closed ⚡🌠 can we come back from this

[starshower]

Who: Eustace & Tifa
Which: Closed log
Where: Their treehouse, corgi tree, maybe some other places
What: After Eustace's Noctaere episode, he and Tifa try to put their relationship back together.
Warnings: Trauma, lots of sads, and then probably gross fluff after.


[It had been a struggle even getting home. After they and the others had arrived at Ori's home together, it was at Tifa's insistence that she and Eustace go back to theirs. For as grateful and appreciative as she was for all their help in saving the both of them, there are some things that Tifa would rather they be alone for, and this... whatever this is, is one of them. Never mind the guilt that she feels for having been the one to put them all through it—Eustace can argue with her all he likes, and they can all contend that they shouldn't feel that way, that none of it was her fault, but ever since she woke up from her weakened and frozen state, Tifa couldn't look any one of them in the eye.

Including Eustace.

Even as she walks with their arms slung around each other for support with Eria at their side, the journey home is silent. Only the stirrings of dawn can be heard—the birds that chirp in the canopies, the sound of dew dripping from the leaves, but nothing is quite so loud as their staggered footsteps, or her heart beating wildly in her chest, and her blood roaring in her ears.

Tifa tries to keep her anxiety to a minimum, tries to keep her thoughts straight, but all she can see are the claws of those lindworms as they came down to strike, and their scales that shimmered as they slithered around her. All she can hear are his desperate cries, and the sound of ice and electricity crackling as her vision darkened and her consciousness had begun to fade... She remembers the chill, the grips of death when it threatened to consume her, how cold his fingers were as they brushed against her face. The red in his eyes...

And then when she woke and saw the destruction he'd left behind. Saw her friends bruised and battered from battle. Saw him like that...

The thought is cut short by a sharp breath when they finally arrive at the foot of the stairs leading up to their home, her boot bumping against them when she hadn't been paying attention. The climb up is as dreadful as everything else had been, and she can feel the heat under her boots, the fires that try to claw their way out of the cage she tries to lock them in, to struggle against the trail of ice that forms in their wake. Even the tree's branches and leaves shudder as they walk through the front door, the flowers that decorate their tree that were once bright and vibrant freezing over and shriveling up, dying without a fighting chance.

It isn't until they're safely inside that Tifa so much as looks at him for the first time since they were at Ori's. Perhaps even before. Really looks at him. He's bruised and cut up, and he looks more tired than she's ever seen him.

Her hands fold together as she skirts her gaze away again, down to where she tries to stop her fingers from trembling when she bites back the urge to sob.

Tifa wants to say something, but... what is she even supposed to say? What can she say right now that would make this easier for both of them? She searches and searches her mind for an answer to the question that's been wracking her since they left the cliffside, but she's still coming up short of nothing.

Eria trots over and nudges Tifa with her nose, as if to encourage her to say something to break this tense silence before it all snaps. So, she blurts out the first thing that comes to mind in a voice so tiny that she's not even sure she's said anything at all, and it crackles, as if this is the first time she's ever spoken a word in her life. It certainly feels that way right now.]

... Do you want to get cleaned up first?

[First.

She kicks herself for it. Any other day and she would have suggested together, but her fear—not of him, but fear for them—is getting the better of her, and maybe that's for the best.]

Comments

[starshower]

[She tips her head at him, her hair tumbling down to tickle his cheek, her smile turning curious.]

What is? That they're close friends?

[flamekthunder]

[A small glance before he looks away a little awkwardly.]

...For me, yes. Making friendships is not something I'm used to.

[starshower]

[There's a bubble of warmth that envelops them, like the sun has found its way through the canopy of the trees overhead to shine on the single spot they are laying together on the grass.

Having known this now for as long as Tifa has, it makes her feel... proud. Happy for him that he has finally found a way to open up to others. To her, even, about things like this. He's come a long way, even from the days back in Avalon when she was just getting to know him... and seeing him now, hearing him talk about inviting all of his friends along...

She's happy for him.]

Well. [She boops him lovingly on the nose.] We all gotta start somewhere, yeah? It's just one of those things you'll have to get used to.

[And he isn't giving himself much credit.]

[flamekthunder]

[His nose crinkles slightly at the boop and he gives her a wry grin.]

I suppose I have no choice... And I guess it's not so bad...even if it can get a little noisy.

[starshower]

[She just gives a pointed look around them at all of the dogs before she lets her head fall to rest against his chest, and she snuggles up a little closer.]

It can. [She jests, with a little snicker.] But it's what makes the quieter moments like this seem nicer, doesn't it?

[Not that she minds the "noise", but she's learned to appreciate the peace and quiet a lot more after being with him.

