isleofavalon | ninth shot ⊗ closed december catchall

Let's wait until we get back.

[It might be a little embarrassing—for her, not him—to open it here. What if he doesn't like it? At least then, it would just be the two of them, and not dozens of other people who Tifa feels like are watching them, as if they're the center of the universe, when she knows that isn't the truth.

But before he can say anything, she's dragging him off again to look around before they do go back. She'll stick to the market, only leaving when the crowd starts to thicken, and with several more bags and boxes in tow. More snacks, some artisan wines and a case of beer to match, some cheeses, fruits... Anything to support these locals.

It's surprising how busy this part of the city has become since they left the hotel, or at all for that matter. If Tifa had known about this district sooner, she would have visited more often. It's exactly the kind of place she'd love to spend shopping, if she had the money for it, and who knows... maybe even a great spot for a bar... All of those thoughts occur to her as they make their way back to their room, with Tifa still clinging onto Eustace's arm as best as she can with all of their newly purchased goods. Her nose and cheeks are rosy from the cold but being next to him is more warmth than she needs.

And when they arrive back at their room, she's the first to lay out everything on the table, and she goes for a pack of strawberries first, taking it with her to the bed for them to share.]

That was fun. My feet are killing me, though.

[Once again he follows along, taking a few of those bags and boxes so she's not carrying everything. Honestly, he's really not much of a shopping person. Whenever he goes out for himself he goes to the exact store he needs and is in and out, browsing only for a little while before moving on. Whenever the girls went out he was quick to separate to not dragged into what he knew would be noisy and bothersome.

This is exactly how it would be.

Yet with Tifa he doesn't mind it at all.

He isn't having "fun" necessarily, not like how Tifa is clearly enjoying herself, but he is enjoying himself as well, his perspective changing little by little. Things he wouldn't bother paying any attention to he now at least casts a glance, wondering why she might be interested in it. Even when in the crowds he doesn't mind so much, ensuring he covers her and keeps her from being jostled too much instead.

And in a way, he does have a little fun, his mood positive throughout. But it would be a lie to say that it wasn't a bit of a relief to finally return to the hotel.

Setting his load of bags and boxes next to hers, he sheds off his suit jacket and hangs it in the closet before following her to sit on the bed.]

I'm impressed you managed to buy so much.

[For all that dragging around the market she did, she'll make it up to him. For now, she offers him a large fresh strawberry as a form of concession, because she knows him well enough to know that she'd taken him out of his element by dragging him through the shops and all those people, but it's not every day she gets to go shopping like that, and with him at her side, no less.

Looking at all of the things spread about the table, she... really did buy a lot, didn't she?]

I guess I did go a little overboard... [Is that a hint of shame in her voice? Perhaps a little, especially when she catches sight of the giant bags of sweets she bought.] I'm bringing most of it home!

[For Aerith and Nanaki, and there might be some treats for Clover in there too.]

It's not close to home, so I figured I'd get it all out of the way before we left. Don't think I'll be coming to this end of town very often.

[There's just a light chuckle as he takes the strawberry, enjoying the tart sweetness.]

It's fine, I'll help you bring them back. But I suppose it is an are neither of us would normally venture into.

[He then pauses and looks at her.]

It looked like you were enjoying yourself, though. Are these the kind of stores you like?

[Through a bite of her strawberry, she beams at him.]

I mean, I guess so! I can't remember the last time I've been able to go shopping like that. Never had the time or the money to, but I'd have to go a long way to find shops like that back home, so I never did.

[Not like it was easy or quick to get plateside in Midgar, and even less so being a member of Avalanche. It was hardly ever worth the risk for a nice set of coasters for the bar.

There's an eager glimmer in her eyes as she sets the strawberry down for a moment, and nudges the wrapped box closer to him.]

... Open it.

[And whenever he does, inside the box will be a small silver knife wrapped in a leather sheath, with lines skillfully carved into it to depict a wolf. ~~That I am not going to link because I couldn't find one that I really liked.~~ It isn't much, and certainly not on the level of a thoughtful gift like this, she knows, but it's something small and something he can keep on his person at all times no matter what he's doing, and best of all, Tifa figures that he'll be able to find good uses for it on the daily.]

[It only now occurs to him that he doesn't really know much about Tifa's likes and dislikes. Somehow it hadn't mattered to him, but now that he's realized it, he makes a decision right there to make more of an effort and let her have more opportunities to enjoy what she never could before.

