[She's not sure why the kiss surprises her so, but it's so tender and sweet and reassuring that as she yields to and returns it, she feels all of her worries leave her. He may not have intended it that way, but for that singular moment, all of the things that she feared or been anxious about with this brand new, big venture together are melted away...
Much like the snow that begins to melt to reveal the many different flowers underneath.]
I still can't believe it. [There are so many things that feel too good to be true for her in this world. This is just one more to add to the list right behind the fact that they are married.] This is... ours, Eustace. This will be ours.
[There's still so much work to be done but it doesn't make it any less so now than it will be later, but they can cross those bridges as they reach them, as they tend to do.
For now...]
... We should celebrate a successful first day. How about... once we finish up here, I crack open a bottle of some nice wine when we get home!?
[Maybe open up some other things too while they're at it--]
[He continues to gaze at her fondly, his hand lightly brushing against her hair and cheek.]
Sure. I suppose that means we shouldn't linger around for much longer, hm?
[Even if right now he doesn't really mind the lingering. But he also wouldn't mind heading home sooner rather than later for that "wine" and other things.]
[She really does mean wine... but she'll also have whatever that "wine" is, too.]
We have time. It's still early.
[But the longer he looks down at her, and the way that his hand brushes over her skin, she can't help but think back to the way they were interrupted earlier, and how she'd like to finish that up one way or another... whether it's here or in the privacy of their room, and thinks about how she might not want to linger for so long.
So, after she steals one more—no, two more—kisses from him, she slips away and starts to move around the garden. It's wide with a sprawling willow tree, and while its leaves are shed for the winter, there are flowers that bloom as she approaches it. She makes note of things that they could have out here, like heated logs for the cold, and maybe some ice creams for when it's hot. Who knows how good of an idea that will be—
She settles on the wooden patio for the back with some dark wooden furniture to match, and then out in the grassy area, more perches for the cats and plenty of things for the dogs to play with when they're outside.
By the time they're finished, it will be reaching late afternoon when Tifa grabs his quill and tugs it free from his hand.]
That should be enough for the day. ... Your boss requires your assistance elsewhere.
[He can only watch her at first, that soft smile never leaving until he finally pulls out his journal to start taking notes. He even draws some basic diagrams, his time having to build the layouts for their house additions having given him so practice on that front. He'll have to come back for measurements... But he can make some rough estimations.
And just like that he continues to help Tifa, mostly listening to her ideas and giving input when he can. But most of all, he just enjoys watching her so animated and excited, happy to help her build this new life of theirs. Again he's reminded how much he doesn't want this to remain just a fleeting moment in his life, just a special dream that he will forget...
As he's jotting down some final thoughts, his quill is suddenly taken away and he looks over at Tifa with some surprise... Before a wry grin forms.]
[With his quill gone, she takes the opportunity to thread their fingers together, shyness blooming in her smile and the way she looks at him. She knows that he's been watching her the whole time they've spent looking around, but she hasn't felt more seen than she does right now.]
Some unfinished business. But first... getting through a bottle of the finest wine we have.
[With a tug of his hand, Tifa leads him back inside. Mirabelle and Sprinkles are there, but she largely ignores them with just a "see you later" as she drags Eustace through the empty room and out the front door to lock it. And on their walk home, there's a very noticeable buzz of anticipation that follows her, clings to her as she eagerly pulls him along back home.
As soon as they're through the front door and she's sure that they're alone, she wastes no time in snatching him in for a kiss, pressing him up to the door as she closes it behind them. It's needy, teasing, but quick, and her lashes flutter as her gaze moves from his lips to meet his eyes.]
... You worked hard today. Why don't you go relax and wait for me? I'll grab the wine.
[He lets Tifa drag him through, not even bothering a glance at the fairy though he does look towards the kitten. It does seem to be a bit more relaxed with the fairy around, at least that's what he could glean the brief glimpse before he and Tifa are out the door and on the road back home. He can see that buzz, and he can't help but quietly chuckle at how eager his little wife seems to be to take her husband home.
