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[rosarianoath]

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[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?]

[noburden]

Sorry.

[Right. She doesn't want to know what he gets up to--so it's best she not continue down that road.]

[rosarianoath]

[He presses another kiss to her scalp.]

Don’t concern yourself with any of that.

[noburden]

[She breathes in, trying to focus on what she has rather than what she doesn't have.]

When we're here... don't shy away from me. Sometimes you still look like you expect to be in trouble.

[Which is ridiculous because he got them this house.]

[rosarianoath]

[He pauses, then admits:]

I’ve feared hurting you more by being too close.

[noburden]

It hurts less than not having you near me.

[Especially now.]

[rosarianoath]

[Clive holds her a little tighter.]

I'll endeavour to protect your feelings best I can, Jill.

[noburden]

And what of yours?

[She nuzzles into his neck.]

Your feelings still matter to me.

[rosarianoath]

[There's a soft huff, a veer towards humour:]

Keep your university man out of our kitchen and they'll be just fine.

[noburden]

[She huffs, amused.]

Don't you worry about him.

[rosarianoath]

[He just chuckles under his breath, and his hand roves down to give her ass a squeeze.]

Consider me fine, then.