[Tifa's eyes slowly move around to all of the dogs surrounding them before she slowly leans in, tugs Eustace close and brings his head down so that she can whisper near his ear.]
[She knows she walked right into that one, and maybe intended to just a little bit, but she still gives him a playful shove on the arm, playing up the offense—one that's hard enough to push her back away from him, but not hard enough that either of them will go tumbling off the log.]
A dance dance!
[Except... the way her finger presses to her lip might spoil that she has other plans for later when the dogs aren't around.]
It's been a while, and we're going to need to practice for the wedding...
[He can't help but laugh quietly when she pushes back, his upper body swaying back as he does before he rights himself. He knows her—she's not as innocent as she's pretending to be. But as his brief laugh dies down, he smiles more genuinely at her words.]
Practice, huh... All right. But what kind of dance would you have in mind? Or the music?
[His smile charms her as it always does, but his question has her feeling shy all over again because as much as she has thought about their wedding and what it might be like, she hasn't truly sat down to think about the actual details like the music...]
For this dance, or for the wedding?
[Not that there's a difference, at the end of the day.]
[She tips her head back and forth as if in deep thought, her fingers waving the skewer around as she does.]
The last dance we had was a faster one at the faire, so no need for practice there. [He may notice the redness creeping up into the tips of her ears now, though.] How about... something slower tonight? Can't remember the last time we did something like that.
[Idly, Tifa twirls the half-finished skewer between her fingers as she gazes into the fire. It's nice, having things be back to the way they were. She still worries every now and then, and those fears are very, very real still whenever they part ways in the mornings that something terrible might happen, but she's been getting through.
And it makes moments like this at the end of their days that much more special.]
That's why I wanted to do this, too. You've been working so hard on the house. On everything, that I started to worry about you.
[Working on the house had been a surprisingly fun project for all the difficulties and trials that came along with it, so he never minded the extra hours and work he had put into it...]
[And that's why she chose not to say anything. She knew that, and she loved seeing the progress he was making by the end of each day, but he was moving so fast that she wondered if he was taking any time to stop and breathe once in a while. Someone has to make sure that he is!]
I just want you to make sure that you're taking it easy once in a while. Even just planning the wedding's going to be a big deal, don't want you to get burned out before then, you know?
[And now it's her turn to fix him with a look of surprise.]
Really? You've never sat around a fire with your friends?
[Or does he mean surprising him with a firepit and a meal, and perhaps something more later? If that's the case, then she'll gladly wear that crown alone, and a bit of pride flashes over her smile.]
Hm... Not like this, no. I've never been on a camping outing with others—there hadn't been much need though I suppose I could envision it now.
But I also meant I never had anyone throw me anything like this for my sake. In fairness, we were never so close until more recently and I always gave the impression I wouldn't be interested.
[There's a hopeful little gleam in her eyes, but she already knows the answer to that. He was, after all, the one who had organized the last camping trip. Scouted for and picked out the spot and everything. And while this isn't camping, it's about as close as it'll get for what they can manage here.
It's why she doesn't wait for him to answer the question, and instead she bumps her shoulder against his before she's reaching down to grab another plate wrapped in tin foil, this time... for the dogs, and any who are close enough to smell the bacon lift their heads as she lays them out one by one over the fire. A couple do come running over to sit and watch it cook and await their food eagerly.]
I guess that just makes this special, then. And I don't just mean because of me.
[He just smiles wryly at her and her little nudge, knowing what she's implying.]
I've come to make exceptions... With you as a special favorite.
[It's made special because of her regardless and he nudges her a little right back. And as he feels Briallen shyly nudging up against his leg, he smiles warmly, glad to be able to have her by his side again as he gently pets her head.]
But... It does feel a little strange as I never could have imagined something like this not that long ago.
[To have someone he's pledged his life to and be surrounded by those he loves. And he doesn't mean just this moment, but.... Everything. Perhaps he should be used to it by now but every now and then he's reminded how it really wasn't that long ago that things started changing for him.]
[The bacon sizzles loudly, and she pauses to look at the dogs, a few of which have started drooling over the fire, and she gently shoos them back.
Then again, Tifa does feel the same way too sometimes. Maybe not quite to the extent that he does given that she spent a few years constantly surrounded by people she cares about, but something like this? She never could have imagined it that catching the way his expression softens in the firelight feels more surreal. It softens her own, and she gazes at him fondly for a few beats before her attention is drawn back to the bacon.]
Just wait until the wedding...! Everyone's all going to be in one place, and they'll all be there because of you.
