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

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?

Not too much longer.

[And as if on cue, as they take a few steps down the walkway past one of the building, there is a horse-drawn sleigh waiting at the corner.]

[Her heart leaps and then skips several wild beats in her chest when she sees the sleigh and the horse just around the corner, and she stops and starts with a gasp.]

Eustace...

[She whirls around to him, her eyes absolutely lit up.]

Is that for us!?

[A quiet laugh.]

Yes. Remember the horses we helped?

... Yes?

[She rushes him, almost looking like she's going to shove him or something, but instead, she wraps her arms around his waist.]

You sneaky... you organized it all for today...

[Another small laugh as he wraps his arms around her.]

Come on, they've waited long enough.

[Nope, doesn't answer as he guides her along towards the sleigh waiting for them.]

[She looks over the sleigh as they approach, as well as the horse as it stomps its hooves gently into the snow, a hand reaching out to run along its neck, giving it a gentle greeting with her hand over its mane before smiling in thanks to the man seated at the front of the sleigh to drive it.

And just as she's about to climb aboard the sleigh, she pauses and glances back at Eustace.]

... This means that there's way more to come, doesn't it?

[And up she goes.]

We have at least one more stop.

Yes... But for now, we can just enjoy the ride.

[He helps her up, providing a supporting hand before hopping on right after. And of course, they will be sitting next to each other, a thick, warm blanket provided as well as some hot chocolate and refreshments the coachman has brought.

And once they're settled in, there's just light flick of the reins and a word of command before the horse pulls away, trotting down the snow covered streets of Reverein.]

[Tifa has no idea where they're headed, nor does she really care much. All of her attention is on the man beside her, huddled up for warmth under the blanket with cups of cocoa in their hands. The ride is leisurely and not cold at all in spite of the thick snowflakes that fall around them, some so thick that they stick to his hair and his ears that she has to reach up and pluck free. They spend their time talking, sipping, and sneaking in kisses in between, her head never straying too far from where she rests it comfortably on his shoulder the whole way through town.

But as the ride goes on, Tifa starts to figure it out. They pass through the plaza, past the residences, and down a trail into the trees that she recognizes well. It's been a while since they've come down this way, but it's hard to forget such a special place.]

... The corgi tree.

[She utters finally, as they come down the quiet path, the sounds of the town so far behind them that her voice is barely a hushed whisper, but still so loud in the quiet.]

[A soft hum as they approach, lights suddenly rising up like stars to help guide the sleigh down the cleared off path to allow a safe, unobstructed travel down it. And as they get closer, the usually dark tree is now alight with sparkling lights and shimmering starflowers that bloom from its branches. Even the "yard" around the tree seems to be glowing a bit, everything cleared out with lights circling the ground to help show the path. And soon, the sleigh slows down just outside before it comes to a complete halt, and Eustace hops down first to help Tifa down—or perhaps even catch her if she chooses to jump.]

[Tifa is stricken with awe as they approach, the little lights that have his dreamotion written all over them helping to guide them the way that they always do, and the starflowers that bloom... is that because of them? Or had they been here before? Did he do that, or did she? It's always so hard to tell when it is the one thing that they have always shared...

It only makes it all that much more magical and enchanting as they come to a halt, and yes, she does choose to leap into his arms—gently. It's more of a fall than anything, expecting and trusting that he will catch her and place her down on the ground.]

Why here, though?

[She thinks she knows why, but she wants to hear his reason, too.]

Well... It's private.

[A mischievous grin before he looks over at the coachman and gives him a nod. With a knowing grin and salute in return, he turns the horse and they soon retreat down the same path, the lights guiding their way.]

And it's been a while since we've been here.

[Tifa waves goodbye to the coachman in thanks before Eustace is leading her down the familiar path to the tree, and she wants to reach out and touch one of the little lights, to catch it in her hand and keep it as a memento for tonight.]

It has.

[She can see the outline of the tree up ahead, but she keeps her eyes on him.]

How long ago has it been since we spent much time here?

Too long.

[And he actually feels a little regret as he places his hand on the door, pausing outside it for a moment.]

You know... Before we got together, I was planning to move into and live here with the dogs.

[Tifa had been about ready to go inside, stopping just short of a step before she falls back to look at him with eyes shimmering with curiosity...

... Before something more muted and bittersweet descends over her expression.]

Yeah. I remember.

[She does take that step forward, but it's towards him instead of the door.]

You spent a lot of time here back then.

Mm.

[A quiet hum as he thinks back. Back to when he and Alice first stumbled onto his tree... The tree's magic making him lose his memories... The ordeal he put Tifa and others through to get them back and finally overcoming the magic... The corgis and everything after... And then they eventually married in front of this tree.]

Feels like a long time ago...

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