[ Sure as the tides and the movement of the stars, morning comes. It streaks through the open slats of the Hideaway's ramshackle quarters, filters over sleep-limp bodies, and rouses Clive from his uncomplicated sleep.
It's agonizing, having to peel himself off of Jill, but Clive somehow manages. A slow process that involves a lot of putting his mouth on bare parts of Jill's body (her sleep-warm shoulder, her temple, her collarbone), some grumbling, and reluctant putting-on of clothes.
I love you is what Clive leaves Jill with before he slinks out of his quarters to do his morning rounds. A new step to add to his daily routine. Otto, who has placed his bets on whether or not Clive will be late to his reporting, looks delighted when Clive shows up: "Gav owes me 50 gil", he says, to which Clive sighs in fond exasperation.
He'll find Jill after he takes care of these goobers (affectionate). He hopes she'll have an easier time with the rest than he's having. ]
[There are worse ways to wake up than with sweetness and attention from the man she loves. Jill kisses and nuzzles and cuddles as much as they can get away with before they have to dress, and she combs through her hair with her fingers (get ready to find hair all over your clothes now, Clive), wanting to at least look a little less like she was thoroughly boned last night. Tarja will know the moment she looks at her, she knows, but she can refrain from the urge to sprint across the Hideaway like a young thing that snuck out. She did sleep in what id technically her room, now.
As expected, one look at Jill has Tarja just barely biting back a sly smile. Her tone matches as Jill flushes red, though her whole demeanor changes when Jill explains her concerns. A sigh and a detailed lecture later, Jill's left with a bitter taste in her mouth from a tonic (along with several to take with her, how kind), and a not-so-subtle threat that Clive will also get a lesson about Consequences. Tarja is quite happy for the couple, but only wishes for a little more thought before they add any more mouths to feed to the Hideaway--especially when Shiva is so demanding of Jill's body as it is.
There's still a flush of red across Jill's cheeks as she eventually makes her way to Clive. She's both very informed and very scolded, and feels as if she's disappointed her governess.]
Clive. Ready?
[She asks with a slightly tight smile. And maybe the words are a little too quick, coming out in an eager rush to get on the road.]
[ Funnily inversed conversations: Clive has to fend Gav off when his scout eventually finds him and heckles him (happily) about Rosfield Junior (hurricane Tarja might have found another dumbass to bully later). He's sporting a bit of a flush of his own as he approaches Jill, and it takes him a moment to chase away idle fantasies in favor of concentrating on the present.
He smiles when she asks him if he's ready, and nods. ]
As I'll ever be. [ Crazy to think he had no idea that people were keeping tabs on how his relationship with Jill was panning out??? Apparently this was an ongoing thing that'd gone way over his head for ages. Damn. ] Let's leave before the others start heckling us again.
[ Now that he knows that they will, Founder help them. Who was gonna tell him... ]
[Jill, meanwhile, cares nothing about heckling in the moment. She's more worried that Tarja will appear to spring a lecture on Clive. Perhaps a conversation to have, but not without Jill giving him a fair warning it's coming--and reassurance they were both a little foolish.
She slips her hand into his, holding tightly. She smiles easier when she looks into his eyes.]
Let's be on our way, then. I'd like a word once there are less ears.
[ Tarja is on her way, actually― a threat looming in the middle distance, hands on her hips and ready to descend on Clive with a vengeance― but she stops at the top of the stairs overlooking the couple.
Even she's not heartless enough to stop a date from happening. So, instead of continuing her rampage, she cups her hands around her mouth, and:
"Give him a talking-to!"
At Jill, obviously. Clive, puzzled, looks between Tarja and Jill, but decides not to ask yet. ]
...Well, that's ominous. [ A laugh, almost in disbelief. ] A quick escape, then.
[Heads turn. If people didn't already know, now they know.
Jill ducks down at Tarja's call, as if something were being thrown at her head. Then, she keeps her head down to hide how red her face has gotten. She glances up at Clive, hands moving to his arm to pull him towards the lift. Move move move.]
[ Oh. It feels almost like an eternity since he's seen Jill so sheepish― maybe they were children, last, sneaking away to do something foolish away from Anabella's iron scrutiny. Clive smiles to himself about it, privately, as he's shoved inside the lift and away from prying eyes.
He won't be smiling if he knew what the fuck was up!!! But here he is for the moment, besotted. ]
I've never seen you duck.
[ Sure he has, plenty of times in battle. He's just heckling a little. ]
[Like a shock down her spine, as if she were pelted in the head with ice. Hearing Clive say sweet words of adoration and devotion warm her--Tarja's subtle threats chill her. Jill, flustered, at least finds joy in his amusement. Best enjoy it before it turns into mortification.
They only have a moment before the lift touches down, but Jill uses it to step in close and press a brief kiss to his lips.]
Only until you give me the 'talking-to'. I'm sure I'll find things less funny then.
[ At least he's self-aware. They peck, and he holds Jill by the waist for the thump of the lift settling onto the docks. Obolus will be waiting for them by his usual place, rubbing monster fat over the boats to keep them from spoiling. (The smell is far from romantic, but they have to roll with the punches.) ]
Does it feel a bit like we've been misbehaving, or is that just me?
Speaking of young― don't tell Tarja, [ is low and conspiratorial, ] but she reminds me of Lord Murdoch, on occasion.
[ Honestly, the former Lord Commander didn't get paid enough to deal with the Rosfield Family Drama on the regular, but he was just as tough with Clive as any blood relative would have been. Stern and uncompromising, but gentle when it counted.
Like Tarja. The older sister Clive never had. It's fondly meant, as Obolus gets their boat ready for a quick journey across the lake. ]
[He gets a laugh out of her, although she feels he's about to realize how right he is. Tough love. Tarja is only ever honest, even if the truth is uncomfortable. You're in no state. Imagine, then, being forced to remain here. Jill has no love for fighting, but worse would be remaining at the Hideaway while her loved ones risk their lives. Shiva already whittles away at her health in ways that make Tarja's frown deepen more and more.]
[ "Worries". That clouds Clive's expression, as something cold and unwelcome coils through his gut. His first instinct is to think of all the years he'd spent making Jill use Shiva while he struggled with Ifrit, and he thinks, that maybe― ]
―Was I too rough?
[ Maybe the aether he'd been bleeding the night prior affected her adversely. He doesn't suffer the Dominant's Curse the way he knows Jill does, Cid did. ]
[The moment he begins his question, Jill shakes her head, facing him on the dock. As if she can feel that ugly twist in his gut, she puts her hands on his waist, squeezing.]
No. You didn't hurt me. You weren't too rough. You were perfect.
[She glances up just in time to see a number of heads disappear from peeking over thw rails. So many ears and eyes. As much as she enjoys bringing happiness to the Hideaway, she couldn't have imagined this much interest in their relationship.]
[ For a beat, he doesn't understand. The consequences? He thinks of the aftermath of their coupling, the sweet promises, Jill Rosfield. None of these things, Tarja would have a problem with (hopefully)― unless she knows of someone who is lusting after Jill and wants her for himself, which.
You know. Clive would not tolerate.
He stares, and tips his head, and sways into Jill's grip on him―
―and. Oh. Oh, it hits him like five behemoths at once. ]
...Fire and flame, [ he says, scrubbing a hand over his face. ] Fuck. Jill, fuck, I'm sorry.
[ Mortified!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So mortified. Ultima could vaporize him where he stands, actually!!! ]
[She holds him tighter, as if he might topple forward and into her.]
Don't apologize. It does take two, after all. [And they were both greedy. To be fair--the chances of Jill ever asking Clive to pull out was low. Very low.] Everything is fine. I only got a lecture I've been instructed to give to you, lest Tarja do it herself. I'm likely less terrifying.
[ There are more than a few questions he'd like to ask, but Obolus is Right There and Clive would rather there be an entire lake between himself and the rest of the Hideaway before he thinks to ask.
A heavy sigh, and he leans in to bump foreheads with Jill. ]
I... It's not that I wouldn't. With you. [ It's an amazing thought, actually, to have a family with the woman he loves. The most impossible daydream that he only allowed himself in vague, hazy outlines. He hasn't earned it, nor does he deserve that sort of happiness, still. ] I would, and you know that.
[ As roundabout as he can be, while Obolus hovers like a wraith. ]
[... she hoped that, but she didn't know. It took so long for them to finally be together, to openly love one another, that the talk of anything beyond had been brief. And nothing as grand as a family. So, to hear him say it makes her smile in relief, and she touches his cheek even with their foreheads still pressed together.
It's so easy to get lost in daydreams about what sort of husband and father Clive would be. Jill sighs, chest full of love.]
Some day. Once our work is done and we've seen more of this world.
[Just not now. And especially not after their first time.]
[ No gods, no blight, no magic. It's debatable as to whether the world will be a better place after he finishes what he's set out to do, but it'll be theirs regardless. That has to count for something, and that has to be a blessing for whatever future he chooses to make with Jill.
He closes his eyes for a brief moment, before finally pulling back. ]
...I'll do my utmost to be careful.
