For a moment, he wants to turn away from her gaze, something between shame and embarrassment vying to be voiced. He isn't that; she'll find out with time, like everyone else.
But some other part of him wants to be, wants to honor that she thinks that, and so he forces a smile and confidence he doesn't feel. "I'm honored you think so." It's easier to pretend it could be true with her wrapped around him trusting him so deeply. And maybe -- maybe with time it really will be true. Maybe this can be different; it already has been.
He smoothes her hair back from her face. It's still surreal, seeing her in his dressing gown, her hair mussed and he face tired. "You're pretty wonderful yourself, princess." It slips out as more of an endearment, but as he kisses her head, he thinks maybe she out to hear it anyway, that her time stuck in that world didn't rob her of her best qualities.
no subject
But some other part of him wants to be, wants to honor that she thinks that, and so he forces a smile and confidence he doesn't feel. "I'm honored you think so." It's easier to pretend it could be true with her wrapped around him trusting him so deeply. And maybe -- maybe with time it really will be true. Maybe this can be different; it already has been.
He smoothes her hair back from her face. It's still surreal, seeing her in his dressing gown, her hair mussed and he face tired. "You're pretty wonderful yourself, princess." It slips out as more of an endearment, but as he kisses her head, he thinks maybe she out to hear it anyway, that her time stuck in that world didn't rob her of her best qualities.