And apparently very eager given that as soon as they reach it, he finds himself pressed back against the door, her lips on his. And of course, there is no protest, only natural acceptance as he'll help by reaching out to the handle, his hand over hers as he locks it. With his other around her waist, he only gazes down at her for a moment.]
Oh? You're the one that's been making all these decisions, all I did was write it down.
[And now with both arms around her, hands locked behind the small of her back, he leans down to kiss her lips, lingering at her sweet taste before he smirks a bit.]
Not to mention trying to fend off a pushy fairy...
[It's honestly so freeing to be back home, and to be able to simply be together like this after a long day together, and as he kisses her and holds her there in his arms, she wonders how many more times they'll be able to do this once they're open for business.
She smiles back at him as her lips graze over the sharp curve of his jaw, her nose nuzzling lovingly against his cheek as she slowly and carefully breathes in his scent.]
You still did a good job. I couldn't have done it without you.
[As playful as her movements are, she pauses and pulls back with a more genuine look about her.]
... Really, though. Thank you.
[Maybe she could have done this all on her own, but why would she want to? Why would she when she could do it with her husband at her side?]
[At this his expression softens, and he more affectionately nuzzles her, his lips lightly brushing against the tops of her eyes.]
Of course. I'll always be there when you need me.
[Always.
Always, always, always. Dangerous word in this world, but he wants it to be true. Wants it so badly he's willing to try and change the rules of his world to make it happen. He never would have imagined helping anyone with something like this, never imagine coming back from a work day to have someone waiting and wanting him to be by their side. And that is something she's gifted him, a most beautiful and precious gift.
And he wants to give it all back one hundred fold.]
She might have been afraid to really believe in that once. She would have hesitated, would have convinced herself that it's not something that she can promise. That believing in it fully and truly would only leave her feeling empty in the end... but...
Now, there's no voice in her head that tells her no. There hasn't been for a while, but after today... After talking so much about the finer details of their future like what kind of welcome mat or coasters to get, how to set up the garden of the business they'll be running together, Tifa's head and heart have never been clearer.
It's an overwhelmingly deep feeling that rises in her chest, but she resists the urge to let it free as a sob or a sniffle or a laugh... even more words. Instead, it comes out in her smile, the glint in her eyes, and the kiss that she presses to his lips again, soft and sweet.
But there's an excitement simmering beneath it as well—not just for their little celebration, but for everything that's to come later down the line. Even with the wedding over, there's still so, so much to look forward to.
On that note... With a smile, she murmurs into the kiss.]
Go wait for me.
[Even though it's hard for her to let him go now that she has him.]
[He's slow to part, instead taking her lips again, savoring her taste and that light buzz that's hidden beneath it. Such a light, freeing feeling—it's difficult for him to not want to chase it.
But he'll eventually let go, smiling softly.]
Don't take long or I'll come get you myself.
[A light smirk before he steps around to head to their room.]
[She only looks back over her shoulder at him with a grin when he leaves.]
Maybe that's exactly what I want.
[But she'll wait for him to disappear into their room before she moves at all... and she won't keep him waiting for long. Maybe a touch longer than needed, because how long does it really take to grab wine and a pair of glasses, just to build up the anticipation a bit more before she appears in the doorway. She's already taken it upon herself to pop the cork off the wine, and its label bears the name of Barok and Diluc's winery on it.]
A red wine I haven't tried yet.
[As she slips into the room and nudges the door shut with her foot.]
If it's too sweet for you, I can always grab or make you something else.
[After sending a signal to one of the dogs to keep an eye on Lyria—specifically, to keep her away for a bit—Eustace just freshens up a bit before flopping onto his side of the bed, his journal already appearing in his hand. Could he just lie there and relax? Probably, but he's just not the type, and he's already wanting to go through the notes they've made.
So he looks up when he hears her coming, his eyes drifting to the wine before looking back to her.]
[She admires him silently and openly first. Even when she asks him to relax, he still has to keep himself busy. She doesn't mind it, and it is something she's always found so endearing about him, but there are moments when she wishes that he would for his sake. Of course, with all this work that needs to be done, it's hard not to go over all of it.
