I sighed softly trying to find a way to ask this question without scaring him. “Do you ever want kids?” My question was indeed innocent but I did wonder because of the way he talked about his old world. He stared, his eyebrows disappearing into his hairline. I noticed that his chest wasn't actually moving - he wasn't breathing? Then with a shuddering gasp his body seemed to restart.

“I -... I… Can honestly say I haven't thought about it in a very, very long time. Once, I'd considered it, but I didn't want to have children born into that damn loop. This world - I.. Had not even thought of it. I don't know if I can? I..” He sat down, heavily, on the bed, and rubbed his face. Finally he looked up at me with a quirk to his lips. “I'll think about it. But - I want us, to be a sure thing first. I'd not raise children in a fractured household.” His grin was lopsided. “That means I - no, we. We will have to find a way to help you past your hurts. And a way to get Nikita to like me.” He laughed softly.

I frowned softly, “I- I didn’t mean I wanted to have kids with you right now Erik, I just wanted to make sure we are on the same page. I didn’t want to have feelings for you only to find out that after maybe being together for so many years that you don’t want to. I-I have always wanted to have kids, be a mom.” I smiled softly, the image of my own mother popping into my mind. He reached out and caught one of my hands and pulled me closer, but not down into his lap, not yet.

“Apologies. I'm not against it. You caught me by surprise, sweetheart. I've not thought of children. But I'm not against the idea - this world is a new life for me, and I would be a fool to just dismiss things out of hand.”

I walked over to him my hand landed on his cheek softly stroking it. “Please don’t apologize dear.” A small frown stretched across my plush lips. I kissed his other cheek softly before walking to the dresser and pulled out a sheer robe. I shrugged it n and tied it around my slender waist. I started to towel dry my hair.

“Sorry I caught you off guard, I just want to be on the same page with everything. I don’t want to be caught off guard again.” I gave him a sad, apologetic smile. I ran a quick comb through my honey brown locks before grabbing the bottle and my glass.

I made my way to the bed, climbing in and propping myself up with pillow. He laughed and slowly shifted back to curl one arm over my shoulders before he spoke.

“Camille, sweetheart. Everything about you catches me off guard. I find myself loving that. I didn't even think affection like this,” and here he squeezed me against him, “was even possible for me. The first people I met in this world were fighters and killers, all a bit mad. Then you decided to jump in on my hunt, and promptly flipped my world upside down. On the same page?” He grinned and leaned over to kiss me softly, lingering with his lips against mine for a long minute. Then he pulled back enough to break the kiss, but I could feel his lips move against mine. “You might as well be writing the book.” His forehead rested against mine as he smiled at me.

“I think you mean you jumped into my hunt,” I laughed softly kissing the tip of his nose. He snorted and shook his head.

“No no, see I attacked first so it was my hunt and I graciously let you help.” He shifted and settled back, leaning against the wall behind the head of the bed. My mouth fell open slightly and my eyes narrowed slightly. He grinned wider.

“Oh you handsome devil you,” I flicked his nose before sitting back in bed still glaring at him. He laughed and tickled my side with his fingers, his skin warm against mine through the robe. I sighed contently pouring myself another glass of the sweet yet harsh amber liquid.

I brought the glass to my lips, at first taking a small sip before a greedy gulp and licking the remnants of my plush lips. “So full of yourself,” I giggled softly.