songerein | closed 🌠 safe and sound, alive under the stars

[She senses that kiss coming, so she is ready to meet him when it does, Tifa tipping her head to allow for a deeper kiss, the warmth bubbling between them as she takes in a breath like she's trying to absorb it. Absorb him. Take it all in like she's scared that it's going to go away. It won't, and she knows that it won't, but she treats every moment with him that way anyway.

Her fingers lace between his, her thumb tracing along the line of his ring once more to seek the comfort of knowing that it's there, that he is hers and she is his.

And as she meets his eyes, they hold that same intense love for him that he bears over her, and she cracks a grin.]

... Are you asking me again right now?

Yes.

[No hesitation as he smiles, gently kissing her as he does, his own fingers brushing over where her ring encircles her finger.]

Tifa Lockhart, will you marry me?

[She can't help the uncontrollable giggle that spills out of her, unrestrained and echoing through the air. She ducks her head, so giddy and happy that she fears she might melt away all the snow with the sudden warmth that surges into the air around them.

The starflowers shimmer bright, and there is a twinkle in the air from the tiny stars that burst to life, and it feels as though spring has suddenly swept in over their pier.]

Yes.

[She doesn't even need to think about it before she is throwing herself at him again, lips crashing into his for another deep, fervent kiss.]

In this life and the next. No matter where we are...

[So overcome is she that she feels her chest hitch slightly, a light sniffle as her tears finally fall from her eyes. Though, they are far from sad, and honestly? She can't remember the last time she's cried anything but happier tears, especially so in recent days.

After all the hardships they had to weather to get here, things have finally looked up in comparison...]

... I'm really happy we're here.

[Why does she feel the need to explain anything anymore, she doesn't know, but here she is.]

[She doesn't need to, but he knows and understands. It's such an overwhelming feeling, one that could easily crush them but they would allow it. Especially after all the hell they went through to get here... It's as if fate has decided to reward them of that peace and quiet that he's sought for for so long. Of course there are the ups and downs of reality, but overall? He's never felt so much peace in his life as he does with Tifa now. Never felt so happy.

For most of his life he never thought he'd ever get any of that joy back, one that had been so cruelly snuffed out and a pain he carried for so long he had forgotten what it was like to be without. But now, with her, he not only remembers but has discovered something completely new.

And he's so, so grateful to her for it. So grateful that he's certain he'll never be able to show or tell her just how much, but he'll do his best all the same.

This time, he doesn't bother with words. He just pulls her back in for another kiss, one that can only carry a fraction of how he truly feels. If he didn't have more planned, he would have just ended things right here and take her somewhere else, but... For now he'll just have to be satisfied with this.]

[As for Tifa, she never needs much. Never expects or wants more than what she has, and if she has him, then what else even is there to wish for? A kiss is plenty, and she accepts and returns it in kind,
hoping that it will tell and show him the things that words would fail to explain. Something that language cannot touch.

She slides her fingers out from between his at last so that she can wrap her arms around his shoulders, deepening that kiss further with a gentle parting of her lips, the heat of her breath dancing across his in a quiet, soft bid of an invitation. A brief one, to be sure, considering where they are, but she can hardly help herself.

And when it's over, she doesn't go far.]

... You're sure this isn't the end of the night?

[An invitation he will gladly accept—though she may regret it a bit as he's proven to not really care too much about where they are. Particularly since they're practically alone right now.

But as much as he wants to savor and take more of her taste, and as much as he would like to whisk her away...]

...Could make it so.

[...There is something more scheduled.

He lightly bites her lower lip, eyes gleaming down at hers.]

But there is one place we need to go... That will help with that little "ending."

[She giggles again, grabbing his lips for one more kiss to soothe that light little nip.]

I have a feeling that "ending" doesn't exactly mean what I think it does, though.

[It never does.

Fortunately for him, she still hasn't figured out what that means.]

Who knows.

[Just another cryptic smile and suggestive glance, lips brushing against hers one last time before he pulls back. If he doesn't, they surely will never leave because there is no question he wouldn't let her go if she tried to be the one to part.]

This way.

[Not that she would have complained—

But she takes one last glance at the snowy pier, wanting to take in the sight before she lets him lead her away, arms once more looping together because she can't stay apart for long.

And as they walk, she gives a whimsical sigh.]

... Wow, can't believe I'm going to be a married woman.

[A quiet laugh as he guides her carefully back up the path towards the main street, making sure the steps aren't too slippery for her and her heels.]

Stranger for me. Thought I would be single all my life.

[He could carry her still if he wants—]

Wonder what it's like...

[She grins, happy that he's decided to play along.]

Think it's everything people say it is?

I've heard different stories... So depends which you'd want.

But...

[A gentle squeeze of her hand.]

I think ours will be better, regardless.

[Her cheeks flush, and her hand squeezes his back as she rests her head on his shoulder.]

Bet we'll put all those other stories to shame.

[They already have, she thinks. Two worlds, two different sets of memories converging all into one, and now here they are... proposed to again for the... how many times is that now?]

I guess we'll see. You'd better make a good husband.

[A small laugh.]

I hope to live up to your expectations. At least I know you are already perfect.

[Oh. That only gets her face to redden a little more...]

No, you don't. [She swats him very gently on the arm.] We aren't married yet, remember?

... Plus, you've blown me away every chance you could find tonight.

I don't need to be married to know that you will.

[A smug look.]

But that doesn't mean I can't improve.

I'm not sure how much more you can improve after that.

[She nods back to the pier.]

Everything is already more perfect than I imagined. ... I'm a little scared to see what else you've got planned. Only because I know I could never live up to it.

Then just let yourself be spoiled.

[And then a quieter if wistful smile.]

Doing things like this... Is something I never would have imagined. So I'm glad it could be with you.

[It's still hard for her to simply "let" herself be spoiled like this. She has always had a hard time accepting gifts from others, never wanting to be a burden or take more than what she has earned for herself. It comes from having to scrounge for every bit of money and food that she could in the past, and yet...

...

He still continues to spoil her anyway.]

You do it too much, you know. Next time, you'll have to let me spoil you.

[He knows, and that may be why he likes spoiling her. But... He hasn't someone like this who was close enough for him to want to spoil. To shower in affection and express in every way possible how much they mean to him. For so long he kept people at arm's length, now he has someone so close and dear to his heart. He may be overdoing it...]

I know. But I like seeing you smile.

[As long as it made her happy and smiling, he would do anything.]

[He just keeps going and going, doesn't he?

No shortage of sweet things to do or say, and Tifa can only handle so much before she feels like she might burst with love.]

And what if I want to see you smile, too? If I want to make you smile?

Then you just need to smile.

[Oh he knows he's being difficult. Payback for all the times she made it difficult for him before? Maybe.]

[He is, indeed, being very difficult, but that's part of why she loves him so much.]

Well. Too bad for you that I get to plan our next date. I'll get those smiles out of you yet.

[And she'll reach up and poke him gently on the cheek.]

[A quiet laugh as he reaches up to catch her hand before she can fully pull it away and kiss her fingertips.]

I look forward to it.

[A very deep, meaningful gaze, his voice a low timbre that carries clearly through the air before he tugs her up the last bit back to the main walkway.]

You'd better.

[Her giggle is high-pitched and shy, the warmth of his lips making her fingertips tingle, and even after, she doesn't pull away, instead wrapping her hand around his and holding it.]

So, how much longer are you going to keep me guessing, huh?

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject