melodiesoflife | Love Springs Eternal (??)

[ Something about the straightforwardness of her response caused his chest twist uncontrollably at the thought that maybe, this really wasn't the way to do this. Then again, it hadn't necessarily been out of the desire for originality that he'd chosen this place and no other, because in many ways... it just wouldn't do, to share this moment with anybody else but her.

If she would so wish afterwards, if she would still be interested to keep him company for the rest of the day - there were a lot of ifs here - then it could certainly be something to consider, if they managed to secure a spot that she'd like. For now, however, the idea in his head dictated otherwise, suppressing the apology that pressed itself onto his lips and motivating him to see where his own stubbornness would take him. ]

Okay.

[ Acknowledging her decision with a nod, he walked up to the stone stairs, taking note of how slippery some of them seemed and tightening the grip on her hand in turn as they began to climb.

Honestly, it was a bit of a trek to reach the top, for the path twisted in many incomprehensible ways, forcing them to pass through one of the corridors and nearly spook one of the servants in the process. There was an end to it, though, a spacious balcony that opened to the southern parts of the city. Snow had already managed to cover much of it, rendering the floor almost completely white, save for the parts hidden under the roof where the stone benches were located.

A trace of relief lit the cadet's gaze when he saw the view for the first time, but overall, his thoughts were elsewhere for the time being. ]

Is this place all right with you?

[ Though her hold tightened within his several times, especially when they encountered the servant, Tear still kept her gaze up and managed to keep herself relatively calm, for all that she had come to start associating darker passages with less than friendly encounters. Besides, she had no reason to think Ace would lead her anywhere that would deliberately make her uncomfortable.

But words didn't come once they had reached the balcony, the view from it quickly capturing her attention. While it was true she had seen other locales from similar heights, it only just occurred to her that it was her first time seeing Aqures Ixen from such a way.

That alone made it worth the trek as she turned her head to nod once, the soft upward curve of her lips hopefully communicating her agreement. ] Yes, it is...

[ And they were fortunate enough that there was still someplace to sit, if they wanted to. It was tempting to lead him further toward the edge, but since he had been the one to suggest the idea she thought it better to let him take the lead until he fulfilled what he wanted to. ]

Looking at the city from here is something else, isn't it...?

[ Almost like... when they first met, back aboard the airship. ]

[ What Ace wanted was to offer the girl a moment of respite, but seeing what he had mistaken for indecision, he gently pulled Tear toward the balustrade. It was such an obvious spot to begin from, after all.

The light smile on her lips eased the tension in his shoulders. ]

I know of your fondness of the skies, but I figured that a change of perspective could be interesting.

[ Needless to say, they shared that line of thought. Ace fell silent, casting his gaze toward the city. Though he still struggled with the concept of calling it his home, each day made it slightly easier to... accept such an association, eventually. ]

That, and I needed someplace to... talk.

That's something you hear people mentioning often. [ Though they probably didn't mean it to be taken literally like they were doing, Tear leaning over to get a better look at the view below and being careful to not once go of his hand as she did. And while she doesn't say anything about it, she was touched to know that he had noticed and remembered that fondness.

Glancing back at him, her eyes were questioning and encouraging him to continue. They could talk in any number of places, but as she knew well by now, sometimes that extra comfort and control was necessary. ]

If that's the case, I hope this spot will help you voice what you want to, a little.

[ Besides, she more than owed him the time. Or rather, it wasn't that she owed him—she wanted to listen, just as she had promised. ]

[ Letting out a muffled sigh, he cast his eyes downwards, a half-smile tugging at his lips. ]

I'm no longer so sure about that. [ It was as though the view had made his task all the more daunting due to its great significance, despite of the soothing serenity the winter landscape possessed. ]

This day has already been... rather eventful. I met Jade earlier in the morning.

[ If Tear thought confessions would come as easy as it had seemed, her patience would be now put to a little test. It wasn't, by far, the reason why he'd brought her here, so it was out of sheer curiosity that he left her with an unspoken question, wondering how she felt about a certain incident. ]

[ ... Ace, how are you still standing? He could make out of her stunned expression what he wanted, but it probably wouldn't help to clear up anything as she let out a breath that sounded more like a huff than anything, lips pulling downward in a faint frown. ]

So you did... I can only imagine how he might have treated you. [ And that was really all she could do, having been the subject of his teasing a number of times—

... It's a split second later that it occurs to her what the circumstances of their meeting might have been like, and slowly but surely her cheeks begin to flush crimson. The offending pieces of paper had incited quite a bit of talk in their home that morning, after all.

