Welcome to Gaia! ::

And maybe the Sahara was the worst part. And after that came a lot of hurt, but it was the important sort of hurt. Like burning yourself the first time or nearly drowning cause you never bothered to learn how to swim before jumping in the water. The sort that meaning learning and understanding all sorts of s**t, about herself and him, and of course after that comes now, and now is pretty great.

She was ready to persist, to railroad him into the whole of it and then he was handing her several pages of his words and determination took backseat to curiosity. Laying on her stomach, half on top of him, one arm under his and the other hooked around his neck, America rested her chin on Taym's shoulder as she readied herself to read; she treated the man like a well loved piece of furniture. The sort that starts out uncomfortable as anything until constant contact wears a spot down for a person and they, in turn, learn to shift and adjust to find the perfects spots until it all comes so naturally that both appear made for one another rather than a hard-won comfort.

Facing away as she read, America's expression was hidden from him, but from time to time the curve of her smile could be felt against his shoulder, a warm sigh against his neck. It didn't take long for her arms to tighten. Soon enough the girl's shaking breaths trembled above his own and then, unmistakably, tears began to slide down into his collar.

"You ******** a*****e." It was said, of course, with teary, laughing fondness.