A Strange Domestic Bliss

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Prompt from DailyPrompt.com

Hellen peered out the cottage door, to where Clifford had just wrapped up his sword practice. “Cliff, honey? Could you do me a favour?”
“Of course, my sweet!” Clifford roared, tilting his training helm back to flash a roguish grin. “Anything! Simply name it! I would take on the most barbaric monster in the land for you.”
Hellen huffed, resting her hands on her hips and rolling her eyes - though she struggled to suppress a smile. “I am the most barbaric monster in the land.”
“My love.” Clifford said solemnly. “My muscle-bound pearl. My robust rose. While I would never denigrate your prowess or forceful presence… I have met your mother.”
That startled a snort out of her, half annoyed and half rueful acknowledgement. She felt obligated to point out “My mother is human.”
“Indeed! And I said what I said.”
“Tsk.” Hellen pulled him close to ruffle his hair. While by human standards Clifford cut quite an imposing figure, for a half-ogre he was a small and delicate fellow. Adorable, even. In his boots like this he almost came up to her chin.
And yet he smirked up at her with a delightful lack of fear, even giving a sly wink as he murmured “I entirely understand what your father sees in her. Though I am deeply glad that you did not inherit her temper.”
“Uh-huh.” Hellen scoffed - and stooped to kiss him, a motion he returned with enthusiasm.
Perhaps one day, that would stop being a marvel. Perhaps one day, she would no longer see a monster in the mirror, but instead the ‘statuesque lady’ he saw her as.
Perhaps. But it had been three years now, almost four, and she still sometimes woke thinking it must have been a wonderful dream. Until she saw the mint tea steaming at her bedside, and heard Clifford humming jauntily by the hearth, and found herself in the cosy cottage she’d always dreamed of. Well… cosy for someone of her size.
They’d had to build it themselves, of course. In the process Clifford had coaxed out all of her wishes and heartily accommodated them. The only change he’d insisted on was making sure they’d be able to add more rooms later - “In case we start yearning for the pitter-patter of little… what are they called? Oglets?”
While he’d chuckled at her speechless shock, he’d done so in a nonchalant fashion which made it quite clear he hadn’t been joking. And they had indeed made sure the cottage could be expanded later, if necessary. For whatever reason.
Surely one day he’d come to his senses. Realise that he was considered a great catch by near any human girl, and that throwing himself at the feet of a hulking mountain beast like her was ludicrous.
And yet… here he was. Clinging to her like he never wanted to let go. Kissing her with such passion, you’d think she was the most beautiful woman alive. Swearing, with a cheeky smile and a resolute glint in his eyes, to fulfil any wish she might have.
“Well, my gallant knight,” Hellen murmured once they finished, pleasantly out of breath, “could you take some venison cuts to the millers? I, um, wanted to apologise for startling them, and suspect it would be taken better from…”
“Ahh.” Clifford squeezed her hand with a sympathetic, rueful smile. “Yes, I’ll take it right over. And some for Farmer Teasel as well, to thank him for the eggs.”
“Oh, well remembered.” Hellen tenderly stroked his hair smooth and turned to fetch the basket - the one sized for Clifford - while he went to change out of his practice clothes.
It was a strange domestic bliss. And she considered herself so very, very fortunate to have it.

Prompt was “Write a story including the dialogue ‘I would take on the most barbaric monster in the land for you.’ ‘I am the most barbaric monster in the land.’”