<3 Married At First Sight </3

Amber glanced down at his hand. "If you're sure that you're alright then."


He nodded. "Whatever you need we can get for you no problem." He agreed walking into the hall with her suitcase.

"Hester's bite is no more to me than a friendly pat on the shoulder to you. Besides, frightened as he was, he did not mean it."

---

"Just in case they don't get there and I have a...lapse in judgement, do you own anything like rifles, any sort of gun, at yours? It...it won't particularly stop her if she's on a rampage but the pain's a good grounding tool."

She let her gaze shift to Hester and smiled gently. "I know he didn't mean it he's only little."


"Sadly I do. I'll show you where I keep them when we arrive."

"I once lost an arm to one of my various pets," Leonidas offered hesitantly. "So, in all honesty, it is of no matter to me he gave such a small thing as a bite."

---

"I don't need to know where they are. I just need to know someone will shoot me - it, her, whatever - if it comes down to it." Paige shrugged a shoulder defensively.

"You l-lost an arm?!" She exclaimed in surprise her eyes looking him over in confusion.


"Mm if it's what really needs to be done then alright."

"I have a love for reptiles. Sometimes, they do not love me. I had an unfortunate encounter with an alligator, lost an arm and subsequently succumbed to infection brought by the stump behind no more than seven days later. Though I do not know of the process, I reawoke, curiously with my arm still present."

---

"I'll heal from a few bullet wounds. Most people won't survive being swallowed alive or swatted with a paw the size of a small car. It's a necessary pain."

Ian glanced over at her. "I'm not most people but like I said if I need to I will. Lets just hope it doesn't come down to any of that."


"Did you have no one caring for you?" She questioned as she headed towards their hotel.

"If I shift by choice, then it's fine. If I shift by surprise, embarrassment or upset then that's fine. Anger, hatred, pain, they're all bad emotions to shift with." Paige loosened her hand from Areli's cage a little, her fingers having cramped.

---

"In those years, antibiotics and medicines were a foreign concept. They best that could be done was to bathe the wound in the nearest source of water and bind it tight to prevent bleeding." Leonidas shrugged weakly. "I tried not to become too close to others. The experience of loss is...not pleasant, especially when repeated over and over and over again."

Nodding his head he held his hand out for the cage offering to take it from her. "I tend to shift when angry myself."


Amber softly squeezed his fingers. "It will be alright now." She whispered smiling softly.

"No, it's okay," Paige mumbled. "I've got it. Isn't heavy or anything. 'sides, you've got my suitcase."

---

"I too am starting to feel as if it will be alright," Leonidas admitted. "Though I try not to hold on too tightly to false hope, so forgive me if I ever have doubt."

Ian shrugged his shoulders. "If you're sure then."


"I will try to understand if that shall arise though I hope it doesn't."

"The suitcase is heavier, I assure you. I've been lugging this thing around for years; only way to keep Areli from tearing stuff up if she's left alone too long."

---

Leonidas sighed quietly. "The mind is a fickle, easily swayed thing."

"Only if you lose faith. Keep your head up and smile. One step at a time and things will work out, you'll see." Amber tried to assure him patting his hand lightly.


He laughed. "I believe you. All I need to do is grab my stuff and we can go." He walked towards where his room had been.

"Faith does not come easy. Not after so many years...but I will not burden you with my past. Marriage is a chance for a future, and bitter memories have no place in it."

---

"If I can help, let me know. I can carry much more than my size might imply."

"Talking to me about anything that has to do with you is not a burden at all it's a learning experience."


"Don't worry about it I can handle it." He grinned pushing the door open to his room and setting down her suitcase so he could quickly pack up his own.

"I don't like making people uncomfortable with stories that may not be suitable for certain settings," Leonidas murmured. "My past is bloody and fraught with violence."

---

"Well, don't be hesitant to go ahead and ask if you need me to take anything. I can grab my own case if you like."

"Another time then when we know one another more maybe."


Ian shrugged as he packed his things away and closed up the suitcase picking it up with hers. "No need I've got it."

"Perhaps. It isn't particularly something I'd want to discuss with the closest of friends, but keeping it close to my chest isn't good for my health either."

---

"Mm, if you're sure. I'm not against heavy lifting, just so you know."

Amber smiled sadly. "I do understand and I'll tell you know that I only want you do as you're comfortable with and nothing more." She walked into the hotel area and looked around. "I think we only need to tell someone who we are and we'll be taken to out room."



"I'm fine carrying it I don't mind." He insisted still leading her forward.

"Is it anyone, or a specific person? I can ask, if you so wish, though if this is anything like the photography, I'm not sure I will adequately ask for what we seek."

---

"If you're certain." Paige wrinkled her nose and then followed after him, shifting Areli's cage to her other hand.

Amber giggled sweetly and taking hold of his hand lightly tugged him forward towards the counter where she told the young man there whom they were and such.


"Something wrong?"

Leonidas followed quietly, looking around him in silent contemplation. At times like this, he often tried to get used to places of grandeur.

---

"Hmm? No, no, nothing's wrong. I'm just thinking is all."

She gave a bright smile when handed a small golden key and was told where they needed to go. "Ready?" She asked looking up at him.


He raised an eyebrow in question but didn't ask.

Leonidas nodded quietly, squeezing her fingers gently. "I am ready as and of when you are."

---

"So what happens after all of this?" Paige asked. "I mean, the honeymooning. I get we live together but...do we stay separate or together or...or what?"

With another sweet smile and keeping hold of his hand she took him to the elevator and then up several floors to where their room was.


"Um well after the honeymoon and we return to my home I guess we're supposed to have about six weeks to decide whether or not we want to stay together..."