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[noburden]

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[noburden]

She sighs, though the smile remains on her lips.

"He only worries for me. Like a brother would," she adds, fingers trailing down Clive's cheek. "I don't often speak of our relationship to him."

So no wonder any changes are a surprise to him. Jill often doesn't know what to say of her relationship to Clive, so it's easier to avoid the topic altogether.

"I should tell him that we've been better."

[rosarianoath]

He hums some acknowledgement, though he's not sure he agrees –– perhaps it's better that Dion knows less, as it would invite less scrutiny. Clive watches her face.

"If you think that's wise, then it's for the best."

[noburden]

He doesn't agree. The reply is indication enough. Jill brushes the hair away from his eyes.

"Do you not think it wise?"

[rosarianoath]

“I think he is expecting me to disappoint you,” he says, gently.

[noburden]

Jill hesitates, then nods in agreement.

"He is. I think you'll prove him wrong."

[rosarianoath]

“I intend to.” He leans his face in slightly, to bump his nose against hers.

[noburden]

"We've been happy lately, haven't we?" She murmurs, nuzzling her nose against his. Even before Joshua arrived, her heart felt lighter. The past felt like the past, and not some raw wound.

[rosarianoath]

“I’ve certainly felt so,” he says, sincerity in his voice, but he hopes that question is rhetorical just the same. “All I want is your happiness, my love.”

[noburden]

"If you've certainly felt so... have I not seemed so?" She asks, giving him a light and playful kiss on the lips.

[rosarianoath]

Clive chuckles under his breath and kisses her and then shifts his weight against her.

“I haven’t seen you this bright and at ease since you were a girl,” he says.

[noburden]

"My happiest days were spent with you and Joshua. I feel as if I've gotten a second chance to have that joy again," she tells him, hand running over his arm, the curve of his bicep. "And I get to have you."

[rosarianoath]

“I want you to have that happiness always,” he says, holding her gaze seriously despite the smile.

[noburden]

She gives him a sweet smile back before leaning in for a kiss.

"I always hoped to one day have a family with you. I suppose in a way we already have one."

[rosarianoath]

“We do,” he says, just off her lips. Unusual as it is, it is family. He hesitates, and from the comfort of their bed, their bodies twined together, he can ask: “Are those hopes behind us?”

[noburden]

She wanted to spread her wings and explore new lands. She supposes she's done that, too.

His question surprises her, but she keeps the smile on her face.

"I don't want them to be."

[rosarianoath]

His gaze drops to her lips for a moment, that enduring smile. She’s ensured so much. He meets her eyes again.

“I don’t either,” he says.

[noburden]

There's a flicker in the smile, a rush of emotion threatening to take hold. She blinks it away.

"I don't think you would have said that a few months ago."

Maybe not even a few weeks ago. A lot has changed with Joshua's arrival.

"I'm glad. Something else to strive for," she says, combing her fingers through his hair. Some reason for her to wish to return home.

[rosarianoath]

“Perhaps not,” he says. Things are changing. He doesn’t know how to fix any of this, but is it so wrong to want more? If Valisthea can be saved, shouldn’t she have something to remember him by? He could give her that, at least. He closes his eyes, sighing under her touch. “I need to try.”

[noburden]

"I know imagining a future for yourself has been difficult. I'm very glad you're willing to try, Clive," she says. It sounds so simple, but she knows it's not simple for him. Not after all he's seen.

[rosarianoath]

“It still feels near impossible,” he admits. “But I must —— for you, and for Joshua, and our future. For me, particularly so if I want to be the father of your children.”

[noburden]

The words clearly affect her--in a good way, with how she slips her arms around him and breathes out a small, relieved laugh.

"You must, but not alone. We'll see all our dreams fulfilled one day... I am more sure of that now than I ever have been."

[rosarianoath]

He’s surprised by her sudden press against him, but he wraps his arms around her tightly in turn.

“Good,” he says softly, “I’m glad to restore your faith.”

Now to break it to Joshua that anything needs saving at all.

[noburden]

She kisses him on the lips once, then peppers his face with kisses. Simply because she can.

"I love you more with each day we spend together, you know."

[rosarianoath]

The flurry of kisses takes him off guard to a degree he hadn’t expected, and all he can do in response is laugh as she continues, a thing that startles him, too.

“Jill,” he says, helplessly, “I love you too! I couldn’t bear a life without you.”

He can’t let her down.

[noburden]

That laugh is a glorious prize. It makes her laugh too, and the thrill of getting that noise out of him only encourages more kisses.

"Good," is all she says, and as always, any attempt to roll him over and climb on top of him relies on him playing along.