[ Let it never be said that fire always prevails over ice. Clive's eyes widen, then narrow fondly as he turns Jill over on his lap before he can be tempted to kiss her for another hour instead of getting anything done. ]
I expect you to have your fill, love.
[ Water makes it easier for both of them to maneuver around, and when he finally manages to have her face away from him, he slides his warm, textured palm over the bare expanse of all that beautiful skin. He hasn't seen much of Jill like this, and ridiculously, it feels just a little scandalous.
An appreciative hum, and he puts his mouth on the nape of her neck. ]
[The gutter yearns for Jill Warrick. Just sitting on his lap like this makes her think of her belt pouch and the tonics within. Tarja was wise to insist that she keep them on her, during their travels, or simply... time alone together.]
I do suspect I'll have my fill before we leave, yes.
[She makes herself laugh as she leans back into Clive's mouth, turning her face to try and coax him into kissing her.]
Jill. [ To the tune of don't tempt me, even if he knows that that's the point. They've only just been warned to be careful, and he's already being goaded to toss that caution to the wind.
But who is he to refuse a kiss? Clive will always be tempted by the arch of Jill's pretty neck, and he bends to meet her, warm breath and warm lips pressed to hers. ]
Last night wasn't enough to sate you, my lady?
[ As if he'd ever be able to get enough of her. One hand slides along Jill's thigh, remembering the feel of her wrapped around him. ]
[Scolded by Clive. Jill just smiles to herself, back towards him, and scoots herself back on his lap so that she can lean her shoulders against his chest. Does that make it difficult to wash her back? Absolutely, but they have all the time in the world, today.]
[ Oh, they're not getting any washing done. Clive's been doing his level best thus far not to get too excited by the feel of Jill's ass against his bare skin, but the coy scooting isn't helping him stay on-track.
His touch slips upwards from thigh to stomach, and his palm presses inward where he'd been buried to the hilt in her the night before. ]
Mm. Now that I know how it feels to be as one with you― [ Another soft bite to the back of her neck, as emphasis. ] ―I yearn for it when we're apart.
[Jill sighs under his touch, boneless in the warmth of the water and relaxed against his body. Once, when she slept on cold floors and lived in rags, she thought this far out of reach.]
It's going to be even more difficult when duty calls for us to be in different places.
[It always disheartened her, being away from him, but she could do it. They were both often so busy--but now, she knows it will be a worse ache.]
[ She never has been, but even more so. She's ever been the thing to keep Clive going, especially when they were apart: the one he wanted to go back to, the one he told himself he had to go back, even when things were hopelessly bleak.
And, well. Since they really are getting no washing done, Clive kisses the crest of Jill's shoulder and slides his touch between her legs this time, petting her gently with the flat of his fingers. They're still in water, so he doesn't press the contact, but he can't resist. ]
[She can think of something nicer to give him than a thin piece of ribbon. Something embroidered, perhaps, as it's a hobby she's taken up when the Hideaway is quiet and she's left with nothing but her thoughts.
Her fingers trail up and down his forearm that's across her body. There's a soft hum at his touch, body a bit tired from the previous night, but welcoming the contact.]
All those years apart, when I thought the worst had happened to you... I prayed you were at peace each night before I slept.
[The worst to happen to him may have been his reality, branded, forced to serve. Left to believe he killed his beloved brother. He had no peace.]
[ His hand stills, then gently draws away as he's reminded of his years as Sanbreque's Imperial wyrm; he doesn't want to touch Jill with that memory on his mind. Even though there was nothing good about their thirteen years of being apart, at the very least, Jill didn't have to endure him in such a pathetic state. ]
...I didn't deserve peace. Not back then.
[ But Jill is kind to say so, and he loves her for it. His chin rests on her shoulder, shoulders curled to fend off any tension. ]
I was such a wretched thing. So selfish, so small. Too afraid to even think of you, for the pain it would cause me.
[Jill isn't upset he pulls his hand away. This is a discussion that demands their full attention. She does find his hand and lift it to her lips, pressing a kiss to his knuckles before cradling it to her chest, over her heart.]
You did. You deserved peace and love and comfort. You did what you needed to do to survive.
[ Funny, how he finds Jill's circumstances easier to digest than his own. They led mirrored lives, being treated as barely more than things to be used by others' whims, and yet he thinks she had far more grace than he did.
