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[noburden]

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[noburden]

After all this time, his appetite never fails to amuse her. It's been a joy to make him meals and watch them disappear into his belly. A belly she can't help but rest her hand on, giving an affectionate little rub.

"I think your hair is due for another trim," she says, looking at it. "I'd do that... and then you'd need to have a wash, I think."

[rosarianoath]

“Hmm?” He seldom gives his hair much thought, beyond noticing it’s starting to brush his shoulders again. “Is that really a day for you, then?”

[noburden]

She reaches up to run her fingers through his mop. She knows it's time when it's a little harder to see his eyes.

"A day with reason to touch you? Oh, that's very much a day for me."

[rosarianoath]

“It’s your day,” he agrees, even if it doesn’t seem particularly exciting to him. “Whatever pleases you most, Jill.”

[noburden]

"Spending time with you pleases me most. Oh, we'd have one another at some point, but I assumed that was a given." She drops her head onto his shoulder with a smile. "My perfect day is spent with you. It doesn't matter what we're doing."

[rosarianoath]

He hums in agreement, finishing the sandwich and setting the plate aside. With one hand for her and the other with his beer, he can run a palm up and down her side.

“I’m glad I haven’t bored you.”

[noburden]

"Not for a single moment."

She's felt a range of emotions with Clive from heartbreak to joy, but boredom has never been one of them. She slips her hand under the hem of his shirt to feel his warm skin, but the touch is politely above the waistband.

"I hope you haven't been bored. I know life here is slow."

[rosarianoath]

“I’m not bored with you or Joshua is our life together,” he says, a little shivery twitch of his abs as her cool palm drifts over them. “But it is very slow. I’m getting bored of the hunting game.”

[noburden]

She rubs her thumb over the edge of an ab, surprised to hear that.

"I suppose you would. Little here is a challenge for you. I know you think yourself good at little else, but perhaps it's time to find a new hobby to occupy yourself? You needn't be good at it. Just... enjoy it."

[rosarianoath]

“But my hobby is hunting,” he says. That or Star Trek or bringing home badges, but there’s not much to be done about that here. “I don’t want another hobby…”

[noburden]

"Then I suppose you will have to make it more interesting by letting me and Joshua accompany you," she says, and before he can brush her off, she slides her hand over his stomach to pinch his side. "We could do with the excitement, you know."

[rosarianoath]

He twitches at the pinch, and takes the offending hand so he can kiss it.

“I know you could,” he says. He gets it, even if the idea of either of them being in harm’s way fills him with fear. “I’ll think about it.”

[noburden]

"You never had to think about it at home," she reminds him. "We were by your side during so many battles. The creatures here are nothing for us."

[rosarianoath]

“I know,” he says. He takes a swig of his beer and sets the can down on the side table so he can hold her. “I should trust you more, but Joshua…”

It doesn’t feel worth the risk.

[noburden]

"Joshua is capable and will have us with him at all times." Of course, having Clive with him didn't spare him at home, did it? She presses her hand to Clive's chest, concern in her eyes as she looks at him. "Nothing will happen. He's a skilled fighter. Should he get some bumps or bruises, I know he'll think it worth it to be out with us. I also know you'll disagree with that."

[rosarianoath]

Clive’s gaze stays on the screen, but there’s a pause and a purse to his mouth.

“I understand that,” he says. “I am just not ready. I don’t even like how often he goes out on his own.”

[noburden]

"Then start with me. Please?" She asks. She understands his fear and his hesitation. How can she not? He's lost his brother so many times. Too many times.

[rosarianoath]

He presses a kiss to the top of her head, thinking, and he finally says:

“Just you, then.”

[noburden]

"And you're not just saying that to placate me?" She sits back just enough to get a good look at his face.

[rosarianoath]

He frowns, attention fully pulled from the TV.

“No, I’m not.”

[noburden]

"I want us to have a good time," she reminds him. "I don't want your boredom turning into... doing a chore. You and I had our fun, hunting monsters and taking care of problems back at home."

She would ask what changed, but she knows.

[rosarianoath]

“We did,” he says. “But I enjoyed time on the road with you, and hunting more interesting game.”

[noburden]

She thinks on it for a few moments, hand rubbing over his chest.

"We could roam the woods together. Pretend we're on an adventure."

Silly.

[rosarianoath]

“I could pry you so far from the comforts of this home?” he wonders. He’s loved having a place for her where she’s safe and warm and cared for. For all three of them. “I would like to, when it’s spring again.”

[noburden]

"For a little while." She smiles and leans in to press a fond kiss to his cheek. "I love this home, but only because you're in it with me."