[The fact that he thinks that she can do this at all, when she initially doubted herself, warms her heart as much as seeing the way his thumb brushes over her rings. It's such a small, simple gesture, but no matter how many times he does it, no matter how many times she sees how easily her hand fits into his or how their rings catch the light together, it's a sight she'll never grow tired of.
It makes her heart flutter, and her other hand reaches up to brush through his hair.]
It's a good idea. ... I can give it a try sometime. Think you can help me out a bit?
[Mostly because her dreamotion is always steadier and stronger in his presence than when she's alone.]
[She returns the gesture, nails digging gently into his palm as she playfully bats her lashes at him, and he'll feel her hands growing warmer. Not too hot, but enough that he can feel the difference already.]
[That's really not much of a surprise at all as he gently pulls her to him so that his other arm can go around her to the back of her neck, fingers threading through her hair as he cradles her as his lips press against hers for a gentle, loving kiss.
But before anything, he breaks the kiss to whisper softly—]
...I love you, Tifa. And I'm truly happy to have found you.
[His declaration surprises her, but it's just another thing that she could hear a million times and she would never grow tired of it as she falls into the kiss. Every time, it feels like the very first she's ever heard those words from him, and every time, it makes her love him so much more...
When he breaks, he'll see her smile and his eyes reflected in the brightness of hers, and she feels the air catch in her lungs, her heart already beating so fast that she fears she can barely contain it.]
... I love you.
[Her voice is so soft, so quiet that she's not sure she's even said it at all before it's her turn to kiss him again, her whole body relaxing and molding itself to him, and she doesn't seem keen on letting him go... not even for a breath as her arms find their way around his neck. She pulls on him, urging him to lie back with her before she finally does free him so that she can nip at his lower lip.]
So, where'd we leave off earlier before we were interrupted?
[He willingly obliges, gently falling onto the bed with her, his arm protecting her as they descend. And once down, he smirks a little as he meets her gaze, eyes gleaming and simmering with that dark, familiar heat, subdued only by the more fluffy, lighthearted air that still surrounds them.]
[Tifa's arms tighten around him to hold him close, to press him further against her until there's no space and no air left between their bodies. Legs hook around his, locking him in, and she brushes her nose with his, her grin pulling wider.]
I guess we'll just have to make do... Or use your imagination.
[And that's all she'll say before she's kissing him again and this time, she truly doesn't let him go. She intends to make him fulfill the promise that he made behind the bar counter, but she won't be satisfied with just one. No, it will be double to make up for the trouble she had to go through waiting to get here. And of course, without question or doubt, he makes good on it, always so much more than she expects.
The afternoon flies by, and by the time they're finished and have rested together for a while, curled up in each other's arms, the sun has almost fully set. The room is no longer filled with oranges and reds but violets, and the cool light of the moon that filters in through the small crevices in the vines that have now crept up around them. As always, the room carries the same sweet scent of the flowers that always bloom around them, and their glow helps to illuminate the sharp features of Eustace's face when Tifa looks up at him and presses a tender, featherlight kiss to his lips in thanks.
It won't be long after that when they hear the sound of the dogs barking as they approach the house, almost like they're warning of Lyria's return with them. It's probably time that Tifa starts to prepare dinner anyway, so after a little bit of extra cuddling and getting cleaned up and dressed, she heads to the kitchen. The three of them eat at the table together with the dogs around them as they have been doing every night since the girl's arrival—it's something new that Tifa is getting used to, but it's lively having Lyria around.
The rest of the evening flies by as well, and once they have all said goodnight and the dogs return to the ground floor, all seven of them trotting sleepily behind Lyria, Tifa and Eustace continue with their usual nighttime routine to get ready for bed.
After a shower, they lay together with Tifa curled up against him, her head resting on his chest and her fingers drawing light lines over his abdomen as she idly muses to herself, mulling over her thoughts for the day, until a huff of a fond laugh finds its way out of her.]
