isleofavalon | ninth shot ⊗ closed december catchall

You didn't have to do that.

[Shuffling over some more, only this time, it's the whole way—until she's shoulder to shoulder with him again, and she offers him a bite of porkchop from her fork.]

Does that mean I won't have to order dessert, or do I still get to pick something from the menu?

[Only now does he smile a little.]

I might not have had to, but I wanted to. And you can choose whatever you want.

Hmm. Well, that brownie did sound pretty good...

[Minus the whole show. Honestly, she can't even express how grateful she is that he isn't someone who enjoys that kind of thing—Tifa never did like being the center of attention either, so big surprises like that in public are not exactly her sort of thing.]

I'll take another look again once we're done.

[Which won't take very long. Tifa's hunger combined with the taste of the food makes quick work of their dinner, so much that there are hardly leftovers remaining on their plates by the end of it. The porkchops were as good as she remembered it being, and the steak was almost too perfect—juicy and just as melt-in-your-mouth delicious as her own choice. Their dinner conversation is just as pleasant as well, in between stealing bites from each other's plates.

She did leave room for dessert of course, so when the servers ask what they would like for dessert, she's already prepared with an answer.]

The brownie, please.

[They know exactly the one, and the waiters smile knowingly at each other as they top up their wine again. A sideways glance at Eustace, and she clarifies.]

... Just the brownie, though. We don't need anything crazy.

[Then, to Eustace:] What do you think? Want anything else? Maybe something for us to take home for later?

[Immediately, she realizes the words she'd just said, and quickly clears her throat. Us, home... Listen to yourself, Tifa.]

I mean, that we can each take a piece of.

[Despite how he looks, Eustace does enjoy eating with the company of others, especially when everyone is having a good time. But having a dinner like this, together he's grown quite fond of, brings such a strong feeling of peace and calm that he doesn't realize that even if it's just a little upturn of his lips there is almost always a quiet smile throughout the dinner. Because of that, it all seems to both pass too quickly and last for quite a while at the same time.

Once ready for the dessert, Eustace just gives the servers a flat look. He knows they tried to "suggest" things, and he feels the weight in his breast pocket once more, but he refuses to do that kind of charade again. So his chilling silence only confirms Tifa's words, his attitude softening immediately once they leave and it's just the two of them once more... And then it takes him a moment to fully process what she just said.

At first he hadn't thought much of it, interpreting it as she initially meant—take back to their respective homes. But then when she clarifies he sees the other meaning and it gives him a little pause. They haven't been "together" for too long yet so the idea would be quite sudden, yet.... ...Somehow it doesn't seem that strange? He's not sure if they're ready for something like that, but he doesn't feel that opposed to it either.

So he just smiles a little amused.]

Sure.

[It's a simple response, just one word that easily refers to her suggestion. But he also doesn't say anything about her little "fumble" either so...who knows if it could mean something there as well.

One day...it wouldn't be such a bad idea, perhaps.]

[After some thought:]

Two slices of chocolate cake too, then. Please.

[That's a kind of cake that most people like, right? And if he doesn't, well, she'll happily take his share. Aerith and Nanaki wouldn't say no to chocolate cake, or any cake!

The servers nod and wander off to fetch their desserts, taking their half-empty plates with them to box up the rest, and Tifa turns back to Eustace, her face oddly red again—that she's going to do her best to ignore. Silence lingers between them as she tries to come up with something else to say. It's never hard for her to make conversation, but following all of that, she's having a harder time than normal putting thoughts to words.

Thankfully, any silence between them now is anything but awkward. Only comfortable.

She did catch those smiles, though...]

What's got you smiling so much tonight?

[He may not like overly sweet things often, but he can handle a slice of chocolate cake.]

Smiling?

[Eustace looks at her curiously. He knows he's smiled a few times, but he's unaware of all the other times so he wonders what she means.]

[Cute... He hasn't even noticed, has he?

Tifa snickers into her wine, tossing back a small sip to help drown some of it out, hoping not to embarrass him too much.]

All through dinner. Even before that.

[Not that it's strange! She's seen him smile often enough, but there's been something so warm about the ones he's worn tonight that could put the rest to shame. She can only hope that he has plenty to be happy about right now, because she's feeling the same lightness in her heart right now.]

It's nice... to see you smiling so much.

What... [He subconsciously half covers his mouth as he tries to recall, but he really can't. He can think that he has been in good spirits the whole time... Is he really unconsciously smiling that much??

