Time, the one thing human equal at. We only had twenty four hours per day. Thus, everyone couldn't master everything at once.
Faced with Claire's issues, I never learned any specialized knowledge for this. However, there was one thing I could do as an ordinary person. To sympathize and be patient around her.
We both sank in the softness embrace of the mattress. I allowed her to be my blanket, and I offered myself to cushion her. Wrapping my arms around her, I gave her warmth. She purred while pressing her head on my bare chest, her breathing matching my heartbeat.
I pecked a soft imprint on her forehead and asked, "Have you calmed down?"
"Mhm," she muttered, nodding slightly. "I am sorry for that."
"Don't sweat it. I guess you were not you when that happened?"
"I could have become stronger. I have let down so many people because of my issue."
"Well guess I should help you do that. It's been days since I took a fresh breath outside."
"...do you not like it here?"
"No. Because you are smelly. Ouch, ouch, hey I am joking!" I exclaimed as she bit my nipple.
"So do you like it here or not?" She asked, pouting.
I spread her lips into a smile with my fingers. "Love it when you are smiling like this."
She chuckled. "Only you can bring me a genuine smile."
"You are one lucky girl. And I am here to help you become stronger too."
She pressed her cheek on my chest again. "I don't know if I can do that. Can you give me time?"
I looked at the ceiling. "Guess what? People said time heals all wounds. It is not as simple as that. Time only hardens the vessel called heart. It's up to the owner to fill it with anything. I have seen heart wounds changing people in prison. Some people become even more miserable or cruel. You are also a husk of your former self. Time already emptied your shell and hardened it. It's up to you to fill it with something bad or good."
"I don't know. With all the time I have wasted, I am just a vessel of murky water now."
I flicked her forehead and smiled. "Only other people can fill your heart. Haven't you been rejecting people's help until me? Lucky for you this handsome and awesome brother is going to fill you with something good."
She looked at me and smirked. "Your semen?"
"What the fuck are you talking about? That reminds me what the fuck did you say about forcing your way on me earlier?"
Her face flushed. When her voice was about to leave her quivering lips, she suddenly banged her face on my chest. "I am sorry. I am sorry. I won't do that again."
"Wait, wait, wait. I didn't mind, really."
She lifted her head and looked at me with teary eyes. "Really?"
"Well, we are both adults and we kind of click with each other. I was just pissed because my body couldn't feel anything at that time."
"Um, then, do you want to do it again?"
My shaft stiffened after hearing that, trying to reach its freedom from my pants. It successfully poked the cameltoe on her panties.
She rubbed her panties against my pants. The soft massage only agitated it further into poking the nest.
"Mhmn~"
When she crawled down toward the bird of freedom, I pulled her by the armpits and leveled our faces. I stared into her gray eyes and claimed her chapped lips. My tongue mopped around the pink rim, wetting it. Then, she opened her mouth in an invitation.
I pulled her head before we could go further. Apologizing, I pecked her cheeks several times, signing my affection for her, but she still looked at me with a confused expression.
I winked. "If we are going to do it properly, why not do something fun first?"
She tilted her head. "Like foreplay?"
"Sure, but I am thinking of creating a memorable experience with you first."
"H-how do we do that?"
I took her hands and kissed them. Then, I stared into her eyes. "Clairemont, do you want to have a date outside?"
"O-outside? D-do we have to do it outside? I mean we can have fun here. We can play a lot of games."
"Please. Can you do this for my sake? We don't have to go far. We can just walk around the garden house."
She averted her eyes. "I—"
I felt nervous when she tried to pull her hands, but I held them tighter. I had no smooth technique to persuade her. The only thing I had was my sincerity.
After a moment, she gripped my hands back. "Let's do it. Let's have a date outside."
All the tension left my pores. Finally, all the sincerity and patience rewarded me. The progression elated me. I found myself a little purpose in my life after getting out of prison. In a way, she filled my vessel with something meaningful.
Only other people can fill the empty jar called our hearts.
I grabbed her waist and stood while she clung to me.
"Rie, hahaha, oh my gosh, how are you so strong."
"I can carry you bridal style or princess-like all you want. Let's go outside."
"Wait, lol, we are practically half-naked now."
"Ah..."
Seizing her, she only wore her babydoll dress, while I only equipped my upper body with my own shredded muscles and tanned skin.
"Good idea. Let's dress nicely first. This is your debut after a long time after all."
Claire took a while picking her attire. I kind of wondered if she just stalled time, or if she just needed that long time to decide. No idea. In the end, I decided for us.
Before the door, we dressed ourselves in summer pieces, she in her one-piece, and I in my unbuttoned aloha. Our outfits had matching orange floral motifs. As for how we got it? It magically came along the food tray. Perhaps that old geezer believed in me. No idea.
"Are you ready?"
"Never. Can you hold me please?"
I knelt and showed my back to her. "Let me give you a piggyback."
I held her bottom when she wrapped her arms around my neck and locked her legs around my waist. Letting her settle into a comfortable position, I stood up.
"You don't have to lock your legs like this, though."
"Hmmm! I only feel easier if I feel you closer."
"Alright. Then, hug me harder all you want." With that, I opened the door, and the light outside welcomed our vision.
At the same time...
[Quest complete: Take Clairemont Eldora outside. Reward: 1000 AP]