Hushed Willows it hurts until it doesn't

in the days that would follow, delight would become aware of mali's disappearance, likely from his last daughter's mouth, and would feel, finally, conflicted. guilty, sure, but for more complicated reasons than he'd like to admit. right now, though, he's not thinking of his living children at all, distracted by olive's husky scent, her and seabreeze's sweet proximity. so different from last time - different enough that olive's words ease the last of his remaining anxiety, swept up in their embrace.

still, he is who he is. "if you say so," he murmurs, only half-joking (though his eyes are bright and fond). he does not want to rush into this -- he wants nothing of this to feel like it did last year, doesn't want to be seen as just... a man, regardless of the role he takes in the specific action. 

he presses his nose gently against olive's cheek, pressing closer gently -- he wants to be coaxed, a little bit, but doesn't know how to ask.