closed 🌠⚡ how do we rewrite the stars...

[starshower]

Who: Tifa Lockhart & Eustace.
Status: Closed.
Where: The Naughtilust.
What: One last date for the road—
Warnings: NA for now...

Comments

[starshower]

[She has no idea what he's talking about!!]

Me, too. I think... after this... Not just tonight but in general?

[She shyly pokes at her near empty plate with the chopsticks, trying to find the right words.]

I'd like to spend more time with you, so... works out.

[flamekthunder]

[doubt.jpg

There's a slight cant of his head before his smile widens a touch as he understands what she means.]

Isn't that a given?

[Just a small tease before he leans in just a bit.]

But you know... It is a different thing for me... Wanting to be with someone. But that's what I find myself wanting more often these days.

[starshower]

[She wishes that he was close enough for her to kiss right now, so she just slides her hand under his on the table again, her nails tickling his palm.]

It's not so bad, is it...?

[flamekthunder]

Terrible.

[But there's a playful grin as he gently squeezes her fingers.]

Because it makes it almost too distracting sometimes.

[starshower]

Does it? And what exactly am I distracting you from?

[flamekthunder]

Fortunately not work—yet.

[A wry grin and playful poke of her palm.]

But when I'm at home walking with Valo or making dinner... Quite moments like that.

[starshower]

[A flush creeps up her chest and into her face, visible even in the dim light.]

You mean you stop to think about us...?

[flamekthunder]

Yeah.

[There's something in his gaze as he looks at her. Something deeper, something softer... Something that's also unfamiliar because it's not something he's ever really felt towards anyone before.]

Just...sometimes think how you might like the view or see you sitting across from me. Things like that.

[A somewhat awkward smile.]

Weird, huh?

[starshower]

[That same feeling rises in her chest again. It's tingly and soft and makes her feel warm. It brings with it those thoughts that she'd sat with earlier, only mere minutes ago, of wanting to be there, sitting across from him or enjoying the view. Wanting to share in all of the things that he shares in. It feels silly to think that way if only because they've been together since only Winterstide, but it feels like so much longer than that.

Should she say something?

Her lips part like she might, the words sitting on the tip of her tongue, but...]

I don't think it's weird at all. I find myself thinking a lot of the same things too, especially when I'm working. What it would be like to have you at the bar sipping your drink, doing whatever you do. Valo would be there, too...

[She couldn't do it.]

[flamekthunder]

[Unaware of her thoughts, Eustace smiles a little more relieved.]

Guess we're on the same page, huh?

[Only, maybe not exactly as he's unaware of her thoughts. But at least on how they feel about each other he believes they are at the same point.]

It's...different for me. Having lived on my own for so long, thinking about these kinds of different is a little strange...but in a good way.

I definitely don't dislike it, anyway.

[starshower]

I guess it is... a little.

[She tilts her head at him, shaking away those thoughts again.]

But you surrounded yourself with other people more recently, yeah? Though, that's different, too. Not quite the same as... this. Much as I love my friends and the crew, I don't... I don't always wish to be around them.

[flamekthunder]

[A low hum.]

Yeah.

[A wry but soft smile.]

Goes to show how much you've become more a part of my life.

[starshower]

And you mine.

[Her expression both softens and sombers a bit, but only for a moment before she's smiling again.]

Didn't think anything like this would happen. It's kind of weird to think about in that sense still. Not that it's a bad thing, just... It's a lot sometimes.

[flamekthunder]

I know. It's sometimes a little overwhelming for me, too, but...

As you say, not a bad thing.

[starshower]

Glad I'm not alone, then.

[Of course she's not, and he's said as much, too... but it bears saying so for herself, too.

There's a sort of heavy silence that lingers for a few moments after that, Tifa meeting his gaze with an affection she hasn't quite felt before. Yes, she has felt these feelings many times, but they seem deeper tonight.

And she suddenly laughs softly to break that silence.]

Well, good thing we've got the whole night ahead of us. Still got a lot planned after this.

[flamekthunder]

Going all out, huh?

[A quiet chuckle as he starts to finish up his plate.]

What's next?

[starshower]

[Ah, she supposes it isn't much of a surprise anymore, is it?]

Well, I did manage to get us some tickets to a show happening tonight. One of the more popular ones. Had to do a bit of bribing to get them, though.

[flamekthunder]

A show?

[A slight arch of the brow as he considers where they are...

...]

What kind of show?

[There's no wariness in his voice no none at all maybe some]

[starshower]

[She can't help but grin at him.]

Well, that would ruin the surprise, wouldn't it?

[No, she can't do it, and his face makes her break into a giggle.]

It's nothing terrible. Just a dance show at one of the theatres.

[flamekthunder]

What kind of dance show?

[He's assuming it won't actually be anything scandalous, but he asks in that suspicious manner, anyway.]

[starshower]

Not that kind of dance show, if you're thinking what I think you are.

[She narrows her eyes at him playfully.]

It's just... a dance show...! Like a musical, but more dance focused?

[flamekthunder]

[But what was he thinking— But all right, he'll end the skeptical play and look at her a little interested.]

Musical but dance focused... I think I understand. Don't think I've ever seen anything like that before.

[Granted, he never really had time, opportunity, or interest to see many shows to begin with.]

[starshower]

[It's the Naughtilust, she assumed he was thinking what anyone else would think!!]

I haven't either. I've always wanted to go to one, though. They had some at the Gold Saucer, but couldn't exactly leave Midgar back then to go.

[flamekthunder]

Then it'll be a first time for the both of us.

[A light smile as he starts to finish off his plate.]

Do you want any dessert first? Or do we need to hurry to make the show?

[starshower]

No need to hurry. Lucky for us, I made sure to give us plenty of time to enjoy ourselves. The show doesn't start for another couple hours, and it's not far from here. Walking distance.

[And as she finishes up the last bit of her food...]

Which means time for dessert.