Welcome to Gaia! ::

He hadn't known what to expect. She kissed him. She was kissing him. What was he supposed to do? The sudden loss of half the blood in his brain was making it very difficult to think, and so he acted on wonderful, pleasurable instinct, bringing one hand up to lift her head into a more favourable position for access. The feel of her lips was even better than he'd remembered it. Mmmm.

She liked the bracelet. That was wonderful. But somehow, Jessie had other things on his mind. He leaned in and gently captured her lips again. When he pulled away, it was only for a couple of inches of distance - just far enough to look into her eyes.

"I never said I didn't want to do it again..." he said, his voice very low.

Jessie looked down at the black cloth for the first time. "Hmm? You didn't have to get anything for me..."

"Yes..." he replied, "That's where this all started. Saving you there."

He didn't need payment for that. He'd save her again and again and again, so long as she needed him. But still, he didn't argue any further. He leaned into her again - in the direction of her cheek, but ending up kissing the side of her neck... adoringly, as if he worshipped her. "May I see what it is?"

Jessie got up and circled around the bed to get a better look. In the light of the room, the jewels on the scabbards sparkled dazzlingly. They weren't imitations or costume jewels - they were the real thing, and they were covered in them, each sword with its different shade. But the scabbards were not the important part. A very fancy scabbard could contain a worthless, blunt, or broken weapon, after all.

"These swords are brothers," he said - he could see that much from the identical hilts. Kneeling down, he picked up the red one and drew it, revealing its blade, which gleamed like fresh blood. "Antique... you must have paid a fortune for the set."

He held the blade lightly in both hands, balancing it. This was not an imitation sword, or a replica. This was the real deal. It had seen battles - defended lives. It had that feel in his hand; the feel of a sword that had served a long career, and would eagerly sing through the air again if put to the test. Wherever it had been through the years, it had been well cared for. "Evelyn... I don't know what to say. Thank you. You didn't have to do this for me..."

Jessie gave her a beaming smile from the foot of the bed. "You know you made the right choice," he said, placing the sword back in its scabbard for safety before getting up and sliding down beside her. He put his arms around her and drew her close to him. "I love them. I can't describe to you how it feels to hold such a piece in my hands. I will treasure them."

He was very glad at that moment he hadn't just plumped for one option earlier at the jewellers. For the moment, he cuddled her there, quietly comforting her with his presence and loving touch. Stroking her hair, he gave her a kiss on the forehead and reached back to pull the other gift out of his pocket. He pressed it into her hand, so that there could be no doubt who was to open it.

"I'm so glad you like it."

Wrapping his arm around her waist a little more tightly, he reached up and gently toyed with her hair again. He was feeling a little more sober now. The gift-giving, and having to comfort her insecurities, had reminded him of how fragile she was. Her youth and naivety, as much as they attracted him, could be her undoing. It was like he'd said to Gloria - young people never saw the stalking beast of disappointment until it pounced. "...I'm not that wonderful, though. No amount of years can stop you from making mistakes. My feelings can blind me..."

He hugged her. "I don't want you to be hurt because of me, Evie. If you have any concerns at all, please, don't let me take you where you don't want to go. All I want is for you to be happy." He wasn't afraid to remove himself from the equation if it would be better for her that way.