Even if it had nothing to do with that, there were a great number of other things he could have said instead. ]

W-what did he say...?

[ His moment of embarrassment had gone along with that unfortunate conversation, allowing him to keep his posture completely straight, eyes calmly seeking out hers. ]

Nothing that would have made me choose his statement over yours, and besides, it isn't exactly my place to ask.

[ It really wasn't, and he felt like an intruder, attempting to force the confirmation out of her. Especially considering the discomfort made apparent by the redness that continued to spread all over the girl's face, a sign that earnt a worried frown before she even said anything. ]

... What he did, was imply that there might have been— [ With that, he shakes his head, as if to let her know once more how he didn't consider it to be anything more than a mere joke. There is no reason to think otherwise.

Right? ]

—something going on between you two.

Edited 2016-02-24 03:48 (UTC)

He's twenty years older than I am. [ What point she was trying to get across with that statement, even Tear didn't know for sure. It hardly helped in finding a way to disprove whatever Jade had implied logically, but it was the first thing that came to mind as she sighed quietly, willing her blush to lessen as best she could.

Leave it to him to plant such implications and take the joke as far as he could. ]

The colonel is a trusted ally, he just so happens to have a sense of humour that comes at the expense of others.

[ ... Though, a small part of her felt guilty for the relief that did come, hearing that the implication had been misdirected. ]

I... wouldn't be surprised if others saw the fliers and thought the same. It seems that everyone has come to recognise us as a team, and the high compatibility in the results seemed to reaffirm that.

[ It certainly raised a valid point, in light of how misleading ~~Jade's shiny hair~~ appearances were, bringing a playful smirk to the cadet's lips that however contained a hint of relief. Tear's past belonged to her and her only, and yet, he was selfishly thankful that such parts thereof wouldn't come to haunt him in their strange ways.

Or so Ace naively believed. ]

Overall, I was under the impression that he would probably get along well with somebody I... know.

[ So as not to say have repeatedly agreed to become a test subject for in the past. Eccentric scientists with unique senses of humour seemed to be a constant for each world. ]

Of course, the matter of our compatibility did not go undetected, either. [ The blond gently lifts the melodist's hand in his grasp to place his other hand atop of it. Just being able to do that effectively erases the remains of exasperation he felt upon reading the flyers, which now were nothing but senseless pieces of paper one could only make light of.

And that's exactly what he does, looking the girl expectantly in the eyes as he smiles. ] ... Well, that had to be an error. Personally, I would have given us at least fifty.

He has his ways. [ Diabolical ways, though there was no way she was going to voice that out loud ~~he might hear them~~. Though similarly, it could be possible that their group had been victims to his experiments more than they were aware of.

That, plus the idea that there was someone possibly similar that he would get along with, pushed her to quickly set aside the idea and focus solely on the person in front of her, the pink tinge barely noticeable on her expression when she met his eyes with a smile. ] Only fifty? Wouldn't that mean we wouldn't show up on each other's results at all?

[ But knowing he thought so was its own comfort, even though she honestly hadn't thought she would care so much about the matches when Sein handed her the envelope after explaining, figuring that none of the names she may have considered would appear only to have it snatched out of her hands just as quickly.

The moogle's high shriek of "How dare they!" had rung in her ears for quite some time after she had gone to see the publicly posted flyers herself, despite his protests. ]

Maybe the one responsible for printing them read the results wrong, or holds a grudge for whatever reason. [ Because it was much more encouraging to believe that when looking at the two percent number. ]

[ Ace had expected nothing less, welcoming her compliant with a faint blush of his own. Did she even realize there was only one way to grant such request? ]

I did say at least, not meaning that I would stop at such number. [ He does not want to, nor does he genuinely think he could measure the comfort the melodist has given him using numbers. Tilting his head, he feigns a questioning stare. ] Tear, have you perchance insulted any moogles as of late?

[ He then drew both his hands - with the girl's still placed securely in between - closer to himself, sighing softly as he stayed silent for a brief moment, his expression seeming almost wistful if it wasn't for the slight upward curl of his lips accompanying his words. ]

Not that... it actually matters. I don't need a list to tell me who is that I feel most at ease with.

