Work Text:
Claire awoke in the sun. Soft, comfortable yellows and whites pillowed her body. Her mind curled up like a cat in warmth, limbs flexing in indulgent abandon. Everything was still and bright and she didn't have to go anywhere just yet. She could have this moment for another minute. Or two, or thre-
"Sunny side-up, right?"
She could make out some kind of angel-like apparation above her. It was speaking, yes, and outlined by the glow of the morning rays. She squinted harder. Yep. An angel wearing blues and bearing great-smelling gifts of food. Groaning (only a little, Claire swears) she slowly leant back against the headboard, shifting her shoulders for optimal pillow coverage. If she tilted her head a little Jill's eyes would look like light spilled into a clear lake.
"Jill."
"Yeah?"
"Wife."
"Uh-huh."
"Love of my life."
"Yup."
"What do you bring me today in my fine kingdom, of uhhh. Bed?"
With a snort Jill used the tray to poke the duvet corner out the way before gently plonking the bounty of goods on her lap. She walked around to her side of the bed to sit cross legged on top of the comforter, scrunching her toes against it briefly.
"Only the best, your majesty," Jill murmured before leaning over to kiss her forehead. Claire wanted to take this second of life and bottle it, bring it out and admire it during every bad day at work. Actually every day at work. Claire started to tuck in to her eggs.
"Thank-you, my knightliness."
"That's not a word love."
"Sure is now." Well she tried to say that but it came out as "Shuuoh ish nuh." Jill's eyes crinkled and she held her laughter like a champ. She waited until Claire finished her bite of toast.
"Heh. Well I'm sure your paperwork is stellar in the grammar department."
"Hmph. Tell that to Neil. The guy's a real pencil pusher. Kind of a buzz kill at parties."
"It's what you get for letting Lansdale's leftovers join Terrasave Claire."
"Heyyy you know I'm weak for a bleeding heart." Claire paused the demolition of her toast to look up at her. Jill fondly admired the flecks of gold in her brown eyes and the yolk smear on one side of her mouth.
"Like mine?" Jill couldn't help but rub her fingers over the pock marks on her chest. One slightly buttery hand went to cover her own.
"Like yours."
Jill placed their hands flat over her chest to let them both feel the steady beat of her heart. It was an old habit that moved back in after Africa and one that had stayed permanently. In, out. In, out. You're here, we're here, he's gone and we're both still here. Claire smiled and raised their entwined hands to kiss them, before gently releasing hers to finish her breakfast. Jill turned to watch the birds land on the feeder outside as Claire wiped the last of the yolk on the plate with her toast. The content sigh past Jill’s shoulder told her that she was finished.
"Kay, kay no more work talk. Whaddya got planned today for us my knightliness?" Claire mimicked her by crossing her legs and scooting closer.
"Well, the first stage is complete: breakfast. Can't do anything without food first thing you know this." The redhead nodded vehemently at this. Many a morning had been laid waste by hangry behaviour. Normally by Leon who had his occasional stopover to raid their kitchen. The bagel incident of 2010 would not be forgotten any time soon.
"Mm-hmm."
"And then I'll have second breakfast." Claire raised her eyebrows incredulously.
"You're a goddamn hobbit Valentine, all this time yo- oof!" Claire looked up at Jill, who'd lightly pushed her over to lay her flat against the bed, and watched as her face got that wonderful 'I've got an idea' expression. Usually that meant a big crater where a Tricell lab had been or 2 am Poutine and Cocktails with Carlos.
"The meal is you, Redfield." Jill waggled her eyebrows. Claire sighed internally and wondered why it took her so long to fall in love with this hyper-competent dork.
"Ahhh."
"Yeah, ahhh. Now make like a hobbit and climb me like Mordor."
"Yes ma'am."