And after everything that the two of them have been through in the past year, Tifa promised herself that she would seize these moments every chance she gets.]

[flamekthunder]

Mm... That's true.

[A light chuckle as he lifts his hand to gently stroke the back of her head down the length of her hair, fingers threading through the soft, long strands.]

If we could freeze time... This would be perfect.

[starshower]

We could... just stay here for the rest of the day.

[Just lie here under the tree with the dogs and pretend for a while that the rest of the world doesn't exist. They all seem to be having fun with each other or relaxing in a neat little circle around the two of them, but everything about this moment is perfect.]

Come back tomorrow for the rest of their things... I bet they won't mind.

[flamekthunder]

Why only the day... Could just stay the night. We still have our things here.

Been a while, too...

[starshower]

[Tifa lifts her head from his chest to look at him.]

I guess we could. ... It could be like a mini vacation from home?

[She looks to Cadoc who's lying on the grass nearby, like she's silently looking for his approval, and he boofs, which she will take as a "yes".]

They don't seem to mind having us over.

[flamekthunder]

[A light chuckle.]

Of course they wouldn't, we bring their food.

[starshower]

Then it's settled. We're staying here tonight.

[There's a chorus of happy barks that break out from the younger pups, both corgi and flower alike, and as Tifa curls up closer to Eustace, she giggles and listens to them all chatter amongst themselves, all of them likely screaming something about a big, huge sleepover and how it's been a long time since mom and dad stayed with them at their house!!!

And once they're all done, she sighs.]

... This is nice.

[It's a refreshing change of pace from the usual scenery, but more than that, she's just happy to be here with them all. It's the first time she's felt this content in a while, and shy, she buries her face into his chest to hide it so that she can tell him, because she feels she should—]

I'm really happy right now.

[flamekthunder]

[He's quiet for a moment, hand gently stroking her arm and back before he hums.]

I think I know of a way to make you happier.

[starshower]

[Is that even possible? Compared to how she's been feeling, she's absolutely over the moon right now, and she could fall into a deep, relaxed sleep with the way his hands are stroking her back and how his warmth almost completely envelops her.

She's curious, but Tifa doesn't move from where she keeps her head buried in his shoulder, and she laughs quietly.]

That's a pretty big claim to make.

[flamekthunder]

Do I ever say anything I can't do?

[A light grin before he lightly taps her shoulder and starts shifting for them to sit up, and once they are he whistles at the dogs. Immediately all pairs perk up and rush towards him barking in wonder. What, Dad, what? But when he gives a small glance, they once again tilt their head before barking happily. Immediately they start to circle around them, tails and butts wiggling as they form a shape. At first glance it might be a circle, but... A close look will reveal it's the shape of a heart.

Eustace then reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small bag.]

Here.

[starshower]

[She's a bit confused at what's going on, but she sits up anyway, looking around at how the dogs move into a formation... one that... she can't quite pick out from here at first glance.]

Huh...?

[But when Eustace pulls out a small bag from his pocket, she stares at it for a second without taking it before she's peering up at him with surprise.]

... A gift?

[Tifa takes it gingerly into her hands, as if scared she might break whatever is inside. If she'd known that he was getting her something, she would have done the same...!]

I... Eustace, you didn't have to...

[flamekthunder]

[He just continues to smile languidly before nodding.]

Open it.

[It's all he says, and when she does open it, she'll find both of their necklaces completely restored as if they were never broken. Of course, the charms are currently empty, but... Well, that will be remedied soon enough.]

[starshower]

[She's so, so careful as she opens it, and Tifa's eyes flick up to his with doubt when her fingers pry the little bag open wide enough that she can lower whatever is in it into her hand. She still feels a little bad that she doesn't have anything to give him in return, but when she hears that ever-familiar clink as they land in her palm...

...

.....

Tifa's eyes widen and her lips fall open, but any word she might have prepared to say dries right out when she sees the little charms and the dog tags laying there coiled there together. Both pairs. The little moon and the star shimmer, the glass empty, but they all look like they had the night they exchanged them next to the campfire.

She's silent for a while—Shiva knows how long—as she stares down at them, and her fingers curl as everything starts to come rushing back all at once. Tifa doesn't know what it is... it could be grief, regret, happiness, love, everything she's ever felt for him and all of the things she's felt in the last few weeks... but it hits her like a violent wave, mounting to a peak that starts at her chest and ripples all the way through her until she can't take it anymore. Until it all becomes too much for her to fight back.

Her hands fall to her lap...

She dips her head forward...

And she starts to cry.]