[ If this was how they were going to go about addressing the ridiculous numbers, then Tear was happy to comply for as long as she could, stifling a smirk of her own out of some respect for the moogles. ]

I'd like to think that I haven't, they're all cute creatures. [ But even as she joked about it, a thought did quickly cross her mind—it involved the two different moogles who had accompanied that person, who took it upon themselves to look after him when she couldn't. Surely they wouldn't have...?

Shaking her head to do away with the faint crease in her eyebrows the memory had caused, her face took on the same thoughtful expression once again, carefully considering his words and the possibility of what they could mean.

To be more accurate, what she might be hoping they did, though she didn't dare say anything yet. ]

That's good to hear. [ Affirming her answer with a small nod, the girl looked down from his face to their hands linked together, cherishing the warmth they provided her in more ways than one. ]

Knowing who it is that most makes you feel that way, not everyone is able to figure that out for themselves.

Edited 2016-02-24 09:47 (UTC)

[ It wasn't as though the meddlers didn't have their bright moments, be it whenever the advice given turned out to be surprisingly helpful, or... their antics accidentally drew you close to who you would later consider your best friend and ally. ]

I've had that knowledge for a while now, so I feel rather confident about it.

[ Seeing her gaze stray, he reached out to take hold of her other hand as well, now pressing them together gently against his chest as he spoke. ]

I just wish it could translate into words nearly as well, because I would rather not keep it solely for myself. I—...

[ Everything that had led up until this moment had given him this exact opportunity that he could not waste by being unable to keep his emotions in check. Inhaling sharply, he closed his eyes, before letting himself be carried away any further. ]

Hoping to have your feelings reciprocated is quite a lot to ask for, in this case. How... can you tell it's the right moment?

[ ... Only to open them seconds later, looking for a sign of permission in hers, for it was far too late for exchanging simple pieces of advice. ]

[ Tear let Ace do with her hands as she wished, listening intently to his every word despite still not looking at him properly just yet. Instead, she became all the more aware of the warmth beneath them, of the heartbeat she could feel when she was this close to him.

Even though her expression was becoming more and more wistful, it also showed the faint curve of her lips, waiting until he was finished before responding. ]

I don't know if there is a 'right moment,' for that. [ Lorelei knew she had never figured it out. ] And it is a lot to ask for... It can also be considered brave, to still want to say them.

[ Had the melodist possessed the courage to act, perhaps she wouldn't have been in this position to begin with. But when she at last lifted her gaze to meet that of the boy in front of her... She couldn't believe it had been entirely bad of her to have held back.

Pausing for a moment, she remembered the meeting she had attended the week before—they had tried to cover this very topic, hadn't they? It was just for a brief while, but it was enough to stand out to her. ]

If you don't mind... I want to hear your words, if it's something you would want to share with me.

[ It wasn't just a promise pushing her to want to listen, but perhaps a small hope... ]

... Of course.

[ Ace's hold was gradually becoming lighter, so that any attempts at maintaining their physical contact would now be the result of her own volition rather than his own. It felt... necessary, to ensure her this very minimum of personal space, knowing that what he was about to say would eventually force her to voice her own opinion on the matter. ]

Tear Grants—

[ A soft smile adorned his lips at the sound of that name, the same one she had chosen to introduce herself as, the one he had learnt to call her by. Ultimately, it was a matter of nostalgic preference that wouldn't have made his words any less, nor any more valid if he had gone down the other path. Having expected his face to flare up like it always did under similar circumstances, he was surprised to find the surge of warmth under his skin completely unthreatening, as if it was meant to be there. It allowed him to remain calm in the face of the challenge that this confession undoubtedly was. ]

— ... you make me feel like I belong. Even if the time we have left is only a fraction of what we would like it to be— [ The boy shakes his head lightly, trying to push aside the thoughts that would no longer influence his decision. ] —it won't stop me from looking forward to making these moments count.

Yes, anything could happen, but if the future is what we make it, I... I want to be your strength the same way you've been mine.

[ The wave of relief produced a sound akin to quiet laughter at the back of his throat, brief as it was before it faded—... ]

... I love you.

[ Even in silence, he couldn't draw his eyes away from her. ]

[ Tear's breath stills when it begins to dawn upon her what he was going to say, eyes widening with every phase that passed through his lips. Even when he finishes she stands motionless, the only indication she had heard at all being her gaze lowering to look at their hands, her own grip tightening to make up for his.

