songerein | closed ⚡🌠 you make my heart feel like it's summer

Entry tags:

closed ⚡🌠 you make my heart feel like it's summer

Who: Eustace & Tifa Lockhart.
Which: Closed log.
Where: Somewhere in the Wildlands.
What: Eustace and Tifa take some much-needed time away.
Warnings: The usual EusTifa warnings. They're gross. :)

[Hardly a week has gone by since their last stint in a dreamscape before they are finally seeing their plans to fruition. They'd briefly talked about it in the room the wolves had provided for them, and then again when they woke up from their dreams, and Tifa wasted no time in preparing for the few days that they promised to spend away from town. After everything that they had seen and been through—not just on the moon but everything that came before—they agreed that time for themselves would be good for both of them. Time away from the noise and chaos of the town, from the dogs, from responsibilities, from potential threats... Time to just exist together, to be, and breathe for a little while.

She spent the days leading up to their trip shopping and packing and making sure that she's found friends who could check in on both the corgis and flower dogs in their absence. It would only be two nights out in the Wildlands, but she wanted to be certain that they have everything they would need and covered all their bases for those few days. She's packed an assortment of meats, frozen for the trip, containers of fruits and vegetables, water, and some alcohol for the evenings—wine and a fine whiskey, perhaps a few others—anything that she thinks they might enjoy over a campfire. Of course, she can't forget the campfire snacks, either. She's never been out camping properly before, but she knows those are a must.

Meanwhile, Tifa left Eustace to worry about their gear. A tent most of all, but anything that they might equip it with as well. Blankets, sleeping bags, pillows, the works. Anything to make a fire that he thinks they'll need, tarps in the event that there's rain. She never quite knows what is and isn't necessary for a camping trip, especially in these parts, but it's best to be ready for any kind of weather with how finicky it can be sometimes, and she trusts that he'll know exactly what they'll need.

Thankfully, they've packed light and in such a way that it wouldn't be difficult to carry between the two of them, but of course, Eustace never goes unprepared, and when he goes all in on something, he tends to go above and beyond Tifa's expectations. When she wandered out of the house, she was surprised to find two horses waiting for them—one she recognized as the white mare from the night they rode to the flowery fields outside of Reverein, the blue flowers that were once smaller now grown and blooming large as they thread into her mane. The other, a large, magnificent black stallion with interesting markings over his body that she feels is almost too perfectly suited for Eustace. They beat their hooves gently on the ground in greeting, and Tifa reacquaints herself with the mare before they finally ride off on their backs towards the Wildlands.

They don't go far, sticking mostly to the northern forests closer to town, but it's far enough that they can no longer hear or even see Reverein through the thickness of the trees, and with the horses, the trek itself isn't very long. The lake isn't far either from where Eustace ends up leading her to, and she can hear the sound of water nearby—perhaps the river coming from the city? Although Eustace did mention knowing of some waterfalls, and the thought sends a warm thrill through her...

It's when they reach a light clearing surrounded by trees that she allows herself to stop, tugging on the mare's reins with a gasp so that she might take in the full sight of it. There are flowers everywhere, and the afternoon sun peers through the canopies of trees overhead to bask it in an almost magical glow. Through the bushes, there's a winding path that, judging from the trickling sounds, leads down a small hill to some manner of body of water.

It like it's straight out of a fairy tale picture book.]

... Is this it?

[It must be... It's the most stunning place she's ever seen, and she's a touch overwhelmed to come up with much more than that.]

It's beautiful.

[How did he even find this place? ... She's been asking that a lot with him, hasn't she? The field of flowers, the barn, and now this. He never ceases to surprise and amaze her and this time is no exception.

Consider Tifa completely blown away once again.]

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[It's been a long while since Tifa lost track of time—how many rounds and for how long they were in that cave behind the waterfall before they finally fell asleep among the flowers. It was inevitable that, once they lay down in them, they would never leave and sensing this, the blossoms had spread and thickened until they padded the rocky floor, creating a bed for them. The lights lining the crevices within the rocks have dimmed, but the star flowers still glowed brighter than ever as they wrapped themselves up in one another, bathing in their soft, blue light.

One of the very last things Tifa remembers before she had fallen asleep to the sound of his heart, his breathing, and the gentle trickle of the waterfall were the sweet nothings that they whispered to each other, and the tender kisses that pressed between every word.

But before she could fall completely to the depths of that gentle euphoric bliss that rocked her, she whispers something in Eustace's ear. A single wish that she hopes—even after the long night that they've just had together—he's willing to grant her.]

I want to watch the sunrise with you...

[Eustace watches her as she starts to drift, a soft, sweet smile and gaze that seems so different compared to what he just put her through, but no less genuine. He holds her close, ready to fall asleep alongside her when he hears that last soft murmur. It's such a simple wish, yet it brings a warm flutter to his chest that he can't help but whisper gently in response.]

As you wish.

[Even if sunrise is only a few short hours away, he would be able to rouse them both, already knowing the perfect spot as he had prepared it beforehand. And after a short bit blissful sleep, the sound of the birds and the shift in the air immediately awakens him. A quick glance at the cave entrance confirms it's still dark, but it won't be too much longer before sunrise.

As he returns his gaze on Tifa, a strange, deep emotion stirs in his chest as he takes her in. He always gets this flutter of peace and contentment whenever he wakes up first and is able to look at her cute sleeping face, but this time... This is the first morning they are greeting together after making their future official. The dog tags that hang from their necks and rest against their bodies shimmer from the glowing charms, illuminated with the intense love they filled them with. Will the charms glow forever? Or will they eventually dim?

...No, he's certain they will remain glowing because they will always be pouring in more.

Untold amounts of joy fill him as he is no longer able to resist and soon brings his lips to lightly brush against Tifa's cheek and nose.

His love. His fiancée. His wife. His mate.

Words Eustace never imagined he would ever have for someone, but Tifa has captured them all and more just as she had captured all of his heart and opened it to reveal parts he never knew existed it. He's so grateful to her for it.]

...Wake up little rabbit.

[His lips now go to hers to drop a soft kiss before he playfully nibbles on her lower lip.]

Mm?

[She smiles before she even stirs when she feels the press of something on her lip, and the little nibble that follows, and as soon as her sleepy consciousness returns to her, she's overwhelmed by his scent and the warmth of his skin on hers. It rouses her and stirs the emotions that are already swelling in her heart at the sound of his voice. That little name he's given her, only for when they're alone like this.

Her arms circle around his neck so that she can pull him in for another kiss, tender and sweet, lazy and slow, but it's no less earnest than any of the hundreds they've shared. When she blinks her eyes open, she pulls back, and her vision is filled immediately with the sight of him as she fights the sleep from her eyes.

The sight of him in the morning is the most beautiful thing in the world to her—the way his thick hair is tossed about, how his eyes are thick with sleep but still somehow shimmer like snowflakes under moonlight, how his smiles sit in an almost crooked, boyish way that makes her heart beat for him... She asks herself the same question every morning and she asks it again now...

How did she get so lucky?

The soft metal clink and the gentle glow of their charms reminds her of the things that they did last night, and there's a flush that creeps up into her cheeks as she nuzzles her nose against his. Those dark, sinful things that she doesn't dare repeat aloud, but more than that, she thinks back to the moments before, when he had slid the chain around her neck. When he had asked her to marry him.

He would become her husband soon... In all ways, she would become his, and a little, happy noise escapes from her—a cross between a giggle and a purr before she's stealing another soft kiss from him.]

Is it already morning...?

[Once again he is struck by her loveliness, and for a moment he loses himself, leaning over her as he kisses her again, deeper this time. He lingers, his hand finding her face to gently hold and caress before he finally manages to pull himself away just enough so he can answer her.]

Mm... Just before sunrise.

[And although he promised to show it to her...........she's going to notice that he's starting to want to skip it and stay in instead.]

