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

Only if you don't want me to.

[And yes he knows she's going to do that spiel so he might be pressing the meat at the top of the kebab against her lips on purpose—]

Hmm.

[She stares at the kebab in thought first before... she takes a bite from it, and though she tries to maintain eye contact with him, it's difficult as she deliberately nibbles on the vegetables.

Eventually, she does tear her eyes away with a laugh.]

You need to eat too, but I'm not sure you want me to feed you.

[It really is like watching a rabbit...]

I won't mind.

[He'll even lean in closer as if to invite her to do so.]

Edited 2025-05-19 19:04 (UTC)

[That was exactly the point, and she's glad that she got that across.

But when he leans closer in turn, she feels her face grow warmer as she looks around at the food, and then picks out something from the container of fruits. A strawberry, of course, that she lifts to his mouth, not quite pressing the end of it to his lips but coming close.]

Never heard of a rabbit feeding a wolf, but hope this doesn't end horribly.

[A wry chuckle as he looks at her playfully.]

Worried I might want to "eat" something else?

[And he'll just take a nice bite out of that strawberry, his lips grazing her fingertips.]

[Oh, that is a bigger bite than she was expecting, so when his lips brush her fingertips, she stiffens ever so slightly. She holds his gaze for a few moments, and then lifts his plate to him.]

Maybe, but could I interest you in something else instead?

[Not in front of the bunnies!!!]

What if I'm more interested in what's in front of me?

[Look at them, they're just munching away on the food not caring at all. Even the rabbit that was bothering him is bonking his leg again, and while still chewing on the strawberry he'll give the bold rabbit some food.]

Well, you're going to have to wait until later if you don't want to spoil your lunch or dinner...

[And then she's staring down at her lap because wow, she's even surprised that she managed to say that whole thing with a straight face.]

[He watches her, his smirk rising a little as he leans in very close now, close enough for his lips to brush against her ear.]

Question is—can you wait?

[Close enough that he will feel her shiver.]

Well, whether I can or can't, doesn't matter, does it? Can't do much about it with all these rabbits around.

[How badly she wants to kiss him right now, though... And that much is made obvious by the way that she turns to him when he leans in, her eyes flitting to his lips and staring for far too long.]

[He can tell, and he just eyes her in return.]

Guess we'll have to wait then. But I do know a place where they aren't around...

For later.

[A more wolfish grin before he leans away, plucking something off the plate as he does.]

[Oh, this wolf...

Tifa sighs at him, a longing sparking in her eyes. How long has it been since they were able to be alone like this? Truly alone? And the thought is enough to get her heart racing, her imagination drifting away from her for just a moment, but that is all that it needs.]

Maybe you can show me on that walk.

I'll save it for last.

[He then lifts up the kebab for her to take another bite from.]

But let's finish this first before the rabbits do the job for us.

Think they're already well on their way.

[With cheeks coloured with her embarrassment, she leans in to take that bite of the kebab, and they continue this little pattern of back and forth for the remainder of their lunch. Sharing and feeding each other bits of sandwiches, kebabs, and fruits, as well as offering more food to the rabbits when they ask for some. Fortunately, as they get full, they start to disperse, some going to graze in the grass and the flowers while a couple fall asleep nearby. The two of them laugh and talk, Tifa telling him about work for the most part, as well as some new recipes that she's come up with that he'll have to try later!

She does eventually steal that kiss that she'd been wanting, though, once all the food is finished and they sit and relax for a little while longer before they figure it's time to get up and move.

So, after some time in the sun with Tifa relaxed against him, they clean up the blanket and the food, shoo the rabbits away, and Eustace leads her out of the small grove towards the path that leads around the island...]

[Even with the little rabbits (with that pesky one eventually settling in his lap for a little while before hopping away to join the rest), Eustace finds himself having an enjoyable, peaceful time. Being able to tease Tifa is also a perk, but they've progressed in their relationship that it feels more normal and...that desire for more growing. Her own clear want only helps to foster that feeling.

But once they're through and cleaned up, with her hand in his and some of the rabbits following, he leads her through the forest. As he said, it's fairly small so it might feel more like walk through a large park than an island. They follow the creek to some clearings where they can catch a glimpse of some small deer that also inhabit the island, and above they hear an eagle or two, which send the rabbit scurrying for cover. They'll pass a small waterfall where they can spend some time playing a little, splashing each other before he pulls her behind the waterfall where there is a space just big enough for the two of them.

