"Nina? Well doesn't this just beat all."
Shamus smiled as Nina released his hand accompanied by a flutter of wing as she hurried forward. She enveloped the Woren clansman in a tight embrace before pulling back and inquiring as to his health and life. Rei chuckled before cryptically answering and sending Shamus a greeting nod.
Moving to stand beside Nina, Shamus greeted the Woren. "Hey there, Rei. Sorry we're late."
"Late? Who knows about late?" Rei countered. "You're here and the place is still standing. Come on in. Take a load off."
Shamus motioned Nina ahead of him with a soft touch to her back, he liked how her wings tickled his hand and forearm, and then followed beside her.
"Ryu stopped in before," Rei informed the pair, "but he said you guys couldn't stay, having to go back to Wyndia and all. Sorry I couldn't come to the wedding. Wouldn't you know I was on my way out when we had a fire scare near the main road? Had to stay and babysit it."
Nina smiled over at her friend as she followed beside him up and around to the back entrance of the home. "It's all right, Rei. It was only a small ceremony."
Rei opened the door and ushered them inside. Then he closed the door after Shamus and grinned at the pair, hands on hips as his feral eyes twinkled. "Nina married. Well doesn't this just beat all."
Nina giggled. "Rei, for heaven sake. Did you believe I would be a maid my entire life?"
"Not a bit," Rei said, chuckling. "Just never thought you'd marry a McNeil. They're a greedy lot."
Nina's wings stiffened. "Rei, you orc," she scolded, "have some--"
Laughing, Rei waved it away as he stepped past. "Tea?"
"Thanks, Rei," Shamus accepted. Nina turned and looked to continue the scold as Rei descended to the kitchen. Shamus enfolded her upper arm with a hand, drawing her attention. "It's okay. That's kind of a running joke between us," he whispered.
"But Shamus--"
"Really, princess," he soothed, smiling. "It's okay." He motioned to the stairs leading down. "Come on."
Nina reluctantly smiled, her wings relaxing as she turned and descended after Rei. Shamus stepped after her with a continued smile. Now that had to be a good sign. Of course, he didn't know from good and bad when it came to her, or ladies in general. That had been the only reason for the whole fiasco at their picnic. He hadn't ever seen her flush at something said by him, and then what with her smile disappearing so fast and her looking away from him, he'd thought the worst. Then he'd nearly caused the worst by backing off so fast.
Shamus guided Nina to a chair, holding it out for her with a smile and then carefully pushing it in as she sat. Then he sat beside her, vaguely aware of Rei's friendly banter to both. Sammy boy, you nearly broke her heart with that stunt, so quit being all-fired sure she wants nothing to do with you. You're trying to get her to fall in love, remember? Well she can't do that if you don't do a little more of the same.
On an impulse, he covered her hands as they rested delicate and innocent on the table. He didn't look from where he smiled, nodded, and watched Rei moving about preparing tea. When he felt one of her hands slip out from under his and then rest on top, his smile widened slightly as he gave her hand a few soft strokes with his thumb. See? You can do this, Sammy boy. Of course, he knew that meant he had to keep talking about himself. Never something he particularly enjoyed.
Nina had completely floored him with her eerie insight into why McNeil's success held such importance for him. That fact and then the confession of pride... it had all led to the kiss on the hand and then the revealing statement of a truth that had scared him nearly to death. A McNeil never confessed something important or personally revealing without due protection. It had been yet another unwritten law within the McNeil code that Shamus didn't agree with.
Hence the reason he told her what he did.
Shamus felt one of Nina's fingers begin to trace around his knuckles, so he looked over at her. She spoke intensely with Rei regarding some negative aspect of harvesting old-growth forest without replanting. Shamus watched her with a slight smile as the conversation continued, Rei adding a point that would cause Nina to add yet another. Her finger would occasionally pause as she brought up a poignant point to the discussion, and then her finger would continue its journey around each knuckle when Rei picked up the conversation.
Finally, the tea boiled and the conversation ended as Rei stood to prepare it.
"So," Rei began with his back to the couple, "what're your plans today?"