[She, too, is starting to feel that warm tingle spreading over her skin when he kisses her that she almost pulls him back for more when his lips leave hers, and there's a small whine in the back of her throat at the loss of contact.

But she knows better than to allow either of them to fall too deep into it, because if she did, they would never, ever leave this cave. So she takes the opportunity, as much as it pains her to, to sit up and look out to the mouth of the cave, past the waterfall where the sky is still dark, but the moons have disappeared from view.

When she looks back at him, her eyes glimmer with adoration.]

... You remembered.

[He smiles as he sits up and wraps his arms around her waist before nuzzling against her neck.]

Mm... I always remember everything you ask for.

[...And once again they are in danger.]

I know.

[He remembers, and then always takes it all a step further just for her. Always finds a way to one-up himself. Always finds a way to show her that he's thinking of her...

She presses a kiss to the base of one of his ears, letting her nose linger there for a moment as she takes in the scent, and the softness that tickles her pink. And once again, she feels herself falling to the whims of her desires, and for him, so she leans back just far enough that his breath is no longer on her neck.]

I don't want to miss it.

...There are plenty of others.

[His voice is a low, lazy drawl as his lips travel back to her neck, but he's teasing her. In truth he doesn't want to miss this particular sunrise.... But if they did they can always make up for it later—]

[Tifa coos at him, carding her fingers through his hair and tipping her head to offer him more of her neck to his lips, unable to resist the soft feel of them as they drift over her skin, or the warm tingle that they leave in their wake. But she, once again, has to force herself to keep from spinning to the dizzying heights he's already sending her to, and this time, she slowly rises to her feet. The flower petals that have clung to her skin flutter away.

As she waits for him to join her, a flush settles into her cheeks when she realizes she's still completely bare and sheened with sweat, red marks trailing cross her skin. A shy arm wraps around herself to cover up, although it's a poor attempt, and instead, she fiddles with the dog tag at her neck.]

But this one's special.

[Every one she watches with him would be special, but this is the first sunrise after they've fully declared and promised themselves to one another in a very official way. Just like how the sunrise the morning following their wedding will stir the same feelings in her when that day finally comes...]

[His eyes watch her as she rises, a part of him wanting to pull her back down but knowing he shouldn't. So he manages to restrain and just satisfies himself with the view of her body illuminated by flowers around them.]

...All right.

[A light smile as he's soon up with her, his arms wrapping around her because he really can't keep his hands off her despite his best efforts.]

But can you walk? Or do I need to carry you?

[Now a more insidious grin as he looks down at her.]

[She leans her body against him, using him to shield herself from his wandering eyes, and her forehead falls against his chest as a new, violent flush of pink surfaces in her cheeks and the tips of her ears.

...

.... ]

I'm still a little sore.

[Not that she would mind him carrying her regardless. Tifa is a woman who can handle herself, who could do whatever she puts her mind to, but when it comes to Eustace, she melts into a pool of pure adoration that she'll dote on him and seek any opportunity to have him do the same.

So yes, carrying her sounds kind of nice regardless of how she feels.]

[Just a low chuckle as he sneaks another kiss by her ear before he's suddenly lifting her into his arms.]

Let's stop by the tent first.

[She's entirely gasps and giggles when he scoops her up, and her arms seek his neck to secure herself to him, and her head his shoulder to rest.]

What for?

[Playfully asked, because she knows he's just trying to be practical. They can grab fresh clothes (some clothes considering theirs are floating around somewhere in the pool, forgotten about), maybe a snack of something to drink.

That, and... they will need to cross the water to get out of here and realizing it, Tifa offers him a silent, surprised, expectant grin.

What's he going to do about, she wonders? As her arms tighten around him.]

We could go straight there...but I figure you'd at least want some blankets.

[Clothes, too, but if they actually had to rush just blankets would probably suffice. Probably.

But he's already stepping towards the cave entrance, the flowers and warmth still enveloping them until the cooler breeze seeps in. Now he could jump in again...but maybe he'll be nice and descend more slowly this time. Maybe.]