He does feel a little embarrassed, but given the reasons for it, he can't feel that bad. Isn't it a sign that he's really starting to move on and change a bit? Letting himself indulge in these special moments?

So in the end he smiles—a knowing one—before he tilts his head and looks at her, chin resting against his folded hands.]

You're one to talk. You've been smiling and giggling the entire time.

[She watches him, almost as if entranced by the way his expression changes from surprised to embarrassed, and then back to a smile that he puts on knowingly, and she can't help but return it tenfold. It's contagious, especially when it comes from him, and it draws another peal of laughter from her that she has to set her glass down to cover her mouth.]

I'm just... really glad to be here is all.

[That much is obvious, but...]

With everything that was on my mind before, at the beginning, it was hard to believe we would be, you know? But I guess I can say that I'm... finally happy.

[Hearing those words sends an odd ticklish feeling in his chest, one he's never felt before. To think he could actually make someone feel that way...]

...I could never imagine it.

[The words quietly slip out before he can stop himself, but he doesn't try to retract them. Instead he laughs a bit.]

Certainly not given our personalities, pasts, and everything else.

[Yes they both can be sweet on each other, but at their core they are complete opposites—and they certainly clashed a bit because of it with him always feeling like he had to play chaperone and make sure she didn't get into too much trouble. But maybe that's exactly how he ended up getting drawn in.]

Sure you won't regret it? You might find someone more compatible.

If I regret it, you'll be the first to know.

[That is to say—yes, she's sure that she won't and, joking or not, Tifa takes his hand in hers to reiterate that.

There is still that small tug in her chest at those words—that she may find someone else, and she recalls the vivid memory of the night in the cave again, and the things she said. That feeling might never go away, but it didn't matter now, because she is more than sure that this is what she wanted.

That he is who she wants.]

Besides, anytime I've tried to run, you just ended up catching me anyway.

[There's another small laugh, something more like a quiet hum.]

True.

But I have a feeling you want to be caught.

[His fingers thread between hers before curling over them for a firm grasp, as if emphasizing his point. And despite her slender fingers, they are still smaller against his own. Even if Tifa is far from delicate and can hold her own quite fine, that doesn't stop him from wanting to keep her and protect her. It's a stronger compared to the friends and found family back home; a little more intense. Not yet to the point where he would never want to be separated, but... As he looks at her, looks into those gorgeous red eyes that always manage to grab his attention and reflects her true thoughts and emotions, he wonders. Wonders if such a feeling would develop between them the longer they stay together.

Dating and being in a relationship at all is already an incredible step, but to go further... Definitely too soon to think about but at least right now he can't imagine being attracted to anyone else.

Again he feels that weight against his chest and for a moment he hesitates. He still hasn't decided if he should give it at all, but maybe now would be okay?

...Damm why is he nervous at all it's not like he's proposing or something ridiculous!!]

Tifa, there's some—

[And right at that moment the servers appear with the cakes. Immediately he sits back, a conflicted expression passing over his features as he wonders if this is for the better or not.

No, it definitely is. This is just fate telling him the timing isn't the right.]

[Tifa can feel the weight of it all when their eyes meet, and he somehow manages to hold hers, locked in place as she watches his expectantly, waiting for him to finish the thought that she can see forming in them. But then he finally speaks, and there's a violent flutter in Tifa's stomach, and sends her heart leaping up into her throat. Nerves, or something else?

It's hard to tell, because the waiters arrive with their desserts—the cake slices boxed up for later, as well as the leftovers of their dinner, and their famous brownie and ice cream decorated with dollops of whipped cream in the shape of roses.

She wants to know what he was going to say... or does she? She can hardly swallow past the growing lump in her throat that's rendered her completely silent, save for the shaky breaths that escape her. It's definitely not what her head had immediately jumped to, right? Absolutely not, so why is she so nervous about it?

Handing a fork to him, she pokes at the ice cream with hers for a moment before she takes in another deep breath.]

Um... you wanted to say something...?

That...

[He falters for a moment before briefly closing his eyes and shakes his head.]

Later. It's not that important so it can wait.

[He supposes he could give it now, but given what happened last time it might be better not to give her such false impressions.

...This thing is in a box, too, isn't yeah he's just going to wait until later. In private. That's more his style, anyway—to think he almost got swept up by the moment...

Swept up by the moment?? Him??

Of course none of that is reflected in his calm outward demeanor as he instead busies himself by taking the fork to take a small piece and hold it out to her.]