So, it's with a fond, crooked smile that she crosses the room and slumps on the bed beside him, careful not to spill as she hands him an empty glass, and she'll fill his up first as soon as it's out of her hands.]
We got some good ones in there, at least. A lot, too.
[She's brimming with joy and pride, her cheeks flushed with it, as she fills her glass second. Not too much for either of them for now, but enough that they can get some good tastings before diving into the bottle. They got a lot done today—much more than she imagined—and it's all a giant leap in the right direction.
So, once they both have their glasses and she's set the bottle down on the table on her side of the bed, she raises hers to him.]
Here's to... a successful first day on the job. And... [Her gaze lowers from him to her glass, her smile turning shy.] ... New dreams for us.
[She wiggles with happiness when he goes along with it, and she catches herself wanting to smile more as the sound of their glasses together fill the space, and she hides it all behind her first sip. Not to her surprise at all, the wine is a bit sweet, but not too sweet or tart. It's pleasant, and leaves behind a smooth aftertaste, with the burn in her throat not overwhelming.
Honestly, she's surprised at how much she does like it, and helps herself to a second, smaller sip, enjoying the brief, comfortable silence that's fallen between them. The sun has already begun to set, but it's still warm as it filters through their window, bathing their room in oranges and reds, and she pauses to admire the way Eustace's hair always seems to soak up the colours from behind the rim of her glass.
She catches herself staring, however, and after her third sip, she sets the glass down on her lap, and her eyes follow until they reach the ripples in the red drink. Her shoulders lift and fall in a sigh, and she suddenly feels... nervous again.]
... There was something else, too. Something I've been meaning to do.
[He watches her take her sip first, watching the slight change in her eyes as she tastes it. Only then does he finally take a sip of his own, his own thoughts similar. Not too sweet, not too tart. It runs smooth and he could certainly enjoy a wine like this...especially in this quiet, peaceful setting. Even if this isn't the first time they've been like this, he always relishes it. Appreciates that he can have this now.
But he can sense there's something else. She had said as much before, but he feels her stares at her fidgeting. So whens he sets her glass down, he follows suit as he stares at her, waiting.]
[More long pauses as Tifa's finger now runs along the top of her glass, and she listens to the gentle sound that it makes. She can feel his stare on her still, and when she peeks up at him finally, she feels the colour immediately rise up into her face.]
Hm...
[It's only a hum as she sets her glass down on the table next to the bottle, and she shuffles, turning her back to him so that she can rummage through the drawer instead. It's something kept at the bottom that she has to shuffle around for, and when she finally faces him again, it's with a wrapped box in her hands, small enough that it fits easily into both her palms.
... Oddly enough, he will likely notice that it has wrinkles and stains all across the fine, beautifully decorated paper, like something had spilled over it. Coffee and orange juice, perhaps?
She doesn't hand it over to him just yet, though, and instead, holds it close to her chest.]
I meant to give this to you on your birthday, but... couldn't.
[He keeps waiting, wondering what in the world she wants to say or do. He really can't even figure out an idea even when she opens her side drawer and starts rummaging around. And he's still left clueless whens he pulls out...a small present?]
[Why does she feel so anxious about this? She wants to reach over and give it to him, but she still holds it close, her fingers wrapping around it protectively now... and he'll soon find out why, when a bittersweet look flickers across her expression.]
This was supposed to be my gift for you for your birthday in Camelot.
[Which is why she's having a harder time handing over this one. It's one of the few things left from their lives in that world that hasn't been lost, and she feels almost scared that if she lets him unwrap it, those memories will fade to dust. And it being tied to such a strong, vivid, sad memory... Is it really okay for her to do this?]
He's a little stunned, his eyes immediately going to the present...one that was from all the way from Camelot...and on that fateful day when he first left her. It would be a lie to say he didn't feel anything from it, a slight squeezing in his chest, little pricks stabbing at him. Even if he hadn't thought about that for a long time, now it all comes rushing back.
