Léan nodded, taking the hair briefly to study it and assess its scent. "This should work just fine. As long as the scent doesn't wear off...and I will keep tabs on it. Water does strange things to human hair."

"Well, maybe we'll be lucky and it won't do weird things to my hair," Glory said.

Léan nodded, then held the hair back out to her. "Just in case...perhaps we should place it in some sort of container, so that it doesn't get wet until I take it out to show him."

"I can do that," Glory said. She went back inside nd rummaged through the kitchen for a moment before finding the box of Ziploc bags. Pulling one out, she put the hair into it and zipped it shut, squeezing out as much air as she could. Then she took it back out to him. "There. Air-tight and waterproof."

Léan grinned, then took it back. He ducked underwater and returned a moment later without the bag. "I will keep it hidden in that small cave, so that I don't lose it. I believe I will leave in the next few days...tomorrow morning at the earliest."

He didn't say anything more, but it was pretty obvious in his expression that he wanted to spend time with her before he left.

"Alright," Glory said. The thought of him leaving hurt, even though she knew it was for a reason. "Come on, let's go inside. I want to cuddle with you for a while."

Léan shifted himself up into shallower water at once, so it would be easier for him to pick her up. He had eaten a good meal of fish and was relaxed, now.

Picking him up, Glory took him inside. By this time, Nana had gone to bed for the night, so Glory took him straight into her bedroom and set him on the bed. She immediately sat down next to him and hugged him, cuddling into his side.

Léan returned her hug, resting his head against her. He had a blissfully happy look on his face. He had a feeling he should leave the following morning, to avoid her father moving even farther away, so he was going to enjoy their time together.

"I'm going to miss you," Glory said softly as she cuddled with him. "I'm going to miss you a lot."

"That goes for me, as well," Léan replied, eyes closing slowly. "I am not sure how long I will be gone, but I'll be back...it shouldn't be more than a month...that is probably the maximum..."

"Just be careful, alright?" Glory said. "Don't make me have to patch you up again, because that'll make it the third time." The last part was said teasingly.

Léan chuckled. "I'll try to watch where I am swimming this time around," he promised, just as quietly. He fell silent, then, enjoying her company, before he yawned, a little worn out.

"We may as well get some sleep," Glory murmured, giving him a kiss. "I have school in the morning, so I have to be up early."

"I should leave in the morning, as well...I don't want him to swim even farther away," Léan murmured, returning her kiss. He was tired, so he slowly sank down a bit, so they could lay down together and rest.

((I've go to go--I'm really tired. Night!))

Glory reached over and turned off the light for her room and then snuggled in with him, pulling the blanket up over them both.

"Morning is going to come early," she warned softly as she cuddled with him. She was already comfortable enough to fall asleep in his arms.

"I know," Léan murmured, closing his eyes. He was perfectly content, and it looked like he was about ready to fall asleep already, as well. But he wouldn't sleep until she was asleep.

Glory fell asleep quickly in his arms, unconciously using him as a pillow. She was relaxed, comfortable, and, if she would be honest with herself for once, she was with someone she loved. She wasn't quite ready to admit that one yet, even to herself.

Léan had a hard time getting to sleep, since he wanted to make the moment last. But, he knew he would need to be ready and well-rested for tomorrow, so he drifted off into a cozy sleep.

He had already admitted it to himself. He was used to being honest with himself. He wasn't, however, used to being honest with others, or expressing his emotions to anyone other than himself.

The next morning, Glory was reaching out and turning off her alarm before he brain had completely processed that the alarm was going off. The rest of her was snuggled comfortably next to Léan, and she was content to stay there until she caught sight of her clock.

"Time to get up," she murmured, reluctantly sitting up.

[Léan wasn't fully awake when she spoke, and he curled back up again when she spoked, as if in protest of what she had said. "Too early...gah..."

"You were warned," Glory pointed out. She didn't want to get up, either, but she had to get ready for school. "It's always stupidly early when my alarm goes off for school."

Léan grumbled, then slowly sat up, rubbing at his eyes. He was so tired, and all he wanted to do was curl back up and sleep a little longer. He had to get going, though.

"You don't have to do this, you know," Glory said softly, cuddling with him. She could afford to be late to school just this once.

"...I will be fine," Léan assured her, and then he sighed. "I should get going soon..." He didn't want to go, but if it would make her happy, he was glad to go.