Warning: The following chapter contains fluff and nonsense. Plot-necessary nonsense, but nonsense all the same.

Good thing I enjoy writing nonsense.

The morning was late when we finally emerged from my chambers, but it seemed that that was as far as we got – the following hours were spent in each other's company in my quarters as we meditated, talked, and kept each other company doing things that we once did long before we became lovers. Others came and went as the day wore on for reasons of their own: Alanna and Raoul to check up on us, Gary for Court-related reasons (he'd started shouldering a lot more of his father's responsibilities as of late), and Jon for both –bringing with him our much-used chess set. Thayet showed up just after Jon beat me into a stalemate, and I was intrigued to see the dynamics in their interaction. Even Thom picked something up – the man raised his brows at me silently after Jon and Thayet had departed, sending me into a rare fit of giggles. His answer was to finally kiss me into silence before rising, offering me his hand once he was on his feet. I accepted without hesitation, letting him lead me from the room.

We spent the late afternoon riding through the Royal Forest, stopping to rest near a cheerfully playful stream. Having managed to fulfil all his obligations for the day, Jon joined us midway through to speak to Thom, their interaction something of a surprise. "You're never that respectful to me," I mock-grumbled when he asked about it.

"It's not him I'm courting," Thom replied dryly. He lifted my hand before I could argue, kissing my fingertips in a way that turned me into mush. "Besides," he added, "he's a brother's interest in you still – and the power to make my life miserable if I so much as look at you wrong."

"I can take care of myself."

"And when I told him that, Jon patiently reminded me that you are the only noblewoman among them who hasn't gone gallivanting off on adventures into faraway, dangerous territory." Thom raised a brow at my scowl. "Can you blame them for wanting to look out for the sole noblewoman in the group? Can you not let them?"

"…Fine. But only because you asked me so convincingly."

Thom finally chuckled as I looped my arms grumpily around him. "So, now I know what puts a burr in your saddle: being looked after," he remarked. "I'll keep that in mind if I ever feel the need to vex you."

"I swear by the Mother, Thom, you set them on me and I won't speak to you for a week."

"…So, not just being looked after. It's being looked after by your friends and family."

I shoved him away, turning to scowl into the trees. A moment later, I felt arms slide around me from behind – my lover was obviously undaunted. He proved how much so he was with the next words he whispered in my ear: "I've changed my mind. I don't need your friends and brother to vex you when I can do it myself twice as swiftly."

"Scoundrel. I'll glue your tongue to the roof of your mouth for a month," I said without heat.

Thom only chuckled, his breath whispering over my ear. "Well, at least your threats are creative," he replied, both of us knowing that I would never be able to follow through with said threat – at least not for that long, anyway.

"Scoundrel," I repeated, tugging away so I could turn to glare up at him. His eyes were lit with an unholy glee that had the corner of my lips twitching even as I fought to keep my scowl from slipping. "At your service, Your Highness."

Playing, I realised in wonder, he was playing.

Had it only been that morning when I wondered if he would ever do so for me?

Thom spoke as I swallowing the lump in my throat. "Now, as much as I would like to stay here trading barbed remarks – and you know I do enjoy that tongue of yours, Princess – the day is getting late and people will come looking for us sooner rather than later." He raised a brow at me, apparently unaware of my silent battle with my emotions. "Since I have no interest in sharing you anymore than I already have today, what say you and I return inside?"

I blinked at him, my emotions shelved at his words. "You're planning something," I finally accused – Thom hardly ever talked so formally between just the two of us.

Thom only inclined his head. "But of course. Would you like to come and find out?" he asked, extending his arm towards me.

I rolled my eyes, playing along with the demon. "Fine – since you insisted so," I said, in a direct echo with my capitulation before as I tucked my arm into his.

"So hard to please, my dear princess." A murmur for my ears only as we walked back to our horses.

"Nonsense. I'm pleased whenever I get to see you ride a horse," I replied – Thom was definitely the less outdoorsy of him and his sister, and it had amused me a great deal to see his wariness with his mount on the horse trail.

"Do you want to see the surprise or not, Princes?"

The question was sardonic, the speaker's brow raised as he peered at me from atop his mount, having already swung into the saddle while I'd been teasing him.

And because this was Thom, because he had asked with such insulting politeness, because he had bantered and teased and played today, I laughed and said "Lead on, my Lord Thom."

Of course, the insufferable man made stops along the way, insisting that we change out of our riding clothes and take some dinner before he could unveil what I'd begun to mockingly call 'His Great Plan'. Again we were joined by our friends and family as we dined, the laughter and banter something of a joy to my ears and heart. Throughout the night Thom was unusually subdued albeit attentive – while he didn't retort as much as I'd seen him do in the past, he was very much present in both the conversation around the table and his attention to me. It was only at one stage that I looked up from my plate to spot Alex watching me – my closest friend slightly raised his glass in a toast and inclined his head. I ducked my on head, a lump forming in my throat.

A foot bumped my leg under the table. I glanced over as the same man, his goblet still in his hand, leaned in. "Fool," he muttered. "To think that I would disapprove."

