"No, I wouldn't spout it out in a panic on our first meeting in lieu of actual romantic words."

"It's just as well. Information is a better opener than, I don't know, elaborate compliments on my eye color."

"Oh? No love of me saying, for example, they are liquid pools of warm brandy? Or that you definitely stole the best stars out of the sky? .... That second one was pretty bad, I apologize."

"Wasn't it established that you are the one with starlight hair? Anyway, please, no comparing my anatomy with alcohol."

"I think I may be exceptionally bad at this," snorts Edarial. "No comparisons between you and alcohol, agreed."

"Should I be coming up with mediocre poetic compliments on my end?"

"Not unless you want to. On my end - I don't think I have it in me to manage even mediocre poetic compliments. Or poems in general. Alas."

"I'll make do."

"You sure? There's still time to flee, find someone who can actually compose poetry."

"We are married, occasionally kissing, and co-ruling a small country. If I were going to flee I think I've missed my optimal window."

"Probably a bit. But recall, that marriage doesn't count on account of you being under duress at the time and the vows being utterly terrible. So, just occasionally kissing and co-ruling a small country."

"It counts from a - public recognition standpoint. Which is most of what marriage is really for."

"... Technically. But the lesser portion of what marriage is really for is the part I find most important."

"What do you think it's for?"

"Picking one person from all others, with full disclosure of their flaws and quirks and finding you love them anyway, to be your partner and confidant. Sticking by them through - whatever happens after, whether it be the apocalypse or war or famine or - something that could potentially be distressing and drive you apart. And trusting them. Absolutely."

"That's a tall order."

"Just a bit. It was something of a problem, before, if you happened to notice."

"I noticed."

He kisses her forehead. "I'm going to guess that it is slightly less of a - thing for you."

"Considerably less, yes. I mean, it's serious - but it is a thing you do when you are serious rather than a serious thing intrinsically."

"Huh. Interesting."

"I wonder if Ice and Cypress have had this conversation."

"I - have no idea. I assume so, they are married and all. But we can always ask."

"I mean, they are probably on the same order of magnitude of seriousness, so it may be academic."

"Yeah. They seemed pretty happy to spend the rest of eternity together. While flaunting."