escordvi | closed 🪶⚡ all i really, really ever want is under the mistletoe

Any predators would not dare step foot near our home.

[She follows along, shuffling with her arms still around him as he guides them both in that direction. But she catches that frown, knowing what he might be thinking, and her own expression drops a bit.]

Perhaps you could find a way to link it with the house, or even within the caves itself. No place safer than inside.

I could, but...

[A rueful shake of his head.]

I shouldn't interfere too much, either. They need to also know how to survive on their own, especially should they wish to live further out in the island.

[This took a sadder turn than she expected, and memories of what they had seen in the wreckage of his old home flashes through her mind. It had not been a pretty sight...]

... I doubt they will want to go far.

[Her hand presses to his cheek.]

You have made him into a right and proper helper. I do not think I have seen him look so happy as when he is helping you.

... And who will play with the moogles in their stead?

[It is a sad memory, but it's one they have to remember as they are owls and meant to live in the wild. The last thing he wants is to cripple their survival.

But he can't help but smile and chuckle a bit at that.]

Fair enough. Especially since it will be a yet before they have "other" playmates.

[A teasing but more fond smile as he leans in closer.]

[Though she does not move from where she is, she does not close that distance either, instead watching him with a grin, her eyes following him.]

With the way you always talk about it, I am starting to wonder if it truly will be "a while".

[She is only teasing. She knows that they have much to sort out before then, but there is still that little flutter of longing in her heart anyway. It finally makes her lean in and press her lips to his in a sweet, lingering kiss.]

Perhaps the little owls will be good practice for us?

Either good practice or a deterrent.

[He laughs at that, swaying them a little as he returns that kiss.

He did have experience with Mid, but the situation was far different than it is now. He'll be learning it all over again, really, but he wouldn't mind it. If anything he looks forward to it a bit.]

I doubt there is much that will deter you now...

[She brushes her lips against his one more time before she pulls back, a shimmer of mirth in her eyes.]

Myself, on the other hand...

On the other hand...?

[Her arms will tighten around him as they finally reach the back door, and even now, she can hear the sounds coming from below. Yet, she does not seem as inclined to give it any of her attention.]

What if I require some more convincing?

And what kind of convincing would you need?

[He'll open the door for them so they can step out and start walking to the overlook.]

[He'll have to guide her backwards steps, and she wonders if anyone can see them from up here. At least her back hides them from view as she teases his lips with some not-quite-kisses. She has a sneaking suspicion he is planning something here, some kind of escape, so her arms wrap around him further.]

That you love me so very much.

[A pause, and she takes on a more serious tone, muttering quietly under her breath.]

... And that I would be good at it.

[Whaaaat him planning anything? He just wants to cheer her up while also spending quality time with her. Whatever else could he do—]

I should hope the first is already given. As for the latter...some practice would be best, true. After all, I could say all the words but you wouldn't believe it without more.

[She exhales with a soft laugh.]

I suppose I would find it difficult to believe, even in five, ten years from now... You've got quite the obstacle ahead of you.

[A quiet chuckle as they near the vines and holds out his arm to brush them away.]

Maybe so, but I don't think I'll need that long. And even if you don't believe it, I do.

[She has no idea where it is he is taking her, but she goes along with him anyway, curious eyes wandering past him as he pushes those vines away.]

You are afraid of nothing, are you?

If that's what you think then I must be doing well.

[A playful wink before he leads her to one of the few trees that manage in this location.]

Now, what do you think of this tree? Think it would work for a family of owls?

[Surprise lights up across her face, and though it is subtle, there is no doubt that he of all people could spot it clear as day. This is not what she expected when he led her back here, but there's a warmth that settles into her, chasing away any of the cold that she might have felt. Rarely has her heart felt so full as it does now, and try as she does to hide it, it somehow bleeds into the air with a little breeze that rustles the leafless branches.

With her arms back around him again, and after a quick nuzzle of her nose against his, she looks over the tree, contemplative.]

... Is that not too small?

[There's the slightest quirk of her lip.]

[He's a bit relieved as well as pleased to see that shift, so he just chuckles.]

You always think everything is too small. But fine then, if it is which do you think would be better?

[She was only teasing, made clear by the laughter that follows. Though, now that she looks around...]

No, it is perfect.

[Mostly because it was the one he picked out for them.]

Might need to carve it out in the middle a little more, but that is easy for you, is it not?

Why you...

[He just roughly grabs her by the waist and spins her around a little as his own way to retaliate against her teasing.]

[Laughter echoes throughout the little field they stand in when he spins her, her arms wrapping around his shoulders to secure herself to him. The sound of it dies out as she kisses him, devouring any more of his protests as well.

And when she pulls back, it's with an innocent smile.]

What?

You know what.

[And he will take her lips in return, that warmth bubbling up again as he pulls her in a little deeper this time. At least he's not "ruining" the tree by pushing her up against it—

But it is such a wonderful feeling, a warmth that beats out the colder air around them as he looks at her with eyes shining in mirth and adoration, of a love that has grown so much that it's gone over and beyond than what they once had before. It's moments like these that really make him realize how much better they are, how happier and freer they are.]

But aye, I can carve it out more.

[This time, it's his lips that consume her laugh, making them die into a soft, happy sound before she is returning the kiss in full, passion and silent promises lining the edges of the sweeter taste of it. Each time they share a moment like this, she thinks that she cannot feel any happier than she is then, but then each time, she ends up feeling it more so than the last.

She just did not think a moment like this would come as they are talking about their owl's own family and making a home for them as much as they had done for themselves here.]

We should carve their names on it, too.

We could. Would really make the tree their own.

Mm...

[Her arms slide out from around his shoulders so that she can tug him closer to the tree, stopping when they stand right in front of it. She doesn't do much else now besides press her fingers to it, her magic trickling over the bark.]

We could do it the same way we had on our island.

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