embarrassing

[killerfang]

[ despite various trials and tribulations - almost all of them caused entirely by himself, the poor bastard - Jaffar succeeded in what he set out to do today, aside from the usual chores and survivalism. Or, at least, he's succeeded at doing half of it. If he thought the first part made him feel nervous, this part has him feeling even more nervous.

He has no idea why. He's already told her his feelings, and she reciprocated them; they sleep beside each other every night. But... in the end, it's because he's still learning to be human. He's afraid of making an error, or doing something embarrassing, or screwing things up, and he's even more afraid of those things where Nino is concerned.

Fortunately, fear has never been enough to stop Jaffar from doing anything. So he returns that night to the hut they're sharing with Jack with a single flower in his hands, being quiet in case Nino is still sleeping off her injury. ]

Comments

[killerfang]

[ as if he would stop over something like this - it was a mistake, as far as he's concerned, but it was a noble one, born from her pure heart. Even if he's frustrated with her actions, he's touched by her continuing kindness, too; it's naievete, yes, but she believes in helping people and saving them so strongly that he almost wants to, too. It's that part of her that he fell in love with in the first place.

Jaffar's hand drops to his side, and he takes a seat beside her on the bed, nodding an acknowledgement to her thanks. He's glad she accepted them... Glad he could actually do something. ]

Are you in pain? Do you need food or water?

[learnings]

I'm okay!

[Pain is relative... or something like that. That said--]

But...maybe we should eat dinner together.

[You gotta eat too, Jaffar.]

[killerfang]

[ oh... okay. Jaffar nods, acquiescing to the idea of food for once. Frankly, he's been so worried about her injury and her general state of mind that eating hasn't been a big concern. Probably not good. ]

... Okay. [ but eating together with Nino sounds nice. ] Is there something you want? Some fruit is left... and some fish.

[ a lot of people came and gave them food after she got hurt, so for once, they're pretty well-stocked. ]

[learnings]

[Yeah they're rocking. Rolling in the island economy of fish and fruits and things.

But she just looks thoughtfully at Jaffar at that, and then nods a little.]

Um...fruit sounds good. I think you should have the fish.

[Both because Nino's not sure she can still stomach it, and because Jaffar has not been eating enough and she knows.]

[killerfang]

[ all they need to do is start buying up beachfront property and reselling it and they'll be set for life!! ]

We can share it. You need energy to recover.

[ apparently, he has a doting side in him... or maybe it's just his protective nature coming out in all things. ]

[learnings]

... Okay.

[Sharing is acceptable. She nods quietly, expression a bit more content. Jaffar is eating too, and that's all that really matters to her.

They'll take on these difficult quiet moments together.]

That sounds good to me. I like sharing with you.

[killerfang]

[ he nods, getting to his feet so that he can go arrange some dinner for the two of them - considering the small size of the hut, though, it's easy enough to continue speaking with her.

her comment gets her a glance over the shoulder, a bit of gentleness glinting in his eyes. ]

... We will share many more meals together.

[ he was serious about living with her after the war... ]

[learnings]

Mm... we will!

[That promise is still the most important promise of them all.

It's the one she holds onto with everything she has.]

It'll be nice to be able to share better meals together when we get home... that sounds really nice. Like making our own home!

[killerfang]

[ making their own home... the idea makes him feel quite strange inside. Sort of warm. Like he might cry - not that he will. He doesn't even remember the last time that happened. Even so, he's sure that this feeling is some kind of happiness... ]

... I've never had one...

[ will he even know what to do?! ]

[learnings]

That's why we'll make one together! One that's just our own.

[Who cares if it's not a classic home or family? She sure doesn't.]

One that suits just us!

[killerfang]

...

[ he's never had one, but... being in a family with Nino... That sounds nice. He wonders if he could actually live that life. It's something he'd never even imagined possible for himself, but with her, maybe... ]

... I think... I would like that. [ a place where he actually belongs. He pauses, hesitating for a few seconds, before adding: ] ... You would make me your husband?

[learnings]

[It does sound nice. His bluntness, admittedly, makes her blush, ducking her head--

But, well.

This place has put a lot of things into perspective. Life is short. She doesn't know what will happen from here--so even though her face is a little red...she nods.

There wasn't ever going to be any other option, was there?]

I want...to live together forever, Jaffar. With you! And...only with you.

[Unless they have kids, but you know, details.]

That's absolutely what I want!

[killerfang]

[ he hadn't intended it to be a particularly serious question, at least not entirely; the energy of her response is a little unexpected, and it's forceful enough to make even him feel a little bit embarrassed. He thought he'd been following the line of the conversation, but maybe he'd said something outrageous instead -- he's made that mistake before around her.

Nonetheless, it's nothing they haven't discussed before. Maybe he hadn't put it so frankly, but still. ]

... I know. [ he's not facing her direction, but the tips of his ears might be a little red. ]

[learnings]

[... At least they're on the same page here. She's still a little embarrassed, but...she's happy too, and she wants to share that with Jaffar for certain.]

I'm really happy, Jaffar... it makes me really happy to think about living that way.

[Just them, living their lives the way they want to.]

[killerfang]

[ he mostly wonders if she realizes what she's saying. He's certain there are a hundred other men that would make better husbands to her than him. Even so, he can't bring himself to say so to her face. Selfishly, he doesn't even want her to consider it if she hasn't already.

He rises again, coming back over and sitting beside her with a small collection of fruits and dried fish on a makeshift tray formed from a palm frond. ]

... Me too, [ he admits, and he offers her the tiniest smile. ] I... look forward to it... my future. It is the first time I've felt that way.

[learnings]

[All tiny smiles from Jaffar are to be treasured and held dear, and she certainly does treasure each and every one. She just smiles brightly in return, and leans against him as soon as he's back to sitting next to her.

She'll peer at the food idly--

But mostly she's focused on their conversation.]

That...makes me really happy to hear too. That you're looking forward to it, and... that we can look forward to it together like this. I think that's important.

[That Jaffar can feel that way at all is incredibly important.]

[killerfang]

[ it is, even if he doesn't really realize it. It also makes their current reality that much more painful. They need to get past this. They need to be able to seize their chance at a normal life.

Her small frame is warm against him, and even in the island's morbid heat, he finds it soothing and pleasant. Jaffar nudges the food towards her. ]

Eat. I won't have you falling ill.