Inbox

[rosarianoath]

 ok

Comments

[rosarianoath]

[He wants to protest — they have all night, and he wants to use it, but he does feel spent. He hums a reluctant agreement, one hand spanning up her back.]

I just need to rest… or, that part needs rest, at least.

[noburden]

[She hums, amused. She might need a little rest herself, lest she be made raw by his enthusiasm. She seems content to stay spread out on top of him, however, fingers moving to stroke his cheek.]

I've missed you.

[They've established that already, but she can't stop herself from saying it again.]

[rosarianoath]

[He turns his head into her touch, mouth bumping against her palm. His eyes settle on hers, softening slightly, even if he doesn’t reply beyond kissing her hand. His grip on her with his other hand is tight, wanting to stay close.]

[noburden]

[She has no intention of leaving.]

Sometimes I like to think there must be another Clive and Jill out there. Some other world where we stayed in that flower field. Or where we lived different lives altogether, but still found one another.

[rosarianoath]

[He kisses her wrist and murmurs:]

There is no one else like you in all creation. I’m sure of it.

[noburden]

Then the same must be true of you, too.

[And they can't just... be this.]

[rosarianoath]

[He sighs — part content, part resigned to the tyranny of being one of a kind — and he shifts to take her into his arms fully and tuck her to his chest. He lays back into the bed, taking her with him, his embrace protective.]

It’s one for one, then?

[noburden]

This Jill for this Clive.

[She rests her head against him, comfortable.]

However that may look.

[rosarianoath]

[He looks at her, a pang of hope on his face, whether she can see it or not. One hand strokes over the back of her hair.]

It's no longer all or nothing, then?

[noburden]

[Her hand passes over his stomach, a need to touch his body. It's not what she would hope for, no, but this must be an improvement to how things have been the past few months.]

I'll take anything over nothing.

[Or maybe she's just like fuckstruck right now but she'll dwell on that later.]

[rosarianoath]

[He could ask if she'd be truly happy with that, and if she's sure it wouldn't just bring her more strife in the end. He doesn't have answers for himself, however, and having barely just slid out of her, it's not the time. He presses his lips briefly to the top of her head.]

Good. I don't know that we can put this aside entirely another time...

[noburden]

No. It would be one thing to avoid you if we lived separately, but...

[They don't. He doesn't even have his basement, currently. Jill traces the line of his hip like she's done it a hundred times.]

Perhaps we let it be what it will be without expectation. I will live my life, and you will live yours.

[rosarianoath]

[How much has he missed that casual touch? No one caressed him so easily, before her. And after...]

And if we happen to fall into bed together again...?

[noburden]

Then we fall into bed together again.

[She can't really say that's all it is, with the blatant feelings involved.]

[rosarianoath]

[There's the subtle nod of his head.]

And we don't bring other people here, out of respect for the other?

[noburden]

Not anyone we're... sleeping with, at least.

[She bites her lip, debating.]

I never want to know. I'll never ask.

[rosarianoath]

[Another little nod. He spans a hand down her back, winding his fingers in her hair.]

I know. But you'll tell me if you find someone and it becomes serious, won't you?

[noburden]

That won't happen.

[She would never want it to happen.]

[rosarianoath]

[A pause.]

You won’t find someone else, or you won’t tell me?

[Just to be sure.]

[noburden]

I won't find someone else.

[She can feel her gut churn.]

... would you tell me if you found someone else, Clive?

[rosarianoath]

I wouldn’t keep anything serious from you. [That kind of honesty hurts, he knows, but it is true.] But I’m not fit to be with anyone, so you can put it from your mind.

[noburden]

[At least that's settled ]

I'll try.

[rosarianoath]

[Very convincing. He closes his eyes briefly, grounding himself in holding her.]

You must.

[noburden]

I've wanted you nearly as far back as I can remember. Others will want you, too.

[Maybe it would start out as something superficial, but once they knew him... who wouldn't want more?]

[rosarianoath]

Jill.

[Theres a gentle warning there — she doesn’t want to hear about others, so what can he say?]