cantante | ♫ inbox: melodies of life.

[ That day, Tear would return to a note placed in the center of the table, hastily scribbled in red ink. There is no trademark feathers attached, meaning the author must have been in that much of a rush.

Transcript. ]

[ Following through on that unfortunate promise, he doesn't show up at the front door until it's well after midnight, the darkness hindering his attempts at making a stealthy entrance as he fumbles with the lock for a moment before finally stepping into the house. It's been a long day at work - far too long, but he knows he's not in a position to complain with his performance still suffering from the sheer amount of absences on his part as of late.

Being home had a different meaning to it now, that they've started living together, and any feelings of regret he might have about not having been able to wish her a good night this one time become irrelevant in the perspective of a good morning that will follow soon enough. For now, he simply needs to stay quiet, unwilling to disturb his roommate's sleep.

... Because certainly, she has listened to his request, hasn't she? ]

[ For what it was worth, Tear had at least gone to sleep at some point—except it might have been a lot later than she usually did, and she may have strongly considered trying to wait for him to come home anyway. There was also the issue of where she was having her slumber, which would be curled safely beneath a blanket against the corner of the living room couch and with a book ready to slip out of her slackened grasp.

Honestly, she had meant to listen to his request and retire to the bedroom eventually if sleep hadn't overtaken her first.

Being so close to the front door also meant that there was no way the noise from his entrance went unnoticed, which meant she was now shifting and blinking through the heavy daze confusedly before looking toward the direction of the interruption. ] Ace...?

[ Ace was just as confused to hear any sounds of commotion in an otherwise quiet room, looking around to find the girl huddled on the sofa. Connecting the dots wasn't at all difficult, but his own exhaustion only allowed him for a soft sigh. So stubborn.

And yet, he couldn't wipe a tiny smile off his face as he placed his jacket on a hanger and stepped closer, Rem nestled safely in his palm, finally free from her pocket prison. The chocobo didn't want to stop at just that, however, and it wasn't long until she demanded to be reunited with her true caretaker, flapping her wings with unmistakable excitement. Or, at least, that's how he'd learnt to interpret it.

Carefully setting the bird on the couch, he didn't forget to steal a quick kiss on Tear's forehead before drawing away from the pair. ]

How's the book? [ Of course, it was nothing but a teasing remark, spoken in a voice above a whisper. ] Come, you should get some real sleep.

Book? [ Which goes to show just how much Tear had actually been focusing on it, taking a moment to look at the object in her hand. Smiling sheepishly, a quiet sigh made its way past her lips before she felt the gentle pressure of his lips against her forehead. For all that such small touches might be becoming routine, a soft warmth still made its way to her cheeks as she set aside the tome and welcomed the tiny creature into her open palms. ]

I've slept in worse, you know. [ Which was absolutely nothing to brag about, especially in a tone that suggested how close she was to falling back into slumber. ] Did you have a good day?

[ Long hours aside, Rem certainly seemed enthusiastic enough for having possibly spent all day in a pocket. Or maybe she was just being particularly energetic, Tear had long acknowledged that the chocobo was prone to having her moments of high maintenance and had a mind of her own. ]

[ Ace was the last person she had to educate on the rougher aspects of a soldier's lifestyle, but he smiled at her sleepy mumbling regardless, letting her have her way, even if at the cost of completely missing his point in the process.

Glancing in the direction of the kitchen, he quickly realized he wasn't at all hungry, despite having replaced his lunch break with a few cups of coffee. The drink would have met with a flat refusal under normal circumstances, but there were reasons why the station had grown to depend upon it so during busier days.

The bitterness still lingering on his tongue he could do without, however, and so he opened one of the cupboards to grab one of the chocolates from the stash of sweets prepared for similar... emergencies. Popping it into his mouth, he then moved to perch on the armrest of the sofa. ]

Well, work is work. [ It would have been unprofessional to complain, and just as dishonest to reply with a yes. Some could also consider talking with one's mouth full rude, something the cadet didn't even realize he was doing. Manners. ] The first warm days of the year usually bring about many absences at the office, or so I've heard. I'm... just glad to finally be home. So is Rem, I bet.

[ He looked down at the chocobo cradled in the girl's hands. ]

She's growing up, and soon it won't be that easy to simply sneak her in. I might have to think of something else.

