forum “I can’t love you...” Reposting this here (O/O|Romance|Closed|)

Started August 10, 2019 by @Toxic_Persephone group

tune

Asher nodded. He almost wanted to ask if he could see some of her art, but…he didn't want her to say yes just because she thought she had to. At the same time…he was rather curious.

She hummed and tilted her head. “Speaking of which, there is one on the couch I do need to put away… At home I had to hide them… now I don’t know what to do with them… I sold most of my older ones and kept the ones I loved the most… I don’t have any room for them.”

"You can hang them up." He suggested. "I don't mind. So long as they don't clash with the themes of the rooms too much. The only rooms I would prefer you to ask first about are my study, and the music room. Where the piano is."

She shook her head violently. “I couldn’t do that… this house is to beautiful. My paintings aren’t even good…” she murmured, the last line having been a direct quote from her father. He always told her she was awful st it to try and discourage her. It never really worked but now she believed her paintings weren’t good. “All they are are landscapes and galaxies. Nothing too hard or intricate. They barely sold.”

He shrugged. "Alright. I doubt they're that bad, but whatever you want, then. I can get a storage area set up for you, if you want. Hell, if you want an art studio, you can have one."

She smiled softly at him and relaxed again. “An art studio would be wonderful… May I have one, Asher?” She asked softly, worried she was asking too much. “I’ll give you something in return. Any favor you need and I’ll do it.”

He gave a small smile. "Yeah. There's a few empty rooms you could have. Or if you don't want it in the house, I could have one built on the grounds. And you don't need to give me anything. I'm your husband, I'm supposed to try and make you happy."

“I’ll take an empty room. I don’t want to be a burden.” She said softly, looking at the house. It was large and wonderful. “I just need one with a window or two. Natural night is the best.” She murmured softly, smiling at him and sighing. “I still feel like I owe you something… you may be my husband but I just can’t love you..”

"I know the perfect room, then." He said with a small smile. The smile flickered out. "You don't owe me anything…and I understand. I'm not the man you thought you would marry. Not the one you would have chosen."

She smiled weakly up at him. “I was never going to be able to chose a man for myself. I’m glad it was you I married, Asher, you are much more polite and loving than the rest… thank you.” She said softly, dipping her head down politely. “I’m not too familiar with fae and their lifestyles but if love to learn. Teach me and I will try to be the best wife for you.”

Asher nodded. "I mean, there really isn't much to the Fae. We aren't too different from you humans. I mean…we tend to be a bit more… instinctive, animalistic, especially in, well, bed. Sometimes, among some Fae, there is what is known as a mating bond. You might call it soulmates. It's rare, though sometimes it can also happen between a Fae and a human, though that is even rarer…" He trailed off, thinking.

“Soulmates?” She asked softly, tilting her head and leaning back against the edge. “Was… was the last person you loved a mating bond?” She asked softly, looking a little saddened by the thought.

He looked up, surprised. "Peri? No. He and I…maybe we would have developed on eventually, but…" He sighed softly, drumming his fingers on the hot tub for a moment. He shrugged. "Mating bonds are complicated. Sometimes they click in right away, sometimes it takes a while."

“Can a fae develop a mating horn with anyone?” Xio had always been a nosy and curious child. It wasn’t a surprise to see her so interested in it all. “Can… you develop one?”

(I basically stole mating bonds from Sarah J Maas XD)

"Yeah. There have been bonds between Fae and humans before, though it's extremely rare." He thought for a moment. "I probably could, but… not every Fae gets one. It's rather rarely, even just among us."

(Oooffff XD it’s alright I hadn’t noticed! XD)

She nodded softly and stretched her legs out. “I like that idea of mating bonds… humans don’t have anything like that. A lot of times they just end up throwing their mate or spouse away… it’s horrible to watch.” She said softly, looking up st the sky. “If you ever get a mating bond with someone else please let me know. I’d be alright in stepping away as I had mentioned earlier. I want you to find your true love.”

(lol ok! I liked the basic idea of them so I stole it XD)

He nodded. "Not all Fae get them, like I said. My parents don't have one." He glanced over at her. "Arabella, it's highly unlikely I will ever develop one with anyone. The odds aren't on my side."

(It’s ok! Ahaha XD.)

She nodded softly and sighed. “Understandable. It was still nice to ask. I’m glad I did. I’ve learned a lot already.” She said with a soft sigh, looking at him with wide eyes.

Asher nodded. "Yes." He replied simply. He stretched, yawning softly. "Oh, sorry. I guess I'm more tired than I thought." He ran a hand over his hair with a small, embarrassed smile.

She blushed lightly and nodded, looking around the space. “You can go in to bed if you’d like… I can cover this back up. I’m not quite ready to leave. It’s relaxing.” She told him, avoiding his eye.

“You don’t have to look after me. I know you’re my husband but it’s jot really fair to you.”

He shrugged. "It's fine. I want to show you the room for your art studio, so I can get your okay on it." He replied, sitting up. "In addition, the cover is a bit heavy, and I don't want you to hurt yourself."

She shook her head and grinned softly. “Hey, I may be super thin but I’m not completely weak. I could probably lift it.” She said with a soft giggle.

He smiled slightly. "Yeah, but what kind of gentleman would I be if I left you out here alone to lift it?" He asked, looking at her.

She tilted her head and laughed softly. “I guess that’s true also.” She giggled and stretched again. “Thank you for being so nice to me. I appreciate the effort.”

He nodded. "You're welcome." After all, you're stuck with me for life. The least I can do is try to make it bearable. He thought with a soft sigh. It was dark out, the stars peeking out of the dark, velvety blackness.