[She pokes at the food with a bashful smile before plucking it off the grates and back onto the plate on her lap, and all of the dogs come trotting over in a messy line, stumbling over each other to be the first to get their food.]
[Even Briallen is tapping her paws in impatience, and now he has Cadoc and Eria near him who are also staaaaaring at the bacon even if they're a little more well behaved. Eria being very little more. She's starting to grump...until at least the bacon is within reach!!! Or soon will be. They'll be quickly moving to join the group as Eustace watches amused.]
[She shakes her head. Sure, many of their friends will be there for Tifa too, but... it's nice to hear Eustace's thoughts on these sorts of things. Knowing that he's feeling this way...? It's refreshing.]
We were talking about you, not me.
[But before he can say anything to counter that, Tifa motions to the bacon and hands him the plate with a knowing grin.]
Bri gets hers first. She was extra eager to help me with the firewood today and collected the most.
[But it's the bride's day??? He's like an afterthought when it comes to a wedding. But he can't say anything once he has the plate, and he can't help but arch a brow and look down at the younger corgi who sits up straighter and puffs out her chest. Yeah that's right she worked hard! And the flowers, she helped with that!! (she barks).]
Is that so... Then you really do deserve a reward. Well done, Bri.
[An affectionate smile and pat on the head before he gives her a piece that she knows she'll love the most.]
[Tifa watches him with affection, him with the dogs having always been her weakness, but more so now than ever. Knowing that they all worked hard for his approval...
Once Bri gets her piece, Tifa moves onto the next and searches around for the younger ones in a field of corgis, as they had all been very eager to help!!! The older ones had, but they wait patiently in the back for their share, tails still flapping happily about.]
Aerona helped dig up some pieces that we thought looked good for the fire so that we could carry them back. [Tifa giggles when she barks up and shoves her way to the front where she rests her chin on Eustace's leg.] So, I think she deserves the next piece.
[Idris is barking now too, reminding mom that he was a huge help.]
Oh! Right, how could I forget. He was a strong boy and carried back a whole stick of firewood. That one right in the center.
[Tifa points to the... somewhat impressive stick (really, it's just a stick) in the fire, but Idris was very proud of his find.
And all of this—spending time together like this and watching as the dogs wander up to Eustace waiting for their food reminds her just how lucky she is. Even after everything they have all been through, they can still all come together like this like a family... loving one another unconditionally. There's a loud crackle as the fire rises, reacting to Tifa, and if Eustace glances over to her, he'll see that her eyes have started to mist over.]
[He chuckles at both her explanation and their eagerness to be rewarded for their hard work.]
Now if only they could be this helpful all the time.
[A light teasing as Idris barks. He helps!!! Sometimes.... But as he feeds them, he watches them for a moment before turning to Tifa, a light smile never leaving him...until he notices her expression. Is...she...?]
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flamekthunder) wrote2025-04-07 09:12 pm
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And what would that be?
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[Tifa's eyes slowly move around to all of the dogs surrounding them before she slowly leans in, tugs Eustace close and brings his head down so that she can whisper near his ear.]
I'd like a dance with the prince.
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Dance or...dance?
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[She knows she walked right into that one, and maybe intended to just a little bit, but she still gives him a playful shove on the arm, playing up the offense—one that's hard enough to push her back away from him, but not hard enough that either of them will go tumbling off the log.]
A dance dance!
[Except... the way her finger presses to her lip might spoil that she has other plans for later when the dogs aren't around.]
It's been a while, and we're going to need to practice for the wedding...
[That's just an excuse and they both know it.]
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Practice, huh... All right. But what kind of dance would you have in mind? Or the music?
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For this dance, or for the wedding?
[Not that there's a difference, at the end of the day.]
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Eventually both, but... In this case, the dance.
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[She tips her head back and forth as if in deep thought, her fingers waving the skewer around as she does.]
The last dance we had was a faster one at the faire, so no need for practice there. [He may notice the redness creeping up into the tips of her ears now, though.] How about... something slower tonight? Can't remember the last time we did something like that.
[If ever.]
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[She boops him on the nose.]
For now, just sit back and relax, okay? ... You've been working too hard lately.
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You've also been working hard.
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[Idly, Tifa twirls the half-finished skewer between her fingers as she gazes into the fire. It's nice, having things be back to the way they were. She still worries every now and then, and those fears are very, very real still whenever they part ways in the mornings that something terrible might happen, but she's been getting through.
And it makes moments like this at the end of their days that much more special.]
That's why I wanted to do this, too. You've been working so hard on the house. On everything, that I started to worry about you.
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Really? I didn't realize...
