pecsonthebeach | Caldera IC Inbox

[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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