#THERE MAY BE SOMETHING THERE THAT WASN'T THERE BEFOOOOOREEE

[lightsiided]

     she laughs more loudly than she intends, smile sharpening into a grin. "the boasting you are expert at," rey agrees. "some would say even more than fighting." the playfulness between them is WELCOME -- a respite, certainly, from the heated back-and-forth that plagued so much of their prior conversations.

but also a cover to how RELIEVED she is he has made it back safely.

rey's eyebrows lift in surprise as thor touches her. his hand is soft on her arm, his guide to the window ledge a light suggestion. she can't help but to be curious about all of it: why they are here together -- alone -- why he has given her these gifts, why he is being so KIND.

she takes advantage of the fact that his gaze is elsewhere to study him. thor looks much the same as ever, but rey finds herself appreciating the fine details of his face, now, in a way she hadn't before he'd left. she thinks of the nights there had been no news of the battle. how hard it'd been to sleep.

"with me?" THAT is curious, too, but thrilling nonetheless. she can feel her face flush with pleasure. rey's quiet for a moment, again considering the figurine in her hands. it would be embarrassing, she thinks, to misunderstand his request. he probably just wants to speak frankly about the charm, or ask what she and loki had been up to in his absence. there's no reason for her heart to be racing as quickly as it is. "well, you didn't miss much. but i think i can find the time. if... you're really sure you're not needed elsewhere."

rey wonders if it's OBVIOUS how hopeful she is. the idea of an evening alone with thor is almost unbearably nice -- frightening and wonderful all at once.

“well,” he starts, though he stalls with his mouth agape and a lost expression on his face.  “i suppose they just had a feeling,” leaves him in a drawl after a too - long moment.  “and it seems they were right.”

the truth is he’s paid close attention to rey, since the bitterness between them had begun to turn sweet.  yellow is the color he sees her with the most.  yellow are the flowers she lingers by the longest, her smile radiant as she inhales their scent.  yellow accents many of her dresses.  furthermore, it suits her.  someone as bright as her could only favor the color that embodies such brightness.

casting his gaze around them, his own nose scrunches with disproval.  “knowing it’s my duty makes it no easier.  it’s so dull.  the boasting, though,” here, he smirks, his tone playful to match her, “much more fun.  if only my duties could consist of fighting and boasting of my victories.  i would enjoy them more.”

while rey speaks, a hand lifts to gently touch her arm; he guides her along as he walks, moving them away from the center of the corridor & toward one of the windows.  the framing of the stone wall looks out over the garden that stretches around the castle.  he looks out at it, at the blue sky and the sunshine, and his heart leaps in his chest.

“they can keep waiting.  i would rather speak with you.”  it’s honest, direct —— yet doesn’t scatch the surface.  thor isn’t ready yet to go deeper than that; though part of him wishes to.  “actually, i can’t think of anyone better to tell me all that i’d missed while i was away.  if you can spare a moment.  or — an evening.”