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]

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?"

[rosarianoath]

Her joy feels so easy, so effortless. Clive lets out a sigh, his heart soft.

"Whatever my lady wants, of course."

[noburden]

"That's not necessarily appropriate..." She says with a sigh, always hoping to make him smile.

"What would you like to do? Run through the sand? I hear that's considerable strength training."

Boring.

[rosarianoath]

It does get a bit of a smile out of him, though he turns his back to the shore, too, as if Joshua or Dion could hear them from all the way down the beach.

"And perhaps there is a more secluded place for that... eventually..."

He would very much like to make love to her in the sand again. He looks at her, poised to answer but finding himself without one. He deflates a little, smiling with a bit of embarrassment.

"I know I'm not... fun."

[noburden]

There's no need for him to be embarrassed. Jill looks at him fondly, and leans in to kiss him again, hand at the back of his head. It's not her fault if anyone looks.

"You're fun. You're all I need. I only wish for you to have fun for yourself, Clive. We can do anything we want."

He just has to figure it out for himself.

[rosarianoath]

He could gladly kiss her every minute, if it were permitted. He holds her close, pondering who isn’t permitting him that, and what he could possibly do for fun that might please her.

“Perhaps some sport later on,” he says. “Or I’ll watch the bunch of you swim. Or maybe lunch?”

[noburden]

"A sport sounds very fun," she says encouraging him with a smile. The other two, sure. Later. "I'm sure you and Dion could do with some friendly competition."

[rosarianoath]

“Do you think he’d be interested?”

She’d know better than he would.

[noburden]

"Oh, without hesitation. You both have a competitive streak that should prove to be fun, as long as no one gets carried away."

Like she's said: no blood.

[rosarianoath]

“I’m sure we can handle ourselves.”

He starts wading back towards dry land.

“Will you join us?”

[noburden]

She lets herself be carried, content.

"Depends. If there are teams... however do I choose a side?"

[rosarianoath]

She’s an easy carry, and he hardly breaks stride.

“I won’t be betrayed if you side with him.”

[noburden]

"And if we win? Dion and I do make a good team, I warn you."

She can't resist teasing him. Nevermind Dion will be carrying the weight of whatever sport they settle on.

[rosarianoath]

“I’ll have Joshua on my side, and we’ve bested Dion before.”

Which he is still a little proud of.

[noburden]

"True," Jill admits hesitantly, "But he didn't have my help."

Not that she's much help, strength wise, but they might feel bad kicking her ass.

[rosarianoath]

True, and he could absolutely not spike a ball into her face.

“I’m sure you’ll give us a good challenge.”

[noburden]

"A very diplomatic response," Jill says. "I don't think it will be fair to you, but... I hope you'll play to win."

[rosarianoath]

“It’s Dion,” Clive replies. “I definitely want to win.”

[noburden]

"It's me, too," Jill points out with a smile. "You want me to lose?"

[rosarianoath]

“I can make it up to you,” he replies, bumping the tip of his nose against hers.

[noburden]

"After we head home, I assume," Jill says. "But I could be too ashamed to face you after my defeat."

What then, Clive.

What then.