bridgescribble | A big squishy duvet of a meme

It's the excuse you've been looking for to play soft, fluffy things.

Sharing is caring: You notice that the other person is in need of something--a beverage, or a space on the couch, or what-have-you--and you're willing to share.
Oh no oh no I'm sorry: You accidentally hurt them in a minor way, oh no!
Pets are cute: You're both cooing over something fuzzy. Kitty? Doggo? Tribble...?
Can't sleep: It's way too late but you just can't sleep. Fortunately you're not the only one up.
Stop and smell the roses: It's just a wonderful day to stroll around and appreciate life.
It's not that scary: One of you has to face down a fear--heights, wasps, planes. The other person is there to help.
Waiting for bail: The old saying, a good friend will bail you out--a great friend will be in jail with you, saying "that was fun!" Maybe a friend you didn't even know you had before today.
Cooking: Nothing brings people together like sous-cheffing for each other.
Viewer's choice! Idk man there's a lot of soft scenarios in the world, make up your own!

Ooh, we can combine the last two! Say they come back from Origin, there's the whole YAY THINGS ARE FIXED celebration/Hideaway party and afterwards, neither one can sleep and they sneak away for cute/romantic time?

Yissss

His whole life. His whole entire life was building to this moment and it was over. The battle for Valisthea, the battle for bearers, for life, for Joshua and Jill... for him. It was over and he was, surprisingly, alive. He could keep his promise to Jill. He kept his promise to Jill.

Dion, Joshua, and himself all made it back. It was in the middle of the night. Edda was having her baby, Gav was beside himself, Otto wept... and then there was a scream.

THEY'RE BACK

And that was when the revelry began. He'd expected to simply slip into his quarters and go to bed. He kind of longed for it, his body ached, but suddenly there were so many voices, so many faces. Everyone cheering, jumping, dancing to the music in the dining hall.

All the while he scanned the crowd for her face. Surely she had to be here. He dare not call for her in the cacoghony of triumphant bellows.

Even through her tears did the doubt of him never coming back never break through. Just as sure as the sun rose at dawn, she remembered that he promised and it's clear he did too.

For that, Jill is just as joyful on Clive's return as the rest of the Hideaway. But through all the celebrating, the shouts and cheers, she hangs back, knowing that the rest of the Hideaway needed him at this moment. The people need a figure of hope and for them, that's Clive. So Jill is willing to share him for a few hours, maybe even a couple of days, for everybody to get their proud claps on his back, their thank yous, their 'tell me what happened up there". There would be no rest for the weary as far as she can see.

Except she watches him glance around the hall, searching for someone, and then their eyes meet. It's hard to fully read his expression from this distance, but Jill knows Clive well enough to know he was looking for her. And to that, she smiles softly and nods at him before slipping through the crowd, signaling that he should follow her the minute he's free.

Edited 2023-08-27 23:22 (UTC)

While many may dream of being the people's champion it was exhausting. So many people wanted to hug him or remember Cid. Many were crying, many more were dancing. The children were running around jumping. It was what Cid would have wanted. He thinks. It was hard to get away but while he'd fought, this victory was as much theirs as it was his own.

When he found her she was too far away for his liking. She nodded and she was gone. Ever the observant and selfless supporter. He knew she couldn't get away that fast. He had to spend some time making the rounds. Eventually he told the story to a roused group of eager listeners. Harpocrates included and hopefully, that would disseminate the tale through the hideaway and give him a moment's reprieve.

As soon as he was able he slipped off, straight to the path Jill took. Looking around, he tried to stay quiet as if he was hiding from his own people. Well. He was. If they heard him they might call for another round of ale and a song.

"Jill?" he whispered softly. "Are you still here?"

She's patient as she is loyal. Jill knows it'll take more than just a short moment for him to meet up with her. Far too many people are demanding his attention to just skip off without any questions, so she waits in the shadows of the Hideaway, watching the stars glitter and twinkle in the sky. It's quite a strange sight tonight without Metia's everlasting presence, but Jill now sees that her disappearance meant Clive came home. That's okay by her, as long as her prayers were answered.

The corner she's tucked away in is a rare quiet one, only visited by those looking for some privacy amongst the people milling about and certainly, Jill's seeking a moment just between her and Clive. Perhaps just to talk, maybe to celebrate in their own way. In either case, she hears him call out for her and far be it from her to play hide and seek at a time like this.

"You never were one for celebrations," she says, amusement clear in her tone, as she steps out of the shadows. The man has changed in many ways over the years, but this isn't one of them. "I thought you might want to escape for a little while."

"Afraid not." too loud and indulgent. It wasn't really his style when before becoming a slave.

His eyes trace up her body, landing on her face, the sweep of her hair. He'd never get tired of it. He smiled slowly.

"Maybe a long while. I recall... You said you'd outgrow the twins after this was over. Is this where we run away into the sunset?" he wanted at least a night's rest first.

He stepped into her bubble, took her chin in his fingers. He didn't want to overpower her but he felt like she was brand new. He didn't think he'd keep his promise and here she was.

"Jill I..." his hand coiled around the back of her head and then he was hugging her.

"I think we missed our sunset chance. Might have to wait until tomorrow," she replies teasingly. She'll wait until he's ready, for however long it takes. After all, the plan involved him too; Jill would never leave without him.

She can feel his hesitance, the way he steps towards her as if she is a fragile ceramic doll he's afraid to break. Any protest about how delicate she's not is held back once his hand finds a place on her chin, her own hand coming to gently grasp his wrist. Gazing into those blue eyes of his, she's temporarily lost in them before he's holding her and it's more than appreciated by Jill's measure, this embrace that feels long overdue.

Jill doesn't know what he wants to say, but she's fully aware of what her own words will be next, said in a hushed tone for his ears only:

"Welcome home."

"Forgive my tardiness, my lady." he chuckled. He'd need a little bit of time to transition out of his role. To make sure Joshua was settled and Gav could handle the moniker of Cid.

It's not so much her being delicate. He knows full well that she isn't. It's the newness of their relationship and him not wanting to overwhelm her by crowding her against the wall. Who knows if she even likes that.

"Great to be home... It got close up there, Jill. Too close." he held her tighter. Thinking of how she flashed before his eyes at the critical moment.

He pulled back, framed her face in his hands, and kissed her hard. Like a man who believed he'd never see her again.

A big squishy duvet of a meme

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