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[noburden]

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[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.

[rosarianoath]

Clive goes gamely after a second, sinking into the mattress on his back and settling his hands on her hips, looking up at her, still smiling. She is so wonderful, so perfect.

“I want you to be Jill Rosfield someday,” he says.

[noburden]

She very purposely sits on his groin, intending to fool around more, but the words give her pause.

"I know," she says after a moment, and her smile is fond. "As do I. I expect to be asked properly, some day."

Not in bed. He's done that already.

And not now.

[rosarianoath]

“Like in the best love stories,” he promises. Something grand and sweeping, well and away from the long conversations about dowries and political alliances that loomed ahead of them in their childhood. He squeezes her hips gently, acutely aware of her weight on his lap, itching to ask anyway, but: “Someday.”

[noburden]

She knows. Jill leans her face down over his, noses nearly touching.

"I pray you know what my answer will be." She does not think he would ever ask if there was any doubt. "Though I suppose little would change between us, would it?"

[rosarianoath]

“The only change would be in the eyes of others,” he says, lifting his chin just enough to brush her nose with his.

[noburden]

She closes her eyes, absorbing the contact like a sponge, and then presses a lingering kiss to his cheek.

"Perhaps Dion will like you more," she teases. "You'll make an honest woman out of me yet."

[rosarianoath]

He chuckles under his breath.

“Until then… I hope to please you as a dishonest one.”

[noburden]

Jill hums, amused by the words, before dropping her face down to his neck. Her mouth pinches his skin there for a moment before she abruptly stops.

Maybe no love bites with Joshua so close at hand.

She huffs out a laugh against his skin and moves her mouth to his shoulder. A little more discreet.

[rosarianoath]

Not with his necklines, that’s for sure, but truthfully, would he stop her? While she’s busy with his shoulder, he rucks up her skirt until he can get his hands on her bare thighs.

[noburden]

"Will we have time to undress fully?" Jill asks, back to nuzzling against his neck. Even with the door closed and locked, she thinks she might die (again?) should Joshua come home and travel up the stairs while they're both naked.

[rosarianoath]

“We don’t need to,” he says, leaning his cheek against the side of her head, palms sliding along her hips to fondle her ass. “Not with your skirts…”

[noburden]

"Is that so? You've been pawing at me all day... that's enough for you?" She teases. Clive's made no secret for his fondness of her ass.

[rosarianoath]

“If I want more than this I’ll take you to the club soon,” he replies, amused, but she’s right: he does want more.

[noburden]

"You know I always want more. We're talking about you, Clive," she laughs, kissing along his jawline.