[Is it strange for him to feel relief? No, it was strange for him to feel disturbed and feeling discomfort to begin with when he first asked. Yet it's clear that the tension he felt in his chest has dissipated when she refuses his offer, his body relaxing a bit more as his gaze unknowingly softens.
But then he immediately stiffens when Tifa hugs him, her arms tightening around him. It's only for a beat or two, but he could feel his pulse quicken. He's been surprised by sudden hugs before, but why does this feel different? Why is his body reacting more sensitively to her actions, more aware of the way the warmth of her small frame presses against him? How easily she fits within his arms as they start to tighten around her in response. He had been holding her this whole time and yet it's only now that he feels this way.
Is it because she's the one who initiated the contact?]
...Mm.
[Slowly the side of his head lightly rests against just above her ear so that she can hear his low, soft hum in response. This doesn't mean anything—he's just giving her a very small display of affection in response to hers, that's all. Just another gesture of comfort.
That's all it is, nothing more.
—Who is he fooling. All those questions on "why" and "how," he's known the answer. He just never wanted to admit it. But no longer can Eustace deny what he started to notice recently and tried to ignore. Tried to just pass it off as something only in the moment, a part of what was happening at the time. Regardless of how distant he has been with people, he's not so much of an idiot or dense to not realize what's been happening. Perhaps he could have remained ignorant, but after what happened at the strip club and then later when he spent the night at her place to help look after Clover, he can't. It's impossible. No, his real questions had been why it was happening at all, how did it even start. Why Tifa of all people?
And why hasn't he been able to stop it.
His need to maintain a reasonable distance isn't just for himself but for others as well. If things were different, if there was a sense of permanence then he wouldn't feel as much hesitation and conflict as he does now. But knowing he could disappear at any moment and knowing full well how hard it is to lose someone you care about... It's why despite his yearnings he would never adopt any dogs in this world. He doesn't want anyone he leaves behind to feel hurt, it just feels too irresponsible.
And after hearing about Tifa and Cloud...
Again Eustace can only think it better if he returned to his usual distance. There's nothing wrong with still being her friend or supporting her, but they are toeing a very dangerous line, a line he never thought he'd ever even come close to seeing. What he feels... There is something there, more than there should be.
Yet despite knowing all that, a little bud of greed has its way, keeping his hold on her for a little longer than might be necessary. With her so close, that sweet scent that he's become so familiar with becomes more like a dangerous lure, drawing him in. As if tempted, his lips part, a warm breath brushing against her ear before it lowers closer to her neck.
But then it stops just a hairbreadth's away and quiet words leave him instead.]
...We should start setting up camp for the night.
[Though with how close his lips are, the movement ghosts over her skin. A little closer and perhaps he could feel her pulse...
No, he needs to stop here. Especially now of all times... The hell is he thinking, if at all?
He also knows he's being a hypocrite. Just before he was the one trying to close the distance between them, to keep her from pulling away. Now he's trying to put that distance back. Not only that, he doesn't really make any move to separate, his head still resting against hers and his arms still wrapped around her waist. Normally he would be able to pull away easily, but it's as if he knows the moment he does is the moment he will need to reassess everything and redraw that line.
So maybe it's that same budding greed that keeps him from taking action just yet.]
no subject
But then he immediately stiffens when Tifa hugs him, her arms tightening around him. It's only for a beat or two, but he could feel his pulse quicken. He's been surprised by sudden hugs before, but why does this feel different? Why is his body reacting more sensitively to her actions, more aware of the way the warmth of her small frame presses against him? How easily she fits within his arms as they start to tighten around her in response. He had been holding her this whole time and yet it's only now that he feels this way.
Is it because she's the one who initiated the contact?]
...Mm.
[Slowly the side of his head lightly rests against just above her ear so that she can hear his low, soft hum in response. This doesn't mean anything—he's just giving her a very small display of affection in response to hers, that's all. Just another gesture of comfort.
That's all it is, nothing more.
—Who is he fooling. All those questions on "why" and "how," he's known the answer. He just never wanted to admit it. But no longer can Eustace deny what he started to notice recently and tried to ignore. Tried to just pass it off as something only in the moment, a part of what was happening at the time. Regardless of how distant he has been with people, he's not so much of an idiot or dense to not realize what's been happening. Perhaps he could have remained ignorant, but after what happened at the strip club and then later when he spent the night at her place to help look after Clover, he can't. It's impossible. No, his real questions had been why it was happening at all, how did it even start. Why Tifa of all people?
And why hasn't he been able to stop it.
His need to maintain a reasonable distance isn't just for himself but for others as well. If things were different, if there was a sense of permanence then he wouldn't feel as much hesitation and conflict as he does now. But knowing he could disappear at any moment and knowing full well how hard it is to lose someone you care about... It's why despite his yearnings he would never adopt any dogs in this world. He doesn't want anyone he leaves behind to feel hurt, it just feels too irresponsible.
And after hearing about Tifa and Cloud...
Again Eustace can only think it better if he returned to his usual distance. There's nothing wrong with still being her friend or supporting her, but they are toeing a very dangerous line, a line he never thought he'd ever even come close to seeing. What he feels... There is something there, more than there should be.
Yet despite knowing all that, a little bud of greed has its way, keeping his hold on her for a little longer than might be necessary. With her so close, that sweet scent that he's become so familiar with becomes more like a dangerous lure, drawing him in. As if tempted, his lips part, a warm breath brushing against her ear before it lowers closer to her neck.
But then it stops just a hairbreadth's away and quiet words leave him instead.]
...We should start setting up camp for the night.
[Though with how close his lips are, the movement ghosts over her skin. A little closer and perhaps he could feel her pulse...
No, he needs to stop here. Especially now of all times... The hell is he thinking, if at all?
He also knows he's being a hypocrite. Just before he was the one trying to close the distance between them, to keep her from pulling away. Now he's trying to put that distance back. Not only that, he doesn't really make any move to separate, his head still resting against hers and his arms still wrapped around her waist. Normally he would be able to pull away easily, but it's as if he knows the moment he does is the moment he will need to reassess everything and redraw that line.
So maybe it's that same budding greed that keeps him from taking action just yet.]