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]

"Two..."

She squeezes his hands. Wonderful to play, as if they're children again, but there's an additional freedom here. There's no Anabella, watching from a window, or finding any reason to cut Clive down.

"One... jump!"

[rosarianoath]

And jump he does, clearing the wave and landing once more with a splash. It’s hardly the highest he could go, but it wouldn’t do to jostle her. Not with that smile of her face. It puts a small one on his.

“Was that high enough?”

[noburden]

She jumps too, not quite as high as him--she's suddenly reminded that it's been quite some time since she's really had to use any muscle. Still, she laughs, and nods.

"Yes. You showed that wave," she smiles, swinging his hands in hers again. "Let's see if you can do it a little deeper."

[rosarianoath]

Ridiculous, how praise over something so silly still feels as mighty as praise for something great. Either his ears are going pink or he’s sunburnt.

“I can do deeper,” he assures her. “You as well?”

[noburden]

"If I have you with me."

Walking through the surf becomes more challenging once it hits her knees, but she makes sure to pull him along until his are submerged, too.

[rosarianoath]

It occurs to him that he still hates swimming the instant the cold water creeps closer to his knees, but he’ll endure. Harder to get height here, too, and the waves are taller. His expression grows a little more serious.

“This next one, then?”

[noburden]

Oh, that face. Jill's still smiling, but she wishes he would, too.

"This next one. Ready?"

She doubts she'll be able to make it, but there's no harm in failing beyond saltwater and sand.

[rosarianoath]

“Ready,” he says, readying himself with a slight crouch, readying himself to lift her best he can with him.

When the wave comes, he surges up, his grip on her tight.

[noburden]

He's so serious. Too serious, by her measure, for someone playing in the water. So, when it's time to jump, she purposely jumps into him.

He can handle it.

[rosarianoath]

Clive is glad for his reflexes when the wave buffets her against him, or something — he rushes to catch her, but her hand is in his, so it’s clumsy.

“Jill!”

[noburden]

He calls her name like she's in mortal danger. It makes her laugh, and she releases his hands so he can grab her, if he must. The water colliding into her legs splashes up, soaking her. It's wonderful.

"You should have left your shirt on the sand!" Hoodie. Whatever.

[rosarianoath]

He’s going to be soaked, but that’s of least concern right now: he doesn’t just grab her, he sweeps her right off her feet and into his arms, well above the waves.

“I didn’t have any design to get wet!”

But at least he has an excuse to hold her.

[noburden]

Jill wraps her arms around his neck, a glimmer of mischief in her eyes before she steals a kiss, salt on her lips.

"Then you should have stayed home," she teases.

[rosarianoath]

Holding her above danger and with her lips on his, he’s almost glad he’s standing in cold water. He breathes in sharply, following her mouth even as she eases off.

“Does a terrible swimmer not deserve a day out?” he says, as light as he can be.

[noburden]

"With all the time we have now, a terrible swimmer should look into fixing that problem," she laughs. Not that she's any better, nor can she imagine anyone teaching Clive to swim.

[rosarianoath]

“I’d go right to the bottom before I managed,” he says, wading back towards the shallower water with her protectively in his arms. See, if she’s in danger, he gets to keep it together. “I think you just want to see me in smaller shorts.”

[noburden]

Even though there's no way for Joshua or Dion to hear that comment, Jill's cheeks turn red. It's not the sun's fault.

And yes, she blushes so intensely because he's absolutely right.

"Clive," she says with a laugh. "Please."

Keep the filthy talk to the bedroom!

[rosarianoath]

There it is, mild vindication in the blush of her cheeks. He looks at her with the vaguest smile.

“Is it something else?”

[noburden]

Jill huffs and pinches his cheek, as if to make him join her in the blushing.

"You know me too well."

She loves him in tiny shorts.

[rosarianoath]

He chuckles under his breath.

“I’d hope so, given—-“

At that moment, a rogue wave approaches, and Clive sees the futility in running. Instead, he just braces himself for impact, visibly wincing when the water skims his groin.

He is trying not to swear, and he bites it back well enough.

[noburden]

Big baby. Jill's back to laughing at him, albeit it lovingly, leaning to nuzzle her nose against his scruffy cheek.

"I've seen you handle battle wounds with less of a grimace."

[rosarianoath]

Clive sighs, embarrassed, grip tightening on her as he hefts her a little higher.

“Battle wounds aren’t so cold!” he says.

[noburden]

"Is that why you hate it? You're actually feeling cold for once in your life?" She teases.

[rosarianoath]

"Even Ifrit could not warm an ocean," he says, taking a few steps back towards the shore.

[noburden]

"My poor prince," Jill laughs. She kicks her feet a little, no fear of falling given that she's already wet. "What will we do with you now?"