[Clive won't release his hold just yet. Instead he'll allow her to adjust as she leans against the headboard, his body moving slightly to follow suit. He's positioned in a way where his head lies against her stomach and arms still around her waist. The bedhead is now worse than ever.]
Perhaps I should position it by the nightstand next time. [He'll mutter into her, slowly feeling the sleepiness shake off of him.]
[As much as Jill is insisting they get up, she isn't helping things get moving by keeping her hand in his hair, ruffling the strands even more. Sure, he's making it easier for her to reach by positioning himself that way where all she has to do is shift forwards by a few inches, but she has not once tried to move out from under him.
Really, sometimes it's like she enables Clive's bad behavior.]
Right and what about our breakfasts? Or are we supposed to survive on tea in bed alone?
I see little downside. [ The edges of his lips curl upward, and he'll reiterate his desire with a soft kiss to her stomach.
See!! You're only egging this behavior on!! And Clive may or may not fully be taking full advantage of the situation... if only Bluetooth didn't have something to say about it, though.
She's already moved from her perch to Clive's bare back, putting all of her weight in those tiny little feet of hers and causing the man to wince under it. Another loud "meeeeooooowww" will erupt, hungry eyes staring into Jill's. She's waiting!! ]
[She sighs because she knows Clive can be stubborn when he absolutely wants to be and well, who could blame him for not wanting to let go of some nice cuddling when neither of them have much to do for the day? Certainly not Jill, who still has her hand in his hair and is beginning to reach around with her left one so she can rub at his back.
Only Bluetooth's arrival hampers that second action. Wonderful. They're only lucky enough that it's pure weight and no claws on Clive's back, but still, Jill isn't about to give the cat any chance to pull those out so she lifts Bluetooth off of Clive awkwardly with one hand because she's no longer kitten-sized, and unceremoniously dumps her on his now empty pillow. The movement is an annoyance to the feline enough that she meows again, this time in obvious frustration that not only was she moved but that her bowl is still empty. It, however, makes Jill laugh softly as she gives Clive's head a little push, indicating she really should get out of bed now.]
I told you she waits for no one. Next time, she'll probably bring Torgal with her.
[ After the push Clive will reluctantly let out a sigh, knowing if it was a battle against the cat... the cat would come out victorious. He's learned to pick and choose his battles. So in his unceremonious defeat the man will shift his weight again and to his side, freeing Jill from her captivity and allowing her the free range of movement she needed to get up.
He'll join her briefly, but not before attempting to reach out his hand to pet Bluetooth... only for her ears to lower back as she move to hop off of the bed.
Ah. ]
As least she doesn't go into battle alone. [ His attention will turn towards Torgal who has now steadily approached the bed, lying his snoot on the edge as an invitation for them to pet him instead. ]
[Bluetooth may reject Clive's affections, but Jill bends down to give him some of her own in the form of a soft kiss to his temple after she slides out from the bedsheets and plants her feet on the solid ground. Poor Clive, ignored by his beloved's feline yet loved by his woman.]
Well, four hands are better than two. Or in this case, eight paws are better than four.
[She reaches out to pat Torgal on the top of his head, fingers beginning to curl to transition into a short session of scritches.]
[ He'll accept the head kiss regardless of Bluetooth's current feelings towards him. Clive promises to make it up to her later... maybe another cat tree... ]
I've no personal preferences. [ He begins, but stops himself short of ending it completely. He's so use to just receiving whatever is handed to him, but Clive has been working on improving that part of him, even if it's just the smaller things. ]
... Or perhaps some smoked ham and eggs will do. I can prepare that while you set the tea. [ He's already moving to roll out of the bed himself with a soft grunt, and Torgal begins to wag his tail happily at the scritches and Clive's full reappearance.
What a cute and quint little more. Clive can get use to more of these. ]
[At the start of his denial, Jill watches Clive carefully to make sure he really doesn't have any particular wants. She's fully aware the man is still very much a work in progress and that he still has that terrible habit of denying himself anything he wants, so it's his body language she's taken to reading to truly see what Clive is hiding behind his words.