But now she wants him to open the gift and he takes it with some curiosity. And when he opens it, his eyes widen in surprise as he carefully pulls out the small knife, studying the details and the intricate carving of the wolf. Turning it this way and that, he runs his thumb alongside the blade before looking over at her, his smile warm.]

It's beautiful. Thank you.

[If she'd been holding a breath, Tifa doesn't notice until she exhales with relief, all of the anxious tension leaving her muscles with it. She isn't sure why she was so worried, but...]

I'm glad you like it. I know it isn't much, and I bet you've got more than you know what to do with...

[She tries to slow her words down with another breath and reaches across to place a hand over his.]

But I saw it, and I thought it suited you.

[He just smiles softly as he leans closer to her, fingers entwining with hers.]

No...it's more than I've ever received before.

[He's received a few small gifts in recent years since joining Gran's crew, but it had been a long, long time since he had received something as heartfelt.]

[Her head tips, and she looks down to the knife, then back up at him.]

Hm? Not even on your birthday?

[Maybe that's just an odd thing for her to think of. Growing up, Tifa had plenty of friends who would come to any parties her parents hosted, including birthdays, and each kid would always be showered with gifts on theirs. They were never anything extravagant or expensive, but they were thoughtful and meant something.

... The thought makes her aware of another detail that she's missed.]

When is it anyway?

[Just a slight shake of his head.]

I was never really close with anyone until recently and usually too busy and indifferent about it to begin with. It's only in the last couple of years that I started exchanging small gifts for the holidays.

Birthdays... [There's a small pause before his eyes widen slightly as he realizes something.]

...It's probably soon. It's the last day of the year, near the height of the winter season. December 31st.

[He phrases it that way because of how calendars likely differ.]

[For the sake of convenience—]

That's so soon.

[And for a beat, she considers asking if he wanted or was going to do anything special—a get together with friends, or perhaps a nice dinner somewhere, but that isn't really him, is it? Although it would be fun to surprise him with the former, if she'd met most of them...]

Any plans?

Not really. To be honest I would have forgotten about it if you hadn't asked.

[Hearing that... makes her kind of sad... but at least now she knows that it's coming up and can plan something accordingly. Even if it will be something simple, perhaps with just the two of them. Whatever it is, she's going to make sure that it's both fun and quiet. A peaceful birthday, but still one that he deserves.]

Well, now I know.

[Not wanting to dwell on the upset turn her stomach is doing, she leans forward, her smile disappearing into a kiss that she presses to his lips, brief and light, before she's biting into her strawberry again, her eyes saying everything that words aren't needed to. They'll cross that bridge when they get there but for now, she's going to make the best of their first real date and take advantage of the fact that they're finally alone again.]

But we'll save that for later.

[He smiles a bit at the soft, sweet taste of the kiss, brief as it was. The idea of sharing his birthday with anyone would have been an annoying thought in the past, but now it doesn't seem so bad. He starts reaching for the strawberries, and idea in mind, but pauses.]

When's yours?

Not soon enough that you need to worry about it right now.

[Her eyes flick to the strawberry where they linger for a moment, then back to him.]

May third, in the spring, but you can worry about that when we get closer. You'll need to plan a party for me, so save some energy.

[She's only teasing! But unlike him, Tifa is a social butterfly who would absolutely want all of her friends to be there to celebrate with her. She never had birthday parties after leaving Nibelheim, so they've become something of a special thing to her these days...]

[May... It's a few months away, but when he thinks about how long they've known each other, doesn't it mean they just missed it when they first met? Not that it matters... Probably. But a big party, huh? He cracks a smile as he reaches for the plate and stands, taking it with him.]

I'll keep it in mind.

[And then he's walking over to where he stored the wine and with plate in hand, he continues towards the bathroom before he pauses and looks over at her.]

You're not going to stay over there, are you?

[She watches him go, taking the strawberries and wine with him, knowing full well where this is going to lead when he stops at the door to the bathroom, and she takes a few moments to admire him from afar, as if she's—once again—memorizing every detail before she's pushing herself off the bed with a giggle, and practically leaping across the room to him, only to wrap her arms around his waist and shuffle him through the door.]

Of course not. I'm not going to let you have all the wine to yourself.

