Re: [Driftmark] Reunited (Closed)

by **Lady Corrine Marsten** Sun Jul 31, 2016 4:24 am

Her free hand gently stroked the inside of his forearm, ignoring the clamminess of his skin, focusing on trying to be soothing.

"
I'm sorry, love. Do you want to talk about it? I'm here for you."

by **Benedict Marsten** Sun Jul 31, 2016 1:51 pm

"
They make me question whether I deserve these two"
He looks down over the slumbering babes. "
Bethany. You. This life."

Turning he takes up her hands in his. "
Or that perhaps it will all be taken from me as some cruel twist."

by **Lady Corrine Marsten** Sun Jul 31, 2016 10:00 pm

She held his hands tightly, and gazed into his troubled eyes with sympathy and love.

"
Ben, there is no way in this world that you could fail to deserve goodness in your life. Everything you have done has been to protect yourself and the people you love."

She kissed his cheek.

"
And you are not going to lose us. Anything the future holds, we will meet it together."

by **Benedict Marsten** Mon Aug 01, 2016 12:00 am

He trys unconvincingly to nod in agreement. A wide yawn is followed accented by heavy eyelids.

"
I hope you are right. I try everyday to be a good man, husband, father, brother, Lord."

by **Lady Corrine Marsten** Mon Aug 01, 2016 12:18 am

Corrine knew her husband well enough to see he was unconvinced.

"
I know you don't believe me, but you are a wonderful husband, a loving father, and a just Lord. You are a good man, Ben. But... I do understand something of the fear of losing that which one holds dearest. I fear that too. Let us try to find a way to vanquish that fear. For if we are worrying about the future or regretting the past, we cannot truly appreciate the present. My father used to say that, just or unjust, all anyone has is the time that is given to us. Our lives are but the passing of a cloud. We should try to enjoy it while it lasts. Have heart, my love. We have eachother, and dear, sweet Ellie, and our three beautiful children."

She released his hands to gently cup his face.

"
I cannot stop the nightmares, but I can try to help and reassure you in the waking world."

by **Benedict Marsten** Mon Aug 01, 2016 2:08 pm

Her words warm him. A genuine smile curls his lips. "
The present is a beautiful thing, that I will cherish."
His hand mimics her own, cupping her face.

A mask of seriousness pulls over the brief glimpse of happiness. "
As for fear. It is what I have grown to not fear that bothers me. The pain, the deeds done to me, the deeds done by me, at that time in my life, hold no fear for me."

by **Lady Corrine Marsten** Mon Aug 01, 2016 5:09 pm

Her hands stroke his stubble a moment, before gently falling to rest on his chest.

"
Why should they? You survived. You protected. You avenged. Every man on that ship got what they deserved."

Her look of surety became a little doubtful.

"
Do you mean that you fear you could hurt innocents?"

by **Benedict Marsten** Mon Aug 01, 2016 7:37 pm

"
No. No."
He shakes his hear. Though in his mind he wonders if it were the innocents and his family? "
I ... taking a man's life should not be done lightly and carry a heavy burden. I sometimes feel that burden lessening. The nightmares were a constant reminder. This is the first one since ... Lord Tully's tournament, I believe."

That makes him smile. "
Since we were married."

by **Lady Corrine Marsten** Mon Aug 01, 2016 8:40 pm

"
Well, I am glad they come less often. I suppose it may be natural to grow accustomed to violence when one must exact it. I do not think you could become cruel, though. A Lord should be able to guard his heart and steel his mind when necessary. Perhaps it is just that you are learning to do that?"

by **Benedict Marsten** Tue Aug 02, 2016 2:23 am

"
Always the candle in the darkness. Lighting the clear path. You are my own personal light house."
He playfully swats at her bottom, as he pulls her close.

"
Some days I feel older than my few years,"
With his current state of exhaustion he does appear worn. "
but one glimpse at you my Lady and I am renewed with youth and vigor."
That crooked smile of his rises through the haggardness. Though his smile is not the only thing to rise to the occasion.

by **Lady Corrine Marsten** Tue Aug 02, 2016 2:34 am

His loving words made her smile, and she cuddled him, firmly wrapping her arms around his waist.

"
I know we have both taken on many new responsibilities, and yes, we're older now, but I think for the better. Besides, we are yet relatively young, so don't despair."

His body pressed against hers made her aware of his renewed interest.

"
And let's see if we can chase those nightmares away,"
she added, with a flirtatious look. "
As long as we can do so quietly,"
she cautions, with a glance at their sleeping children. "
We don't want an audience."

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