Luckily, he gives her a break into trying to dig into his speech and seemingly changes his mind. A simple request, something even she and her limited cooking skills can achieve, but if he offers to make it, Jill will allow him. A nod acquiesces the majority of the kitchen to him as Jill moves towards the hearth, reaching for the box of matches stashed on the mantelpiece.]
There is also bread. It is a day old as I made it yesterday, but it should still be edible.
[Though if the man asked her for a fresh hot loaf right this minute, she would jump to it. Anything is possible for her if Clive wants it, especially if it involves a coping habit she development in his absence.]
[ Clive would never ask for a fresh loaf, given the bread he had more than likely consumed in the past (molded, hard, days old) so a day, even much longer, would never bother him. Given all the hard work she put into making bread in the first place leaves him with a lingering fondness to his expression as he glances towards the loaf, giving it an odd smile. It is not often he is seen smiling at food, but it was the maker that cause his heart to race in that moment. ]
A welcomed addition. [ He adds before moving to retrieve the meat from the storage cooler in the corner of the room. A flame is lit under a small burner as Clive gets to work on the preparations for breakfast, with Torgal keeps a close eye on the entire operation. ]
[Which is true, but not the driving force behind her answer. Jill is still very much in the manner of deferring some things to Clive's whims solely because she wants him to take advantage of them. She knows the habit of his denying his own wants and desires has lessened over time, but also is aware that it wasn't built up overnight. It will take time to full rid him of that wall and when Jill sees a small opportunity to knock another brick out of it—like a breakfast choice—she'll take it.
Speaking of choices, she holds up two tins of tea as she turns to face him.]
[ Although Clive had presented the question, when asked one of his own his thoughts temporarily slowed to a halt. He thought about the types of eggs- tried to envision the variety in his mind- yet when all options were displayed there was only one he could think of:
Egg.
He never put much thought into what type of egg he ate... just that he ate eggs, so Uno Reserving the question has clearly thrown him off enough to hesitate in front of their stove. ]
Alright. [ He could feel where Jill's heart was, so he won't put up much a fight. Just... make eggs the way he always made eggs! Simple as that! He'll roll his shoulders in a small display of determination before directing his attention to yet another question. At least this time it was visual. ]
[With a silent nod, she takes his choice in hand and rests it aside, setting the green tea's container back on the shelf. It doesn't take her long to set the water to heat, but it will take more than a moment for it to come up to the proper temperature. In that time, Jill could do a lot of things, like feed the animals, set the table, maybe root around in the cooler for some fruit as a side, but she does none of those.
Instead, she makes her way over to Clive and since most of his back is facing her, she wraps her arms around his waist from the rear. Really, she should leave him to his cooking, but the moment just feels right and sometimes, even Jill wants what she wants and will take a chance to grab it.]
[ It's a peacefulness that settled in the space between them, leaving Clive to visibly let out a sigh of relief. Her presence, her scent, everything was welcomed in that moment as he momentarily allowed his thoughts to shift past the food and onto the weight relaxing against his back.
Clive's eyes will move down towards her from the corner of his vision as he wordlessly allows the back of his forearms to draw into himself, almost as if he was giving her a hug from behind.
Now of all moments he yearned to return to the bed, but with the eggs already cracked over the stove, he was forced to remain in his position else they would have no breakfast at all. ]
Are you alright? [ He asks, keeping his voice low. ]
[Going back to bed would be nice and welcoming for a myriad of reasons, but not only are the eggs are a concern, so are the pets. Behind them, Bluetooth has come to join Torgal in watching the humans do anything but put food in their bowls. Also, heading to the bedroom would mean moving and Jill is a bit reluctant to do so right this moment.
She hums as she presses a kiss to the center of his back, a satisfied little tone.].
Just grateful.
[That he's here, hale and hearty, even though the fear of him not being so in any condition still haunts the back of her mind.]