...And how much more devastated she must have been when he didn't wake up.
...Come to think of it, didn't he disappear around her birthday, too, in this world? Primals, they've had real shit luck with birthdays.
Slowly he moves to set his glass down on the table before he raises it to first brush against her cheek, knuckles pushing back the loose strands of her bangs before his other hand reaches out rest over hers holding the box so protectively.]
[She'd been briefly lost in thought when he touches her, and it starts her back, drawing her to this place and not where she had wandered back to that morning in the room, where hope and happiness had been completely knocked out of her. She hasn't thought about it in a long time, and for a while, she tried not to think about it until it simply became that she had no reason to.
Until his birthday started drawing closer. It had been terrible timing given the wedding, but there was that small part of her that worried... and then worried more when she made the decision to take one of her baubles to the well and wish for it back. And as she held it in her hands, the box still soaked in coffee and orange juice as if it had been snatched straight out of that memory as it had been left, she wasn't sure if she would ever find the courage to give it to him.
In hindsight, it's such a silly gift now too, given that they have so many new memories together...
The warmth from Eustace's hands spreads through her like a fire on a cold day would, and she looks down to where his rests over hers wrapped around the box, and her grip tightens on it.]
... I don't want it to hurt you.
[She saw that slight flicker of pain in his eyes. She never misses it... but it had been there, and that was the exact thing that she was worried this would do. He says it's okay, but she needs to be absolutely sure that he truly is.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
flamekthunder) wrote2025-04-07 09:12 pm
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[A soft, quiet, gentle smile before he leans down to kiss her gently and lovingly on the lips, more of those flowers blooming around them.]
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Much like the snow that begins to melt to reveal the many different flowers underneath.]
I still can't believe it. [There are so many things that feel too good to be true for her in this world. This is just one more to add to the list right behind the fact that they are married.] This is... ours, Eustace. This will be ours.
[There's still so much work to be done but it doesn't make it any less so now than it will be later, but they can cross those bridges as they reach them, as they tend to do.
For now...]
... We should celebrate a successful first day. How about... once we finish up here, I crack open a bottle of some nice wine when we get home!?
[Maybe open up some other things too while they're at it--]
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Sure. I suppose that means we shouldn't linger around for much longer, hm?
[Even if right now he doesn't really mind the lingering. But he also wouldn't mind heading home sooner rather than later for that "wine" and other things.]
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We have time. It's still early.
[But the longer he looks down at her, and the way that his hand brushes over her skin, she can't help but think back to the way they were interrupted earlier, and how she'd like to finish that up one way or another... whether it's here or in the privacy of their room, and thinks about how she might not want to linger for so long.
So, after she steals one more—no, two more—kisses from him, she slips away and starts to move around the garden. It's wide with a sprawling willow tree, and while its leaves are shed for the winter, there are flowers that bloom as she approaches it. She makes note of things that they could have out here, like heated logs for the cold, and maybe some ice creams for when it's hot. Who knows how good of an idea that will be—
She settles on the wooden patio for the back with some dark wooden furniture to match, and then out in the grassy area, more perches for the cats and plenty of things for the dogs to play with when they're outside.
By the time they're finished, it will be reaching late afternoon when Tifa grabs his quill and tugs it free from his hand.]
That should be enough for the day. ... Your boss requires your assistance elsewhere.
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And just like that he continues to help Tifa, mostly listening to her ideas and giving input when he can. But most of all, he just enjoys watching her so animated and excited, happy to help her build this new life of theirs. Again he's reminded how much he doesn't want this to remain just a fleeting moment in his life, just a special dream that he will forget...
As he's jotting down some final thoughts, his quill is suddenly taken away and he looks over at Tifa with some surprise... Before a wry grin forms.]
Assistance with what?
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Some unfinished business. But first... getting through a bottle of the finest wine we have.
[With a tug of his hand, Tifa leads him back inside. Mirabelle and Sprinkles are there, but she largely ignores them with just a "see you later" as she drags Eustace through the empty room and out the front door to lock it. And on their walk home, there's a very noticeable buzz of anticipation that follows her, clings to her as she eagerly pulls him along back home.
