flamebrand | [ CLOSED TO NOBURDEN. ]

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. ]

An apt comparison...

[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.]

[ "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. ]

If I hurt you in any way...

[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.]

It's more... about the consequences.

[ 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.]

Once our world is ours to live in.

[ 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." ]

So will I. Tarja... has been very generous.

[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.

[That water looks so inviting Jill nearly throws herself in, clothing and all. In reality, she simply stands beside Clive and sighs in relief. What a day it's been already, and finally here is her reward. Privacy and the man she loves, and loves her in turn.

And a large bath with clean water. Jill looks to Clive, smile seemingly stuck in place.]

He won't be calling for you just yet.

[So enjoy, Clive. Jill steps forward to wordlessly help him undress. It’s more difficult for him, especially with his sword, gauntlets, and cape. And it's more reason to be close, stealing kisses between undoing clasps and buckles. Kissing him still sends a thrill through her--she hopes it always will. He's so precious to her, and it's there in every touch and shift of light in her pale eyes.]

How did you know this is just what I needed?

[Nevermind she's only been here five minutes and hasn't even touched the water. She's simply happy to be with him.]

[ Invictus gets laid near the edge of the bath, within arm's reach (he will fight naked against a bunch of bandits if he needs to), but the rest of his clothes slough off haphazardly, to be thought about later. Maybe the two of them could borrow some layers that aren't quite as suffocating for a later stroll, but that's a Future Clive problem.

He presses kisses against Jill's lips, her jaw, her forehead. Once the only thing still clinging to his body is his underwear, he moves to help Jill out of her own things, treating her clothes with far more care than his own.

Once they're both largely naked, he hums and runs his palm over the bare column of her neck. ]

This reminds me of when you still wore your hair short.

[ Pretty then, beautiful now. ]

[Jill smiles, leaning into his palm, her own hands trailing down his chest. She doesn't tell him the details, of her long hair being cut under the sharp eyes of the duchess and dropping around her like leaves, the instructions to her caretakers to keep it short and tidy, lest anyone mistake her for a savage.

She won't ruin their day with talk of Anabella. A hand lifts from his chest to brush his hair from his face, so she can better see his beautiful blue eyes.]

I love you.

[A much better thing to think about.]

Being able to say so, aloud... It’s wonderful, isn't it?

[ The sheer force of I love you still feels like missing a step while going downstairs. His heart flips, then rights itself, and he smiles about it with the sort of thrill-rush-adrenaline that he knows he'll always feel around Jill and her affection. ]

...It is. [ Lacing their free hands together into a hold, he squeezes her fingers with gentle affirmation. ] I loved you then, and I love you now.

[ Another kiss, soft, and he angles his jaw towards the warm water. ]

Shall we?

[ It'll be good to slough off the desert sand and the accumulated sweat. There's a little crystal in a linen bag bobbing in the water, presumably to magick impurities away; another convenience that Clive will take away once he's done saving the world.

Might as well take advantage of it while they can. Off goes Clive's underwear, and he guides Jill into the bath with him. ]

[She always knew he'd be the lover she dreamed of--gentle, sweet, and charming though she doubts he realizes he is. He's all those things to her, and she hardly allows him to step into the depths of the bath before she's slipping her arms around him. The water feels heavenly, soothing some of the little aches from the night before, but they're hardly things she notices with him fully bared before her.]

On our travels, when we've had no choice but to bathe in whatever river or stream is available to us... did you know how I've had to fight with myself not to steal a peek?

[A tiny confession. Jill always made sure to turn her back and busy herself with camp if there was any sort of direct line of sight, and they could never truly be entirely nude, but she would have enjoyed the sight of him cleaning the day's dust from the road off his hands and face just as well as she'd enjoy seeing the rest of him.]

[ They settle into the water, and Clive finds the far edge of the pool to lean against as Jill winds herself around him. A beat, and he makes the executive decision of hauling her up onto his lap, where she can sit sideways across his knees as he sifts water over her back and shoulders.

His brow raises at the confession. Surprised and amused, in equal measure. ]

That makes two of us.

[ He hums, low and thoughtful under his breath. ] Do you want to hear a shameful confession? [ If they're going to be playing the 'did you know' game. ]

[This whole pool, and they take up so little of it. Jill laughs, the sound amplified in the bath, and slides her arms around Clive's shoulders. Easy, then, to tracing her fingers up and down the back of his neck.]

Certainly. Though I hope you know you really have nothing to be ashamed about with me. No matter what it is.

[Really, she can't imagine Clive capable of anything that makes her feel disgust or disappointment. Cringe? Maybe. But at least that can be kind of cute.]

[ 'No matter what', huh. Well, he'll see. ]

...Once or twice, when I knew that obligations would take me away from you for longer than I would like, I...

[ A little pause, here, hesitant. Then, he ventures carefully: ] ...I took one of your ribbons with me. [ The ones she uses to keep her hair braided and in place. ] To have a piece of you to keep.

[Jill's eyebrows slowly lift in anticipation as he speaks. Speaks, and then confesses to being a little thief! It makes her laugh, and she bumps their noses together, charmed.]

Is that where my ribbon got off to? I thought one of the children got into my things.

[She doesn't keep much, so losing track of a ribbon was quite out of character for her. Clearly a case of sticky fingers, but she never would have suspected Clive.]

Had you asked, I'd have let you. And now you needn't ask at all.

[Jill will make him something, she decides, and tuck it away in his armor if they need to be apart. She leans in to kiss him, delighted, palm squeezing the back of his neck.]

[ A criminal!!! Clive sighs, a little relieved that he finally confessed to his heinous crimes. He's glad that Jill hasn't immediately dumped him for it, but of course she didn't. She's far too good to him. ]

I didn't want you to worry. [ About him pining, or feeling lonely without her. He'd relied on Jill for so much over the years, and he'd hardly wanted her to think that she needed him for everything. She deserved her time, her rest.

That said, he nuzzles into her kiss, nipping lightly at her shapely lower lip. ] ...I could give you something of mine in recompense, if you'd like.

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