[flamekthunder]

[He had been expecting her to have some kind of large, emotional reaction...however it wasn't quite this. As the silence stretches, his smile falters a little, wondering if he might have done something wrong. And then the tears—immediately he rushes forward, his hands reaching out to her.]

Tifa? —No, wait, I didn't mean—

[HE DIDN'T MEAN TO MAKE HER CRY?? And as he holds her a little bewildered he looks at the dogs who only stare at him right back. What did you do—]

[starshower]

[Her laughter mixes in with the sobs when he reaches out to hold her, and Tifa leans into him, her face burying in that single spot against his chest where it fits so nicely... and her voice is so tiny and hoarse when she speaks against him, not moving from where she is.]

No... it's not that...

[She shakes her head but refuses to lift it to show him the way her tears are streaking hot against her cheeks and staining his shirt.]

I'm just... I wasn't expecting this is all...

[Ever. She wasn't expecting it ever, and there she goes, tumbling back into her sobs again as she closes her fingers around the necklaces so tight that she worries she'll crush them. She doesn't, but she holds onto them for dear life, never wanting to let them go...

God, this is so embarrassing.]

[flamekthunder]

...

[There's a bit of a relief knowing he didn't upset her, at least negatively. So he just lets out a small breath before he tightens his hold around her, head pressed against hers.

The necklaces...they meant more to them than just accessories. Without he honestly wouldn't have cared too much if his dog tags were lost. It would be a little sad to lose something from home, but they only marked his identity back in the organization. But Tifa...she gave them a new meaning for him. A promise to return to her. It's why he chose to propose to her with them...

And the charms, well there's not much to be said. It symbolized their love...and was what saved them in the end.]

...No matter how many times they break, I'll fix them.

[No matter times they are pushed, he won't give up. He won't waver again.]

[starshower]

[There's a long while where Tifa lets it all out quietly, allowing those emotions to pour out of her. These necklaces... while others might see them as mere trinkets, they meant so, so much more to them than that. Not having them... at first, it felt like the weight of that promise had been broken. Tainted... shattered and stepped on by the lindwurms and the nightmares until it was all buried in the dirt. That everything they worked so hard for that had bundled itself up in the little star and moon were gone forever...

But having them back and being able to hold them again... It makes that spark of hope surge like a stoked flame. Of course he fixed them... He continues to go above and beyond for her, continues to surprise her and give her the world... it's more than she can say she ever deserves.

She nods against him, sniffling, and Tifa finally lifts her head just enough that she can look at him.]

How did you find them...?

[flamekthunder]

The corgis did.

[A light smile as he looks over at them, their tails and butts wagging and wiggling as they bark.]

Since I couldn't go out...they volunteered to help. Aerona and Caerwyn remembered the original location, so it was a matter of them digging around to find it.

[starshower]

[Please... hearing that the corgis had helped... she's about ready to start crying again. The fact that they had done this for her... for them. No matter how many times Eustace goes out of his way for her, she may never get used to how special and treasured he makes her feel...

With more tears erupting in her eyes, Tifa looks to Aerona and Caerwyn with a grateful smile, and she notes to herself to make sure to thank them properly later.

But first...

Tifa leans forward and throws her arms around Eustace in a hug, and her tears will feel wet and hot on his neck as she nestles her face there and presses kisses to his skin wherever her lips will reach.]

... Thank you. All of you, thank you...

[It's said only loud enough for Eustace to hear, however, but she means it to be for all of them there.]

I thought they'd be gone forever.

(frozen comment)

[flamekthunder]

[He's caught a little off guard, but he just smiles into her kisses before he finally pulls her into one long one, as if trying to calm her down a little.]

Even if they were... I'd just have them remade.

[They meant too much for them to not have them back in some form, but it is better that they had the originals. And the dogs will join in on the love cuddling, converging in and licking both their faces. They want love, too!! They did good jobs, too!! They helped running errands and deliveries!!!]

(frozen comment)

[starshower]

[She accepts the kiss in kind, another sob catching in her throat, and she's about to do it again when the dogs leap in to join them, climbing onto their laps and bumping themselves up into their arms, and Tifa bursts out into peals of laughter, offering pets and kisses and ear scratches to any of them that she can reach... if they don't try to lick her face first.]

You all did such a good job. Thank you, everyone...ah—! Alright, alright...

[Idris leaps up with his front paws on Tifa's chest, trying to get to the front of the line, and she boops his nose with hers.

But Tifa is still clutching onto the charms in her hand, so she is going to gently nudge them off her. They are free to sit next to them, but once she's free, she takes Eustace's first and lifts it up by its chain and encourages him to come a little closer. Already, there are speckles of blue starting to form in his star, but there's something different about it this time: pale yellow begins to mix in with it as well...]