... Still not used to having someone else around yet. It was just the two of us for a long time... and the dogs.
[Double, triple, however many times she needs. They are starting to live a different life where it's not just the two of them (and dogs) and so whatever chance they have, he's taking full advantage of whatever opportunity they have. But it's not just to pick up where they left off. Her present rekindled that love he holds for her and while it really doesn't take much, knowing she remembered and held onto these charms, had still wanted to have them, those memories... It's a heavy but grateful feeling that he wishes to fully express to her.
And now, after a lighthearted meal with Lyria, he notices something else. He had grown used to just the two of them, but a few days have now passed since Lyria joined them. He didn't think it would feel any different, but... Maybe because it's Lyria, someone he's already fond of, that it does feel different.
So when Tifa brings up the same thoughts he's been having, he hums a little.]
I was thinking similarly, how different it is. Think this is what it's like having a kid around?
[A light, wry smile, especially given how it wasn't that long ago they had that vision... But really, it does feel like that sometimes. Especially with them needing to be more conscious about their, ah, intimate activities.]
[There's a bit of playful, fond chiding in Tifa's voice as she lifts her chin to look up at him, and although the room is dimmer, the only light the starflowers that sprawl through their room, he'll see so, so many thoughts swimming behind her eyes as her voice grows quiet, and part of her smile fades.]
But maybe... Though, I don't know if I see it that way.
[Definitely much of it having to do with them needing to be more conscious about when and where they are more intimate... It's an adjustment for sure, but one that she's willing to make for him. More than that though, it's an adjustment simply getting used to having a third head around altogether, intimate activities or not. While their lives remain peaceful, it's a much more energetic and livelier sort that the girl brings along with her.
Tifa falls quiet again for a moment.]
She reminds me a lot of... me... when I was younger.
[Perhaps that's why she tries to correct Eustace when he treats her more like a kid...]
[It's harder for him, knowing how Lyria is. She's actually quite powerful and has her own strengths, but she's also very weak. And they already reminded him a fair bit of his past siblings...]
[The older parts of her that Eustace hasn't seen yet... the ones that she's still so afraid to show him, when Tifa had been at her weakest while at the same time, forced to be her strongest. But that isn't what it is that reminds Tifa so much of herself.
Then again, she could be wrong, and could simply be working on assumptions and first impressions, but Tifa remembers what it was like to have to learn how to be independent in some ways, but also... how lonely and quiet that felt.]
She knows a lot for her age... [There's a pause, and Tifa's arm slides around his waist so that she can pull herself closer.] Was she alone or something for a while?
[Eustace is quiet for a moment before he closes his eyes briefly, the information of what had been gathered immediately coming to mind.]
...I don't know all the details, but for the most part, yes. While she had someone looking after her, she was more of an escort. It was only after finding and meeting Gran was she able to really experience life and meet other people.
It's just like how it had been when Tifa met Avalanche. Jessie, Biggs, Wedge, Barret, and the others... Before that, she spent a long time alone, not knowing what to do or where to go, and meeting other people became difficult for her. Until they came along.
But Tifa realizes that there's still so much that she doesn't know about Eustace's past, or his world... Or his friends. She's seen them once in the dreamscape, but beyond watching them all laugh together, that was it. The rest is all things that she can only peace together from what he tells her.]
[Again he remains quiet, pondering over how to answer.]
...Yes.
[He looks at her.]
However, it's better if you ask her about it. The information I have is what has been gathered by Society intel—I'm not sure if Lyria realizes how much I know.
[Though the fact that intel was gathered...it's a deliberate hint to Tifa.]
[She's not sure she knows Lyria well enough that she could outright ask... Maybe someday, but for now, Tifa's head tips with her chin resting on his chest.
She does catch onto his choice of wording. Intel... Considering what he did for a living... She'll piece it all together in a moment.]
[Again he hesitates before he pulls out a line he hasn't used in a long...long time.]
