cantante | ♫ inbox: melodies of life.

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...?

♫ inbox: melodies of life.

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