our love blooms (like flowers in the spring)

love is blooming

Zach carefully puts on his studs whilst Jack picks a cravat.

Isla enters their quarters and starts pacing. She was fully prepared for her first ball. Juniper looks at her, walking back and forth.

"Is everything alright, Isla?" Zach questions

"My pen friend has just told me that when two people marry, they perform a marital act. This led me to research Jack's study for a book that properly explained what the marital act is. However, I do not find anything." She explains quickly.

Jack and Zach share a look.

Isla continues. "And you being the closest married couple I know, I beg of you: what is the marital act?"

The curly head raises his eyebrows. "My love, care to explain?"

Zach's eyes widen. "Me!?" He sighs. "Isla, are you sure you want to know what it is?"

She nods.

He takes one deep breath as he tries to find the proper words. "Couples marry, correct?"

"I am aware of it, yes."

"When they marry, they have a wedding night. They consummate their wedding by performing the marital act."

"Is it a dance? Oh, the professor did not teach me that!" She looks between them worriedly.

Jack shakes his head. "It is something you must only do with your spouse. Typically, on a bed."

"Sleep? the only thing I do in bed is sleep."

They sigh. Zach tries a different approach. "It is a very... intimate moment between a couple." He tries to explain.

She nods slowly. "But what happens per se?"

Zach blinks slowly, his mind reminiscing on all the lovely moments he has spent with Jack. He clears his throat."That is something you surely do not want to know from us."

"Why not?"

"Because we are gentlemen." Jack simply says.

"Should I ask Ava then? Or Sydnie?"

Zach raises his eyebrows. "Perhaps Ava, whilst you two are alone. As you can imagine, this is not a topic that is spoken during parties."

She nods. "Thank you... you were quite helpful."

Zach breathes out. A catastrophe, avoided.

"Do you two perform this act?" Her eyes widen. "Is that why I hear Zach screaming sometimes?"

Their eyes go wide.

"Nonsense, Isla. Zach screams because he hates being tickled, and I love annoying him." He lies through his teeth effortlessly.

"Oh, alright then."

They breathe out, now both relieved.

"Would you mind checking whether our mother is ready, Isla?" Jack questions.

"Of course." She steps out of the room.

Zach chuckles. "Oh, I scream your name because I hate being tickled?"He teases.

Jack approaches him. "What did you want me to say?" He rests his hands on his shoulders. "That you scream my name because I thoroughly satisfy you?" He questions quietly. Jack's gaze falls to the mirror in front of Zach. He smirks. "Oh, I have just had a brilliant idea." Jack looks at him through the mirror.

The brunet quickly understands his plan. "Perhaps we should save it for when we return."

"Oh, I will surely need to take my time with you," he presses a kiss on his head, "my love."