flamekthunder | { songerein: inbox }

[It's been a long time coming, and there is still a long way to go, but things are very slowly falling into place. After the wedding and the honeymoon, it felt as though things had slowed down considerably. Not that it was a bad thing—far from it, they enjoy the extra time they've found to relax and to simply bask in each other's company for a while... To enjoy that newlywed life, and to explore these new feelings that have bloomed because of it... even though not much has changed in their day to days.

Of course, it wouldn't be Eustace and Tifa without some busyness. It was promised that after the wedding and into the new year, they would both start thinking hard about their future together. Their journey onto the train car had only switched Tifa into high gear, and when he had given her the deed to the place that would one day become the home of her dream, she knew exactly what she wanted to do next.

Today would be the day that she first stepped foot inside after many, many months. They had looked around together in the fall for places that would suit what she was looking for, and while the place she had chosen was a bit of a fixer-upper, with some work, she knows it would turn into the place she's always wanted. It was hard not to love it—it was the biggest lot in the area that backed out into a small, private garden, there was plenty of room across to turn the space into something beautiful, and it was quiet, set far enough away from the plaza that they didn't get much of the noise that came from it while still being close enough to the residential district that they weren't completely out of the way.

It's a bit strange now that she's here, however. Now that this is their place...

Her fingers reach for the handle of the door, but as soon as she touches the cold steel, she stops and pulls it back.

...]

Sorry. [She offers Eustace a small, awkward laugh as she gently backs up into him.] Don't know why I'm so nervous all of a sudden.

[As he watches her hesitate in front of the door, he can only smile, thinking how cute she is. He knows she's not having second thoughts, so there's no doubts there. Still, it's a big step in this new chapter of their lives, and a very big one for her own. A dream that she's now able to have and live for her own...

Gently he takes the hand that had fallen, fingers rubbing against hers.]

It's a big step. But I'm here with you.

[And with a reassuring smile, he places her hand back on the handle.]

[As he sets her hand back on the handle, Tifa looks back at him over her shoulder with genuine surprise, and she catches that smile of his.]

I've never done anything like this before... Nothing so big, I mean...

[Her fingers tighten around the steel, and it's a bit cold under her hand as she hesitates again. Not out of doubt, but fear. Fear of the future, of the unknown, and fear that she is way in over her head... but it's the good kind. Not one that will scare her away or waver her confidence, but the kind that leaves her nerves buzzing as the butterflies in her belly burst to life, and the kind that will push her forward with something to look forward to.

Of course, any business prospect would be nerve-wracking, but she reminds herself, as she feels his warmth behind her, that she has Eustace here with her, and that makes everything easier.

With a deep breath, Tifa pulls on the door. It creaks a bit—someone's going to need to oil up those hinges!—as it swings open to reveal the inside.

It's bright with its large, wide windows spanning the room letting as much sun in as possible. It highlights the dust that's collected over time, but it needs a good cleaning anyway. The main floor is quite big and she could easily fit as many tables as she wanted. The kitchen lines the back wall opposite the entrance with an old gas stove and oven, a sink, plenty of counter and wall space that she could easily turn into a bar. Behind all of that is the massive storage room. In the opposite corner, there's an old stone fireplace that looks like it hasn't been used in many years, and she makes a small mental note to have Eustace grab some firewood for it later.

Above that is the second level that looks out over the main floor with even more seating space. There are a few extra rooms as well that she hasn't figured out what to do with just yet, but it's always good to have them.

Her favourite feature, however, are the double glass doors next to the fireplace that lead out to the green space in the back. It's small, but big enough that they could turn it into an outdoor patio in the warmer months, and with the other buildings unoccupied nearby, they have free reign over it. Little does she know, small starflowers have already started to bloom in the ground out there beneath the snow...

She spends some time at the threshold looking in, almost like she's afraid to take that first step over it, as she holds onto Eustace's hand in a firm grip.]

Can't believe all this is ours...

[He waits as she takes her time to take it all in. He had hoped to clean it up a bit for her before she arrived, but he didn't have much time, unfortunately. But they still have plenty of time, and he is giving her all she needs, remaining at her side.]

Yours.

