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

[flamekthunder]

[Oh.

She should be able to take a guess by the way his expression hardens at that.]

Not even a small breakfast?

[starshower]

[Yeah, there it is.]

No... Just some water and a bit of tea this morning.

[Which she forgot to finish.]

[flamekthunder]

[Hard stare....

Before he lets out a breath and pushes out the small cooler he had carried along.]

Then the first thing we'll do is set up lunch.

[Which was probably going to happen anyway, but now he's going to be mentally shaking his head at her for skipping her meals again.]

Here, you can pick a spot and spread out the blanket.

[starshower]

[She puffs out with a sigh, deflating a little at that look on his face, but she'll take the blanket and wander a little further into the center of another small patch of flowers where she lays it across.]

Right here seems good. Need any help with the food?

[flamekthunder]

Not right now. Besides, it's supposed to be your birthday meal, remember?

[A wry grin at her.]

Not that it's much... Just something I was able to make and pack. For dinner we can try for some fish and you can have more of a real camping experience.

[starshower]

[She does raise a brow at him, but she will be good and sit down...]

No big hunt this time? I'm sure there are some things around here that we could.

[flamekthunder]

Not on this island.

[A light shrug.]

The rabbits are only able to live here because there aren't any large predators. Some foxes, and eagles, but that's about it.

[starshower]

[She nods in understanding.]

I see... Makes sense. And I wouldn't want to start hunting the rabbits. They looked peaceful here.

[flamekthunder]

I would have been surprised if you did.

[A light grin.]

So knowing that, I had brought our own meat... But it was more for today than anything longer.

[He starts unpacking the cooler to pull out the boxes filled with various food—kebabs, sandwiches, a soup, and some side salads.]

You haven't fished before, have you?

[starshower]

[She watches him, and she will reach out to help lay them across the blanket. He can let her at least do that much, it's not like it's hard work!!!]

Mm, I have, but not officially? As in, I still don't really know how to do it besides what I did learn at the time.

[And it was with Denji and Roxas, so... very little.]

[flamekthunder]

[Yes, he will let her help with that!!

He looks at her a little intrigued.]

You'll have to show me... But I can teach you a few things.

[A light grin.]

Part of your birthday.

[starshower]

Mm, I dunno about that.

[She starts to look around at the food, interested to see what it is he brought, and she'll pop open one of the boxes to find sandwiches inside. She's just going to help herself to one, as well as plate one for him too.]

As long as you don't make fun of me for my technique! Or lack of.

[flamekthunder]

[It a bit of variety of meat and vegetables, but the kebabs will have a bit more of a spicy kick to them. As for the sandwiches, nothing too fancy but he tried to remember her preferences.]

I won't make fun of you.

[There is that unsaid "much" with that light smile as he starts pouring glasses of lemonade, but there is also water and fruit juices as well.]

[starshower]

[Yeah, she hears it, and she waves her sandwich at him before taking a bite.]

Hey, I've managed pretty good so far on just pure luck and guesses!

[flamekthunder]

Pure luck and guesses? In fishing or in everything else?

[Once the drinks are laid and everything else they needed is set, he'll finally settle down to start eating his own choices—starting with the kebabs.]

[starshower]

I know how to do a lot of things, I'll have you know!

[She runs a whole bar!!!]

Just that fishing was never something I had much opportunity to do.

[flamekthunder]

And now you're living on a ship on the ocean...

[Just a wry, teasing grin.]

It's fine, not everyone does.

[starshower]

Why should I go fishing when I have a perfectly capable boyfriend who can?

[A pause, as she takes another nibble of her food.]

Though, from the two times I have tried it, it was pretty fun. Relaxing too, waiting for a bite.

[flamekthunder]

Oh?

[A glance at her, as he's still getting used to being called her "boyfriend" still. Not that it's a bad thing—quite the opposite. Just not something he ever expected himself to hear or even be...]

Then I guess I don't need to teach you anymore.

[starshower]

[It's okay, she still blushes every time she says it...]

What!? No!

[She reaches out to him, a hand grabbing gently around his arm.]

I never said that. I still wanna learn from the pros.

[flamekthunder]

[He laughs a little at that, swaying towards her a bit.]

You're the one who just asked why you should go fishing. That sounded like you didn't want to learn.

[starshower]

I'm willing to learn. What happens after that?

[She shrugs.]

Who's to say. But maybe that means we'll go on some fishing trips, too.

[flamekthunder]

I thought you'd be more eager about the idea.

[He's teasing her of course, knowing that is exactly what she'd like to do.]

[starshower]

What, eager to learn?

[She drops her gaze and stares at the sandwich in her hands, and leans close to him, shoulder bumping his.]

I mean, yeah, I would... but if it means more time with you, I think that's a given. And I think it would be a helpful skill to learn, especially considering where we are.

[Another little shrug, and she tastes the lemonade that he'd poured for her.]

I probably would have enjoyed it as a kid, but by the time I was old enough to try, pretty sure that the river that ran past my village wasn't safe to fish in anymore... if there were even any left.

[flamekthunder]

[She answered as expected, and he just smiles as he nudges her a little in return without moving.

But... ...Hm?]

Why was that?