"We're just playing it by ear today, Rei. I wanted to give pr– Nina a chance to settle in."
Rei absently nodded as he brought down the cups and honey. "Good idea. What then?"
Shamus looked to Nina with a serious expression. "That would be up to her," he said simply.
Rei nodded again, oblivious to the moment shared as he stacked the cups, honey, and teapot onto the tea tray.
"I would love the chance to get to know McNeil a little better," she said softly, continuing to look deep into his eyes. "It's been fascinating so far."
Shamus swallowed slightly, not sure if it was safe to take 'McNeil' as him or his home.
"Well, if anyone knows anything about McNeil, it's Sammy," Rei said absently. "Geez. Where're those cookies I got the other day?" He scratched his head. "Doesn't that beat all."
"I-I'll tell you what you want to know," Shamus said, quiet. Nina smiled softly, and her blue eyes seemed to dance with it. Shamus swallowed again. Sammy boy, hang on to something...
Nina lifted a hand to his face, brushing some curls from his forehead. "I want to know everything."
Shamus swallowed so hard that he believed he lost his tongue.
"I don't know if Sammy knows everything," Rei confessed, still searching the cabinets for the fate of the cookies. "But he'll do his damnedest to find out... I know I put those cookies here somewhere."
Shamus couldn't look away from her blue eyes. "It's n-not very interesting."
"Sammy, McNeil isn't that dull," Rei objected. "We're just a little small-– Ah-hah! I found them!" Rei straightened, cookies in hand, and began to divvy them up onto three plates.
"It is to me," Nina whispered. Nina examined his expression with slightly wide eyes. "I like what I've seen and heard so far, Shay."
Shamus' expression and entire person relaxed into the statement with a smile. "I really like it when you call me that, princess," he said soft enough that Rei couldn't hear.
Nina's face brightened with her gentle smile as she reached out again to smooth some of his curls from his face.
Okay, I've got to be dreaming... Shamus took hold of her hand as she lowered it away from his hair. He looked down at her fingers a moment before sending Nina a silent question. She slightly nodded, her smile dancing on her lips and in her eyes. Shamus' lips tilted upward as he lightly kissed her hand. Then he heard Rei finish up the duty of preparing the tea tray and placed her hand tenderly back into her lap. It's working? Shamus could hardly believe it.
Rei brought the tray over to set it on the table. Then he sat across from the couple. "Nina? You wanna do the honors?"
Nina smiled and nodded, giving Shamus' hand a couple of squeezes before releasing it and serving the tea. Shamus watched her with a slight smile. Delicate. Graceful. Beautiful. Funny. And oh-so-easy to love. Love. Who would've thought? And with Nina, the girl who could have anything she wants.
"Hey, Sammy," Rei called as he stood to his feet. "Can I get your help? We need to haul in a couple armfuls of wood for the stove."
Shamus' smile wavered as he reluctantly stood. "Sure thing." He moved his gaze to Nina and lightly rested a hand on her shoulder. "Be right back, princess."
Nina softly smiled up at him. "I'll have your tea ready when you get back."
Shamus gently touched her chin, his smile returning, and then followed after Rei up the stairs to the bedroom and then through the back door to the path behind.
Rei stopped him outside. "Man. You've got it bad."
Shamus' ears burned. He self-consciously smiled as he rubbed the back of his neck. "That obvious, huh?"
Crossing his arms, Rei smirked and motioned toward the house with a jerk of his head. "You told her yet?"
Shamus shook his head. "I wanted to give her a chance--"
"To get settled. Yeah. I heard you." Rei shrugged. "I guess that's a good idea, since you're already married and all." Rei motioned for Shamus to follow. "Come on. We better get some wood or she'll know we were talking about her."
Following him down and around the building, Shamus cleared his throat. "Rei, how do I know... Do you think she'll ever..."
Rei chuckled. "Do I think she'll ever fall in love with a lummox like you? Sure. Why not? She usually tries to like everyone. Even Balio and Sunder. Of course, that was when she was only like 6 or 7." Rei laughed as he shook his head. "You should have her tell the story. It's funny."