[Just a soft reminder that her name is the primary owner of this lot, with his only as a secondary should anything happen.

And now he's just going to gently push her on the back to give her that little boost she needs.]

[It earns Eustace another look of surprise.

Right... He had signed it in her name, put her down as the primary owner. It had left her feeling warm and fluttery then—hell, she had sobbed tears of happiness into his shoulder when she saw her name there—and it does the same again now. It will be a difficult habit to break, but it's one she isn't sure she wants to. It may be hers on paper, but everything they do now, they do together.

And there's no other way that Tifa would rather have it be.

She feels his hand on her back nudge her forward and after a brief stumble, her feet finally oblige and she moves forward, stepping over the threshold with her hand still gripping his so that she can tug him along.

For a while, all she can do is stand at the entrance now so that she can get a proper look around...

...

But after some beats of silence, she can't help herself. She's so giddy that she breaks out into peals of giggles as she bounces gently on her heel.]

Still needs a bit of work, I think, but... where do we even start?

Look around first.

[He can't help but smile fondly at her. Even though the place is covered in dust, the particles that reflect the sunlight that pour through the windows seem to shine and sparkle around her instead, as if reflecting her joy instead.

He then holds out his hand and his journal appears.]

Say whatever comes to mind and I'll write it down. We can pick a starting point from there.

[Well if he's going to play assistant manager, might as well do his part!]

[Her mind is already racing through a hundred thoughts the longer she looks around, and she's only barely made it past the threshold and into the entranceway, but she turns to face him fully now, watching him in awe and adoration as his journal appears in his hand, and she feels the heat rising in her face, turning her cheeks pink.]

I... guess we should start small and work our way up, yeah?

[But where to even start on the smaller things!? She never had the opportunity to do any of this with the bar—everything was already there and laid out for her that decorating it was never a priority. And now, she gets to do it all.

Slowly, her eyes move over him until they land on his feet.]

I've always wanted... a cute welcome mat. Maybe... we could get a custom one? [She lifts her hand to make a pawing motion at him.] With little paws on it?

[...Why is she so adorable—

With an amused smile, he jots it down.]

All right.

Maybe something for the door? Like a bell or chime when someone enters?

[Her expression lights up significantly at that, and she wiggles a finger to the journal.]

Jot that one down, too. [She twirls a little on her feet, as if she's embarrassed to admit:] I always wanted one for Seventh Heaven, but never got around to it.

[Though, she tries not to linger too much on the thought. It's time to look forward at the things she can have, and not the things she couldn't.

With that, she starts to wander further into the center of the room where she opens her arms wide, absolutely tickled by how space there is and how, even with all of the dust that hovers in the air, it's still everything she could ever wish it would be. She heaves a giant, content sigh, and continues on towards the bar counter at the back, beckoning for Eustace to follow her inside.]

You know, it's kind of silly, but... I've always wanted some really nice coasters for the bar too. Maybe some fancy metal ones? With a special logo...?

[Is that even possible? They don't even have a logo yet, let alone a name!]

... Or is that too much?

[Just a small shake of his head as he notes it all down.]

Not at all. You could always start with a cheaper material like cork first to see how they go.

[.........Hm.]

The one thing about metal is that you would have to add that to the cleaning maintenance. Cork could have a benefit in that you could allow customers to take them with them, which would also serve as a form of advertise. Could offer special metal ones as additional merchandise or promotion.

I don't mind the cleaning, but... Eustace, you're a genius!

[She wishes she had thought of that! Even back then, something like that would have come in handy, and she could really have used the extra money... but here...]

Advertising wouldn't hurt. The more we can get the word out, the more people will come in to meet any animals we take in... And if people like our stuff, they're more likely to trade for special merch, yeah?

[He didn't think it so special...]

I only thought of what I've seen in other places...

[Just a little embarrassed, but he smiles a little, happy to see her happy.]

But that would be goal.

[He then eyes the windows since they seem to be working on the front of it.]

A display case would be good here, too.

[He steps over to one of the full length windows.]

[Her gaze follows his, and she slips out from behind the bar to get a better look, coming up at his side where she tilts her head.]

A display case? What would we put in there? The merch?