[ It was certainly rude manners he was exhibiting, though all Tear could really bring herself to do about it was come closer and tug on his sleeve weakly, just barely frowning as she tried to shake off enough of the sleep so she could keep up a stern expression. The epitome of discipline. ]

I understand them wanting to enjoy them, but there will be more warm days later on with better planning. [ Besides, he had brought up a topic that very much made her pull Rem closer to herself without even thinking about it, meriting a high chirp from the chick before she indulged her habit of rubbing against Tear's stomach. ]

Do you think taking her will become a problem? [ The melodist was well-aware that she would grow up eventually, and had come to terms with that ultimately. But for now, she was still small and needed enough supervision, and above that who could mind such an adorable creature? ] There's a little bit more time before that...

[ Tear's feeble touch quickly drew his attention back to her half-lidded eyes, which weren't making it any easier to resist wrapping his arms around the sleepyhead at his side. Alas, another night spent on the couch wouldn't do either of them any favours, and after that accidental nap on the floor from the other day he was no longer sure if he could trust any of them to stay awake for much longer.

Of course, he recognized that look and silently appreciated her eagerness to be upset in his stead, though considering it was a group of people she did not even know, it seemed like a little bit too much.

Maybe... maybe it was just him. ]

That's what I thought, but then again.... it's hard to blame others for grabbing any chance they get, these days.

[ Ending on a somewhat grim note, he quickly tries to push the conversation onto different tracks, ones more suitable for what had already shaped up to be a long evening. He reached out his hand to run his fingers through her hair, very gently, almost reassuringly. ]

Shared responsibility, remember? I said I would find a way. [ He refused to let the station cat collect all the privileges, for every officer needed their trusty sidekick. ] Eventually, she'll learn to follow others on her own, it's the possible distractions on the way that I'm concerned about.

[ A curious smile crossed his lips. ]

But you almost sound like you'd rather keep her this small.

I suppose you're right... [ On both accounts—with the uncertain state of things and more people having to be relocated, and losing more land to the Calamity by the day, it made sense that there would be those who would jump at the opportunity to enjoy a day of relaxation. Still, one could hope they would be a little more responsible about it as she closed her eyes and leaned toward his touch.

Then was the matter of Rem. Tear had no doubt he would find a way, and he had certainly kept his word as far as taking care of the small bird went, but he might have been right on target with his last statement, eliciting a somewhat sheepish smile. ]

I'm not sure... [ Sighing softly, the bird decided to add in her own opinion in the form of a series of curious chirps, tilting her head up at the two. ]

Someone has to always be watching her while she's this small. [ Not that she minded this responsibility in the least. ]

I think I might be getting too used to having to look after her like that. And I guess I am prone to worrying when she's not around.

[ Ace wordlessly thanked the Chocobo for her valuable input, suspecting that neither she was in a rush to grow up and abandon the freedom only a spoiled child was allowed to have. It was a comfortable position to be in, without a doubt. ]

So, you're being a little bit overprotective. What about it?

[ Giving a little shrug of his shoulders, he proceed to gently pick at lone strands of her hair, twirling them idly around his fingers. Although he wished the melodist wouldn't push herself so hard, he also realized the worrying was an integral part of the entire process. To advise against it would be like tell somebody to stop caring entirely. ]

Just don't forget about Sein, or Rem's slightly overgrown brother. [ While he punctuated his statement with a soft chuckle, there was no denying Suzaku's superiority in terms of understanding the little chick's needs. ] No matter how you look at it, she's got quite a group of guardians.

[ The remark that followed, unmistakably directed at Tear and Tear only, was spoken in a softer tone. ]

It also seems to me that you could benefit from having someone else to carry you places, partner. I didn't intend to keep you awake at this hour.

Weren't you the one who mentioned she wouldn't grow real wings if I held on too tightly? [ She remembered well every detail of the night he had given her the young creature, but if the worry she felt was all right with Ace then she wouldn't argue against it so much, stroking Rem's feathered head idly with her thumb.

But the reminder that there would always someone to look after her was comforting in itself, drawing what might have been stifled laughter from the melodist as she remembered some of Sein's 'mishaps' with taking care of her. It also made her glad, knowing there was little chance of her feeling lonely. ] She really does...

[ But in regards to having someone carry her—the way he phrased it had her blushing softly for reasons she couldn't fully understand yet, shifting slightly and straightening herself up in the process. ]

I can manage. It was my choice to wait for you.

