spiritingaway | snowblind style angst

snowblind style angst

[They're in one of the nicer houses at the moment. Whoever lived here must have been rich, and while the place is looking a little worse for wear, it's still huge. That makes it a pain to search, but they're also more likely to find something useful.

Royce used to collect weapons almost obsessively, but Tifa doesn't think there's much point to that now. To be fair, weapons were never at the top of her list, but now there's no one to use them against. It's not like they do anything against the anomalies, after all. Personally, Tifa always holds out hope that she'll find something silly. It's fun to tease Royce, and she's secretly trying to find something even more hideous than that sweater that she can give him.

There's a big, ornate dresser pushed up against one wall that Tifa is rifling through. She's long since stopped wondering how it's possible that they can search a house and find something that they're certain wasn't there a few days ago. It's just another mystery of the town, like what keeps restocking the supply points or how the tablets stay charged. This drawer mostly seems to be a bunch of paperwork, full of bills and things she doesn't see any use in stopping to read. At the bottom, though, she finds a fake, glittery pink flower, slightly crushed but still intact. She snorts softly, pulling it out and then glances over at Royce.]

Hey, Royce.

[He should probably know by now from that tone that she's going to do something stupid.]

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[She rolls her eyes good-naturedly at his denial, but at least she got him to laugh a little.]

Do you want me to help you?

[ He nods a bit, sliding his hand down to take hers. He tugs her a little in the direction of the bathroom. ] ... Please.

[ Look at him, being polite. He feels like his tongue might fall out; look at that face he makes. ]

[Tifa laces her fingers through his and squeezes his hand, smiling at him.]

How could I say no when you're being so sweet?

[She's trying to tease him to cheer him up, but her voice is still soft.]

[ Snort. The teasing works pretty well, honestly.

They end up in the bathroom, and Royce sort of just... loses confidence. He's not exactly shy, it's just that he doesn't know what she wants. Doesn't know what he wants, or how to start unraveling. He lets go of her hand, and catches sight of himself in the mirror. There's a pause, as he just looks.

He really is covered in blood. That never bothered him before, but... he knows who it belongs to. He gets caught here, staring at his ratty hair and bloodstained blue sweater. Never really took the time to look at himself before coming here. ]

[She waits for a moment, just watching him. He almost seems like he's in a daze, and so after a second, Tifa steps forward, wrapping her arms around him from behind.]

You okay?

[ He jumps slightly, but doesn't pull away. Instead, he cautiously leans into her, and then, quietly: ] No, but I will be.

[ Matter-of-fact. She should know he's working on it, he thinks. ] Wash or cut first?

[She rests her forehead against his shoulder, just holding him for a moment.]

Wash. It'll be easier to cut if it's clean.

[ He likes that. Doesn't mind being held at all. He glances at the shower, and slowly, unwillingly peels himself away. He could stay there forever, but she's right, he needs to clean up.

The shower still works, he finds. He lets the water run over his hand, watching it with a weary look.

With a sigh, he drags his layers of sweaters up and off himself. Shivers immediately in the cold, too. ]

[She sees him shiver and then looks away, eyes averted politely. No peeking, Tifa!]

The water should warm up soon. Do you still have my bag?

[ Royce doesn't mind if she peeks. ] It's out in the living room. By mine.

[ He wonders if he should take off his pants... Off go his boots, though. ]

Okay. I'll be back.

[Well, while he's making that decision, Tifa goes to grab her shampoo and towel from her bag and the scissors and comb from his. And she absolutely peeks as she leaves. Subtle, Tifa.]

[ He might be kind of dazed, but he does catch her peeking. He actually laughs a little, rough and to himself. When she comes back, he watches her with an amused look. He still has his pants on! ]

[It is definitely not the time for this, but she feels a vague twinge of disappointment when she returns and sees that he does. She clears her throat a little when she notices his expression, then hands him the shampoo.]

Here you go. Um... Did it heat up yet?

[ Don't worry, Tifa, it'll happen. ] Getting there. [ He takes the shampoo, still watching her. ]

Are you going to be embarrassed if I take off the rest?

No.

[Look at her, getting huffy.]

Should I turn around?

You don't have to. [ That is definitely a grin creeping at the corners of his mouth. Also he's just going to go ahead and take his pants off... he has underwear on, it's fine.

He doesn't really care about being exposed. He's mostly concerned about the cold, which is why he doesn't much hesitate about getting under the water once he's completely naked. Dude is skinny and pale as hell, though. ]

[This is a million times better than he was doing before, so even though he's teasing her, she smiles back. And checks him out, skinny or not. She tries to be sneaky about it again, but... Well.

She pulls herself up to sit on the edge of the sink, her cheeks a little pink, and waits.]

[ Peeking. Tifa, please. Royce is relatively efficient about cleaning himself off. The water is warm, though, and he finds himself enjoying it more than he's willing to admit. It wears him down and out, and by the time he thinks he's cleaned most of the blood off (he can only tell by the fact that the water is clear after a while) he's finding it hard to move.

But at least his hair is nice. He hadn't really ever used shampoo before being here.

He steps out of the shower, pulling the towel to quickly rub at his hair, and then wrap it around his waist. Everything he owns now is bloodstained. He's not sure he has much else of a choice on replacement clothes. ]

Keep losing sweaters. [ Royce remarks, eyeing the ruined neon blue on on the floor. ]

[She can't help it, and hey, he's being Mr. Shameless over here.]

You're not going to let me find another sweater for you, huh? [She smiles a little again, and then:] And see? I told you. Handsome.

No, I am not. [ He's firm on that one, but they're both being playful. It's nice. It's - strange. He had been so set on this never happening again. He'd convinced himself she was gone. ]

I guess you'd know, since you keep looking. [ Teasing! He moves closer, looking at her through wet hair. ] Is there blood left?

[Ooh, look who's blushing again, and even getting pouty!]

You said I could.

[Kind of? Not really. She doesn't see any blood left, but she leans forward to run her fingers through his hair anyway, pushing it back from his face. It's just an excuse to touch him.]

I think you got all of it.

I did. [ Royce agrees. He likes the blush. Thinks it's cute, despite himself. And as for her running her fingers through his hair, well. That he leans into, like a cat. His eyes lid slightly. ]

... That feels good.

Does it?

[Her voice is soft again, and she smiles as she starts gently combing the tangles out of his hair with her fingers. He seems to be doing better, too, bit by bit.]

[ Okay, so yes, definitely a cat. He leans against the counter and sink and lets her comb, eyes shut. He hums his agreement, and look, he'll just stay there until she's done. He might fall asleep standing up. You never know. ]

[She laughs quietly, leaning forward to rest her forehead against his when she's done.]

Hey, are you falling asleep on me?

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