[ She lets her fingers brush against his, not so much rush. ]
The city is fickle, it could have... but no... [ She leans over, and goes to kiss the top of his soapy head. ] Almost like someone had put structures, people, sensible choices to make sure that we would all be taken care of.
[She goes back to massaging his head. Firm fingers that work in little circles to move around his scalp to ease tension from him as much as clean him. ]
Truth be told there are only a few of us. Since Chieftan Jack and then Cinder with him, left... I have not had the heart to simply...
[She knows she needs too. Knows she needs to carry on, but hard at times to simply do so. To just replace like it was nothing at all to her. ]
I will do so soon, but best I think when the weather warms some and people are able to more easily venture out.
[ At the mention of Jack, he resists the urge to clasp her hand again, simply humming in understanding. Her first contract, her first real love here. It had been painful for her to lose him, as it had been for Anduin when Wrathion disappeared. ]
I understand. But the ones that are left, they are well?
[ She gives a steadier breath to that. Those who relied on her were not left out, no pun intended, in the cold. ]
Though I do loathe being right about the winter coming so harshly, both here and the Birds is well stocked to survive being snowed in for long periods, so we are not in any rush to go out of the house for less than a true emergency.
If there's anything they require, we will see to it.
[ The corner of his mouth twitches upwards, as he lifted a hand to rub over his eyes with a soft exhale. The warm water was doing its work, easing the tension that remained out of his frame. ]
It'll be good to have something to do again. Though of course I'd wish circumstances were better.
My busy husband, always ready to do more. I learned a term for it here, they say that it is a 'work-aholic'.
[ But her tone is light and teasing, as she finishes scrubbing his head. Then she leans over again, with another soft murmur for him to lean his head back, so that she can begin pouring the water to rinse out all the shampoo. Cupping along his hairline to make sure nothing crept through and stung his eyes. ]
But it's easier to focus on what can be done, rather than what lies behind. Those ghosts can be wrestled with when there is nothing else he can set his mind to.
The warm trickle of water sloshes the soapy liquid down his neck and around his shoulders in a warm pool. His hair is still long, here. A strange thing to return to, the marked passage of time outside of time. Another swipe of his hand keeps most of the suds out of his eyes before he turns to look at Gilia.
[ She doesn't notice it, not immediately anyway, her eyes lowered to her work. Running fingers through, lifting his hair here and there to make sure all the water rinses thoroughly through.
Because he is precious to her. Precious as a jewel, precious as the earth. Not because he was a king, or a warrior, or anything grand, but simply, he was a good man who had her heart, and in all, their good and bad, lost intentions and mistakes, still came back to her.
It's not until a few more moments he notices his glance, peering up at her, upside down. Smiling, shaking her head at him with a soft laugh. Spirits, how the world was brighter just to see his eyes open and watchful again.
And leans over to kiss the tip of his nose with a little peck. ]
[ His mouth twists wryly at the peck, before he reaches down to cup a handful of water. Running it over his shoulders and chest, to clear away as much of the soap as possible. ]
[ A suspicion well-earned, for a moment later he has her by the wrist, drawing her in close as he'd done so many times before.
No matter how many times she yelped at suddenly being wet, he knew she didn't mind it. And maybe, if he tried hard enough to pretend all was as it should be...eventually it would feel that way again. ]
[ The rest goes in an excited squeal of being pulled in and wrapped up in a damp hug, wetting her clothes. The attempt to pull away is half-hearted at best as she scrunches her nose up in endless giggles that do not seem to stop.
So she does what any besieged lady must do when under attack, she turns and --
[ It's adorable, and endearing, and he simply holds her tighter before burying his face in the crook of her neck, swaying back and forth as the water soaks into her clothes.
[ Apparently she was his towel, this afternoon... and after being away from him so long, what of it? It is good to feel him there, beating so loudly with his heart, and holding her again. Smiling into his skin and in the sheer relief, kissing his shoulder then sighing as she pulled back her head with a finally, finally more at ease look on her face, even the little tendrils of her floating hair seem to begin to settle. ]
Well now I shall need to change my dress.
[ Now quick-drying tricks of pulling the water out of her garments. ]
[ It's good to see some of the worry leave her eyes, some of her spirit starting to settle once more. He knows how he would have felt, seeing her lie still for so long, and it lifts a weight from his heart to see some of the joy return to her. ]
Assuming I shall let you go long enough to do so.
[ One hand slips into her hair, curling as he draws her close, enough to press a kiss to the crown of her head. This place isn't home.
[ It is such a longing she has never felt, for that simple feeling of his warm lips against her brow. She presses on her toes into him, curving with his movement into that little brush. Her fingertips pressed into his shoulders with a soft sigh. ]
Trapped then, I see. I suppose there is nothing but to accept my station then. Hugged tightly by sodden husbands that apparently never, ever, want me to undress for them ever again.
[ She hardly means it, any more than he does. But he puts on a show. Sighs, and bends to pick her up into his arms, one arm beneath her knees and the other steady at her back. ]
[ She bubbles with a laugh, perhaps tired, but still a laugh. Immediately locking her arms around his shoulders as she leans to kiss him briefly. Not at all stopping him in the slightest. Spirits it healed her heart like nothing ever could, to feel him moving and strong, lifting and taking her about. ]
I heard a very good saying: 'all is fair in love and war'.
