flamekthunder | { songerein: inbox }

What do you mean, not the best meetings?

[Oh, she knows. She hasn't forgotten about the fish and the flower dogs and how they pushed them both into the river.]

It's what started all this, isn't it?

[Not to mention the initial hostility. If someone only saw that one interaction they never would have believed they would be talking about marriage a year later.]

Maybe so... [His grin widens a little.] Should we try to find the exact spot?

[Come to think of it, they never really went down there again, save for that one date they had where they went fishing. Granted, they haven't had the best experiences with water...

I mean, we could. The area's improved a lot since we all first moved in.

[It would be nice, she thinks, but she was only joking!]

It doesn't have to be there, though. The dog park might not be a bad idea, either. It's close to home for everyone, near the Harvest, and there's plenty of room for everyone... and the dogs to play.

[Always have to keep the dogs in mind!!]

Hm... But...

...It may not be cleanest.

[If she knows what he means. Although he tries, it's not like the dogs always pick up after themselves and other dogs do use the park.]

Well, not yet, but we could always clean and fix it up.

[Preferably before the snow comes. There isn't really anyone else to maintain it, and Tifa does try to stop by it on the way home sometimes to make sure that it's up to snuff to her own standards, but sometimes, it's hard for the two of them to go through it and catch everything in a single go.

But the longer she thinks about it, the more Tifa shakes her head.]

Well, alright then, maybe not the dog park.

[Is it worth the effort? Probably not... She still really likes the initial idea, anyway.

There's a pause as she reaches across back to pick up her cider, and then tucks herself in under his arm.]

Let's go take a look at the riverside when we get the chance. We should bring a few of the flower dogs with us, too. For old time's sake.

... And if that doesn't work out, then maybe... the plaza. Near the rose garden and the swings. Though, I guess they won't really be around in the winter, would they?

Mm... We could still look around the area. There are other parks and gardens nearby, so we can check them as well.

But who knows what will be around... Ah. What about the date? December is when the Christmas season is starting... They may start decorations early again.

Oh... do you think they'll be up by the time the wedding comes around? That might be fun...

[With the lights and the snow... Even just the thought of it is magical, and Tifa drowns her excitement in the cider, but as she lowers her cup, there's a slight furrow to her brow.]

How long was it before everything started happening last year...?

[She remembers the sweaters, the gumdrops, and then... the toy factory...]

[....Hrm. He's thinking of the same thing and furrows his brows a bit.]

It's usually...not as chaotic in the beginning of the beginning. I remember word being spread about the holiday and decorations going up as early as the first week.

It would probably be best if we timed the wedding then as well, before things get too busy for everyone else.

[And before anything stupid appears to ruin everything—more reasons to have Beatrix on security..........

He swears if he sees those gumdrops he's shooting them on sight—]

[And then everyone smooched at their wedding—]

I was thinking the same. First week of the month, maybe? That should give plenty of time for us to prepare for it, and lots of time before the holidays.

[Counting their honeymoon.]

Maybe if we ask the tapirs nicely, we could see some decorations for it. I just hope I'm not forced into a sweater over my dress...

....

[Just a very heavy frown.]

Should we do it before then?

[It's fine, she doesn't like the tapirs either.]

Hm? What, you want to do it the day before just to be safe?

[Tifa's just going to laugh, because...]

Wouldn't it just be our luck that nothing bad happens the first week except for the decorations?

[Just a disgruntled sound.]

I just don't like the idea of not being able to predict what will happen. It could either be the same as last year or different.

[Hell, maybe the decorations will start singing or something.]

[At his disgruntled noise, she presses her hand to his face, the warmth from the cider seeping from it into his skin.]

Isn't it like that no matter what time of year it is? If we worried about it all the time, we'd never stop, would we?

[He still looks disgruntled...but he relaxes a bit into her touch and sighs.]

...I suppose you're right. We'll just have to deal with whatever comes, then.

[He just wants this day to be the best for her.]

[She seems to read his mind—she already knows what he's thinking without him having to say it out loud—and she runs her thumb along his cheek in an effort to reassure him some.]

... I don't think there's a single thing that could ruin the day. I'll be marrying you...

[There's no way that there will be anything big enough that could make it anything but the best day for her. For either of them.]

I don't care about anything else.

{Even if they've said it to each other many times now, hearing her say she's marrying him still sends a warm ripple in his chest and makes him smile a bit, the corners of his mouth curving up a fraction.]

...And I'll make it so.

[Nothing will ruin this day so help him—

But he gently places his hand over hers before turning his head slightly so he can kiss her fingers and then her palm.]

...Sometimes I think we should just go ahead...at this point we're practically married, anyway.

[A light grin as he remembers Trahearne's confusion.]

[They really do act like they are on their permanent honeymoon at this rate, so she can't exactly blame Trahearne, or anyone else, for their confusion.]

... Do you want to?

[There's that spark in her eyes again—the very same one that had just flickered to life only seconds ago, but this time, it doesn't go out.]

The wedding is nice, but I don't need all the fanfare. [She leans in to press a light kiss to his cheek.] Just you.

[A light chuckle.]

Just elope?

[A wry grin as he hovers near her, the fringe of his hair gently brushing against her skin.]

I think we'd have several people throw a riot if we did.

[She doesn't want to recall that night, but she does remember the collective reaction when he had almost called off the wedding, and she can only imagine how it would be if they simply ran off to marry without telling anyone. The thought, however, is chased away by the tickle of his hair that she sweeps from her skin.]

I guess we would. Big party it is, then.

[Tifa does stretch out her left hand to show off and admire the ring, wiggling her fingers so that the aquamarine catches the firelight.]

... Feels like it's just a formality at this point. After all the times you've asked me, we might as well be by dreamworld standards.

[A light amused hum.]

If we went by those standards, then we already did.

[In the dreamscape. It's the one that really snowballed everything, the one that both pushed them forward...but also threw so much heartache. Talk about testing their "for better or worse" vows.]

[She remembers. That was one of the only good memories she has of that dreamscape, and the part that she hadn't pushed away but rather, kept in a place with all of her other cherished memories with him.]

I guess we are technically married...

[In spite of the heavier dreamscape, Tifa's laugh is still light.]

Have we counted that night you asked me to marry you with all the others?

I want to say so...

[A light grin.]

How many times has it been? Should I add another?

Another?

[Tifa takes a giant swig of her cider, and she pauses with a hiccup before she's setting it down.]

You wanna ask me again?

[He takes her hand then, holding it close to his lips as he traps her gaze with his.]

Marry me.

[Yep. Just gonna drop it just like that.]

[She sets the cider down again so that her hand can slide around the back of his neck and up into his hair, and she brings him a little closer until their lips are grazing against one another's, and she can taste the rum on his breath.]

... Okay.

[Tifa presses their lips together into a tender, lingering kiss, one that makes her feel fuzzy as a wave of warm happiness washes over her, only made more violent by the alcohol that's making her blood run hot.

She remembers that night on the terrace, and how they had been just like this. Close, overcome with feelings, but now, she's no longer confused and conflicted. Her heart no longer wishes to go to him, but he holds it in his hands now.]

I'll never get tired of hearing you ask.

[And just like that, more starflowers bloom around the log they're sitting on, and even some of the dogs lift their heads up to watch them spread outward.

There's a pause as she captures his lips again for another.]

I know that you're worried about the wedding... and making sure it all goes right. That it's perfect, but... [She smiles against his lips as she nuzzles their noses together.] I just want this. This is enough.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject