A hand on hers, a demanding voice, Navia should have known Théadan wouldn’t let her try to retreat from their conversation. She did not try to fight it either; if he wanted to explain himself, she would listen. He deserved that from her, but she also was resolute in what she said. With a heavy sigh and a glance toward the heavens in an appeal for patience, Navia turned back around to face her lover, and was met with a scowl. Steely resolve was on her own face, but it slowly faltered while Théadan explained all the reasons why it was worth being fearful over what she had announced to him. Eyes drifting from him, her own unease beginning to take root, Navia looked out at the rolling waves of the sea. She had not considered what her family or the rest of the Khluri nation would think. She was certain Théadan would be accepted though, so why wouldn’t their child? The more she considered it, the more she realized how many people could be upset she was able to have a child with their enemy and not their beloved general. Perhaps there was more to worry about than she had considered before.<br/><br/>The mention of Théadan’s family, who she was sure would not approve, had her scowling again. The Queen herself had threatened Navia if she became pregnant after being caught with Théadan, but with them so deep in Khlurios, they had to be safe. Théadan had to only be worrying because he wanted to keep them safe. And even if Mes’Mo’Tan heard of a child between them, surely they would not risk another war for that reason alone? By the time Théadan was looking back to her, Navia was shaking her head ruefully, for it was Rhodon who likely sat on that throne now and it sounded exactly like something he might do. Any thought of his family’s affect on their child was discarded when Théadan looked at her so softly though, so emotionally. It instantly lessened the frustration she had for him, the hand he’d been holding adjusting so their fingers could intertwine.<br/><br/>He loved her, she had not questioned that at all in the recent few minutes of their lives, and while he spoke of greatest gifts, she focused on one tiny little word.<i>For</i>. Fear for it, not fear it, not fear of it. She had mistaken Théadan’s fear for what bringing a child of theirs into the world could do to the child, not his fear for himself. It was what caused her to sigh, all anger she had for him dissipating as he stepped closer, his forehead meeting hers. Navia sighed heavily while she listened to him, eyes closing while she fought back all the fear, heartache, and anger that had been welling up inside her when she’d thought she’d be leaving the beach without him. Gaze returning to his, she was met with a smile, one that she returned when his hand reached between them to touch her abdomen again. He told her he was happy, he wanted to be at her side with the child, and Navia’s heart soared.<br/><br/>“You could try to look it,” she teased softly as she stepped closer, her body fitting up against his while one hand slid around his waist to keep him close. There had been a few agonizing moments where she’d thought she was losing him, so she felt the need to be near him. “Every worry you just shared with me is valid and we will meet each challenge together, as we have since that first night the Beast attacked us,” Navia used her free hand to rest on the back of his neck and guide Théadan closer as she did her best to rise on her toes in the sand, “But somehow you have managed to give me something I have struggled with being unable to have for years, Théadan.” Her lips covered his, warm and brief, before she pulled back enough to keep her forehead against his, “We can be fearful later. We can worry about where we’ll live, how to keep this baby safe, and every other obstacle that will come with it…later.” Again her lips pressed to his, though they were now curved into a grin as she pecked a couple more quick kisses to his lips afterward, her eyes bright with her elation, “It can all wait. We’re in no danger now.” Her hold on him tightened, her body pressing closer as she kissed him briefly again, a small chuckle escaping her, “Be happy with me, Théadan. Celebrate with me.” To try to convince him, she pressed closer for a deep kiss filled with all the love for him coursing through her, a bright grin accompanying her lips the entire time, and a small laugh even escaping. It was still so hard to wrap her head around it, and every time she tried, it did nothing but bring her pure joy.