As soon as they're through the front door and she's sure that they're alone, she wastes no time in snatching him in for a kiss, pressing him up to the door as she closes it behind them. It's needy, teasing, but quick, and her lashes flutter as her gaze moves from his lips to meet his eyes.]
... You worked hard today. Why don't you go relax and wait for me? I'll grab the wine.
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And apparently very eager given that as soon as they reach it, he finds himself pressed back against the door, her lips on his. And of course, there is no protest, only natural acceptance as he'll help by reaching out to the handle, his hand over hers as he locks it. With his other around her waist, he only gazes down at her for a moment.]
Oh? You're the one that's been making all these decisions, all I did was write it down.
[And now with both arms around her, hands locked behind the small of her back, he leans down to kiss her lips, lingering at her sweet taste before he smirks a bit.]
Not to mention trying to fend off a pushy fairy...
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She smiles back at him as her lips graze over the sharp curve of his jaw, her nose nuzzling lovingly against his cheek as she slowly and carefully breathes in his scent.]
You still did a good job. I couldn't have done it without you.
[As playful as her movements are, she pauses and pulls back with a more genuine look about her.]
... Really, though. Thank you.
[Maybe she could have done this all on her own, but why would she want to? Why would she when she could do it with her husband at her side?]
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Of course. I'll always be there when you need me.
[Always.
Always, always, always. Dangerous word in this world, but he wants it to be true. Wants it so badly he's willing to try and change the rules of his world to make it happen. He never would have imagined helping anyone with something like this, never imagine coming back from a work day to have someone waiting and wanting him to be by their side. And that is something she's gifted him, a most beautiful and precious gift.
And he wants to give it all back one hundred fold.]
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[Always.
She might have been afraid to really believe in that once. She would have hesitated, would have convinced herself that it's not something that she can promise. That believing in it fully and truly would only leave her feeling empty in the end... but...
Now, there's no voice in her head that tells her no. There hasn't been for a while, but after today... After talking so much about the finer details of their future like what kind of welcome mat or coasters to get, how to set up the garden of the business they'll be running together, Tifa's head and heart have never been clearer.
It's an overwhelmingly deep feeling that rises in her chest, but she resists the urge to let it free as a sob or a sniffle or a laugh... even more words. Instead, it comes out in her smile, the glint in her eyes, and the kiss that she presses to his lips again, soft and sweet.
But there's an excitement simmering beneath it as well—not just for their little celebration, but for everything that's to come later down the line. Even with the wedding over, there's still so, so much to look forward to.
On that note... With a smile, she murmurs into the kiss.]
Go wait for me.
[Even though it's hard for her to let him go now that she has him.]
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But he'll eventually let go, smiling softly.]
Don't take long or I'll come get you myself.
[A light smirk before he steps around to head to their room.]
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Maybe that's exactly what I want.
[But she'll wait for him to disappear into their room before she moves at all... and she won't keep him waiting for long. Maybe a touch longer than needed, because how long does it really take to grab wine and a pair of glasses, just to build up the anticipation a bit more before she appears in the doorway. She's already taken it upon herself to pop the cork off the wine, and its label bears the name of Barok and Diluc's winery on it.]
A red wine I haven't tried yet.
[As she slips into the room and nudges the door shut with her foot.]
If it's too sweet for you, I can always grab or make you something else.
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So he looks up when he hears her coming, his eyes drifting to the wine before looking back to her.]
It should be fine.
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So, it's with a fond, crooked smile that she crosses the room and slumps on the bed beside him, careful not to spill as she hands him an empty glass, and she'll fill his up first as soon as it's out of her hands.]
Already going over our notes?
[She motions to the journal with her eyes.]
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[A light smile as he sets the journal down and takes the glass, holding it for her as she fills it.]
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[She's brimming with joy and pride, her cheeks flushed with it, as she fills her glass second. Not too much for either of them for now, but enough that they can get some good tastings before diving into the bottle. They got a lot done today—much more than she imagined—and it's all a giant leap in the right direction.
