flamekthunder | { songerein: inbox }

[It's a bedtime just like any other. The two of them say their goodnights to the corgis downstairs, to Eria, to Clover, before heading off to prepare for bed. They get cleaned up together, brush their teeth together, and climb into bed together just like they always do. It's routine, and some might even find it a little mundane or repetitive, but there's something relaxing about it. She takes comfort in knowing that this is that "small thing" that she can look forward to at the end of the day.

The lights go out and they curl up in the warmth of their bed, and Tifa slips into that spot at his side that she always fits into so perfectly where she can easily reach his neck and his hair to nuzzle her face into to keep her nose warm... And where she can whisper sweet nothings to him until they both doze off.

But just before that sleepiness comes over her completely, a thought suddenly occurs to her, and as she stirs, Tifa mumbles quietly into his ear to check if he's still awake.]

... Hmm. Eustace?

[He likely is—he seems to always make sure that she's fast asleep before he goes, too—but she wants to be sure not to startle him in the event that he isn't.]

[Another peaceful, calm, quiet, beautiful evening with his family... What more could he want? With his beloved snug in his arms, Eustace is more than ready to doze off the moment he hears Tifa's even breaths, always wanting to feel her steady heartbeat and take that extra moment to relish in her existence secured in his arms.

So he's a little surprised when he hears her speak up and just answers with a drowzy hum.]

Hm...? What's up.

[She inhales gently, and he may feel her smile press into his hair.]

... Dreamwalk with me tonight?

[Tifa knows that it's a lot to ask, especially so suddenly before they fell asleep, but—]

It's nothing bad, but... I wanna try something.

[A slight arch of his brow before he slowly opens his eyes and looks down at her.]

Dreamwalk...? I don't mind, but for what?

[Tifa is silent for a few breaths and she wonders if she should tell him, or keep it a secret.

...

And opts for the latter.]

You'll see when we get in there. It's a surprise.

...Hmmm...

[A deep, low hum as he eyes her suspiciously...but then there's a faint smile as he brushes his lips against the top of her head.]

All right. I'll let you surprise me. Should I give you some time first?

[Let her set things up before going in?]

Yeah. Give me a few.

[She doesn't even know if she needs the time at all, or if it will manifest the second she gets in there, but maybe it's for the best that he does.]

Shouldn't take me long to get ready.

[Her memory of the place is still vibrant and vivid, and she's already closing her eyes and curling up as close to him as she can, just to make sure that the last thing she thinks of as she falls asleep is him.]

All right.

[Another light kiss as he once more encircles his arms close around her, listening to her soft breaths until they eventually become steady. He stares down at her as he often does now, fingertips lightly stroking against her back and hair as he briefly wonders what it is she has in mind. It's been a while since they shared a dream together...

Eustace waits a little longer, not minding at all on the wait as it just means he has an excuse to watch her sleep a little more, to have a little fun and gently poke her cheek while murmuring under his breath the question he has on his mind. Only after waiting about ten minutes does he think he gave her enough time...he's feeling a bit drowsy, already, anyway.

So he nestles back in, hugging her close to him as his chin rests lightly against the top of her head like it always does before he closes his eyes, inhales her soft, sweet scent, and lets his mind drift, his thoughts focused solely on her and her alone, wondering what she has in store...]

[Her legs tangle with his, her body tucks itself in against him, and she lets herself fall asleep to the sound of his heartbeat, and the feel of his fingertips brushing her hair and her back the way she always does every single night. Just like every other time, he's the last thing that she thinks about before she the sleep washes over her and her breathing evens out...

And soon enough, once she's fallen all the way, her world swirls around her. Darkness turns into warm flickering lights and there's a shift from the comfort of her bed into the comfort of something else familiar. A quiet bar at the end of the night after all the guests have left, with the jukebox playing music gently in the back. She has a rag in her hand and she's standing over one of the tables as if she's just woken back up in the middle of setting the chairs up for closing time. There are still voices chattering and laughter ringing out on the other side of the door, but it's just her in the bar.

For now.

Until Eustace wanders into the dream, and he'll be standing outside at the bottom of the steps leading up to the bar...]

[When he opens his eyes, he finds himself casually dressed and standing in front of a place that looks familiar... And then looking up at the sign it finally clicks. Tifa's bar, of course. He didn't have the best chance to see it from the outside the last time after they left it, but now he takes a little more time to appreciate it as it once was. Curiously he does notice how it doesn't seem to be occupied, but the lights seem to be on...and he can hear the music.

Still wondering what Tifa has in mind, he finally steps up the stairs to the bar, slowly opening the door to step inside.]

[Tifa is busy admiring the polished table when she hears the door click, and she knows that it must be him. So, quickly, she moves to start wiping down the table as he steps inside, and she spins to glance over her shoulder with a feigned look of surprise on her face.]

Oh, sorry. We're closed.

[But there's a recognizable and very obvious glint in her eyes, that affection immediately shimmering in the reds under the soft yellow lights.]

[At first he thought she might not really recognize him, that this might be more dream than simulation. But he catches that glint and affection in her eyes, and he a subtle grin forms as he just continues to step through the door, letting it softly close behind him.]

Must have missed the sign.

[Yet he barged in, anyway. What an unruly customer.]

Can't offer one last drink? I heard this was the best in town.

[An unruly customer indeed. What is she going to do with him...

She chews on her lip, trying her hardest to stifle the smile that threatens to spread when she figures out that he's playing along with her.]