[ Meanwhile, Obolus clears his throat. "Founder, the sun'll set! Come on, lovebirds." ]
[Ironically, the danger is much lower with Tarja in the know, and Jill's pockets full of tonics and tinctures. Despite Obolus' grumping, Jill presses a kiss to Clive's cheek before slipping her hand in his so they can walk to the boat together.]
You heard the man.
[And!!!]
Upon our return, please report to Tarja that I gave you a stern talking to. She'll come for my head.
I'll have her know that I was extremely contrite, and that you nearly made me cry.
[ A light, warm laugh. What he'll actually do is apologize to Tarja and promise that he'll be far more mindful about what he puts Jill through, but he doesn't want to worry Jill about being bullied (lovingly) by their resident physicker.
So. Onto the boat they go. Clive first as usual, with him offering a hand (that Jill doesn't actually need) to help her onto it. Obolus dutifully paddles them towards the Dhalmek border, and the rest of the journey to Dalimil is uneventful: Ambrosia pops up from hammerspace again with a friend in tow to run them across the continent to the place in question, and it's nearing late noon (because I'm using fast travel rules instead of realism) by the time they reach the bustling town with its clamor and noise.
Clive finds a place for their chocobos to rest, then meanders back to Jill, wiping sweat off his brow with a gloved hand. ] I'm wearing too many layers, [ he jokes. ]
[Resident Dominant of ice actually really fucking hates summer, the desert, the sun, and hot sand. She never complains, of course, but the sweat is in just about every nook and cranny and dripping down her spine. When Clive remarks on his layers, Jill laughs, eyes lingering on a bead of sweat rolling down his neck and down to his chest.
She can do that openly now. It's wonderful.]
Then we best get you out of them, no? You promised me.
[Their little date, the only reason outside of their duties that Jill would willingly subject herself to the heat.]
[ Leather and desert heat don't mix. Flexing his hands under his gloves, Clive breathes through his teeth in emphatic agreement, tempted to start shedding layers right there if he could get away with it. ]
So I did. [ Is it wise to get naked immediately after promising to be careful? Probably not. But does Clive want to follow through on his first (!) official date plans? Absolutely. ] ―The bathhouse should be just around the corner, there.
[ Pointing to a path that curves into a long pathway, which eventually opens up into a little inner square of sorts with an establishment surrounded by fountains. He leads Jill to the place in question, where a jaunty man in expensive-looking clothes greet them warmly.
"Ah! My hero!", he exclaims, patting Clive on the shoulder. "Have you finally come to see the place you've saved? Come, come, I'll set you and your lovely lady up with a room of your own."
He glances towards Jill, and shrugs. ] Any objections, my lady?
[Clive may note the loving touching and hand holding is nowhere to be found here. The infatuation hasn't been killed by the heat, but the idea of touching anyone makes her want to fall upon her sword.
Only the thought of being naked with Clive in a bath keeps her strong.]
None at all. I'm very much looking forward to it.
[She's already reaching into her hair to pull out the ribbon so she can better hike all that hair up, onto her neck, into a messy ball. A thing she can do while walking along to their room, thank you very much.]
[ Oh. Jill looks very pretty with her hair up like that, which distracts Clive momentarily from the task of following their guide into the establishment and through their halls. He recovers, though (but not without one last slightly-impolite glance at Jill's exposed neck), and clears his throat as he motions for his lovely lady to follow him. ]
Let's go, then.
[ The inside of the bathhouse is surprisingly tidy. Stucco walls with murals in bright colors, fountains and potted plants scattered in various corners. There's a public bath in the middle of the place which they bypass in favor of the more spacious private rooms towards the rear of the establishment; the space they're led to turns out to be one big open chamber with a pool hugging the entirety of the back wall, with a window that looks out towards the Dozenoff Terraces in the distance.
"My hero stays for free!", the man exclaims before he leaves, though not without a wink. "Though I do hope you'll remember my hospitality if something comes up in the future."
Wonderful. Clive closes the door once the proprietor leaves, and shakes his head. ] I'll be doing favors for him until the end of my days.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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It's agonizing, having to peel himself off of Jill, but Clive somehow manages. A slow process that involves a lot of putting his mouth on bare parts of Jill's body (her sleep-warm shoulder, her temple, her collarbone), some grumbling, and reluctant putting-on of clothes.
I love you is what Clive leaves Jill with before he slinks out of his quarters to do his morning rounds. A new step to add to his daily routine. Otto, who has placed his bets on whether or not Clive will be late to his reporting, looks delighted when Clive shows up: "Gav owes me 50 gil", he says, to which Clive sighs in fond exasperation.