[ Truth be told, he hadn't expected her to hold onto what had ultimately been a figure of speech rather than an actual piece of advice. After all, he'd never heard of an instance of it actually happening to speak with certainty, it merely stood to reason that an animal from the wilderness should be given more space. From the looks of it - he'd gotten to observe her efforts often enough - the girl had been able to get a proper grasp of it already. ]

Back then, I didn't know if you were ready to trust your instincts. If I have to be honest, you did seem a bit shaky.

[ The corner of his mouth rose into a smirk at the memory that shouldn't by any means feel as distant as it did. Her reaction made only made it worse for him to keep a straight face, and it wasn't long before he had to fight back something of a satisfied hum. ]

... I see.

[ Withdrawing his hand, the boy regarded her thoughtfully for a moment and then rose to his feet. He still had to take a shower before he could consider falling into slumber. ]

In that case, would you be okay with five more minutes?

[ Tear wasn't even going to try to deny the observation. The topic of that night's discussion aside, she had been caught completely off-guard by the sudden responsibility she had found quite literally placed into her hands, one she understood the gravity of immediately. As much as she may coddle Sein he was still a very capable moogle, and a flower garden couldn't compare on such a scale. Even now, she would doubt would try to intrude in her thoughts.

Except the bird seemed relatively healthy and happy, if the way she went back to nuzzling into her was any indication as a fond smile made its way to the girl's lips. ]

Like I said, it's my first time taking care of someone this dependent on my efforts. I want to give her my best.

[ Looking up at him, she raised one eyebrow at the expression adorning his features. What was with that look? ]

Maybe I could afford that, if it's only five minutes. [ She wouldn't fall asleep again that quickly, right?]

[ Noting the confusion growing in her eyes, Ace decided to cut short the charade, lest his reaction be taken the wrong way. Unless it was willingly reciprocated, he found little enjoyment in teasing, and her blush had been a reward in itself. He fully intended to follow through on his promise, however. Sharing an apartment with five other people had been a valuable lesson in being an efficient housemate, so staying within that limit hardly posed any challenge.

Having ditched his work attire for a more comfortable set of clothes, he emerged from the bathroom shortly thereafter. Droplets of water still trickled down his hair and onto his shirt, but he paid them no mind, carefully closing the door behind him. Whether Tear had managed to hold up her end of the deal remained yet to be seen....

In any case, there was a certain advantage to moving barefoot, as it granted a bonus to being exceptionally sneaky. ]

... Tear?

[ Ace's timing could almost be perfect—Tear's eyes had been closed for just a little too long, about to succumb to slumber again when she heard her name. Rem's sharp chirp announcing the cadet's return had also helped matters, making it a little easier to force her eyelids open again and try to blink away the haze. ]

I'm here. [ Which probably wasn't the answer he was expecting and more a testament to how tired she had become, the girl reaching up to push away a few strands of hair that had fallen forward before looking to him properly, extending her hand to push away a few of his own strands as well. ]

I take it you're ready to go to bed now? [ If he didn't mind dealing with wet pillow from the looks of it, anyway. It was hard to tell if he had combed through that hair in such low lighting. ]

[ In his defense, that little brushing routine of hers allowed for that step to be easily skipped, but even in its absence he considered the matters of his own appearance trivial. Although disheveled strands would usually find their way to bounce back into place, there had been a couple of rough mornings that greeted him with a serious case of a bed hair, a phenomenon he'd never really encountered while sleeping alone, oddly enough.

At Tear's cue Ace leaned slightly forward, angling his head for her to reach, while his gaze flickered over her tired frame and fell on the little Chocobo guarded securely in her other palm, as though she was her last lifeline. He would not be fooled by Rem's enthusiastic peeps, knowing that the bird's energy levels were about to crash any second. ]

Yeah.

[ Her owner, on the other hand, clearly wasn't yet ready to put her own needs ahead of everyone else's. Merriment was long gone from the cadet's lips, replaced by concern that was slowly permeating his features. She had her own duties to attend to, didn't she? ]

... Please, allow me.

[ As to what the request entailed, she would find out a moment later, gently picked up by a pair of arms that didn't seem to display any strain as they kept their hold. Neither was it particularly affectionate, since remembering her response from before he avoided any sudden movements.

