Ardbert knows that his consistent presence has been a great deal of help with everything Era's been going through. He also knows that he can't help more than that, and he hates it. It seems like talking to Tony might help, but it also upsets her, and Ardbert absolutely doesn't know how to feel about that. The lest he knows, the better it likely is for everyone.
Not wanting to mess things up by marching his ass over and intimidating Tony or spend too much time worrying that he reads too much into things, Ardbert's keeps his mind busy. Going off and meeting others, exercising, taking care of the animals, taking care of more of the chores and cooking, or in this case, reading. It's a comfortable book he's read before, and he finds solace in that predictability when things become unpredictable in a way that a giant axe can't fix.
Carbuncle being summoned more often to spend time with him is a welcoming reassurance that he doesn't miss. He's gotten pretty good at petting bellies without looking at them. All he has to do is decide to reach out, and his body will do the rest for him.
He starts when Carbuncle yips and jumps up, looking up to see Era, looking at Era in surprise followed by a warm smile. Ardbert perks up when she curls up next to him and takes his hand. He pliantly lets her move her hand to her lips and joins his fingers with hers as rest against his thigh. Quickly, his book is placed on his other side, not bothering to save the page number. Era's been wanting physical affection less, and they've not been talking as much as they usually do, so he's felt a bit adrift and somewhat (but not truly) useless.
Moments like these help him more than he'll admit, not wanting Era to change whatever she needs to do. "Hello to you too, Era."
Era gives his hand a squeeze; solid, warm, loving. She has to withdraw her hands soon after, fingers twitching with the overwhelming urge to itch at her shedding scales.
She scratches the back of one hand, freeing a number of scales that tumble onto her husband's lap. She does the same to the other, then picks at an itch in the crown of scales across her forehead, pulling free one in particular and feeling immediate relief once it's gone. The discarded scales can stay on his lap for now, as she snuggles deeper against his side now that she is moderately more comfortable.
Ardbert pushes his lips more forcefully together as he lets out a snort instead of a laugh at his wife's shedding scales. There's been a lot in the past handful of days, but he hasn't had a chance to really experience them firsthand. He loves them, and Ardbert uses his free hand to sweep them into a pile on his lap.
"I see Spring's right around the corner. Who needs a farmer's almanac, anyway?"
She crinkles her nose at his teasing, blowing a short raspberry to express her opinion before shifting so that she can place her tail between them and drape it over his legs. It looks dull and miserable, with layers of scales desperate to come loose.
Era exhales again; tired, short, and irritable, knowing Ardbert will take it as complaint of how itchy she is. She will need to bathe, letting the moisture help loosen the shed. Then perhaps apply oils to aid with the infernal itching.
He laughs at the raspberry, having hoped that would be her response.
Ardbert loves taking care of her scales. It's something unique that only the two of them can share. His eyes trail up and down her tail, almost looking delighted.
That's all the answer he needs, and he starts to feel her tail with his free hand with a wide grin on his face. "We'll need to take a bath to loosen them, first off."
She does the same motion with her tail, though more quickly this time, and accompanied by a soft breath from the corner of her mouth that mimics the tempo of her usual hummed agreements.
She tilts her head so that his lips won't catch on any loose scales on her cheek, and takes some time to consider his question. While she would prefer to hold hands, she knows it has been some time since Ardbert has last carried her, and that it's something he enjoys a great deal...
Era places her hand on his shoulder and slides onto his lap.
Ardbert brightens when she climbs into his lap. He does love carrying her, and it's been quite a while. Era's indulging him, and he loves it.
The book he was reading gets placed in her lap before he situates his arms. Ardbert lifts her up as he stands. Part of the reason he's kept up his strength besides to protect people is to be able to do small feats like this.
"Into the house we go, then." Which is exactly what he does.
Even a year on it's odd, to be picked up and carried like something precious and worth such care. It always brings a swirl of emotions that inevitably settles on some measure of contentment. Era holds the book on her lap, makes note to gather her shed scales from the blanket later on, and rubs her horn fondly against Ardbert's chest.
He smiles down at her, so visibly tender, as she rubs her horn against his chest. Carrying her weight, even if slight, reminds him of how he's real to everyone again. It's a comfort.
Ardbert nods to the door, indicating she should get it.
Had her tail not been so likely to catch on the door she would have opened it with her favourite appendage. Instead she reaches out to open it with a hand.
Once the door is sufficiently opened, Era returns her weight to Ardbert's chest, giving him another fond rub with her horn. She lays her hand over his, curling her fingers around a few of his own. For all that things have been a painful flurry she can hardly keep up with, Ardbert has remained a steadfast support, just like he had during their time together in Norvrandt.
She can't stop thinking he deserves better than her, but that's why she just works harder to be better. He is the bright piece of soul that holds her own together, and she loves him.