He'll find Jill after he takes care of these goobers (affectionate). He hopes she'll have an easier time with the rest than he's having. ]
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As expected, one look at Jill has Tarja just barely biting back a sly smile. Her tone matches as Jill flushes red, though her whole demeanor changes when Jill explains her concerns. A sigh and a detailed lecture later, Jill's left with a bitter taste in her mouth from a tonic (along with several to take with her, how kind), and a not-so-subtle threat that Clive will also get a lesson about Consequences. Tarja is quite happy for the couple, but only wishes for a little more thought before they add any more mouths to feed to the Hideaway--especially when Shiva is so demanding of Jill's body as it is.
There's still a flush of red across Jill's cheeks as she eventually makes her way to Clive. She's both very informed and very scolded, and feels as if she's disappointed her governess.]
Clive. Ready?
[She asks with a slightly tight smile. And maybe the words are a little too quick, coming out in an eager rush to get on the road.]
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He smiles when she asks him if he's ready, and nods. ]
As I'll ever be. [ Crazy to think he had no idea that people were keeping tabs on how his relationship with Jill was panning out??? Apparently this was an ongoing thing that'd gone way over his head for ages. Damn. ] Let's leave before the others start heckling us again.
[ Now that he knows that they will, Founder help them. Who was gonna tell him... ]
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She slips her hand into his, holding tightly. She smiles easier when she looks into his eyes.]
Let's be on our way, then. I'd like a word once there are less ears.
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Even she's not heartless enough to stop a date from happening. So, instead of continuing her rampage, she cups her hands around her mouth, and:
"Give him a talking-to!"
At Jill, obviously. Clive, puzzled, looks between Tarja and Jill, but decides not to ask yet. ]
...Well, that's ominous. [ A laugh, almost in disbelief. ] A quick escape, then.
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Jill ducks down at Tarja's call, as if something were being thrown at her head. Then, she keeps her head down to hide how red her face has gotten. She glances up at Clive, hands moving to his arm to pull him towards the lift. Move move move.]
Quick. Very quick, please.
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He won't be smiling if he knew what the fuck was up!!! But here he is for the moment, besotted. ]
I've never seen you duck.
[ Sure he has, plenty of times in battle. He's just heckling a little. ]
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[Like a shock down her spine, as if she were pelted in the head with ice. Hearing Clive say sweet words of adoration and devotion warm her--Tarja's subtle threats chill her. Jill, flustered, at least finds joy in his amusement. Best enjoy it before it turns into mortification.
They only have a moment before the lift touches down, but Jill uses it to step in close and press a brief kiss to his lips.]
I'm glad you find it funny.
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[ At least he's self-aware. They peck, and he holds Jill by the waist for the thump of the lift settling onto the docks. Obolus will be waiting for them by his usual place, rubbing monster fat over the boats to keep them from spoiling. (The smell is far from romantic, but they have to roll with the punches.) ]
Does it feel a bit like we've been misbehaving, or is that just me?
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Jill gives Clive a sidelong look, lips pursed together.]
And that we're much younger than we actually are? Oh, it's not just you.
[... except they are doing things foolish enough to be attributed to youth. To be fair, they missed out on quite a few years.]
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[ Honestly, the former Lord Commander didn't get paid enough to deal with the Rosfield Family Drama on the regular, but he was just as tough with Clive as any blood relative would have been. Stern and uncompromising, but gentle when it counted.
Like Tarja. The older sister Clive never had. It's fondly meant, as Obolus gets their boat ready for a quick journey across the lake. ]
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[He gets a laugh out of her, although she feels he's about to realize how right he is. Tough love. Tarja is only ever honest, even if the truth is uncomfortable. You're in no state. Imagine, then, being forced to remain here. Jill has no love for fighting, but worse would be remaining at the Hideaway while her loved ones risk their lives. Shiva already whittles away at her health in ways that make Tarja's frown deepen more and more.]
She only worries for us.
[How fortunate they are.]
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―Was I too rough?
[ Maybe the aether he'd been bleeding the night prior affected her adversely. He doesn't suffer the Dominant's Curse the way he knows Jill does, Cid did. ]
If I hurt you in any way...
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No. You didn't hurt me. You weren't too rough. You were perfect.
[She glances up just in time to see a number of heads disappear from peeking over thw rails. So many ears and eyes. As much as she enjoys bringing happiness to the Hideaway, she couldn't have imagined this much interest in their relationship.]
It's more... about the consequences.
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You know. Clive would not tolerate.
