"I'm not asking for anything. I don't want you to think your obligated or something. I just thought you should know." He watches her as she stands before him, having refused the seat he'd offered when she'd first arrived. She stood tall and proud, her mask carefully in place, but he can see the apprehension creeping out around the edges. Long moments go by in silence.
"Well," she says, clearing her throat before gathering herself to leave. "I suppose that's all there is to say." She's almost to the door before he speaks.
"Marry me." It wasn't a request, and he could see her spine stiffen at his commanding tone. He stood as she turned back to him.
"No. I will not take pity and I will not accept marriage out of convenience or honor or whatever motivation you've given yourself. I can and will take care of myself and my child." He walks towards her, stopping only when he's not quite touching her. He notes the barest of shivers that runs through her.
"What if my motivation is love?" Her eyes widen at his soft question, her mask falling away completely in shock.
"Love?" It comes out a squeak as she searches his eyes, wanting to disbelieve what she reads there, trying hard to quash the ember of hope that starts to burn in her.
"I love you. I can't think of a better reason for two people to marry than that, babe or no babe." He wraps his arms around her, holding her tightly in an embrace that says more than words, or kisses, or even more intimate doings could ever convey. He feels the shaky breaths she takes, before whispered words are muffled against his chest. He pulls her head back gently so that she can repeat it.
"I love you, too," she says, her eyes shining. "And that's the perfect reason to marry."
Later, as they watch everyone calling in bets and exchanging money, she realizes that no one is truly surprised by their news. When she comments on this to him, he shrugs, then smirks as he takes his share from the winners' pot.