All Ardbert can think about right now is how happy he is that she's letting him do this for her. She's bad at self-care. They both need this, because there's so much he can't do for her right now—except this. Give her love.
When the door is closed, he carries her to the bedroom to get them both undressed. If Emet is around, he'll have to deal with a couple of streakers soon.
While fully capable of undressing herself, her self-sufficiency isn't the point. This is about what Ardbert needs, and he is someone who needs to feel useful; needed. Era knows this full well because she is the same way. She presses a kiss to his jaw, shivering faintly as her skin is bared to the ambient temperature.
Ardbert does need this, it's true. He also sincerely hopes (and knows) he's helping her, too. It's mutually beneficial for him to cherish and for her to be cherished as well as her helping him by letting him help her.
He smiles down at her gently after she kisses him, putting aside her sweater and the camisole stuck inside it. Ardbert leans forward to kiss the scales on her nose. Slow hands gently smooth along her sides, across skin and scale, stroking up then down her back.
The motions knock loose a scale, making him snort with amusement.
Era has to fight back the desire to scratch at the itch where the scale came from, knowing that scratching too much is bad for the fresh scale that had pushed the old one free. She sighs irritably, though it's easy enough to tell that her irritation stems from the discomfort rather than anything Ardbert is doing.
He feels her body shift as she keeps herself from scratching before she sighs in annoyance. Ardbert has to stop himself from laughing. It's adorable.
"I'd be driven insane if I had to deal with this like you do," Ardbert kisses a horn and hums ever so quietly against it as his hands work to undo her leggings' tie. "So I won't leave you hanging for long."
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
INDEED
Not wanting to mess things up by marching his ass over and intimidating Tony or spend too much time worrying that he reads too much into things, Ardbert's keeps his mind busy. Going off and meeting others, exercising, taking care of the animals, taking care of more of the chores and cooking, or in this case, reading. It's a comfortable book he's read before, and he finds solace in that predictability when things become unpredictable in a way that a giant axe can't fix.
Carbuncle being summoned more often to spend time with him is a welcoming reassurance that he doesn't miss. He's gotten pretty good at petting bellies without looking at them. All he has to do is decide to reach out, and his body will do the rest for him.
He starts when Carbuncle yips and jumps up, looking up to see Era, looking at Era in surprise followed by a warm smile. Ardbert perks up when she curls up next to him and takes his hand. He pliantly lets her move her hand to her lips and joins his fingers with hers as rest against his thigh. Quickly, his book is placed on his other side, not bothering to save the page number. Era's been wanting physical affection less, and they've not been talking as much as they usually do, so he's felt a bit adrift and somewhat (but not truly) useless.
Moments like these help him more than he'll admit, not wanting Era to change whatever she needs to do. "Hello to you too, Era."
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She scratches the back of one hand, freeing a number of scales that tumble onto her husband's lap. She does the same to the other, then picks at an itch in the crown of scales across her forehead, pulling free one in particular and feeling immediate relief once it's gone. The discarded scales can stay on his lap for now, as she snuggles deeper against his side now that she is moderately more comfortable.
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"I see Spring's right around the corner. Who needs a farmer's almanac, anyway?"
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Era exhales again; tired, short, and irritable, knowing Ardbert will take it as complaint of how itchy she is. She will need to bathe, letting the moisture help loosen the shed. Then perhaps apply oils to aid with the infernal itching.
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Ardbert loves taking care of her scales. It's something unique that only the two of them can share. His eyes trail up and down her tail, almost looking delighted.
"Do you want me to take care of this?"
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Era places her hand on his shoulder and slides onto his lap.
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The book he was reading gets placed in her lap before he situates his arms. Ardbert lifts her up as he stands. Part of the reason he's kept up his strength besides to protect people is to be able to do small feats like this.
"Into the house we go, then." Which is exactly what he does.
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Ardbert nods to the door, indicating she should get it.
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He steps through the door and turns so she can reach to close it without stretching. No use ruining a comfortable position.
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She can't stop thinking he deserves better than her, but that's why she just works harder to be better. He is the bright piece of soul that holds her own together, and she loves him.
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When the door is closed, he carries her to the bedroom to get them both undressed. If Emet is around, he'll have to deal with a couple of streakers soon.
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He smiles down at her gently after she kisses him, putting aside her sweater and the camisole stuck inside it. Ardbert leans forward to kiss the scales on her nose. Slow hands gently smooth along her sides, across skin and scale, stroking up then down her back.
The motions knock loose a scale, making him snort with amusement.
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"I'd be driven insane if I had to deal with this like you do," Ardbert kisses a horn and hums ever so quietly against it as his hands work to undo her leggings' tie. "So I won't leave you hanging for long."