He stares, and tips his head, and sways into Jill's grip on him―
―and. Oh. Oh, it hits him like five behemoths at once. ]
...Fire and flame, [ he says, scrubbing a hand over his face. ] Fuck. Jill, fuck, I'm sorry.
[ Mortified!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So mortified. Ultima could vaporize him where he stands, actually!!! ]
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Don't apologize. It does take two, after all. [And they were both greedy. To be fair--the chances of Jill ever asking Clive to pull out was low. Very low.] Everything is fine. I only got a lecture I've been instructed to give to you, lest Tarja do it herself. I'm likely less terrifying.
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A heavy sigh, and he leans in to bump foreheads with Jill. ]
I... It's not that I wouldn't. With you. [ It's an amazing thought, actually, to have a family with the woman he loves. The most impossible daydream that he only allowed himself in vague, hazy outlines. He hasn't earned it, nor does he deserve that sort of happiness, still. ] I would, and you know that.
[ As roundabout as he can be, while Obolus hovers like a wraith. ]
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It's so easy to get lost in daydreams about what sort of husband and father Clive would be. Jill sighs, chest full of love.]
Some day. Once our work is done and we've seen more of this world.
[Just not now. And especially not after their first time.]
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[ No gods, no blight, no magic. It's debatable as to whether the world will be a better place after he finishes what he's set out to do, but it'll be theirs regardless. That has to count for something, and that has to be a blessing for whatever future he chooses to make with Jill.
He closes his eyes for a brief moment, before finally pulling back. ]
...I'll do my utmost to be careful.
[ Meanwhile, Obolus clears his throat. "Founder, the sun'll set! Come on, lovebirds." ]
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[Ironically, the danger is much lower with Tarja in the know, and Jill's pockets full of tonics and tinctures. Despite Obolus' grumping, Jill presses a kiss to Clive's cheek before slipping her hand in his so they can walk to the boat together.]
You heard the man.
[And!!!]
Upon our return, please report to Tarja that I gave you a stern talking to. She'll come for my head.
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[ A light, warm laugh. What he'll actually do is apologize to Tarja and promise that he'll be far more mindful about what he puts Jill through, but he doesn't want to worry Jill about being bullied (lovingly) by their resident physicker.
So. Onto the boat they go. Clive first as usual, with him offering a hand (that Jill doesn't actually need) to help her onto it. Obolus dutifully paddles them towards the Dhalmek border, and the rest of the journey to Dalimil is uneventful: Ambrosia pops up from hammerspace again with a friend in tow to run them across the continent to the place in question, and it's nearing late noon (because I'm using fast travel rules instead of realism) by the time they reach the bustling town with its clamor and noise.
Clive finds a place for their chocobos to rest, then meanders back to Jill, wiping sweat off his brow with a gloved hand. ] I'm wearing too many layers, [ he jokes. ]
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She can do that openly now. It's wonderful.]
Then we best get you out of them, no? You promised me.
[Their little date, the only reason outside of their duties that Jill would willingly subject herself to the heat.]
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So I did. [ Is it wise to get naked immediately after promising to be careful? Probably not. But does Clive want to follow through on his first (!) official date plans? Absolutely. ] ―The bathhouse should be just around the corner, there.
[ Pointing to a path that curves into a long pathway, which eventually opens up into a little inner square of sorts with an establishment surrounded by fountains. He leads Jill to the place in question, where a jaunty man in expensive-looking clothes greet them warmly.
"Ah! My hero!", he exclaims, patting Clive on the shoulder. "Have you finally come to see the place you've saved? Come, come, I'll set you and your lovely lady up with a room of your own."
He glances towards Jill, and shrugs. ] Any objections, my lady?
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Only the thought of being naked with Clive in a bath keeps her strong.]
None at all. I'm very much looking forward to it.
[She's already reaching into her hair to pull out the ribbon so she can better hike all that hair up, onto her neck, into a messy ball. A thing she can do while walking along to their room, thank you very much.]
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Let's go, then.
[ The inside of the bathhouse is surprisingly tidy. Stucco walls with murals in bright colors, fountains and potted plants scattered in various corners. There's a public bath in the middle of the place which they bypass in favor of the more spacious private rooms towards the rear of the establishment; the space they're led to turns out to be one big open chamber with a pool hugging the entirety of the back wall, with a window that looks out towards the Dozenoff Terraces in the distance.
"My hero stays for free!", the man exclaims before he leaves, though not without a wink. "Though I do hope you'll remember my hospitality if something comes up in the future."
Wonderful. Clive closes the door once the proprietor leaves, and shakes his head. ] I'll be doing favors for him until the end of my days.
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