flamekthunder | { songerein: inbox }

[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...?]

...Is something wrong?

[She's not crying, just a little teary-eyed, and she doesn't notice until he turns to look and questions her.]

Huh? N-no!

[Quickly, Tifa stretches and turns away with a diffident breath of laughter, smiling down at Rhonwen who's come to her side to nudge her nose on her knee as if to ask if everything is okay.]

Nothing's wrong. Actually, the opposite. Telling you about our day, all the dogs here... I feel... light right now. Lighter than I can remember feeling in a while.

[Especially after that dream, she woke up feeling like a weight had finally been lifted from her shoulders and it's only as she's watching Eustace that she remembered that.]

Lucky, too.

[His brows rise for a moment before he looks out over at everyone and everything. Glances back at the tree standing proudly behind them, supporting their growing home. Looks at Tifa next to him and reminded of everything she did to prepare this all for him. Perhaps he had started getting used to their "mundane, domestic" life, but he is now starkly reminded that they have that life...and each day they're closer to officially making it so.

So he can only smile and reach out to place his hand over hers, giving it an affectionate squeeze.]

I feel the same. Everyday.

[Lucky to have found someone like her...to be able to have moved forward in his life in such a huge way. He really never could have imagined it. And, true, perhaps things were rushed or went in the wrong order, but... Circumstances or not, he wouldn't change anything. Be it today, tomorrow, next month, next year... This is what he wants. This is where he wants to be.

And she's the one he wants to share it all with.]

It's just not something I get the chance to think about much is all.

[Tifa had gotten used to it. Even after the nightmares, she was quick to fall back into the motions and eager to go back to the way things were. It was never a bad thing—that was just how she worked and how she preferred things to be, but maybe that's why looking at all of this and seeing it all as one bigger picture has made her realize just how much she truly has, all because of the one man sitting next to her.

And the longer she gazes at him, the more antsy the dogs get, and she hears one of them bark up for their bacon and it snaps her straight out of that dreamy stare. Ivor would like his piece, please! And he goes on to tell Eustace about how he and Caerwyn stood guard over Tifa while she worked!]

Ah, right. [She peeks at Eustace from under her lashes with something of a knowing glint, hinting at what she would like when they're finished here.] Can't forget about my loyal guards. The prince's knight also needs her trusted men.

[He had to somehow restrain himself from leaning in closer... Seeing Eria on the other side of Tifa and glaring at him with her disgusted judgmental face helped to some degree. Briallen and Aerona still at his legs and nudging him a little help as well. So he just manages to hold it in and smile ruefully as the other dogs join in.]

A little too good at their jobs.

[But they'll get their fair share.]

And Cadoc and Rhonwhen?

[Cadoc, who has been waiting ever-so-silently in the back, lifts his head and his ears turn in Eustace's direction at the mention of his name, and Rhonwen does the same, a small little whine sounding from her from where her head had found a place resting on Tifa's knee, and the two of them look at her hopefully.]

Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about either of you.

[She gives the latter a scratch behind the ear and nudges her towards Eustace with a little "go on" in encouragement.]

They kept the younger ones in line.

[As the younger ones all boof in protest! Wow, mom! They were totally well-behaved today!!! But Tifa gives Idris, especially, a playfully dry look—one that Eustace will probably be able to easily read, because as they both know, they like to run off on their own when excited.]

I guess you could say that, like I am your stalwart knight, they are theirs.

[And the pair of them puff out their chests proudly.

Really though, if it weren't for them, Tifa doesn't think she could have managed to keep everyone in line and not running off into the trees to find bigger, better sticks. But there's a small noise from Cadoc because she is forgetting something—!]

Oh! He also helped me with the fire pit. Helped carry it home from the market.

[Eustace laughs as he gives Rhonwhen her share before he arches a brow.]

He helped carry it? With the sled?

[Or... Something? He'll start giving Cadoc his piece of bacon as he looks over at both Tifa and him with a curious eye.]

No.

[She flashes Cadoc a look through the corner of her eye, and it's clear she's trying very, very hard to not giggle and wound his pride.]

He just helped me carry it. It wasn't heavy, but—

[He barks. Excuse you? Tifa huffs out with a weary, defeated sigh.]

Okay, it was a little bit, but he insisted. He held one end of it in his mouth. Thankfully, it wasn't too bad to haul it all the way back together.

[Pft.]

I see... As long as you managed.

[Cadoc continues to huff and grumble as he chews on his bacon. It was hard work! And he's a strong corg!

