Couples Do This, Right? (Jari)

Since the interrogation; since Jake had told her he loved her, two weeks had passed. And since then he'd said it twice. And while Marilyn's heart had surged everytime and she'd said it back each time she still shyed from saying it, because she didn't want to bother Jake, stupid as that sounds. But the witch had said it, in sex she'd said it before finishing once and once when they'd been cuddled together in the couch, whether he'd said it back she hadn't registered, too preoccupied by the situation or falling asleep soon after saying it, respectively.

And with that hurdle jumped an idea had come to Marilyn- Well, that was a lie. She'd admitted it then, but it had been dawning on her for a few weeks prior, really. She just didn't know when to talk about it, or even how.

So that evening, coming back from dance class they'd decided to call it a night earlier than usual, not with the intention of sleeping, but just to relax, read or something for a while in bed.

Having let him shower first Mari now got ready and washed up, her hair in a braid out of her face and had one of the nicer nighties she owned on. Before coming to bed she called out and asked if he wanted anything which ended up with her brewing him a tea and herself a hot chocolate, smiling when she slowly walked in the door to their- her bedroom.

"Hey love," she smiled, sauntering over to his side on barefeet and handing him the white mug with a smile before bring her tiger mug to her own bedside table and climbing onto the bed. But she didn't get under the covers, instead sitting criss-cross and grabbing one of her star maps and began highlighting constellations that would be visible soon.

But she didn't do that for long, because the idea was somewhat nagging.

"Jake?"

--
(Mari)

"Look, I made it in to Quidditch Weekly again!"

Mari smiled slightly, only glancing at the pic before forcing her eyes away, determined to not be distracted by the unfair hotness of the man beside her. So she turned in her seat to face him, still crossing her legs, "That's great, Jake." she bit her lip.

"I was wondering something..." Marilyn began, "It's just that, you're almost always here- and that's brilliant. Sometimes I forget you don't technically live here and I was just wondering, I mean you don't have you and if this totally freaks you out we can pretend I'm asleep and this is me sleep-talking, but I was just wondering what you'd think about, ehm, about actually living together." She managed to bring out, though quick to add for fear of being misunderstood.

"I mean, you don't have to move in here, we could get another flat if you wanted- if you even want to. And I know this stuff takes time because of immigration and papers and I mean, I'm not assuming you'd want to move to England, we both work for the British Ministry, so it'd make sense, but I'm not saying you have to and please feel free to interrupt me at anytime now, because I'm digressing like hell, so if you want to go with the 'pretend you're sleeping, Marilyn'-bit by all means say so now." The witch let out a deep breath she hadn't realised she'd been holding whilst going off on a tangent.

"I... I'd like that." Jake told the witch softly, a small smile playing on his lips. "But..."

Marilyn's eyes lit up at the affirmative but slight worry clouded her expression at the 'but'. Worry over nothing, as it became obvious when he finished the sentence and the witch huffed, a smile betraying her relief as she grabbed her pillow and, carefully, whacked him with it, laughing.

"Don't do that! You ass!" she kissed him back, unable to keep the grin off her lips, "I am relaxed, now," Mari replied, "and I'm happy you want to move in." Her lips closed the distance between them again and she moved to lay on her stomach, supporting her upper body on his chest gently.

"I was just nervous, I didn't want to freak you out," the explanation wasn't accusatory, simply explaining in a gentle, light manner, letting her fingertips draw shapes on his chest, "I'm never sure what's okay and what's going to push you away. And..." she pressed a kiss where she'd just drawn a heart, "I love you." Mari smiled.

The giddy smile on her face gave away that she was the opposite of irritated by his actions. Marilyn adored him, them, just the way they were. It felt natural.

"I love you too." Mari grinned and kissed him back just as affectionately and sweetly as he had started the kiss, leaning her features against his gentle palm, eyes locked on his before he asked her how they would want to go about this. Humming in thought she continued to press soft kisses to his jaw and cheek, contemplating.

"Well, I'd prefer we stay in England, and as comfortable as I am here I want to start this with you in a place that's ours," the with mused, "And since you aren't exactly penniless," she teased lightly, "and I have unlimited resources through my name we can probably both easily just go 50/50 on buying a new place."

"We'll look together," She murmured, pulling away only briefly so she could slip under the covers and comfortably resume her position on top of him, the pads of her fingers gently running down his temple to his jawline, "it's going to be our home, I want you to love it, too."

Marilyn placed a gently kiss to his lips before snuggling into his arms, her head resting on his shoulders, "I'm so happy right now," the witch admitted softly,

"I don't think I've been this happy before, thank you," her doe eyes flickered up to his warmly when she spoke, "This, us, feels right."