[He chuckles at both her declaration and the dogs reaction, hearing them groan and basically going, Please not this again!!]
At least their room is finished enough for them to stay in. Everything should be finished and furnished by the end of the week...after that it's just a matter of decorating and adding whatever they need.
[Although she has been helping when she can, but now that she's back at the Harvest, she's a bit shorter on time these days than she was a month ago... and he and the dogs always insist that she rest when she gets home at the end of the day, but she only sometimes listens.
At least with the decorations, it's a leisurely shopping trip when she has the time and not the strenuous work that comes with putting it all together.]
I've been working on collecting some things for their room...
[She peeks around to see some of the dogs trying to eavesdrop, but the moment she looks, they all glance away, pretending that they were doing something else all along. She grins and turns back to nuzzle her face in Eustace's hair.]
They're almost done. I think you're gonna love them.
Well, that'll just be another surprise waiting for you.
[Gosh, she has so many little cards hidden up her sleeve for once! It's kind of exciting. So exciting that she giggles and has to drown it in her cider, and she has to lick away the line of foam that thickens over her lip again.]
We could hang it up in the room once it's all finished. As sort of an official "welcome home" for the dogs. Sort of like that plaque you got made for us.
I think so, too. So, make sure you save a few spare nails to hammer in.
[Quite literally breaking in the new room that way, although she wonders if it will pull the same trick that it did with the plaque, as it's now framed beautifully on the front of the tree with flowery vines, the blossoms changing every now and then to fit the mood or the season. Almost like their tree wants to surprise them with something new every day.]
There was... another thing I wanted to ask you about.
[This one has her a little more shy, and squirming a bit in his lap, her fingers fidgeting with the handle of her mug.]
[She's mindful. Just maybe not in the way that he'd like her to be right now—
Her hand lifts the mug in front of her face, hiding as much of her smile and the flush in her cheeks as it can, the steam billowing up in between the two of them and creating an apple-scented cloud that covers her eyes.]
What if... we got a painting done? Of everyone... you, me, all the dogs...?
[She feels so silly and cheesy bringing that up, and she spins her head away from him to hide some more, looking down into the fire and at the dogs that tip their heads to the side, curious and questioning, at her.]
I remember meeting someone a while back...but I don't think they're around anymore. It is curious how there haven't been any cameras developed—unless we missed it.
[Announce it, that is. She knew that day would come at some point, and she figured that when it did, it would be easiest to do it with him over their journals. But would it be a public announcement?]
I guess it would be anyone that you and I both know. [At that, she laughs.] Then again, that's already starting to feel like half the town.
[It's said fondly, of course, but she does nudge him gently, careful not to spill any of their cider.]
I want to know what you think too, Eustace! It's important to me. If that's what you really want, then we can make it work. I personally wouldn't mind something more... intimate, myself.
[They are going to be sharing a lot of very personal, intimate moments themselves.]
[Well, she just wants him to be the happiest groom this world has and will ever see! But she knows that arguing with him will only take them around in circles so she will allow it. For now.
Mostly because his idea is a good—no, excellent—compromise.]
That sounds... perfect.
[It's enough that they will be sharing anything at all with anyone, but if it's with close friends, it feels less daunting.]
We could announce it on the journals when it's closer? Maybe next month.
[She pauses to think, and to take another sip of her cider, letting it sit on her tongue for a moment. The sweetness crinkles her nose, and its warmth brings a flush to her cheeks when she swallows.]
I think we said somewhere outside town? Where it's quiet... not a lot of people. Maybe not too far so that people don't have to travel much, but...
[It might be the strong rum or her embarrassment that's doing this to her, but she hides her face in his shoulder.]
A clearing somewhere in the forest? Could have the dogs scope out some places.
[As he waits, he also takes another drink of his own, the warmth pleasant and with just enough sweetness to suit his tastes. And whether it's the alcohol or just Tifa's natural time and his lack of resistance to her, he can't help but find her hiding cute.]
Mm... That's right, I had thought of a few places...
[A small pause.]
What about near the Corgi tree? We could use it to prepare so you don't have to travel in your dress.
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