But Eustace just watches him before he looks back up at Tifa, the fondness clear in his eyes.]

You really did have the whole family helping, huh?

Mm-hm.

[With all of the bacon pieces out of the way, Tifa slides the empty plate from Eustace's lap to clear it, and lingers a few extra seconds so that she can brush the tip of her nose against his cheek.]

You've been working so hard for us, so we all wanted to do something nice for you. Isn't that right?

[And everyone—every single one of the corgis—speaks up, all of them barking their loud choir for Eustace that echoes through the trees, chanting things like "we love you, dad!" and "thank you for making us a new house!" with the older ones reminding him to remember to rest, too!

Tifa hops to her feet then, and skips over the dogs that have curled up near their feet so that she can search for the canteen she brought and bring it back, along with a fancy, unopened bottle of rum. She doesn't sit, however, but when she twists open the container, the scent of apples billows into the air.]

[Again he can't help but laugh a little at the ruckus...but it's a kind that he can actually enjoy and smile about. One that makes him feel warm and...really feel like this is home. A noisy one, but he can sacrifice a little bit of his treasured peace and quiet for it.

Rather, it's a sacrifice worth making for.

So he'll ruffle the ears of those closest to him and smile at Tifa before she's up to get the drinks. But he is a little puzzled when she remains standing and so he only stares at her for a moment with an arched brow.]

Is there something else you have planned?

Hm?

[She eyes him playfully from where she stands, with the bottle of rum in one hand and the container in the other...]

Well. All this thinking about the future and all that and I realized something... [A beat, and she's skillfully twirling the rum bottle between her fingers and letting the glass catch the firelight, her eyes never leaving his, and making sure that his never leave her.] I've never made you a proper drink.

[Sure, she's brought home some of the good stuff once in a while, but she's never bartended for him before. Or whatever this is. ~~Shameless flirting with drinks. That's what it is.~~]

If we're gonna run a bar together, you at least have to know what you're in for.

[His brows rise for a moment before a small laugh escapes him.]

I suppose that's true...

[He sits back then, one leg crossed over his knee and arms over his chest. And just as she desires, his eyes never leave hers as he smirks a little.]

Very well. Impress me, Miss Bartender.

[She'll do much more than impress him—

She does a complete flip of the bottle between her fingers before she sets it down for a moment on the edge of the firepit, which frees up her hands to toss the metal bottle between them without spilling a drop and it allows the scent to waft into the air.]

Would the gentleman like his cider hot or cold tonight?

Hmm....

[An amused smile.]

Hot.

[Though with the way his gaze is on her, he may be referring to something else.]

[Uh-huh. She knows that look, and she acknowledges it with a quick bite of her lip and a shy little laugh before she's skirting her gaze away.]

Hot it is.

[Which is good and what she figured, but she came prepared anyway. It just means she doesn't have to go grab the ice. She does, however, motion to Aerona nearby who dutifully hops to her feet—]

Just like we practiced earlier!

[—and fetches a little bag from behind the log that she brings over and sets down next to Tifa, and she'll get a coo and a scratch behind her ears.

With a spin of her hands, she picks up the rum and uncaps it with two fingers and pours it over the cider, making sure to give him a bit of a show with it—not the kind that she would anyone else who walked into her bar but only for him, turning so that she's facing away from him and wiggling her hips as she shakes the cider and the rum together. A toss, a twirl, a toss and a twirl together, and then a few more before she's fetching a pair of new mugs from the bag.

And as she pours it in that way that bartenders do, the cider foams and froths at the top and she garnishes them with sticks of cinnamon. The few dogs that have paused their eating to watch bark, and Tifa saunters over and leans over him so that her hair drapes over their faces, her lips coming dangerously close to his ear...]

One extra steamy... [She hands him the cup.] ... apple cider for the handsome gentleman.

[Despite the teasing, he fully planned to watch her properly, actually curious about her technique. He's seen his fair share of bartenders making drinks, including the crew on the Grandcypher. Of course there wasn't too much theatrics, but each one had their own skill or flair to things.

...But then she has to go and do that, shaking her hips and moving her body with each toss and twirl. The lighting from the fire doesn't help, the shadows further accentuating those body lines and curves that managed to attract him in ways no other woman had. More than once his gaze strays despite his best efforts to remain at her hands...but then again, that's her intent, isn't it? In any case, it's certainly made him start to thirst for something.

So when she finally approaches him, his eyes look at her sharply, hands twitching to grab her wrist and pull her down to him instead, drinks be damned. Even the dogs have started to move away from them, as if sensing the mood...and inwardly groaning. But although his fingers at first start on her forearm and slide down to her wrist, they eventually slip further to take the mug.]

