Oh, if I could, love. [Which isn't really a matter up for debate. Both are aware it really is ultimately his decision.] All my time I've been here I've only sent one person on with certainty. I won't leave it at that.
Understood. [He nods, craggy face softening near imperceptibly at the endearment. He still doesn't get many of those.]
The room'll stay open. [He's never promised 'I'll wait', because he hasn't and doesn't expect the Marquis to. That was never the kind of relationship they had. But this he'll do, he'll always leave a space in his life, not large or painful, but enough that a man can step in and find himself welcome.]
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Understood. [He nods, craggy face softening near imperceptibly at the endearment. He still doesn't get many of those.]
The room'll stay open. [He's never promised 'I'll wait', because he hasn't and doesn't expect the Marquis to. That was never the kind of relationship they had. But this he'll do, he'll always leave a space in his life, not large or painful, but enough that a man can step in and find himself welcome.]
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I see that mad dog of yours has made his way to warden after all, too.
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But that's a lousy thing to talk about on a good day. And it's a good day. Written anything new?
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[It's clear Stildyne doesn't actually mind; there's a gleam of cheerfulness in those narrow eyes.]