Dory felt as though he was pushing a boulder up a mountain, as if trying to convince her to try things his way was some kind of herculean effort. He could see her reluctance and disbelief, knew her well enough to know none of this was sitting well with her. And yet she was still going to go along with him. If Dory was braver, he might've called her out on it, he might've forced her to confront the fact that she was willing to suffer for his benefit. If he was at all prepared to lose her, he might've recognized that Winnie was willing to suffer because she was unprepared to lose him, too.
He could be happy without children. His sisters all had their families and gatherings were growing a bit overwhelming as a result. Dory didn't need his own children in the mix, he could be the fun uncle that allows dangers their parents refused. He could do all that because he'd have Winnie — his best friend and lover. The singlemost person he couldn't live without.
"I promise." He answered too quickly, despite knowing he'd never do any such thing. The opportunity to free her was now; Dory wouldn't trap her into a life of living together and more only to abandon her further down the line.
He could be happy without children. His sisters all had their families and gatherings were growing a bit overwhelming as a result. Dory didn't need his own children in the mix, he could be the fun uncle that allows dangers their parents refused. He could do all that because he'd have Winnie — his best friend and lover. The singlemost person he couldn't live without.
"I promise." He answered too quickly, despite knowing he'd never do any such thing. The opportunity to free her was now; Dory wouldn't trap her into a life of living together and more only to abandon her further down the line.