So, once they both have their glasses and she's set the bottle down on the table on her side of the bed, she raises hers to him.]
Here's to... a successful first day on the job. And... [Her gaze lowers from him to her glass, her smile turning shy.] ... New dreams for us.
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To new dreams.
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Honestly, she's surprised at how much she does like it, and helps herself to a second, smaller sip, enjoying the brief, comfortable silence that's fallen between them. The sun has already begun to set, but it's still warm as it filters through their window, bathing their room in oranges and reds, and she pauses to admire the way Eustace's hair always seems to soak up the colours from behind the rim of her glass.
She catches herself staring, however, and after her third sip, she sets the glass down on her lap, and her eyes follow until they reach the ripples in the red drink. Her shoulders lift and fall in a sigh, and she suddenly feels... nervous again.]
... There was something else, too. Something I've been meaning to do.
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But he can sense there's something else. She had said as much before, but he feels her stares at her fidgeting. So whens he sets her glass down, he follows suit as he stares at her, waiting.]
What is it?
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Hm...
[It's only a hum as she sets her glass down on the table next to the bottle, and she shuffles, turning her back to him so that she can rummage through the drawer instead. It's something kept at the bottom that she has to shuffle around for, and when she finally faces him again, it's with a wrapped box in her hands, small enough that it fits easily into both her palms.
... Oddly enough, he will likely notice that it has wrinkles and stains all across the fine, beautifully decorated paper, like something had spilled over it. Coffee and orange juice, perhaps?
She doesn't hand it over to him just yet, though, and instead, holds it close to her chest.]
I meant to give this to you on your birthday, but... couldn't.
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...My birthday?
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[Why does she feel so anxious about this? She wants to reach over and give it to him, but she still holds it close, her fingers wrapping around it protectively now... and he'll soon find out why, when a bittersweet look flickers across her expression.]
This was supposed to be my gift for you for your birthday in Camelot.
[Which is why she's having a harder time handing over this one. It's one of the few things left from their lives in that world that hasn't been lost, and she feels almost scared that if she lets him unwrap it, those memories will fade to dust. And it being tied to such a strong, vivid, sad memory... Is it really okay for her to do this?]
no subject
He's a little stunned, his eyes immediately going to the present...one that was from all the way from Camelot...and on that fateful day when he first left her. It would be a lie to say he didn't feel anything from it, a slight squeezing in his chest, little pricks stabbing at him. Even if he hadn't thought about that for a long time, now it all comes rushing back.
...And how much more devastated she must have been when he didn't wake up.
...Come to think of it, didn't he disappear around her birthday, too, in this world? Primals, they've had real shit luck with birthdays.
Slowly he moves to set his glass down on the table before he raises it to first brush against her cheek, knuckles pushing back the loose strands of her bangs before his other hand reaches out rest over hers holding the box so protectively.]
It's okay, Tifa.
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[She'd been briefly lost in thought when he touches her, and it starts her back, drawing her to this place and not where she had wandered back to that morning in the room, where hope and happiness had been completely knocked out of her. She hasn't thought about it in a long time, and for a while, she tried not to think about it until it simply became that she had no reason to.
Until his birthday started drawing closer. It had been terrible timing given the wedding, but there was that small part of her that worried... and then worried more when she made the decision to take one of her baubles to the well and wish for it back. And as she held it in her hands, the box still soaked in coffee and orange juice as if it had been snatched straight out of that memory as it had been left, she wasn't sure if she would ever find the courage to give it to him.
In hindsight, it's such a silly gift now too, given that they have so many new memories together...
The warmth from Eustace's hands spreads through her like a fire on a cold day would, and she looks down to where his rests over hers wrapped around the box, and her grip tightens on it.]
... I don't want it to hurt you.
[She saw that slight flicker of pain in his eyes. She never misses it... but it had been there, and that was the exact thing that she was worried this would do. He says it's okay, but she needs to be absolutely sure that he truly is.]
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It won't.
[The hand over hers tightens a fraction.]
...I'm more worried about you.
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🎀