[And she kicks the door shut behind them. ~~No peeking!~~

✨✨✨

Having spoken of birthdays earlier in the month, it had gotten Tifa started on thinking—what would her ideal birthday be? One with a lot of people, with plenty of food and drinks and laughter to go around, where all of the friends she cared about were there with her. And she'd make the biggest, most delicious cake—strawberry cheesecake, maybe, if she could manage it. She wouldn't need gifts at all, as long as she had everything else.

And now, what was the opposite of that?

It was one of the quieter nights they've spent together. No frills, no fancy restaurants or dresses and suits, but their comfiest clothes and thickest socks to keep them warm, and the best part? No one else but them. It was saddening to know that Gran had left before he could spend Eustace's birthday with him, but she knows that he's gone back home, is safe, and is doing what he does best. And to be honest, she can't exactly complain that they now have someplace to go to be alone without having to spend money to do so, and after Eustace was left like this, she's spent more time here with him, keeping him company, than she hasn't.

They've been able to enjoy a quiet dinner that she prepared for him—the juiciest, biggest steaks she could find in Camelot, along with the important greens to go along with it, and some red wine to compliment the dish, and have finished up the small cake that she had also baked with her own two hands. It was nothing fancy or too sweet—just a light vanilla cake with fresh raspberries, and she hardly feels too full after a helping.

Looking forward to some time to wind down after all that food, Tifa is cleaning up the dishes when she glances over at him.]

So? What'd you think of the cake? It wasn't too sweet, was it?

Edited 2021-12-29 23:01 (UTC)

[He had been a bit melancholic after Gran's departure and still is, but he also feels a little relieved in knowing he's back in their world... Although the whole "everything is frozen because this world couldn't control itself" is still a problem, one that he continues to feel frustrated that there's little progress in it. He knows time is needed, but seeing progress is difficult.

At least he's not completely alone. He's realized it before, but it's not until now that it really sinks in he had made connections while here, actually made friendships and relationships. It's more than he expected when he came in over eight months ago. And having an intimate one is beyond his wildest dreams.

Having living independently most of his life, he could live on his own without issue or remorse. However, it would be a lie to say that Tifa's company didn't help ease some of it or bring a bit more color and light to his otherwise simple and quiet life. Rather than change things, she's enhanced them, opened his once narrow view of things. And the more often she stays over, the more often he smils and laughs, the more he feels he could allow himself to relax a little more and enjoy these precious moments.

But he would have a harsh reminder of the reality of their situation.

In the previous few days, he had been feeling strangely lethargic and found himself dozing off at odd times. Having not been one to take many unplanned naps to begin with, that in itself made him wonder if there was something wrong with him, but he didn't think too much about it. It's not until he oversleeps one morning and almost runs late in meeting Tifa that he once again questions his condition. And while Eria usually sleeps with him, she hasn't been around in the past few days. He assumes it's because of Tifa and feeling some weird jealousy, but later that night she finally appears and for the first time looks upset, almost similar to when he had been critically injured during the animal mage hunt attacks.

What she tells him shocks Eustace, and he's left to determine what to do.

And now he and Tifa are celebrating his birthday in a way she clearly thought out for his preferences. It's heartwarming, but whenever she's not looking or is in a different room, he has to press his hand to his forehead, rubbing his eyes as he tries to shake off some drowsiness that's seeping in. He hides it well, never letting Tifa see him tired and not distracting himself with his situation. He just pays attention to her and focuses on the little celebration she worked hard to prepare. It's the least he could do.

While she's doing dishes, he once again feels a wave of drowsiness, and he allows himself a few seconds to close his eyes before he snaps back to attention. There's only a slight moment's delay before he answers.]

...No, it was perfect. You really made it yourself?

[She's pretended up until now not to notice how he's been much more tired than usual. The last couple of days when she's stopped by, he'd seemed... fatigued, almost sick, but assumed that it had been a cold, or even the flu plaguing him. It was "that time of year", wasn't it? With how cold it's been, she wouldn't doubt that their immune systems weren't running at full capacity. She'd tell him to rest, and bring him plenty of water and blankets, insisting that he rest while she takes care of everything else, but that was as much as she could do, lest she wound his pride even more.

Still, she's been worried about Eustace since the first day it had hit him, and hasn't stopped since, but she's tried to remain calm when it only started to worsen, not wanting to give him more reason for concern.

But then she sees his eyes close, and that delay in his response has her setting the plate in her hands down so that she can cross back to him and hold him steady, her grip firm on both of his arms.]

I did.

[Her smile has faded into worry as she searches his face.]

