"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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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."
no subject
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."
no subject
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."
no subject
"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."
no subject
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."
no subject
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."
no subject
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."