Deeper By the Day

Writers: Eimi, Suzee
Date Posted: 16th January 2019

Characters: Devren, Sophque
Description: Devren and Sophque have dinner, and he asks to take their relationship to the next level...
Location: Sunstone Seahold
Date: month 9, day 4 of Turn 9

Sophque

"That was delicious, Sophque, thank you," Devren smiled, looking up at
her as she cleared their plates.

"I'm glad you liked it," she smiled and walked toward the corner that
served as her kitchen in the tiny cot. "Would you like some pie?"

"That sounds marvelous, thank you," the merchant said, rubbing his
belly with full contentment. He sighed with perfect contentment.
These were the nights he looked forward to all sevenday, when he could
spend time with her. It had been a long time since he had been so
happy.

A large slice of caramel red fruit pie was set in front of him
generously seasoned with powdered klah and topped with a dollop of
whipped cream. She had paid dearly for the little bit of cream to make
the whipped topping. But it was worth it for a special occasion such
as this. "I hope you like spiced redfruit pie," she said softly and
sat back down with her own plate.

"Oh yes," he said with a wide grin, trying to hide his excitement but
failing miserably. Homemade meals were rare for a bachelor living
alone. His meals were usually taken at the dining hall except for
these special times spent with Sophque. "It looks fantastic, thank
you," he said grabbing his fork eagerly, though he did stop to wait
for her to have herself situated before digging in.

She smiled at the appreciation. She found a great deal of comfort in
her time spent with Devren. There wasn't the wild passion of her...
youth but there was a deep and abiding respect and affection which was
more than she'd ever expected. "You're welcome," she said. Then she
reached for the klah pot to top off her cup and reached it over to
Devren. "Want more?"

"Yes, please," he said around the bite of pie in his mouth. Devren
did try to politely hide it behind his hand, but he was greedily
devouring the delicious treat. He gave her a grateful nod for
refilling her cup, and after a hard swallow, he reached out to cover
her hand. "Sophque, there's something I want to ask you."

"Yes," she asked and turned her hand palm up to join with his.

Devren turned his chair to cover her hand with his other, momentarily
forgetting the pie on his plate. "I've been thinking and I was
wondering, could I maybe bring Devressa to meet you some time? I
would really like you to meet my daughter, and for her to meet you."

A slow smile spread across her face. "Of course," she nodded. "I would
love to meet your daughter."

He let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. "Good.
Great. That's excellent. I'll send her grandparents a message as
soon as I can to arrange it." Devren had already told them that he
had been seeing Sophque, and that his feelings for her were growing
deeper by the day. To his relief, the parents of his late wife had
been more than supportive of his finding love again.

She looked deep into his eyes and to her, his emotions were readable
and uncomplicated. She reached out her other hand and touched the side
of his face. "The sooner the better," she smiled gently and
encouragingly at him.

He held her gaze a moment. She had such warm eyes that just seemed to
pull him in. Without thinking too deeply of it, he followed his
instinct and leaned forward to gently press his lips to hers.

She didn't shrink away in the least. In fact, she kissed him back just
as gently. The warmth that spread across her belly was surprising in
it's sweetness and she smiled into his eyes as she pulled back.

Devren felt a pang of disappointment when she ended the kiss, though
it was through no fault of hers. She was behaving with absolute
restraint, which he respected immensely. But every time they met, he
felt a stronger and stronger longing for a day when acting proper
would not be necessary. "Well..." He cleared his throat as he willed
himself to lean back in his chair. "I should go before the neighbors
start to gossip."

"if they haven't started already," she looked out the open window but
didn't see anyone outside who might have seen them kiss. But when she
turned back to him again her eyes were warm. "I enjoyed that Devren,"
she said.

The look in her eyes made his heart flip as much as her words, and he
drew in a long breath, releasing it finally with a silly grin. He had
no words to say to that which could express what he felt, and
sometimes, he knew, they were not necessary anyway. "Ok," he said,
finally finding the strength to make himself move. Devren grabbed the
last bit of crust that was left on his plate. "I'll take this with me
then, if that's all right."

"Sure," she looked up at him a tiny bit puzzled. Then she stood
herself and went with him to the door. "Sophine really likes that pink
weave you brought. She made me lay it on the bed over her. I think I'm
going to have to make her a blanket out of it." The fact that he'd
thought of her daughter in addition to meeting his made her surer than
she had been of her decision to accept him if he finally asked.

"I'm glad. I really hope she and Devressa can be friends." And that
his daughter would come to care for Sophque as well. Devren had no
intention of trying to get her back from her grandparents. She was
settled and happy with them. But he did hope that she would visit his
new family often. **_If_ we become a family,** he reminded himself
before he mapped out a future that Sophque might not even agree to!

"So do I," Sophque smiled. "You'll have to tell me more about her and
your parents." So much of her life had been shaped by what she didn't
know that she found herself wanting to know everything about this man.
Then she immediately felt a tug in her soul that told her she was
being unfair because she couldn't share everything with him as well.
Her secrets were Sophine's secrets and she couldn't just tell anyone
about them. The only one who knew was the Headwoman and it had to stay
that way. "Come for dinner on restday," she asked.

"I'll be here," he smiled, already mentally counting the days between
this night and that one. **Any number is too many...** He thought as
he pushed himself back from the chair. "Thank you for tonight."
Leaning down, he kissed her cheek softly, but pulled back when he
caught the sound of a flutter and a flash of color out of the corner
of his eye. "Uh... Is he... yours?"

She turned around quickly "Copper?" She smiled and looked back at
Devren. "No," she said. "Not mine, he belonged to a friend and when
his person died he disappeared as they do. But sometimes he...
visits."

"Ah," Devren smiled, the mystery seemingly explained. "Well, then,
you have other company. I will say goodnight."

"Good night," she smiled warmly and closed the door as he turned away.

Last updated on the January 24th 2019

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Deeper By the Day