"You had to get home somehow, love." Lark gentled, stroking the plant mage's hair soothingly. Rosethorn narrowed her eyes and huffed, "But they didn't have to carry me! It only served to distress the children and Mila knows they don't need that! They worry about us too much as it is, breaking into pattern magic without guidance, Lark! They could have died!"

"I know, darling, I know." Lark murmured, wrapping Rosie in her arms. She felt Rosethorn relax into the embrace and her head fall to the darker woman's shoulder. It wasn't as if she could blame them, not really, the Gods knew she would give almost anything to spare the other woman the pain that so often was the cost of her magic. Even though she knew what would happen when the other mage threw herself deeper into the working, watching had been almost more than Lark could bear. She realized the sight and sound of Rosie's screams would add themselves to her list of nightmares.

"Love?" Rosethorn inquired into her partner's chest, half asleep, "What is it? I can hear you thinking." Lark smiled down sadly, and then pressed her lips to her beloved's head, "I just wish it didn't hurt you so," she whispered. Rosie's hand fumbled around in the blanket until it found Lark's. She gripped it steadily and pulled it to her lips for a kiss before turning onto her side and using it to bring her lover's arm tightly around herself, "S'okay," she slurred, speech clumsy with fatigue, "I'mkay." Lark tucked Rosethorn even closer to herself, barely catching the last words she spoke before finally being dragged under by exhaustion, "Love you."

It was only then, after she was certain it wouldn't disturb the other woman, Lark let herself cry.