But he won't waste either of their times weighing their pasts on scales. Instead, he splays his fingers gently over Jill's heart, and feels her pulse under her skin. Slow and steady, to a beat that he loves. ]
...I did. But I'm glad to no longer be that wyrm. [ Obviously. ] And to be slightly more deserving of your prayers now.
[ He knows he can be a wet blanket, but he would, in fact, like Jill to have some fun.
There are little vials of what look like oils in a box by the edge of the bath: Clive reaches for one of them and uncaps it, making sure that the contents smell appropriately nice (clean, floral) before he drops a bit of it onto Jill's shoulders for a nice lather.
Slyly, he tries to see if he can get away with some massaging as well. His thumbs dig gently into pressure points along Jill's shoulderblades, where she's bound to have some tension from holding herself so upright. ]
[She plants her hands on her knees. Behaving! And letting him dote as he pleases, humming when he begins his task, and... moaning, immediately, when he applies pressure. Stealing a page out of her book! But she's really in no position to complain.]
That's nice, Clive.
[Some praise for him before she forgets how to form words.]
[ Turnabout, etc. He loves that soft sound out of Jill's mouth, and he encourages more of it with careful drags of his fingers along ridges and planes, mapping Jill's body as much as he tends to it.
Because, again, he doesn't see much of her back. Maybe because he likes looking at her face too much to want to lay her on her stomach. ]
You're tempting me without even trying.
[ Jill could just be standing in a room, breathing, and Clive would think she was the most beautiful thing in the world. The bar is exceedingly low. ]
[It would be nice to lay on her belly, but obviously not in the water. Maybe later, once they're back home, she'll have to ask for him to rub her back again. He'll be happy to touch, she's sure, even if asking for such things doesn't come naturally to her. A common trait between them both.]
Your hands are... wonderful. I'm just trying to keep my head above the water.
[Really, she feels like she could sink down and drown without ever realizing it.]
[ Tarja would never let Clive go anywhere with Jill again if he let her drown halfway into their date. So he laughs and hefts her up a little higher onto his knees, cascading water over her shoulders to hastily rinse some of the suds off bath-warm skin. ]
It might have been more prudent for me to do this on the bed.
[ There are two of them in the rather ridiculously spacious suite, but he's sure they'll only need the one. ]
[ The lightness of her tone means that Clive doesn't let himself fuss. Instead, he quirks a quick smile (which he knows Jill won't be able to see, with him tucked behind her), then presses his lips to the back of her neck again. Just the barest suggestion of teeth follow. ]
I should hope that I satisfied you thoroughly.
[ His chest presses against her back, warm from his natural heat and the bathwater. ]
Mm. I'm trying my hand at this 'misbehaving' business.
[ Funny, coming from an outlaw-verging-on-terrorist. He's been misbehaving for ages now. But not like this, not in a way that makes him smile and feel playful, with his arms around Jill's middle and one hand dangerously close to cupping her chest. ]
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[She laughs when her seat jostles her. She welcomes his ticklish beard and his innocence thievery and his desire for her.]
Wait until it's my turn to wash you. I do mean to, Clive.
[A promise and a threat.]
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I expect you to have your fill, love.
[ Water makes it easier for both of them to maneuver around, and when he finally manages to have her face away from him, he slides his warm, textured palm over the bare expanse of all that beautiful skin. He hasn't seen much of Jill like this, and ridiculously, it feels just a little scandalous.
An appreciative hum, and he puts his mouth on the nape of her neck. ]
Even your back is beautiful.
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I do suspect I'll have my fill before we leave, yes.
[She makes herself laugh as she leans back into Clive's mouth, turning her face to try and coax him into kissing her.]
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But who is he to refuse a kiss? Clive will always be tempted by the arch of Jill's pretty neck, and he bends to meet her, warm breath and warm lips pressed to hers. ]
Last night wasn't enough to sate you, my lady?
[ As if he'd ever be able to get enough of her. One hand slides along Jill's thigh, remembering the feel of her wrapped around him. ]
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I don't think I could ever have enough of you.
[Their shared sentiment.]
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His touch slips upwards from thigh to stomach, and his palm presses inward where he'd been buried to the hilt in her the night before. ]
Mm. Now that I know how it feels to be as one with you― [ Another soft bite to the back of her neck, as emphasis. ] ―I yearn for it when we're apart.
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It's going to be even more difficult when duty calls for us to be in different places.
[It always disheartened her, being away from him, but she could do it. They were both often so busy--but now, she knows it will be a worse ache.]
