Jacob beams at that smile, so handsome and true. Anduin is under a lot of pressure, he doesn't get half the help he should, but his smile is always genuine, always makes Jacob mirror it in response. He simply can't help himself.
"What's stronger than me?" Jacob teases, an arm going around Anduin's waist, hugging him to his side so they can walk further into the house together.
"Same old, really. We're trying to do some renovations - make the roof a little more sound, make sure the Rubies can't just swan in whenever they like. But it's getting there." He says, "Thankfully, Hellboy is doing more of the training so I can do more of the organising. It seems to be working out, so far. How's Haven? All dried out and ship-shape?"
He grins again, moving to pour out a cuppa, and then pausing before pouring one for Anduin. "You can have something stronger. If you want it. There was something I wanted to chat to you about."
"For the most part. Right now it's a matter of filling positions of those who've left, but it's going to take time to find the right people. We're managing as best we can."
And if he has to take shifts due to a lack of in-office healer? Well. It's what he was hired on for in the first place. At least he's never in doubt if his skills are being put to their best use.
But musing on such things can wait, given the way Jacob leads into that change of topic. Anduin's eyebrow lifts as Jacob sets about preparing the tea. "Something good or something I may need a drink for?" he replies lightly, though there's a faint air of bracing himself for whatever is coming next.
Given Jacob's apparent high spirits, he can hope for the former. He thinks.
"I suppose that while people have gone, new people have arrived too. Some of them may be able to help? Or at least take the pressure off you?" Jacob worries. He knows Anduin is doing the right thing, helping to the best of his ability but that's no good if he exhausts himself. He'll talk to Gilia, make sure that one or other of them drops in while their dominant works and strong-arm him into eating and taking a nap.
"I hope you think it's a good thing. You know about me and Vrenille. That we're... close."
He isn't good at describing relationships that really mean something. Close is also how he describes how he feels about Anduin and Gilia, about Hellboy. Emotions are things he struggles with understanding, let alone talking about. But there's a whole nest of churning nerves in his belly now, almost more intense than his happiness.
"He asked me if he and I could contract. Once ours runs out." He takes a breath, looking at Anduin with uncertainty. "Does that require tea or spirits?"
A hand extends to rest on Jacob's arm in reassurance, squeezing gently only the feel the slight tension in the muscles there. It lingers as Jacob continues to speak, edging closer to the topic he's obviously eager to broach.
Jacob had mentioned Vrenille before, of course, more than a few times. Anduin recalled speaking briefly to the man, and over the network at that, but he didn't know much about him beyond Jacob's obvious affection for him. Truthfully, that was all he needed to know. Then it starts to click into place, mere seconds before the words actually form on the assassin's tongue. The reason Jacob looked both elated and anxious, the reason he'd been lingering at the door waiting for him to arrive.
Anduin's eyes widen slightly, before a warm smile is quickly draw into place, and the hold on Jacob's arm turns into a faint tug to draw him into an embrace.
"I think a celebratory drink could be in order. Just one for me," he adds quickly. "I do have to get up early, tomorrow. But that's wonderful to hear! You must be overjoyed."
"I hope so." Jacob replies. No doubt Anduin is, because he likes to give people the chance to try, to prove to themselves they can do something, but he also unfortunately doesn't always push them as hard as he pushes himself.
Whatever happens in the future, Jacob is never going to stop worrying about Anduin. Or loving him. Which is why Anduin's blessing at this point is so important.
As the expression on Anduin's face changes and that handsome smile once more lights up the room, the shadow of anxiety on Jacob's face melts away and he allows himself to be tugged in, curling his arms around his king, his priest, his Anduin, and hugging him close.
"I am happy," he says, not sure if that's enough, but overjoyed seems... too much. "I talked to him when we first contracted, in the spring. He told me that he wouldn't be asking and I thought that meant he never would."
He grins a little bashful, and nods to the suggestion of a celebratory drink for Anduin, but doesn't let go just yet.
"You... don't mind, do you? The last thing I want to do is hurt you. Or Gilia."