Slowly, she realised that pulled close like this, she could feel his heartbeat in addition to the warmth she had come to associate with him, however faint it was. For whatever reason, it was this realisation that broke her silence in the form of a breathy half-laugh. ]

You... you idiot! [ The words may seem completely out of place when coupled with the smile that had spread across her lips, flustered yet bright. ]

Ace... [ Her tone was nothing but gentle, despite the words she had blurted out seconds before. Her gaze still focuses on his hands in hers, she threaded them with hers delicately, her touch almost timid with how lightly she held him. ] You already are

[ Perhaps it was that residual fear that made her hold on to him this way, but by now she knew what it was she wanted. Yet to hear him say it, to confirm that small yet selfish wish she held in her heart. ]

With you, I... [ Her voice fell silent, searching for the right words. All she had to do was say it back... ]

[ With that most affectionate of insults he'd ever heard, Ace found himself chuckling along, no longer being able to remember how it had felt to fear uttering the three words that now seemed to come with such ease. The nervousness had long subsided, leaving in its stead only a temptation to reprise his confession, over and over again.

Filled with newfound gratitude for those tiny reminders of the season, he welcomed the snowflakes slowly settling down on his skin, as if to hide away the faint traces of wetness which had formed behind his eyelids. Blinking them away, he watched with amusement how the melodist's unruly hair refused to surrender, tousled bangs effectively obscuring the girl's face more and more with every movement she would undertake.

This time, he wouldn't be there to help her out. Letting their hands remain in their light embrace, he moved closer to gently rest his forehead against hers, with no other intention but to savour the moment he felt so blessed to be a part of. ]

You don't have to—... [ Through her reaction, she has already communicated what he needed to know, and however important this step was, he could wait. After all, he's always had the upper hand. ] I-it doesn't have to be now.

But... [ Daring to peek at him through the mess of bangs, Tear couldn't stop her smile from growing when she was met with the look on his face. There was all the proof and reassurance she needed to know this was what she wanted, that eventually the time would come for her to say it back.

Even now he was granting her that reprieve, and it was that thought that made her close her eyes, releasing a soft sigh in gratitude. It extended not only to his patience, but knowing that he had still received her answer without her uttering the words.

That would make it all the more meaningful when the moment did come. ]

... Okay. [ But just because she had chosen to delay, it didn't mean she was going to stand by and do nothing. Carefully breaking apart their connection, it was only so she could then move to wrap her arms around him. Not so tightly, and certainly with traces of shyness in its touch, there was no mistaking the affection and warm strength the girl was placing into her efforts to bring him closer. ]

Thank you, Ace. I... I really mean it. [ For so many things, in so many ways. ] I know I asked for more time back then, and that's what you've given me along with much more since.

[ He had already said it, recognising that despite all efforts their future would be limited. Yet here they stood wanting to face it together anyway, something she had lost to her hesitation in a future that hasn't happened. If he still chose to be there, it made it a little less frightening to brave it all again. ]

Thank you for giving me more time with you...

[ There were plenty of ways to express oneself than words alone, and these often required the most courage. Ace understood that, easily finding all he could have ever wanted in the honesty of her touch. Without a second of hesitation, he responded by enveloping her in an embrace of his own, hands resting against the girl's back in a secure hold. ]

There's... only one condition. Everything that I've already said—....

[ No matter how many times he'd experienced it before, there was something particular about the way she wrapped her arms around him that stole his breath away, little by little. ]

... Call me an idiot however you like, but don't make me take that back.

[ The request sounded only as solemn as the soft curl of his lips would allow for it to be, but that didn't diminish its importance in his mind. Having taken that step forward, he could not imagine pretending that it had been anything less than his heart's offering.

Hearing the melodist attribute so much kindness to simple gestures, he had to resist the urge to stop her in her tracks, to explain there was no need to sound so obliged as she seemed to be. ]

As much time as you need. [ ... But he doesn't, knowing that if they were to switch places, the same words could have fallen from his own lips. ] I'll be there.

[ The vision had left its mark, and Ace wondered how conscious was Tear's grasp of the changes that had occurred. Whether he liked it or not, he was in a position that allowed him to see them clearly, free from the memories that seemed to haunt so many others.

Out of all these differences, her loss of faith in herself was definitely the most painful to bear. ]

I... I'll be there to remind you who you are, in case you ever forget.

[ His condition, however simple it might seem to follow, still nearly makes her voice her protest against it, going as far as looking back up at him and parting her lips to try and say the words. If she were to walk down the same path of that alternate future, she could only imagine the pain he would be put through for his dedication to staying by her side.

