He was oblivious (as men often are) to the notion Raven's sudden determination to look at those rings was a desperate effort to ground herself and her compiling thoughts. Tobias rather assured that conversation they had so accidentally delved into was hardly one to be had here and now in the middle of a mall and yet, he supposed, it was what it was. He had so very limited time that perhaps it was almost better that conversation had happened now, when here was here and present and not that other side to himself. Tobias debating whether or not that other side even truly understood the concept let alone possessed the sense to discuss it. He doubted it, truly, and yet he was making those steps towards accepting that other side to himself all the same. Raven seemed almost quiet in those moments that followed and yet Tobias hardly made an effort to interrupt her thoughts, rather he turned his own attention back to those rings, his golden gaze brushing over those different polished surfaces. Frankly he was hardly sure why the woman seemed to feel it was so important and yet it was an easy concession to make all the same. Tobias hardly concerned with wearing one before that wedding if the woman desired it and yet, once more, he found himself needing to consider that other side and his tendency to become distracted with shiny things- else sell them.

He supposed he could hardly blame that more animalistic version of himself. He had learned desperately early on that petty theft afforded him things that could be traded for food or other supplies he desired. That he no longer had to scavenge or hunt as he did as a child was evidently clear and yet those learned behaviours seemed to deeply ingrained within that 'other' for them to be un-learned in any sense. Tobias decidedly good at hoarding things he favoured either to present to others as gifts, to keep as treasures or pilfer to god knows who for god knows what. Based on that tendency alone it was near critical he hardly chose a gold ring least the boy decided to do...any of those things truly. The young man instead allowing his attention to rest on those other rings made of duller coloured and yet no less precious material. His gaze settling upon that darker toned ring as his finger lifted to point at it. He liked the colour and the tone, he liked the darkness and those different shades. They reminded him off....him, in a way. Those different shades. Raven's comment that her ring looked much the same as his saw him give that ready nod, that warm simper finding his lips in agreement even if his mind found itself distracted by a myriad of thoughts in that moment.

Any effort to return to that pressing conversation was interrupted by the sudden arrival of that salesman, Tobias affording him a polite grin even despite that annoyance that tugged at him at the mans interruption. Still, he allowed the fellow to offer him that ring. Tobias slipping that ring onto his finger a moment later. It fit well and truly it felt comfortable in its place, the man flexing his fingers as if to test that very feel before glancing toward Raven once more with that small smile. His hand held up for the woman approval. Really, he didn't mind the look of it at all. Tobias never truly anticipating he might ever have a ring to begin with, after all, he'd never exactly believed anyone might want to marry him. Not when that other side tended to make those interactions more difficult. Raven seeming determined she could teach him the meaning of that ring or in the very least, give it reason as to why he should sell it or play with it like a toy. He had faith in her and yet- he always had.

Still, it was hardly that ring he wanted to talk about here and now. Not when Raven seemed so very...unusual about that topic of wanting to have a family. Tobias oblivious to those acceptances and understandings she had already made in her head when he himself had barely even thought about the topic, let alone given it the level of consideration she had. Those thoughts, only now, compiling within his mind. He had never believed he might get married, let alone father legitimate children in any sense (even the illegitimate ones had been a surprise) and as such, until here and now he had never really thought about it. Did he even want children? It simply seemed the natural order of things, really. Tobias almost surprised to find he was hardly opposed to the idea even if the difficulties off it were sure to be immense. Even if Raven managed to fall pregnant, a feat in itself given those low chances, would the child be feline or canine? Could Raven raise it virtually alone? Although, truly, she would hardly be alone. The pack was likely to be far more accepting off a child born from marriage of two mates. A planned child as opposed to a surprise one. Financially they were more than capable and yet was the Ark a truly good environment for a baby? Was tetradore ready for that? Was Tobias himself? Was Raven? Perhaps there was something to be said for how his other half lived. A lack of thought must make some things far easier and yet perhaps the question isn't really that difficult either. If Raven hardly desired children then, simply, Tobias would hardly press for them and yet too, if she did he would hardly oppose her. Tobias assured he could live his life contentedly with Raven herself or a family off his own in equal measure. The woman seeming to have grown terribly quiet once more as his gaze shifted from that ring to her own. Her fingers twisting in that nervous habit. Raven suddenly declaring she had decided a long time ago not to have children.

"Raven, that's fine, I respect that choice. I just didn't want you think- "

His own words fell short as the woman continued, posing those very questions he himself had considered oe whether they should if only for.....all those reasons why they shouldn't. His head nodding simply in that final assurance that it was, in the very least, something that was possible for them. His mate seeming to near desperately struggle with her own internal thoughts before that nervousness seemed to overcome her again. Why was she so nervous? Wa she nervous of...him? Had he done something to her? Tobias near considering taken a step back and away from her to allow her that space as she commented on those families they had both come from. Her own was less than pleasant and his was fractured into pieces tied together with string. That family they had with Tetradore the most significant, important family he had ever known. That pack the very thing he thought off whenever that word family was mentioned. Tobias watching her silently still, her voice holding that warm note as his own simper found his lips. Tobias allowing one longer finger to reach out and hook the ones shirt, tugging her against him then, his lips pressing with that gentle, subtle affection to her forehead before letting his chin rest softly against the top off her head.

"I never really thought about having children, I suppose I always thought it was something that just wouldn't happen for us, but, if we both want the same thing- then why shouldn't it?"

madness, as you know, is like gravity: all it takes is a little push