[The idea of curling up in just blankets to watch the sunrise with him sounds lovely, and it fills her with a warmth that spreads quickly through her and then out into the air, helping to chase away some of the cool, crisp, early morning air that chills her and makes her wrap herself up a little closer against him.

And before he steps into the water, she fixes him with a sharp, emphatic look that masks the real playfulness behind it.]

Don't even think about it this time.

[No jumping in, no throwing her. Nice and steady!!!

And then, she adds, as if to really drive the point home:] Please.

[There's just an amused grin at her request.]

As my future wife wishes.

[A playful smirk before he steps into the water—NICELY. Or as nice as he can since it's a bit of a dip down, but it's Eustace. He manages. And although it's cold, with the two of them together and the warm feeling shared between them, it doesn't take long for the water to heat up and then it's just wading through the water towards the other side.]

[Her gasp as they finally descend into the water is embarrasingly loud and high-pitched, and her whole body shudders in his arms when the snap of cold instantly and suddenly washes over her, but just as quickly as it comes, it also leaves.

Together, they create a little pocket of warmth that follows them as he wades through the pool. Even the waterfall feels hot when he steps through it that Tifa lets out a small, satisfied noise as it trickles over her hair and her skin, washing away the sweat.

But even as they leave the water, she makes it clear that she doesn't intend to let go until they return to camp with how she curls up in his arms.]

Mm, it's cold again.

[Except it isn't. She's just looking for reasons for him to wrap his arms around her a little tighter for the walk back.]

[A light chuckle as he continues carrying her to camp, not minding at all.]

If you're too cold, we can always just stay in the tent...help you warm you up.

[Terrible.]

[Tifa responds with a low whine.]

Don't tease me like that.

[He knows all too well where that will lead.]

I really don't want to miss it.

[It's important to her that they start the day off like that together. If they decide to spend the remainder of the day after that in the tent, then so be it, but this sunrise... She knows it's going to be special for them.

So when they return to camp, Tifa finally frees him from her clutches to grab some new clothes to change into--a simple, loose t-shirt and sweats, a bucket of fresh strawberries, and some water to bring with them, as well as a blanket in case they'll need it.

And yes, through all of it, she is having troubles walking with the soreness pounding through every muscle in her body.]

Anything else we should bring?

[Eustace actually misses the warmth when she leaves him, but he knows it's for the best and so he also changes into new set of clothes, taking the bucket of strawberries when he sees her wobbling a little.]

This should be fine for now.

[Actually... she'll grab one more blanket for good measure when he takes the strawberries from her, using the free arm to tuck it underneath before they set off. She does, however, pause to look around them at the trees, and then up at their massive canopies that block out most of the stars that are still splashed across the sky.]

... Let me guess.

[When her gaze lands back on him, it's with a smile teeming with fondness.]

You already have a place in mind to go?

[He will also be carrying her because even if she might think she could hobble up there, he wants to hold onto her, anyway. They'll somehow manage with the extra items.]

How did you know?

Because you're always like this.

[She takes a step towards him, then another, until she's rising on her tiptoes, puckering her lips and waiting for him to lower his cheek to her for a kiss.]

You're always prepared, and you always manage to keep surprising me.

[...Why is her taking such little steps pitiful and adorable at the same time— He'll lower his face so she can give him that kiss, but then he'll turn to steal one from her lips in return.]

Hopefully I'll be able to keep doing so in the future. But first...

[He slips his arms beneath her and picks her up.]

We need to hurry if we want to make that sunrise.

[There he goes, picking her up again, and her giggles ring clear through the woods as she holds on tight to everything in her arms. Tifa's head will find that perfect spot to rest her head on his shoulder as he takes her to where they need to go, but she is looking around, wondering where that place is.

And for a moment, she thinks he might be bringing her back to the pool of water and the waterfall instead. They're headed in that direction, and as she sees it again, still lit up by the soft lights, she blushes and turns to look at him.]

You know we can't see it from in there, right?

🌙🌠 timeskip 🌠🌙

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