Rowan sighed, lightly bumping her shoulder against Alvaro's as the two walked, "Yeah... I've never..." Rowan ran a hand through her hair, which was already wild, "I never had to take care of anyone before. The situations I've been in have always been something on my own - even during the war, when we were on the same side, it was still watch out for yourself first and foremost." They were approaching the horses, where Frost knickered and loped over to Rowan, sliding to a halt before her. She stroked the horses head gently, and pressed her forehead to the space between his eyes, shutting her own tightly, "Now these kids are the people I need to take care of. They are more important than me, and I want to give them a good life. I just don't know if I can..." Rowan glanced over at Alvaro, with a smile now on her face, "But I'll try my best. Thank you for offering to help."

A small grin slipped onto Alvaro's face, and he felt it appear without letting it. It was common to hear first time parents say what Rowan was saying, he'd heard these things from many faeries that just didn't know what to do. Kori had always given such good advice in these types of situations, then again she had given birth to three children of her own, so that probably had something to do with it. Regardless, Alvaro was pretty sure he'd have to start giving out similar advice to his people soon, so it was good to know what to say.

Even though technically, he would not be there to help them in person. Rowan was a different case, she was... special to Alvaro, and he'd help her as much as she needed. "Rowan, do not doubt yourself, you are doing wonderful. All of the children are happy, and taken care of. They all understand that you're doing your best, and just knowing that you're there for them is something they need to know. And I believe that you have made it clear from the beginning that you'll always be there for them." Alvaro paused, the words forming without him even thinking about it. "You are a wonderful mother, to all of them, and they all appreciate what you've done for them. It'll never be perfect, the family I mean, no family ever is, but you are not striving for perfection, you're striving for happiness, and the children already have that." Alvaro gave Rowan a proud smile.

"And I am always going to be here when you need me. You've been there for me countless times Rowan, and you're selflessness is much higher than you believe it is. That's how I know that you will always be a good mother, and woman in general." Alvaro smiled, shrugging as his mark glowed a soft green.

Rowan felt happy tears build up, and she threw her arms around Alvaro, burying her head in his shoulder, "I didn't.... realize how much I needed to hear that. I... just.... thank you. Thank you." Rowan didn't know what else to say. She couldn't vocalize the relief she felt - or voice how afraid she had been. Alvaro soothed her nerves, and made her feel like... like she was doing something right. That she could be a mother to three, absolutely amazing and wonderful children.

After a moment, Rowan pulled back slightly, going back down onto the flats of her feet, but not letting go quite yet. Her hands shifted to rest lightly on his shoulders, "I-..." Rowan's eyes were shimmering as she searched his face, "I'm..." she was going to say sorry, that she shouldn't have just hugged him, but... she wasn't sorry. She wanted to hug Alvaro - she wanted to be close to him, and to be able to do it without worry.

But she didn't know if Alvaro wanted the same.

And she didn't want to make him uncomfortable.

Alvaro's reaction was immediate, his heart began to pound so loud he could practically hear it. He couldn't figure out why he felt so strongly about Rowan. Maybe it was the way she smiled at him and treated him like he wasn't in any way odd. Or maybe it was the way the golden flecks in her eyes seemed alive with color when she was happy. Maybe it was all of those things together, regardless, he really, really, liked Rowan.

Her warmth enveloped him immediately, and he had to smile. Gently, with a very light touch, he wrapped his own arms around her. Holding her close while she cried happy tears into his shoulder. He really hoped she couldn't hear his heartbeat, and wished that he could stay locked in this embrace forever. Unfortunately, he doubted it would ever be that way, she would never like him like he liked her. She was amazing, unique, and had a long life ahead of her, and he...wasn't and didn't.

So when Rowan pulled away, Alvaro loosened his arms, though they stayed around her waist. He stared deep into her eyes, just trying to see, to see if she knew what he wanted to do. Which was kiss her, and hold her close for forever and a day. "My words were true. that's why I said them. You're-you're amazing Rowan. Don't forget that okay?" Alvaro's heart was pounding, and he was so, so tempted to lean forwards and cover that space in between the two.

Rowan stood up on her tiptoes, locking her eyes with Alvaro's, her breathing soft as to not disturb the moment. She moved one hand to lightly cup Alvaro's cheek, her heartbeat at her fingertips, and for a moment, it felt like she was holding the entire world in her palm.
Alvaro was... wonderful. He was kinder than Rowan ever thought was possible, considerate, and had promised to help her raise three amazing children. He was someone she looked to for advice, but also felt like they stood on an even playing field. Neither one of them held more power in their friendship, and she hoped an eventual relationship - they met each other halfway.

"I... I won't forget, Alvaro... never. I promise," She was talking about more than just his words. She was talking about this moment, this heartbeat, wild and pounding... and hopeful, "I..." She leaned in close enough that Rowan could feel how their breaths entangled and mixed betwen them, and Rowan was suddenly glad she had eaten some mint leaves earlier.

"Can I kiss you?" Rowan's voice grew quieter, afraid to break whatever spell had been cast over the two of them. Rowan felt that the strings of fate guided her here, to Alvaro and the other faeries, to this single moment where for once, Rowan didn't hold back her feelings.
In Rowan's mind, life is too long to not fill it with love. She wasn't held back by the thought that one day, Alvaro wouldn't share this Earth with her. Rowan just wanted to spend every day until then with him.