For all intents and purposes, it could still be considered a rescue mission. A soft, timid smile lit up his face when he spoke. ]

I always wondered, but you really are light as a feather.

To what—? [ And just like that, Tear had her answer the moment she finds herself being lifted so easily into his arms, forcing what was sounded oddly like a squeak past her lips that preceded the vivid blush now colouring her cheeks. To say she was surprised was putting it lightly, even with how gently he had gone through the motions.

Rem, on the other hand, did not seem to mind it in the slightest if one were to go by the excited series of trills she unleashed. The ruckus also meant that for just a few more minutes, her caretaker would be very much awake as she pulled the bird closer to herself with one hand, the other having reached up to wrap around the cadet for support of its own accord. ]

A-Ace...! [ Being picked up was unexpected and embarrassing enough as it was, but to make such a comment as well? The girl had half the urge to scold him just to try and hide how flustered she was, except even she could recognise how moot it would be.

Yet she could still try and have those half-hearted attempts ultimately fail. ] This isn't necessary, and I'm not that light...

[ Except the smile she saw when she looked up, coupled with the haze of slumber descending anew and odd comfort the position seemed to provide, had effectively dashed away any lingering sentiments of protesting further. Now left with fewer options for how to react, after several moments she chose to simply hide her face against the crook of his neck, even if it meant that her voice would be muffled when she finally came up with another response of sorts. ]

Why in the world would you be wondering that?

[ Peering into her eyes, suddenly bright with alertness that betrayed her discomfort, Ace couldn't help but feel a little bit guilty. He'd never intended for his gesture to be read as anything but an attempt to provide some aid. ]

Life isn't all about doing what's expected of you... I think.

[ He had himself acquired this knowledge only over the course of the past few months, and the pause marking the end of the sentence contained subtle traces of the remaining uncertainty. ]

Some things just feel right.

[ And holding her this close -almost cradled in his arms, with the way she was slowly easing into his embrace - was definitely among them. Even objectively speaking, she was on a light side, but all these little movements made her seem practically weightless, he noted as he lightly secured his grasp.

What drew a sudden breath out of his own throat was something completely unintentional, or at least he supposed it had been. As such, her question that followed would need to wait for its answer a bit longer, since the boy was temporarily preoccupied battling the warmth spreading across his cheeks.

A payback? ]

... Y-you know, it kind of tickles, when you do that.

[ Even though she could sense that uncertainty in his voice, Tear still found herself beginning to agree with him. Though there might yet be a long way to go, it was an idea that for quite some time had been growing in the back of her mind, enough that she had slowly begun to accept and try to apply to herself. Now, hearing it spoken in his voice somehow made it seem all the more achievable.

The girl also shared the sentiment of how there were indeed things that just felt 'right,' such as the way she continued to timidly press herself closer to him, the overall comfort he provided enough to draw a soft breath from her. ]

I suppose it isn't... [ But then the last thing he says makes her freeze altogether, peering up at him apologetically, yet also curiously after a few moments. ]

It does? [ Normally she would have pulled back immediately to put some space between them, but there was only so far Tear could go while being held like this without possibly compromising their balance. That, and it was just so warm... ]

[ He was there to prevent any such attempts, in any case, hurriedly pushing this moment of weakness to the back of his mind as he shook his head to ease her worries. It was a rather strange way of finding out, one that could have only been made apparent by such proximity; no wonder he'd never had the chance to experience it before. ]

... I never said it was bad, or unpleasant. Just... strange.

[ While he hesitated to give the feeling a better name, that certainly held true. Holding her close, he then turned around, as though having suddenly recalled his original intent, which had been to spare her the effort rather than invoke a moment of self-reflection, even if their room was only a few steps away.

Once there, he lowered her onto the bed a bit awkwardly, very much aware of the little chick still in her hold. ]

Should I take her?

I... see... [ The description of it certainly did little to ease any curiosity that lingered, even if she wasn't in any particular hurry to test it again. And even if she had wanted to, the trek was over too soon for her to even try as she found herself being placed down onto the bed.

A little awkward and unnecessary it might have been, Tear still granted him a small smile of gratitude despite the protests she had initially voiced. Though unanticipated, the position had eventually bestowed the girl with the strangest sense of security in the moments she had been in his arms, not unlike the times when she would curl closer against him as they slept.

