[It would be hard to put into words things Anders normally feels by magic, and condense down years and years of herblore learning, but he'd try if Nate wants. He'd be glad to share.]
Or not, it's up to you. I'd like to lean against you while I read. It'll be warmer.
[Focusing on the 'now' is something he's struggled with. There's only so many nows left, though, and he needs to embrace every single one.]
[He takes a shaky breath before nodding. With his foot he hooks one of the blankets and brings it up around them before shimmying out of his robes and then cuddling up against Nate again.]
I'll do my best.
[He's offered everything to Nate. How can he turn down this? Especially when he wants every moment he can have. Gently he kisses Nate's pec.]
I have you here right now. And you've me. And by the sounds of it, a widdle puppy that would like to be picked up and let onto the bed on your side.
[Purrelden hadn't hesitated when the blankets came up, making her way to Anders' pillow and hogging most of it as if it was all hers.]
[Right on time, there is a pitiable whimper from the ground. Nathaniel chuckles and pats the bed, inviting Lady up. The dog leaps up with remarkable agility--an advantage of her being so small--and walks up the bed to lick Anders' face. Mabari do understand what people say, and she knows Anders is the more shaken between the two of them. She turns to lick Nathaniel's hand after, as he pats her.]
She's a good widdle puppy, [he says contentedly, and Lady wags her tail so hard her entire butt sways with it. She then walks down to Nathaniel's feet and settles down on them.]
She licked my face, [Anders says in protest.] I got you a little one because they're not supposed to reach that.
[But he's not serious. She hadn't slobbered, and she hadn't licked Nate's face which means Anders can kiss all over it without any concerns. Instead he can focus on trying to relax and stay in the moment as he's surrounded by beings that care about him. Even with a tail that keeps landing on his ear, possibly deliberately.]
I...
[Anders stops himself and forces it back. In the now. No thoughts about how he should have been the one to fall to the calling first, and no probing with creation magic to see if he can sense anything different in Nate. He closes his eyes.]
[A soft sigh, and Nathaniel kisses him gently but firmly. Five years feels like a long time when Anders is this close, and the seconds are no faster than they were before.]
Your husband isn't as amazing as mine. Mine is turning heaven and earth to save me. And I will be at his side no matter what comes.
[Tears burn his eyes again at Nate's words before Anders takes a slow breath to fight them back. The now is good, and he's all right.]
You'd do the same for me. You stood for me with Hercules and the advisors, protecting me from the start. Even before I'd shown you how good I was at kissing. And bribed you with a puppy.
[There. He's already managing to sound a little better, at least.]
[Gentle fingers cup Anders' jaw, lift his face to look at him. Nathaniel isn't crying, but Nathaniel seldom does. His eyes express sentiment nonetheless, as keenly as tears would have.]
I love you. There is nothing you can do to make me feel otherwise.
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chiming
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Date: 2017-04-08 11:44 pm (UTC)From:[It would be hard to put into words things Anders normally feels by magic, and condense down years and years of herblore learning, but he'd try if Nate wants. He'd be glad to share.]
Or not, it's up to you. I'd like to lean against you while I read. It'll be warmer.
[Focusing on the 'now' is something he's struggled with. There's only so many nows left, though, and he needs to embrace every single one.]
Like right now is warm.
no subject
Date: 2017-04-08 11:46 pm (UTC)From:Right now is warm. Please. Let everything be right now, while it can be. In case I...can't hold up long enough.
[He knows his body is not dying around him yet. He knows it will still be some time. But knowing is its own disease.]
no subject
Date: 2017-04-09 12:26 am (UTC)From:I'll do my best.
[He's offered everything to Nate. How can he turn down this? Especially when he wants every moment he can have. Gently he kisses Nate's pec.]
I have you here right now. And you've me. And by the sounds of it, a widdle puppy that would like to be picked up and let onto the bed on your side.
[Purrelden hadn't hesitated when the blankets came up, making her way to Anders' pillow and hogging most of it as if it was all hers.]
no subject
Date: 2017-04-09 12:31 am (UTC)From:She's a good widdle puppy, [he says contentedly, and Lady wags her tail so hard her entire butt sways with it. She then walks down to Nathaniel's feet and settles down on them.]
no subject
Date: 2017-04-09 01:52 am (UTC)From:[But he's not serious. She hadn't slobbered, and she hadn't licked Nate's face which means Anders can kiss all over it without any concerns. Instead he can focus on trying to relax and stay in the moment as he's surrounded by beings that care about him. Even with a tail that keeps landing on his ear, possibly deliberately.]
I...
[Anders stops himself and forces it back. In the now. No thoughts about how he should have been the one to fall to the calling first, and no probing with creation magic to see if he can sense anything different in Nate. He closes his eyes.]
She's a good dog. And you are an amazing husband.
no subject
Date: 2017-04-09 02:04 am (UTC)From:Your husband isn't as amazing as mine. Mine is turning heaven and earth to save me. And I will be at his side no matter what comes.
no subject
Date: 2017-04-09 02:19 am (UTC)From:You'd do the same for me. You stood for me with Hercules and the advisors, protecting me from the start. Even before I'd shown you how good I was at kissing. And bribed you with a puppy.
[There. He's already managing to sound a little better, at least.]
no subject
Date: 2017-04-09 03:27 am (UTC)From:I love you. There is nothing you can do to make me feel otherwise.
no subject
Date: 2017-04-09 03:58 am (UTC)From:I love you too. My heart is yours, for all of time.