There they can share a little privacy away from those rabbit eyes, Eustace pinning her against the cool rock wall as his lips takes her for a hungry kiss. As tempting as it is to do more, for now they would have to be satisfied with the time spent hidden behind the waterfall, not caring if some water drips on them as they take more of each other's taste. It's only going to fuel that great hunger later, but... For now it's something they both needed to sate that bit of need that sparked during lunch.

After some time and promising more for later, he'll pull her back out, well aware of her too flushed face and the "reminders" left on her neck and shoulder. From there they'll continue their walk to see more of the island's natural environment, the flowers, a small walk on the white sandy beach, until he leads her up back into the forest area where the trees seem thickest. Following the stream here leads to a pool of fresh water that empties out into the ocean and more importantly...

Rabbits.

Lots and lots of rabbits.]

[It is quite a nice time as they walk around the island. He shows the way through the trees, past the creek and some animals, following the water until they reach the waterfall, and she has never wished that she had brought a bathing suit more than she does right now. It's the perfect place for a dip, especially in this heat, but alas. Maybe she can send him back to the ship for a quick grab of her things... Especially if they are going to be here for a few days.

What is most surprising, however, is when he takes her and pins her to the wall, where they share that kiss. Several of them, especially when she chases his lips as they part, that hunger of her own only growing into something near insatiable. That moment does nothing to abate that desire but it only makes that flame burn hotter and brighter, makes her hands ache with that need to be near him, to touch him—a feeling that she has known for some time, but never quite like this. And perhaps it has a lot to do with the atmosphere as well, and the fact that he had brought her here for her.

But they continue on, having to lock away those feelings for now, but he will certainly notice that Tifa is a bit more clingy as they move through the island, her face flushed and her fingers brushing over the little bruises that he'd left behind. Her skin buzzes, and her mind is distracted... until they reach that clearing.

Her eyes go wide upon seeing it.]

Oh my god. [She tries to keep her voice hushed so as not to frighten them, but there are dozens and dozens and dozens of rabbits, some of which look up when they hear them coming.] There's so many...

[He smiles at her reaction, making sure they keep some distance first as the rabbits start to pay more attention.]

This is where they all mainly live... That's why you see so many of them.

[They'll even see some of the rabbits that had bothered them on their picnic already there.]

[Ah yes, she recognizes some of them...! And Tifa takes a very careful step towards the clearing. Just one to test.]

There must be a bunch of dens around here, yeah? How did you manage to find this place?

[The rabbits close to them scatter, but the ones farther way, although on guard, just watch them warily. Not used to seeing people they're cautious, but they don't immediately connect them as a "threat," to immediately hide from, either. The ones that they saw earlier are also sniffing and slowly approaching them.]

Just happened to while exploring the island. Followed the stream and noticed the rabbit tracks. But this is the closest I've been to them, I only glanced inside from the outside.

Really?

[She kneels down to welcome the ones that they had seen earlier, and she wonders... will the others come around if they see them being friendly? The better question is... does she want them to?]

Too bad we didn't save any extra food... Had I known, I would've made sure to save some vegetables.

It's better this way, or they might get too used to people. As nice as it is for them to be friendly... Don't want them getting too used to it.

[He'll also crouch down so he's not as intimidating to let the bunnies approach Tifa easier. And they will hop hop hop closer, the ones that were friendliest to her more quick to seek her out.]

Fair enough... It's just not every day you get to experience something like this. And if we're the only people... it might not be so bad?

[She shrugs with a laugh and leans down to allow one of them to sniff her finger.]

Not that it matters in the end. This is still one of the coolest things I've been able to see.

[He quietly laughs at that.]

Besides, there's plenty of flowers and fruits around here we can use to feed them.

[He looks around and he spots a few berry bushes nearby. Giving her a quick notice, he gets up so that he can pluck a handful before holding them out to her.]

Here—they wouldn't be able to get the higher ones normally.

[Muted excitement lights up in her eyes, mostly because she is trying to remain as calm and still as possible, but when he hands her the berries and she takes them, she feels their little paws lift up onto her knees eagerly.]

Here. Eat up.

[She holds out her hand, allowing them to steal them from her palm, and without looking up at Eustace, she smiles. There's a brief silence before she speaks up softly.]

... Thank you for bringing me here.

[He's sitting down next to her now, a few berries in his own hands to try and feed those brave enough to approach. Of course there's his own fan that will more eagerly come for those berries.

And at her words, he just smiles lightly, only glancing at her from the corner of his eye.]

Anytime.

[And then with a softer voice.]

Happy birthday, Tifa.

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