It's classified.
[Very quiet. Muted. And then he goes on further.]
...However I mean that in that this is something that I can't just share without asking Lyria first. It's sensitive information...enough that I was originally assigned to monitor and then later ordered to eliminate her, Gran, and Vyrn.
[It's not easy to mask her disappointment, nor is it difficult to see or hear it in how she shifts away from him a bit, but she gets it... Mostly. She doesn't seem dangerous—completely harmless, in fact—but it's something she at least does feel she should know if she's going to be living under their roof...
[He knows she's disappointed, but he really, truly believes this isn't something he can just share about another person given...the nature of it. It would be like spilling someone's secret, and he can't say it in good conscience. But he can at least say a little more.]
Gran, Lyria, and Vyrn are unique individuals in my world, and hold a great amount of power that HQ started to think of them as a threat to the safety of the world. That was why I was assigned that mission.
[Can he at least her that Gran is known as the Singularity in his world? It's become more open knowledge than not, but it's not something the young captain goes around proclaiming, either. He's also not here...would it matter? Again he chews on his thoughts, wondering what would be right and fair before he continues.]
However, since I had already been around them, I could see their true behaviors and personalities and immediately rejected it. It was the first time I had refused an order and went against the organization. Given how things had fallen out, I also suspect the origin of that order...
[His expression hardens briefly before he shakes his head.]
But things like that—people and beings going after their lives, is more common than not. Lyria, especially, is vulnerable due to her position.
[She keeps her gaze pinned to her hands as they clutch gently at the sheets, and her lips press together as she listens and mulls it all over, the crinkle in her brow conveniently hidden behind the hair that tumbles onto her face when her head finds her pillow instead.]
... You didn't get in trouble for refusing, did you?
They were angry. However, I had Flamek and was considered one of their strongest agents. Without me they would be at more of a loss. So there wasn't much they could do and I managed to convince them to give up and rescind the other orders targeting them.
Mm... Both. I also stayed with Society on the condition the organization backed off. I continued to assist and travel with Gran when I didn't have any missions.
[He leans back a little against his pillow as he considers how his life has changed like that.]
They are no longer in danger from them, outside of any rogue factions that may have other ideas. But that is another reason why I stay with the organization—to keep tabs on what's going on and intervene if necessary.
I had considered, but they didn't need to know. They already have enough to worry about, so I just took it on myself to take care of things. But if they ever asked, I would tell them.
She's quickly realizing how little she does know about him even now, but she tries not to think or focus too much on it, but her words do come a little slower, more thoughtful now... like she isn't sure what to say anymore, but Tifa does offer him a lopsided smile.]
... You made the choice not to, and that's what matters, right?
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flamekthunder) wrote2025-04-07 09:12 pm
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It makes her heart flutter, and her other hand reaches up to brush through his hair.]
It's a good idea. ... I can give it a try sometime. Think you can help me out a bit?
[Mostly because her dreamotion is always steadier and stronger in his presence than when she's alone.]
We can give it a go outside. Safer that way.
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[He smiles as his fingers tighten around hers.]
But first... I should properly thank you and give you a little "boost."
[She should have seen this coming, really.]
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How are you gonna do that?
[He does still owe for her earlier, too...]
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[That's really not much of a surprise at all as he gently pulls her to him so that his other arm can go around her to the back of her neck, fingers threading through her hair as he cradles her as his lips press against hers for a gentle, loving kiss.
But before anything, he breaks the kiss to whisper softly—]
...I love you, Tifa. And I'm truly happy to have found you.
[Twice.]
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When he breaks, he'll see her smile and his eyes reflected in the brightness of hers, and she feels the air catch in her lungs, her heart already beating so fast that she fears she can barely contain it.]
... I love you.
[Her voice is so soft, so quiet that she's not sure she's even said it at all before it's her turn to kiss him again, her whole body relaxing and molding itself to him, and she doesn't seem keen on letting him go... not even for a breath as her arms find their way around his neck. She pulls on him, urging him to lie back with her before she finally does free him so that she can nip at his lower lip.]