But there was the issue of Rem indeed, the vermilion bird having gone from excited flapping to sleepily drooping her head in the short duration of the walk, just as expected. Sighing quietly in amusement, she accepted his offer and raised her toward Ace, trusting her partner to know what to do. ] If you could...? I'd appreciate it.

[ It always hurt to hear the disappointment in her voice, even when the reaction was prompted by the most innocent of the reasons. Searching for the ways to alleviate it, he could only find one, but he doubted that Tear would necessarily appreciate him trying to replicate the experience on herself.

At least not right away, when a single, careless move could compromise the safety of the little chocobo held in his hands. He knew the troublemaker would eventually succumb to slumber after a day of adventures, and he could only be grateful about her impeccable timing. Rem had her own spot near the bed, close enough to climb up the mattress whenever she wished, to be more specific - but it was the only arrangement they had both grown to accept given the bird's reckless attitude.

While his movements lacked usual grace now that he'd been overcome with tiredness, the cadet carefully placed the chick within her temporary home, made from a simple basket and strips of fabric which were already beginning to completely fall apart, bit by bit, thanks to somebody's sharp beak. Though it needed a fix, all he could muster was to make a mental note of it for the time being, finally free to turn off the lights and head towards his side of the bed.

The decision to leave his hair wet came back to haunt him the moment his head hit the pillow, the cold strands feeling uncomfortably cold against his neck and forcing him to roll onto his side, though it was only convenient that he did. ]

Come here.

[ As always, he lacked the confidence to make his words sound like anything above a shy whisper, but it was, nevertheless, an inviting one. ]

[ While she may be ready to fall asleep at any moment, Tear still kept herself awake as she watched Ace tuck the bird in, noticing his movements and making a mental note of it herself. If there were going to be more late nights like this in the near future, then certain preparations might have to be made to ensure he received the support and strength needed to keep up with it.

But for now, there was his request to answer to. Eyes soft with curiosity, the girl carefully edged her way over to his side of the bed until she was almost pressed against him, reaching out to brush one of the wet strands away from his face with a shy smile of her own. ]

What is it...?

[ For Ace, it was yet another morning at the hospital wing. He never stayed too long, envisioning the disappointment he would bring her by staying listless in the face of the upcoming trials. A part of him, too, realised that there was nothing to achieve by waiting in a place where time hardly ever moved, but he wanted to keep her company all the same, if only for a short while.

And not just her, given how many of their companions had been claimed by the crystal sleep. People who'd once lived alongside him were long gone, each week shrinking their numbers and damaging the morale. Zelda's death in particular was for many was difficult to address - unlike others, she hadn't been given the hope of return. Sooner or later, any of them could be sharing the same fate, and if a stasis ensured a Hero's safety, maybe he was being selfish by wishing for his friends to awaken.

For better or worse, he was left to his own thoughts without any other visitors in sight. Kneeling by Tear's hospital bed, Ace rested his palm against hers encased in crystal, cold and completely unresponsive. Though it chilled his skin like ice, there was something his partner had once said - something which had stuck in his mind despite being merely a passing comment. Be it thanks to the blood pulsing through his veins, or whatever force responsible, she'd found his hands to be somewhat warmer than she'd expected. Maybe not enough to melt the crystal layer separating them, but he nonetheless wished to try if it could reach her. ]

[ At first she wasn't even aware of the darkness that surrounded her, so much like the split moment between sleep and awake. But the moment was lasting too long, and the void threatened to pull her back to where she had tried so hard to escape. Somewhere so cold, dark silent... Until the gentle pressure against her hand tugged slivers of awareness back to the forefront of her mind.

The girl had no choice but to focus on that warmth, her only anchor to feeling. She knew this warmth, and she knew it well—as her mind struggled to make it past the haze and confusion, to break past that last darkness, her physical being acted of its own accord to curl her fingers around the hand touching hers.

Gently, then increasing in strength, Tear's first soft gasp for air pushed her to see light, and each blink afterward only brought the silhouette into sharper focus until she could more clearly see her partner. ]

Ace...?

[ He hadn't been able to register when exactly his body had rebelled against him and his head fell onto the mattress, but it must have happened at some point for him not to notice the alarming signs right away. In all honesty, he felt no less confused than she was when the gentle tugging turned out to be something more than a figment of his imagination, and her voice rang out to break the silence.

