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[noburden]

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[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."

[rosarianoath]

For a moment, Star Trek is forgotten. He’ll try this episode again later. For now, he’s busy gathering her tighter into his arms and meeting her kiss wit a proper one.

“I love every minute I have with you here.”

[noburden]

She glances at the TV, sorry to keep interrupting his show, but she forgets about it entirely when he kisses her. She looks at him lovingly, grateful for this man that holds her tightly and genuinely loves her.

"Do you remember that terrible hole you lived in? The room you shared with Torgal?"

[rosarianoath]

“Only in darker moments,” he murmurs, against her lips, eyes open to meet hers. Sheepishly: “I’m grateful it moved you to pity me, then.”

[noburden]

She has to kiss him again. How glad she is he's here.

"I pitied Torgal. I don't want you to become him, chewing up the furniture."

[rosarianoath]

He sighs, savouring that kiss, shifting to nudge her over and onto her back on the couch, following her body with his own.

“There’s still time for that,” he says. “I could start going after the table legs.”

[noburden]

She goes with a smile, hands roaming over his sides.

"I'd make you sleep outside even if I understood why you did it."

[rosarianoath]

“And you’d go cold in our bed to make a point,” he says, not believing it for a second, nudging his way between her knees and settling his full weight atop her.

[noburden]

He knows her too well. Jill laughs, then sighs comfortably with his weight pushing the air out of her. Her heated, weighted blanket, that knows how much she desires him by her side.

"I love you, Clive." The words just simply need to be said.

[rosarianoath]

He presses a few kisses to her jaw, her neck, before running his nose against hers and gazing into her eyes. She’s so beautiful. She’s so comfortable under him.

“I love you, Jill,” he murmurs. “I’ll love you forever, and always.”

[noburden]

She knows, but hearing him say it makes her smile widen.

"Not long enough, I fear."

[rosarianoath]

“Even across every lifetime we may have?”

He brushes her bangs from her eyes.

[noburden]

Her gaze is full of warmth.

"Still not enough by... half, I'd say."

[rosarianoath]

“Then I’ll labour every day so you know I love you enough,” he promises.