Grouse Thicket king of the road

Everything was coming up aces for Ambrose — it didn't take much convincing after all, and he watched as her mind worked over everything that had been said. As she spoke he felt a weight lift off his shoulders and as a result, his head lifted and he took on his usual swagger. Dude! I won't ditch. I know, we got all split up before — but that was you leaving, not me. I couldn't exactly — y'know, leave Red Rock, it was everything I've ever wanted. But he trailed off there a bit, glancing away from Niamh as he gathered his thoughts; now was not the time to get so passionate. He muttered, Sorry. It just... Didn't work out. This will.

All thoughts of the bet were thrown from his mind for the time being, and he regarded Niamh with the steely conviction he'd always carried. Every time they went adventuring together, or made plans, and all those promises they'd passed between one another as kids — he looked at her now and swore a silent promise in that expression. But just for clarity he said, You can trust me Niamh, we're family.

He smirked then, relaxing in the moment, Besides — we've always been an even match.