Since it's a partial café... [He looks a little awkward as he clears his throat.] I'm only saying what I've seen from others. But some of the food or other goods you make. Could also do something related to the animals we have, like pictures or something about them... Bagged snacks for the animals...

[Is he... embarrassed about this? Why is this so cute...]

Hmm. I think I know what you mean. Like replicas, right? I've seen some restaurants Topside that did that sort of thing.

[How fancy!!!]

But those are all great ideas! One shelf for each thing, hm? [A thought occurs to her, and she shuffles a little closer to him.] Wait, what about those glass dogs that you made for everyone!? Do you have any spares?

What?

[And his eyes widen a bit.]

The glass figures...? You want to put those out...?

[NOT THOSE... Well if he didn't feel flustered before, he sure does now.]

Yes? Of course I do.

[She's trying so, so hard to suppress a giggle, and the urge to hop up on her tiptoes and kiss him right now. Be strong, Tifa...

Although she is a bit surprised that he's surprised by it. Did he really expect her not to remember them, or that she wouldn't want to display them proudly for everyone else to see?]

They're cute, and fitting. They'd be perfect for a display case...!

[A pause, and she reaches out to touch him gently on the arm.]

... But only if you're willing.

[Hrmfmfmfmf]

It's not...that.

[Or maybe it is. He's not sure what he's feeling, really. Flustered, but an indescribable kind, as he really didn't expect her to want to put them on display publicly. It's one thing to have them out in a private setting, but for anyone to see them...

...]

They're not that good...

[A small, embarrassed mutter as he glances away, the tips of his ears feeling strangely warm as the back of his neck flushes a little. He was a bit proud of them, sure, but only because he managed to do them at all!!]

[She's just going to watch him for a moment, noting how his neck and his face flush with a bit of colour, fondness buzzing in the air around her, making the dust that floats around twinkle like starlight.

But as soon as he says that about them, she can't help it. The temptation is far too strong, and she closes the distance between them, lifts herself up on her tiptoes, wraps her arms around his shoulders, and kisses him lightly on the lips.]

That's not true. I think they're cute. And I know I wouldn't be the only one to think so. [She tilts her head at him, her lashes fluttering with affection.] But we don't have to. Maybe we can make some new ones together that we can put out instead...?

[Regardless, she wants some out on display, and that seed has planted itself firmly into her imagination.]

[His mind is so full of the idea of those glass dogs out on full display that he doesn't expect Tifa coming up to him. But when she does, there's a brief look of surprise as he looks down at her, hand automatically moving to gently rest at her waist. He still feels a little awkward, but...]

...You know I can't say no to you.

[A light smile forms.]

And it's not a bad idea, really... Let's make some new ones.

...And I'll think about picking one or two of the others.

[She brushes his hair away from his eyes, and the sun that shines through the window beams down on him a little brighter.]

The dogs will love it too, I bet.

[Since they were technically made in their likeness, after all. But she's happy enough even with being able to make brand new ones with him... together. Just like everything else.]

So, that's settled then. A display case for merch, food, pictures, and the glass dogs.

[As she wraps her arms around him, she giggles.]

Think you can write that down?

[Can he do it with her like this?]

[A bit of an amused look as he tries to wriggle his arms free to lift his journal behind her. He even tries to lean over her shoulder her a bit.]

...Let's see...case...

[Yes he's definitely attempting to write this down, though it's not that easy.]

Mmhm.

[She grins and buries her face into his chest, breathing in gently while he writes it all down. If he listens carefully, she's sure that he might be able to hear her heartbeat quickening.]

Don't forget everything else, too.

[She's not letting go. Even as she lifts her flushed face to look towards the fireplace with a thoughtful pout to her lips.]

... What do you think of some nice chairs over there?

Hold on—

[Glass....dogs.

The soft sound of the quill scratching over the paper finally ceases, his hands lowering so they can once more rest behind her back as he turns to follow her gaze.]

With a small coffee table or just a few side tables, it would make for a nice lounge area.

[Her shoulders shake with suppressed laughter, and she waits patiently, listening for the quill to stop scribbling before she nods.]

Yeah. I thought so too. Right by the fire for the winter, and when it's nice out, we could open the doors? Out to a patio in the back...?

☕

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