Teenage Woes (D5, EE)

[Mariessa Tremaine]

"That's not true, Harben," she sighed, her hands holding his and giving him a reassuring squeeze. "You would be a worthy addition to our house, any house."

"It's just... I don't know what I want. I like you, I've known you for years, and you're my saviour... but, I have to try to think of my family. Of what's the best choice, without letting my personal feelings decide. And I don't know what is the best choice."

This time, there wasn't a septa to ogle them at least, and she noted that there didn't seem to be anyone else here at this time.

[Ser Harben Varner]

“Promise me just one thing,” Harben pleaded. He brought her hands to his lips and kissed them lightly. He wanted more, so much more, to hold her in his arms, to taste her lips, but even without the Septa watching like a hawk, he didn’t dare. For her, he had to be... better, I have to be better than who I’ve been until now.

“Don’t let duty make the final choice. You are vibrant and beautiful, but a caged lark never sings.” He cupped a hand to her cheek, “you’ll make the right choice, Mari, you always have.”

[Mariessa Tremaine]

Meanwhile, Mari felt the hand cupping her cheek was like an invitation to kiss him, as it all seemed so much like it did in romantic stories. A knight and his lady, suddenly alone. She was determined not to go farther than that. Her father would never forgive her if she did.

"I promise," she said, her voice growing soft as she leaned forward, her hand coming up to cup his cheek as well in a mirror of his gesture. With eyes closing, Mari leaned in for her first proper kiss.

[Ser Harben Varner]

His lips met hers, gently, lingering for a moment that seemed to stretch on forever. Mother’s mercy, let us just stay like this, please.

[Mariessa Tremaine]

Mari did not press further than the kiss, and after a couple of moments that probably felt too short for the young ones, their lips parted from eachother.

"... Thank you," she said quietly. "You really are a noble knight, Harben. Don't ever think otherwise."

[Ser Harben Varner]

Drawing back, head spinning with the scent of her, Harben withdrew his hands, placing them on his knee, scant hairs breadth from her delicate fingers, but not quite touching. Words didn’t seem fitting in the moment, but he tried to find some anyway, “thank you, you make me a better man.”

[Mariessa Tremaine]

"Then... I shall have to live up to those expectations, Harben, if I am someone who can inspire a good man like you to be better," Mari offered with a regal smile, seeming to have grown a lot into her role as the future Lady Tremaine.

"... If you will allow me to tarry a bit longer in my decision, that is?"

[Ser Harben Varner]

“You don’t need to decide today, or this week, or this year,” Harben answered, “I trust you would never make such a decision lightly.”

[Mariessa Tremaine]

Mari smiled easily. "Thank you, Harben."

A chuckle. "Really... you are a kind and noble man. You shouldn't think so little of yourself."

[Ser Harben Varner]

"One day, Mari, I hope I can confess my sins," he shook his head and laughed wryly. "But for tonight, will you allow me to escort you safely back to your pavilion?"