The two stopped at a stack of freshly chopped wood. "Rei, I'm serious," Shamus protested as Rei loaded his arms with wood. He adjusted his hold. "I don't want our marriage to be miserable for her. I want to make her happy. She deserves that. Any girl does." Rei stopped loading Shamus' arms as he met the Woren's surprised expression. "I'm trying to... I'm doing my best to give her a reason to fall in love with me, Rei, because I know how much she wants that. Love, I mean. Do you know how... Can you help me?"
Rei crossed his arms. "Well doesn't this just beat all." He chuckled and shook his head. "I'm the wrong person to ask, Sammy. Sorry." He bent to load his own arms with wood. "She seems to like you, though. Don't worry about the rest of it. Just do what you've been doing."
"But, Rei, I want her to love me. That's what she wants. She told me. She wants to love someone like Ryu-- I mean..."
Rei straightened, arms full. "Like Ryu and Momo?" He smirked. "Now there's an odd pair, huh? Anyway, it's a little early to know what those two feel about each other. As for Nina, I'm telling you, Sammy, don't worry about it. She's a sweet enough girl. If she likes you, who's to say she won't love you a little later on? Keep at it."
Shamus released a deep breath. "Okay. Thanks, Rei."
"Sure thing. Now come on. The tea's getting cold, and Nina never was a very patient person."
Shamus raised an eyebrow. Nina? Not patient? Hm. Never would've guessed. "Yeah. Okay. I'm coming."
Tea went too slow for Shamus. To his surprise, he kept pulling out his time-piece and checking the time. He didn't want to excuse himself too early, it would've been rude, but he did want to get back home. And why's that, Sammy boy? Hmm? His ears flushed each time he thought about it. But finally, the tea had grown lukewarm and Nina stood with a smile as she told Rei that they had dinner plans to prepare for before it grew much later.
Shamus raised an eyebrow but didn't deny it. Rei smirked as he stood, embracing her, nodding to Shamus, and then sending the couple on their way.
As Shamus and Nina walked the winding path from the cabin and then made their way through Cedar Woods to the main road leading around McNeil to his home, he noticed that her wings had begun a softly rhythmic pattern. It wasn't anything extreme, but it was continuous and very... relaxing? Shamus cleared his throat.
Nina took in a deep breath, releasing it slowly as she sent him a sidelong glance. She adjusted her hands behind her. "Shamus, I didn't mean McNeil. Earlier."
Shamus' mouth went dry. He sent her a glance as he stuffed his hands into the pockets of his simple trousers. He balled his hands into fists. "Earlier?" Don't get cold feet now, Sammy boy. "W-When you said you..." He cleared his throat. Just spit it out. "When you said you wanted to get to know McNeil better?"
Nina slightly nodded, her focus moving to the path ahead. "I meant you," she confessed softly. "I just didn't want to embarrass you in front of Rei."
Shamus swallowed. "Yeah. I know." He glanced her direction. "Thanks."
She stopped, her eyes still focused on the path at her feet as her wings continued their rhythmic pulse. Shamus stopped as well and faced her. A lump grew in his throat and stomach that would soon be the size of a mountain. Is this the time when I need to tell her how I feel? Or do I need to wait a little bit? We've only known each other for a couple days--
"Shamus, I know we've only known each other for a couple days, but..." Nina's cheeks flushed an attractive rose before she raised her gaze to meet his.
Shamus' breath caught in his throat as his thoughts scattered. Sammy boy, hold on to your--
"I genuinely care for you, Shay," she confessed softly, "and while I suppose it's silly to hope to fall in love, that's what I want. I thought you should know, so that you could tell me if you would rather I not try."
Shamus would have searched around the ground at his feet for his heart, but all he could see was the beautiful expression in her blue eyes. "Y-You're... You're going to try and fall in love with me?" he whispered.
Nina gave a slight nod, and her wings paused the barest hint of a moment before continuing their relaxing and soothing pulse. "I made the decision today during tea." She intensely examined his expression, eyes slightly wide. "Is that all right? If it makes you uncomfor--"
"No!" Shamus responded quickly, vigorously shaking his head as his hands escaped from his pockets to stretch toward her. "No. That's fine. Really." Should I tell her? Or would that scare her too bad? Shamus nearly groaned aloud.
