"Would the answer be... four," Elaine guessed as she laid on the couch, using Desmond's lap. It was their nightly routine now on the Bostonius. With the others asleep, they would stay up a little longer. It was something Elaine wouldn't trade away for anything in the world. Currently, they were just finishing up on making up puzzles for one another.

"Correct," Desmond confirmed. Smiling down to Elaine. Said girl gave a small yawn before she murmured,

"I'm glad we managed to get everything sorted there, in Hoogland."

"Yes, it is good," Desmond agreed. "Though right now, I'm more curious about why you're using my lap as a pillow."

"You used my lap. Why can't I use yours?" Elaine asked with mirth.

"I suppose my lap would be more comfortable than a pillow."

"It barely passes," Elaine said bluntly, fighting hard against a smirk.

"So you say." His fingers began going through her hair. Gently moving down her scalp and following her locks until they reached the end. It gave a soothing feeling, Elaine enjoyed as she closed her eyes. Relaxing even. She never did realise until now how much she liked feeling her hair being stroked. But she definitely didn't want this to be the last time Desmond would do it. It was too delightful for it to not continue some other time.

"You seem to like this," Desmond remarked. Opening her eyes, she saw Desmond smirking down at her.

"It feels nice."

"Then I'll be sure to do it again then." Elaine hummed and walked two fingers up his chest, stopping just above his ribcage.

"… We're you thinking of Lucy, today?" Desmond's fingers stiffened to a halt. After a moment, they resumed their movement. Though slightly hesitant.

"A little. I suppose the whole wedding thing just reminded me a little of my own wedding. Any reasons for the enquiry?"

"Those words you said to Julien," Elaine said. "'Once people are gone, they cannot come back. Not matter 'ow much you want them to', I believe you said. They just sounded… Like you were either thinking of Lucy, or Johanna. And considering the circumstances, the former seemed most likely."

"A well thought out guess then," Desmond remarked. "Then I guess to be more specific, I was thinking of our wedding, and her death. Just a little. Sometimes you see things and when you're around them long enough, those memories just pop up. Whether you desire them or not."

"Was it ever 'ard celebrating Johanna's birthday?" asked Elaine. Desmond took a little longer to respond as he thought over all those years.

"Her first birthday, it did hurt a little. But I wanted it to be Johanna's day so I brought us both to her grave the day before. It got easier from there on." Desmond paused, and stopped stroking Elaine's hair. "But, after Targent stole my daughter, it just did nothing but hurt. Johanna was the only good thing that happened that day and without having her at least, I couldn't even bring myself to visit Lucy's grave or do anything really to mark the occasion other than taking a break from work." He paused again, and seemed to have something on his mind.

"That's the first thing I want to do after all of this is over," Desmond spoke softly. "I want to visit her grave. With Johanna, and… And you."

"You're certain you want me there? I wouldn't want to intrude…"

"It's not intruding if I'm inviting you," Desmond murmured. "I must remember to get some forget-me-nots and lilies for her grave."

He then grabbed Elaine's waist and pulled her onto his lap and rested his chin on top of her head, wrapping his arms around her.

"It's funny how this whole, 'Dragonlord' thing cropped up," he said, changing the subject. "I wonder where all of those brides 'ave gone?"

"Somewhere 'appier, I would imagine," Elaine said. "But they still lose family and friends."

"It's slightly better than death, but not enough I suppose." Desmond leaned back on the couch. "But it's over now, so such sacrifices won't ever be done again."

"Good. That place just felt like a twisted cult in a way. Or something like that story, 'The Lottery'."

"It does fit in a way," Desmond admitted. "Though the deaths wouldn't have been as direct and it was to please a deity rather than an exchange for a good harvest."

"Still a bit of insane conformity. To a degree at least."

"Well, what's done is done and there won't be any more Dragonlord weddings." Desmond gave a small chuckle. "It's a good thing they didn't try to take you to be the next Dragonlord bride. I don't think the people who would even touch you would live any longer if I had my way." Elaine rolled her eyes a bit.

"Flattering, but I would already 'ave knocked them out BEFORE they could touch me. So you're already beat there," Elaine teased. Desmond gave a small huff.

"I still would have prevented any wedding."

"I would 'ave prevented it faster, Dessy."

"You really shouldn't try to get smart with me, darling puppy." Desmond had a shine to his eyes, like he had an idea in mind. A little hesitant at first, Elaine responded,

"And shouldn't I, Dessy?" Desmond gave a low chuckle and picked Elaine off his lap and put her back on the couch, before moving so he was facing her, legs on either side of her and hands pressed against the back of the couch.

"Because I just remembered that I never did get a get a chance to mark you as mine before we were interrupted back in Torrido," Desmond explained, moving the collar of Elaine's shirt away from where her neck and shoulder met and leaned in to give the spot he recalled being more sensitive a little lick. Elaine's breath hitched briefly before she cleared her throat as Desmond chuckled.

"Mark me as yours?"

"To show you belong to me."

"That makes me sound more object then human." Breath hitched once more when two more licks were felt against her neck.

"That's not the intention. After all, I think that since you're mine I have to be yours. It makes sense and is fair."

"Then I should mark you then," Elaine muttered as she leaned forward only for his hand to push her back.

"Maybe later. But since you're starting to act like misbehaving puppy, it's only fair I give you a small mark. Just so you recall who you're with," Desmond murmured before lightly biting down. Elaine gave a faint gasp from the sudden before sighing light when she felt his tongue against some of the skin covered by his mouth.

When his mouth moved away, he moved his tongue lightly around the teeth markings he left, making Elaine lightly bite her lip since it felt slightly ticklish. Looking back up at Elaine's slightly red face, Desmond wore a confident smirk.

"Enjoy?"

"M-maybe," Elaine muttered, looking away. Desmond chuckled and pressed his lips against her forehead.

"Let's go to our rooms now, dear. We'll need our rest for tomorrow."

"Oui."

Back in her and Johanna's room, Elaine first went the mirror to see the mark Desmond left. The reddish bruise-like mark was easily hide-able with her shirt which saved her having to come up with a story as to how she got it. She traced her fingers over it lightly in small interest. Not her first hicky ever, but receiving it from Desmond was certainly something. She never thought he would actually do such a thing though. Not that she was complaining too much.

Had it been on a more visible part of her neck, then there would be problems.