She had thought about sneaking up on him, but she was on the wrong side of the breeze and it would carry her perfume to him. She'd come down from flat, wanting to do some light shopping for the garden. It was no shock to run into Brian, and she remembered the face of the woman from the other night. She wondered if she'd found her daughter yet.

And a lovely scent it was indeed. Oh she better head out before she got herself into trouble. "Thank you again!" And with that Raven headed down the road to look for her little spawn.

Jenai?d been sensed long before her arrival, such as their bond was. Brian smiled warmly, and turned just enough to catch sight of his heart. "Well hello there, love." He looked to Raven a moment, and then to Jenai once more. "You remember Raven here, from the other day?" Then seeing that Raven had dashed off, he chuckles softly. "So that's what it feels like..."

His eyes fell to Jen once more as a warm smile too form, "So what brings you out here, Lady Ravenlock?"

She lifted a brow a little at his last statement, but answers his question by lifting a small bag filled with seeds. "I wanted to try some new flowers that, are more of the hardy type. I want to teach the girls more, and the little garden will be perfectly sized for them to start with me."

"Now that-- is a damned good idea. No, uh... carnivorous plants, right? Kerri didn't suggest any, did she?" Brian then took a lean on that fountain ledge and patted a spot next to him for her.

"No. Nothing flesh eating, poison spraying, sticky, or paralyzing." She laughed and took a seat next to him where she could lean a bit close to him. "Yet, anyways. Kerri didn't say anything. But she may try and sneak one in later herself."

That arm of his slid round her slender form, as he planted a soft kiss to the head of red. "I missed you."

"I missed you too." She couldn't help but smile when he did that, she felt like she was eighteen again. When they would escape to the market to just enjoy the peace and quiet.

He gave a bit of a squeeze, and smiled. It was a cheesy bit of a smile, an one he didn't hide at all. There were no pretenses, or false bravado. He was hers in every way, shape and form. He didn't care who saw, that. Another kiss was planted on her head, "I miss this too... It's been a while hasn't it, Red?"

"Just a little bit?" She put her head on his shoulder and look out over the marketplace. How many times it changed yet stayed the same. "Kinda fitting, we end up back here."

"Couldn't agree more, baby-doll." His eyes panned the area, eventually landing on a particular bench-- and then another--- and then another--- finally, they landed on Yotsuba's as he chuckled to himself. "This is home."

Then a sly grin took form on Brian?s face. "I dare say... I think the girls might have been conceived on that very bench, if I'm not mistaken..." He noddled a tad. "Yep.."

She turned a shade of red he hadn't seen in ages, laughed out loud and nudged him. "Umm maybe? But didn't someone confiscate said property and move it to a certain garden elsewhere?" she teased him, "Or, is that just one of a few, from one of those times?"

"Uh huh..." Another squeeze of her, as he kissed that head once more. "Best -- bench-- ever."

"Oh I'm sure some were replaced, others--- well I'm sure they were cleaned. I'd hope they were cleaned... Then again with all the explosions and gods know what else, it's hard to tell. But I know that location, anywhere. Just-- like I hope Isuelt had those kitchen counters cleaned... Along with that flooring--- those couches--."

Brian paused, and shook his head softly... "You were SO my midlife crisis, woman... Still are, too."

?Funny how we got accused of places we didn't go, huh?" But those felt a million years ago now. "Psh, whatever. Midlife crisis, shmisis. You just needed someone that could keep up with you and your 'adventures'. And that just me."

"No... That?s not it at all? I needed someone who made me whole-- and that's just you."

Taking in a deep breath and exhaling peacefully, Jenai smiled once more. "I'm so happy right now. I can't help but wonder what's next. I want Dominick's childhood to more calm than the rest." She gave him one of ?those? looks.

Brian?s eyes met hers, as he nodded softly. "Now that, m'heart... Is something we both can agree on. An it's something that *will* happen. I promise you, that. This time, things will be different-- for us all. I promise you that, hun." A kiss was given to her forehead, as he smiled.

"Thank you." she smiled and said softly.

"Nothing to thank me for-- you made all of this possible, m'heart."

She squeezed his hand tightly, which caused him to lift that hand of hers and place a kiss atop it.

"I love you, Jen."

"I love you too."

"C'mon Momma Ravenlock, let's grab some ice cream."

"That sounds really good actually." She had a huge smile and that would be the perfect way to finish today.

Swiftly patting that butt of hers that he adored, as he then snagged those grocery bags for her.

She was happy to give him the bags, a pat was much better than a smack, but the smirk was just as big. She slipped her fingers around his arm and they took off for ice cream.

?All of these lines across my face, tell you the story of who I am... So many stories of where I've been... and how I've got to where I am. But these stories don't mean anything, when you've got no one to tell them too... it's true. I was made for you.?

Long had it been since there had been an evening such as this, for these two shared souls...

Long had it been since, they'd lived life, such as that which they live currently...

