pecsonthebeach | Caldera IC Inbox

As My Lady wishes.

[And, as asked, Clive shows up to the kitchen, a soft smile reaching his face when he sees Jill.]

Did you have a destination in mind, or is this to be an outing for pleasure?

For pleasure, and with no destination in mind. I just wanted to spend some time with you after everything that has been going on here lately.

[Also she’s got her hair in a full braid today, as well as having dressed herself in a lovely blue dress. ]

[Meanwhile, Clive has foregone his usual armor for his pants and a simple shirt and jacket. If he suddenly feels underdressed compared to Jill, he won't bring it up, at least not at the moment.]

Mm. We often don't get the opportunity for this, do we?

[But, now they can rectify that. Clive bows his head toward her, then goes to the door to hold it open for her, whenever she's ready.]

[It is nice to see him forego the armor. He looks handsome. Though Jill would say he always looks handsome. ]

We don’t, and I’d like to do it as often as we can.

[ She steps outside, and holds out her hand for him.]

Edited 2024-11-13 04:08 (UTC)

[It's one of the most natural things in the world to take Jill's hand. Clive could come up with a plethora of excuses as to why he wouldn't over the past few years, but they all seem hollow now that their relationship has properly deepened. He gently threads their fingers together as he joins her.]

I'd like that, too.

[Even if he thinks about their actual situation back in Valisthea, how it seems that they'll be separated no matter how much they'd like not to be, it makes his chest hurt. But if that is how things will turn out, then shouldn't that urge him to enjoy these stolen moments even more?]

Just the two of us without the weight of the world on our shoulders. For a time, anyway.

[He walks, silent for a moment.]

I can almost pretend that we're normal people.

[ She feels a small heat rise to her cheeks. She feels happy that they've gotten to this point. That they could just pretend for a little while that they were normal people. ]

Isn't that what we want? Just for a moment or two.

[ Jill knows that it is not the best idea to pretend that what is coming in their world won't come. It doesn't do them any favors.

But for brief moments Jill wants to enjoy their relationship as they intended. ]

There was a beach somewhere nearby, Joshua and I collected pearls at it some time ago. Would you like to go there?

[What they want. Want is such a foreign concept to Clive, after living most of his life either denying it for himself or having it denied for him. He's gone so long living without that it almost doesn't even bother him. For so long he's existed for someone or something else, for Joshua, for revenge, for all the souls he inherited when he made the decision to become Cid. But here in Caldera, those responsibilities have truly been lessened and while he does not dare to relax because of it, he can think a little more. Dream, almost.]

I think...it's what I always wanted. For all of us.

[If they could have grown up as simple children and not had the shadow of the Phoenix looming over them, or the lack of it, in Clive's case, would they have been happier? Instead of being hyper-aware of his mother, could Clive have simply enjoyed watching Joshua grow up and hoped to one day catch Jill's eye?

...Well, he supposes the latter did come true, albeit so many years and countless traumas later. Glancing over to her, he can't help the gentle smile that finds its way to his face.]

I would love to.

[Love. Ah...]

I find the beaches here more ideal than most I have seen back home.

[ Jill wants that for him more than anything. To want something for himself, to take something for himself, to do something completely for himself. It's why she tries to take him out as often as she can. So that he could enjoy those things. ]

Then trust me for a while and worry about nothing but right now.

[ She will start taking them in the direction of the beach. Her footsteps light and normal for a change. She's not rushing to get anywhere, she's not hiding behind every wall. they can just be themselves here.

On top of that? She's taken to holding his hand. Something she would likely never take for granted again. What with how long the two of them danced around what they really wanted. ]

[Clive bows his head slightly.]

Yes, My Lady.

[Apart from Joshua, there is no one else Clive would trust with his life, or his heart. And apart from Torgal, there is no one who has stood by his side so unfailingly, even when he hasn't felt worthy of such loyalty. So it's easy to do as Jill says and walk beside her, hand in hand.

Hand in hand. And isn't that such a simple, but incredible thing? That they found each other and can exist like this, even for a single day.

Clive glances over to Jill as they stroll and takes in her appearance, a slight flush coming to his cheeks.]

You look lovely today.

[ She does not want this moment to end. So she does what she can to prolong their time together. Especially here. So once they get a little further down the beach she’s going to stop.