But she also knew it wasn't her place to stop him, if he chose to fulfil that vow. And by now, she knew his his absence had contributed to her departure in the end, as well as what had kept her heart from being free of doubts about the plan they had undertaken. ]

Idiot... [ Yet there she was, with an affectionate insult ready as she reached up with one hand to brush away his hair. Having him here with her, in this moment, was all the reminder she needed that she couldn't turn him away if she still wanted to avert that future. ]

You know this means you're not allowed to go anywhere, right? [ Unspoken in her light tease was what had happened to him in that future, that had kept him from being the pillar he was now. ] I hate to be a burden, so it's my duty to make sure you don't and remind you.

[ Exhaling softly, he pressed his cheek against her open palm, uncaring of the state of his hair if it gave him opportunities like this. ]

And where would I go?

[ Though he smiled weakly, the hidden implication of her question wasn't lost on him, and what his words wouldn't communicate, perhaps his expression could get across, eyes knowing and watchful. His life was no longer his own, and his death signified that of thousands. Having once forsaken his fears, he now had a multitude of reasons to accept them anew, if not for himself, then for the sake of others.

He couldn't afford to die again, neither of them would. The cadet gently shook his head, and thus, released her hand from the hold. ]

No, this is where I should be. And besides - I do not treat lightly the promises I make.

[ Though she could easily tease him further, and in reality could probably come up with a number of plausible answers of where else he might be needed, Tear instead chose to keep her silence when faced with the look in his eyes, nodding once so he would know she understood.

He had already made the same implications before, hadn't he? She could still remember their exchange after he had woken up so clearly, how readily he had been willing to cast aside so much to stay with her to the point it seemed almost absurd. If that was how it was going to be, it would be all the more important that she made sure she didn't become that burden. ]

I know you don't. [ That was another thing they shared in common, but with its mention came the memory of something else she had wanted to ask him before. ]

When did you... realise? [ No, that was perhaps too vague, though it wasn't inaccurate either. ] When did you decide you wanted to tell me this?

[ A small frown formed a crease between his brows as he considered the question he hadn't seen coming, or at the very least wasn't prepared for. It wasn't the kind of decision that came with a snap of one's fingers, nor he had truly understood it at that moment the way he had grown to see it today.

But to say he wasn't able to pinpoint that one moment in particular... would be a lie. A faint blush dusted his cheeks, as if to serve as proof to his own confidence that he was still very much vulnerable to being caught off-guard. ]

For that very reason, it's possible my memory of it is much more vivid than yours. [ And it made him smile to himself, even now, though his voice soon became quieter. ] That night on the Enterprise.

[ It felt... difficult to explain, but he wished to be thorough if such was a question.

Or as thorough as he could be, because suddenly, he looked almost too flustered to speak at all. ]

... You had to lead us both for a short while, remember?

... I do. [ Even though Tear had no intentions of forgetting what happened that night, when she realised he had gone into stasis it became all the more important to her that she held on to every memory of that night as possible, even the brief disappointment of his confession about reading her file.

So it wasn't at all difficult to remember that particular moment of standing there awkwardly and wishing she hadn't placed the line between when the music began anew, seeing the brief surprise on his face before she took the lead. ]

Maybe my memory of it is as good as yours, you seemed really nervous before I acted. And I didn't want you to have to be.

[ Thinking about it, they were relatively in the same position now as they were then, holding on to each other. And once again, he was flustered in a way that had her wanting to soothe him, so she searched until his hand was in hers, just as it had been that night. ]

I also remember you saying that I was letting you get away with a lot.

Edited 2016-02-28 07:13 (UTC)

[ Though her recollection of it made him smile inwardly, his own was a sum of feelings and emotions which made it difficult to express the way he had seen it - which was best left unspoken, perhaps. The fingers of his hand then curled around hers instinctively. ]

... Look around. Aren't you, still?

[ How clumsily he had been trying to involve her in every aspect of his life, simply because she would have somehow always manage to bring in more colours into it. It had all started far back, with a letter that he hadn't even been the sole receiver of, and a small, yellow feather that had along the way become its own communication method.... ]

But maybe, with time, you'll be able to tell me more about things you would... like us to do, together. Or places to visit.

[ With that, he stepped out of the embrace to lead her toward one of the benches, lest they both turn into ice sculptures. ]

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i have to be vague for reasons...

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