"Of course," Gareth said, holding her hand tighter. "I can absolutely do that."
Figuring out how was a little more of a problem. He felt nervous about trying to move her, as if she had something wrong with her spine instead of just being poisoned. Carefully and awkwardly, he managed to lift her up off the bed and maneuver himself onto it, until he was holding her in his lap. He wrapped his arms around her, his cheek resting against her hair. He wanted to maximize the amount of her that was touching him, hoping some warmth would seep into her. They'd put her in a thin gown, and it didn't feel like enough.
"I can pretend," he murmured. "But all you have to do is ask. Any time, just ask." He didn't think she would. Even coaxing her into allowing a kiss could be tricky. But he'd like it if this were something she'd ask for sometimes, instead of just goading him into losing his temper.
He nuzzled at her hair, and pressed a kiss to her scalp.
Figuring out how was a little more of a problem. He felt nervous about trying to move her, as if she had something wrong with her spine instead of just being poisoned. Carefully and awkwardly, he managed to lift her up off the bed and maneuver himself onto it, until he was holding her in his lap. He wrapped his arms around her, his cheek resting against her hair. He wanted to maximize the amount of her that was touching him, hoping some warmth would seep into her. They'd put her in a thin gown, and it didn't feel like enough.
"I can pretend," he murmured. "But all you have to do is ask. Any time, just ask." He didn't think she would. Even coaxing her into allowing a kiss could be tricky. But he'd like it if this were something she'd ask for sometimes, instead of just goading him into losing his temper.
He nuzzled at her hair, and pressed a kiss to her scalp.