Mm. You have. Quite thoroughly, so it seems. [She reaches up, brushing a strand away, even as it fell down again. ] All the is left is for you to negotiate your victory. Have you thought on your terms?
[She settles underneath him, stretching out. Looking between his eyes in that simple wonder. That he was there and real again, warm to her touch. That pressure that was heaven as she has heard them describe, of his body pressing against hers. Strong, and careful and settled. ]
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The city is fickle, it could have... but no... [ She leans over, and goes to kiss the top of his soapy head. ] Almost like someone had put structures, people, sensible choices to make sure that we would all be taken care of.
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We want these things to last beyond us. Or we haven't done the job right.
[ But that trail of thought leads to unpleasant territory, so he quickly averts course. ]
How have your friends been managing? The brothel workers?
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Truth be told there are only a few of us. Since Chieftan Jack and then Cinder with him, left... I have not had the heart to simply...
[She knows she needs too. Knows she needs to carry on, but hard at times to simply do so. To just replace like it was nothing at all to her. ]
I will do so soon, but best I think when the weather warms some and people are able to more easily venture out.
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I understand. But the ones that are left, they are well?
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[ She gives a steadier breath to that. Those who relied on her were not left out, no pun intended, in the cold. ]
Though I do loathe being right about the winter coming so harshly, both here and the Birds is well stocked to survive being snowed in for long periods, so we are not in any rush to go out of the house for less than a true emergency.
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[ The corner of his mouth twitches upwards, as he lifted a hand to rub over his eyes with a soft exhale. The warm water was doing its work, easing the tension that remained out of his frame. ]
It'll be good to have something to do again. Though of course I'd wish circumstances were better.
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[ But her tone is light and teasing, as she finishes scrubbing his head. Then she leans over again, with another soft murmur for him to lean his head back, so that she can begin pouring the water to rinse out all the shampoo. Cupping along his hairline to make sure nothing crept through and stung his eyes. ]
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But it's easier to focus on what can be done, rather than what lies behind. Those ghosts can be wrestled with when there is nothing else he can set his mind to.
The warm trickle of water sloshes the soapy liquid down his neck and around his shoulders in a warm pool. His hair is still long, here. A strange thing to return to, the marked passage of time outside of time. Another swipe of his hand keeps most of the suds out of his eyes before he turns to look at Gilia.
Just to look at her, it seems. ]
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Because he is precious to her. Precious as a jewel, precious as the earth. Not because he was a king, or a warrior, or anything grand, but simply, he was a good man who had her heart, and in all, their good and bad, lost intentions and mistakes, still came back to her.
It's not until a few more moments he notices his glance, peering up at her, upside down. Smiling, shaking her head at him with a soft laugh. Spirits, how the world was brighter just to see his eyes open and watchful again.
And leans over to kiss the tip of his nose with a little peck. ]
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[ His mouth twists wryly at the peck, before he reaches down to cup a handful of water. Running it over his shoulders and chest, to clear away as much of the soap as possible. ]
I think you've done all you can with me.
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[ She gives a lovelorn sigh, sweeping his hair about.
So she rises up, offering him a towel to step into. ]
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So is the reminder of how her eyes tend to linger after he's gotten out of the bath, dripping wet from head to foot, taking hold of the towel...
And then tossing it aside. At least for the moment. ]
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He takes the towel and she goes to reach to begin to clean up from the bath.
To stop, pausing - and sees him toss the towel away. ]
... Anduin... you best not be doing what I think you are about to do?
[ Suspicious as she could ever be, watching him. ]
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[ A suspicion well-earned, for a moment later he has her by the wrist, drawing her in close as he'd done so many times before.
No matter how many times she yelped at suddenly being wet, he knew she didn't mind it. And maybe, if he tried hard enough to pretend all was as it should be...eventually it would feel that way again. ]
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[ The rest goes in an excited squeal of being pulled in and wrapped up in a damp hug, wetting her clothes. The attempt to pull away is half-hearted at best as she scrunches her nose up in endless giggles that do not seem to stop.
So she does what any besieged lady must do when under attack, she turns and --
- and blows a raspberry right on his cheek. ]
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See? It's all fine. Everything is fine. ]
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Well now I shall need to change my dress.
[ Now quick-drying tricks of pulling the water out of her garments. ]
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Assuming I shall let you go long enough to do so.
[ One hand slips into her hair, curling as he draws her close, enough to press a kiss to the crown of her head. This place isn't home.
But she is. She always will be, to him. ]
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Trapped then, I see. I suppose there is nothing but to accept my station then. Hugged tightly by sodden husbands that apparently never, ever, want me to undress for them ever again.
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[ She hardly means it, any more than he does. But he puts on a show. Sighs, and bends to pick her up into his arms, one arm beneath her knees and the other steady at her back. ]
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I heard a very good saying: 'all is fair in love and war'.
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[ And before long he's deposited her in their bed, kneeling just beside her and sweeping her hair from her eyes. Just...admiring her in that moment.
Something he'd been missing all this time, and never realized. This incredibly gentle, kind, beautiful woman. Who loved him. Even now. ]
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[She settles underneath him, stretching out. Looking between his eyes in that simple wonder. That he was there and real again, warm to her touch. That pressure that was heaven as she has heard them describe, of his body pressing against hers. Strong, and careful and settled. ]