There would be time filled with sorrow, but before that, there would be so much love. Enough to fill her heart a thousand times.

Rowan felt the spark, the connection, that pulled her and Alvaro close.

She just hope he felt it too.

Alvaro's heart pounded in his ears, and his ears turned a beet red. Even his cheeks were beginning to change to a light pink. It took a lot to get him this flustered, but Rowan being so close, so near when all he wanted to do was kiss her. He couldn't help it if he was blushing a little. Especially with the way her hand cupped his cheek and how her eyes were intently on his.
He immediately melted into her hand, feeling her warmth and drinking it. Slowly, he raised his hand and placed it over her's, the corners of his lips twitching as he was tempted to smile. His other arm remained around her waist, and he was tempted to just pull her close and kiss her there and then. He refrained though, and listened to her intently.

Truthfully, Alvaro couldn't believe this was happening to him. Rowan was amazing, she was caring and funny. She took care of three children, who weren't related to her in any way, and did a great job at it. Whatever she tried to do, she set her whole mind to, and it was a trait that Alvaro found admirable. Rowan helped Alvaro whenever he needed, as that was just who she was, and he couldn't ask for a better friend.

Or more.

Rowan's promise made Alvaro's breathing quicken, and he truly was fighting the urge to pull her close and kiss her. He wanted to know if she felt how he felt. This pull between the two that had always been there, but had never felt so..visible as it did now. He hoped that she knew what he was feeling, and could feel the string tying the two together.

Her words pulled a soft, soundless gasp from his lips. It took him a mere moment to nod and tighten his grip on her waist, eradicating the short distance between the two. And soon, he was locked in a loving kiss.

Rowan's hand slid to cup the back of Alvaro's head, and her arm stalked around his shoulders hooked tighter as he pulled her closer.

Their kiss was soft and gentle, if a bit sloppy. Rowan has never kissed anyone before, and was glad that her first was with Alvaro. She wouldn't have wanted it to be with anyone else.

They pulled a pasty after a moment, and Rowan took in sharp breathes, her eyes full of questions. What was their relationship? Did Alvaro feel the same way she did? What was next?

Rowan didn't know if she wanted to know those answers, and after a few seconds of the two just staring at each other, and horse butted his big head in between then with a knicker. Rowan stepped back to balance herself out and laughed, "Frost!" She exclaimed, grinning widely, "Oh, shoot! We are supposed to get the horses ready. We better go fast." The answers could wait. Rowan didn't want to keep the kids waiting.

Unfortunately,this wasn't Alvaro's first kiss (if it was that would be a little sad considering he's 243) but he could full-heartedly say that this was the best one. Alvaro was enveloped in Rowan's warmth, and couldn't help but smile against her soft lips. He'd kissed two other people in his life, but it hadn't felt this good. This kiss made him feel complete, and, dare he admit it, loved. He didn't know what any of this meant, and he didn't understand why he felt so strongly towards Rowan. What even were they? Dating? He didn't know any of it, but for the time being, as he stared into her beautiful, colorful eyes, he felt warm and safe. Alvaro could stand there forever.

Unfortunately, Frost interrupted and reminded them of their duties. Alvaro reluctantly released Rowan, his arms falling to his sides regretfully. He really, really wanted to hold Rowan for a bit longer, but they didn't have time for that. "Y-yea, we were supposed to be doing something huh?" Alvaro grinned, his ears beet red and his cheeks pink.

Little did the two know, that a young faerie had witnessed the whole thing, and soon ran off to tell the town of what had happened.

Rowan giggled, and, with Frost firmly between them - the horse refused to leave Rowan's side, and kept sending jealous looks over to Alvaro - headed over to the horse herd. She had made a small trip back to the village, and salvaged a few saddles and bridals. She'd been working with the horses here as a pastime, gaining their trust, and figuring out with bits worked on which horse. The horses she rode with tack were the ones she had saved from the stable when the village was attacked, and had all been put under saddle, "So, I've been working on riding with the children, but I don't think Nakia is quite ready to ride a horse on her own. She can ride with me. Neo and Hyll can probably ride on their own, but on the two gentle geldings grazing over there," Rowan pointed, "And you can choose whatever horse you want to ride. I'm not sure what skill level you are at, if I'm being honest."

Alvaro was almost regretful that Frost had shoved his big head between the two. Perhaps he would have been actually been able to say what was on his mind if he'd been given the chance. The moment was gone though, and Alvaro had returned to his cowardly state. He would definitely not be speaking of what had occurred unless Rowan brought it up. Even though he doubted that he'd be able to forget the warmth of Rowan's soft lips any time soon.

Alvaro quickly snapped out of it when Rowan addressed him, shaking his head to bring the clarity back into his mind. "Oh uh yea," Alvaro mumbled, "I doubt Nakia would be able to ride a horse on her own. She doesn't have the patience for it." Alvaro was slowly pulling himself back together. Rowan had so easily snapped back into the present, Alvaro could not understand how she did it. Maybe he was just being stupid, maybe the kids was some sort of accident on Rowan's part.

He really hoped it wasn't.

"I mean, I'm definitely not as skilled as you are, since faeries fly to their destinations we really don't ride horses too much." Alvaro paused, his green eyes drifting over all the horses in front of him. Doing his best to act just as cool and collected as Rowan was. "I'm decent I guess, probably as good as Neo, maybe." He shrugged, the pink tint on his cheeks and ears slowly returning to a normal color.