[Isle of Mordred; Wales] The things we do (and don't) for family (Rosaline Bane)

"I think that she would probably like that very much." Rose assured him. It was true that Iago had mistreated his sister, among other people, in the past. However, she could tell that he was changing. At least he seemed to be trying to. Or perhaps that was just what she wanted to believe? She had always been very fond of him, though they'd had some disputes of their own. There was that week in Paris that she did her best to forget. She hadn't told a soul. And she wouldn't. If it were up to her, that secret would go to their graves. Regardless, at least he seemed genuinely concerned. He was a good person, underneath it all.

Rosaline was glad to hear that Gabriella's cats were, in fact, safe. Or at least most of them. The two women had bonded over their common interests. They had much in common, which was why she was never really sure why she had always been so accepted in their families and the older woman had not.

And there was Iago's smart mouth again. The brunette forced herself not to smile. That would only encourage him. Instead, she simply looked over at him and replied, "Oh, you of all people should be very thankful that I couldn't possibly be your mother."

He'd know that she was joking. Probably. "Good."

“Oh are you threatening to punish me?” Iago smirked at her, unable to stop the words from leaving his mouth. He really shouldn’t joke like that with her anymore… of course those thoughts were quickly interrupted. And he was grateful for that, he had to remind himself that she was married, and Paris was never, ever happening again.

Iago sighed and straightened up at a small chime on his watch. “And that’s my ‘two hours till dinner’ alarm.” he said with a bit of sadness. He was rather fond of rose and really wanted to spend more time with her, but he was determined to eat dinner with his children every night he could manage it. He made sure he always let them know ahead of time when he wouldn’t be able to, and it was heartbreaking how they frowned but said they understood. At times the two could be so mature for their age, but Iago wasn’t fooled. His little manipulative sociopaths reminded him more of Grandmother Costello’s stories of little Lara. he smiled softly at the thought of his children again, less saddened by having to leave Rose now.

“And unfortunately, the portkey to Neroli leaves in 45 minutes.” apparating to London at least wouldn’t be a problem, but from Wales to the mediteranian… he’d only known one person to apparate that far in one straight shot. And Lara had horrifically splinched herself in the process. At least they’d managed to mostly heal her. Though seeing a real healer would have been a help..

Rosaline, who was usually so articulate, found herself at a loss for words. A faint pink spread across her cheeks, and she shot him a warning look. She was sort of thankful when he had announced that the sound coming from his watch was his signal to go. She loved him, truly, but... at times she was not quite sure what to make of him.

"I understand." The brunette offered him a small smile and a quick goodbye hug. "Please be careful. And write. To me and your sister." She looked up at him with a grin. "We love you and we worry about you. Do send the littles my love. I'll try to visit soon. We'll plan it in our letters, yes?"

With that, she showed him to the door without looking too much like she was rushing him out. He had the children to get back to, and she had an important client to meet with before she went home to her future husband.

[out]

Iago laughed at her reaction, the grin still on his face as she glared at him. Their relationship was entirely an odd one, and with her being engaged and about to be married, Iago knew that the odd flirtations that happened between them would have to stop. Not that he was entirely disappointed by the prospect. When he wasn’t around her, he often wondered what had come over him. His father and her grandfather were cousins. Perhaps her being married would help him finally break that connection. It was better this way. They needed to put that behind them.

Returning her Hug, iago held on a little longer than usual. “I miss you. You know that right?” for once he was being serious. She pulled away first, as he promised to write them both. “Don’t worry, I’ll tell them that i saw you, and probably spend most of dinner being interrogated as to how you’re doing, when you’re coming to visit, and everything else under the sun about Zia Rosa” the two of them walked to the front door as they said their goodbyes, and Iago, headed out to apparate back in time for his port key. The last thing he wanted to do was miss dinner with his children.

[out]