[Although not intended, it's impossible to not given into those wants, her own made clear by her response and actions. Yet this time, there's an added layer of tenderness and care as he once again conveys all the feelings he has for her and more. Of what he wished, what he wanted, not wanting to give anything up but having to accept that he has to. So he gives her everything, not holding back even in the end.
And when she eventually falls asleep, he just holds her in his arms, eyes closed as he listens to the change in her breathing, remaining silent as he takes in her scent and lightly strokes her arm. He can feel that now familiar, unwanted heavy pressure of sleep weighing down on him, as if Eria had worked hard to give him this time. And he continues to try to fight it off, afraid that if he succumbs to it he won't awaken.
But he can feel Eria's presence nearby, senses her own sadness and he wants to comfort her as well. But the moment he lifts his head to find her, she disappears again. They've already had their moments, but he can understand. She's afraid each one is the last one and she likely has a better understanding of things. For her to now want to stay away, as if unable to bear being in the same room as him...
It must be close.
Eustace turns his attention back to Tifa, gazing down at her peaceful, sleeping face. Slowly he touches the side of her face, brushing back her hair before his knuckle lightly traces down her eye to her nose to her lips to her chin. No matter how often he stares at it, he always seems to find something new that entrances him. To make him feel something so strongly...
...It can only be that, isn't it? It's no longer "just" attraction or being caught up in the feeling. It's also still too "new," so perhaps it's better to say it's the beginning. Yet even just a beginning would need to pass over so many high hurdles. Can he really admit to it? Or would it be better to not?
No, he already knows the answer. Tonight just confirmed it.
As feels sleep overpowering him, Eustace lightly kisses the top of her head and whispers softly in a half trembling breath.]
...I'm sorry, Tifa. I wish...we could have been together a little longer. [A small sigh as his voice grows quieter.] But thank you...for letting me love you for as long as I did...even though I didn't realize it until it was too late.
[Love. Passionate love.
A feeling he never thought he'd have for someone.
Not like this, not towards someone he felt such intimacy for. But it would be hard to deny that that's exactly what he feels towards Tifa, a feeling much stronger compared to those he considers as part of his new family. It's with these thoughts and feelings that he finally succumbs to sleep, one that would last throughout the night...
But by some miracle, he wakes up before she does and he heaves a giant sigh in disbelief. He still feels groggy, as if he might collapse again any moment. So he takes the chance and lightly kisses Tifa first on the top of her head, then her eyes, to her lips, each one soft, almost feathery.]
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And when she eventually falls asleep, he just holds her in his arms, eyes closed as he listens to the change in her breathing, remaining silent as he takes in her scent and lightly strokes her arm. He can feel that now familiar, unwanted heavy pressure of sleep weighing down on him, as if Eria had worked hard to give him this time. And he continues to try to fight it off, afraid that if he succumbs to it he won't awaken.
But he can feel Eria's presence nearby, senses her own sadness and he wants to comfort her as well. But the moment he lifts his head to find her, she disappears again. They've already had their moments, but he can understand. She's afraid each one is the last one and she likely has a better understanding of things. For her to now want to stay away, as if unable to bear being in the same room as him...
It must be close.
Eustace turns his attention back to Tifa, gazing down at her peaceful, sleeping face. Slowly he touches the side of her face, brushing back her hair before his knuckle lightly traces down her eye to her nose to her lips to her chin. No matter how often he stares at it, he always seems to find something new that entrances him. To make him feel something so strongly...
...It can only be that, isn't it? It's no longer "just" attraction or being caught up in the feeling. It's also still too "new," so perhaps it's better to say it's the beginning. Yet even just a beginning would need to pass over so many high hurdles. Can he really admit to it? Or would it be better to not?
No, he already knows the answer. Tonight just confirmed it.
As feels sleep overpowering him, Eustace lightly kisses the top of her head and whispers softly in a half trembling breath.]
...I'm sorry, Tifa. I wish...we could have been together a little longer. [A small sigh as his voice grows quieter.] But thank you...for letting me love you for as long as I did...even though I didn't realize it until it was too late.
[Love. Passionate love.
A feeling he never thought he'd have for someone.
Not like this, not towards someone he felt such intimacy for. But it would be hard to deny that that's exactly what he feels towards Tifa, a feeling much stronger compared to those he considers as part of his new family. It's with these thoughts and feelings that he finally succumbs to sleep, one that would last throughout the night...
But by some miracle, he wakes up before she does and he heaves a giant sigh in disbelief. He still feels groggy, as if he might collapse again any moment. So he takes the chance and lightly kisses Tifa first on the top of her head, then her eyes, to her lips, each one soft, almost feathery.]