[ Clive had to fight back every demon in his mind to stay present in this very moment. That although every fiber of his being tried to push the "what ifs" to the forefront, that soft kiss to his back was more than enough to push back the walls of doubt from crashing over.
His own anxieties were not welcomed in this moment, and so with another gentle exhale Clive allows them to disperse in the air, if only for a moment. ]
As am I.
[ He speaks over the sound of the sizzling eggs before moving them aside from the flame to settle, tone dripping with admiration. ]
To think we've been afforded such luxuries. This place, the animals... and you. [ His head drops and turns in an attempt to meet her gaze. ] I am most grateful.
[When he dips his head, an unruly strand of Clive's infamous bedhead drops across his forehead and Jill can't help but reach up to brush it back. It doesn't stay put, however, flopping right back down as soon as she moves her hand.
She frowns at it, wrapping a finger around it and giving it a tug that means business.]
Never would I have thought we'd ever have this. Or that we even deserved any of it.
[Her words carry such a weight, a heaviness both of them are all too familiar with, even as she seems distracted continuing fighting Clive's hair for control.]
[ There's a playful chuckle in the back of his throat as she teases with his hair. They both know by know that there was little taming those locks, no matter how often he brushed it. Though, in his defense, they did just roll out of bed, so you are seeing that hair in its Prime. ]
You deserve every bit of this happiness. This and so much more.
[ He makes no move to remove his hair from the front of her face. In fact, he'll lean his head in a bit more to encapsulate the top of her forehead, nuzzling into it. ]
[More. What is more for them? They have all they need here—shelter, friends, each other, a pause in the curse—but deep down, there is something Jill desires most.
His name.]
Speaking of more...
[She hates to have to shatter the fragile preciousness of the moment, but they need to talk. Talk talk. Not skate around the Morbol in the room, not take each day as it comes without considering the weeks and the months coming after.
Pretending nothing is wrong will do them no good, especially when Jill isn't even sure he wants to remain betrothed.
Jill is the first to move, to unravel the strand of hair from her finger, to unwrap her arm from around him. And she takes a few steps back to put some space between them, concern warping her delicate features.]
[More than important to her; it will form the basis for the life she seems determined to build here. Jill needs to know whether she should be just grateful he's alive and warm or whether she is justified in desiring something more concrete.]
Yes, discuss. I think it's beyond time we talk about us.
[And while he remains by the stove, Jill continues to move away, closer to the table as she pulls out both chairs, patting one to indicate he should sit.]
Where we stand with each other. Our... status.
[Not their love. She'd never question their love. But with love comes titles, expectations, and well, she needs to know if he still holds any inclination of remaining her intended.]
[ As Jill moves towards the table, his attention will momentarily divert back to the stove to settle the fire underneath, if only not to waste the meal they would later have together.
There's a strange stirring in his stomach as he sits at the chair presenting to him, but this was perhaps a conversation long overdue. Much overdue. ]
No, you are right. I— [ there's a small hesitation as he assembles the words properly in his mind before addressing them out loud. ] —I fear I have kept you waiting long enough.
[Her stomach does similar flips and not the good kind like the schoolgirl butterflies Jill gets every time they kiss. This is a twisting and a turning, as if she expects the worst possible outcome.
Though, as she sits down across from Clive, Jill wonders if she could even blame him for taking that route. There's a mystery to this place, a force they cannot control, and the uncertainty of it all gives good reason to change the trajectory of where they were headed.]
I too share the blame. [She shakes her head and looks down at her hands, palms pressed against the surface of the table.] My hesitation to bring up the topic has not helped ease the tension in any way.
[ The tension. It was always there, ever looming in the back of their minds. And although as peaceful as the outside may have been- how hard they tried to continue about their daily lives after his return- there was always a continuous nag in the back of his mind darkening his thoughts.
Yet as all of it begins to lie itself on the table, there was no longer a need to avoid it. ]
And yet you are the first to address it. That is where my faults lie.
