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]

[ 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.