It would be easy to rebuff that; he’s a Shield, he doesn’t need protection from anyone. But she deserves it, and she’s earned his trust there, time and time again.
“Thank you, my love.” He bumps his nose against hers. “We should go home.”
It is wonderful. The gloominess in him feels a little further away, and as he gets to his feet, he wonders if things could really be better. If he could dare to hope again, really hope.
“I think I’ll sleep very well tonight,” he says. “I hope you will too.”
His words surprise her, but in a delightful way. It's been a good day together. She wishes for countless more.
"I'm sure I will. Are you planning on hunting tonight?" She hopes not. She cherishes evenings together, sitting at the table and sharing a meal with Joshua and Clive as if it's always been this way. She enjoys saying goodnight to Joshua, knowing he's safe. And she finds peace in sharing a bed with Clive, knowing it brings them both comfort.
That’s a trickier subject. He’d like to be home, more than anything. Even the idea of stepping out to clear his mind and lose himself in the tension of battle is unappealing, and that’s a rare thing. More time with his family is important.
But he has to take care of them, too. He gives her a rueful little smile.
“I will stay in tonight,” he says. “But tomorrow… I need to keep food on the table, and a roof over our heads.”
Though the bump feels playful, he finds himself hesitating. He does not relish the idea of putting Jill or Joshua in the way of the monsters here, even if they have faced worse. Both are fragile. Both have pushed themselves past what they ought to.
"I could," he says. "In time. Perhaps when he's had more time to recover."
“You understand,” he says, relieved. “I would very much like to spend more time with you both, As much as possible. But perhaps there are better times for that.”
He nods. It's a striking thing to say, and for once –– for one glimmering moment –– he lets himself think it's real. That everything is going to be fine. That they're going to get to live on, in some way, and that he might deserve a little rest.
And he wouldn't have any of it without her.
Clive drops the bags abruptly, the bags hitting the ground with a soft, papery thump. He takes her face between his hands, tilts her face the rest of the way to him, and kisses her hard.
He startles her, but it immediately gives way to a giddy joy. Joy, and relief. He's trying. She knows he doesn't want to be so tense, distracted from the happiness that is right before him, his to grasp.
She returns the kiss enthusiastically, hands on his wrists, squeezing.
"I won't let you forget," she murmurs off his lips. He has family. He has love. He deserves rest.
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"I'll protect you." Even if by simply explaining to Joshua herself what happened between her and Clive, without anger.
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“Thank you, my love.” He bumps his nose against hers. “We should go home.”
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A sweet, affectionate kiss is dropped on the tip of his nose when she tips her face up.
"Let's go home, Clive. Joshua may be waiting for us."
What a wonderful thing to be able to say.
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It is wonderful. The gloominess in him feels a little further away, and as he gets to his feet, he wonders if things could really be better. If he could dare to hope again, really hope.
“I think I’ll sleep very well tonight,” he says. “I hope you will too.”
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"I'm sure I will. Are you planning on hunting tonight?" She hopes not. She cherishes evenings together, sitting at the table and sharing a meal with Joshua and Clive as if it's always been this way. She enjoys saying goodnight to Joshua, knowing he's safe. And she finds peace in sharing a bed with Clive, knowing it brings them both comfort.
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But he has to take care of them, too. He gives her a rueful little smile.
“I will stay in tonight,” he says. “But tomorrow… I need to keep food on the table, and a roof over our heads.”
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"You could invite us to accompany you," she says, lightly bumping his shoulder with her own. "Torgal isn't the only one that remembers how to fight."
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"I could," he says. "In time. Perhaps when he's had more time to recover."
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Even if they're perfectly capable.
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"And when you're out hunting, I hope you know Joshua and I will be looking out for one another."
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Intrusive thought: how will she go out to meet other men, like this? He shakes it off mentally.
“Where else will we take him?”
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Which is another lovely thing to be able to say.
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And he wouldn't have any of it without her.
Clive drops the bags abruptly, the bags hitting the ground with a soft, papery thump. He takes her face between his hands, tilts her face the rest of the way to him, and kisses her hard.
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She returns the kiss enthusiastically, hands on his wrists, squeezing.
"I won't let you forget," she murmurs off his lips. He has family. He has love. He deserves rest.
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“I know you won’t,” he says, pressing his forehead to hers. “I’m going to make you happy.”
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"I'm very happy right now," she tells him. "You know how to fill my heart with butterflies."
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"It's always been there. I've known. I'm glad you're finally catching up," she teases.