[ He resists the urge to lower his gaze, and instead reaches a hand out to clasp over hers. ]
I have made you wait and wonder for some time, but my decision is still the same. I do not want my fear of the Rifts to dictate the life I wish to spend with you.
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Perhaps I should position it by the nightstand next time. [He'll mutter into her, slowly feeling the sleepiness shake off of him.]
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Really, sometimes it's like she enables Clive's bad behavior.]
Right and what about our breakfasts? Or are we supposed to survive on tea in bed alone?
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See!! You're only egging this behavior on!! And Clive may or may not fully be taking full advantage of the situation... if only Bluetooth didn't have something to say about it, though.
She's already moved from her perch to Clive's bare back, putting all of her weight in those tiny little feet of hers and causing the man to wince under it. Another loud "meeeeooooowww" will erupt, hungry eyes staring into Jill's. She's waiting!! ]
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Only Bluetooth's arrival hampers that second action. Wonderful. They're only lucky enough that it's pure weight and no claws on Clive's back, but still, Jill isn't about to give the cat any chance to pull those out so she lifts Bluetooth off of Clive awkwardly with one hand because she's no longer kitten-sized, and unceremoniously dumps her on his now empty pillow. The movement is an annoyance to the feline enough that she meows again, this time in obvious frustration that not only was she moved but that her bowl is still empty. It, however, makes Jill laugh softly as she gives Clive's head a little push, indicating she really should get out of bed now.]
I told you she waits for no one. Next time, she'll probably bring Torgal with her.
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He'll join her briefly, but not before attempting to reach out his hand to pet Bluetooth... only for her ears to lower back as she move to hop off of the bed.
Ah. ]
As least she doesn't go into battle alone. [ His attention will turn towards Torgal who has now steadily approached the bed, lying his snoot on the edge as an invitation for them to pet him instead. ]
What? You're hungry, too?
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Well, four hands are better than two. Or in this case, eight paws are better than four.
[She reaches out to pat Torgal on the top of his head, fingers beginning to curl to transition into a short session of scritches.]
Any breakfast requests?
[Jill is talking to Clive, not the wolfhound.]
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I've no personal preferences. [ He begins, but stops himself short of ending it completely. He's so use to just receiving whatever is handed to him, but Clive has been working on improving that part of him, even if it's just the smaller things. ]
... Or perhaps some smoked ham and eggs will do. I can prepare that while you set the tea. [ He's already moving to roll out of the bed himself with a soft grunt, and Torgal begins to wag his tail happily at the scritches and Clive's full reappearance.
What a cute and quint little more. Clive can get use to more of these. ]
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Luckily, he gives her a break into trying to dig into his speech and seemingly changes his mind. A simple request, something even she and her limited cooking skills can achieve, but if he offers to make it, Jill will allow him. A nod acquiesces the majority of the kitchen to him as Jill moves towards the hearth, reaching for the box of matches stashed on the mantelpiece.]
There is also bread. It is a day old as I made it yesterday, but it should still be edible.
[Though if the man asked her for a fresh hot loaf right this minute, she would jump to it. Anything is possible for her if Clive wants it, especially if it involves a coping habit she development in his absence.]
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A welcomed addition. [ He adds before moving to retrieve the meat from the storage cooler in the corner of the room. A flame is lit under a small burner as Clive gets to work on the preparations for breakfast, with Torgal keeps a close eye on the entire operation. ]
How would you like your eggs prepared?
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[Which is true, but not the driving force behind her answer. Jill is still very much in the manner of deferring some things to Clive's whims solely because she wants him to take advantage of them. She knows the habit of his denying his own wants and desires has lessened over time, but also is aware that it wasn't built up overnight. It will take time to full rid him of that wall and when Jill sees a small opportunity to knock another brick out of it—like a breakfast choice—she'll take it.
Speaking of choices, she holds up two tins of tea as she turns to face him.]
Black or green?
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Egg.