Here.

[And this is totally not a ploy to take her mind off his flub.]

[It sounded important, and judging by the look on his face, it was important. She wants to know, and wants to poke and prod, but knows better than to do that, and relents to the fork being held out in front of her. Can't exactly turn down a bite of the brownie, can she?

So, after one last curious, lingering look at him, she takes the piece for herself, her face scrunching again at the burst of—this time—sweetness in her mouth. That perfect mix of soft, warm chocolate and the cold ice cream to chase it all down... She couldn't have asked for a better way to top off the meal.

It's her turn to scoop up a piece and offer it to him, but before he can take a bite, she withdraws the fork just far enough that he won't be able to at first.]

... It is important.

[Okay, now she'll offer it, but she didn't want to let him go on thinking that whatever it was, it didn't matter as much. If it matters to him even the smallest bit, then it matters to her, too.]

[He looks at her for a long moment, as if unconvinced. But he supposed she has a point. Even if it's small, it has to mean something if it keeps weighing him on this. Granted part of it is him wondering if it's even appropriate for them right now, but it can't be that strange. So he eventually relents and gives in.]

All the more reason to wait until later.

[And then he'll take the bite, the rich taste of chocolate for once not too overwhelming.]

Well now you've got me on the edge of my seat...

[Her voice is quiet as she picks out another bite for herself, smaller with more ice cream than brownie. Keeping her guessing, is he? She has no idea what it could be, and there's still that tiny lump of fear in her throat that it's so much more than what she's expecting, impossible as it is, she prays to Gaia that it isn't that.

There's no way it can be. Stop worrying, Tifa!]

I hope I don't have to start guessing.

[...Is she really trying to figure it out... No, that's reasonable, but now he's wondering what she's thinking. With a slight arch of the brow, he takes another forkful for himself and watches her a bit before he speaks again and he times just as Tifa takes another bite.]

You're not thinking I'm going to propose or something like that are you?

[Perfect—or horrible, depending on who you ask—timing on his part, because the moment those words leave his mouth, Tifa feels the brownie lodge in her throat, and she sputters out loud, a hand shooting up to cover her mouth. It's a good thing they're so far into the back of the restaurant, separated by everyone else, because people would have definitely turned to look if they weren't.

Setting her fork down firmly, she shakes her head as she tries to recompose herself, her face as red as the wine in her glass.]

N-No! I just... I was...

[Lies. For a half a second, she did wonder.

Averting her gaze, she stares down at the brownie.]

Just curious... It's fine. Forget it.

[Meanwhile he's just sipping his wine, not so perfectly masking the smirk and amused look as he watches her reaction.

Yeah, he can tell the thought at least crossed her mind, and really given what happened last time it's not that strange for her to think about it. He was reminded of the same, after all. Still...it makes him wonder a little, but he's not going to think too deeply.

There's a moment of silence as he continues to take that long sip before setting down his glass, and then another pause as he looks at her.]

It's really not that significant. But if you really want to know, I can do it now... Just thought you might prefer privacy over public.

[Even if he almost at least admitted he had something for her earlier.]

Guess we should finish up then.

[She's only joking of course, albeit with a still slightly shaken voice as she tries to finish off the bite that almost killed her, but there is an air of disappointment lingering as soon as the next thought occurs to her.]

... Not sure where we'd go for some privacy, though. Now that we're staying with other people, it's hard.

[The most privacy they'd had was when they visited those castles outside of town, and she can barely call that private at all, with how the house maids would come and go so often... That isn't even taking into account the fact that none of them were theirs.]

[Just a pregnant pause as he swirls his wine before bringing it back to his lips for another sip.]

...I might have arranged something.

[And setting the glass down as he takes his fork to work on that cake. Mhm, what a delicious cake this is, just ignore the nonchalant way of that little reveal—]

[She will not, and even steals his fork away from him after he's taken his bite, her expression playfully suspicious as she waves the pointy end of it at him.]

What do you mean, arranged something?

[She didn't bring any overnight clothes! Was she supposed to? Did she miss a message or a text to say that she should?]

Just exactly what I said.

[And continue to clam up as he picks off one of the fruit with his fingers instead.]

Why wasn't I in on the plan?

[She's just going to take him by the hand before he can pop the piece of fruit into his mouth, keeping it from him until he gives her a straighter answer.

Tifa doesn't exactly need one, and is mostly playing around, but... he should have said something sooner!]

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