Not so unusual a thing, that. His own opinion on contracts and what they meant -- to him and to others -- had changed considerably over time. When Jacob doesn't quite draw back just yet, a reassuring hand drifts up to stroke his hair, where it lies tussled under Anduin's chin. "I can't speak for Gilia, but she of all people taught me what it was to allow room in your heart for the people you love to move freely. As for me..."
He pauses, tilting his head slightly in question. "This doesn't change things between us, does it? I'm guessing you'll be wanting to stay with him, but beyond that."
Anduin's right on that front, and Jacob doesn't bother to pretend otherwise. "One of his submissives went home. On the last day we were at Camp Harmony. I think... I think he realised just how quickly things here can change."
Jacob melts a little bit at the touch to his hair, a soft contented noise leaving him as he relaxes into Anduin's hold. He knew Anduin wouldn't be angry, he knew he wouldn't be upset. But sometimes the bad experience of the past colours our expectation of the future.
"It doesn't change how much I care for you, no. Or how much I want to see you." He smiles at the blond, lifting his head to press a kiss to Anduin's mouth, his hand resting against the priest's cheek. "And I'll still be round Haven every other day to check on you."
"I just don't want you to have regretted being contracted to me. I certainly don't want you to regret not contracting with him, if that is what will make you happy."
Brow furrowing lightly, he tips his head forward, lips pressing to Jacob's forehead like a benediction.
"All I want is for you to be as happy as you make me."
Jacob actually looks horrified by the suggestion, the happiness on his face slipping. "What? How could I ever regret it? Anduin, I wouldn't change it. Not for all the tea in China. We've had fun, and you... you saved me, from myself..."
Without Anduin, Jacob doesn't even know where he'd be.
"As long as you are happy. That's what I want you to be. It's what you deserve. And a rest."
"Jacob..." He draws back a little at that, just enough to peer down at Jacob with a wry smile.
"You've always looked out for me. From the moment I arrived here, in fact. You are one of the bravest, most compassionate people I've ever known, and I've watched the way your eyes light up when you make the people you care for happy."
One hand cups his jaw gently. "You deserve to look to your own happiness as well, and not just worry about mine."
Jacob blinks, taken aback by the warmth of Anduin's words, the high praise that he doesn't think he quite deserves. He's not compassionate, he's well aware how much he complains when people want something from him. He doesn't mind helping, not really, but he's not like Anduin, who works double shifts, works himself to the bone making sick people well again.
Jacob beats them up and sends them to Haven.
He doesn't argue, just drops his eyes momentarily from Anduin's face, before glancing up again.
"I'll never stop worrying about you being happy, love. That's what you do for people you care about."
"I know better than to expect anything of the sort."
Anduin chuckles, before brushing his forehead against Jacob's, eyes falling shut for a brief moment. "All I ask is that you put yourself first, now and then. You deserve to."
Jacob makes a soft noise, an agreement, knowing that what he's being asked to do is the same he'd ask of Anduin. Just take care of himself, because he also deserves that.
He could stay like that for a while, but there's things to be done, and he wants to drink some of his tea before he's completely stone cold.
"I thought... once I told Gilia. We could go out, get a nice meal somewhere. My treat."
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"What's stronger than me?" Jacob teases, an arm going around Anduin's waist, hugging him to his side so they can walk further into the house together.
"Same old, really. We're trying to do some renovations - make the roof a little more sound, make sure the Rubies can't just swan in whenever they like. But it's getting there." He says, "Thankfully, Hellboy is doing more of the training so I can do more of the organising. It seems to be working out, so far. How's Haven? All dried out and ship-shape?"
He grins again, moving to pour out a cuppa, and then pausing before pouring one for Anduin. "You can have something stronger. If you want it. There was something I wanted to chat to you about."
no subject
And if he has to take shifts due to a lack of in-office healer? Well. It's what he was hired on for in the first place. At least he's never in doubt if his skills are being put to their best use.
But musing on such things can wait, given the way Jacob leads into that change of topic. Anduin's eyebrow lifts as Jacob sets about preparing the tea. "Something good or something I may need a drink for?" he replies lightly, though there's a faint air of bracing himself for whatever is coming next.
Given Jacob's apparent high spirits, he can hope for the former. He thinks.
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"I hope you think it's a good thing. You know about me and Vrenille. That we're... close."
