#rivervale_lodge

She rubs her thumb across his hand. Despite her jangly nerves, she wants to hold on.

The heartbird gives a throaty chuckle/croak.

"Thanks." He says. "I appreciate it. We haven't talked for too long. There's gonna be stuff we missed. WE can catch up. We'll have our quest too, if we're lucky, it will be quiet and just a long walk."

He considers, and adds, "I've wondered, sometimes, if gift of pan would work on me. Maybe I do have something buried deep down that would come out. Maybe someday I'll try it. But I'm not in any rush. I like being with you. It's... nice. It feels right."

"If you wanted to try..." It tumbles out, and she blushes again.

"Just... just, I'd feel safe with you. With whatever you wanted. Because I know you wouldn't push me to do anything I don't feel good about."

He turns a bit greyish purple, and blurts out, "Not here...."

She shrinks inwards. "Sorry. Sorry."

"Ah, no, I dind't mean... I just meant..." He gives a little flick of a gesture around then. "Not here."

The flames are watching! Well maybe not

She shakes her head, expression closing off and eyes avoiding him. "I didn't mean anything. I'm sorry."

"No, don't do that, please." He rises to wrap his arms around her, with her seated he can pull her in so that her head is level with his chest. "Don't pull away from me? We're partners now. We always were, but now... official. I want you to talk to me. You just... I wasn't expecting... and we're... out in public." He says, in a bit of a rush, his ears turning a little purple now too.

"But nobody's... I...okay."

She closes her eyes, tilting her head the last bit so her forehead is touching his t-shirt.

He ducks his head a bit, and whispers, "I'm not embarrassed about you. I'm proud to be your partner. Soulmates. See, and be seen."

The little bird croaks agreement.

She nods softly, without pulling away. "So-..." She stops herself, swallowing the word.

"So?" He rests a hand softly on the back of her neck.

"You wouldn't like it if I said sorry again."

"I love you." She murmurs. "And you love me. Even when I get spooked."

"It's true. ..I might get a little spooked sometimes too. That doesn't mean I don't love you. Or that I'm not interested. It's just... new. I haven't... I mean, she doesn't count. You're my first. My only."

"You're not my first. I did love Nadeen. And... before, before all of this, you know I've...had..." A breath. "Had."

"But how I love you? That's... real, and all me and you and special, and not muddied up with anything else."

He wraps his arms around her. "Anyone else you were with, or are with in the future? Doesn't touch this, what we have."

A shaky breath, and Symon finds himself engulfed in a hug.

He leans into it, squeezing her back.

"What you and I have? It's always."

"You are my always." He whispers.

"My always." She echoes, returning.

How long they stay there could be a minute, could be an hour. As long as they both need, finding and holding each other until the doubts and fears recede.

"There is one think I'll never admit in public." He says, head leaning against Dagmar's shoulder. "Those sappy romances that Mom likes to watch? The ones on the Hallmark channel, that sound like a maudlin Fiona satyr's lament? I think it finally makes sense."

A soft chuff. "Your secret is safe with me."

"Always." He says, giving her another small squeeze.

"When did you want to go on our quest? We have summer off, and a little time before the Chieftain is set to leave... maybe we can make it work?"

She relaxes, but keeps an easy contact with him. "Before school, for sure. I do have track camp coming up, so maybe in the gap between that and the start of classes?"

"Sounds good to me."

"Maybe you could do some nosing about on where to start looking for that Stone, if that's what we're after."

A dry smile. "That I can do."

A fond grin. "My Guile."

He gives her a smile, a small, true, private smile that is only for her.

And - quickly, shyly, she gives him a kiss. "C'mon, let's go grab some food."

He gives her a dumbstruck look, and his jaw drops open in a goofy grin. Quickly though he covers it up, and stands. "Uh, yeah. Yeah! Let's."

And off they go! (scene)