Stunned, he pushed himself up and the next thing he knew, he was hovering over her like a shield, waiting eagerly for a response of any kind. He'd been unable to get hold of information regarding the reason for her disappearance, so if she'd been by any chance injured, the pain could be returning any second. Either way, he felt fortunate to be by her side, where he belonged, especially now. ]

... I'm here. [ The hand previously holding hers slipped out of her grasp to press lightly against her shoulder, holding the girl down, just in case. Like her fingers, it felt so reassuringly warm to the touch. ] Don't make any sudden movements while your body continues to adjust. Give it a few seconds.

[ His point made, he released her from that brief captivity, smiling. For the first time in weeks. ]

Breathe.

[ There was no pain to speak of, at least not any that she could sense just yet, and were the melodist any more lucid she might have been startled by Ace's quick approach. Instead she blinked at him with vague confusion, wanting so much to reach out and take his hand back into hers again, to have that reassurance that they were in fact together.

Nevertheless she held herself back, following his instruction to breathe to the point that her eyes slid closed again, to better focus as she fell back into the even rhythm.

Except she couldn't keep them that way for more than a few moments, opening them so she could see that smile she loved so much and eventually granting him a weak one of her own. ]

You'll let me know... when I'm allowed to move...? [ Because she would very much like to pull him into her arms soon, slowly coming to understand the situation after sparing a second to glance at the distinctly cold walls. Her memories of the events before her sleep would take a little more time to recall. ]

[ A choked sound bordering on a laugh broke out of his throat. It was a ridiculous question, but in all fairness, he himself had started it, so he might as well play along. ]

... I'll think about it.

[ The relief that came from seeing her safe and sound washed over him in waves before his mind was able to catch up. It felt so incredibly surreal to be having this moment now, when he'd already resigned himself to what had seemed to be his reality. ]

You've been asleep for three weeks.

[ Whispering ever so softly, he decided to address the question that would inevitably fall from her lips. Still in the air was the matter of her sudden stasis, temporarily pushed aside while the melodist was still regaining her senses. Wanting to aid her in that process, he reached out to smooth some of the hair away from her forehead, but was unable to pause his ministrations once he began, ending up affectionately brushing his fingertips along the curve of her cheek. ]

[ The sound of his almost-laughter was as a balm for her waking state, giving her the push to make it past the last of the haze that came with waking up. Coupled with soothing touch, it was nearly successful in distracting her from the crucial piece of information he had shared.

Almost. ]

Three weeks...? [ While his touch may have succeeded in drawing out the soft blush dusting her cheeks, it wasn't enough to stop her eyes widening slightly in surprise. Without thinking she raised a hand to gently caress the one that had brushed over her skin, her expression becoming a little guilty despite not meaning to. No one had control over crystal stasis, and it would probably make him feel worse if she tried to apologise. ]

What happened—...? Are you all right?

[ As always, her first priority was his well-being. ]

[ Tear responded with a barrage of questions that each deserved a separate paragraph, so it only made sense to start out with what seemed the easiest. His free hand rose in the air in a gesture of a silent surrender before he dropped it. The old wounds had long healed up, leaving his skin clean save for occasional faded scars. ]

As you can see, I'm unhurt, so stop making that face. [ As much as he wanted to chide her for taking the blame for something she hadn't been responsible for, he couldn't bring himself to express it through his tone. Instead, it seemed more like a slightly defeated plea that he tried to fix with a weak smile, but even that faltered, eventually.

Ace sighed. Maybe he'd chosen a wrong angle to begin from altogether. ]

There are some things you must know, I'm just not sure if this is the right place for it.

[ She would stop making "that face," except there was more to be concerned about than just his physical well-being. But she had heard the plea in his voice and at least had that reassurance, thus the girl responded with a nod and quiet sigh of relief as she worked to get her expression back under control. ]

Not the right place... Then let's go home, Ace. [ It was her own turn to plead, with the way she looked at him and how her fingers entwined in his.

This area of the hospital had never been her favourite, and she knew now that if she took the time to glance around she would be met with some less than comforting sights. Fortunately, she had had the blessing of his face being the first she saw this time upon waking up. ]

[ He knew he couldn't take her patience for granted, which is why he set out to fulfil her request as soon as Tear was done speaking, helping her into a sitting position by giving her hand a gentle tug. ]

Everything is still where you left it. [ And he wouldn't have it any other way, if the warmth to his tone was any indication. No matter how long her absence were to last, he couldn't even imagine letting anyone else claim her place in the home they had made for themselves.