He isn't good at describing relationships that really mean something. Close is also how he describes how he feels about Anduin and Gilia, about Hellboy. Emotions are things he struggles with understanding, let alone talking about. But there's a whole nest of churning nerves in his belly now, almost more intense than his happiness.
"He asked me if he and I could contract. Once ours runs out." He takes a breath, looking at Anduin with uncertainty. "Does that require tea or spirits?"
no subject
A hand extends to rest on Jacob's arm in reassurance, squeezing gently only the feel the slight tension in the muscles there. It lingers as Jacob continues to speak, edging closer to the topic he's obviously eager to broach.
Jacob had mentioned Vrenille before, of course, more than a few times. Anduin recalled speaking briefly to the man, and over the network at that, but he didn't know much about him beyond Jacob's obvious affection for him. Truthfully, that was all he needed to know. Then it starts to click into place, mere seconds before the words actually form on the assassin's tongue. The reason Jacob looked both elated and anxious, the reason he'd been lingering at the door waiting for him to arrive.
Anduin's eyes widen slightly, before a warm smile is quickly draw into place, and the hold on Jacob's arm turns into a faint tug to draw him into an embrace.
"I think a celebratory drink could be in order. Just one for me," he adds quickly. "I do have to get up early, tomorrow. But that's wonderful to hear! You must be overjoyed."
no subject
Whatever happens in the future, Jacob is never going to stop worrying about Anduin. Or loving him. Which is why Anduin's blessing at this point is so important.
As the expression on Anduin's face changes and that handsome smile once more lights up the room, the shadow of anxiety on Jacob's face melts away and he allows himself to be tugged in, curling his arms around his king, his priest, his Anduin, and hugging him close.
"I am happy," he says, not sure if that's enough, but overjoyed seems... too much. "I talked to him when we first contracted, in the spring. He told me that he wouldn't be asking and I thought that meant he never would."
He grins a little bashful, and nods to the suggestion of a celebratory drink for Anduin, but doesn't let go just yet.
"You... don't mind, do you? The last thing I want to do is hurt you. Or Gilia."
no subject
Not so unusual a thing, that. His own opinion on contracts and what they meant -- to him and to others -- had changed considerably over time. When Jacob doesn't quite draw back just yet, a reassuring hand drifts up to stroke his hair, where it lies tussled under Anduin's chin. "I can't speak for Gilia, but she of all people taught me what it was to allow room in your heart for the people you love to move freely. As for me..."
He pauses, tilting his head slightly in question. "This doesn't change things between us, does it? I'm guessing you'll be wanting to stay with him, but beyond that."
no subject
Jacob melts a little bit at the touch to his hair, a soft contented noise leaving him as he relaxes into Anduin's hold. He knew Anduin wouldn't be angry, he knew he wouldn't be upset. But sometimes the bad experience of the past colours our expectation of the future.
"It doesn't change how much I care for you, no. Or how much I want to see you." He smiles at the blond, lifting his head to press a kiss to Anduin's mouth, his hand resting against the priest's cheek. "And I'll still be round Haven every other day to check on you."
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Brow furrowing lightly, he tips his head forward, lips pressing to Jacob's forehead like a benediction.
"All I want is for you to be as happy as you make me."
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Without Anduin, Jacob doesn't even know where he'd be.
"As long as you are happy. That's what I want you to be. It's what you deserve. And a rest."
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"You've always looked out for me. From the moment I arrived here, in fact. You are one of the bravest, most compassionate people I've ever known, and I've watched the way your eyes light up when you make the people you care for happy."
One hand cups his jaw gently. "You deserve to look to your own happiness as well, and not just worry about mine."
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Jacob beats them up and sends them to Haven.
He doesn't argue, just drops his eyes momentarily from Anduin's face, before glancing up again.
"I'll never stop worrying about you being happy, love. That's what you do for people you care about."
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Anduin chuckles, before brushing his forehead against Jacob's, eyes falling shut for a brief moment. "All I ask is that you put yourself first, now and then. You deserve to."
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He could stay like that for a while, but there's things to be done, and he wants to drink some of his tea before he's completely stone cold.
"I thought... once I told Gilia. We could go out, get a nice meal somewhere. My treat."