[Working on the house had been a surprisingly fun project for all the difficulties and trials that came along with it, so he never minded the extra hours and work he had put into it...]
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[And that's why she chose not to say anything. She knew that, and she loved seeing the progress he was making by the end of each day, but he was moving so fast that she wondered if he was taking any time to stop and breathe once in a while. Someone has to make sure that he is!]
I just want you to make sure that you're taking it easy once in a while. Even just planning the wedding's going to be a big deal, don't want you to get burned out before then, you know?
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[A light smile as he sets down the finished skewer and gets another.]
Though... This is the first time anyone has ever done something like this for me.
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Really? You've never sat around a fire with your friends?
[Or does he mean surprising him with a firepit and a meal, and perhaps something more later? If that's the case, then she'll gladly wear that crown alone, and a bit of pride flashes over her smile.]
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But I also meant I never had anyone throw me anything like this for my sake. In fairness, we were never so close until more recently and I always gave the impression I wouldn't be interested.
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[There's a hopeful little gleam in her eyes, but she already knows the answer to that. He was, after all, the one who had organized the last camping trip. Scouted for and picked out the spot and everything. And while this isn't camping, it's about as close as it'll get for what they can manage here.
It's why she doesn't wait for him to answer the question, and instead she bumps her shoulder against his before she's reaching down to grab another plate wrapped in tin foil, this time... for the dogs, and any who are close enough to smell the bacon lift their heads as she lays them out one by one over the fire. A couple do come running over to sit and watch it cook and await their food eagerly.]
I guess that just makes this special, then. And I don't just mean because of me.
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I've come to make exceptions... With you as a special favorite.
[It's made special because of her regardless and he nudges her a little right back. And as he feels Briallen shyly nudging up against his leg, he smiles warmly, glad to be able to have her by his side again as he gently pets her head.]
But... It does feel a little strange as I never could have imagined something like this not that long ago.
[To have someone he's pledged his life to and be surrounded by those he loves. And he doesn't mean just this moment, but.... Everything. Perhaps he should be used to it by now but every now and then he's reminded how it really wasn't that long ago that things started changing for him.]
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[The bacon sizzles loudly, and she pauses to look at the dogs, a few of which have started drooling over the fire, and she gently shoos them back.
Then again, Tifa does feel the same way too sometimes. Maybe not quite to the extent that he does given that she spent a few years constantly surrounded by people she cares about, but something like this? She never could have imagined it that catching the way his expression softens in the firelight feels more surreal. It softens her own, and she gazes at him fondly for a few beats before her attention is drawn back to the bacon.]
Just wait until the wedding...! Everyone's all going to be in one place, and they'll all be there because of you.
[She pokes at the food with a bashful smile before plucking it off the grates and back onto the plate on her lap, and all of the dogs come trotting over in a messy line, stumbling over each other to be the first to get their food.]
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You sure it's not because of you?
[A wry grin.]
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We were talking about you, not me.
[But before he can say anything to counter that, Tifa motions to the bacon and hands him the plate with a knowing grin.]
Bri gets hers first. She was extra eager to help me with the firewood today and collected the most.
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Is that so... Then you really do deserve a reward. Well done, Bri.
[An affectionate smile and pat on the head before he gives her a piece that she knows she'll love the most.]
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Once Bri gets her piece, Tifa moves onto the next and searches around for the younger ones in a field of corgis, as they had all been very eager to help!!! The older ones had, but they wait patiently in the back for their share, tails still flapping happily about.]
Aerona helped dig up some pieces that we thought looked good for the fire so that we could carry them back. [Tifa giggles when she barks up and shoves her way to the front where she rests her chin on Eustace's leg.] So, I think she deserves the next piece.
[Idris is barking now too, reminding mom that he was a huge help.]
Oh! Right, how could I forget. He was a strong boy and carried back a whole stick of firewood. That one right in the center.
[Tifa points to the... somewhat impressive stick (really, it's just a stick) in the fire, but Idris was very proud of his find.
And all of this—spending time together like this and watching as the dogs wander up to Eustace waiting for their food reminds her just how lucky she is. Even after everything they have all been through, they can still all come together like this like a family... loving one another unconditionally. There's a loud crackle as the fire rises, reacting to Tifa, and if Eustace glances over to her, he'll see that her eyes have started to mist over.]
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Now if only they could be this helpful all the time.
[A light teasing as Idris barks. He helps!!! Sometimes.... But as he feeds them, he watches them for a moment before turning to Tifa, a light smile never leaving him...until he notices her expression. Is...she...?]
...Is something wrong?
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FIN