I turned to look at him properly. "It would've mattered if you had," I hissed, affronted. "Do you think that I value your opinion so little?"

Alex grinned, and it was only then that I realised he was yanking my chain. Instead of verbally replying, he gently clinked his vessel with mine before settling back into his seat.

It was late when the dinner concluded, people leaving one by one. It seemed that not one of us were surprised when Jon and Thayet left together, vigorously discussing her future path – the woman wanted to enter Tortall as one of Jon's subjects, while Jon was treating her as the princess that she was. Alanna wandered off with Gary, the two seeming to be in a joking discussion over how many they could offend with her new title of Kings Champion, while Raoul and Alex were reminiscing over various adventures they'd all had while still in page training.

Finally alone, Thom tugged me out of the room and down the hall. I followed more out of annoyance than anything else – while I did love the man for allowing my loved ones to cut into our time alone, he had infuriatingly refused to explain or show me whatever he'd planned. I was just about to burst when the long flight of stairs led up to the door of the old, seemingly-dangerous yet somehow still-standing Balor's Needle. Silencing my question with a finger to my lips, he pushed the door open.

"Oh."

By the gods' blessings the sky was clear, though the sight of the constellations wasn't what caused my sigh of pleasure – on the balcony rested a spyglass, pointing skywards.

"We came up here once, to map the stars. Thom said a great many rituals are performed depending on what moon there is at night, or whether the sky was cloudy or not. It was beautiful, not just because of the many things he spoke about, but also because of the beauty of the sky and stars itself."

"I felt like everything and nothing at all."

Someone poked me in the nose and I jumped, my gaze flicking back to the present – to the violet-eyed sorcerer watching me. I shot him a scowl, my hand rising to cup the abused spot. "It wasn't even that hard," Thom teased gently before his amused look faded as quickly as it appeared. "What took you away from here?"

A frown, my gaze shooting towards my brother's face. "Does that even make sense?"

"If it makes sense to you then it makes sense." My brother's voice, deep even back then.

"Willow?"

Jon was right, I realised. It does make sense.

"What makes sense?"

I jumped a second time in as many minutes. This time Thom's expression was one of curiousity as he stared at me.

I shook my head, feeling a smile rise to my lips. "It doesn't matter."

"Does it not?"

"Not in the long run," I replied honestly. After all, he could feel it too.

A small, bemused smile peeked out from Thom's face, but he didn't pursue the topic. Instead he nodded to the spyglass. "Would you care to do the honours, Princess?"

"Of course, my Lord," I replied, having recovered enough to give him an arch tone that made him grin. Striding onto the balcony, I reached for the elegant object, then paused. "Did you bring the map?"

Thom's response was to produce a roll of parchment – and draw it back when I reached for it. "What?"

"Before I let you have this, I want to ask you something."

I tilted my head at the odd tone in his voice. "What are you bargaining for?" I inquired, going for teasing. "A kiss, or something more?"

"Well, since you've given me an excellent opening: You."

I blinked. "You already have that, Thom," I said carefully. "What changes?"

"Having you with friends, with family – that is all well and good, but that is not what I meant." Thom met my gaze. "I would-" he paused, and I saw his throat bob nervously. "I would have you. Always."

"…A rather…interesting way to put it," I said neutrally – my independence, after all, was something I was inordinately proud of.

Thom's gaze flashed to mine and I instantly felt a wave of guilt – but beyond that was a trembling realisation that the panic in his eyes was real. "Willow-"

I stepped in, placing my hand on his wrist. "You went through all this trouble to ask me this? You could've just asked me without the…fuss." Before he could answer I lifted myself on my toes. "At this point in time, I want nothing more than to be yours, Thom."

It was Thom's turn to glare. "You tease me about something like this and then decide to say yes?" Despite his indignant question, his free hand came to rest on my hip in a move that betrayed his delight. "What if I had taken you seriously?" Before I could answer, he leaned in to rest his forehead on mine. "And besides, your point is redundant – I'll fuss over you whether you like it or not."

"Yes, well, it seems that you'll have forever to do so," I murmured, my eyes widening at the notion.

Thom finally leaned down to kiss me, his own eyes wide when I drew away. Not pausing to think, I looped my arms around his waist and leaned in, burying my face in his shoulder and inhaling deeply.

"Thom."

"…Hm?"

"You were so nice to Jon before because you wanted to ask his permission, weren't you?"

I felt his shoulders shake slightly. "…Maybe."

"That's alright," I replied tilting my head to look at him. When he returned my look with a surprised one of his own, I added, "I'll have forever to get revenge anyway."

Thom's arms finally came around me as he spoke, his voice slightly awed. "Forever."

"Forever." I agreed, leaning into his hold.

That sounded nice.

Much fluff, such happy, wow.

I will use this meme until the end of time.

As always, I hope you enjoyed that!

On another note, I have been aware for quite some time of the feedback to do with Thom's character development (thank you to those who pointed that out - you know who you are). I never got around to addressing that. I am aware his development is rather abrupt and not very well outlined in the story, for which I apologise. I was too focused on the story and Willow and such things fell by the wayside. (This is really just me acknowledging that I do read reviews, and I thank everyone for all of them.)