So, where'd we leave off earlier before we were interrupted?
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Well before you were on a counter...
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[Tifa's arms tighten around him to hold him close, to press him further against her until there's no space and no air left between their bodies. Legs hook around his, locking him in, and she brushes her nose with his, her grin pulling wider.]
I guess we'll just have to make do... Or use your imagination.
[And that's all she'll say before she's kissing him again and this time, she truly doesn't let him go. She intends to make him fulfill the promise that he made behind the bar counter, but she won't be satisfied with just one. No, it will be double to make up for the trouble she had to go through waiting to get here. And of course, without question or doubt, he makes good on it, always so much more than she expects.
The afternoon flies by, and by the time they're finished and have rested together for a while, curled up in each other's arms, the sun has almost fully set. The room is no longer filled with oranges and reds but violets, and the cool light of the moon that filters in through the small crevices in the vines that have now crept up around them. As always, the room carries the same sweet scent of the flowers that always bloom around them, and their glow helps to illuminate the sharp features of Eustace's face when Tifa looks up at him and presses a tender, featherlight kiss to his lips in thanks.
It won't be long after that when they hear the sound of the dogs barking as they approach the house, almost like they're warning of Lyria's return with them. It's probably time that Tifa starts to prepare dinner anyway, so after a little bit of extra cuddling and getting cleaned up and dressed, she heads to the kitchen. The three of them eat at the table together with the dogs around them as they have been doing every night since the girl's arrival—it's something new that Tifa is getting used to, but it's lively having Lyria around.
The rest of the evening flies by as well, and once they have all said goodnight and the dogs return to the ground floor, all seven of them trotting sleepily behind Lyria, Tifa and Eustace continue with their usual nighttime routine to get ready for bed.
After a shower, they lay together with Tifa curled up against him, her head resting on his chest and her fingers drawing light lines over his abdomen as she idly muses to herself, mulling over her thoughts for the day, until a huff of a fond laugh finds its way out of her.]
... Still not used to having someone else around yet. It was just the two of us for a long time... and the dogs.
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And now, after a lighthearted meal with Lyria, he notices something else. He had grown used to just the two of them, but a few days have now passed since Lyria joined them. He didn't think it would feel any different, but... Maybe because it's Lyria, someone he's already fond of, that it does feel different.
So when Tifa brings up the same thoughts he's been having, he hums a little.]
I was thinking similarly, how different it is. Think this is what it's like having a kid around?
[A light, wry smile, especially given how it wasn't that long ago they had that vision... But really, it does feel like that sometimes. Especially with them needing to be more conscious about their, ah, intimate activities.]
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She's hardly a kid, you know.
[There's a bit of playful, fond chiding in Tifa's voice as she lifts her chin to look up at him, and although the room is dimmer, the only light the starflowers that sprawl through their room, he'll see so, so many thoughts swimming behind her eyes as her voice grows quiet, and part of her smile fades.]
But maybe... Though, I don't know if I see it that way.
[Definitely much of it having to do with them needing to be more conscious about when and where they are more intimate... It's an adjustment for sure, but one that she's willing to make for him. More than that though, it's an adjustment simply getting used to having a third head around altogether, intimate activities or not. While their lives remain peaceful, it's a much more energetic and livelier sort that the girl brings along with her.
Tifa falls quiet again for a moment.]
She reminds me a lot of... me... when I was younger.
[Perhaps that's why she tries to correct Eustace when he treats her more like a kid...]
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Yeah?
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[The older parts of her that Eustace hasn't seen yet... the ones that she's still so afraid to show him, when Tifa had been at her weakest while at the same time, forced to be her strongest. But that isn't what it is that reminds Tifa so much of herself.
Then again, she could be wrong, and could simply be working on assumptions and first impressions, but Tifa remembers what it was like to have to learn how to be independent in some ways, but also... how lonely and quiet that felt.]
She knows a lot for her age... [There's a pause, and Tifa's arm slides around his waist so that she can pull herself closer.] Was she alone or something for a while?
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...I don't know all the details, but for the most part, yes. While she had someone looking after her, she was more of an escort. It was only after finding and meeting Gran was she able to really experience life and meet other people.
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It's just like how it had been when Tifa met Avalanche. Jessie, Biggs, Wedge, Barret, and the others... Before that, she spent a long time alone, not knowing what to do or where to go, and meeting other people became difficult for her. Until they came along.
But Tifa realizes that there's still so much that she doesn't know about Eustace's past, or his world... Or his friends. She's seen them once in the dreamscape, but beyond watching them all laugh together, that was it. The rest is all things that she can only peace together from what he tells her.]
Do you know why?
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...Yes.
[He looks at her.]
However, it's better if you ask her about it. The information I have is what has been gathered by Society intel—I'm not sure if Lyria realizes how much I know.
[Though the fact that intel was gathered...it's a deliberate hint to Tifa.]
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She does catch onto his choice of wording. Intel... Considering what he did for a living... She'll piece it all together in a moment.]
What do you mean? What do you know?
[And why wouldn't she know that he does?]
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It's classified.
[Very quiet. Muted. And then he goes on further.]
...However I mean that in that this is something that I can't just share without asking Lyria first. It's sensitive information...enough that I was originally assigned to monitor and then later ordered to eliminate her, Gran, and Vyrn.
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[It's not easy to mask her disappointment, nor is it difficult to see or hear it in how she shifts away from him a bit, but she gets it... Mostly. She doesn't seem dangerous—completely harmless, in fact—but it's something she at least does feel she should know if she's going to be living under their roof...
But Tifa shakes her head, her heart dropping.]
Wait... Eliminate? All three of them?
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[He knows she's disappointed, but he really, truly believes this isn't something he can just share about another person given...the nature of it. It would be like spilling someone's secret, and he can't say it in good conscience. But he can at least say a little more.]
Gran, Lyria, and Vyrn are unique individuals in my world, and hold a great amount of power that HQ started to think of them as a threat to the safety of the world. That was why I was assigned that mission.
[Can he at least her that Gran is known as the Singularity in his world? It's become more open knowledge than not, but it's not something the young captain goes around proclaiming, either. He's also not here...would it matter? Again he chews on his thoughts, wondering what would be right and fair before he continues.]
However, since I had already been around them, I could see their true behaviors and personalities and immediately rejected it. It was the first time I had refused an order and went against the organization. Given how things had fallen out, I also suspect the origin of that order...
[His expression hardens briefly before he shakes his head.]
But things like that—people and beings going after their lives, is more common than not. Lyria, especially, is vulnerable due to her position.
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... You didn't get in trouble for refusing, did you?
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[From the dreamscape that he showed her... There was never any doubt that Eustace was powerful or influential enough...
She is curious, however.]
So, did you end up going with her instead? You two seem... close.
[For someone who was once ordered to kill her, she wonders if Lyria even knows about that part.]
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[He leans back a little against his pillow as he considers how his life has changed like that.]
They are no longer in danger from them, outside of any rogue factions that may have other ideas. But that is another reason why I stay with the organization—to keep tabs on what's going on and intervene if necessary.
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... Does she know? About what you were ordered to do? And that you refused?
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[His eyes close briefly before he continues.]
I had considered, but they didn't need to know. They already have enough to worry about, so I just took it on myself to take care of things. But if they ever asked, I would tell them.
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[But what does she know...
She's quickly realizing how little she does know about him even now, but she tries not to think or focus too much on it, but her words do come a little slower, more thoughtful now... like she isn't sure what to say anymore, but Tifa does offer him a lopsided smile.]
... You made the choice not to, and that's what matters, right?
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🎀