His fingers trailed shyly along the hem of her shirt for a couple of moments before resting against where her heart was beating, as if trying to map out its rhythm. ] ... It thrives in people's hearts, the Calamity. [ At that, he dropped his hand onto the bed and sighed. ] But worrying won't mend it, so I'll just have to keep a close eye on you. As close as you let me.

[ The girl began her response with a simple nod, still trying to recall the exact details of what was occurring before being pulled into sleep. So much had been happening that the process brought only more questions, but as Ace had said, this wasn't the place for it. Not only that, but the warmth of his tone left her speechless, completely uncertain of how to feel about it.

Except he didn't give her much time to think about it either, her attention immediately drawn elsewhere. Tear's breath had slowed until it came to a stop as his fingers traced along the cloth, even as her heartbeat drummed loudly in her ears. Only when he pulled away did she breathe again, cheeks flushed from what she perceived to be a rather intimate gesture.

Once again, his way with words had served to leave her momentarily speechless, yet a small smile eventually came when she leaned against him, just as it always did. ]

Idiot... isn't that what we already promised to do? I want you here.

[ After all, they were partners. ]

[ And she was the only one who could so easily get away with calling him names, earning a small huff of feigned irritation that had little to do with how he really felt. Finding relief in the warmth of her body pressed against his, he soon began to regret his decision to refrain from talking things through, even though it was for the better. This kind of closeness that he'd so missed made it nearly impossible to keep any of his secrets from spilling out. ]

Such a sharp tongue. [ Closing his eyes, he punctuated his response with a kiss to the girl's forehead. ] But you're okay. I'm so relieved….

[ When his arms finally found their way around her back, he was no longer holding himself back from making it known how much he had longed to hold her once more. It was his manner of saying thanks; one he knew she would understand without a need for an explanation. ]

Can you walk, or should I carry you?

[ Whispering teasingly against her hair, he made no effort to move, slightly contrary to his own offer. ]

[ Likewise, Tear took the time to wrap her arms around Ace in turn, not only to hold him closer but to communicate that she had understood his message, and neither was she in a hurry to pull away. Though she may have been crystallised, it felt as if it had been a long time since they where both together like this.

Perhaps it had been, with the investigation of all that was happening keeping him tied to the station for long hours, for days. And with the state she had found him in, it made her wonder—just when was the last time he had been granted a proper night's rest?

With that in mind it shouldn't be too much of a surprise when she drew a hand back, placing a finger on his lips with a faintly tired smile. ] I think I'll be fine. Maybe I should be the one asking you that, you were sleeping, remember?

... Hey, don't be silly.

[ It came out muffled against her warning finger. It was very like her to draw the course of the conversation back to him without a warning, but he still wasn't sure how to respond properly. Even if there was no hiding the faint circles under his eyes, he wasn't going to let her notice too much, lest she'd only find more reasons to be concerned. ]

I was... saving energy, like I always do. [ Who would have thought that the reality would be more merciful than dreams. Standing up, he reached out his hands to hold hers, giving them a gentle tug. ] You should call for Sein instead of worrying. You know the rules of this place.

[ That, and without a doubt the Moogle would want to know she was awake and well. ]

Saving energy... [ Though she had spoken softly, her tone indicated that she was well aware there was more to it than that. But further discussion could wait, since he had brought up a valid point in summoning her companion. If she didn't do so soon, he might be more upset that she had delayed calling him a second time—and no one wanted to deal with the consequences of a vexed Moogle.

It took her a moment to steady herself, holding on to her partner's hands for unwavering strength as her body was still fatigued from being still for so long. Once she she was completely upright her focus was again on his face, quiet concern making itself known even though she held back the sigh that wanted to accompany it.

But she held herself back again, not yet reaching for the flute that would summon the puffball to her side. They would have privacy for a little bit longer, and so she took advantage of it by leaning up to press her lips against his cheek.

Satisfied with that for now, she finally felt around and brought the instrument to her lips. Wherever Sein was, she had no doubt he would appear all too quickly. ]

♫ inbox: melodies of life.

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( the hospital | july 23rd )

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( the hospital | july 23rd ) the unintentional rhymes in this thread are killing me

( the hospital | july 23rd ) I only just noticed it oh my god

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