closed 🌠⚡ tell me i'm the one you want...

[starshower]

Who: Tifa Lockhart & Eustace.
Status: Closed.
Where: Ocard flower gardens.
What: Eustace and Tifa finally go on their first date.
Warnings: Dunno yet :D


[After talking about it and all the planning and the anticipation, one would think that all that preparedness would leave her feeling at ease about the whole thing, but now that the day is finally here... not even Tifa had expected herself to be as nervous as she was. It's not as if they haven't spent any time together before this, or hadn't been quite as close, but there's just something about it being a date now—officially, all of those times she's invited him to the bar or when she's visited his home on Nogard don't count—that has every nerve of hers on end.

Not in a bad way, but she is willing this to be as perfect as it can be and prays that nothing will go wrong. She hasn't forgotten what Ocard was like last year, and she hopes that the dragons are kind enough to leave the two of them alone to enjoy their picnic in the gardens in peace. That, and her excitement is buzzing, all of that pent up anticipation coming out of her in hastened footsteps and red cheeks by the time she finally does manage to find him.

She whirls around a tall hedge of rose bushes when she spots him, her dark, strawberry-printed dress flaring out around her as she clutches her small picnic basket close. Her heart leaps into her throat like this is the very first time that she's seeing him.]

Sorry...

[She wanders over with a sheepish smile, her face flushed with embarrassment, her eyes flitting to him and noting just how handsome he looks...]

This place is so big, I think I got a little lost.

Comments

[starshower]

[His voice sends a ripple of warmth through her again, and she shrinks closer to him. And when he's finally close enough for her to do so, she lifts her head so that she can kiss him quickly on the lips. She could really get used to this feeling...]

You did promise, after all. But it has to be a surprise.

[flamekthunder]

I'll make sure it is.

[And he'll smile a bit as he shifts and lowers his face so he can steal a kiss in return.]

[starshower]

[Yes, she thinks she can definitely get used to this when he kisses her, and she'll remain close even after they both pull away.]

So... got any other surprises I should be on the lookout for today?

[flamekthunder]

If I answered that, then it wouldn't be much of a surprise.

[starshower]

Keeping me on my toes, huh...? I should've tried to think up a few surprises myself in that case...

[flamekthunder]

Maybe next time you can.

[Which is yes, confirming there will be a next time.]

[starshower]

Next time, huh...?

[She leans a little closer, their noses almost brushing.]

And where will we go for that one?

[flamekthunder]

That's something we'll have to discuss later. Unless you really want to talk about it right now.

[A quiet chuckle at that. Would she really be so eager?]

[starshower]

No, no. It's fine. Think I'm getting a little ahead of myself.

[She might have been excited at the prospect of another one, but that probably won't be for a while...]

We gotta finish this one first.

[flamekthunder]

All right.

[He then holds up the sandwich.]

Then we should finish eating. Have a places I thought we could go to...

[starshower]

Oh?

[Her eyes widen at that, shining with eagerness as she takes a big bite of her sandwich.]

Should we take the desserts with us?

[flamekthunder]

[He hums.]

Depends—you never did say what they were.

[starshower]

Hmm, well I guess that means that I do have a surprise.

[She presses a finger to her lips again.]

Don't worry, I think they'll be fine if we move.

[flamekthunder]

Then we'll save it for later.

[A light smile as he resumes eating, and they'll continue their pleasant lunch sitting close together. This has probably been the most intimate they have been together, yet it's also relaxing due to where they are. With the flowers providing a scenic and atmospheric view and the gardens relatively quiet where they are, they can just be without worrying about anything.

And really...it's the first time they've been able to be like this in a more public setting. Something that he wasn't sure how he would feel, but finds he doesn't mind that much. Even as they finish their main meal and relax against the tree with Tifa's head against his shoulder, Eustace feels more content and happy than he has in a while. He had worried, really, on how things would be like with the change in their relationship. But now...he really didn't have to worry about anything at all. Things may still be a little touch and go as they test what the other's comforts are, but so far, he doesn't really have many complaints.