Long has it been since he'd felt that safe, in the darkness--- since he'd felt that fearful, and yet secure...

Since he truly understood that no matter what would come at them, day in and out, that he would not face it alone-- that she would be there with him. Never too far ahead, never a bit behind--- always at his side.

?I'm not going to die, because I am the one who will protect you.?

Those words... Her words... Told to him, shortly after he had returned from Darkenwood, on that Yules Eve, those years ago.

Those words that had been held so deeply within himself, etched into his very soul. A soul that was not only his own, but was in fact her own. As with every bit of what he had and was--- it all belonged to her, and always had even when he himself, did not realize it.

And true to her word, she did just that you know...

She protected him.

When others faltered... and even more so--- when he faltered, she did no such thing, what so ever.

When others denied and looked away, when others walked away for whatever the reason, she did no such thing.

Instead, she believed.

She believed, and she moved forward-- against that grain, so to speak. She walked headlong away from everyone else, and into whatever awaited her, with no knowledge what so ever of what lay beyond the next bend-- what lay in wait, deep within the shadowy recesses that even she couldn't peer within.

Others doubted and feared... Others had judged and more so-- convicted, leaving her to do what she had to do alone.

And despite that deeply rooted fear that she carried for so very long, when it came to him--- she did not waiver in the slightest...

Because whatever steps forward she took, that placed her that many steps closer-- to him.

It mattered not what she had to face, or who she had to face, or who stood with her.

Because where he was, is where she needed to be...

It was that simple, and yet--- so very complicated. As were many other facets of Jenai and Brian Ravenlock.

So simple and yet... You get the idea, no?

Pardon me, I've gone a tad off track. My sincerest apologies, now where was I, again? Ah yes... This will work.

She was right you know... Jenai I mean.

He wasn't sleep at all, despite the rather convincing appearance of slumber.

Sleep was indeed a rare commodity when it came to Brian and Jenai. Well, a 'true' sleep, for arguments sake. Of course they slept like anyone else--- just not quite the same as one would imagine. Perhaps the best example may be that 'one eye open' deal, or what not. However, before I lose track and veer off on another tangent or so, just know that like Jenai, Brian only slept fully and truly, when she was near him.

While there are some theories as to the whys and hows, the popular belief seems to be that it is actually a true showcase of being just 'that' vulnerable only with each other and no one else.

History seems to support that as well, you know... You need ask a select few, if the topic should ever arise.

Because as it stands--- Brian Alexander McDineen-Ravenlock had only surrendered himself wholly, and truly one time in all his life (or lives, depending on whom is asked).

That time being when he gave himself, to Jenai.

No one else before, no one else after.

While others may have issues with such a notion, or perhaps even try to offer contention to such a matter, it matters little to Brian, because he knows and more importantly, Jenai knows.

That touch of hers-- those fingers, sifting through the locks of his namesake, digging perhaps for a bit of silver, so to speak... It drew such a shiver from within him, as he stirred ever so, all the while fighting the urge to smile all silly like at the same time.

For the moment he'd succeeded.

Barely.

However it hardly ended there, as he felt those eyes of hers next. Hmm? What was that? Feel eyes, you ask? How does one 'feel' eyes? Well, I truly wish I had a real answer to that, as I am rightly sure that Brian Ravenlock also wishes the same...

But the fact of the matter is that Brian and I do not have the answer to that question, our apologies in the matter.

But know this--- Brian has felt Jenai's eyes for so very long now, that it is as natural as breathing... Fact.

And as before--- another shiver took hold of the man.

If only she understood what it was she did-- wait, hold that thought... No scratch that, because she knew damned well what it was she did to him, and then some.

Since that very first time, she'd laced his cheek with the most feather-light of kisses so very long ago when he'd resided in the Sanctuary with her and her sisters. Since that first outing of theirs that soon followed... Since that first time, she'd worn that 'Team Ravenlock' jersey and little else. Since that first time she'd truly kissed him in the kitchen of the Red Dragon Inn.

Now I could actually continue, but I imagine you do understand where I am coming from, so we'll just leave it at that.

So back to things... That shiver he felt-- was due to her fingers trailing from his temple to his lashes... Something perhaps 'little' to some, but when it came to her there was no 'little'--- every touch was something incredible-- something that even Brian Ravenlock couldn't put words to. Shocking, I know... But it is a fact, plain and simple.

That warmth--- her warmth, was even felt by him. More so the evident, by that rather loving smile of his, as those eyes of his slowly opened to look upon her, making sure to take her hand into his, as to not get him poked in the eye... Hey! It can happen, y'know?

His hand slid from his side, as fingers gently traced the lobe of her ear, making their way down her jawline to offer a sweet caress of her warm cheek.

Softly, he spoke...

?I wish she hadn't left... Cause now, I think I'm in trouble...?

Those blue eyes of his, so fixed upon her as he just smiled that smile that was hers, and hers alone.

She wasn't the only one who felt so very young once more, not now--- not ever.