Nina smiled, her loveliness intensified with the action. "I haven't ever tried to fall in love before, Shamus, so I don't know quite how to do it. I hope you'll be patient with me."
Shamus nodded with a bit more enthusiasm than he wanted, and he actually grinned. "Of course, Nina."
Giggling, Nina pointed at him. "You should see your expression."
Shamus felt his ears burn, but he didn't care. She's going to try and fall in love with me! It was definitely more than what he'd wanted to hope for. Because of that, and before he could stop himself, he scooped her up in his arms to give her a warm embrace. He was so enthused that he lifted her clear off the ground, chuckling the entire time.
Nina squealed. "My goodness!"
Shamus held her close as he whispered, "Take as long as you need, princess. I'll wait. You see, I already love you." He thought he heard a slight hiccup, so he gently lowered her to the ground, pulling back to meet her wide-eyed gaze.
"W-What?" she whispered.
Uh-oh. Shamus cleared his throat and released his hold on her arms, rubbing at the back of his neck as he lowered his gaze to the ground. Sammy boy, you just don't know when to keep it shut, do you?
Nina reached out to touch his arm, drawing his attention back. "What did you say?"
Ears burning, Shamus stammered, "Well, I... I said..." He cleared his throat again. There's nothing wrong with what you said, so say it again. "I said I'm already in love with you," he confessed between glances.
Once more pulling back her hand, Nina leaned slightly away as she shielded her mouth and the soft gasp. After another moment of a somewhat uncomfortable silence, she lowered her hand. "B-But... But we've known each other for only... But how?"
Shamus looked away as he tucked his hands back in his pockets. He kicked at a dirt clod. "Because I wanted to."
"I... I don't understand."
When Shamus sent her a glance, sure enough her expression showed confusion. "Before I met you," he began carefully, "I made the decision to love you. I..." He cleared his throat and looked away. "I know it probably sounds hokey, but I wanted to love my wife."
"...You did?"
Shamus nodded, sending her yet another quick look. Nina's cheeks were rosy, and her eyes glimmered. He looked away. "Of course, loving you isn't all that hard, Nina," he said softly, face burning. "You're pretty. You're sweeter than anything. And you're... well, it just wasn't hard."
He heard a delicate sniff. "What a darling thing to say," she whispered.
Silence settled over them, and Shamus could feel her regarding him with that same intense gaze he'd seen her use before. He kicked at another dirt clod, not really sure if he should say something more or let things go the way they were. At least you were honest. Shamus nearly rolled his eyes.
He heard a soft footfall and looked to his left. He smiled somewhat sheepishly and gave Nina a slight shrug. "Sorry. I'm an oaf."
Shaking her head, Nina smiled. "No, you aren't, Shamus. I'm glad you told me. I am."
He lowered his focus to his feet. "Couldn't I have said it better? Somehow? I kind of sprung it on you."
"It's all right." Nina stepped closer and surprised him by wrapping her arms around him. She pressed her cheek against his chest. "Really. It is."
Shamus enfolded her within his arms, all the while careful of her delicate wings. He released a slow breath. "Okay," he whispered. And Shamus couldn't get himself to believe they'd just had that conversation. Do things like this happen to me? No. They don't. Is this legal? Yes. It is. We're already married... Tell me again the reason I married a princess? Oh yeah... her father wanted me to... protect her.
"Shay?"
Shamus smiled. "Yeah, princess?"
"What does it feel like?"
"Feel like? What?"
"Being in love."
Blinking in surprise, Shamus pulled back. "Haven't you been in love before, princess?"
Nina picked at the front buttons of his vest. "I don't know. I love my friends, and I love my parents, and I love my horses, but..." She raised her eyes. "But what does it feel like to love someone who isn't just a friend? Is it the same, but different? Can you tell me?"
Shamus felt his heart and soul melt completely as he smiled. "This is a pretty deep discussion, princess, and what's true for me might not be true for you."