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[ She never has been, but even more so. She's ever been the thing to keep Clive going, especially when they were apart: the one he wanted to go back to, the one he told himself he had to go back, even when things were hopelessly bleak.
And, well. Since they really are getting no washing done, Clive kisses the crest of Jill's shoulder and slides his touch between her legs this time, petting her gently with the flat of his fingers. They're still in water, so he doesn't press the contact, but he can't resist. ]
I'll think of nothing but you.
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[She can think of something nicer to give him than a thin piece of ribbon. Something embroidered, perhaps, as it's a hobby she's taken up when the Hideaway is quiet and she's left with nothing but her thoughts.
Her fingers trail up and down his forearm that's across her body. There's a soft hum at his touch, body a bit tired from the previous night, but welcoming the contact.]
All those years apart, when I thought the worst had happened to you... I prayed you were at peace each night before I slept.
[The worst to happen to him may have been his reality, branded, forced to serve. Left to believe he killed his beloved brother. He had no peace.]
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...I didn't deserve peace. Not back then.
[ But Jill is kind to say so, and he loves her for it. His chin rests on her shoulder, shoulders curled to fend off any tension. ]
I was such a wretched thing. So selfish, so small. Too afraid to even think of you, for the pain it would cause me.
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You did. You deserved peace and love and comfort. You did what you needed to do to survive.
[They both did.]
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But he won't waste either of their times weighing their pasts on scales. Instead, he splays his fingers gently over Jill's heart, and feels her pulse under her skin. Slow and steady, to a beat that he loves. ]
...I did. But I'm glad to no longer be that wyrm. [ Obviously. ] And to be slightly more deserving of your prayers now.
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[Now that he feels like a man of some worth to the world. Someone who can change it, like Cid dreamed.]
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You help me feel deserving. [ Drumming his fingers along her chest, slowly. ] I'm a lucky man.
[ A hum, and he rests his chin against Jill's shoulder. ] ...Now, let me wash your back before I distract myself further.
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Very well.
[The sooner he does hers, she can do his.]
I'll try to behave.
[She scoots forward. So far, so good.]
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Not too hard, I hope.
[ He knows he can be a wet blanket, but he would, in fact, like Jill to have some fun.
There are little vials of what look like oils in a box by the edge of the bath: Clive reaches for one of them and uncaps it, making sure that the contents smell appropriately nice (clean, floral) before he drops a bit of it onto Jill's shoulders for a nice lather.
Slyly, he tries to see if he can get away with some massaging as well. His thumbs dig gently into pressure points along Jill's shoulderblades, where she's bound to have some tension from holding herself so upright. ]
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[She plants her hands on her knees. Behaving! And letting him dote as he pleases, humming when he begins his task, and... moaning, immediately, when he applies pressure. Stealing a page out of her book! But she's really in no position to complain.]
That's nice, Clive.
[Some praise for him before she forgets how to form words.]
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Because, again, he doesn't see much of her back. Maybe because he likes looking at her face too much to want to lay her on her stomach. ]
You're tempting me without even trying.
[ Jill could just be standing in a room, breathing, and Clive would think she was the most beautiful thing in the world. The bar is exceedingly low. ]
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Your hands are... wonderful. I'm just trying to keep my head above the water.
[Really, she feels like she could sink down and drown without ever realizing it.]
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It might have been more prudent for me to do this on the bed.
[ There are two of them in the rather ridiculously spacious suite, but he's sure they'll only need the one. ]
Are you tired from the travel?
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[She'll be happy to request his hands on her back. Hands on her everywhere, really.
Jill is going to be even more of a regular patient of Tarja's. Oh, well. It can't be helped.]
No more than usual. You?
[Then, she adds--]
Truthfully, I'm more tired from last night than the journey here.
[Happily so, says the tone of her voice.]
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I should hope that I satisfied you thoroughly.
[ His chest presses against her back, warm from his natural heat and the bathwater. ]
Else I might be tempted to redeem myself.
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When I said I would try and behave, that was under the assumption that you would as well.
[Far from a complaint given the way she leans back into him.]
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[ Funny, coming from an outlaw-verging-on-terrorist. He's been misbehaving for ages now. But not like this, not in a way that makes him smile and feel playful, with his arms around Jill's middle and one hand dangerously close to cupping her chest. ]
I think you might like it more than you let on.
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[Not a trace of it in the purr of her voice. Likely not in the way she slides her free hand over his to coax him to palm her breast.]
We should be good.
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