He never put much thought into what type of egg he ate... just that he ate eggs, so Uno Reserving the question has clearly thrown him off enough to hesitate in front of their stove. ]
Alright. [ He could feel where Jill's heart was, so he won't put up much a fight. Just... make eggs the way he always made eggs! Simple as that! He'll roll his shoulders in a small display of determination before directing his attention to yet another question. At least this time it was visual. ]
Black, if you may.
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Instead, she makes her way over to Clive and since most of his back is facing her, she wraps her arms around his waist from the rear. Really, she should leave him to his cooking, but the moment just feels right and sometimes, even Jill wants what she wants and will take a chance to grab it.]
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Clive's eyes will move down towards her from the corner of his vision as he wordlessly allows the back of his forearms to draw into himself, almost as if he was giving her a hug from behind.
Now of all moments he yearned to return to the bed, but with the eggs already cracked over the stove, he was forced to remain in his position else they would have no breakfast at all. ]
Are you alright? [ He asks, keeping his voice low. ]
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She hums as she presses a kiss to the center of his back, a satisfied little tone.].
Just grateful.
[That he's here, hale and hearty, even though the fear of him not being so in any condition still haunts the back of her mind.]
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His own anxieties were not welcomed in this moment, and so with another gentle exhale Clive allows them to disperse in the air, if only for a moment. ]
As am I.
[ He speaks over the sound of the sizzling eggs before moving them aside from the flame to settle, tone dripping with admiration. ]
To think we've been afforded such luxuries. This place, the animals... and you. [ His head drops and turns in an attempt to meet her gaze. ] I am most grateful.
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She frowns at it, wrapping a finger around it and giving it a tug that means business.]
Never would I have thought we'd ever have this. Or that we even deserved any of it.
[Her words carry such a weight, a heaviness both of them are all too familiar with, even as she seems distracted continuing fighting Clive's hair for control.]
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You deserve every bit of this happiness. This and so much more.
[ He makes no move to remove his hair from the front of her face. In fact, he'll lean his head in a bit more to encapsulate the top of her forehead, nuzzling into it. ]
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His name.]
Speaking of more...
[She hates to have to shatter the fragile preciousness of the moment, but they need to talk. Talk talk. Not skate around the Morbol in the room, not take each day as it comes without considering the weeks and the months coming after.
Pretending nothing is wrong will do them no good, especially when Jill isn't even sure he wants to remain betrothed.
Jill is the first to move, to unravel the strand of hair from her finger, to unwrap her arm from around him. And she takes a few steps back to put some space between them, concern warping her delicate features.]
There is something we should discuss.
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If it was something to change the tone that drastically, then it was something obviously very important to Jill.
And so his body straightens and fully turns towards her, allowing her every bit of his attention. ]
Discuss?
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Yes, discuss. I think it's beyond time we talk about us.
[And while he remains by the stove, Jill continues to move away, closer to the table as she pulls out both chairs, patting one to indicate he should sit.]
Where we stand with each other. Our... status.
[Not their love. She'd never question their love. But with love comes titles, expectations, and well, she needs to know if he still holds any inclination of remaining her intended.]
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There's a strange stirring in his stomach as he sits at the chair presenting to him, but this was perhaps a conversation long overdue. Much overdue. ]
No, you are right. I— [ there's a small hesitation as he assembles the words properly in his mind before addressing them out loud. ] —I fear I have kept you waiting long enough.
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Though, as she sits down across from Clive, Jill wonders if she could even blame him for taking that route. There's a mystery to this place, a force they cannot control, and the uncertainty of it all gives good reason to change the trajectory of where they were headed.]
I too share the blame. [She shakes her head and looks down at her hands, palms pressed against the surface of the table.] My hesitation to bring up the topic has not helped ease the tension in any way.
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Yet as all of it begins to lie itself on the table, there was no longer a need to avoid it. ]
And yet you are the first to address it. That is where my faults lie.
[ He resists the urge to lower his gaze, and instead reaches a hand out to clasp over hers. ]
I have made you wait and wonder for some time, but my decision is still the same. I do not want my fear of the Rifts to dictate the life I wish to spend with you.