn’t been there in a while. "I think it’s about time we found a way to have fun, for once." She shifted slightly, letting herself sink into the comfort of the space they shared. It was strange, the way Sage had put it—about the future, about what might come. Jora didn't want to think too hard about it yet. The idea of being "prepared" for something that hadn't even happened felt unnecessary when they were both just trying to survive, day by day. But the possibility of a future where things could be different was... something new. She hadn’t been able to let herself dream like that in so long. "Anything in mind for a game?" Jora asked, trying to focus on the present instead of the endless stream of what-ifs. It was enough to just be here with Sage, for now. |
|
|
Bright Sunshine with a few High Clouds