Nina shook her head, eyes still slightly wide. "It doesn't matter. If I have something to compare, won't that make it easier to know if I'm in love with you or not?"
"Well, that certainly makes sense," he agreed with a slight nod, "but sometimes being in love with someone is a choice. Like mine."
"You mean the emotion stems from the choice?" she asked, and her expression showed a captivating expression of intrigue.
Shamus nodded. "Basically. I decided to love you, and so I looked for a reason to do that." He winked at her. "It's very easy with you." Hey. It's easier to flirt when she knows how I feel. Hm.
Nina flushed, but she held his gaze. "Perhaps then, since I've decided to fall in love with you, it'll be easier?"
"Could be. Depends on how ornery I am," he said with a serious expression.
Nina giggled. "I don't believe you could be anything but charming," she said as she gently pushed at him.
Shamus smiled. This is fun. He motioned ahead. "Come on, princess. We better head back before Ed thinks I don't want to eat his cooking anymore."
"All right." She fell into step beside him, intensely scrutinizing the ground at her feet.
Shamus watched her profile. "You want me to tell you anyway?"
"Pardon?" she asked as she moved her wide eyed expression to his face.
"What it feels like to love you?" And it felt odd to say it.
Though Nina's blush heightened, her expression remained serious as she nodded. "Do you mind?"
Shamus smiled wide. "Of course I don't mind, I'm just not the most poetic person in the world."
This time she smiled. "You don't have to be poetic to tell me... to tell me why you love me, do you?"
Shrugging, he looked away. "No, I guess I don't, but it would be kind of nice if I could. Don't you think?"
"I suppose so. I haven't had anyone tell me they love me before. It sounded poetic just the way you said it. You know? With your tone of voice."
Shamus' ears burned as he smiled over at her. Her cheeks were nearly as rosy when she met his gaze. "Thanks, princess." He continued to look at her until she smiled and looked away with a self-conscious flutter of wing. Shamus' lips twitched upward. "I never get tired of looking at your face, for one," he said softly. Am I really doing this? "I like watching the expressions in your eyes and the way you smile. It makes me feel like I have about a million rippers in my stomach all flapping their wings at once."
Nina's lips were caressed with a smile as she delicately clenched her hands behind her back.
Shamus cleared his throat and looked away. "Um... let's see. What else?" But Shamus' mind wouldn't cooperate. Finally, he shook his head, which drew Nina's attention. "I'm sorry, princess," he said while sending her a glance. "I just can't concentrate. I... I guess I'm overwhelmed with the whole 'I'm going to try and fall in love with you' thing." Shamus smiled at her and pointed at the clouds. "I feel like I'm up there and down here with you at the same time. It's kind of... nice."
"I'm glad," she said in a relieved tone. "I thought perhaps you wouldn't appreciate it. It seemed that you were trying to be my friend, but I didn't know how much further..." Nina cleared her throat with a delicate melody and peeked up at him out of the corner of her eyes. "I mean, I know what you said when we came home from the ceremony, but I thought... I thought that perhaps you did it so my feelings wouldn't be hurt."
Shamus shook his head. "Nina, I... I told you the truth about not taking liberties."
"So..." Nina fully met his gaze. "So if it were my choice to share a room, that would be all right?"
Shamus' mouth went dry, killing all possibility of speaking. He swallowed hard several times before risking it. "What?"
"If I didn't want to have a separate room anymore, you would respect that decision?" she asked, interest and curiosity mingling in her expression.
Speech vanished yet again, so Shamus only gave a slight nod.
"Oh. All right. I'll keep that in mind." Nina smiled and slipped her hand into his to lead him gently forward. "Can we have plums and whipped cream for dessert this evening? Do you think Ed would mind?"
So Shamus was drawn into a conversation about dessert and the plum grove there in Cedar Woods and the possibility of letting her choose a horse as her very own the next day. Somehow he kept himself away from her previous subjects of shared rooms and trying to fall in love with him to do his best to answer with some inkling of intelligence. If he was still distracted, Nina didn't seem to notice. If she did notice, she didn't comment. She only smiled and laughed and giggled along with him as she held his hand and tried to fall in love with him.
