closed 🌠⚡ it's far too easy to miss the beauty in the simple things

[starshower]

Who: Eustace & Tifa Lockhart.
Status: Closed.
Where: Around.
What: It's Tifa's birthday, and she's overworking again, so Eustace takes her away. Event stuff tba.
Warnings: Fluff.

Comments

[starshower]

Well, I guess we could keep looking around some more... Or go find somewhere to rest for a while. I'd like to at least be normal again when we drop the cream off with the whale.

[A sigh as she lands in his hand.]

[flamekthunder]

[As the mermaid continues to say that it should work soon, Eustace just glances at her before looking back at Tifa.]

We can at least start looking for a place.

[starshower]

Yeah, let's do that. I thought I saw a few quieter spots around... where we likely won't get passed over by anymore giant whales.

[flamekthunder]

[The mermaid calls out trying to help, "There are some quiet gardens if you turn left and go down the avenue..."

Eustace will only look at her before releasing a breath.]

We'll take a look.

[And with that, he holds Tifa close to him as they leave the store and return to the seahorse waiting for them.]

[starshower]

Thank you—!

[Tifa calls out to the mermaid as they swim away, and then proceeds to nuzzle into Eustace's hand again.]

And thank you. You've made all of this so much easier.

[She wishes that she could kiss him right now.]

Not sure what I would've done without you, to be honest.

[flamekthunder]

Be taken as some weird slug's wife...

[There's a weariness in his voice before he holds her closer against him and mounts the seahorse so they can start finding a better place for them to try and rest and unwind with the hope that the potion works soon.]

I'm glad I was around, too. But it's further proof I can't leave you alone.

[starshower]

So protective...

[As much as she teases him for it, she really does appreciate it.

Already, the gardens are coming into view, and Tifa huffs out with a high-pitched sigh.]

Let's just hope that this is the last thing we have to deal with. I just wanted to go shopping...

[flamekthunder]

I know.

[He'll let the seahorse guide them as it finds a trail of sorts to follow, leading them deeper into a quieter and empty part of the gardens. Although calling it "gardens" is strange when instead of flowers it's filled with coral, sponges, anemones, and other aquatic "plant" life instead, with the long strands of kelp and strange structures providing ample cover and privacy for them.

Finding a place where the seahorse can roam and they can sit on what looks to be some kind of arch covered bench, Eustace lets the seahorse loose and swims them over to the bench.]

But this place should be good for us.

[starshower]

Yeah, seems perfect.

[Really, anywhere with some peace and quiet is ideal, and it's honestly really pretty? Certainly not like any of the gardens that they have been able to visit before!

And once Eustace has settled in, she shimmies across his hand.]

Think you can lift me a little closer for a sec?

[flamekthunder]

[He'll do as requested, gently lifting her up until she's right in front of his face.]

[starshower]

[As he does, she stretches out, her face moving as close to his as she possibly can, aiming for his nose.

If he just moves a little closer, she'll be able to tap the end of it with her face. A little boop, like a kiss...

And then she'll wait, holding her breath.]

Dang it. I thought that might work.

[flamekthunder]

[He feels the boop...but it's like a light brush, a small tickle, and it makes him blink in some surprise.]

Thought what would work?

[starshower]

Well, you know how the story goes with the frog who kisses the princess and he turns into a prince?

[It's a good thing he can't tell she's blushing right now.]

Thought what if the sea bunny slug kissed the prince and turned back into a human, you know?

[She shakes her head.]

It was a silly idea.

[flamekthunder]

[There's a small, quiet huff of laughter as he finally understands before he looks at her.]

Well there's the other way, too, isn't there? The prince kissing the cursed princess?

[With a playful smile he leans in and lightly presses his lips on the top of her head.]

[starshower]

[That little peck on top of her head makes her body sink into his hand, melting like putty into a flat pancake with ears. She might even feel a little warmer in his palm.]

Ah, is that the twist here?

[She waits, and when nothing happens immediately, her ears droop.]

Think you might need to try—

[POOF!

In a burst of magic and bubbles, one moment Tifa is sitting in Eustace's hand, their faces inches away from each other and the next?

...

Her tail is coiled around him as she appears on his lap, the tips of their noses touching, just a hairsbreadth between them.]

[flamekthunder]

[He was ready to give her another little kiss when he's caught by surprise by the sudden change from a little sea bunny slug to a human face. For a moment he can only stare wide-eyed before a smile slowly forms.]

So... Guess it really did work.

[His lips brush against hers as he speaks in a low voice, his eyes never leaving their focus on hers. As if he's committing to memory how her face looks again after not seeing it for too long.]

[starshower]

[Her arms tighten around his shoulders, her tail wrapping tighter around his, and she shivers when she feels his lips and his breath brush against her lips. She exhales an airy laugh in return, still reeling mentally a bit from that shock of turning back so suddenly, as the bubbles continue to float around them.]

I... guess it did.

[She breaks into a smile.]

I was almost about to say you should try again, but guess you don't need to.

[Though now she can't help but wonder... was that really what did it???]

[flamekthunder]

I was going to even if you hadn't.

[And it is a good question, but...does it matter? She turned back one way or another, and now his arms are fully wrapped around her to keep her steady.

But as intimate as this is, his eyes grow a little more serious as he studies her carefully now.]

Don't feel strange or anything?

[starshower]

A little dizzy, but...

[He'll feel her lean against him a little more, her forehead resting on his as she breathes out another sigh of relief.]

Nothing that a little rest won't fix. I'm just glad to be back. Do you know how terrible it was not to be able to do this?

[flamekthunder]

I do.

[He leans back with her, resting against the backrest of the bench so that they both can rest comfortably.]

Although you were cute... I prefer holding you like this.

[starshower]

I was pretty cute, but now you don't have to worry about little old me being carried away into the ocean, either. And...

[She leans closer...]

I get to do this again.

[... And kisses him, softly this time.]

[flamekthunder]

[There's a low hum and a light smile at the kiss, as if he had been waiting for it, before he returns it. As his hand slowly slides up her back, his eyes gleam a little.]

Just that?

[starshower]

Oh?

[She's only been human again for a minute, and he's already tempting her into his trap...]

Was there more that you wanted?

[flamekthunder]

[What, can't he?]

If I said yes?

[starshower]

[Of course he can, but...

She gently nuzzles her nose against his.]

You'll have to tell me what it is.