IT'S A BEACH PARTY

[noburden]

Jill finally gets her day at the beach with her boys.

Did she pack far too much food? Possibly, but the cooler and basket(s) fill up some of the space on the massive blanket set out on the sand, an umbrella shading a corner of it. Someone will eat it at some point. She opted to forego the alcohol (no beer cans), but there's sparkling lemonades and apple cider and plain ol' water. Torgal even has his own bowls filled with water and some easily transportable mushy meat stuff. It's downwind, don't worry!

And it's hot. The sand stings before the flesh can adjust to being slightly cooked, like being on many tiny coals. Jill's been slathering sunscreen on herself and whoever dares look a little rosy. It's important. She's not tolerating any burns.

Today is going to be fun, peaceful, and without incident.

Pushing anyone into the waves doesn't count.

Comments

[noburden]

Jill clicks her tongue. "Nor the carrot cake," she sighs. "At least I have you, ever eager to try my failed attempts to get him to like carrots."

[rosarianoath]

“I’ll eat anything.”

And he has eaten everything.

He kisses the side of her face, knowing only the ocean will see it.

“I like anything you cook.”

[noburden]

"As long as you don't have to step into the water to get it, of course," she hums.

[rosarianoath]

Caught. He rumbles under his breath.

“I’m in it, aren’t I?”

[noburden]

"This hardly counts."

She turns in his arms and wraps hers around him.

"It feels nice and cool, doesn't it?"

[rosarianoath]

“It’s fine,” he says, arms settling around her waist. The longer he stands in it, the less offensive it feels. “It’s nice to watch you enjoy it.”

[noburden]

"It's fine," she parrots, amused. "You won't drown. The ocean is nice when it's not crashing down upon you."

[rosarianoath]

"I'm not worried about drowning."

He'd have to be pretty foolish to drown in front of so many people, without even a battle to excuse himself by. That said, it's easier to think about that than the way she's up against him wearing so little on a public beach.

"I'll keep an eye on our things if you all want to go swimming."

[noburden]

"And what if we wish for you to join us?" She asks, giving a little tug towards the water.

[rosarianoath]

He just shifts in towards her, notching his chin to the top of her head. With the faintest trace of humour:

"Dion doesn't like me that much."

[noburden]

Jill laughs into his neck, scruff scratching her nose. No harm in pressing a kiss to his skin while she's here. Just a quick thing.

"Maybe if he got to push you into the water."

[rosarianoath]

"I wouldn't mind a little friendly brawl," he says. His closes his eyes. Her mouth is nice. The waves sound nice. If he lets his mind drift even a little, it could be the coasts off Rosaria.

[noburden]

"The only rule is no blood," she murmurs, slipping her hands beneath his hoodie. The breeze is just enough to chill her fingers.

[rosarianoath]

"That can be arranged."

What can also be arranged is more space for her in his hoodie: he pulls the edges of it out and around them, bundling her in it with him.

[noburden]

She's fairly certain they're rapidly approaching more PDA than he's comfortable with (tolerance lowered further by the amount of skin on display), so she enjoys the moment, snuggling in against his warm skin.

"It's a good day, isn't it?"

Generally speaking.

[rosarianoath]

They are, but the longer he keeps his back to the beach, the longer he can shut out the thought and just enjoy this moment.

“I think so. I’m glad you put it together. Especially for Joshua.”

[noburden]

"Especially for you," she corrects. "You need to have more fun in your life, Clive."

They can afford it.

[rosarianoath]

“I’m enjoying myself plenty,” he assures her, nose against her scalp. “I suppose I just don’t show it enough.”

[noburden]

"It only means I must put more effort towards making you laugh. I've never been particularly funny..." she trails off, humor in her voice. "You're too clever for any joke I might make."

[rosarianoath]

He chuckles into her hair.

“Me? Too clever for jokes? That is funny.”

[noburden]

"Oh? Whenever I hear you and Joshua laughing over something, I can only assume..."

Her smart boys.

[rosarianoath]

“I’m bettered by his company,” he says, and he gives her a squeeze.

Then a bunch of teenagers run by, splashing, and he eases off.

[noburden]

Jill can feel water hit the back of her head. Chilly, but only because her body hasn't adjusted to the temperature of anything that isn't Clive.

"Come. Let's play with the waves," she says, leaning her weight back, as if she could pull him along if he didn't want to go.

[rosarianoath]

“Play with them?” he repeats, like a tragic dog that has never had a ball thrown for it. For her, he’ll try, allowing himself to be pulled in.

[noburden]

"Play with them," she confirms. Very helpful. As a wave rolls in, she times an elegant hop over it, still grasping Clive's hands.

"Let's see how high you can jump."