[ Troy is trying his best to be the best husband he can be, both for his wife and for their child. Balancing his life as king and husband is a new challenge for him as a warrior. He can't just order people around like he used to, not wanting to be bossy king or father. He nods, setting his work aside to attend to what's more important to him. ]
I wasn't staring. It's just very noticeable. Either way...
[ He says, giving her that furrowed brow look he always does when he's wants her to know he's being honest. Troy stands from the table to join her at the couch, even gesturing to ask permission if he could join her, out of habit. Regardless, he does join her with care in the way he joins her personal space. ]
Sorry if that made you uncomfortable in any way. It sometimes takes some reminding from myself that I'm not a single man anymore.
[ He sighs, letting his arm lay on the backrest by her shoulders. A gesture he hopes to reassure her that he's with her. Still, his libido is part of his basest instincts that he enabled for so many years, he feels it's a challenge to silence it ]
[ Ingrid sounds a touch indignant as she glances down at herself with a low sigh. The changes her body has been working through are a source of mingled pride and irritation and worry. She gestures for him to join her, though. ]
I would think your pregnant wife would be a great reminder about not being single. [ She nudges him with her elbow. ]
Even if... even if we weren't exactly allowed to choose it.
[ The marriage was arranged. She doesn't mind or have resentment. But she does wonder what that means for their longer term relationship. ]
[ There's certainly more swell to them now than they did, he noticed. But not as much as the glow of her skin that he gets to appreciate more now that he's sitting next to her. He lets out a breath through his nose, deflating from the stress of his work as he welcomes the presence of his wife to the forefront of his mind. He got a chuckle out of the nudge of her elbow. ]
Do you regret it? The marriage, the pregnancy?
[ He asks, letting his arm settle on her shoulder as he moves closer, letting her rest her back on his chest. ]
Or worried about it?
[ He adds, knowing the future can almost be as tough as the past. But he rests his hand on her belly, knowing just what she carries inside of her despite how surreal it all still feels for him. Settling down like this was never his intention, but a lot can change for the good or the bad. That's why he's wondering if she's worried like he is. ]
[ She sighs and glances down at her hands as she leans into him. That's such a loaded question. Or at least it feels like one. She can't really say that she does - but also that she doesn't. She cares for him - she does - and she knows things could be worse. A lot worse.
But she also knows that her life could have been very different and sometimes it's hard not to think about that. ]
...I don't think I regret it. But... I'd be lying if I said I never wondered about what might have happened differently.
[ Troy thought of just adopting, should they want another child next time. But the future is always uncertain. He lightly kisses her head, letting her lean her crown against his jaw, and his warm breath to pepper her golden hair. He lets his fingers run along the back of her arm, comforting her a little as best he could. ]
[ Her former fiance not dying. But she doesn't want to say that to him. He doesn't deserve that. She's... not unhappy with where she is. It's not what she expected, but it's... good. She gives his hand a little squeeze. ]
[ He smiles, trusting her and pulling her hand with his after she squeezed it. He laughs, joking: ]
Not to brag, but I definitely had many potential different marriages. A lot of them could have probably gone sideways.
[ Being king, it makes sense that he would have many offers. So that why he only brings this up with good-natured humor, he never really thought of it much. He remembers some prospects being questionable though. ]
But I still chose you. I love a woman who can kick my ass. Even if she's pregnant.
[ Ingrid sighs good-naturedly and shoots him a little look. ]
You did choose me, in the end. And that means something...
[ To her family, of course. And to her, in her own way. ]
But don't tease. I'm not in a position to fight anyone right now, carrying this child around with me... [ She smiles ruefully and rubs her belly again. ]
I do want to get back to training after they're born, though.
[ His hand follows hers, placing it on top as they both feel her growing belly. It's been months, and with how fast time passes at their age it's only around the corner - the fact that they'll be parents soon. ]
I'll help you catch up. You'll be back in shape in no time.
[ He has experience in teaching, and enjoys the chance to do so whenever he does. It will be the least he can do to help his wife after everything she's been through ]
Ever told you the story of my mom when she was pregnant with me? Bravest woman of her generation, I swear.
[ He chuckles as he reminisce. ]
I didn't get to spend too much time with her before she passed away, but that story is one of the things that stayed with me. Just imagine a woman, tad shorter than Annette and months into her pregnancy, just challenging a demon to try and take me when it was attempting to. All she got was a rusty machete, but the stories I've been told? The thing backed down.
