[ he doesn't... dignify it with a response. she knows him better than that. ]

For as long as we are here, [ and it isn't long, it's a breath, the space between movements, the blink of an eye. ] we will have whatever we can take from the world. I am greedy; we will take a great measure. I am afraid of your death, but that is my problems to solve.

[ he hates this, hates putting his weakness before her. love with her is putting the knife in her hand and hoping she does not cut too deeply with it. ]

You are not that sort of woman, and that is why I love you, or a portion of it. We are one flesh, one house, you not knowing my plans does not protect you from them, but perhaps-- perhaps I feared your anger, or this conversation. I am a coward. [ he puts the peonies down on the bed, mindful of them, but does not step closer to her for fear that she will run. ]

Ask, [ he says. ] Whatever you wish to know, or would you simply have the outline of it?