So they'll rest there for a few minutes, just enjoying the moment before his eyes drift down to her.]

...Before we leave, there's actually something I wanted to give you.

[starshower]

[It's quite the nice lunch. Probably the best lunch she's had in recent memory, and she doesn't just mean the food. Actually, it isn't about the food at all.

For the first time, she feels like she's able to relax around him, and though there is still this nervous energy that buzzes around her, a little bit of uncertainty about what she should do or say, it feels a little more natural. Sitting here, her head on his shoulder, as they finish their food, her hand in his while they sit against the tree and simply enjoy one another's company, exchanging glances and soft looks in between laughs, feels more and more like this is what it should be like. And with the privacy of the tall rose bushes around them, she doesn't have to worry about anyone disturbing them.

They can just exist together in their own little world on their little blanket with their little picnic for a while.

Her eyes had closed at some point while she enjoyed the smell of the flowers when he speaks softly to her, prompting her to flutter them open and lift her head.]

Hm? What...?

[flamekthunder]

[He hesitates a moment before he sits up and pulls away just so he can reach over to the small bag he had brought with him.]

It's not much, but... Hope you like it.

[He'll pull out a small bag and hold it out to her.

And when she looks inside, she'll find a hairband made of flowers along with a bracelet with three crystalized flower petals as charms on it.]

[starshower]

You...?

[Got her something?

She's so surprised that she only stares at the bag for a few moments in shock before she slowly takes it, as if it's the most delicate thing in the world, and she treats it as such as she slowly starts to open the bag. And when she pulls out the pieces, laying them carefully in her palm...]

Oh my god, Eustace...

[She takes the bracelet and lifts it, draping it over her fingers as she lifts it up to the light, the crystalized petals shimmering gently in the sunlight. She finds herself at a loss for words, all of them getting caught in her throat because nothing can quite describe what she's feeling right now.]

These are beautiful.

[flamekthunder]

[He's feeling a bit self-conscious, but also pleased that she seems to like them.]

I know flowers are usually what are brought are dates...but thought this would be better for it.

[starshower]

I love these...

[She sets the bracelet down so that she can examine the headband closer.]

So pretty.

[And honestly? So much better than flowers because she can keep these forever... Not that she would have disliked flowers as a gift, but she thinks she likes this way more.

Carefully, she slides the headband over the top of her head.]

How do I look?

[flamekthunder]

[He smiles when she puts it on, the reds of the flower petals bringing out her eyes even more.]

Looks good...and it goes with your dress. Guess I got lucky there.

[starshower]

Seems we've got similar tastes.

[Her hand moves up to caress the petals resting in her hair, and she can feel her cheeks growing warm again as she lifts her other one, offering her wrist.]

Do you wanna do the honours?

[flamekthunder]

[He just smiles softly as he takes the bracelet and carefully drapes it over her wrist before he clasps it together, his fingertips just barely brushing over her skin.]

...Last time was at Winterstide, wasn't it?

[starshower]

It was.

[And though he had done the same thing then, it feels different when his fingers brush over her wrist. Like there's a little spark that neither of them can see that sends something warm up her arm. Even then, she can't take her eyes from his hands as he clasps it there.]

Thought about wearing that bracelet today, but then I realized it might clash with the look. Snowflakes and strawberries...?

[Except she's worn it pretty much every day since.]

[flamekthunder]

Guess it's a good thing you didn't...and now you have something else to choose from.

[He still holds her wrist, still pleased at how good it looks before he slowly releases his hold she can also get a better look.]

[starshower]

[The way he lets his fingers remain on her wrist is not lost on her, and she takes a slow breath before he lets her go, and she lifts it up between them, marveling at how the crystal petals catch the light.]

And a matching set, too.

[Slowly, she lowers her hand so that she can take his again.]

I really do love them, though... Thank you.

[And leaning in, she presses a soft, lingering kiss to his lips.]