"...really?"

"Yeah. It's, um, blatantly obvious that you need someone? And I don't mind being it, I'm the youngest of a pretty big family, my country is not going to crash and burn in my absence. Maybe relations will be slightly trickier without a spare princess to marry off, but. Not the end of the world."

He hugs her.

"I'm—I—thank you."

Hug! Hair kiss. His hair is getting many kisses.

"You're welcome."

Snuggle-nuzzle.

Snuggle.

"So what does your perfect future look like? If you could have everything you wanted, no matter how contradictory the things involved are, what would it be?"

"—I don't know."

"All right." Comforting hair pet. "Well, I assume you want to keep me around and stay living here on this lovely mountain of yours, right?"

"Yes."

Hair kiss.

"I also assume you don't want to lie to people about who you are, or deal with people rioting at you."

"Correct on both counts."

"I'm so clever!" She snuggles him and hums thoughtfully.

"... Okay, well. Here's another question. You mentioned that you, um. Get something out of kidnapping girls. Is having me here scratching that itch in some way, or no?"

"...I'm not quite sure."

"Well, all right. Do you want to try talk about it?"

"...I don't really know how..."

"Well, that's okay." Snuggle. "Do you think answering questions about it would work better?"

"Suppose we could try it. Not like I have a better idea."

Nod. "Okay, so. Um. What exactly do you, um. Do. With the girls you kidnap? Is it just the, the obvious, or...?"

"...that may depend on what you think is obvious..."

"Um." She clears her throat. "I was assuming, ah. Rape."

"Yes, there's that."

"Well, is it, um. Just that? One and done, or...?"

"...not just once, no, I keep them for a while."

"Ah. I. Suppose that follows, what with. Not wanting to fly around too much." She shivers a little, and snuggles closer. "Um. Is it - just the, um, immediate pleasure? That's the - appeal?"

...he hugs her.

"I like to hurt people. I like - making people feel things. Pain and fear are old favourites. And - I'd definitely be losing something if I stopped - but I'm not sure I mind much, because what I have with you is so much better."