Hm.... Not bad.

[And then he leans back just enough so that she can watch him take a sip from the mug, his eyes never leaving hers.]

Drink's pretty good, too.

[The dogs needn't worry for now. Tifa has every intention of finishing the drinks first—she spent a long time preparing them after all, in the Harvest's kitchen so that every part of this would be a surprise. But she does grin at him, her fingers wrapping around his arm and thumb stroking light lines along the sensitive skin of his wrist, and she watches him and waits eagerly for his verdict as he takes his first sip.]

Only pretty good?

[She teases and takes a moment to try her own. It's sweet, warm, comforting, and the burn of the rum against the back of her throat brings an early flush to her cheeks. It's the perfect drink for weather like this and she thinks she did a pretty good job for not having made it in a long time...!

With her wrist still caught in his hand, she moves to sit down right next to him. She might as well be sitting on top of him at this rate, with how close she is.]

It's the house special this month, but I made it extra sweet for you. Added a secret ingredient.

[In fact, she will be on his lap as he gently (and a little carefully) pull her down onto him.]

A secret ingredient, hm? I'll try again...

[He takes another sip, a small one...but instead of swallowing, his lips suddenly press against hers, tongue swiping over her lips to taste the traces of the cider and rum before prying her mouth fully open. The fluids now thoroughly mix to form a unique cocktail before he swallows what's in his mouth, the slight burn sweetened further as he pulls away, licking his lips.]

Think I found it.

[His lap is a perfectly fine, comfortable spot for her to sit too, and when he leans in to kiss her, it draws a low hum out of her when she gets a taste of the cider and the rum on his lips and his tongue. She welcomes it, invites him further, savouring what she can of the mixture before he's pulling back, leaving her clearly wanting more with how she sighs, and how when her eyes flutter open, they've darkened to a syrupy brown.

Tifa licks her lips in return, not quite realizing how taken she is with him until he speaks and she starts a little with a pleased grin.]

How'd you know where to find it?

I had a good guess...

[And unable to resist, especially with that darkened look in her eyes, he leans back in for another kiss, this time searching for that aftertaste. He even lowers his mug to rest on the nearby table so that his arms can more fully wrap around her.]

[She's stuck where she is, but she doesn't mind it so much, especially as his arms find their way around her. She doesn't set her mug down but balances it in her hand, lifting it away so that they don't accidentally bump and spill it when he kisses her again and her free hand threads through his hair, pressing him closer to her so that she can give him that deeper taste she knows that he's seeking so fervently.

Tifa's lips, wet and coated in rum, only leave his when she hears the low grumblings of a wolf next to them as she sits up and stretches, and there's a moment where she makes eye contact with Eria through the curtain of her hair and catches the glare she's giving them.

Laughing, she brushes the tip of her nose against Eustace's, and she speaks so quietly that not even Eria will hear her.]

Not in front of the kids...

[He takes as much as he can, half knowing that their chaperone will interrupt them soon. But he doesn't need alcohol when he can get drunk off her taste and scent alone, Tifa always naturally having a way to make him lose his usually well guarded inhibitions. So when Eria finally does interrupt them, he just chuckles lowly, lips still brushing against hers.]

They should be used to it.

[And even though he takes her lips again, he won't hold her for too long—he has a strong sense that Eria is about just head butt his back. But as he parts he lightly sucks on her lower lip, tongue flicking over the soft flesh to take one last taste before he pulls back, a light smirk as he reaches back to pick up his drink.]

But all right... We'll play nice.

[For now.]

[She does make a small, disappointed noise when he leaves her and puts his drink between them, but it only makes her arm wrap around his shoulder tighter so that she can balance herself on his legs because no matter how many daggers Eria stares at them, and no matter how many times any of the dogs whine or grunt, Tifa's not moving from where she is until it's time to. With it getting later and the weather starting to feel a bit cooler, his warmth is a welcome one next to the fire with their hot cups of cider in hand. And as she takes her first sip of it, there's a wave of contentment that tides through her.]

It's almost time they all went up to bed anyway.

[That gets a whine out of them. They all had a long day, but they're protesting that they are not tired, mom!!! Just a little longer, mom! ... As they yawn.]

No one can see our dance before the wedding anyway.

[She's just going to sip her cider loudly while they bark at her, and the foam lines her smile when she lowers it.]

Edited 2022-10-15 15:43 (UTC)

[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.

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