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I wasn't staring. It's just very noticeable. Either way...
[ He says, giving her that furrowed brow look he always does when he's wants her to know he's being honest. Troy stands from the table to join her at the couch, even gesturing to ask permission if he could join her, out of habit. Regardless, he does join her with care in the way he joins her personal space. ]
Sorry if that made you uncomfortable in any way. It sometimes takes some reminding from myself that I'm not a single man anymore.
[ He sighs, letting his arm lay on the backrest by her shoulders. A gesture he hopes to reassure her that he's with her. Still, his libido is part of his basest instincts that he enabled for so many years, he feels it's a challenge to silence it ]
no subject
[ Ingrid sounds a touch indignant as she glances down at herself with a low sigh. The changes her body has been working through are a source of mingled pride and irritation and worry. She gestures for him to join her, though. ]
I would think your pregnant wife would be a great reminder about not being single. [ She nudges him with her elbow. ]
Even if... even if we weren't exactly allowed to choose it.
[ The marriage was arranged. She doesn't mind or have resentment. But she does wonder what that means for their longer term relationship. ]
no subject
[ There's certainly more swell to them now than they did, he noticed. But not as much as the glow of her skin that he gets to appreciate more now that he's sitting next to her. He lets out a breath through his nose, deflating from the stress of his work as he welcomes the presence of his wife to the forefront of his mind. He got a chuckle out of the nudge of her elbow. ]
Do you regret it? The marriage, the pregnancy?
[ He asks, letting his arm settle on her shoulder as he moves closer, letting her rest her back on his chest. ]
Or worried about it?
[ He adds, knowing the future can almost be as tough as the past. But he rests his hand on her belly, knowing just what she carries inside of her despite how surreal it all still feels for him. Settling down like this was never his intention, but a lot can change for the good or the bad. That's why he's wondering if she's worried like he is. ]
no subject
[ She sighs and glances down at her hands as she leans into him. That's such a loaded question. Or at least it feels like one. She can't really say that she does - but also that she doesn't. She cares for him - she does - and she knows things could be worse. A lot worse.
But she also knows that her life could have been very different and sometimes it's hard not to think about that. ]
...I don't think I regret it. But... I'd be lying if I said I never wondered about what might have happened differently.
[ She smiles tightly. ]
And pregnancy is always risky.
no subject
[ Troy thought of just adopting, should they want another child next time. But the future is always uncertain. He lightly kisses her head, letting her lean her crown against his jaw, and his warm breath to pepper her golden hair. He lets his fingers run along the back of her arm, comforting her a little as best he could. ]
no subject
[ Her former fiance not dying. But she doesn't want to say that to him. He doesn't deserve that. She's... not unhappy with where she is. It's not what she expected, but it's... good. She gives his hand a little squeeze. ]
You don't need to worry about it. I promise.
no subject
[ He smiles, trusting her and pulling her hand with his after she squeezed it. He laughs, joking: ]
Not to brag, but I definitely had many potential different marriages. A lot of them could have probably gone sideways.
[ Being king, it makes sense that he would have many offers. So that why he only brings this up with good-natured humor, he never really thought of it much. He remembers some prospects being questionable though. ]
But I still chose you. I love a woman who can kick my ass. Even if she's pregnant.
no subject
You did choose me, in the end. And that means something...
[ To her family, of course. And to her, in her own way. ]
But don't tease. I'm not in a position to fight anyone right now, carrying this child around with me... [ She smiles ruefully and rubs her belly again. ]
I do want to get back to training after they're born, though.
no subject
I'll help you catch up. You'll be back in shape in no time.
[ He has experience in teaching, and enjoys the chance to do so whenever he does. It will be the least he can do to help his wife after everything she's been through ]
Ever told you the story of my mom when she was pregnant with me? Bravest woman of her generation, I swear.
[ He chuckles as he reminisce. ]
I didn't get to spend too much time with her before she passed away, but that story is one of the things that stayed with me. Just imagine a woman, tad shorter than Annette and months into her pregnancy, just challenging a demon to try and take me when it was attempting to. All she got was a rusty machete, but the stories I've been told? The thing backed down.
no subject
[ She laughs quietly, her hand idly brushing her belly. ]
She sounds strong-willed. And I'd do the exact same thing if someone decided they wanted to take our child from us, you know.
[ She flashes a smile. ]
Although I'm personally thankful that there aren't any demons showing up.