Mm... Is that what people are saying?

[Tifa glances around the empty bar, and at the chairs that are already flipped up onto the tables before she's turning back to Eustace and tipping her head to one side and then the other, like she's sizing him up.]

I don't do this often, but I guess I could spare one drink. For the compliment.

[He's pretty cute, after all.]

But you'll have to sit at the bar.

Fine by me.

[And he'll just saunter in, his footsteps light yet still softly thudding against the floor as he approaches the bar.]

I'll go with your recommendation.

[He slips into the barstool directly in front of where she would be, arms crossing over the counter as he relaxes a bit, eyes wandering as he looks over it all again.]

[She slings the towel over her shoulder and watches him move, hands behind her back as she follows him to the bar and she rounds it to the other side, her gaze never once leaving Eustace. And as soon as she meets him across the bar, she leans over it and offers him her award-winning bartender smile.]

Well, what're you in the mood for tonight that you came all the way here for?

Hm...

[Just a casual tilt of his head as if seriously considering.]

...Something calm and relaxing.

[Something calm and relaxing...

Tifa always picks out whiskies for him when she knows they're planning to drink, but she's never sat down and thought what kind of cocktail she might make him. The thoughtfulness on her face isn't all for show—it looks like she's trying to discern the kind of man he is for the very first time.

If he really were a customer of hers...

The Cosmo Canyon might not be up his alley. Too sweet, with too much of a punch—

Tifa hums to herself with a nod.]

How does a Nibel's Sunset sound to you?

What's that?

[Curious, he leans in a little.]

Nibel's Sunset.

[Said as if it's the most obvious answer in the world. Tifa waggles a finger at him.]

Can't share my secrets of the trade, but... [Her smile spreads a touch at last.] You seem like a whiskey sort of guy. Call it a hunch.

[There's just a quirk of a brow before he raises a hand to rest his chin against it, a slight quirk of his lips revealing an amused grin.]

Hm... All right. I'll give it a try.

One Nibel's Sunset coming right up.

[Her smile is coy, and a little bit shy, as she lets her eyes linger on him a second longer than what any other bartender might allow before she's grabbing all of the ingredients off the back counter. She doesn't need to shake it in a cocktail shaker... but she's going to do it anyway. Just for him.

So, she screws off the lid and lifts the whiskey high to pour into the shaker, followed by a splash of amaretto. Popping the lid back on, she shakes and shakes, gives it a toss, spins, and catches it only to twirl it between her hands. If she's going to make him a proper drink in her bar, then she's going to have to make it a memorable one.

A few more twirls of it in her fingers for good measure, and with one hand, she uncaps it and with the other, she places a single cube into the glass, and she pours the amber drink over it. It's not quite finished, because she quickly takes a knife and a lemon from the cooler below the counter to skillfully cut off a slice of lemon peel to garnish it with.

And when she's finished, she saunters over to him with the glass in her hand and gently sets it down in front of him.]

This one's on the house.

[If he goes to take a sip, he'll be met with something that is a refreshing mix of both bitter and sweet, lined with hints of nuts and caramel.]

Edited 2022-11-06 17:01 (UTC)

[He watches her with genuine interest, always finding it fascinating and impressive how skillful she is with mixing drinks. He's seen a fair number of bartenders over the years, some who do it simply, others adding a little flair. Only Tifa has really held his interest...granted he might be a bit biased. He also wonders how much of it is just for him, which tickles him a little and he holds back the small laugh that threatens to escape. If they're trying to pretend to be strangers, they're doing a poor job of it and he knows it. But he also doesn't care all that much, not bothering to hide the fondness he has as he watches her. Only once she finishes does he make an attempt at his "role" as the strange, new customer who just happened to wander in.

Taking the glass, he tilts it slightly to hear the ice cube clink against the walls, the liquid an interesting color. Swirling it a bit, he lifts it up so that he can take a closer look and catch a whiff of the strong scent. A kind of whiskey? She does know his preferences so he shouldn't be too surprised. Another light swirl as he eyes her for a moment.]

Rather generous. Do you always treat customers who come in late like this?

[His question draws out a flush over her cheeks.]

No.

[She props her elbow up on the counter and rests her chin in her hand, regarding him and the drink with a coy glimmer in her eyes while she waits for him to take his first taste. He never seems like the kind of man who would play along with these little games, but just like he wonders if this is all for him, she finds herself thinking the same thing about him.]

Just the one that got my interest.

Oh?

[He'll be just as coy as he maintains some nonchalance before taking that first sip...

And his eyes widen slightly at the burst of flavor that hits his tongue. That nutty, caramel taste that gives it strange but not unpleasant bitter yet sweet taste. There's a hint of that tart lemon from the peel as well, but it's subtle, mixing in well with the rest of the drink. It's nothing like he's had before, so he savors it a bit, lets it linger in his mouth for a moment before he swallows and feels the warmth flow down his throat. It's a bit strong, but not anything he can't handle. In fact, it might just be the perfect amount...

Ruminating in the aftertaste a bit, he looks at her.]

Hmm...not bad.

[She watches him carefully and eagerly as he takes his sip, and proud as she is of her choice for him, and she knows he'll like it, her stomach does a little bit of a nervous flip.

His verdict has her lifting her chin from her hand and straightening up, and there's a curious tip of her head.]

Not bad?

[Is he just teasing her? Her expression does falter a touch, but only for a blink.]

Still the best in town?

🕺💃🎵

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