He’s always been sweet in his own way. There is a tint to her cheeks when he compliments her. It’s just so sincere every single time.]

Clive, always charming me.

[ She never really takes what she wants, but today? It’s a different story. She stops their little walk to turn and pull him down to her level swiftly. Even with such a bold move, when she presses he lips to his she is as light as a feather. She couldn’t help herself really, to be so bold with him.]

[This entire outing has been Jill's idea so when she stops their walk, Clive follows suit obediently. Besides, it's nice to take a moment to look out at the ocean, the vastness of it never failing to impress him, either here or back home.

A moment is all he gets, though, before Jill tugs him down toward her and steals a gentle kiss. The act is so quick and surprising that he doesn't even have time to protest, not that he actually wants to. Jill is usually so reserved and quiet that Clive is the one who initiates most intimacy. It isn't a complaint he has, of course; with Jill he feels safe enough to show such serious affection whereas he might otherwise be choked by his own shyness. And even then his own bravery sometimes whimpers when Jill's happiness is on the line.

But now...

Now, Clive wraps his other arm around her waist and holds her close, sighing contentedly into her kiss as he claims her lips with the same gentleness she has shown him.

He doesn't know how long he kisses her, but eventually he pulls away, though he rests his forehead against her own. A soft laugh passes through his lips.]

Ah...now who is the charming one?

[She feels like her boldness paid off here. Her whole body is buzzing with warmth. She’s happy. She can’t help the smile that creeps onto her cheeks. How did she get so lucky to have Clive?

Her arms end up around his neck, and when they part she’s happy to keep her forehead pressed to his. ]

Still you, I would gather.

[She places a few more chaste kisses on his lips. His laugh makes her just as warm as his kisses and she finds herself giggling quietly between their shared space. ]

Then I yield to your better judgment.

[Jill keeps her emotions so close to her chest usually. Not that Clive holds any of that against her. Even when they were children, she had been reserved, whether due to her own nature or as a result of his mother trying to snuff out any of her individuality. And now, after knowing just the barest of what she experienced while in the clutches of the Iron Kingdom, he especially can't blame her.

So to hear her laugh, even just in the safety between their bodies, makes his heart feel near to bursting.]

I love the sound of your laughter.

I’ve confidence that my judgement is quite decent.

[She had done it for so long, hadn’t she? Kept everything inside. It’s safe with him. So her laughs do come a lot easier.

Her heart is so full right now. ]

I’m glad we came here, just the two of us. I can’t remember the last time I felt this relaxed.

[This side of Jill is so...warm. Light. A comfort when so much can be dark and dreary, even in a world without Ultima's pall and threat. This playfulness is foreign to both of them, but not unwelcome, never unwelcome, and Clive feels a smile rest comfortably upon his lips as he pulls away just enough to properly look at her.]

It's kept my hide untanned these last few years.

[He lifts a hand to brush the backs of his fingers along her cheek.]

I wouldn't be where I am without you.

[And then, because her beauty draws him in like a moth to flame, he kisses her once again, his lips lingering for a few moments longer.

But then he pulls away with no little disappointment and glances out over the ocean, the waves gently lapping over the sands so near to their feet.]

I'm reminded of the time we went to Northreach to pick up some ingredients for Mid.

[When weren't they picking up some ingredients for Mid, though?]

We had that impromptu picnic beside the lake. My apologies, I didn't think to bring the ham today.

And I shall keep it so, should you continue to let me.

[ She just can’t seem to help herself around him. This sort of banter is just a touch foreign to them. She would have felt equally as comfortable in their own world, in the comfort of the Hideout, but their situation just couldn’t have afforded it.

She turns her cheek delicately into his fingers, allowing herself to feel his hands. It doesn’t matter much to her what the feel like, it’s Clive and she loves him so dearly. Every part of him.

They haven’t even said it, have they? Perhaps they don’t need to. They know how they feel about each other.

She allows herself to get swept away again by him, pressing her lips against his with a delicate touch like no other. Once they finally pull away from each others lips, she just lets herself rest in his arms.]

That is quite alright, I am no more prepared than you. Perhaps we should plan an actual outing in the future, you and I. Though I hope you won’t think I’m trying to steal every moment with you.

[ Even if she might be trying to steal quite a few. ]

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