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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[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?

Maybe. [ He says after a moment, corners of his mouth twitching up again. A beat, and then he leans up to press a kiss to her cheek. ] ... I'm comfortable. With you.

[She grins, hands going to his waist to tug him a little closer. She knows how much that means, coming from him.]

Good. This is... nice, isn't it?

Mm. [ He agrees, resting his head against her shoulder. ] Better than before. When you... I thought...

[ He doesn't know if he wants to talk about it, so he just quiets, closing his eyes. ]

I know. I'm sorry.

[She just lets him stay like that for a moment, one hand rubbing circles on his back, before she continues more quietly.]

Royce? Do you remember... before... you said you didn't... [She pauses.] You said you didn't have anything back home.

[ He shakes his head, because she doesn't need to apologize. He's also quiet for a beat more, and then he sighs. ] I don't.

Hadrian is dead. [ His throat tightens up. ] He was - all that I had.

[She wraps her arms around him properly now, settling her chin on his shoulder.]

If we ever figure out a way back... Maybe you could come home with me. [And then, a little more quickly:] I mean, if you want.

[ Oh. Oh, that's - quite the offer, and he goes a little tense at it. ]

You'd want that? [ Because he does. ]

[She nods, then hides her face in his shoulder. It feels like quite the offer, and she's not sure what he thinks of it.]

I know things might be a little strange at first, but I could help you adjust, and...

[And what? She doesn't know what. They could figure it out, right?]

I don't have anywhere else to go. [ Royce reminds her. He brings his arms up to hold her close, resting a hand on the back of Tifa's neck. ] I would go with you. If there was any chance, I would.

[ She's practically home, now. ]

Oh.

[It's a relief and somehow exhilarating at the same time. There's no guarantee they will get home, but... still. The thought of never seeing him again is heartbreaking. But if he could just come with... She smiles, pressing a kiss to the side of his neck.]

Marlene and Denzel would love you.

[ Snort. ] Would they? [ People don't typically tend to love him, Tifa! He finally pulls away, but not before taking her face in his hands and kissing her gently. Sorry, not sorry.

And then he's going to slide around her to pick up the scissors. ] Tell me about them.

[When he breaks the kiss, she's got a silly little smile on his face. He doesn't have to be sorry!]

Of course they would.

[She takes the scissors from him and grabs the comb, too.]

Denzel is from Midgar. His family used to live on top of the Sector Seven plate. [He'll know what that means, so she doesn't elaborate.] He's a sweetheart. Sensitive, but still tough. And Marlene... She's one of the most perceptive kids I've ever met. She can read people, you know? You'd like her.

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