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

[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.