"You deserve to be happy too," Ruby said seriously in response to his declaration.
Ash bit back a sigh. He was happy being with her but it was an incomplete sort of happiness. Because right now as he stared into her jeweled eyes, he wanted nothing more than to kiss her and he knew that could never happen.
Instead, he rested his forehead against hers and closed his eyes so he wouldn't be as tempted. "I'm happy as long as I'm with you."
That was as close to the truth he would ever be able to tell her regarding his feelings if he didn't want her to fly far, far away. This would have to be enough. He would stay by her side, help her raise the child she loved enough to sacrifice herself for, and…then what?
What would happen when she no longer needed help with Flora? Right now, Ash functioned primarily as a babysitter when Ruby had to go do things on her own or a form of entertainment for the little fairy that needed constant distraction.