You should go lie down. I'll join you once I'm done here.

[He looks at her when she approaches, something unreadable flashing over his eyes. Just like he's trying to hide the worst of it, he can tell she's also trying not to express too much worry over him.

Honestly, it's painful. More than he expected. He thought he'd just bear with it like he has with everything else, that he would be able to set it all aside and proceed with a hardened heart. Yet whenever he sees her up close, it's as if she's the flames that continue to melt it down. Many times he thought about coming clean, about warning her...

But if she's like this now, then he wouldn't be able to bear seeing her if she knew. He knows it's wrong of him, but he just keeps it to himself.

So he just gives her a tired smile.]

No, it's fine. I've...just been working on something and I overdid it a little yesterday.

[Not quite a lie. But he pulls back so he can stand.]

Let me help you finish up and then we can go in together.

[Small compromise? In truth he'd rather be with her than be alone, not wanting to waste whatever opportunity he had.]

Edited 2021-12-30 17:11 (UTC)

[She hesitates, holding him still a little longer before she concedes with a defeated nod. Tifa typically wouldn't hear another word and would usher him off to bed immediately, but... there's something about the way he looks down at her that makes her want to keep him right there. The dishes could wait, but she wouldn't be able to rest soundly knowing that there would be work for her to do in the morning.]

Fine. But we're going as soon as we're done. ... I just wish you'd stop overworking yourself so much.

[Which won't take too long, thankfully. They make a good team, even in the kitchen, that they make quick work of the cleaning so that by the end of it, it's as if they hadn't been cooking or eating in there at all. The second they finish, she'll close the gap between them again, a heavy smile crossing over her face.]

You don't need me to carry you to bed, do you? I will if I have to.

[He just laughs quietly before he follows after her. Keeping himself busy allows him to not think about his current "condition," and even such a simple task of washing dishes with Tifa makes him feel more at peace and calm than he has in a while. And once they're done, he just grins a bit.]

If I was that tired we would just forget the bed and stay here.

[His arms go around either side of her waist, turning her a bit as he traps her against the counter, a languid smile gracing his lips as he lowers his face near hers.]

But I'm fine, I promise. It wouldn't take much to wake me up, anyway...

[As if to prove his point, he slowly kisses her first on the lips before he trails down the side of her jaw to her neck.]

[She allows him room to roam, her own arms snaking up and around his neck while the smallest of sighs escapes her. They could just stay here, but the counter digging into her back forces her to shift so that she's closer to him than it.]

I know.

[Tifa taps a finger against his chin to bring his face level with hers. If she lets him go any further, he might just unwind her and convince her to stay.]

It'd be more comfortable at least.

[Not to mention, he looks tired. She can see how heavy his lids have been, and can feel the tension coiling in his muscles, and for as much as she wouldn't mind a little spontaneity, she would much rather him be relaxed and comfortable.]

[He only looks at her, that little flame of desire already lit and growing as his only response is to counter with another kiss, this time more impassioned and needy than the last. His arms wrap around her, one around her lower back and the other around her hips as he pulls her back and upward, lifting her up to carry her to his room. He doesn't slow down from there, as if trying to prove that he's not as tired as she thinks.

Or perhaps it's hiding a quiet sense of desperation, as if trying to give her everything he can. To engrave every inch of her into his memory while doing the same to her.

As if it might be their last night together.

It's long into the night when he finally lets them rest, Eustace holding Tifa close to him as he buries his face into her hair, nuzzling her. At least right now he feels more awake than ever, everything else forgotten. He probably made it seem whatever fatigue he had was a lie.]

[There was something different that night.

He'd become more emboldened, more passionate, and the intensity of it all could be felt looming heavy in the room even after they finally lay their heads down to rest next to each other, her fingers combing gently through his hair, her other hand drawing light circles over the planes of his back, holding him close. It had surprised her a little, but not in a bad sense. Quite the opposite, and Tifa had matched him in kind that now, she can feel her eyes growing heavy, her entire body sinking into the bed as they lie there together in silence for a while, listening to his breathing.

It's a bit of a strange buzz after, where she feels so invigorated and awake, but at the same time, she could easily fall asleep if she wanted to. Not that she wants to... Knowing how fickle their time is here, Tifa would always make these moments last as long as she could, even if they would always wake up next to each other the next day.

She nuzzles her own face into his hair, smiling as she breathes in his scent.]

You weren't lying. [That'll show her.] You're feeling better?

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